Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read), 1877

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read)

The present township of Hopkins first formed a part of Harrisburg and Crow Creek Precincts, and in 1837 became attached to Elkhorn Precinct, by action of the County Commissioners' Court of Ogle county, where it remained until June, 1839, when that part lying west of the east line of township 21, range 6 east, and Elkhorn creek, was placed in Round Grove Precinct, the part lying east of Elkhorn creek remaining in Elkhorn Precinct. When the townships were organized in 1852 under the township organization law by the Commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court, Hopkins was given all of Congressional township 21 north, range 6 east, with the exception of a small fraction of section 25 on the east, and four acres of section 34 on the south. Shortly after, when the township of Como was dropped, Hopkins gained parts of sections 2, 3 and 4 of township 20 north, range 6 east, north of Hock river, the balance north of that river going to Lyndon. The township is made up principally of rolling prairie and timber land, the large tract of timber known as Round Grrove lying wholly within its limits. Besides this grove, considerable timber skirts the banks of Elkhorn creek and Rock river. The prairie land is exceedingly fertile, well cultivated, and produces abundantly. The township is watered by Elkhorn creek, which comes into it on section 13, and flows at first westerly until it reaches section 14, and thence in a directiou a little west of south through sections 23, 26, and 35, until it reaches Rock river. A mill-race commencing on section 26, and running through the village of Como, connects this creek also with Rock river. Spring creek, rising in Genesee township, runs through sections 3, 11, 13, and 14, and unites with the Elkhorn a short distance southwest of Empire. Elkhorn creek has also a tributary rising on section 9, which flows into it in a southeasterly direction. The west part of the township is watered by Deer Creek and its tributaries.

The first settlement made in the territory now comprising the township of Hopkins was made by Jason Hopkins and Isaac H. Brittell, where the village of Como now stands, in 1835. In the autumn of 1832, as the troops which had been engaged in the Blackhawk War were returning to their homes, Mr. Hopkins, with a party, came to Rock river, and in coasting along its banks came to the site of the present village of Como. Being impressed with the beauty of the place, he made a claim covering the whole tract, known in pioneer parlance as a " jack-knife claim," by cutting his name in the bark of trees. The claim was on the north bank of the river, bounded on the east and south by the river; on the west by Elkhorn creek, and on the north by a line from the river running due west to Elkhorn creek, about where the track of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad is now situated. It had a southern exposure, and was interspersed with groves of shell-bark hickories, without undergrowth, and covered with luxuriant prairie grass. Mr. Hopkins often spoke of the location as being as " beautiful as the Garden of Eden." He was then as rich in land as Alexander Selkirk, being monarch of all he could see, yet with only the shadow of a title. In 1835 he returned with his family and Mr. Brittell, and surveyed the claim, establishing the boundaries by marking trees in the timber and running furrows through the prairie with an ox-team and prairie plow. He afterwards purchased the claim. It comprised sections 25, 26, 35, and 3G, and as much adjoining as made 3,200 acres, a portion being on the south side of the river.

The first settlement at the timber land now known as Round Grove was made by William Pilgrim, Clement C. Nance, and Joseph Jones, in the summer of 1836. Their wives were sisters. All were from Indiana, and, to distinguish them from other settlers, they were called Tloosiers. Pilgrim and Jones, after a few years, went back to Indiana, and ^ance moved to Genesee Grove. Being of the Campbellite or Christian persuasion, he occasionally preached the Gospel, and became a physician when past middle age, practicing his profession until his death, which occurred suddenly five or six years ago of heart disease. These families were not possessed of much of this world's goods. Moccasins were worn instead of boots and shoes, and the children were fortunate if they obtained any covering for their feet, even in the winter. Still they we're tough and healthy. Many now living can attest the sanitary influence of pioneer life as being peculiarly adapted to physical development. William Eeebe came in 1837, made a claim and remained a few years, and then departed for some other country. In 1838 the Thompson brothers came, but, like Mr. Beebe, left after a few years' residence, and did not return.

From the time the first settlements were made in the townships until the (government land sales took place, some six or seven years elapsed, thus giving the settlers suflficient time to make the money from the products of their acres with which to purchase their lands. As a measure of relief, also, the lands were not taxable until they had been entered five years. The land sales took place in June, 1842.

in December, 1838, H. H. Perkins and family, from New Hampshire, and Simeon Sampson and family, from Massachusetts, came . to Como, followed in September, 1839, by H. B. and William Sampson and families, also from Massachusetts. W. S. Wilkinson, a native of New York State, came in October,

1839, from Jacksonville, Illinois. S. P. Breed and family and J. N. Dow came in the spring of 1839 from Alton, Illinois. J. M. Burr came in the autumn of

