Apple River Township

Apple River Township

The oldest living resident of Apple River Township is Mr. William Colvin, whose intimate connection with the early history of the County has alreadybeen mentioned. Mr. Colvin came to Galena June 18, 1824, on the keel boat "Col. Bumford." After mining near there until 1828, he settled on the farm where he now lives, four miles west of the village of Apple River. At that time Lot L. Dimick, Wm. Hudson and Adam Vroman had already settled in the township as farmers. In 1829, Samuel Warner came from Ontario County, New York, and settled near Mr. Colvin where he has resided up to the present time.

For five years after the township organization, Apple River was incorporated in the Township of Thompson. The name of the township and village were derived from a river of that name by which the land is watered.

In 1854 the Illinois Central Railroad was built through the northern townships, and soon after, the village was established. Ebenezer Baldwin, a civil engineer on the road, J. W. Webster and Charles H. Lamar purchased the ground north of the railroad and laid out the town plat. The railroad company owned the land south of the track and formed it into a town addition. F. A. Strockley also made an addition on the east side of the original plat. The north line of the village is identical with the state line.

The first house on the site of Apple River was built of logs about 1832, by Daniel Robbins - the first settler at that place. He sold out to Francis Redfern, who came West about 1850, from Ohio. A large family of rough characters, named Daves, settled on a branch of the Apple River about the year 1835, which received, on account of their residence there, the name of " Hell Branch." In 1837 they had a dispute with a man named Alexander McKillips regarding his claim, which resulted in the Daves brothers waylaying McKillips, at night - tieing him to a stump and whipping him until almost dead. Such acts were among the lawlessness of frontier life. It may be added that a just retribution overtook these brothers, several of whom were hung, one killed by a falling mineral tub, and another chopped to pieces with an ax.

In 1842 Melzer Robbins, a brother of Daniel, settled in Apple River and became a prominent man in its progress. School was first taught by Edward Town, at the site of the village, in a log cabin situated where the residence of Thos. H. Maynard now stands. Soon after, school was kept by John Hartwell in the old historical cabin built by Daniel Robbins. The location of this house was across the railroad track just opposite the present Robbins Hotel. Mr. Redfern built the third house at the village on the site of Capt. John Maynard's present residence. In 1854, Francis Cosgrove built the first boarding house and saloon for the accommodation of railroad hands. The first hotel was built in 1854 by William Hoskins where the Robbins House now stands. It was originally 28 by 32 feet in size but was enlarged and owned for many years by J. B. Robbins, a son of Melzer, who, in 1877, built the present and only hotel of Apple River. In the Spring of 1854, J. M. Irvin built the first general store in the village and has continued in business on the same location to the present time. A little later in the same year David Black built a store r6om and sold goods there for a few years. In 1855, James Powers opened a store, and the following year another was added by George Frost, who continued in business until 1864, then, after eleven years' absence in Chicago, he established the first and only Bank of Apple River.

The first local election remembered was in 1856 when Chauncey Hutchings and E. B. Downes were nominated for the office of Justice of the Peace. The night before election a gravel train was run into town, bringing about sixty men (more than the entire number of residents) and, being of Downes' nativity (Irish), they gave him an overwhelming majority. However, Mr. Downes, who is still living at Apple River, declined to serve and Mr. H. S. Russell was made Justice.

After the adoption of the township system in 1853, and up to September, 1858, Apple River Township was included in Thompson Township, and C. C. Thompson was the first Supervisor. At that date, however, a new township was created, and called Apple River. It was created out of fractional township 29, north of range 3 east, and was taken from the Town of Thompson. Wm. F. Taylor was the first Supervisor. At a later period, a mile strip of territory was taken from Warren Township and attached to Apple River, including the Village of Apple River. After this change, Hiram DeGraff was the first Supervisor. Another change was made about 1864, by taking a strip of one mile and a half from Apple River, including the Village of Scales Mound, and attached to Scales Mound Township. At the election of ^859, held at Hudson Mound School-house, 80 votes were cast.

July 22, 1868, a vote was taken on the propriety of incorporating Apple River as a village, resulting in 35 votes for, and 33 against, incorporation. Incorporation under the general laws of the state followed immediately. The following Trustees were elected : J. A. Funk, Rob't Irvine, James M. Irvine, S. Woolan and Melzer Robbins. February 19, 1870, it was re-incorporated under special charter. The population of Apple River Township in 1860 was 508, and in 1870, 1,108 persons.

Its present officers are : Joseph Roberts, Supervisor ; P. A. Easley, Town Clerk; John Barry, Assessor; D. W. Christy, Collector; Patrick Murphy, John Hume and C. Lichtenburger, Commissioners of Highways ; Geo. Frost, T. J. Birmingham, Hue;h Williams, Henry Smith, Joseph Robbins and Robert Parkins, Trustees ; Thomas Scott and William Levitt, Justices of the Peace ; John Bush and C. Teppert, Constables.

The schools held in cabins have already been referred to. The first building erected for school purposes was in 1857, on lot one, block nine of the railroad addition, which was donated, for the purpose, by the railroad company. On it was built a one-story stone house, to which a second story was afterwards added. As the village grew, more school room was found necessary, and in 1873, a frame building of two stories was erected on the opposite side of the railroad track, to be used as a high school. Professor Brown first acted in the capacity of teacher in this building. The present principal is Thomas Bermingham, while Misses Ada Rivenburg and Selina Woodward officiate in the stone building. Twelve hundred dollars is appropriated annually for teachers' salaries.

