Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 12, 1877

Chapter 12

The township of Genesee comprises Congressional township No. 22 north, range 6 east of the 4th principal meridian. Previous to Whiteside county completing its full organization, Genesee formed first a part of Crow Creek Precinct, then of Elkhorn Precinct, and afterwai-ds was laid ofi" as a Precinct by itself, and called Genesee Grove Precinct, and in 1852 was made a township by the Commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court to divide the county into townships, and give each its name and boundaries, under the township organization law. The township is divided into timber and prairie land. A grove in the northwest part, called Genesee Grove, is about six miles long and three miles broad. The balance is a beautiful, rich, rolling prairie. It is watered by Spring creek, which has its rise on the lands of W. Wetzell, on section 10, and also by branches of Rock creek on the west, and a branch of Otter creek on the north. The government survey of the township was made in 1842, by Mr. Sanderson, and now, in 1877, it is all in cultivated fields and pasture land. The lands were brought into market and sold at public auction by the Government, at Dixon, in 1843.

Among the early settlers of Genesee, Jesse Hill, Sr., Adam James and John James, came in 1835; John Wick, William Wick, Eli Redman, Mark Harrison, Joseph Mush and Samuel Landis, in 1836; Ivory Colcord, Pleasant Stanley, Isaac Brookfield, James McMullen and Jacob HuflFman, in 1837; Levi Marble, Edward Richardson, Mr. Carr, Harvey Summers, John Thompson Crum, Martin P. McCrea, William Crum and Henry H. Holbrook, in 1838; James Scoville, R. Tilton Hughes, Ezra R. Huett, Rensselaer Baker, Israel Reed, Marvin Chappell and Watson Parish, in 1839.

The first school taught in what is now the township of Genesee, was in the house of William Wick, and the sessions held during the evening, Ivory Colcord being the teacher. This was in the winter of 1837-'38. Some of the young men of that time commenced there to learn their alphabet, and afterwards obtained sufficient education to enable them to conduct business. Following this was a school taught by Dinsmoor Barnett, near the residence of iMr. Wick. It is related that at this school, just before one Christmas, the scholars, following the usage of primeval days, barricaded the door and kept the teacher outside until he agreed to treat them with apples and pies. After the compact had been entered into, the door was opened and the teacher came in and resumed his authority, when the school work went on as though there had been no interruption. At the appointed time the apples and pies were forthcoming as per stipulation. Another instance of the same kind occurred at a school near the Gi'ove. Here the doors and windows were barred, and the teacher denied admittance unless he would promise to furnish cake and pies for a Christmas treat. Unlike the other teacher, he protested against the extravagance of the demand, contending that he was unable to purchase the pastry for the reason that his pay was only ten dollars per month. He finally eflFected a compromise, however, by agreeing to supply whisky and sugar. The result was that some of the pupils became intoxicated, and had to be taken home to their mothers in a lumber wagon drawn by oxen. A school was also taught about this time by Nelson Fletcher, near Prospect Grove. Mr. Fletcher afterwards resided in Carroll county, and for a portion of the time was County Superintendent of Schools of that county. Log school houses were built in the township as soon as four or five families settled near each other. In those early days the school house was used for holding religious services, and was free to all denominations alike. The first school house was erected in 1837, near the creek north of William Wick's residence, and within a few rods of Walter Doud's. Soon after another was built on the north side of the grove, near the Hill residence. Genesee now boasts of her fine, commodious structures for school purposes.

The first church society organized in the town was that of the Methodists. This was about 1838. The next was by the Christians, in 1839, and consisted of twelve members. The first church edifice was erected by the United Brethren.

During the winter of 1835-'36, grists had to be taken to Morgan county, one hundred and fifty miles south, to be ground, and all the other necessaries of life had to be brought from that place. There were no bridges, and but few ferries across the streams, so that the crossings had to be mainly made by swimming or wading. Early settlers were, therefore, obliged to live frugally. Pork was worth only from 75 'cents to $1.50 per hundred; corn 8 to 15 cents per bushel, and wheat 30 cents per bushel. Boots, shoes and clothing had to be bought on long time, and paid for out of the products of the farm, and when the prices were low, or the crops failed, the constable's fees would often be added to the debt. Sometimes the store bills had to be closed up by giving promissory notes at a high rate of interest.

All the north half of the timber and the adjoining prairie of Genesee Grove, were in early times claimed by the Hill family, and the south half by the James brothers, and their assignee, William Wick, hence every settler who came to the grove was compelled to purchase timber and prairie claims from one or the other of these land jobbers. Some plucky settlers, however, refused to buy claims. This being a violation of the claim laws, messengers, young men mostly, were dispatched on swift horses to convene the members of the Claim Association, and in great emergencies the members of other Associations. Upon coming together the members would proceed to hear the proofs and allegations on both sides, and then decide the matter by a vote. If the decision was in favor of the "jumper," he was secure in his title, but if adverse a semi-military organization, properly ofiicered, would be eflFected, whose duty it was to proceed at once to the cabin of the trespasser, and remove his goods and family therefrom, and then either tear the building down or burn it. In all these contests about claims the alleged trespasser always had friends, and sometimes they would constitute the majority of the meeting. In such an event victory would perch upon his banner. As an instance of how the matter worked at times, we give the following which occurred in Genesee : Three brothers went to the land office at Dixon, and entered claims upon which fourof the actual settlers had builtcabinsand made improvements. As soon as this was ascertained a meetingof the members of all the adjoining Claim Associations was called, the number present being variously estimated at from two to three hundred. The first thing decided upon at the meeting was, to turn out with axes and wagons and cut and haul the timber from the lands of these brothers to the land belonging to other parties. This was done, but the "jumpers " did not budge. A subsequent meeting was then held, and the brothers arrested. This time a demand was made of them to convey the lands to the first claimants, but plucky still, they refused to comply. The question then arose as to the kind of punishment which should be inflicted upon them, three modes beinjr discussed, to wit : drowning;, shootins; or whipping. After mature deliberation the whipping method was adopted, and two members of the Association were selected to carry the verdict into execution. The decree was that two of the brothers should be punished, the third one being let off as an innocent party. The number of blows was not to exceed thirtynine, and an umpire selected to decide as to the number each of the parties could endure. Two stakes were driven into the ground, and the brothers tied to them. The first one whipped exhibited pluck, and did not flinch, although he received nearly all the blows before the umpire interfered, and prevented further punishment. The second one received only a few blows when he was taken with palpitation of the heart, and they were stopped. All the parties have long since left this county. To prevent these claim disputes and their attendant consequences, the Legislature of the State, at the session of 1837-'38, passed an act limiting claims to one hundred and sixty acres of timber, and three hundred and twenty acres of prairie, but order was not finally restored until the lands had been purchased at the Grovernment land sales.