1840, from Boston, and purchased Soulc's share of the claim; and William Pollock and family arrived in the spring of 1841 from Beardstown, Illinois. Mrs. Susan Cushing and sons, of Providence, Ilhode Island, belonged to the colojiy at Delevan, Tazewell county, Illinois, but, desiring to change, joined the Como colony early in the spring of 1839, and settled on the south side of the river. Their house had been framed and fitted in Ilhode Island, shipped to Delevan, Illinois, and put up, but was taken down and reshippcd to Como, where it was again put up and occupied as a part of their dwelling as long as the family lived there, and is yet in use. Mrs. Cushing died at South Manchester, Connecticut. S. B. Cushing died in Providence, Ilhode Island, in 1873. William and Henry B. Sampson were brothers. Capt. Simeon Sampson married William Sampson's daughter. They were natives of Duxbury, near Plymouth, Massachusetts. Capt. Sampson followed the sea until he came West. He was every inch a commander; inflexible in discipline, yet, when called upon or prompted by duty to alleviate the distress and suifcrings of others, was as tender and sympathizing as the Good Samaritan. The sick and wounded of the 75th Illinois Volunteers, after the battle of Perryville, in Kentucky, had ample proof of that noble trait in his character. He returned to his native State a few years ago, and is now living in East Boston. Frank Ad- ams came to Como in 1836, and assisted Jason Hopkins in holding his large claim. He was a genial, fun-loving, kind-hearted gentleman. His death occurred many years ago. Gcrshom H. Kirby settled in Como in 1839, and worked at his trade as a carpenter. He emigrated to California several years ago, where he has since resided. Ira Silliman settled in Como at an early day, and remained there until his death in the winter of 1872-'73. The Sells brothers emigrated from Ohio in 1836. Anthony settled west of the Elkhorn creek, and afterwards sold his claim to Elijah Wallace for $1,500 cash. He then went further West and died. Benjamin sold his claim to John Calt, and then settled in Rock Island county, where he died a number of years ago. Jacob was offered $2,000 for his claim by the father of Pilijah and Hugh Wallace, but refused it, and, after building a frame house and making other improvements, sold the whole to Edward Vernon and Frank Adams for $600. He afterwards settled on Green river, in Bureau county, where he laid out a village called Tailholt, and still lives there keeping a country tavern.

Messrs. Brink andCushman commenced building the saw-mill near Empire, known as Brink's mill, in 1837, and finished it in 1838. Cushman lived at Buffalo Grove, in Ogle county, and after the mill was built sold his interest to Brink. A saw-mill was built by Elijah Wallace in the summer of 1838, on Spi'ing creek, just west of the present village of Empire, and near where the school-house now stands. Messrs. Badger and son, of Lee county, were the millwrights, and kept bachelor's hall during the time of its erection in the Sells' cal)in. The next saw-mill in the township was put iip by Joel Harvey on Deer creek, in Bound Grove, in 1839. Mr. Harvey built a high dam on the stream, and thereby received a supply of water sufficient to run the mill three or four months each spring and summer. The mill was afterwards run by Hiram Harmon, and still later by Whiting R. Van Orman.

The first school taught in the township was at Round Grove, in 1840, Miss Higley being the teacher. The first school-house was built at Como in 1842, the funds for the purpose being raised by subscription among the inhabitants. Now there are six good school-houses in the township, those at Como, Gait and ICmpire being large and commodious structures.

The first child born in the town was William Tell Hopkins, son of Jason Hopkins, the first settler, the birth occurring February 22, 1837. He died about 1862. It^is claimed that he was the first male child born in the county.

The first parties around whom was slipped the matrimonial noose were Isaac H. Brittell and Jane Scott, the event occurring in 1840. The example so early and wisely set by Mr. and Mrs. Brittell was not lost upon some of the gay bachelors and rosy maidens of the township, and on November 10, 1841, Winfield S. Wilkinson and Miss Frances E. Sampson, and Frank Gushing and Miss Mary J). Breed, called in the Justice and were made happy. This double wedding was regarded as the great event of the time. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson - have long been respected residents of Morrison, and Mr. and Mrs. Gushing of Portland.

The earliest traveled road in the township was the Dixon and Rock Island stage route, running along the river near the line of the present road. A road was surveyed, laid out, and platted by Charles R. Rood, County Surveyor, in 1839, and viewed and reported by Joel Harvey and Elijah Wallace to the County Commissioners' Court on the 1st of November of that year. The road led from Wright Murphy's farm on Rock river, now owned by William H. Patterson, to Brink's mill, now Empire mills, on Elkhorn creek; thence west half a mile to the Wallace mill on Spring creek; thence west through Round Grove and past Harvey's mill on Deer creek; thence through Union Grove and across

Eock creek, between iMorrison and Unionville, to the Cattail slougli under the bluffs, where it intersected the road from Como to Fulton. The first legally laid out road after the township organization was the one running along Rock river, formerly the old Dixon and Rock Island stage road.

In the early days Indians were plenty in Hopkins, as in other townships, and like other Indians were given to stealing horses, food, and trinkets. The mothers of that day were very careful also of their children, as instances had been related of Indians stealing the tender lambs of the household. The mothers would not stir from their houses, in the absence of the men folks, without taking all of the little ones with them, even when going down to the river at Como for water.

Game, such as deer, wild turkey, prairie chickens, etc., was abundant at the time the first settlements were made. The prairie and the black wolf were also plenty, and very troublesome. These pests were very fond of young pork, and when the settler was not present to defend the infant swine, the older and more muscular members of the fraternity would rally to their rescue. It is related that when Joel Harvey was, at one time in the early days, in search of a sow with pigs, he was attracted to a spot by an unusual disturbance, and upon arriving there found that a gang of wolves had attempted to get at the pigs. To his surprise a lot of hogs had come to the aid of their kindred, and formed a complete circle around the pigs, with their faces to the enemy. The wolves made repeated charges on the circular line, but were each time successfully repulsed. The first hogs introduced into Hopkins township was in 1838, by Joel Harvey and Thomas Matthews, each obtaining a small one fi'om J.W. McLemore, who then lived two miles east of Sterling.

Of the old settlers of Hopkins township who came in 1835, we can name Jason Hopkins and Isaac H. Brittell; in 1836, Frank Adams, James Cleveland, James Brady, William Pilgrim, Clement C. Nance, Joseph Jones, Jacob Sells, Benjamin Sells, Anthony Sells; in 1837, James I). Bingham, Mrs. Margaret Adams and family, Thomas Matthews, William Beebe, Joel Harvey, W. F. Hopkins; in 1838, Horatio Wells, H. H. Perkins, Simeon Sampson, Thompson Brothers, Frederick Simonson, Elijah Wallace; in 1839, Henry Briggs Sampson, William Sampson, Winfield S. Wilkinson, Jesse Scott, Gershom H. Kirbv, N. A. Sturtevant, Geo. Sturtevant, E. C. Whitmore, A. C. Merrill; in 1840, S. P. Breed, J. M. Dow, J. M. Burr, Mrs. Susan Cushing.

