Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 16, 1877

Chapter 16

Jordan is the northeastern township of Whiteside county, and marked in - the Government survey as township 22 north, range 7 east of the 4th principal meridian. The township is square, containing thirty-six sections of land. The soil is generally of great fertility, and except along the courses of the BuflFalo, Elkhorn, Sugar, and other ci'eeks, is undulating prairie, and under a high state of cultivation. The streams are usually fringed with growths of forest trees, and present numbers of valuable mill sites. Inexhaustible stone quarries are found in Jordan, which are more fully mentioned in the chapter upon geology. Previous to township organization Joi'dan was apart of Elkhorn Precinct. After township organization was adopted, the Board of Commissioners appointed for the purpose defined the boundaries of the township, and denominated it as Jordan.

The first settlement was made on sections 33 and 34, on the 10th day of April, 1835, by S. Miles Coe. Immediately upon his arrival he built a log cabin, broke 20 acres of prairie, sowed oats, and planted corn and vegetables. Soon after the arrival of Mr. Coe, James Talbot came, erected a cabin, broke prairie and put in a crop of sod corn, potatoes, and garden vegetables. At this time game, such as deer, wild hogs, wolves, bears, raccoons, otter, muskrats, and wild fowls, was abundant. BuflFalo were seen occasionally. Joseph M. Wilson and family came next, and settled July 3, 1835. A large number of settlers arrived in 1836, among them Albert S. Coe, Vernon Sanford, James Deyo, Garrett Deyo, Jacob Deyo, and Howard Deyo. In 1837, the memorable " panic year," there were more arrivals, - Becker Miller, James Wood, Harry Burlingame, and Captain Manoah Hubbard, who settled at a grove still known as -'Hubbard's Grove." In 1838 Simeon M. Coe and family arrived and made their claims at a grove which still bears the name of "Coe's Grove." Mr. Coe built his cabin at a spring in the grove, and at once erected a saw mill, by which he sawed up the surrounding timber in sufficient quantities to supply the settlers for purposes of building and fencing. The same year John Brookie, a Mr. Bush, Henry Bolton and family, a Mr. Goodchild, John, Thomas and Caleb Plummer, came into the settlement. The year 1839 witnessed quite an influx of settlers; Jabez Gilbert and family, Geo. Stull, Benj. Davis, Horace B. Mack, Theo. R. Mack, Chas. H. Miles, and others, came this year. Chas. S. Lunt settled on the site of Dr. Pennington's property about this time, but after a short stay removed to Fulton.

Henry Bolton broke the first prairie on the west side of the Elkhorn creek and built a cabin, but it was burnt, either by accident or design, and he made another claim on the east side of the creek, and built a cabin on a stream then called Dote river. A Mr. Knight jumped his claim and built also a cabin, but before Knight had time to occupy it Mrs. Bolton concluded it was a nuisance and abated it. She arose in the night and alone, harnessed her father's horse, and taking with her a log chain threw down Knight's cabin by hitching the horse to each log, and not only pulled the cabin down, but at the same time hauled the logs and dumped them into Dote river, and returned to her home before the morning came.

The first marriage in Jordan was that of Simon Fellows - then a resident of what is now Palmyra, Lee county, now a respected citizen of Round Grrove, Mt. Pleasant township, in this county - to Miss Elizabeth Deyo, the marriage taking place July 10, 1836, in a log cabin without any floor, situated in the northeastern part of Jordan township.

One of the greatest necessaries of the new country was mills for grinding the grain, and when Joseph M. Wilson settled in Jordan his first movement was to erect a mill. His log mill was built and in running order in May, 1836. It was the only mill then in the county, and the people within a circuit of forty miles brought their grain to it to be ground. At first the grain was ground in the open air, and when the rain fell the grain was emptied from the hopper, which was inverted over the stone, and a large chip placed over the hopper vent. Under all these disadvantages good flour was made, and even to this day the old settlers speak enthusiastically of the good flour ground by Uncle Joseph Wilson at the old log mill. A large frame mill has taken the place of the log structure, which is now managed by James. S. Wilson.