The Winnebago Indians remained to hunt and fish in and around Genesee until 1839, and were generally quiet and peaceful, although they would occasionally steal horses and provisions. During that year, a party of them borrowed some of the equines without consent, and were followed and ovei-taken by the settlers. They were so indignant at this proceedure that they threatened to scalp every white person in the settlement before morning. The alarm was soon carried to every family on the north side of the grove with the word to hasten to the house of William Hill, where a general headquarters would be made, and after all had assembled there, the men barricaded the doors and windows inside and outside. After finishing the work outside, they entered the house through the gable window by means of a ladder, and upon being safely entrenched, drew the ladder up after them. Their weapons of warfare included everything from a rifle to a pitchfork. One man, a Methodist minister, was armed with a table fork, having heard that there was a tradition among the Indians that a stab from such an instrument always proved fatal to them. During the night one of the settlers in the neighborhood came home from the mill, and, finding his cabin deserted, went to the residence of Mr. Hill, but was unable to arouse the inmates. After laboring a long time he finally tore down the barricades, entered the dwelling, and found the garrison asleep on their arms. In the morning it was found that the Indians had all decamped during the night, but their trail was followed by some of the more adventurous settlers, and they were overtaken on an island in the Mississippi river, near Fulton, and the stolen horses secured. When this had been effected they were promptly punished by receiving a sound whipping.

In early times the prairie rattle snakes were plenty, and always expressed a willingness to bite by rattling. On one occasion, when some of the pioneers of the township were reaping wheat on the land of one of their number as was the custom then, one of these "sarpints" was discovered, and sounding the tocsin of war, threw itself into a coil ready for a strike. The reapers fell back in good order, and suggested various modes of attack, but before a determination was reached, Mr. Parish came to the rescue and cried out in a stentorian voice "Boys, stand back, and I will show you how we kill snakes in Tennessee." The order being promptly obeyed, he approached the enemy and when within three feet of the snake sprang into the air with the intention of landing on it with his feet close together, thereby crushing it, but he made his calcuhxtions wrong and came down on the opposite side. In his attempt to save himself he fell flat on his back across the snake, very much scared, as was also the snake. The unengaged parties came to his aid, and separated the belligerents without either having received any injury. The snake was finally killed with a club.

The first Postmaster in what is now Genesee township was Edward Richardson, who received his appointment in 1839. Shortly afterwards a postoffice was established at Prospect Grove, and called Prospect Postoffice, James Hankie, an Englishman, receiving the first appointment as Postmaster, who was succeeded by^Ira Scoville. This office has long since been abolished. The postoffice at New Genesee was established a number of years ago, William Taylor being the present Postmaster.

The first prize obtained by the grim destroyer was the life of Mrs. James, mother of George 0. James, now of Mt. Pleasant township. Mrs. James died in 1838. The rider of the white horse commenced holding his fairs early in Whiteside county, and tied the ribbon on the door of many a cabin. The doomed ones were rudely, but sacredly, buried in the grove or on the prairie, and the summer winds sang as soft a requiem over their lowly graves as it would have done had the elegant tomb-stones and imposing monuments of to-day marked their last resting-place.

Unhappily we have been unable to ascertain the name of the lady who first shuffled off the coil of single -blessedness and entered into the blissful state of matrimony. The first marriage in a new settlement is always blissful, and for miles and miles around the happy couple are congratulated. In more senses than one it is an era for the neighborhood. The name of the fortunate groom, however, is preserved, and it is written George Huffman. The hope at the wedding undoubtedly was that many little Huffmans would grace the theater of action, and that if of the male persuasion they would have more of the man than the kuf. Among the first marriage licenses issued after the organization of the county in 1839, one was granted to Harvey Preston, of Grant county, Wisconsin Territory, and Jane Hall, of Genesee Grove Precinct, who were married at that time.

The first town meeting, under the township organization law, was held on the Gth of April, 1852, when the following officers were elected : Ivory Colcord, Supervisor; Abram H. Law, Town Clerk; John S. Crum, Collector; William Criim, Assessor; John W. Lowery and James 1). Law, Justices of the Peace. The following have been the Supervisors, Town Clerks, Assessors, Collectors, and Justices of the Peace from 1852 to 1877, inclusive :

Biographical

Genesee township contains 18,683 acres of improved land, and 4,267 of unimproved. The Assessor's book shows that the number of horses in the town in 1877 was 525; the number of cattle, 970; mules and asses, 10; sheep, 11; hogs, 3,364; carriages and wagons, 234; sewing and knitting machines, 129; watches and clocks, 253; melodeons and organs, 37. Total assessed value of lands, lots and personal property, $396,330.