The first regular meeting of the voters of Hopkins township was held April 6, 1852. The first officers chosen were Simeon Sampson, Supervisor; Henry B. Sampson, Town Clerk; Simeon Sampson, Assessor; Nelson R. Douglass, Collector; Grant Conklin, Overseer of the Poor; Henry B. Sampson and Walter Harmon, Justices of the Peace; Ira Silliman, Wm. Manahan and Fred. Simonson, Commissioners of Highways; Nelson R. Douglass and Porter J. Harmon, Constables; Poor Masters, Chas. Holmes, 0. C. Stolp, Fred Simonson. Whole number of votes cast, 71. Jesse Scott, Joel Harvey, P. J. Harmon and Josiah S. Scott were appointed Overseers of Highways. It was voted that all cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep and goats be "free commoners;" a lawful fence was defined as one " at least four feet high, the bottom space between the fence and mother earth to be not more than twelve inches, all other spaces not more than ten inches." To prevent "pound breaking," it was voted that anyone breaking a lock thereof should be fined not less than five dollars and pay all damages; also that all animals found within the lawful enclosure of any one throughout the year shall be impounded, and all animals proved to be unruly shall be impounded at all times when found running at large. If it is proved that any enclosure intruded upon is not enclosed by a substantial fence, all damages and costs shall be paid by the owner or tenant. A tax of $200 was voted to defray township expenses. In 1858 "the cattle laws" were continued; $20 appropriated for the improvement of the sloughs between Round Grove and Como; $40 appropriated for a Pound in Como, and $24 each for Pounds in Round (J rove and Empire; $100 was voted for township purposes, and a tax of 20 cents on each $100 of taxable property voted for road purposes. In 1855 $150 was voted for township purposes, and $150 for bridge repairs. In 185G township expenses voted was $150, and $800 for bridge repairs. In 1857 it was decided by vote to issue $2,000 in script bearing 10 per cent, interest, payable in one year, to rebuild the bridges at Como and Empire swept away by the floods. In 1858, by resolution, dogs were taxed. In 1865 it was voted to issue script not to exceed $5,000, payable out of the tax of 1865-'6(>, for bridge purposes at Como and Empire. In 1865 the citizens of the town subscribed $6,105 to pay bounties of volunteers. This was in addition to the large sums paid before by the township. Owing to the depredation of horse thieves, in 1866 the citizens of Hopkins authorized their Supervisor to use his best influence to induce the county to offer a reward of $500 for horse thieves. Hopkins is at more expense for bridges than any other township in the county, the bridges over the Elkhorn at Empire and Como being a yearly source of expense. The benefit that the township of Hopkins derives from these bridges is small in comparison with neighboring towns, yet under existing circumstances it is obliged to keep the bridges in repair. The township is out of debt, and is in a prosperous condition generally.

Hopkins township contains 20.556 acres of improved land, and 817 acres of unimproved. The Assessor's books show the number of horses in 1877 to be 747; cattle, 2,137; mules and asses, 28; sheep, 1,025; hogs, 3,353; carriages and wagons, 347; watches and clocks, 245; sewing and knitting machines, 113; pianofortes, 12; melodeons and organs, 22. Total assessed value of all property in 1877, $582,582. Value of railroad property, $44,702.

About 1837 the whole claim of Jason Hopkins was sold to Judge Bigelow and Peter Menard, of Peoria. Dr. Harding, a son-in-law of Judge Bigelow, came up and settled on it. Soon afterwards a colony Avas formed at Tremont, Tazewell county, in this State, and a committee consisting of S. B. Gushing, William Sampson, A. D. Jones, H. H. Perkins, and F. J. Williams, sent up to purchase the claim from Bigelow and Menard. This purchase was effected, about sis thousand dollars being paid for the claim, most of which belonged to Mr. Hopkins. In July, 1838, the whole claim was surveyed by this committee, most of whom were surveyors, the village of Como platted, aud the balance of the claim divided-, into farm and timber lots.

The village of Como was laid out at the southern end of the tract, on the river, and comprised nine blocks, making one hundred and forty-two lots. The first street running parallel with the river was called Front, and the two next Second and Third. At right angles with these, and commencing on the west side of the town, were Grove, State, Court, and 'W'Lalnut streets. The ferry landing was at the foot of State street. Hopkins, Brittel, Dr. Harding and George C. Willson, who were then living on the claim, were each to have a share of the village, farm, and timber lots. The lots were put up, and the members bid for choice, which resulted as follows as to farm lots: Lot 1, Jason Hopkins; 2, A. D. Jones; 3, M. G. Atwood; 4, Geo. P. Plant; 5, C. Jones and N.'S. Seaver; 6, H. H. Perkins; 7, S. P. Breed; 8, John P. Pool; 9, W. S.Wilkinson; 10, F. J. Williams; 11, Richard Soule, Jr.; 12. H. B. Sampson; 13, W. Sampson; 14, Simeon Sampson. Lot 15 was afterwards bought by Jesse Scott. The following lots were on the south side of the river: 16, L. Bigelow; 17, Alfred Dow; 18, Dr. Harding; 19, B. H. Brittell; 20, G. W. C. Jenks; 21, S. B. Cushing; 22, Wm. Pollock; 23, Geo. C. Willson; 24, H. H. Perkins. The original agreement was that members were to forfeit the amount they paid in case they failed to settle or build a house on their respective lots. About this time speculation in western lands collapsed, and the ardor of several of the Company cooling down, they returned East, either selling or forfeiting their claims. A. D. Jones, F. J. Williams, R. Soule, Jr., J. P. Pool, Geo. P. Plant, M. G. Atwood, C. Jones, and N. S. Seaver, never made a permanent settlement.