In 1836 a town was laid out in Jordan township by Col. S. M. Bowman, and known as " Burwick." Some ten houses were built in the town. "Burwick" was laid out and built upon Government lands, and the pla.t never recorded. By the time the land was entered, Burwick, like hundreds of other western towns and cities, was a thing of the past. Col. S. M. Bowman, who was a partner in the mill at the start, bought out Mr. Wilson's interest after a year or two, and run the mill alone for one or two years. During this time Mr. Wilson had a store and sold goods in Burwick.

One of the early enterprises in Jordan was the erection, in 1839, of a carding machine, which was located on Sugar creek. Mr. Thomas Plummer was the builder, and Mr. Samuel Emmons managed the machine for several years. It was the only one in a large territory and the farmers came from great distances to have their wool carded. Mr. Plummer lived in a 10 by 12 house, and there being none other upon the prairie, the accommodations for the customers were necessarily limited, therefore many of them camped out while waiting for their wool to be carded. Near the carding machine a frame was erected for a grist mill, but never finished. Mr. Plummer also built a saw mill, which after being run a short time was abandoned for want of water.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan was organized November 4, 1871. The church edifice was erected at a cost of $2,b00. The house and cemetery occupy one and a half acres of land. The first Elders were Wm. Jacobs and Daniel Wolf. The Deacons - Godfrey Mentz and George Sheer. John Stoll was elected Pastor in 1871 and still continues in that office. There is a Sunday School in connection with the church conducted by the Pastor as Superintendent, and six teachers. About fifty pupils are in attendance. The German and English languages are used in the Sunday School. The church

Biographical

The first meeting of the citizens of Jordan as a township was held at the house of Isaiah C. Worrell. It was then voted that stock should run at large under liability to impounding. It was voted that board fences should be four feet and one inch in height, and no space between boards to exceed six inches, rail fences to be four feet three inches in height. Liberal bounties were voted to soldiers during the war. The township was divided into school districts in 1852, and a school house built in 1853 in Coe's district. There are now eight school districts in the township, with a fine school house in each district.

According to the Assessors' books for 1877, Jordan contains 21,856 acres of improved land, and 1,140 unimproved; 828 horses; 2,148 cattle; 7 mules and asses; 100 sheep; 3,544 hogs; 339 carriages and wagons; 100 sewing and knitting machines; 28 pianos, organs and melodeons; assessed value of personal property and lands, $523,998.

The census returns for 1870 places the population of Jordan at 1,196, of which 904 were of native birth and 292 foreign. In 1877 the estimated population of the township is 1,400. In November 1876 the township polled 182 votes.

are dead. Of the seven brothers all except Benjamin reside in Whiteside county; he is living in Ogle county. John G-. was married November 12, 1836, to Elizabeth A. Mackey; children, Langston, LeFevre. Rebecca Jane, Mary Ann, John J.. Homer, Bridget, Elmira and James M.; three children died in infancy. Bridget married Harrison Sanford January 12, 1835; children, Madison, John, Elnora. Juliet, Rosella, Sarah, Adeline, Miranda E., Delila, William B., Newton H., Ida M., and Frank; John, Juliet, Newton and Ida are dead. Elizabeth married Simon Fellows, who resides at Round Grove, July 10, 1836; nine children. Jacob married Mary Campbell November 3, 1852; no children. Sarah Jane married Isaiah Rucker; she died leaving the following children: Rebecca, Jane, Ellen, James, Harriet, William, Nora, Hiram and Clara. Hiram was married October 3, 1850; children, Arthur, Hiram, Clara, Garrett, Robert, and Edward and Edwin, twins; four of the children are dead. Sanford married Barbara E. Warner November 5, 1857; six children. Jas. R. married Elizabeth Roberts September 4,' 1851; two children. Ellen married Samuel Wolf, and resides in Iowa. Benjamin is married and resides in Ogle county, Illinois. Moses J. married Susanna Hickler, who died March 27, 1872; he was married to Mary Mulnax October 23. 1873; six children.

