Lee County, Illinois - The whole text, 1881 (part 18 of 24)

It seems clear that Levi Kelsey was the first to emigrate here. He is now deceased. But in the later j'ears of his life he resided at Mendota. where he was president of the bank. Hon. O. W. Bryant, who knew him well, speaks in high terms of his kindness, integrity and capacity for business. His widow, Mrs. E. S. Kelsey, writes from Mendota, August 2, 1881, substantial!}- as follows: Mr. Kelsey- had traveled over most of this state, and was well acquainted with its history. He was favored with a remarkable memory for dates, places, persons, etc. He was the first person, with one Joel Griggs, to make a claim and build a house at Paw Paw Grove, in the winter of 1S33-4. But believing he was on the Indian reservation, and not being able to ascertain the correct boundaries, he abandoned the claim, and came to Troy Grove, I think, in March. I came out west in September 1834, and remember Mr. David A. Town coming to our house to inquire about the claim at Paw Paw and the chance of being disturbed. Nothing was said about buying the claim, for I do not believe that Mr. Kelsey ever thought that he had a right to anything at Paw Paw. I was present and heard their conversations. It was in December or January that my husband went to Paw Paw Grove. Often heard him tell about it, and of having Indians for neighbors, and of fun with the latter on occasion of cutting a bee-tree. The Indians induced Griggs to cnt several trees for them, but not finding the right one he became tired of it ; then they tried my husband, who refused to cut any. They then set their squaws to chopping, who, after several failures, succeeded in finding plent}- of honey. Mr. Kelsey was largely rewarded for his bravery in refusing to work for them, and pronounced "good shemoka man "; while Mr. Griggs was " shemoka squaw ishnoba," no good.

There was a prevailing belief shared by j)rominent citizens, among whom may be named A. J. Harrington, Esq., and ex-Sheriff James Goble, that Mr. Kelsey settled here before the Black Hawk war. The circumstantial evidence on their side seemed almost conclusive, in the absence of positive proof to the contrary. But Mrs. Kelsey fortifies her statement by a sulisequent letter, and does it so well that doubtless the gentlemen named, will gracefully allow the lady to hold her posi- tiou. She writes UctoDer 7, 1881 : " I liave looked over my husband's inenioraiidnm book, and also bis account of partnership witb Joel Griggs, and find that tbe date of their going to Paw Paw Grove was January 20, 1834. I have often heard Mr. Kelsey say that he was the first settler there. As to iiis being there in 1829, that is all bosh ; for he came west in the fal' of 1828, peddling clocks, under a twenty months' engagement. His route was in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and other southern states. I have an account of his being sick at Alexandria, and a man dying in the bed beside him. Thence he went to St. Louis, where he was unwell all winter ; then he was at Palmyra, Illinois, for a time, studying with a physician ; was again in St. Louis, in ill-health, at the breaking out of the cholera in 1832; then engaged in peddling dry goods and Yankee notions in Illinois, for a St. Louis firm, and continued so to do till he went to Paw Paw in 1834. Mr. Kelsey was not in northern Illinois until about the time of the breaking out of the war. He would not have gone so far up as the rapids of the Illinois river, because the country was not settled enough to induce any one to peddle in it."

Tracey Reeve, president of the Citizens' National Bank of Princeton, Illinois, writes July 27, 1881, as follows : " I went to Paw Paw Grove in May, 1834, with three other men, to locate claims; but concluded, from the best information we could get, that the grove was reserved for Indians. We saw no person there, white or Indian. We camped there over night in some Indian huts. It was very cold for the time of year, and a terrible storm raged there during the night. I had quite an adventure in getting from there to Troy Grove, the nearest settlement, but suppose you will not care to hear about that." An old neighbor of Mr. Reeve, who had boated down the Mississippi with him in eai'ly days, and who now resides in Wyoming, tells what that adventure was. After leaving Paw Paw Grove Mr. Reeve came to a creek, where the water was so high it overflowed some distance beyond the banks. In attempting to cross his wagon was ups,et, and himself thrbwn headforemost over the dasher. Next morning, when about to pay his tavern bill at Troy Grove, he missed his silver money, about eight dollars. He retraced his course to the scene of the mishap, found the money, and was about to start again, when he was confronted by some thirty Indians. They acted as if they would make trouble, but with his slow team he could not avoid them ; being a man, however, of great presence of mind, and knowing a few of their words, he drove boldly up to them, said "Good morning" in Indian language, and passed or. without hindrance. A moment after there broke forth from them the loudest laugh he ever heard. They had anticipated some amusement at his expense. These statements settle some ques- tions which have arisen as to priority of residence. And while due credit is awarded to those who were on the ground before him, the higher praise must be given to David A. Town, as the first white settler around this grove who stuck w here he located claims. He was a native of Vermont, emigrated to Marion county, Ohio, and thence to Paw Paw Grove in the fall of 1834. He is described, by one of his neighbors who kept tavern in Dixon, as a man of determined will, a leader in local affairs, capable and square in business. "I have known him to refuse to sell seed grain for a high price, saying: 'you can buy it elsewhere ; but I have poor neighbors who cannot get money to buy. I shall give the seed to them.' " His nephew, Hosea R. Town, gives below very interesting reminiscences in this connection: "Uncle David A. Town was the first white man who settled at Paw Paw Grove. He built his first house on the southeast side of the grove, just west of the farm now owned by Pierpont Edwards. It was a log house, 16x18 feet, with a door in the east side, one six-lighted window in the west side, and a big fireplace and chimney in the north end. This chimney was built outside of the house, so as to give more room inside. It was made of sticks split out with the fro, and laid cob-fashion, and then plastered inside and out with mud made from common clay. The floor of the house was made from boards that were split from logs cut the length we wanted, and then hewed with a broad-axe. The roof was made of shakes split out with the fro about three feet long, and four or five inches wide, and then laid double onto poles placed lengthwise of the house to hold them up, and then another pole laid on to hold them down, and then another layer of shakes with the butts to this pole, and then anotiier pole to hold them down, and so on till the roof was completed." O. P. Johnson, now of Brooklyn, who i-ived the shingles, says this house was built by himself and three others in a day and a half, in ]S'ovember 1834. Uosea R. Town continues: "David A. Town made a claim here, and broke and fenced twenty acres, and in the fall sowed ten of it with winter wheat. He then bought half of the ' Ogee section,' owned by Mrs. Job Alcott, a half-breed French and Indian woman, for §1,000 in silver. He then left here and went to the north end of the grove, and built his second house, which John Patrick now owns. When my father got here, in December 1835, he took the first house and south half of that claim." Those who knew this brave pioneer most intimately say of him : "David A. Town was a square man, a true friend, but a bad enem\'." Says one: "I have known men to go to him with the money to buy seed grain, and offer a high price, yet he would refuse to sell it, saying, 'You are able to buy elsewhere; I have needy neighbors to whom I must give this.' "

The following picturesque description of the man is by Andrew Breese : "David A. Town was a remarkable man, known all over this country. Smart, energetic, jolly, drank a little when away from home,but not so much as not to know what he was about ; square man ; wanted to rule; wanted others to come to him for advice; very resolute, large size, strong, rough man, cock of the walk ; as long as he lived was for Paw Paw."

There came with David A. Town, in 1834, his wife and four children. The latter were named George, Martha, David A., jr., and Sarah. The father was wont to say of his good wife : " With all my faults, Betsey never gave me a cross word." Going with Aunt Boxy horseback, both on one horse, to make a visit, the former lady prudently carried her shoes in her hand, not wearing any, but meaning to put them on just before the end of the journey. Being thrown off into a slough, holding up her new shoes she congratulated herself: " There, I have saved my shoes." With such an example, economy became a cardinal virtue in the community. Mrs. Town was loved and respected by all who knew her.

A stranger having inquired of David A. Town one day when meeting him for the direction to a certain place, and then taking an opposite course, Town's suspicions were aroused. Pursuing the stranger on horseback, he overtook him, drew out of him the confession that he was a counterfeiter, discovered and captured his dies, and the man was sent to the penitentiary. What Deacon Hallock said afterward of the daring and quick wit of two of the leading citizens was true also of other good men here. " Town and Bryant were a terror to horse thieves and counteifeiters." The former was an early justice of the peace, and his appointees, like himself, were incarnations of the terror of the law. Later, wlien the township was organized, he was its first supervisor, serving two terms. He died in 1861. He and his wife were buried in the gravej'ard lialf a mile south of Paw Paw. Only two of his children are now living, David A., jr., a broker at Earlville, and Sarah, now Mrs. Terrj', at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The settlement begun by Town was largely augmented the same fall by the arrival of the Harrises, Butterfield, Ploss, and Wilcox. All these belonged to the same general family who emigrated from Michigan in one company, and of whom the Rev. Benoni Harris, then past three score and ten, was the venerable head. This family', a little colony in numbers, consisted of eight grown-up children, besides Father Harris and his equally aged wife. The children were Benjamin and Benoni, Stephen and Joseph, Polly, Thankful, Amanda and Delilah. Six were married. Polly was the wife of Edward Butterfield, and these had a son, Solomon. The next two were married to John Ploss

Butterfield, while serving in the Black Hawk war, had seen this locality, and being delighted with its attractive features, resolved to make it his future home. Returning after the Indians had been vanquished, he had no difiicult}' in persuading his relations to emigrate. Benoni Harris, sr., was a Methodist preacher. Both himself and wife are buried in Ralph Atherton's garden, at the southeast corner of Paw Paw Grove. Hers was the first death at the grove. The dwelling occupied the first winter by these immigrants was a double log cabin erected on their arrival. Somewhat later a frame house, the first in all this region, was built by Harris. It may yet be seen, a few rods west of the original site, on James Ketcham's land. Having been sawed asunder, a part of it is used for a dwelling, and the rest for a corn-bin.