The Government land sales took place in 1842, when W. S. Wilkinson, Geo. C. Willson, and William Pollock were selected to bid in the lands, the lot holders furnishing the money to buy the same at $1.25 per aci-e. After the sale these gentlemen conveyed to the owners their several farm and timber lots, as follows: Farm lot 1 and timber lot 1 to Jason Hopkins; farm lot 2 and timber lot 2, to A. D. Jones; farm lot 3 and timber lot 3, to James N. Dow; farm lot 4 and timber lot 4, to Wm. Pollock; farm lot 5 and timber lot 5, to James D. Bingham; farm lot 0 and timber lot 6, to H. H. Perkins; farm lot 7 and timber lot 7, to S. P. Breed; farm lot 8 and timber lot 8, to James N. Dow; farm lot 9 and timber lot 9, to W. S. Wilkinson; farm lot 10 and timber lot 10, to Judith Sampson; farm lot 11 and timber lot 11, to James M. Burr; farm lot 12 and timber lot 12, to Capt. H. B. Sampson; farm lot 13 and timber lot 13, to Wm. Sampson; farm lot 14 and timber lot 14, to Simeon Sampson; farm lot 15 and timber lot 15, to Jesse Scott; timber lot 16 to Dr. L. Harding; part of timber lot 18 to James M. Burr; timber lot 19 to John Scott; timber lot 4 to J. H. Brittell; timber lot 22 to Wm. I'ollock; part of timber lot 23 to Josiah Scott; part of timber lot 23 to Geo. C. Willson; timber lot 28 to Josiah B.

Harding; house lot 22 to Judith Sampson; part of house lot 25 to Josiah B. Harding; part of house lot 25 to G-eo. C. Willson; house lot 26 to Jason Hopkins; house lot 27 to Elizabeth Harding. All the farm lots were very soon improved by their owners, and as early as the land sales Como was the leading settlement in Eastern Whiteside, stores, factories, and the largest grist mill being built and successfully run.

The Postoffice at Como was established in 1840, and Dr.._L. Harding appointed the first Postmaster. The present Postmaster is A. H. Atherton. The grist mill was erected in 1845-'46, by Messrs. Smiths & Weber, at a cost of $42,000, and was the first mill of the kind built in the township or county. For many years it did an extensive business. The Congregational Church building in 1854, and was the first church edifice built in Hopkins.

Of the early settlers of Como, Mrs. B. S. Sampson was the eldest member of the colony. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Sampson, Mrs. Breed, Mr. Wm. Pollock, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hopkins, AVilliam Tell Hopkins, Dr. and Mrs. Harding, J. M. Burr, Mrs. Geo.' C. Willson, Mrs. J. B. Harding, Mrs. Jesse Scott, Mrs. J. D. Bingham, and Mrs. Mason, the mother of Mrs. Pollock, all died at that place. H. H. Perkins was drowned at the falls of St. Croix, in Wisconsin, in the spring of 1850. Mrs. Perkins died at St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1873. S. P. Breed died in New Hampshire. William Sampson died in Chicago in 1851, where he hadresided for some years; his wife, Caroline Sampson, died at her home in that city, September 28, 1877, aged 84 years.

The original proprietors of Como consisted of six civil engineers and surveyors, three ship captains, one clergyman, one editor, one printer and editor, one physician, one miller, one merchant, three shoe and leather dealers, and two farmers. The colonists were mostly natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and were well educated, moral and hospitable people.

A bridge was early built across the Elkhorn creek, near the cemetery in Como, on a State road which had been laid out from Peoria to Savanna; but as the road was never opened, except for a short part of its length, the bridge was moved to the place where it now is on the Lyndon road. A ferry was also established in the spring of 1840 across Rock river, which proved a great convenience, as there was none from Dixon to Prophetstown.

Capt. Henry Sampson opened the first public house in Como, in 1839, and after the establishment of the mail route from Dixon to Rock Island in 1840, a postoffice was established at the place. Frink& Walker, the enterprising stage men, soon put a daily line of four horse coaches on this route, and as the horses were changed at Capt. Sampson's hotel, and meals taken there, it became quite a noted place on the line. Simeon Sampson went to California in 1850, was fortunate in his undertakings, and in 1854, came back and opened a store, in which he did an extensive business for several years when he retired on account of his health, and is now living in Boston, Massachusetts, owning his large farm in Como, and a valuable property in Sterling. Stephen P. Breed in 1841 established one of the first nurseries in the county, at Como, sowing his own seed, but upon the death of his wife in January, 1847, returned to New Hampshire, and after an active life died in that State in 1871. He was noted for his honesty, and great activity of mind and body. His love of flowers and door yard adornments contributed not a little to the taste Como displayed in this regard, at that time.

other stores. The village maintained its ascendency as a trading point until _about 1856, when the railroad, now known as the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, was completed. It then began to decline rapidly, and is now without a store, and its once splendid mill rotting down. The first stoi'c in the place was opened by Alfred and James Dow, in 1840. la 1841 William Pollock opened a store, and was followed by William IMerritt. The first schools in Como were taught by Miss Maria Sampson, now Mrs. A. E. Merrill, of Sterling, and Miss 3Iary D. Breed, now Mrs. Frank Gushing, of Portland, scholars attending from a long distance around.