Horace Mack was born October 17, 1809, at L3'me, Conn. When an infant was removed to Pennsylvania and grew to manhood in Susquehanna county, in that State. He was married February 26, 1835, to Mary Miles. In 1839, with his wife and eldest children, he removed to the west and arrived at his claim near the Big Mound northwest of Sugar Grove in August. After residing there about one year he changed his residence, and lived in a cabin one or two years near where Dr. L. S. Pennington now resides. After "the lands came into market," Mr. Mack entei-ed land upon the Elkhorn, at a point called "Mack's Ford," with the view of erecting a mill. In connection with his brother-in-law, the building of a dam was commenced, but abandoned as the business of the county was not great enough to warrant the completion of the enterprise. He built a house and made other improvements upon his property which he disposed of in 1847, and with his family removed to Sterling where he pursued his trade as carpenter until his death, which was caused by a disease locally known as "bilious pneumonia" which prevailed at that time in epidemic form. Mr. Mack was an upright man and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. Mack married Hezekiah Windom, May 15, 1860. Mr. W., died in 1864. His widow remained in Sterling until 1874, since which time she has resided in Wisconsin with her children, Charles and Mary. Mr. Mack was the father of Theo. H.. born October 5, 1836; Chas. M., born January 29, 1839; Arthur L., born August 17, 1841, and Mary E., born October 22, 1848. Arthur died January 27, 1851. Mary E. married O. A. Bryant, of AVisconsin, where she now resides.

Ja.mes Talbot was born in Westmoreland county. Pa., August 28, 1801, and settled in Jordan township early in 1835, where he still resides. While in Pennsylvania he was engaged as a millwright, carpenter, and joiner. In the summer of 1833 he started for the west in a flat-boat, passing down the Yougheogeny to Pittsburg, thence by steamer down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria. He arrived at the latter town in 1834, and remained there until his removal to his present home, the journey by land being made in an ox-wagon drawn by three yoke of cattle. After his settlement in the west Mr. Talbot became a farmer, which occupation he successfully pursued many years. He was married to Sarah Woods, of Westmoreland county. Pa., May 29, 1828. Children, John W., born October 21, 1829; Mary Jane, born November 15, 1831; Oliver, born December 18, 1833; Hannah A., born March

Simeon M. Coe was born October 29, 1784, in the State of Connecticut, at Litchfield. In early life he removed with his father to New York. The mode of conveyance in that early time was with a "spike team" - a yoke of oxen at the wheel and a horse ahead driven by a whip alone. Mr. Coe settled in Jordan in 1835, and died May 18, 1848. He married Mary Miles, September 1, 1807, in Oneida county. New York. Mrs. Coe died in October, 1857. Children : Lucy Mary, born June 22, 1808; S. Miles, born March 12, 1810; George Alonzo, born August 16, 1811; Frederick W., born January 25, 1813; Henry A., born October 4, 1814; Joshua, born March 10, 1816; Albert S., born October 1,1817; Jonathan F., born'June 22,1819; Decius 0., born November 23, 1820; Adeline E., born December 6, 1822; Marcus L., born August 14, 1824; Helen Ann, born July 29, 1826; Mortimer S., born September 21, 1832.

Lucy Mary Coe married Geo. Stull. Children : Maltby C, born November 15, 1831; Lavona A., born February 25, 1834; Eugene S., born December 1, 1836; Mary L., born February 24, 1839; Geo. F., born February 27, 1841; Adeline A., born May 31, 1843; Mary E., born January 7, 1847. Mary L. died December 10, 1839, Mary E. in 1847, and Lavona A. April 12, 1849. Maltby C. married Mary J. Smith. Eugene married Mary Thompson; children, Irvino-, Lucy and Josephine. Geo. F. married Harriet Bronson; children, Lavona and Homer; Mrs. Stull died, and in 1874 Mr. Stull was married to Susan Potts; they have one child. Adeline A. married H. S. Blair; children, Inez, Jessie and Josephine.