In the spring of 1835 Butterfield came up to the west end of the grove, made a claim on the S.E. J of Sec. 10, and built a cabin near where Hendrick Roberts is living, in the outskirts of Paw Paw, but on the south side of the Chicago road. This embraced substantially that part of Paw Paw lying east of Flagg and North streets. One season was all he spent here before returning to the east end of the grove. This dwelling was an historical one, as the following facts show: It was the first house; it was on the first claim; it was the home of the first couple married in the township; it was the first store, and the first house to be burned.

It is a generally accepted tradition that David A. Town was the original permanent settler of Wyoming township. This belief shows how easily error becomes perpetuated. His claim to priorit}- is limited to Paw Paw Grove, at the east end of which he settled, as already described. He spent the summer of 1835 at that point, where he fenced twenty acres, and that year sowed the land to fallwheat. Early the same year he claimed the S.W. ^ of Sec. 11 in this township, and removed to it with his family, we feel safe in saying, not before the early autumn. While yet living on the first claim an attempt was made to jump the second, and a cabin was started ; but Mr. Town, with his characteristic resolution, expelled the interloper by driving his team off the claim when he was at work. Butterfield sold his claim, on which was the "Big Spring," now covered by Wheeler's creamery, and which was then an object of value, for about $20, either to David or George Town, probably to the former, for whom the latter occupied it on his marriage and held it. The cabin was south of the road. In 1837 George Town built a hewed log house north of the road, but farther west, near Grummond's corner, and, changing his location, lived there till 1856, when he moved to Kansas, where he died in January 1870, leaving his family in good circumstances. His widow is yet living.

About the time that Butterfield was making the first beginning in tlie township, on the present site of Paw Paw village, John Ploss made a small improvement on the south side of the grove, and in like manner led the way to the settlement of south Paw Paw. He built his house in the woods, on the bank of the creek, some fort}' rods north of Deacon Hallock's, and fenced five acres of ground, but remained not later than fall, when he went back to Michigan. Eber St. John bought the claim. Tliis man had some property, was inoffensive, and too forceless to keep the best company. In a little while he moved to Shabbona, where he mysteriously disappeared, and it was supposed that he had been murdered for his mone}'. His claim embraced the larger part of South Paw Paw, and was purchased by Deacon Orlando Boardman.

Isaac or Asahel Balding was one of the first settlers in the township, having arrived as early as 1835, and located on the Dixon and Chicago road, midway between the two Paw Paws, where he kept the first stage-house and tavern. Deacon Hallock's definition of the early tavern, that " it was a place where blacklegs congregated," has a veritable illustration in the history of this one, as related by Hosea Town : ^' Balding sold out to William Rogers, he to Dick Allen, he to John Simms, who mortgaged the place for S-100, to get his son John out of jail in Chicago for passing bogus money, and never redeemed it. All these, except Balding, were regular bandits. The stage stopped at this house as long as it ran by Paw Paw.'" Simms had the stand in 1810, and it was the only tavern then at the grove ; but travelers, as was the custom, put up anywhere. Stages were put on this route, between Galena and the village of Chicago, in 1831.

Gillett came in 1835, and died tlie same season of cholera in Chicago. In December of this year came Russell Town, before alluded to, who resided on the old place, at the east end of the grove, eleven years, then removed to the William Strader place, two miles west of Paw Paw. He died in this township December 31, 1867. His widow, still living in Paw Paw, is the sole surviving representative of those having families and settling at the grove prior to 1837. They brought five children : Hosea, Harriet, David, Zerah, and Elizabeth, and four were subsequently born: Caroline, the first at the grove, April 21, 1836; Oscar, Ellen, and Eliza. Hosea, David, Caroline and Eliza have always been residents of Wyoming, and to the two former we owe acknowledgment for reliable pioneer information.

or 1836. He died not many years after, and his grave, the first at this grove, is in the highway in front of George Yenerick's, where a tall cherry stump stands sentry over the hallowed spot.

In 1836 Job Alcott arrived and built a cabin equi-distant between the two Paw Paws; this and the Butterfield or George Town cabin, were the only ones on the south side of the Chicago road for many years. Alcott's was succeeded by the " Hollow House,'' noted for its dancing-hall and bar. About 1848 S. P. Rogers, ppened a country store in this building. Originally from Ohio, he had married, in Illinois, the Pottawatomie Indian woman Madaline, former wife of Joseph Ogee, a half-breed. She owned the Ogee reservation, which contained 640 acres, and was secured to her by the treaty of Prairie du Chien, July 29, 1829. About the first conveyances in this county pertained to this tract. David A. Town purchased the west half, as before stated, for $1,000. He got 170 rods in width for 160 (best half of bargain). Later, "William Rogers bought the remainder.

The first plat of this section was made by Willard Hastings. It was never recorded, and by reason of this omission the land could not be sold for ta.ves, the collection of which was for a long time precarious and troublesome. After tedious but patient examination, William McMahan, county surveyor, discovered the witness trees, marked "O G," and in 1880 ran out the boundaries, platted the land, and recorded the plat. The Le Clair reservation, granted to Pierre Le Clair by the same treaty of Prairie du Chien, was surveyed in 1843 by Wheeler Hedges, and by him the survey was also legally recorded. The north and south road opposite the old Morgan house divided the two reservations, which comprised the greater part of Paw Paw Grove. Charles Pierce says Samuel J. Best and Augustus Wiley bought the Le Clair reservation of 640 acres for $2.25 per acre. Wareham or Wiram Gates, everywhere known as " Bogus" Gates, purchased part of the land from Wiley.

Charles Morgan and wife and seven children probably came in 1836, from Virginia, and the ne.xt year he was keeping tavern half a mile east of David A. Town's house. William Rogers, already mentioned, came in 1836. He was the first postmaster, having his office near Morgan's tavern. The next post-office was fifteen miles east of him. He was a man of versatile genius ; had charge of the removal of the Indians from here to Council Bluffs in 1837; was an officer in the Mexican war, and afterward sherifi of Sacramento, California.

McDowell, who now came to the southeast side of the grove and made his home there for a number of years, was married to Delilah Harris. This was the first marriage in this part of the country. Among the invited guests were Shabbona and two other Indians, who expressed great delight at the honor thus shown them. "After the wedding the men went into the grove, cut a liberty pole, brought it out on their shoulders, fastened the flag of our country to it, and raised it ; when the stars and stripes floated to the breeze there went up such a shout as never before went up at Paw Paw Grove."* The next wedding was that of George Town and Fidelia Sawyer, December 13, 1836. This was the first in what is now Wyoming. A week later, December 20, remembered as the remarkabl}^ cold day, Levi Carter was married to the widow Gillett. Kev. Benoni Harris ofiiciated on these three occasions.

Jacob D. Rogers came in 1837 from Pennsylvania. His claim of 320 acres, mostlj', if not wholly, in Sec. 10, was next west of George Town's claim, and therefore included the west part of the site of Paw Paw. He was the first to settle out in the prairie, west of the grove, and was ridiculed for it. Yet he was a remarkable man. He was very devout, and heartily respected by all. He became a member of the Anti-Outlaws' Societj', which seems to have been a vigilance committee that sought to bring big rascals to justice, and possibly one or two to a sudden end. He was a man of uncommon strength, an exhibition of which was liable to occur whenever his disgust (not wrath) was excited. At one time, when everything was brought by teams from Chicago, he was at that place, and among other things purchased a harrel of salt. He asked the man with whom he dealt to assist him to load it. The merchant made some trivial excuse for not doing so, whereupon " Uncle Jake," with the remark, " Go and soak your head," seized the barrel of salt and put it over the rear end gate of an old Pennsylvania wagon. At another time his wagon was standing near the fence across the road from his barn, wherein were five three-bushel sacks of oats, which he asked the two hired men to carry to the wagon while the boy hitched up the team. The men thought the wagon could be driven to the barn. This disgusted him at once, as he thought it smacked of laziness. He threw one sack on one shoulder, another on the other shoulder, then caused the men to put two more across them and the fifth still across those two, making a weight of four hundred and eighty pounds, then addressing the men said, " If either oTie of you men is too lazy to walk across the road I will carry him on top, if the other has ambition enough to put him there." He then carried the oats to the wagon. A stranger to fear, an inveterate talker, with the profoundest feelings of contempt and disgust for his enemies, eitlier real or imaginary, his tongue was not infrequent!}' a source of great annoyance to those with whom he became displeased. On the other hand, whoever succeeded in arousing his sympathies had a regiment at command. He would hazard anything in assistance. He was a conductor and his house a station on the "underground railroad." Disliking drunken school-masters he built a school-house, hired a teacher, and joined to secure a good school, which speedily took the pupils from the other. His log house, which was built in 1837, stood where Mr. Kitchie's now is, on Sec. 10. His neighbors urged him to open a temperance tavern, but he declined. He, however, offered to furnish lodging and food to travelers and their horses for fifty cents a night, because the taverns were then charging two dollars and a half for it. They were compelled to come down to his prices, and kept to them for 3'ears, and he then turned over to them the patronage that came to him.