In 1845 Aaron W. Pitts opened a blacksmith shop, and soon commenced the manufacture of the improved plows. Previous to 1844 all the plows in use Avere of home make, and generally had rods of iron for mould boards. These plows rooted the ground after a fashion, but required constant use of the foot or a paddle to make them run at all. In 1844 the first plow that would scour was brought from near Springfield, and was called the diamond plow. It consisted of a piece of steel cut in the shape of a diamond, and then bent to form a mould board, and shear, and was polished by grinding. These were rapidly improved so that by 1846 they came into general use, and for all practical purpos es did as good work as is done to-day by the best plows. They were manufactured extensively at Grand De Tour, and Moline, and were left for sale at the country stores, and sold on time at a dollar an inch. Mr. Pitts manufactured quite largely in Como until about 1849, wheu he left and commenced manufacturing in Peru, Illinois.

In 1847 a new road was laid out from Como through the Sampson farm, crossing the river at the Cushing farm, and thence running easterly until it struck the Dixon and Prophetstown road at Coloma. This road shortened the distance to Dixon and Peoria, and a license for a ferr^- across the ..river was applied for, but as the point was only a mile from the Como ferry, it was strongly opposed, and the license not granted. A boat was then built by stockholders, and run practically free for a year and a half, when upon the election of two new County Commissioners, in 1849, a license for the ferry was obtained. An appeal was at once taken from the order of the County Commissioners' Court to the Circuit Court, and Knox & Drury, then prominent lawyers of Rock Island, employed by the upper ferry interest, but the appeal failed. It created a good deal of feeling at the time. The ferry ran until the opening of the railroad, Avhen it was moved to Lyndon.

There is now nothing left to remind one of the olden times in Como, except the extreme beauty of its location, and the cordiality and intelligence of its inhabitants. The name of Como was derived from the expanse Qfthe river just above the town, whicli is said to resemble Lake Como, in Italy.

Galt. The village of Gait was laid out and platted in January, 1855. by John Gait and others. It is on the southwest quarter of section 24, and consists of jtwenty blocks. There are now twenty-five dwellings, four business houses, a warehouse, cheese factory, elevator, blacksmith shop, and lumber yard, besides the depot and other buildings of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, and the large school house, in the upper story of which is the Town Hall. The Gait Cheese Manufacturing Company was organized October 22, 1873, with a capital stock of $3,100. The main building of the factory is 60 by 30 feet, with an addition 16 by 24 feet, and a house over the well 6 by 6 feet. The officers of the Company arc, William Pratt, President, and Robert A. Gait, Treasurer and General Superintendent. About sixty thousand pounds of cheese

Biographical

The village of Empire was laid out and platted July 28, 1855, by Elijah Wallace, Gr. S. Eraser, 0. C. Stolp and Wm. M. Sutton. It is located on the southwest quarter of section 13. Joel Harvey soon after erected, in addition to the saw mill built by Hczekiah Brink, a large grist mill, a factory for carding, spinning, and dressing wool, and weaving woolen cloth, and also a store in which he kept alarge stock of goods; he also built several dwelling houses. The village now contains about fifteen dwelling houses, the wollen mill, grist mill, JLjUtheran cjtiurch edifice, and a large two story school building. This school house was one of the first of the graded school buildings erected in the county, and for its construction the people of the district deserve great credit.

sI^soN Hopkins was a native of Nashville, Tennesse, and was born December 26, 1786. He remained at Nashville until he w^as middle aged, when he came to Illinois and settled at Belleville, and from thence went to Peoria. When the Black Hawk war broke out he volunteered in a cavalry regiment, was appointed Quarter Master, and served in that capacity during the war. In 1835 he came to Como, as previously mentioned in thife chapter, where he remained until his death, August 19, 1853, at the age of sixty-six years. His children were William Tell, born February 22, 1837; Helen, born August 1, 1838; Francis E., born February 25, 1840, and James P., October 4, 1842. William Tell died about 1862. Helen married William Carson, of Henry county, Illinois; children, Charles, Bertie, John J. and Hattie. Francis E. married W. S. Angell, October 4, 1865; children, William H. H., Carl, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Hopkins was a cabinet maker, and worked at his trade until he came to Como. Mr. Deyo, in Sterling, has a table made by him over forty years ago. He possessed many traits of character peculiar to the citizens of ancient Rome in its Republican days - firmness, unwvcring integrity, and patriotism. He was an intimate acquaintance and great admirer of Greneral Jackson. He was altogether a remarkable man, and admirably fitted for a pioneer. The town- _ship of Hopkins was named in his honor.

Henry Briggs Sampson was born at Duxbury, Massachusetts, July 15, 1787, and was a descendant of Henry Sampson who came to Plymouth with the little band of Puritans in the Mayflower, in 1620. On the 20th of September, 1812, he married Miss Nancy Turner, at Mai'shfield, Massachusetts, a daughter of Col. Wm. Turner, of Scituate, Massachusetts, who was also of Puritan descent. Mr. Sampson emigrated to Tremont, Illinois, in 1836, and from thereto T^omo in 1839, where he died December 31, 1865. Mi's. Sampson was born at Scituate, Massachusetts, May 8, 1787, and died at Como, November 8, 1862. Their children were : Frances E., born January 8, 1814, who married Winfield S. Wilkinson, November 18, 1841; children, Mary C, Alfred E., Henry B., and Frank, the latter dying in infancy. Ann B., born March 22, 1817; married Henry A. Sumwalt, October 31, 1837; Mr. Sumwalt died in Pike county, Illinois, about twelve years ago, and Mrs. Sumwalt in Sterling, September 3, 1876. Henry R., born September 6, 1819; married Miss Emma Dickinson, September 28, 1858; one child, Kate P. Julia G., born June 16, 1825; married Charles N. Russell, December 25, 1851; children, Annie F., Charles T., and John N., who died in infancy. Georgiana S., born February 1, 1829; married Charles P. Mallett, January 26, 1847; children, Edward, died in infancy, Ellen M., Arthur F., died in infancy, and Charles P., Jr. Florence H., born April 2, 1832; married