The population of the township in 1870, as appears by the United States census reports of that year, was 1,271, of which 1,081 were of native birth, and 190 of foreign birth. The population in 1860 was 1,157. The estimated population in 1877, is 1,500.

Biographical. Jesse Hill, Sr., and family, originally came from North Carolina, and settled on the north side of Genesee Grove in the summer of 1835. Previous to his coming he had lived a number of years in Indiana, but at the death of his wife, desiring to have all his children settle about him, he sought a home in the far West. When they came to the grove they could not cross Rock creek, as the water was very high, so they stopped until the water had fallen. In the meantime they reconnoitered the timber and the adjacent prairie, and concluded that there was enough to supply the " Hill family," so they built themselves a cabin. One day a party of Indians came to the cabin and told them that there was a "smoky woman," meaning a white woman, on the south side of the grove. A messenger was immediately dispatched, and he found the James family. A treaty, offensive and defensive, was at one entered into, by the families stipulating that the James family should own the south half of the grove, and the contiguous prairie, while the Hill family should occupy the north half, and the adjoining prairie. They were to repel all who intended to '-jump claims," and all new settlers were compelled to purchase a timber and prairie lot from one of the families, or their assignees, for the first few years. The Hill family consisted of Jesse Hill, Sr., and nine children, viz: John, Daniel, William, Zach., Jesse, Jr., and four girls. One of the girls married Nathaniel IMoxley, one, Samuel Seer, one, James Walker, and one, Ebenezer Huftnian, now in Oregon, as far as their whereabouts can be learned. Jesse Hill, Sr., died a number of years ago at the Grove. John had six children; two are dead, one lives in Nebraska, one in Michigan, one in Iowa, one in Wisconsin, and one, Jesse, in Illinois.

John Hill died in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1852; his wife died in Wisconsin, in 1859. Jesse. HfU, Jr., lives in Oregon; Daniel in Kansas; William went to Texas before the war and has not been heard from since. Zach. died at the Grove in 1854, after his return from California. His wife and four children are now in Oregon. Not having any teams, in the winter of 1835-"36, they went to work and cleared up a field in the timber. The boys split the rails, and the girls carried them on their shoulders to the place where the fence was to be built. Shoes, boots, broadcloths, silks, worsted goods and calicoes were not in the market, and if they had been there was no money to purchase them. So they had to be contented with buckskin moccasins as substitutes for boots and shoes. The women made linsey from the wool of the sheep, and dyed it with bark. The fabric was called butternut. The girls also made a coarse fabric from cotton by spinning and weaving. This was worn in the summer, the linsey in the winter. The dresses were cut, fitted and made at home, the" fashions being entirely ignored. An incident is related of a gentleman going to the Hill cabin one day about noon, and finding the father, three sons, and three daughters at their dinner, which consisted of potatoes boiled with the skins on. There being no chairs nor any table in the cabin, the potatoes were turned out on the puncheon floor, and the family were seated, tailor fashion, eating their frugal meal. As soon as they saw company, the girls ran and hid, but when the surprise wore off they returned and finished their meal.

Riley Hill was a Methodist preacher, who remained in Genesee Grove two years, 1838-'39, and then went to Warren county; after a time he returned, but soon died.

James Family: - Adam and John James came to Genesee Grove in 1835, and settled on the south side of the Grove. The mother of the James brothers died in 1838; this was the first death in the Grove. Several Indians - Winnebagoes - came to the James cabin one day while the men were from home. Being unaccustomed to Indians, the two women fled, leaving them in peaceable possession of the premises, and went across the country to Union Grove, which was then the nearest settlement. Night overtaking them, they slept in the high grass. One of the women had an infant, and carried it in her arms all the way. Neither mother nor child suffered any injury from the journey or the exposure of lying on the ground during the night. They reached Union Grove the next day, very much pleased with the success of the adventure, and fully determined not to be surprised again by the Indians. There was, however, no mischief done during their absence. Adam James sold his claim to Wm. Wick and others, and returned to Morgan county, Illinois.

John Wick was born January 26, 1793, in Fayette county, Kentucky; at the age of five his family emigrated to Ross county, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood. He married Elizabeth King, of Loudon county, Virginia, on the 14th of iVpril, 1814. Children : Margaret was born January 14, 1815; Eunice, March 8, 1816; Azariah and Absalom - twins - April 16, 1818; John K., July 28, 1820, and Moses, September 8, 1822. Mrs. Wick died February 1823. John K. and Moses are living, one in Genesee Grove the other in California; Margaret, the wife of Harmon Hopkins, is living in Iowa. Eunice the wife of

Howard, also lives in Iowa. Mr. Wick had been a farmer all his life. He came from Ohio directly to Illinois, and settled in Genesee Grove in October, 1836. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; he was drafted, and immediately mustered into the service, and rendezvoused at Columbus, Ohio. His regiment was at once ordered to upper Sandusky, to re-enforce General Scott, who was threatened with an attack by the British army. They reached headquarters just the night before the battle - ^near enough to hear the cannon, but not to engage in the encounter. General Scott won the battle, and Mr. Wick's regiment was detailed to guard the prisoners.