James Goble, afterward sheritf, came with Rogers. Their wives were sisters. He says : " I have known Mrs. Rogers when a fire broke out to seize a kettle of water, mount a horse, dash away and ])ut out the flames." William Jenkins and family came in 1837. He says " Paw Paw was a strange place then. It seemed to me that every other man I met was hunting a horse-thief, and you couldn't tell wiiich was the thief - 'twas usually both." It was at this time that John Sims appeared, and kept tavern, west of David A. Town's. Sims had been a circus proprietor. It is said that when drunk he would sometimes kick over the tables loaded with food for guests at his tavern. Counterfeit money was found afterward by tlie purchaser of the house where he had lived.

The Butterfield or George Town cabin now passed into the hands of Wheeler Hedges, who arrived about this time. Willard Hastings was afterward in partnership with him, and the two kept tavern, stage-house, and store. The latter was final owner of the stand, which was burned down early in May 18-11. He made a claim of the James Fonda land and erected a cabin; and he also built twice on the Roberts propert}' in Paw Paw, first in 1841. The second was a frame house. A good business man, whose chief aim was to make money. He was killed on the railroad at Earlville and buried at Paw Paw a few years since.

This year a thousand Indians were encamped for a week at the Big Spring at the northwest corner of the grove (now near Mr. Wheeler's). They had come from Indiana in their removal west, and this was the rendezvous where they were paid off' by the government. After receiving their pa}' they went toShabbona Grove and were met by a circus, which got away as much of their money as it could. The Indians that lived in these parts had already heeu removed this year to their new ' ting-grounds in the west. Their burial-ground liere was near the southeast corner of Paw Paw Grove, occupying less than an acre of open ground. "There were," saj's William Jenkins, "some twenty of the dead reposing in a peculiar way. Each body was placed between two halves of a hollow log, which were supported above the ground upon posts. Other bodies were buried in the ground. The old chief Shabbona returned to this vicinity afterward to live, and died 1859. During the Black Hawk war he learned that the hostile savages were marching for the white settlements, intending to surprise and massacre all. At the peril of his life, alone, he spud his pon3' over the country, warning every family as he hurried past. Most of them believed him and escaped. Those, or man}' of them, who delayed or sought to defend themselves where they were, perished. Ever after, this old chief, 'always courteous, a true gentleman,' was gratefully welcomed in Wyoming and wherever else known. He was distinguished, not for his eloquence, but for his influence among the tribes and his friendship for the whites. Both races ' had confidence in his truthfulness and good judgment.' When he visited Washington Gen. Cass introduced him to the crowd which had gathered to meet him, as ' the greatest Indian of the west and a true friend of the whites.'

Waubonsie, chief of the tribe at Paw Paw Grove, was ever on the most friendly relations with Shabbona, and the latter and his tribe were frequent visitors to this place. These two chiefs counseled together like brothers. Waubonsie is described as having less force and influence than Shabbona, whose advice he respected and followed. The trail from Chicago to the large Indian town at Rock Island, still to be seen at some points, ran past Shabbona Grove and along the south side of Paw Paw Grove.

In 1838 Rev. Caleb Morris had arrived. It is said that his wife owned slaves at time of marriage, but he induced her to free them. With him came his daughter, the widow Nancy Robinson, and her children, one daughter and six sons. One of the latter, William, was afterward postmaster. These all located south of the grove. One Mead came this year. This cabin was the third on the south side of the Chicago road, near the county line, on a claim purchased from Benjamin Harris. To Four-Mile Grove came the second settler, Dunbar, who died soon after. Deacon Orlando Boardman came in 1840, from Pennsylvania, and settled on a claim purchased from Eber St. John. "It was through his instrumentality chiefly," says Deacon Hallock, " that the first Baptist church was built at South Paw Paw. He had some means, was very benevolent, and made traveling preachers of every persuasion welcome. He formed an active factor in the iimJorgroiind railroad, as did many otliers round here, but some were on the opposite side. Charles Morgan told Deacon Boardman, "whether I am abolitionist or not, my iest mares are." Morgan liad a line span. Deacon Hallock, who also arrived this year, further informs us that there were then eighteen families encircling Paw Paw Grove, thirteen of whom were in this township. Of this number, besides those already named, there were White and French Pete. The same season Bailey Breese came and bought a claim of 160 acres from William Rogers, including nearly all that on which East Paw Paw is situated. Mr. Breese's family came in May 1841. Among his children were Andrew, now a merchant at Earlville; Phebe, now wife of Dr. Vosbury of the same place, and Vincent, wiio lives at East Paw Paw. Mr. Breese was a speculator in real estate in the east, a man of fine education, public spirited, and very influential in shaping affiiirs at the grove. Pete May and family came in IS-il. He bought from George Town nearly all the land on which the village of Paw Paw now stands, but never received a deed. He disappeared mysteriously about 1851, under such circumstances as to authorize the belief that he was foully dealt with. In 1870, while removing an old fence on his former place, some persons found a human body buried beneath it, supposed to be that of May. He was probably the victim of a drunken quarrel. Hon. O. W. Bryant in 1842 settled at Four-Mile Grove. Elder Norman Warriner came in 1843, and for twenty years was pastor of a Baptist church. The township and range lines were surveyed in 1838, but the sections were not run out until the winter of 1842-3. As soon as the last survey was finished preemptions were promptly made under the original act of 1841. Hitherto people had held title only by right of occupancy. A mutual protection society had existed to prevent claim-jumping, and Samuel McDowell was captain. An instance is given by Charles Pierce illustrating their treatment of offenders. A settler had given a home and employment to a lad till he could go out for himself and earn good wages ; but he made an ungrateful return by jumping one of the two forties which were his friend's all. Promptly the society met, and the ingrate defiant mounted a barrel to explain. He mistook his audience. One kick from the captain sent the barrel over, and others as quickly produced a rope which indicated its use. He begged mercy and left. This association enforced its laws by etiective methods. Claim-jumpers recognized no law but that of force, and it was applied to them in a manner which, if it did not cure their wickedness, satisfied justice and restored rights. Moral suasion was first employed, but if the intruder was obdurate some convincing proof of the power and settled intent of the community was given. Ducking was discovered to be useful from a temporal standpoint. Tying to a tree blindfolded and administering a Hogging by others also blindfolded, saved afterclaps in courts of law and had a practical etfect on the man at the tree. But such extreme resorts were rare.

Later emigrants of prominence may be mentioned in biographical sketches in the following pages. Having named so many of tlie pioneers, it will relieve the narrative and illustrate the times to present here a few

Taverns were rather plenty on the Chicago and Dixon road, near Paw Paw Grove, but one of tliem coidd not accommodate many guests. Jacob Wirick kept tavern in this vicinity in early times. An old codger stopped here two days, and in making up his bed the women folks noticed a buckskin sack or purse filled with money, wliich, of course, was not disturbed, but taken from tliere by the guest on leaving. He was afterward committed to prison for horse-stealing. Being sick, he sent for his wife, and told her he liad buried a sack of gold near Paw Paw Grove, beside a fence, and marked the spot by a notched stake. His wife searciied but did not find it. The facts somehow getting out caused the women at the liotel to recall what they saw, and to look for the hidden treasure, but in vain. By accident, afterward, Harris Bi'eese noticed a notched stake near a fence and broke it off; meeting Mr. Hampton, a neighbor, he said : " I have found where that money was buried, go and help me dig it up"; but he did not believe there was any there. The two went to the spot, and, still incredulous, put in their spades and at once turned up about $900 in gold doubloons. It was equally divided, and it is said tiiat Hampton invested his so opportunely in the purchase of land, tiien especially cheap, that it was the means of making iiim wealthy.

In one part of the grove lived a man who was so favored by circumstances and situation tliat his neighbors said if he had only been honest lie would have been rich. He did own much land, and had great chances for trade. But his peculiar dealing had caused him to be nicknamed " Bogus." He affirmed afterward that he had never made or passed counterfeit money, but some of the "stuff" was found near his residence. In iiis vicinity there was played the " box" game. Supposing money conld be bought at a liberal discount, an applicant would come for it; a sample box of the "stuff"," which was simply good coin in layers of sand, would be shown, with the remark that the negotiation could be arranged and price paid, but delivery of the base coin would onl}^ be made by its being at the foot of a certain tree at ten o'clock at night; but when the buyer came to the rendezvous in the darkness, confederates of the otlier party would cry out : " Here he is; HOW we'll fix him!" and discharges of firearms and other alarms would cause the one who came to fiee in terror, without getting what he bargained for. It was unfortunate for the good name of "Bogus" that two horse-thieves, with property in possession, had taken shelter on his premises when caught.

In the early days 'Squire David A. Town sent a prisoner to Sycamore in the custody of Charles Morgan, Dick Allen, and William Jenkins. One of these trio relates the incident. Recent rains rendered traveling slow and tedious, and draughts on the whisky jug frequent and heavy. Coming to an impassable slough they found it necessary to encamp for the night; but to their dismay they found the jug already emptied. A new supply could only be obtained by making a circuitous trip around the slough. The}' felt they could not pass the night without it, and as the guards were all unwilling to go, they threatened the prisoner with severe treatment if he should fail to come back, and sent him alone for the liquor. He returned before morning, havino: traveled the tedious ten miles.