^S. Miles Coe was born in Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., March 12, 1810. When a child he was removed to Monroe county, where he remained until 1835 when he emigrated westward and settled in Jordan township April 10 of that ^ear. He has resided upon his original farm until the present time - forty- two years. Mr. Coe married Harriet Hull, of Buffalo Grove, Ogle county. Mrs. Coe died in 1842. In 1847 Mr. Coe married May D. Walling. Children : Henry M., born June 21, 1848; Isaac N., born December 9, 1852; Levi W. born September 21, 1855; Jesse F., born January 9, 1857; Aurora B., born April 8, 1860; Simeon M., born August 7, 1863; Frederick AY., born July 19, 1866; Mary R., born March 11, 1869. The third child died in infancy. Mrs! Mary D. Coe was born March 27, 1824, in Barrington, N. Y. Mr. Coe is one of Whiteside's best citizens, and has been prominent and energetic in all efforts to advance the interests of the county and township in which he resides.

George A. Coe settled in Michigan, and was twice married. He has four children - Jennie, George, Mary, and ^Y. H. Seward Coe. Mr. Coe was a member of the Michigan Legislature, and at one session was the only Whig in the body, all the other members being Democrats.

Frederick W. Coe was married June 29, 1836, to Phebe Ann Rogers, of Canada. Mr. Coe died of apoplexy, October 23, 1870. His widow resides in Lee county, Illinois.

Henry A. Coe married Alamina Moore. Children : Blanche A., Aurora, Clinton D., Jerome F., and May. Mr. Coe died July 5, 1858. Mrs. Coe died previously.

Albert S. Coe married Arathusie Barnet. Children : George B. and Florence. After the death of his wife, Mr. Coe was married to Lucy C. Hollister, of Port Byron, February 27, 1856. After a residence of a number of years in Whiteside county, Mr. Coe removed to Rock Island county and eno-ao-ed in farming and the nursery business. Upon the organization of the township in which 3Ir. Coe settled it was named " Coe." The gentleman occupied a number of important offices. His death occurred October 17, 1869.

Jonathan F. Coe married Eliza E. Clark, November 10, 1843. Four children were born, of whom all, with the exception of Franklin A., died in infancy. Mrs. Coe"s death was caused, in 1860, by hydrophobia. Mr. Coe was afterwards married to Sarah Murray. Children : Clarence C, Arthur E., Willie A., Lysle J. Franklin A. Coe is now dead.

Davis 0. Coe married Eveline N. Stevens, November 8, 1844. Children: LaFayette, Augustus J., Marcus L., Ellen Mary, and Albert Leslie. All are dead except Marcus L., who married Julia A. Gait, August 26, 1875.

Adeline E. Coe married Thomas Stevens December 31, 1846. Children: Maltby, born December 20, 1847, and Helen A., born Novenj^ber 3, 1849. Mrs. Stevens died October 24, 1850. Thomas Stevens was again married February 23, 1860, to Mrs. Helen A. Suavely. Children : Fred M., born December 23, 1860; Thaddeus D., July 12, 1862; Ernest L., September 20, 1863; Frank L., October 10, 1864; Bowman, May 31, 1866. With the exception of Ernest all the children are living.

Becker Miller was born April 6, 1820, in the Dukedom of Oldenburg, Germany. He came to America with his family in 1837. He resided for a short time in Lee county, but soon after settled in Jordan on section 25, where he still lives. Mr. Miller married Elizabeth Maria Thummel, September 19, 1852. Children : Emma, Christina, Adeline E., Ella May, George W., Frederick L., and Juliet L.