William Wick was born in Fayette county, Kentucky. lie was about two years younger than his brother John and also went with the family to Koss county, Ohio. He married Margaret Redman, a sister of Eli Redman, in Ohio. He came to Illinois and settled in Genesee Grove in June, 1836. Children : Nancy, Emeline, Charlotte, Louisa, an infant that died, Eli, and William. Eli lives in Missouri and William in Iowa; Nancy married Wm. P. Iliddleson, and now lives in Kansas; Emeline married William Crum, and died in about a year; Louisa married John Moxley, and now lives in Missouri; Charlotte married Harvey Summers, and also lives in Missouri. Mr. Wick died in 1858, and is buried in Genesee Grove. He was drafted during the war of 1812, and served in the same regiment as his brother John. He was an honest, unsuspecting man, and often became the victim of designing persons; he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The pioneer ministers of that, and all denominations as well, and indeed everybody found a cordial welcome at his house. No member of his family now resides in this county. Mrs. Wick is still living, at a ripe old age, with her daughter, Mrs. Moxley.

Eli Redman was born December 22, 1794, in Greenbrier county, Va. When young his family removed to Ohio, from thence to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1827. He enlisted as a private in the war of 1812, in a Virginia regiment. He was afterwards Second Lieutenant in a company of Illinois Militia. He came to Whiteside county with William Wick. He married Catherine Owen, September 29, 1833, in Indiana. Children : W. H., born March 5, 1840; Phebe J., January 5, 1842; Sarah E., born February 17, 1844; Nelson L., born November 16. 1847; Eli M., born November 22, 1849; Margaret L., born May, 1854; Samuel C, born March 13, 1856, and Frank 0., August 10, 1861. Mr. Redman died October 29, 1862, and is buried in the Genesee Grove cemetery. Sarah E., died February 21, 1874. Wm. H. enlisted in Company C, 12th Hlinois Volunteer Cavalry; he served from January 1, 1862 to June 18, 1866. For meritorious services, he was promoted Captain of his company; he was captured once, and escaped from the enemy in Virginia; was in every battle in which his regiment took part. He is now living at Montezuma, Poweshiek county, Iowa. After farming two years, he studied law at the University at Iowa City; since then he has been practicing his profession successfully at Montezuma, Iowa. Nelson L. and Eli M. are farmers; Phebe J. married Edward F. Scoville. The famil;y now reside in Poweshiek county, Iowa. Sarah E. was married and resided at the same place until her death. Eli Redman was familiarly known in Whiteside and Carroll counties, from the very earliest settlement of the county up to the time of his death, as " Uncle Eli Redman." He was liberal to a fault, as every one would testify. No man ever asked a favor of him in vain. Mrs. Eli Redman is now living with her children in Iowa.

James Scoville was born February 21, 1810, in Washington county. New York. He traveled on foot from home to Erie, Pennsylvania, then again on foot across Michigan to Chicago, and then to Milwaukee in November, 1834. At that time there were no bridges, and he was compelled to wade or swim all the streams. He had left his family in New York while he was seeking work. He was employed by Junot & Rogers, at Milwaukee, in the lumber business, at $25 per month. When he was through with his work at this place, he walked all the way back to New York. Mr. Scovile was married November 15, 1832. Children: Ira, born May 24, 1834; Mattie, born March 12, 1836; Amelia, born

March 12, 1838; Mary E., born December 17, 1841; Sarah, born November 29, 1843; Paulina, born January 20, 1845; James, born March 30, 1848; Ettie, born April 12, 1850; Emma, born January 17, 1852, and Ella, born December 12, 1855. Mr. Scoville made no claim on Government lands, but bought a timber lot from Wm. Wick, built a cabin on a prairie lot in October, 1839, and moved his family into it in November. He also held the claim of the grove northeast of Genesee, which was then called Sight Grove, afterwards Prospect Grove. When he settled in Genesee Grove his entire worldly possessions consisted of a span of horses and a wagon. The provisions for his family and the feed for his horses had to be brought from Warren county, one hundred miles .south, for the first year's supply. In the second year the products of the farm were sufiicient. His first house was a log cabin 18 by 20 feet, all in one room, and was used as a kitchen, dining room, parlor, sleeping room, granary, harness room and wood house. In addition to all this, his cabin was the stopping place for all strangers who passed that way. Mr. Scoville and his Avife are now far down the sunset side of life, and have secured not only the necessaries, but also many of the luxuries of life. They are among the solid people of Whiteside county.

Edward Scoville the father of James, came to Genesee Grove in 1843. His wife's maiden name was Susan Case. Children: Paulina, Augustine, Hiram, Sanford, James, Stephen, Susan, Edward, Alexander, Sprague, and Jane. All the sons are dead except James and Alexander. The daughters are all living. The father and mother both died in Illinois, Sanford Scoville settled in Genesee Grove in 1844, and died in 1874, from injuries received by being thrown from a wagon. He left a wife and one child; his daughter married Alexander Calkins. Steven Scoville died about twenty years ago, leaving a wife and six children. Alexander Scoville is now living at Rock Falls. Sprague Scoville died about thirty years ago at Genesee Grove; he was not married.