Mrs. Roxanna Town, now eigiity-two years of age, says : " I have carded the wool, spun, wove and made all kinds of cloth, linen, cotton and wool. These old hands have done a great amount of hard work." Oxen were often the onh- team, and "it was nothing unusual to go five or six miles to church with an ox team, or to get up. in the night, hitch the oxen, and pull the stage out of a slough." For want of a wagon, James Goble tells us that he placed an inverted table on a pair of wheels, packed in his family, and treated them to a ride after a team of oxen. Hosea Town, July 4, soun after he came, drove over to his father's with a sled and \r\\r of steers, giving his wife the pleasure of riding in such a rig. David Smith boasts that his brother had a pair of fast steers that were trotted to a blacksmith's, twenty miles away, for a plow to be sharpened, and then trotted back the same day. Of the small returns received for labor a few instances may be given. Says Hon. O. W. Bryant: "We hauled corn eighty miles to market in earl}' days, and then sold it for 14 cents a bushel; while for oats we received 10 cents, and for wheat 40 cents a bushel. We could not pay any hotel bills out of that money. Provision for man and team was carried from home, and poor shelter gratefully accepted." Said another farmer: " One year I raised 500 bushels of wheat, doing all the work, except exchanging labor for a reaper, with the help of my wife. She had been tenderly reared in a Massachusetts home, but went into the field and bound the grain. When the crop was sold we had left, clear of expenses, only $10 to pay for our toil." It was hard, in such cases, to make the payments to the government when the land

Deer were formerly numerous here, thoiigh they have long since disappeared. Prairie wolves are still found. A grand hunt was made for the latter February 9, 18i8. A circuit of about twenty-five miles was enclosed by the sportsmen, but it is reported that only one wolf was killed, and that by Chief Shabbona. But it is said there were frequent occasions, for a year or two, a little earlier than this time, when honest settlers turned out to hunt worse pests, with good success, and that was when they pursued horse-thieves. Raids by the latter caused good people to become minute-men for such emergencies. In small parties, or even singly, they followed the stolen animal so soon as the loss was known. The chase was exciting, sometimes dangerous, whether long or short. The result depended on the courage, promptness and sagacity of the hunters. At Four-Mile Grove, a farmer, rising early one morning, found a door had been broken through, and a basket taken containing corn. Calling his son, he said: "It was a horse-thief who did this, else he would have asked for what he knew would have been given in welcome, and have waited to feed." The two men instantly started in pursuit, before the track could be obliterated, and overhauled the rogue at Princeton. He was held in confinement, though the only charge that could be sustained was the taking of the basket. But soon proofs came of his real occupation, and showed that he was just what his captors had suspected.

The "August flood," familiar to all old settlers, began on August 19, 1851. Says John Buchanan : "It rained incessantly three days and nights, and the sky was in a perfect blaze ; many thought the last day at hand. We did not leave the shanty during the time. Families could not get provisions. John Brittain's invitation to all was, 'Come to my potato patch and help yourselves.' New-comers had to subsist entirely on this article of food." The destruction to grain was immense ; not half a dozen stacks but were a total loss. D. M. Harris swam his horse three times in reaching Harding, where he found the creek a quarter of a mile wide.

There are four public bnria]-])laces in the township. Willard Hastings gave the ground for the first, which is situated near James Fonda's. Near Lester Harding's is one; another, called the Baptist, where a church of that denomination once stood, is situated at South Paw Paw, and there is tlie Cottage Hill cemetery, owned by the Presbyterians. Fully a tenth of the grave-stones in these encampments of the dead are down, and a large percentage of those standing are in a crazy attitude. If prostrate humanity is the better typified by fallen marble, then bad workmanship and careless neglect should for once have credit.

Patriotism

Wyoming freely gave its best blood to figlit the battles of the country in tlie war of the rebellion. Some of the citizens advanced money to pay bounties, and to reimburse them. In 1865 the township authorized a special ta.\ of $5,566 to be levied for that purpose. Since it was so generous, spontaneous, the people have every reason to be proud of their loyalty.

Company K, 75Th Illinois Volunteers

The only full command recruited in this township during the rebellion was Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Vols.; but many of the members were from neighboring townships. Dr. George Ryon began raising the cornpan}', but the enrollment was principally done by James H. Thompson and Berkley G. Barratt in the months of July and August 1862. The company went into camp at Dixon, where the regiment was organized, and was mustered into the United States service September 2. Dr. Ryon was tiie first captain, but being elected colonel of the 75th ho was succeeded by David M. Roberts. William H. Thompson was lirst lieutenant and Isaac L. Hunt second. Following is the roll of enlisted men :

Christophei- C. Hodges, Cliarles II. Kelly, "William Mclntyre, Harvey A. Morris, Edgar A. Madison, Avery Merriman, Daniel Reams, Edward A. Steele, Thomas P. Steele, Seymour Warren.

In this list all from William D. Baisley to Fletcher Yickery, inclusive, died in the service. From Frank Atherton to Jacob Sninck, all were discharged. From John Agler to Seymour Warren, all were transferred on the muster-out of the regiment, most of them being recruits whose terms had not expired. The first reunion of these veterans was held at South Paw Paw, September 27, 1881, and a permanent organization x^as formed having for its objects the renewal of acquaintances, by having an annual banquet and social gathering, and the cherishing of fraternal respect by attending in a body the funeral of any member. In a notice of this gathering the Paw Paw " Herald " said : This gallant company of volunteers was mustered into the service and left Paw Paw with eighty-six men, joining the 75th regiment at Dixon. Their first engagement, in which they were placed foremost in the ranks, was the dreadful battle of Perryville. Here thirty-three of their number were killed, wounded and made prisoners. This conflict annihilated fifty per cent of their number, and cut them fearfully. Their last battle was at Nashville, after which only twentyseven of the brave eighty-six answered to roll-call and were honorably discharged. They took active part in a great many of the leading battles of the bloody rebellion, doing valiant honor in the cause. We would like to give a full account of their long and wearisome " tramp " through the wilderness, supporting the tattered flag which they yet preserve in memory of the blood sacrificed and their dead comrades wiiose graves are by the wayside, but space forbids.

On March 12, 1879, William E. Rosette, living at East Paw Paw, being incited by jealousy, made a murderous assault upon his wife. For several years he cherished purely imaginary suspicions against her fidelity, until this black distrust developed in his bosom a viper that poisoned his whole life. He no doubt became a monomaniac; his conduct toward his wife was for a long time violent, and indicated his disposition, as he had declared it to be his intention, to murder her. They had ceased to share the .same couch, and her fears had become so marked that on retiring at night she never failed to bolt her door and stand the axe at her bedside. At the time described he attacked her with a potato-fork, striking her upon the head and inflicting bloody wounds. Her screams brought the daughter, who interfered and prevented further blows. His victim's sinking to the floor impressed him

In 1863 the city marshal of Mendota, accompanied by Daniel Mizenbaugli, William Mizenbaugli, and another man, called upon John Brittaiii in the night, and asked for assistance from him and his two sons, John and William, to arrest two horse-thieves named Horton and Raymond, who were making for Paw Paw in a bugg}' with three stolen horses tied behind. The Brittains joined the pursuing party with some reluctance, but having consented, and started upon the track, they did good service from that moment in trying to bring the - rascals to justice. These passed Brittain's place driving rapidly, and were followed by the ofiicer and his posse, who passed them near Hosea Town's. The marshal, Mizenbaugli, and the senior Brittain jumped from their carriage and faced the fugitives, and the officer commanded them to halt. At that instant llorton drew a weapon and shot at Brittain, the ball passing through his hat. Several shots were e.xchanged in quick succession, and the firing continued until Fonda's place was reached, w-hen the outlaws passed and their route was lost at the four corners. Surmising that they had gone in the direction of Paw Paw, the road leading to the town was taken and the team was overhauled at the bridge near the creamery, where it had run astride a sapling. llorton was found in a dying condition. Raymond had fled and has never more been seen in these parts. Horton was heard to cry out at the beginning of the encounter, and it is supposed that it was at that time he received the fatal missile in his body. The elder Brittain and his son William delivered themselves up to the law, received an examination before 'Scjuire Connell, of Paw Paw, and were discharged.

Some time after the homicide a woman named Haines, from Wisconsin, appeared and claimed the horses. In the fall the father presented himself to the grand jury at Dixon, with complaint against himself, but no bill was found. He was taken ill at the house of a friend and died suddenly.