Vernon Sanford was born in Middletown, Delaware county. New York, April 4, 1810. He was married to Catherine Campbell, September 7, 1834. She was born November 18, 1815, in Dutchess county. New York. Mr. Sanford settled upon section 7, Jordan, November 8, 1836. He, like many other pioneers, lived first in a log cabin, the floor the earth, the " door " a quilt, and the chimney mud and sticks. In 1841 he built a frame house, the first one erected in the township. In 1838 Mr. Sanford built a saw-mill on Bufi"alo creek, now owned by Mr. Jacob Deyo, and run as a saw and grist mill alternately. Mr. Sanford's children are Mary Jane, born February 5, 1837; Nancy, born April 15, 1839; and Rachel A., born October 12, 1852. Mary Jane married Edwin Wolcot, December 13, 1854, and died March 25, 1861. Rachel A. died December 4, 1855. Nancy married Gilbert Finkle, October 22, 1857, and is the mother of eight children. The ancient village of Sanfordville, situated in the northeast part of the township, derived its name from the Sanford family.

Jabez Gilbert was born at Harrington, Litchfield county, Connecticut. He was married to Miss M. West, May 30, 1815. She was born April 9, 1796. Mr. Gilbert settled in Jordan township in 1839, and died January 1, 1844, from small pox. Children: Eunice M., born March 10, 1817; Clement W., born August 21, 1819; Flora E., born August 23, 1821; Julius E., born October 9, 1823; Abner, born December 2, 1825; Hannah, born July 10, 1828; Jabez Jr., born September 26, 1833; Hezekiah W., born October 20, 1835; John B., born December 25, 1841. Eunice married Benj. Davis. Children: Ellen M., Benjamin C, Maria L., Homer B., Emma A., and lola A. Mrs. Davis died in New York in 1865. Benjamin Davis died in Libby Prison during the war. Ellen,

Maria, and lola are dead. Abner married Clara Enderton. They have had three chileren, now all dead but Frank. Mr. Gilbert died in April, 1858. Jahez, Jr. died October 5, 1858. Clement married Betsey Daggett, who died in

1869. He was subsequently married to Mary Goodrich, and after her death to Helen Stevenson. i/<3;:f/aa/t married Mary Beman, who died in 1878. He was afterwards married to Harriet Root. T^Zora married Manoah Hubbard, in 1841. Children: Lucinda M., Mary J., and William. The two daughters are dead. William lives in Sterling. Manoah Hubbard died in April, 1859. Mrs. Hubbard married John B. Rogers in September, 1875. Hannah married John Pettigrew. Children: Maurice, Emma, Ella, and Florence. The latter died in

1870. Julius E. was first married about twenty-five years ago. Mrs. Gilbert dying, Mr. Gilbert was married to Viola Higgins, in 1864. Children: Jabez, James E., Julius, Cora, May, and Minnie. Jofm married Katie Higgins January 30, 1871. Children: Grace and Jerome B. Grace died in infancy.

Lot S. Pennington was born in Somerset county. New Jersey, November 12, 1812. In 1826 he emigrated to the West and settled in Jersey county, Hlinois. After remaining there a short time he settled in Macoupin county. Dr. Pennington married Ann P. Barnett, who was born in Barnett, Vermont. Mrs. P. died December 19, 1866, and Dr. Pennington was married to Ruth A. Morrison in 1868. In 1839 he removed north and settled in Sterling, in May of that year. He practiced his profession for about one year. In the meantime he purchased a farm in section 32, Jordan township, and embarked in the farm, fruit and nursery business, devoting about 150 acres to fruit trees and a nursery, which he gradually increased. Owing to the distance from which grafts and trees had to be transported, the danger from the annual prairie fires, and the depredations of the myriads of rabbits, indefatigable energy and persistence were required to make the business a success. In 1856 Dr. Pennington abandoned the nursery business and devoted his energies to the production of fruit, and the great Illinois crop - corn. Dr. Pennington's home farm comprises eight hundred acres, in addition to which he has lands and lots in Sterling township and city, and also lands in Hopkins township, making him one of the largest land owners in the county. All of this land is of excellent quality. Upon his home farm he has 160 acres in orchard, a large amount of the fruit raised from it being of the finest varieties. In 1876 he raised about eight thousand bushels of apples from this orchard. To utilize his immense apple crops, he erected last year a factory of a large capacity for the pui'pose of making cider vinegar. A very large quantity, and of excellent quality, was manufactured. Upon his farm are also magnificent quarries of building stone, which have been developed, but not worked extensively owing to their distance from railroads. Recently the Doctor has been engaged in boring an artesian well upon, his farm, and a depth of 2,200 feet has been reached, but as the water does not as yet flow to the surface, he contemplates during the coming winter (1877- '78) to continue the work until a satisfactory supply can be had, as he expects at no distant day to furnish the city of Sterling with a supply of water. Be sides being an agriculturist, Dr. Pennington is a prominent horticulturist and pomologist, and has written several valuable papers upon these pursuits, all of which have been widely copied by agricultural and horticultural papers, and by the general press, and the suggestions made and ideas advanced by him highly commended. He has also been a delegate to a large number of meetings and conventions held for the promotion of agriculture and horticulture, at each of which he took a leading part. Dr. Pennington was Supervisor of Jordan township from 1867 to 1876, inclusive, and has held various other township offices. Joseph M. Wilson was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 12,