Ivory Colcord was born July 20, 1799, in New Hampshire, in which State his wife was also born, June 27, 1805. They came to Genesee Grove on the 13th of October, 1837. On his route to the West Mr. Colcord shipped his family and goods at Olean Point, New York, on a flat boat, and went down the Alleghany river to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he took a steamer descending the Ohio river, and thence up the Mississippi river to Fulton. At Fulton he loaded his goods in a wagon, John Baker, Fulton's pioneer, furnishing the team and acting as driver and apide. The family also took passage in the same wagon, and the convoy crossedM.he sloughs and prairie to Genesee Grove. The whole trip consumed six weeks. Mr. Colcord purchased a timber and prairie claim of William Wick, paying for it $150 in gold. The claim consisted of two hundred acres of timber hmd, and three hundred acres of prairie. Upon this he built a cabin 12 by 12 feet in size, in the winter of 1837-'38. In this cabin the family cooked, ate, washed, slept and kept hotel. A large part of their goods was kept in the wagon, which stood in the door yard all winter. In the summer of 1838, a house large enough to accommodate the family, and store away all the goods, was erected. Mr. Colcord was a farmer, and an educated man. After the labors of the day were over, he devoted his time in the evening to teaching a school at the house of William Wick, and afterwards one in his own house. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at the organization of the Society in Genesee Grove, was chosen the first classleader. He was also elected the first Justice of the Peace in Genesee township. Mr. Colcord died January 25, 18G5. His children were as follows: Ethan S., born April 18, 1822; Abigail, born IMarch 21, 1820; Ralph B., born June 8, 1828; Lorena D., born October 5, 1830; John, born June 24, 1832; Rose Ann, born

April 5, 1835; Ivory, Jr., born February 22, 1837; William H., born July 29, 1839; Elvira, born July 25, 1841; George W., born May 12, 1843; Mary Angeline, born November 22, 1847. Ethan S. married Miss Eliza Jane Law in September, 1843, and died in August, 1863; children, Albert, Arthur, Royal, and Artie. Abigail married Washington Law in 1844, and died in 1864; children, Taylor, Joshua, Orland, Wright, and Hunter. Ralph B. married Miss Mary A. Shirley, March 8, 1854; children, Emma L., Luella M., and Nora B. Lorena D. married John Cummings in 1856, who died in 1864; children Emma and May. Mrs. Cummings afterward married Washington Law. Rose Ann married Caleb Burgess in 1855; children. Ophelia T., Florence V., Warner, and Frederick. Ivory, Jr., married Miss Charlotte Frazer; children, Willard, Irena, Celine, Bertha, and Angeline. William H. married Miss Phianna Lineroad; children, Alice C, Eustatia, Nettie A., Edith B., Ernest S., Clayton E., Nellie L., and Elbertie E. Elvira married James A. DeGroff; children, Raymond, Lettie, LeRoy, who died in infancy, and Herbert. George W. married Miss Lucre tia Lineroad; no children. Mary Angeline married 0. Terpenning; children, Frank J., Harry, and Olia Y. Besides the township and other local offices held by Ivory Colcord, he was Coroner of the county from 1839 to 1844, and again from 1848 to 1854. He was an active, energetic man, and took a prominent part in helping to shape the affairs of the county in early days.

R. TiLTON Hughes was born in Kentucky, June 17, 1812. When he was twelve years old his father and family emigrated to Shawneetown, Illinois. After remaining there a few years, they went to Jacksonville, Illinois. At that time there was but one house where Jacksonville now stands. They remained there until 1834, when they went north, and settled in Elkhorn Grove, which was then in Jo Daviess county, but is now in Carroll county. They finally settled in Genesee Grove in 1839. After remaining a number of years,Mr. Hughes sold out and bought Jonathan Haines' farm just west of the Jacobstown mill, and two miles northwest of Morrison, where he still lives. By unremitting labor he has laid up enough of this world's goods to make himself comfortable, besides making provision for all his children, who have settled in his immediate neighborhood. Mr. Hughes was married to Mary Jane Scoville, March 13, 1841, children: James F., born February 1, 1845; John N., born August 24, 1846; Caroline F., born February 18, 1849; Oletha, born March 19, 1859. All are now living except James F., who was accidentally drowned in Rock creek, aged ten years. Mr. Hughes was in this county nine yeafs^efore the lands were brought into market by the government.

James A. L. Bunce was born in Rensselaer county. New York. He married Hester Lewis. Children: Delos, Delaney, Deborah, Demott, Delia Ann, Darwin, Dunmore, Danforth, Delight, David, and Dewitt. All are now living, except Darwin. Three are living in Illinois, one in Missouri, and one in Kansas, and the others in Iowa. Mr. Bunce died in 1860, and Mrs. Bunce in 1876.

Mark Harrison was born in Yorkshire, England, May 6. 1804. He was put on board a vessel, and became a sailor when quite young. He emigrated to the United States in 1826, and remained in New York and Rhode Island until 1832, employed as a sailor. He afterwards went to Chicago, and was engaged on a steamer in the Lake trade. In the spring of 1836 he settled in Whiteside county, and worked for Mr. Brink in digging out the mill pit at Empire. He made the claim of the Twin Grove property and the adjoining prairie, in partnership with Joe. Mush, in 1837. He married Mrs. Mary Taylor. Children: Elizabeth, born October 18, 1840; James H., born November'23. 1842;'Sarah Ann, born Mai-ch 31, 1847; Joshua K., born September 3, 1846; Joseph E., born September 25. 1849. Joshua K., is dead; the others are living near their parents. The grand children number twenty-seven. Mrs. Harrison was born in North Carolina, September 10, 1803. She lost both her parents, and lived with her brother, keeping house for him after the death of his wife. The brother sold his property in North Carolina, and sent his two children, one nine, and the other five years old to Illinois, under the care of their aunt. They walked the whole distance - fifteen hundred miles. Her brother, remaining to dispose of the rest of his property, died suddenly with the cholera, and so the children were raised by their aunt. The niece became the wife of Edward Harris, and died in Sterling several years ago; the nephew went to Oregon, and was killed by the Indians. When Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were married, they cooked and ate their wedding dinner at their own cabin. They had no table, bed, or chairs; a board, laid on two pins driven in auger holes in one of the logs of their cabin, was their table, the seats were three-legged stools; the bed was straw which was covered with a sheet. Several years intervened before the luxuries of a table and chairs could be indulged in. The party with which Mrs. Harrison came from North Carolina carried all their goods on pack horses. The pack saddle was made of wood, and fitted the back of the horse. When Mr. Harrison was married he had just fifty cents, and his wife had fifteen dollars, all of which was invested, on joint account, in the purchase of wheat, oats, and corn for seeding purposes. 3Ir. Harrison once took two fat cows to Galena to sell. He sold one for $5, and invested the whole amount in the purchase of two five-pound bunches of cotton yarn. Mrs. Harrison wove this into cloth, which constituted the only fabric worn by the family. Mr. Harrison sold Mr. Brink wheat at twenty-five cents and took as pay a three year old colt valued at thirty dollars.