In the autumn of 1866 an affray, attended with fatal result, occurred on the Renssalaer Baker farm between William A. Conant and his father, Elihu C. Conant, on one side, and William Barber and his wife, principals, assisted by Christopher Srygley and Roderick Kavanaugh, on the other. Barber and his wife were from Canada, and about the time of harvest had come into the neighborhood. E. C. Conant had purchased the Barker farm the spring before, and sold the south half to his son William, and rented him the other, on which the buildings were located. Not long before the occurrence which we are about to relate took place, the senior Conant rented the house to the widow Kavanaiigh without the consent and against the remonstrance of his son, who had sole rigiit to the premises. The father was a quick-tempered, excitable man, and had fallen into a passion wiien William mentioned the subject ; and to keep peace with him the latter made no further protest, except to the widow, who was too anxious to occupy the premises to give heed to his objections when supported bj' his father's pretentions. Barber wanted to rent the eighty to which the buildings belonged, and the old man Conant promised the land to him in case he should not sell it. Meanwhile Barber and his wife obtained board with Mi-s. Kavanangh, and William Conant, as had been some time contemplated, bought the premises. But Barber, who was a self-willed, violent, desperate fellow, formed a resolution to occupy and retain the farm, though he had not completed a bargain and could not get lawful possession. It should be said that terras liad been agreed on, and E. C. Conant went to 'Squire O. W. Bryant to have the lease drawn according to arrangement with Barber, but the latter failed to meet him there, and then the farm was sold. Barber, without a shadow of right, began fall plowing, and William Conant having now bargained for the land, sought to forbid his continuing the work; but Barber seemed to avoid him, and before much was done the plowing was interrupted. Conant put two teams to work, and Barber came to the field and ordered him to take them awaj', which was not heeded, and then the Conants went to Paw Paw and the conveyance was executed. This was on the 13tli of November. Next day old man Conant served a notice on the widow to vacate, and the following day his son gave a similar notice. Barber and his wife were not there, and so on the morning of the 19th he called with the same paper, taking along his hired man, Gordon Sanford, for a witness. Barber was away at work, but his wife was at the house, and she improved the occasion to let fall upon Conant a shower of hot words with threats of violence. By previous agreement he and his father were to go together to the woods that day, and as the lacter had not yet come along he thought to use the time while waitng in removing collections from around the stable to make ready for tearing it down. While thus employed Mrs. Barber came and ordered him off, and after some angry conversation made an effort to take the pitchfork from him ; but failing in this pushed him several times, then stood in his way as often as he changed places, and at last kicked him. Unable to accomplish anything, she started oft" threatening to bring those who could drive him away, and went directly for her husband. Convinced by report and observation that he was a reckless, lawlcssjnan, and believing that if he came he would be armed and would attempt to frighten him from the premises, Conant thought that if he himself were not found at a disadvantage, but remained firm and collected, that the matter would end by his holding his ground ; so lie went across the road to his house and got his revolver, one wiiicii he liad carried in the army, still not expecting that Barber would come. His two men, Gordon Sanford and Fiank Adams, were plowing not far from the stable, and he directed them to leave their teams and join him, in case anybodyshould come, to hear all that might be said, but not to take part in a fracas if there should be one. He discharged the revolver once to be sure it was in good order and lit for use providing it should be necessary to employ it in self-defense.

In a little while Mrs. Barber and Srygley came in siglit, and Conant then sent his men to their work, saying that Barber was not with them and there would be no trouble. Srygley was having dealings with Barber, and had accommodated him with a team to do plowing both on the Baker place and a piece of ground lie had rented from old man Conant on the old homestead. The elder Conant now arrived, and the son sent liiui across to his house with the double purpose of waiting till he should haul oft the lumber which he had taken from the stable, and to get him away from the scene of the excitement. William Conant drove into the j-ard where the lumber was piled, and at that moment Barber, and Roderick Kavanaugh, the widow's son, came, running their horses. The latter dismounted and hitched, but Barber commenced an onslaught of vile and insulting languasc, orderingConant's hands, who were now on the spot, to depart tlie premises, and at the same time attempted to ride over Conant. The latter seized the horse b}' the bridle, and displayed his revolver. The senior Conant, Mrs. Barber, and Srygle}', all made their appearance on the scene at this juncture. The former was ver}' much excited and demanded profanely to know what they were all doing there, and telling them that they had no business on tlic place. The woman had a club in her hands which she brandislied at old man Conant, declaring herself "enough for him." They bandied abuse a moment, when she struck him on the head and arms with the cudgel, crying she would kill him. He shouted to the men to take her off, as he did not want to receive or return blows. Srygley dragged her away a few steps, and Barber ordered her to go to the house. The old man following them and talking excitedly, was turned upon by Barber, who grasped him by the collar, pressed his head against a wagon wheel and drew back his right hand to strike, when the son instantly cocked his revolver and commanded Barber to let his father go, and he did so. Barber now directed his attention to the latter, and a talk and quarrel of some length ensued, when Mrs. Barber stole up and struck his hand, hoping to knock the revolver from it, and almost succeeded in that'design. With the agilitj' and ferocit_y of a tiger Barber at the same instant sprang upon his back, reached forward and grasped his wrists, hissing with demoniacal rage that now be would riddle liim. The struggle was now for life and was fought with the desperation of despair. Barber cried out to Kavanaugh, " I've got him, Rod ; you get the pistol ! " The latter, greatly excited, shouted, " Kill him ! kill him ! " Conant held onto the weapon with both hands, and bending forward with the intention of raising Barber clear of the ground, whirl and throw him, was that instant jumped upon by Sryglej', who threw himself on the struggling man's head and shoulders, and reached for the revolver. This was kept out of the way of both assailants. The old man cried out to William to give it to him. Srygley said, "Give it to me or the old man ; give it to me and I'll see you aint hurt." Tiie old man tried to get it. Kavanaugh got hold of it, pulled, and tired. The hammer had not been let down since Conant raised it and ordered Barber to release his father. Upon the discharge Kavanaugh, frightened, exclaimed with an oath, " Kill the cuss ! " Barber returned, " Stick to him. Rod ; get the pistol and shoot the devil ! " Conant having made the mistake of bringing it on the ground even with the intention only of being on equal terms with Barber, whom he supposed would be armed if he should come, had no recourse now in the anger and excitement of the moment but to keep it ift all cost in his own hands. In the unequal contest his strength was giving out, and he called to Gordon Sanford for assistance, but the latter only stood and looked on. Then the old man Conant called him several times, but he did not respond witli help. Believing that the critical issue was at hand the father exclaimed, "Shoot them. Bill ; if you don't they'll kill you. If you are afraid to do it give me the pistol and I'll do it." At this point the defendant was thrown upon his hands and knees, and then for the first time he freed his wrists from Barber's vice-like grip. His father tried again to get the revolver, but was puslied away by Kavanaugh, who also repeated the same attempt. Conant managed to get up with both Barber and Srygley on him. The three men now increased their exertions and all l>egan tugging at the revolver. In pulling his hands apart they cocked it; Conant saw what was done, and knowing it was only a question of time when he should be overpowered and murdered on the spot, the instincts of self-preservation asserted themselves for the first time at this stage in his secret thought, and he decided to save his own life. Just then the woman struck at his head with a club, but dodging, the blow was received on his own and Srygley's shoulders. The old man began pulling at the latter who held on to the defendant, and when at last his hold was broken William's arms iiivoliiiitarilj went with sudden force to the left; tlie muzzle struck Barber in the side and Conant fired. The poor man clasped his sides, exclaiming, " Oh God ! I'm shot I '' Sr^-gley and Kavanaugh rusiied at Conant, but were kept at bay with the cocked weapon ; the infuriated woman, bitter and vengeful to the last, finished the melancholy affair wiiich she had begun by hurling first her club and then a pole at the old man. Srygley assisted Barber into the house, Kavanaugh went for a doctor, and Conant and his men loaded up the lumber. Then tiie Conants went to Paw Paw and stated the facts to John M. Derr, justice of the peace. Excitement ran high and they were advised to waive examination, which they did. Barber lingered nine days and died. They obtained a ciiange of venue to Whitesides countj' and were tried at Morrison at the October term 18()7. The father was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and the son to eight. Judgment was obtained for $5,000 to be paid to his widow ; a womati was brought from Canada who proved to be his widow, and she released the judgment. William Conant served two years and nine months and was pardoned, and his father four \'ears and four moutiis, when he also was released through executive clemency.

Among the early immigrants the schoolmaster came, and his calling made him welcome. At first, school was taught in a log house on the north side of Paw Paw Grove, on Dixon road, probably. A pedagogue who wielded the birch for several seasons liere, and wiiose checkered life is still the topic of talk in many family circles, as occasion recalls it to memory, deserves a brief notice. Born in Ireland, after living for a time in an eastern state, he left his family, and soon after his arrival here was engaged as the teacher. In many respects it seemed fortunate for the settlement. He was not only a man of considerable learning, well-read in literature, but he had also some poetical genius, and was so well versed in law that he could plead successfully a desperate case and win it before a backwoods jury. If in anything he was perfect, he would sa}' sometimes, it was his ability to impart a "correct knowledge of the English language." He could quote Byron, Burns and Shakespeare by the hour, aTid made it his boast that no one could name a purely English word that he could not define. His students invariably mention his remarkable gift for teaching. Unfortunately he had a consuming appetite for whisky. If not intoxicated in school hours, he often was at other times. At length a neighbor, who had been his boon companion in many a carousal, mysteriously disappeared, and a terrible suspicion rested upon the school-teacher. If he had stained his hands with crime it was done in a drunken craze. Tears afterward a body was found, believed to be the missing man, under circumstances which strengthened tlie suspicion ; but it was too late to call the perpetrator to account. The old schoolmaster's bad habits had wrought retribution. Grown old, without friends here, and sad, he appealed to relatives in the cast. His daughters had become wealthy by marriage, and they bade the messenger bring back this answer: "Father shall have a good home with us if he will come; the best of clothe?, plenty of money, and nothing to do, if he please ; loving hands will minister to him in sickness; - but there is one condition - he cannot come to disgrace us by getting drunk." When told this the old pedagogue wept. He reflected. Finally he said : "I cannot give up the drink."