William Sampson was born at Duxbury, Massachusetts, May 21, 1792, and came to Como in 1839. In 1815 he married Miss Caroline Sprague. The children of this marriage were : Caroline A., born March 6, 1817; William Henry, born June 18, 1819; Maria Louisa, born April 15, 1825; Virginia, born July 15, 1827; Marietta, born November 5. 1829; Josephine, born May 24, 1832; Frederick A., born December 19, 1835; Elizabeth J., born August 3, 1838. These children were born in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Two children were also born in Tremont, Illinois, but died in infancy. Caroline A. married Capt. Simeon Sampson, and resides in East Boston; children, Walter S., Lucy S., and George. William Henry married 3Iiss Caroline E. Hopkins, and resides in Chicago, Illinois; children, J. Clifford, and Charles. Virginia married William Henry Guernsey, and resides in Minnesota; children. Flora, Edward, Josephine, and William. Frederick A. married Miss Eliza Farr, and resides in Chicago, Illinois. Maria Louisa married x\.mos C. Merrill, and resides in Sterling; children, Charles R., died September 5, 1850; Frederick A., Edward E., William H., Cliffords., Clara A., and Amos C, Jr. Mr. Sampson died in Chicago, in 1851, and Mrs. Sampson in the same city, September 28, 1877, at the age of 83 years.

Betsy S. Sampson was born at Duxbury, Massachusetts, February j__1768j and came to Como with her sons in 1839. She was the oliie&t4ierson in the colony, and died October 5. 1854.

HiiRATlQ^^iJiyii^ was born April 10, 1796, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and made his claim at Bound Grove in 1838. He married Miss Sarah Swan, who was also a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, February 6, 1821. Their children were : Samuel, born September 24, 1824; Sarah, December 9, 1826; Louisa, May 26, 1831; Horatio, February 28, 1834; Charles J., August 3, 1836; Caroline, May 26, 1840; Joseph W., August 7, 1843. and two who died in infanc}-. Charles J. died September 22, 1872. and Joseph W. in September, 1848. Martha married Russell Lockwood, who died in 1863. Samuel married Miss Mary Jennings. Louisa married William 3IcDearborn, January 23, 1861; children, Horatio, Louisa, Arthur, and Edith. Horatio married in December, 1872; children, Clarence. Caroline married Charles Toby, March 10, 1870; children, Marshall W., and Grace E. Mr. Wells made most of his journey from Massachusetts, with his family, to Whiteside county, "prairie schooner' fashion. He was one of the few men who engaged, prior to the building of railroads, in the transportation of goods from Boston to the interior and western part of Massachusetts. This was done in wagons drawn by six horses, over the mountains, and required as much skill, and presence of mind as are necessary to handle a ship in a storm, or a train of cars over a bad railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Wells celebrated their golden wedding a few years ago. Since then Mr. Wells has died.

George Higley was born in 1793, and married Miss Phebe Chamberlain in 1817. Their children have been : Louisa Ann. George W. - who died at the age of sixteen, Alfred Alonzo, Angeline L., Helen M., Martha Jane, George W. Jr., and Henry C. Helen M. married A. E. Jennings, February 21, 1849; children, George H., Francis C, William L., Edwin M., and Mary H.

Frederick Simonson was a native of New York, and born October 13, 1804. He married Miss Sabrina Harvey, April 25, 1827. The following have been their children : James H., born May 2f», 1829; Sally, born May 2,' 1831; Louisa F., born March 3, 1833; Frederick, Jr., born in 1835; Sabrina, born July 25, 1837; Flavel, born August 30, 1840; Mary, born June 24, 1842. Mary died

October 22, 1843, and Louisa F. November 7, 1868. Sally married Abram Law, Jamiary 1, 1850; children, Victor E., Granville, Winnie, Ida May, Elmer, and Marion. Flavel married Miss Frances Thomas; James H. married Miss Lavinia Sherwin; children, Marcia, Kate, Cora, and two who died in infancy. Frederick, Jr.. resides at the homestead. Mr. Simonson died June 80, 1869, and was buried in the timber just west of where his log cabin still stands.

Frank Adams was born in 1 812. Married Miss Susan Tencke. Children : Jane, Margaret, JRachel, James, Ann, and Francis. Jane married Charles Ingalls; children, Hettie. Margaret married John Richardson; children, Perce, Francis, A. D., Nettie, Burdell, and Lee. Rachael married John Charter; children, James and John. James married Miss Delia Peoples; has two children, and lives at Red Oak, Iowa. Francis married William Yeoards; has one child. Ann died in infancy. Mr. Adams came to Como in company with Jason Hopkins, and lived in a cabin on the bank of the river, near the ferry landing. Mrs. Adams was the. first white woman who came to Como, and for a time was the only female in the place. They kept a boarding house, the first and only one at Como, at which everybody then took meals, and at night all slept on the floor. Prominent among these were Jason Hopkins, Brittell, Dr. Harding, Bridge, J. B. Harding, and J. D. Bingham.