Joe Mush was also an Englishman. He came W^est with Mark Harrison, and as partners they made the claim of the Twin Grove and the adjoining prairie. He had some prairie broken, in 1837, by James D. Bingham. He left and went East, and has not been heard from for many years.

William Stanley was born in Montgomery, now Grayson county, Virginia, August 7, 1819. When he was ten years old his father emigrated from Virginia to Ohio, a distance of over five hundred miles. All walked but the mother, who rode on the pack-horse, carrying the baby. They came to Illinois, and settled at Union Grove in 1837; came to Genesee Grove in 1850. He married Delia Ann Bunco, November 30, 1843. Children : Rachael, born November 29, 1845; Abram, born September 24, 1847; Melina, born November 12, 1849; Thomas, born November 3, 1851; Esther, born December 26, 1853; Andrew, born December 6, 1855; Mary, born September 6, 1858; Isabella, born February 18, 1861; Rebecca, born December 10, 1863; and William, born July 11, 1866.

Thomas Stanley lived in Genesee Grove thirty-five years. All of his fifteen children were born there. He left the Grove a number of years ago, and now lives in Iowa.

Pleasant Stanley came to Genesee Grove in 1837, and lived in the family of William Wick for three years. He worked for Jonathan Haines eight years. Married Sarah Jane Crum. Children: one son and five daughters. Mr. Stanley lived in Whiteside county twenty-seven years, but in 1864 went to Tama county, Iowa, where he now resides.

Isaac Brookfield was born in the State of New York, July 9, 1791. He came and settled in Genesee Grove in July, 1837, building a log cabin. After six years he moved to Indiana, but returned in 1858 and settled in Sterling, and worked at his trade as shoemaker until 1874. Since then he was an invalid. He died January 23, 1877, at the ripe age of eighty-six.

Ephraim Brookpield was born in Genesee county. New York. He went to California in 1849; when he returned he attended school at Knox College, Gralesburg. He afterwards taught school several years. He married Harriet Yager in v'>epteniber. 1859. Children : Louis E., born June 6, 1860; Fannie M., born December 29, 1803; Ellen T., born November 17, 1872; and Dora, born September 12, 1874. Fannie M. died March 22, 1875. Mr. Brookfield was* clerk in the store of J. T. Crum at Genesee Grove. He afterwards became a partner, and finally bought out Crum, carrying on the business in his own name at Coleta for fourteen years. During all this time he labored with an energy and tact that but few men possess. In 1874 he sold the stock and buildings to H. S. Wickey, and commenced banking in Rock Falls on his own capital. His health failing, he was compelled to seek a warmer climate. He went to Florida, but died January 10, 1876, and was buried in the Sterling cemetery.

Martin D. McCrea was born in Kentucky, May 31, 1806. His father died when he was but ten years old, and Martin was brought up in the family of an uncle in Indiana. He married Margaret Ann Crum, January 1, 1835. He had three sons and three daughters. He was a peculiar man. Brought up on the extreme Western frontier, he was deprived of almost all the advantages of common schools. His associations were with the dwellers in the log cabins; he hated intensely what he understood to be a mean act. If he made up his mind to be a man's friend, he would stand by him until the death. On the other hand, if he became possessed with the idea that a man was dishonest, he would say so fearlessly. He often indulged in veins of wit and sarcasm, and was incapable of revenge. During a cold winter he was making his way on foot to Harvey's store, at Empire, to purchase a pair of winter boots. His feet being very large, he had spoken to Mr. Harvey to bring on some extra sizes. On his way he met a neighbor, who had just come from the store. He hastily inquired if the Bush family had been at the store since the boots had come, and, being told that they had, he turned around at once and started for home, remarking that if the Bush family had been there, there would be none left for him.

James McMullen was born in Ireland. He came to Canada, and in 1837 settled in Genesee. He had a wife and eight children. Hiswife died soon after his coming, and he sold out and returned to Canada. He married again, and after a number of years came back to Illinois, and settled in Carroll county. He is now living in Fulton, but has been an invalid for several years. He was an intelligent, enterpri.sing man.

Jacob Huffman and family came from Canada, and settled on the north side of Genesee Grove in 1837. He was a farmer; had four sons and three daughters. The oldest son and one daughter died in the Grove. The other children are still living, two in Whiteside county. The parents have been dead a number of years.

Mrs. Amanda Wick, a sister of E. T. Hughes, was first married to John E. Smith, a son of T. W. Smith, one of the first Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois. She had one child, I. S. Smith, who is now living in Chicago. Mrs. Smith afterwards married Azariah Wick, August 6, 1838. She had seven children by this marriage. Mr. Wick enlisted in the 75th regiment of Illinois Infantry in 1862, as a private, and died in Military Hospital No. 14, at Nashville, Tennessee.