The first school was started as early as 1836 in a "little pole schoolhouse" not more than 12 X 12, built expressly for the purpose in the woods on the Meade farm. Emily Giles, from Fox River, taught for $1 a week and boarded around. All the early schools were supported by subscription. For several years vacated cabins and private houses were used on the Chicago road and at South Paw Paw ; we hear of one at Fonda's corner, another near Wheeler's creamery, and very likely there were still others. Of the early teachers we can name but few : Adams, Robert Walker, Willard Hastings, Deacon Boardman, Walter Hyde, Basswood, Mary Harding, Mrs. Amasa Harrington, Eiisha A. Stanton, and Mrs. Andrew Breese before marriage. The latter taught in the "little pole cabin," and also the "section-line school." Walker, who came here with May and Breese in 1841, taught in the Comstock brothers' blacksmith-shop, and kept up his school with more or less regularity until about 1816, but probably not all the time in the same place. He is spoken of as a capital teacher, but large acquirements and excellent capabilities are often yoked to crying vices, and the pity is that this was true in his case. But Uncle Bobby's grape-vine swing, the whippings caught for the sly swings in school-hours, and the quaint, doggerel verses he composed on these themes are fresh and withal pleasing recollections to citizens who were then his pupils. The first frame school-building in the township was built as early as 1846, near the location of the creamery, in Paw Paw. About 1848 the country hereabouts was divided into districts, and about 1860 the school in district No. 1, South Paw Paw, was graded, but the one in No. 5 (Paw Paw) is now the only one with a graded course of study. The township contains ten districts, with ordinary school-houses, around which shadetrees, and upon which window-blinds, are generally conspicuous for their absence. The number of children of school age are 434, of whom 354 are enrolled. The principal of the township fund is $1,730; value of school property, $6,550; and the tax levy for 1880 was $2,34:2.79. John Colvill is present treasurer.

Pioneer Preachers

With the earliest settlers came the open Bible. As early as the winter of 1834-5, or the spring of 1835, the venerable Benoni Harris would preach occasionally in his son's cabin, where he lived, and the word would be listened to with an appreciation hardly known in these later days. In 1839 came also the aged Father Morris, whose voice would be heard in the cabins of the settlers. Circuit preachers began to come about this time, among the first of whom were ciders White, Luinery, Alouzo Carter, Peter Cartwright, and B:itchelder, all of whom were Methodists. As the circuits were very large the appointments would be some three mouths apart. The early Baptist preachers were elders Carpenter, Charles Harding, and Norman Warriner.

Post-Office

It is said that a star mail route was established here in 1837, and that William Rogers was the first postmaster. Before an ofBco was obtained for this point the nearest was at Somonauk, fifteen miles east. Isaac Robinson was postmaster as early as 1838 or 1839; in 1841 Willard Hastings, who was kee])ing store and tavern, carried the mail between Paw Paw and Princeton, going by way of Four-Mile Grove. Hiram Wood was the incumbent of the office from 1845 to 1849, when William H. Robinson took it till 1853, and then Wood again. He WEB next succeeded, in 1857, by James Simons, and he, in 1861, by John Colvill, who has held it continuously since. The latter became deputy under Robinson in 1850, and, with the exce])tiou of two years, was connected with the oflSce until his appointment. J. D. Rogers was an early post carrier. At one time being set upon by fourteen drunken men, who insisted on examining the mail, he made some remarks to them which brought a return of bricks and billets, but the smart animal which he rode bore him out of bad company without loss of anything but temper.

We condense a few rambling facts of curious interest. In the early settlement "The Big Field," as it was called, was established by common agreement for the protection of crops, no one being allowed to turn stock upon the area until a specified tiuie. It extended on the north to the road running along the south side of Smith's and Allen's groves, east to the county line, south to the Chicago road, and west to Jacob Epla's. We have no knowledge how long it was maintained.

The three cottonwoods on the Ritchie place, measuring nearly four feet in diameter, were planted by the hand of Rhoda Rogers in 1838. The one at Grummond's corner was set out bv George Town in 1840, and those in front of Amos Siglin's by A. J. Harrington a few years later. The half mile row of maples standing Lester Harding planted in 1847. The same year he brought a lot of cottonwoods from Viola township, a distance of six miles, on his back, and set them out on land which he sold the next year to Lord Jones, who has since built a barn from them, and still has a large grove left. The large and beautiful grove on the Earlville road, owned by Deacon Israel Hallock, was planted by him at two different dates, the hard maples about 1850, and the soft maples some twelve years afterward. It is partly inclosed with a border of stately cedars and tamaracks. The first hedge raised in Wyoming township, if not in Lee county, stands on the west line of Sec. 21, on the Morton Girton farm, and was grown by Ira Baker. He found 13,000 osage plants, where some discouraged peddler, no doubt, had thrown them away, and put them to grow in that place.

Organization And Statistics

The township was organized in 1850, under the name of Paw Paw. The first meeting ot citizens to elect officers was at school-house No. 5, April 2. The whole number of votes cast was one hundred and thirteen. David A. Town was chosen supervisor and John Colville town clerk. The name of the town, as before mentioned, was soon after changed to Wyoming. The honor of the highest township office has been conferred upon only eight difierent persons in the long period of thirt}' years.

The population of Wyoming in 1870 was 1,280, and h^ the last census 1,453. Not a colored man resided in the township at either date. The assessed valuation in 1880 was as follows: Real estate, §550,893; personal property, §114,079. The township contains 1G5 farms, some of them of large size. The latest and best agricultural machinery is in use. The soil is a rich, deep, black loam ; the substratum usually gravel, but sometimes clay. The rainfall seems more abundant and frequent, even in years of drouth, than elsewhere, and springs are numerous; hence crops are usually sure. Tiie highest ground in Wyoming marks the divide between the Illinois and the Rock rivers. The surface is diversified by ridges, and at almost every point drainage is easy, often witliout artificial aid. Ague and malaria seem not to have been known, or at least not enough to be noticed. Good health and long life and general comfort and prosperity are more generally enjoyed here than in most other parts of the west.

Paw Paw

The tlirit't and snperiorit}' of tiiis town exceed any conceptions that might be formed of it from its size. Tiie greatest worth takes the least room. It contains most of the business and over one-third of the population of Wyoming, and liaving no corporate existence is one of the most orderly, as it is one of the most pleasant, villages in tiie state. The larger part of it is upon a tract of twenty-five acres, purchased by Peter May from George Town in ISil.

Mrs. Vincent Breese, daughter of Peter May, narrates that on arrival of her fathers family, just as the journey's end was reached, their team got stalled in the mire near the spot where the depot now stands, and that they put up that night at the nearest house, which was George Town's. This was on May 5, and the smouldering ruins of Hastings' house and store were still smoking. Town's hewn log house, built in 1837, was the first on the site of the village after the historic cabin built by Edward Butterfield in 1835. May's cabin stood close to the present Suttor ^oiise, west of Siglin & Potter's brick store, and his smithy, started in 1842, was on tlie south side of the road, nearly opposite the store.

The Hastings house, formerly on the site of the Koberts dwelling, was built in May 1841, and was the tirst frame house both in the village and township. About this time diaries Pelclier burned brick at the east end of the grove, and Hastings was one of his first and heaviest patrons, having. erected right away a house which is now clapboarded and standing at Fonda's corner, tlie first brick structure in Wj^oming. The brickyard was soon moved to the west end of the grove, and this circumstance, trifling as it was, seems to have exerted a remote influence on the future growth of the struggling hamlet. The Pelclier land is now the Wheeler farm ; on it, near the " big spring," was built a frame house in 1844. Jacob Epla rented this farm and lived on it in 1845. The perennial fountain may have suggested the need of the "fount of knowledge," as near bj' was now built the first frame school-house in the township.

Amasa Harrington arrived in 1844, bringing his two sons, A. J. Harrington and H. H. Harrington (the two last of whom reside in the village to-day), and in 1846 bought the Maj' property, receiving the deed direct from George Town. In the same year that Harrington came, Adolphus or Rudolphus Plolly built on the south side of the Cliicago road (identical with Main street), opposite George Town's, a part of the house now owned by Abram Thomas. The next year Amos Sawyer put up a cabin on the site of the Detamore house. In 1846 George Town moved out of his log cabin into the present Grummond house, which he had just erected. John Colvill and Jacob Rogers (nicknamed " Praii'ie " Rogers, for being so eccentric as to locate ont on the prairie in an early day) were in partnership in the manufacture of shingles by horse-power.

Tims as late as the spring of 1847, when twelve years had elapsed in the history of this little settlement, it contained but half a dozen families, and its business was all comprised in tlie one little smith}' and the shingle mill. After the little grocery burned in 1841 no one had ventured again in trade. In the absence of stores peddlers had profited, among whom was William H. Field, who had plied his vocation in these parts since 1843. On the northeast and south sides of the grovewere settlements fully as pretentious and competitive, unconscious rivals for the immigration and trade of a world.

But now came an influx of population and improvements cheering to this community. Jcdediah Foster and his son Dwight located on the Ira Baker coi'ner in 1847. Dr. J. C. Heath, from Somonauk, settled here between 1846 and 1849, and was the earliest located pliysi- cian in the place. In the latter year he was selling drugs, and not long after erected two buildings on the north side of Main street. He remained a i'ew years, and is now in Texas.

Field & Robinson began merchandising in a building put up by them on the east side of Peru street in the autumn of 1848, the one now standing next north of Squire Harding's residence. They dissolved in a year or two and Field erected the Mayor building, now a harness shop.

Charles Pelcher erected four brick houses in the next two or three years : one was on the Heudershot corner (torn away in 1880) ; another was the Field house, begun in 1849 for Willard Hastings ; and two for himself - one on the Wheeler place, still in use, and the other the old Detamore house, in 1851.