1803, and died April 2, 1874. Mrs. Frances Wilson, his wife, died May 19, 1877. Mr. "Wilson's family of children consisted of Catharine, born January 9. 1831; Mary, born March 31, 1833; Hannah, born February 22, 1835; Nathan^ born December 9, 1836; Elizabeth, born May 5, 1838; John M., born February 16, 1840; James Sykes, born January 31, 1842; Joseph, born January 4, 1844. Catharine, Hannah, Elizabeth, Joseph and John are dead; with the exception of the latter, all died in early childhood. John married Laura Blackenstone April 30, 1869. James S. married Mary F. Mitchell; three children. Nathan married Catharine A. King, of Richmond, Indiana; seven children. Joseph M. Wilson settled in Jordan township July 3, 1835, and built a log mill, which was started May 22, 1836. He was engaged in other enterprises, and did much to develop the resources of the new country.

Joshua Miles was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, March 21, 1780. His father moved to Litchfield, New York, in 1801, and in 1808 to Brooklyn, Pennsylvania. Joshua married Miss Caroline Caswell, April 3, 1808, she being three years his junior. Their children were : Lucy Caroline, born June 17, 1810, and married Dr. B. Richardson, of Brooklyn, Pennsylvania! Charles Wesley, born August 16, 1812, and died in Sterling, Illinois, March 21, 1851; Mary, born January 24, 1815, and married Horace R. Mack; Sarah L., born July 7, 1817, and married Amos Fassett; Harriet N., born September 6, 1819, 'died May 29, 1840, at Brooklyn, Pennsylvania; Jane E., born August 19, 1822, married Rev. H. J. Humphrey, at Sterling, and died July 5, 1850; Alice L., born March 24, 1825, and died at Sterling, November 22, 1858; Frances L., born August 15, 1827, and married Rufus DeGarmo, of Sterling; Eveline W., born April 5, 1830, and died at Sterling, June 7, 1847; and Helen A., born May 22, 1835, who married Peter DeGarmo, of Sterling. Mr. Miles moved to Jordan, Whiteside county, with his family, in 1844, living for several years on the west side of the Coe mill pond, after which he settled in Sterling where he lived a quiet retired life until August 10, 1863, when he died. Mr. Miles was the owner of many mills of various kinds, during his life, and once ran a paper mill in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, wherein he experimented in making paper from wood, and probably produced the first wood paper ever made.

Charles W. Miles was born August 16. 1812, at Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, and first came to Illinois in 1838. He remained one year and then returned east, and with his father and his family again came west in 1844. Mr. Miles was never married. He built the saw mill known as the Coe- mill, now Bressler's, which he ran for several years. He afterwards moved to Sterling, and worked at the carpenter's trade, and died in the house on the bank of the river, known as the Wallace House, March 21. 1851.