Edward Richardson was an eastern man. He came to Genesee Grove in 1838; boarded with Mr. Colcord until his family came in 1839, when he lived in the same cabin with Uncle Watty Doud. Soon afterwards his wife died,

He had one child - a daughter - who married Charles Weed, and settled in Rock Island county. Mr. Richardson was the first Postmaster in Genesee Grove, in 1839. Soon after his wife's death his health failed, and he shortly afterwards died.

Ezra R. Huett came from the State of New York, and settled in Genesee Grove in 1839. He married Miss Clawson. After remaining a number of years he settled in Northern Iowa. He was a carpenter by trade. Had thirteen children.

John Yager was born January 3, 1809, in Union county, Pennsylvania. His father came to Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1812, and in 1820 removed to Jackson county in the same State. He married Elizabeth Ayres, April 19, 1829, and came with his family to Illinois in 1836, settling in Chamber's Grove. He remained there until 1843, when he came to Whiteside county, and settled near Genesee Grove, where he has lived ever since. He had ten children, viz: Maria, George, William, Henry, Harriet, Sarah, James, Mavilla, Martha, and Amanda. They are all dead but two - Mary, now Mrs. Miller, and Harriet, now Mrs. Ephraim Brookfield, of Sterling. Mr. Yager's ancestors were from Germany. He was brought up a farmer, and followed agricultural pursuits. In addition, he was an ordained minister of the church organized by Alexander Campbell, now called the Christian church. His wife died October 2, 1852, and he married Catherine Nance in JeflFersonville, Indiana, December 12, 1853. His wife died June 17, 1863, leaving no children. He married Mrs. Margaret A. McCrea, the widow of Martin D. McCrea, November 16, 1863. Mr. Yager, although an early settler, never had any claim troubles, and never was concerned in any of the controversies, either as a party or as a witness. Many persons madeit a business to locate timber and prairie claims, so that about all the lands were taken up or claimed. These large claim brokers reduced the business to a system. Mr. Yager bought out John Cox, paying three dollars per acre for his land. One forty acre lot of that claim has recently been sold for two hundred dollars per acre.

Rensselaer Baker came from New York in 1839. He had a wife and two children, a son and a daughter. He went to California, leaving his wife on the farm, and has not been heard from recently. Mrs. Baker died about two years ago.

Harvey Summers came from Indiana in 1838. He married Charlotte J. Wick, a daughter of Wm. Wick. He is now living in Jasper county, Missouri.

John Thompson Crum came from Indiana in 1838 in company with Martin D. McCrea. Mrs. McCrea was his sister. He made a claim, and after remaining a number of years he went to Indiana and married Mary Pierce. He had a stock of goods at Genesee Grove, which he afterwards sold to Ephriam Brookfield, and then went back to Indiana, where he still lives. Mr. Crum built the first house in the place now called Coleta, for a store and dwelling house combined, on the corner of sections 10 and 22.

William Crum came and made a claim in 1838. He followed farming until about ten years ago, when he sold out and went into the dry goods business at Gait. He now owns and lives on the farm known in Como as the Perkins' place. He first married Emeline Wick, in 1843. Had one child, now the wife of Joe. Sales, in Iowa. Mrs. Crum died, and he married Rachel M. Lee. Four children were born, but all are now dead.

MiDDLKTON G. Wood was born in Virginia, February 26, 1811. When one year old he was taken to North Carolina, and stayed there until he was sixteen, when he went to Grcencastle, Indiana; thence to Rockville. Came West and settled in Georgetown, Vermillion county, Illinois. Married Lucy Ann

Law, December 25, 1832. In the spring of 183G, he went to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, but came back to Illinois in the fall of that year, and settled at Eagle Point. He lived there until 1843 when he went to Hickory Grove. Mrs. Wood died January 11, 1848, leaving three children. Mr. Wood married Sarah West in October, 1850, and had seven children by this marriage. He is a blacksmith by trade. In January, 1837, he made an agreement with Hezekiah Brink and Elijah Worthington to open a blacksmith shop in the upper part of Sterling - then called Harrisburg. They agreed to build the shop, furnish the tools, and be ready for him to commence work on the first day of May, 1838. At the time agreed upon he reported himself ready, but the shop was not completed, and the enterprise was abandoned.

Henry H. Holbrook was born May, 24, 1815 at Cornish, New Hampshire. He married Caroline Ross, April 11, 1833. He came west and settled in Genesee Grove, December 5, 1838. Mr. Holbrook was a practical farmer, but worked at shoe making in the winter season, and when not otherwise employed. Children: Jane, Abigal, John, Silas, Sarah, Alzina, Emeline, Watson, Eliza, Mary, Isaac, Adeline, and Nancy. Silas, Alzina, Emeline and Nancy, are dead. Mr. Holbrook first settled at a spring in the Grove, but after four years removed to where he now lives. As late as 1838, the cabins were all built in the timber. The belief was universal that no person could live on the prairies on account of the severe winters. The father and mother of the subject of this sketch came from Steuben county, New York. They travelled in a buggy drawn by one horse, while the family and goods were conveyed by two horses. They started in October, 1838, and came to Erie, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Holbrook shipped one large bos on a sail vessel. After traveling five weeks, making over one thousand miles, they arrived at Genesee Grove in December, 1838, having suffered severely from the cold and exposure. Edward Richardson accompanied them, and traveled the whole distance on foot. The vessel on which the box was shipped was wrecked, but a portion of the goods was received about a year afterwards. The father and mother were both old at the time they came west, and died a long time ago. A man calling himself Sharp, squatted in a vacant cabin in the neighborhood in the winter of 1838-"39. One of the hogs belonging to one of the settlers was missing one day, and the proof was conclusive that Sharp was the guilty person. The settlers went to his cabin, compelled him to hitch his horses to his wagon, while they loaded up his goods, and sent him off. He was never heard of afterwards.