Meanwhile various industries had been established. Mechanics moved in. Blacksmiths had been tiie first to put up shops; they did a flourishing business. The Walton brothers lived just south of the corner of Main and Peru streets, on the west side, and Sylvester Smith, shoemaker, next below. On the opposite side William Field, in 1849, built the main part of 'Squire Harding's house, the first floor of which Eri Butler afterward used for a wagon siiop.

In 1849 Isaac Morris came to the place and began shoemaking. He has worked at his trade until now. Harris D. Merwine arrived the same time, and the next year set up in the wagon-making business in the western part of the village.

Erastus Gates, school-teacher, at this time owned lots on the west corner of Peru and Main streets. John Allen, carpenter, afterward owned property tiiere which his family occupied many years. He sold the last of this ground in 1880 and moved his house to East avenue.

Not far from 1850 a blacksmith shop was built by Alonzo Osborn, and another by James S^'monds, both on the south side of Main street. Symonds did a large business manufacturing wagons and plows, keeping as many as five forges at work. William Cole, Thomas Webster, Bunkei-, Leonard Bell and Maj. Morse are some of the smiths who Iiave waked the echoes of the anvil here in times past. But probably the most distinguished was 'Squire L. H. Flagg, an early settler, who wa§ engaged at his trade several years, connected with different traveling troupes, and by the partiality of his fellow citizens was continuously in township office, holding various positions. He was a man of remarkable frame, weighed over 300 pounds; was a rare vocalist, and as such established a flattering reputation. He was called the "lion bass," and his voice is said to have rivaled the depth of distant thunder and the pureness of the J^olian harp.

the leading tradesman after 1850. In 1SG2 lie l)uilt tlie Flagg & Baker clotliing store, and in the winter of 1872-3 tlie Colviil or post-office building. Westcott Field sold out to I. K. Miller, wiio was succeeded in 1854 by Sears & Howlett. This firm was in trade till about 1856, when the senior member ran away, leaving Howlett to pay the debts, amounting to $8,000. Stephens & Lawton followed them a short time, and in the fall of 185G sold their stock to Cone ik Madden, who occnpied the drug building. Madden bought out Cone and then sold to Hiram Fuller. Mark Avcrill sold goods in tlie place prior to most of those named. A chronicler tells also when the tirst saloon was here, but it little iriatters.

Andrew Breese opened a dry-goods store in 1852, and the next year Wilcox & Beck a cooperative establishment. Tliese were in business a tew yeai's. In 1858 Jacob Hcndershot began in the grocery business in the West building and continued in it till 1873; he then erected on the south side the first brick business house ever in Paw Paw, and added a stock of dry goods. His building consists of two stories and a basement. In 1880 he erected an elegant brick residence on the southeast corner of Main and Peru streets, where he had lived twenty years.

In 1860 William Hazel started the first liarness shop. In 1865 William Mayor engaged in the same business on the south side; two years after his son, J. W. Mayoi", took charge of it for him, and in 1869 succeeded as proprietor. John Harding commenced trading in 1865, in partnership with John Colviil, and since 1872 has been alone in business. William Merrill began selling goods in 1875 in the firm of William Merrill & Co., and the next year built the Centennial brick building, which he still occupies.

On July 7, 1872, Lester Potter, just commencing in business here, received the first shi]iment of coal and lumber ever brought to Paw Paw by rail transportation. He was a partner in the erection, in 1880, of the Siglin & Potter double brick building, which occupies nearly the identical spot on which Peter May raised his rude cabin. The Wheeler brick store was erected by George W. Lindsey in 1877. Keuben Hall built his large double brick building in 1880, and H. M. Wilson also erected a two-story brick structure on the southwest corner of Main and Peru streets. A man named Skoyles built the flouringmill about 1876.

The Oak Grove creamery and cheese factory, 30x40, with an addition 20x50, owned by B. J. Wheeler, was erected by him in 1880, and the manufacture of dairy products was begun the present season. On the first floor are four rooms ; one contains an engine of twelvehorse power; one is the creamery; another is used for making and pressing, and tlie last contains the springs. These send up water six feet above the surface in such quantity that a pump throwing sixty gallons per minute does not e.xhaust the supply. The second floor is disMded into apartments for storing. The factory has a capacity for 15,000 pounds of milk per day, and the quality of the butter and cheese proijuced here compares most favorably' with the products of older estal)lishments.

Paw Paw contains two hotels for the accommodation of the public. The Detamore house has an interesting history and a well established reputation. The old brick, 16x22, was built in 1851, and two years later an addition 28x36 was made. In 1874 the first part was torn away and replaced by another, 20x30, giving the edifice a home-like appearance and an air of repose and comfort. Before it was remodeled. Union Hall, in which Corinthian Lodge held meetings many years, was in the second story. This house has an ancient reputation for having been run on temperance principles.

The Paw Paw house, sometimes called the West house, was built by Barber, Bull & Hendershot in 1857. It is a two-story frame, and stands next east of the Detamore house. Anchor Lodge met in Washington Hall in this house for several years.

The principal business men in the town, not before mentioned, are H. 11. Harrington, J. H. Thompson, Alexander Field, W. A. Pratt, S. C. Mitchell, W. II. Barringer, Guffin, A. U. Harp, S. A. Abbott, Marshal Beams, Henry Lewis, and John Rosenberger, station agent. Others have been in business here from time to time; but this topic is already too much extended.

For twenty-five years prior to 1873 Paw Paw could support but two stores, and each had but a small trade. The farmers would go whore the railroad was, and to keep their patronage at home a railroad must needs come here. Those who feared that the cost of the road would be a burden are agreeably disappointed. It was harder for farmers to haul 100 bushels of corn to Earlville in ante-railroad times than now to deliver 250 at Paw Paw. Besides, when they went to Earlville to carry products and procure supplies a day's time was consumed. Now the maiket is so near every man's door that he can do his trading in the evening. But the rapid development of Paw Paw is most conclusive evidence in this matter. In 1871 the lots and buildings together, in this village, were assessed at only $3,809. Now they pay taxes on a valuation of over $60,000. Ten years ago the two stores of much importance carried, the one a stock valued at $550 and the other $250. Now there are at least a dozen prosperous concerns in trade here, and a single firm carries a stock worth over $5,000, which it must frequently replenish to meet its brisk trade. New buildings are yearly erected, some of them fine business blocks. Hotels have increased. Two good newspapers are established. Of course the tax for the railroad is more than met by the increase of wealth.

In recent years an extensive trade in butter has been established, and so excellent a reputation has been made for the ])roduct shipped from Paw Paw that the brand of the dealers here is much sought after by dealers abroad. To the excellent pasturage in the vicinity, and the intelligent and painstaking care in the different stages of making, keeping and shipping, is due the superior quality of tiie butter sent from here. In 1873 tlie number of packages invoiced at this station was 875, and in ISSO it had increased to 4,550, aggregating about 227,000 pounds. A single firm handled in one year over $23,000 worth.

The Paw Paw Grove post-office was made a money order office July 1, 1875. For tiie quarter ended September 30 of that year the number of orders issued was 111, amounting to $1,802.31. For the quarter ended September 30, 1881, tiiere were 357 orders, the cash amount of which was $4,805.14.

The first number of tlie Paw Paw "Herald" appeared November 23, 1877. R. H. Ruggles, of Mendota, owned the office and was first editor. In January, 1878, E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner took control of the paper as publishers, and on February 22 were succeeded by tiie present proprietor, W. M. Geddes, who shortly after bought the property from Ruggles. Mr. Geddes' ownership has extended from its early infancy, wiien its patrons numbered fewer than a iiundred. He came to Paw Paw at the age of twent^'-one, an entire stranger ; but brought with him the elements of success acquired in a diligent apprenticeship to his trade. As a result of his industry and good business and editorial management the " Herald '' has attained a circulation by which it is self-sustaining and remunerative; and thei-e goes out from tiie office every week, in addition to its own issue, the Amboy "News." In the past the Sliabbona " Record " and the East Paw Paw " Clarion," the latter in the interest of the seminary at that place, have been published by Mr. Geddes. The "Herald" supports republican political principles.

On March 21, 1878, the first number of the "Lee County Times," a democratic paper, was issued by E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner, at Paw Paw. They started also about tlie same time the Compton "Record," and in May the Lee "Monitor." In August Mr. Gardner retired from the partnership, and since tiiat date Mr. Cass has continned the business with growing success and popularit}'. In April, 1880, lie began tlie publication of a paper at Earlville called the " Leader." Mr. Cass spent seven 3'ear8 at the case in the office of the

"Sun and Journal'" at Dixon, and located in this village in the publishing business when but njneteen years old. He has made the "Times" a live paper and attracted to his support a paying subscription. Both these offices have well-furnished job departments.