Jaai^es D. Bingham was born in the State of Connecticut, April 9, 1810, and married Miss Jane Adams, August 11, 1836. The children were : Eliza Jane, born June 9, 1838; Susan, born May 19, 1840, and Frank, born March 23, 1842. Eliza Jane married Daniel Ross; children, Jennie, Jessie, and Nellie. Susan married Henry Griffin; no children. Frank married Miss Ella Hopkins; children, Dimple, and Frank. Mrs. James D. Bingham died February 26, 1848, and on the 4th of October, 1852, Mr. Bingham married his second wife, Mrs. Lura A. Chapman, by whom he had one child, Nellie B., born January 9, 1855. Mr. Bingham's second wife died in Colorado August 6, 1877. Nellie married Clarence E. Smith, in April, 1875. Frank Bingham enlisted, at the commencement of the late war, in Company H., 75th Illinois Volunteers, and was promoted several times for meritorious services. He served out his term of enlistment, and was in all the battles and marches of his regiment during the war, and was honorably mustered out of the service. He is now living in Colorado, where he is keeping a ranch. James D. Bingham is now living in Sterling.

JIrs. Margaret Adams and family came to Como in 1837, in company with James D. Bingham and family. Of her children, Samuel died in Missouri, on his return home from Pike's Peak. Eliza died in 1839, and John in 1840. Robert married Miss Lydia Niles; children, Josephine, Mary and Retta.

William Pollock was born June 4, 1802, in Waterford, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Miss Sarah Mason, a native of Philadelphia, j\Iay 3, 1832. Their children were Peter V., born October 31, 1835; Mary C, born May 23, 1837; James, born August 29, 1839; John W., born October 4, 1841; Eliza J., born Mai-ch 16, 1843; Jane V., born December 19, 1844. and Gertrude P., born September 30, 1846. Of these, James, Jane V. and Eliza J. died in infancy. Mary C. married L. B. Wadleigh, formerly of New Hampshire, November 13, 1856; children, William M., Mary A., LeRoy P., Pauline N., and Maud C. John W. married Miss Mary M. Smith, May 23, 1870; children, Mary C. and Pauline P.; two children died in infancy. Gertrude P. married Samuel Patterson, November 1, 1872; one child, Clara M. Peter V. remains at the old homestead, and is one of the solid farmers and stock raisers of Whiteside county. Mr. Pollock was Surveyor of the county from 1847 to 1853, and at the March term of the Board of Supervisors in 1855, was appointed Drainage Com-

Jesse Scott was born July 24, 1790, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and in 1802 came with his parents as far west as Morgan county, Ohio, where he lived until March, 1839, when he started for Illinois, by the way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, in a one hundred ton keel boat, propelled by horse power. On this boat he built a cabin 16 by 16 feet in size, and divided into two rooms, in which the family lived, and the goods were stored during the journey. Upon reaching Kock river he turned his boat into that stream and followed it upwards until he reached Como, where he landed June 1, 1839. At that point he made a settlement, and has resided there ever since, a space of over thirty-six years. On New^ Year's day, 1815, Mr. Scott married Miss Anna Sherman. Their children have been: Asa, born January 26, 1817; Jane, born March 5, 1818; Josiah,born May 18,1819;David,bornDecember 5, 1820; Hiram B.,born January 6, 1822; Adrial, born November 30, 1823; Joel S., born September 30, 1825; John, born May 26, 1827; Mary E., born June 4, 1829; Maria, born February 14, 1831; Caroline A., born August 8, 1832; Annis E., born February 22, 1834, and Emeline. born January 7, 1842. Of these children, Emeline died May 6, 1845; Annis E. September 12, 1845; Hiram, June 21, 1850, and Joel S. November 8, 1855. Asa married Miss Elizabeth Taylor. The names of their children are given in the biographical sketch of Mr. Scott which will be found in the history of Montmorency township. Jane married Isaac H. Brittell; children, Almona, Charlotte, Orange, and Claudius. Josiah married Miss Harriet J.Coryell; the biographical sketch of Mr. Josiah Scott, giving names of children, will be found m the history of Hume township. David married Miss Louisa Stone; children, Eoline, Grertrude, Luther, Winfield, Theodore, Otho, Devrose,and Willie. Adrial married Miss Mary Sloan; children, Orson, Joel - who died in infancy, Willie, Eddy and Ida. Joel S. married Miss Polly Stillian, by whom he had one child, Esther; Mrs. Scott died, and Mr. Scott married a second wife, the children by this marriage being John, Marion, Jane, Shereer, Alice, Annis, Amy, Oscar, and Addison and Eliza - twins, the latter dying in infancy. Mary E., married Edward Scott; children, Clifford, Eunice, Hershel, Frederick, Eva, Albert, and Jessie; Frederick died at the age of fifteen. Maria married Lewis A. Davis; children, Edgar, Evamalia, Jane, Lizzie, and Bertha. Lizzie died in infancy. Caroline married Alphonso Brooks; children, Augusta, Romanzo, and Elthier. Mr. Scott is now eighty-seven years of age, and in many respects has lived an eventful life. His fund of anecdotes and reminiscences of pioneer life is inexhaustible, and their relation in his peculiar manner highly interesting. Mr. Scott made trading trips with his boat for several years after he came to Como. The boat, with its motive power, was a curiosity, and caused uniA'ersal surprise wherever it made its appearance. He is probably the only man who ever did, or ever will, succeed in propelling a heavy boat against the strong current of the Mississippi river, by horse power; Mrs. Scott died in Como in 1876.