Watson Parish was born in Virginia. His father was in the war of 1812, and died in the military hospital twelve miles below Richmond. The mother and the rest of the family emigrated to Mercer county, Kentucky, in the fall of 1815, and remained there until 1837, when they went to Dyer county, Tennessee, remaining there until the spring of 1839. Mr. Parish married Louisa Demint. In June, 1839, he emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Genesee Grove. Children: William C, Elias, Augustine, Sampson, Watson, Sarah, Harrison H., Amanda L., Mary E. Mrs. Parish died in 1847, and soon after Mr. Parish again married. The children by his second wife are: John R., Isam S., Francis M. Mr. Parish's second wife died, and he married his third wife. The children by this marriage were: Hattie G., Amy M., Clara M. William C. died in the army November 29, 1861; Elias lives in Johnson county, Nebraska; Augustine , lives in Butte county, California; Watson resides in Nebraska; Sarah married Isaac N. Thorp who enlisted in the army and was drowned January 3, 1865; Clara M. died in 1865. Mr. Parish has been extensively known as a successful auctioneer.

about ten miles south of Dixon, at the Inlet. He kept a public house there. Settled in Genesee Grove in 1840. Children: Louisa - afterwards Mrs. Parish, Isaac, Polly. George. Samuel and Sarah. Mr. Demint after remaining in the Grove a number of years, went to Iowa with his family, and is now dead.

Samuel Landis was born in Virginia in 1792. He married Elizabeth Stretch in Indiana. Came to Genesee Grove in the spring of 1836. Children: Nathaniel, Susan. Sarah, Enoch, Mary, William, Nancy, John, Elizabeth and Maro-aret Ann. Elizabeth, Nancy and Margaret are living in Missouri. Enoch, Sarah and John are in Iowa. The rest are in Illinois. Mr. Landis was troubled with a tumor which arew so rapidly that a surgical operation became necessary; chloroform was administered, and it was skillfully removed, but he did not rally, and soon died. Mr. Landis was a cabinet maker by trade, and occasionally worked at it in connection with farming. Mrs. Landis is still living in Missouri.

The villase of Coleta is laid out on the corners of sections 9, 10, 15 and 16. in township 22, range 6 east of the 4th principal meridian. The first buildino' erected was the store of John Thompson Crum, on the corner of section 10. After occupying it for a number of years, Mr. Crum purchased an acre of land on the opposite corner, on section 9, and moved the building to that corner, where he used it as a dwelling and store room. He afterwards sold out to Ephraim Brookfield, who in turn sold to Henry S. Wickey, the present owner. The forty acre lot on the southeast corner of section 9, and the southwest corner of section 10, were owned at first by David Wyman, who afterwards sold it to Azariah Wick. Mr. Wick sold it to Alestis S. Smith, who in turn sold to C. Overholser. Mr. Overholser sold to Samuel H. Kingery, who afterwards sold back again to Overholser. In the plat of the village this forty acre lot was laid out into town lots. In 1856 Mr. Crum purchased four acres on the northeast corner of section 16. and laid them out into lots. A lot of fourteen acres was also sold by Wick to A. S. Smith, who sold to Mr. Crum. This ground was- also laid out into village lots. The next owner of them was Samuel Haldeman, who sold lots to David Horning, Dr. E. M. Winter, Barrett M. Burns, and the balance to Hiram Reynolds. The latter afterwards sold one lot to Andrew Griffith, one acre to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the balance to John Yager. Wick sold an acre on the northwest corner of section 15 to Wm. Pierce, who erected the first house on that comer. Mr. Pierce sold to Mrs. Winslow, who soon after sold one lot to Hiram Reynolds, and the other to Henry Kennedy. On the road leading west, lots were sold by A. T. Crum and William Harrow - one, a two acre lot to Cephas Hurless. Mr. Hurless has since sold one village lot to Seth Knapp, and one to Catharine Fenton.

The place was first called "Crum's Store," and then Clayton. The people seemingly not being satisfied with either, called a meeting, at which a majority voted to call it Coleta. This name was suggested by Miss Nora Porter, now Mrs. E. R. Ferguson. The first school house in the village was built in the summer of 1858, Ephraim Brookfield being the first, teacher. The number of pupils on the roll then was sixty, now it is over one hundred. The first church erected was the Methodist Episcopal, in 1868. The Society then numbered twenty members; now there are sixty-six. The building is a large frame structure, well finished and furnished, to which is also added a neat parsonage. Rev. H. F. Clendenin is the present pastor. The Sunday school has fifty scholars, with J. W. Tumbleson as Superintendent. The United Brethren built a church in 1869, the membership of the Society being then about one hundred, but has been reduced by emigration since to about seventy-five. Rev. Mr. Gardner is the pastor. The Sunday school has fifty scholars, and David Overholser as Superintendent. The Christian Church edifice was erected at an expense of $2,500. Nearly the whole amount was furnished by John Yager. The church has no settled minister at present, but services are held every Sabbath by either John Yager or Thomas Stanley. The Sunday school numbers one hundred and twenty-five scholars, with Thomas Stanley as Superintendent. Besides the three church buildings and school house, all finished in modern style, there is a hall over Wickey's store, called " Brookfield Hall," which is used for all public meetings. There is also a flourishing Masonic Lodge in the village. Coleta contains twenty-eight dwelling houses and eighteen business places, including stores, shops, etc., making in all fifty.