To Deacon Israel F. Ilalloek and wife we are indebted for the very full history of the Paw Paw Baptist church. It was organized at the house of Deacon Orlando Boardman at South Paw Paw, in February 1841. There were present Elder Burton Carpenter, delegate from the Dixon charge ; Elder Iladle}^ from the Lamoille ; and Elder Thos. Powell, from the Vermilion. Elder Carpenter preached the organization sermon, and Elder Powell the second sermon, the text of the latter being these appropriate words: " By whom shall Jacob arise ? for he is small."' Of the thirteen members that composed that organization five arc still living, but all have moved away save Mrs. Deacon Hallock. Elder Carpenter, being one of the constituent members, preached to the charge about two months, and was succeeded by Elder Charles Harding, who was the first regular installed pastor. lie resided at Indian Creek, and his stations were Ottawa, Dayton precinct, Paw Paw Grove, and Indian Creek. While on this work, in 1843, he was suddenly stricken down and died, in his thirty-second year. The " Northwestern Baptist," in an obituary notice, says: " Ilis style and manner of address were after the model of Baxter, . . . by his decease a great chasm is made." The Rev. Norman Warriner was the second pastor, his labors continuing twent}- years. In the next decade the charge was served by the Revs. J. D. Pullis, G. W. Scott, G. B. Perrit, and Win. Sturgeon. Tiie present pastor, the Rev. H. R. Hicks, came in 1874. During his ministry one-third of the present membership were baptized. Early in Elder Warriner's pastorate a house of worsiiip, 24x36, was erected at South Paw Paw, Deacon Orlatido Boardman contributing the greater part, and living to contribute liberally to a second one, erected just at the close of Warriner's pastorate. Size of latter about 36x60. This was dedicated in 1864 and moved to Paw Paw in 1873, where remodeled. It is truly a pleasant place of worship. Membership per report of 1880, 12t».

About 1870 the Presbyterians of Paw Paw began holding meetings in the school-house, the Rev. Alexander S. Peck, of the Wyoming church at Cottage Hill, preaching for them regularly every two weeks. A committee consisting of the Revs. John Eustic, Alexander S. Peck, and Robert Hays, appointed by the Ottawa Presbytery to organize a church at Paw Paw, were called to meet for that purpose on the 26th of May, 1873. Only the first two were present. Those who took part in the organization and were the first members were Miss Sarah A. Wilson, Andrew J. Fuller, Susan C. Fuller, Jane Nettleton, Jane Balentine, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Cole, Henry Cole, and Jane Howell. Andrew C. Radley and Andrew J. Fuller were elected elders, and Jacob Hendershot, A. C. Radley and A. J. Fuller trustees. The Rev. Alexander S. Peck was the first preacher. In 1875 this society built their present beautiful little church on East avenue, at a cost of $1,900. The funds were raised by subscription, and when the house was completed in the autunm no specter of debt hung over it to trouble the free course of the truth and the thoughts of the worshipers. The Rev. Dr. Gibson, of Chicago, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. Peck supplied the pulpit until the close of the year 1876, and the Rev. McFarland and others from that date to April 1878. The Rev. George D. McCulloch was then ordained, and installed pastor of this church, and remained in charge until July 1881. Whole number of members since the organization, 57; number received by letter, 11 ; deceased, 3 ; present membership, 44.

In the year 1869 Elder Lazenby, of Paw Paw circuit, preached at the school-house. About 1870 a class of five members was formed ; these were James Fonda, Jane E. Fonda, Sarah E. Swarthout, Edward Patrick, Harriet Patrick. That winter many more joined. In 1875, under the labors of Rev. Pomeroy, the Methodist Episcopal church was erected. Paw Paw, as a separate charge in the Rock River conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, was organized in October 1879. Previous to that time it had stood in connection with Paw Paw circuit, with preaching once in two weeks. When organized into a charge there remained an indebtedness on the church of $440. Within the last two years that amount has been paid, together with a floating debt of .$250 ; besides a good parsonage has been bought and paid for in full. The church has eighty members, and is in a good, healthy working state. Rev. B. Close, the only pastor since this became a station, is now entering upon his third year. His generous labors in belialf of this church will long be a theme of pleasing retrospection.

In 1857, under the efforts of John Fleming, a missionary pastor from Earlville, was organized the Wyoming (now Cottage Hill) Presbyterian Society, with the following eight members : Barton Bisbee, Joseph Blee, William Winter, Sally G. Bisbee, Euphreraia Blee, Mrs. Wm. Winter, Mrs. Wm. Sproul, James Sproul. Mr. Fleming continued to preach here once in two weeks. Meetings were held in the school-house now known as the Cottage Hill school-house. In 1858 or 1859 a building was erected, about 20x40, costing some $200, which was paid by subscription. Rev. Mr. Fleming and Rev. John Eustic were present. In 1863, this being too small it was sold to

Joseph Blee, and is now owned by his son, James Blee, and used for a granary, and a larger church was built a little north of where the other one stood. This is about 36x60, with a steeple probably eighty feet high ; cost, $2,200. This was remodeled in ISSl. Preaching was by different ones, but no one settled as pastor till about 1870, when Alexander Peck was duly installed. He served seven years. Rev. McFarland succeeded for one year. In 1878 Rev. George D. McCulloch, pastor at Paw Paw Grove, became the supply at Cottage Hill, and continued three years. James McDowell and Wm. McCard are elders. As showing the simplicity of these times, Mrs. Barton Bisbee tells that when she and her husband came in 1856 they were right from fashionable New England, just married, and of course on Sunday she came out dressed in her best. "What was her surprise and chagrin to see the pastor enter dressed in blue jeans, and bare-footed. She says, "How I longed to get out of sight." That white dress did not appear again till it had been dyed, and all her finery was treated as superfluous. Probably that preacher's dress was fully as effective as his address.

Sunday-Schools

The first Sunday-scliool at the Grove was instituted by the Rev. Benoni Harris in the little Mead school-house, the second one at the Robert Walker school-house, and the third in the new frame schoolhouse near the " big spring." About this time was held the first Sunday-school picnic at the Grove; two schools represented. Paw Paw and Four-mile Grove; James Goble, marshal of the day, and Elder O. W. Bryant, orator. After the erection of the present school building at Paw Paw a Sunday-school was organized in the upper room, with Reuben B. Johnson, now of Aurora, as superintendent ; Jacob Hendershot, secretary, and H. H. Hamilton, librarian. This had a large attendance for many years. It was a union school, kept up only in the summer season. "When the different churches in the village were built and they organized their own separate schools, this one, of course, was discontinued. The Baptist society, being the first here, drew off its members; then followed the Presbyterians, taking away some, and lastly the Methodists. So the several churches now have schools maintained the year round.

FRATERNAL ORGAN I7,.\TI0NS. In a comiiuinity where the rude rabble and "cup convivial" are unknown, it is but natural that there should be fervently fostered those higher types of civilization, those beautiful groupings in the panorama of life, where kindred hearts are banded together to aid the needy, comfort the distressed, strengthen bonds of friendship, and promote general good. In Wyomini; societies tinivo, but saloons die; farmers, mechanics and merchants prosper, while the lawyer, justice and sheriff lind little to do, and the calaboose is unknown.

Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M., was instituted at West Paw Paw, August 14, 1856, under a dispensation granted by the grand master, W. B. Herriek. Elias Mott was named as W.M. ; J. C. Heath, S.W. ; D. W. Madden, J.W. ; Henry Rosencrans was appointed Secretary; Jedediah Foster, Treasurer; C. M. Cheeney, S.D. ; George Wiriek, J.D., and J. O. Crooker, Tyler. The charter was granted October 7, 1856, and the above-named persons, J. O. Crooker excepted, were the charter members. The present membership is sixty-one, and the officers are T. D. Palmer, M.D., W.M. ; George Kelly, S.W. ; Jacob Hendershot, J.W. ; T. H. Stetler, M.D., Secretary ; S. C. Mitchell, Treasurer; W. L. Nicholson, S.D.; W. S. Tingling, J.D. ; Kev. O. W. Bryant, Chaplain ; E. G. Cass, S.S. ; Robert Ritchie, J.S. ; William Ma3'or, Tiler. The lodge is in a very flourishing condition. Its work can hardly be excelled. It meets rcgularl}' on the first Thursday evening on or before the full moon of each montli. Jedediah Foster, the founder of this lodge, was at the date of his death the oldest Mason in the state, having been a member of the order sixty-seven years. He was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, August 5, 1780, and died December 21, 1869. Corinthian Lodge has erected a handsome monument to his memory.

Veeder Conclave, No. 11, Rights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, was instituted March 20, 1877, by Inspector General Dr. J. J. French, with the following charter members : T. D. Palmer, M.D., J. W. Swisher, Evan Thomas, B. G. Barratt, George Kelly, S. C. Mitehel, W. L. Nicholson, T. Doty, William McMahan, Asahel Prentice, Adam Miller. The first officers were Sir Knights T. D. Palmer, M.D., Sovereign ; J. W. Swisher, Viceroy ; Evan Thomas, Recorder; B. G. Barratt, Senior General ; George Kelly, Junior General S. C. Mitehel, High Prelate ; W. L. Nicholson, Prefect, and Thomas Doty, Herald. The present officers are Sir Knights T. D. Palmer, M.D., Sovereign ; George Kelly, Viceroy ; Theodore Doty, Senior General ; J. H. Blee, Junior General ; Asahel Prentice, High Prelate; D. B. Pratt, Treasurer; S. C. Mitehel, Recorder; W. L. Nicholson, Prefect; W. C. Holden, Herald; William McMahan, Standard Bearer; John K. Mannon, Sentinel. Regular meetings on the first evening before full moon, and two weeks thereafter in each month.

Anchor Lodge, No. 510, I.O.O.F., was instituted April 16, 1873, by Anderson C. Radley, Aoting Grand Master. The charter members were John Patrick, G. W. Lindsey, jr., Alexander Field, B. J.