Joel Harvey was a native of New York State, and was born February 20, 1812. .On the 24th of April, 1834, he married Miss Rachel Cole, also a native of the Empire State. Their children have been: Samuel C, born February 10, 1836; Elizabeth A., born March 4, 1839; Phoebe A., born January 26, 1842; MaryE., born November 5, 1847; Martha, born January 27, 1850; Julia A., born January 1, 1853; and Alice R., born January 13, 1857. Elizabeth A. died April 27, 1844, and Julia A. December 16, 1853. Samuel C. married Miss Margaret A. Dickey in December, 1865; children, Mary A., Samuel J., Harvey, and three boys who died in infancy. Samuel C. Harvey enlisted in Company B, 13th regiment Illinois volunteers, and was appointed Second Ser- geant in his company. He carried a gun all through the service, and never failed to fall into line at roll-call or at the tap of the drum, participating in all the battles and marches in which his regiment took a part. As one of the brave and faithful soldiers in the Union army from Whiteside county, Samuel C. Harvey deserves due commendation. Phoebe A. married G. G. Keefer; children, Clara R., Jennie, and Henry. Mary E. married Abram Waldron; children, Joel and Albert. jMartha married John F. Strock; children, Edith, who died in infancy, and Willoughby C. Alice R. married Edgar Gait, June 7, 1877. Mr. Harvey learned the wagonmaker's trade in his native State, and followed it more or less after his arrival in Whiteside county. When he came to Round Grove he bought the claim of Caleb Plummer, paying $1,500 for it, and lived in the log cabin built by Plummer. When he first came to Hlinois he settled near Ottawa, but the next spring came to this county, making all of his way from New York State to Whiteside by wagon and horses. The season he arrived here was very wet, compelling him to go around by the way of Elkhorn Grove in order to cross the Elkhorn creek, there being no bridge south of that point. The roads were very few, and all the small streams and the sloughs almost impassable. To be mired two or three times a day was no unusual occurrence. After Mr. Harvey had settled at Round Grove and built his sawmill there, John Wentworth, who had received the appointment of Mail Agent jinder the administration of Gen. Jackson, called upon him with a view of establishing a mail route from Sterling to Fulton. Both of the gentlemen took a seat upon a log by. the mill, and it was there arranged to establish the route, Mr. Wentworth agreeing that Mr. Harvey should be appointed Postmaster at Round Grove, upon condition that he would make a road, and bridge the sloughs from Sterling to Round Grove. Mr. Harvey agreed to the proposition, and, completing his part of the agreement, received the appointment as Postmaster. He not only kept the postoffice, but sufficient accommodation for both man and beast. The mail was carried from Dixon to Fulton in a two-horse wagon, by A. L. Porter, afterwards for many years Sheriff of Lee county. Mr. Harvey gave up the postoffice in 1841. and moved to Sterling. It was then abolished. 3Ir. Harvey was one of those energetic, persevering, vigorous, and irrepressible men whom no opposition or difficulty can dishearten. On the contrary, the more difficulties and embarrassments they have to encounter, the more they are determined to surmount them. Mr. Harvey has done more in opening up farms, laying out roads, building mills, stores, and factories, and lumbering in the pineries, than any other man in Whiteside county. His last great work was the digging of the artesian well in Sterling. He died in Sterling, September 3, 1875.

Elijah Wallace came from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in the .spring of 1838, and bought the claim of Anthony Sells, near Empire. He went back in the autumn of the same year, and brought on his family, coming from Cumberland county with carriage and horses to Pittsburgh, and thence by water by the way of the Ohio, Mississippi, and Illinois rivers, to Beardstown, Illinois, when cold weather setting in, he came across the country in the carriage one hundred and fifty miles to Sterling, crossing Rock river on the ice,. November 10, 1838. Mr. Moore, and his daughter Rebecca, now Mrs. George H. Wells, came with them. Mr. Moore died the next summer with intermittent fever, a disease peculiar to the climate at that time. Mr. Wallace was a farmer, and had a thorough business education. He improved a large farm, and planted upon it one of the finest orchards in the county. He died a number of years ago at the old homestead.

Thomas Matthews settled at Round Grove in 1837. He is a Scotchman, highly esteemed, still lives upon the farm first purchased by him, and by his industry and thrift has made himself decidedly comfortable in this world's goods. He possesses that inflexibility of character so peculiar to the Scotch.

Capt. James M. Burr was born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 21, 1808, and married Miss Caroline H. Neal, August 22, 1840. Mrs. Burr was born in New Hampshire, December 19, 1819. The following have been their children: James M., Jr., born August 16, 1841, and died in infancy; Adeline E., born February, 26, 1843; Eunice F., born March 5, 1845; Hettie, born September 1, 1847; Charles M., June 15, 1850; Ellery S., born June 18, 1854, and William T., born January 4, 1860. Eunice F. married Charles N. Munson in May, 1869; children, William R., John J., and Carrie M. Mrs. Munson died in Sterling, July 22, 1877. Hattie married Charles Heitshee. October 15, 1869. Mr. and3Irs. Heitshee have one child, Frank R. Charles M. Burr married Miss Mary C. Boals, December 16, 1876. The other children reside with their parents in Como.

H. B. Freeman was born in Oneida county. New York, July 10, 1810, and in December, 1839, married Miss Z. Summers. The children of this marriage have been: Orpha, born November 17, 1840; Maria, born October 1, 1842; Amarilla, born February, 1844; Augustus, born October, 1848; Alice, born October 2, 1850, and Willis, born March 28, 1852. Amarilla, Augustus, and Alice, died in infancy. Orpha married Robert H. Carr; they had one child, Robert; Mr. Carr enlisted in Henshaw's Battery, in 1862, and was a Lieutenant; he died at Ottawa, Illinois, January 23, 1863, before the Battery was ordered to the front; Mrs. Carr married James E. Summers, June 4, 1877. Willis married Miss Ada Allen, December 6, 1873; they have one child, born February 29, 1875. William E. Boardman came West with Mr. Freeman, and married Miss Ellen Besse. He died soon after his marriage.