Rev. J. Hartwell preached, in a log cabin, the first sermon in Apple River, in 1855. The first regular mission preacher, of whom record remains, was William Taylor, now Postmaster' at Nora, who, .in connection with school teaching, directed the devotions of the scattered settlers as early as the year 1857.

In the year 1858, the people gathered in the school-house to listen to the teachings of Rev. S. S. Guyer, a Methodist circuit-rider, and in the same year, a Methodist Sunday-school was organized, by T. F. Hastie, in the railroad office. This was soon transferred to the school-house. Two years after, the Methodist Church, a good frame building, was erected, costing about $2,000, and seating three hundred persons. At present, Hans Lament is the Sabbathschool Superintendent. The church was dedicated by Rev. Peter Cartwright, a pioneer of Methodism in Illinois. The ministers in succession have been : Revs. J. Clendenning, E. B. Russell, J. M. Clendenning, J. Odgers, H.U. Reynolds, S. O. Foster, T. L. Olmsted, A. D. Field, Joseph Crummer, Joseph Caldwell, Thomas Cochrane, concluding with the present pastor, Rev. D. W. Linn.

Catholic. - Church services were held for several years in private houses. In 1858, Rev. Father P. Corcoran superintended the building of their church, which was originally 26 by 36 feet in size, but was enlarged in 1872 by an addition of 30 by 26 feet. It now.seats about five hundred persons, and the church has a membership of one hundred families. Rev. Fathers Shilling, Michael El Keren, Joseph Kindekins and M. Zara have, in succession, officiated as their priests, Father Zara having just taken the position.

The Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. John Reynard, in April, 1861, at the residence of Mr. Vroman, when Joseph C. Jellisonwas made elder. From this time, the association took no action until 1864, when Rev. J. W. Cunningham came, reorganized the society, and caused the church to be built. Rev. Rufus King was their first permanent minister. He was followed by Rev. G. M. Jenks, then John Cook, D. B. Gordon and E. B. Miner, who remained until 1876, since which time the church has been unable to maintain a regular pastor.

History Of Jo Davie88 Ootjntt Independent Orders

Masonic. - Apple River Lodge, No. 548, A. F. and A. M., was organized October, 1868, with M. Maynard, W. M.; J. P. Black, S. W., and H. J. D. Maynard, J. W. The present officers are : *Geo. Frost, W. M.; Thos. White, S. W.; Hugh Williams, J. W.; E. M. Funk, Secretary; Geo. Kleeburger, Treasurer. Meetings are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Membership, forty-five.

1. O. O. F. - The Reliance Lodge, No. 533, was organized Nov. 9, 1873. Its first officers were : John Buche, N. G.; John Sieber, V. G.; Wm. Uhren, Treasurer, and D. P. Emery, Secretary. The first four named, with R. Buche and Thomas Gelaspie, constitute the charter members. The present officers are : Hans Lamont, N. G.; Nemiah Rowlston, V. G.; John Sieber, Treasurer ; G. L. H. Kleeburger, Secretary.

Business Interests

In the southeastern part of town is situated a large three-story stone building, erected at a cost of $10,000 by Black, Irvine & Co. as a plow factory. This business was sold, in 1876, to the Grand Detour Plow Factory, of Dixon, 111., since when it has been occupied as a planing and sawing mill.

The first postmaster was J. M. Irvine; the present one is Beeri Serviss, who has held the position since Mr. Irvine resigned. The village has a general appearance of prosperity ; is well supported by a good farming community, and does a large amount of mineral, stock and produce shipping. It is the shipping point for several zinc and lead mines in Wisconsin.

AI>AMS JOHN, Retired Farmer; Apple River ; was born in Beaver Co., Pa., on the 12th of May, 1815 ; went from there to Wood Co., Ohio, in 1833 ; lived there until 1854 ; he then moved to Lafayette Co., Wis. ; he remained there until 1867, when he moved to this Co., and it has since been his home ; he was Supervisor a number of years in the Tp. which he lived in while in Wis. ; is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been twice a delegate to the U. S. conference of that church ; has been Elder since '45 ; married Mary Levitt in Wood Co., Ohio, on March 17, 1836 ; she was born in Yorkshire, England, Sept. 9, 1814; have had twelve children, five of whom are living ; had one son, William T., in the army ; he enlisted in Aug., 1862, in 96th Regt., I. V. I. ; was discharged on account of sickness in 1863.

BAUMGARDNER JOHN, farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Apple River. BARRY JNO. Grain Dealer; Apple River ; born in Co. Wexford, Ireland ; aged 47 ; emigrated to U. IS. in 1851 ; was 5 years railroad station-agent on the Watertown & Rome R. R., at Three-Mile Bay, Jefferson

Co., N. Y. ; came to Lafayette Co., Wis., in* 1858, and engaged in farming; believes the Catholic to be the supernatural church; was a war democrat during the war of the rebellion, hence voted against peace resolutions in democratic convention held at Darlington, Wis., in 1861 ; has held offices of Village Clerk 4 years, Chairman of Supervisors 1 year; also School Dist. Treasurer 9 years, and has taught 9 winter terms at public school; moved to Jo Daviess Co., 111., in 1873; engaged in the grain business, more or less, to the present time ; has held the offices of Town Clerk 2 years, Assessor 1 year, and President of Village Trustees 1 year in Apple River, 111. ; married, in 1867, Miss Mary Catherine Kleeberger, aged 36 years, who was born in White Oak Springs (since Monticello), Territory (now State) of Wis.; the surviving children are: Mary H., born at Shullsburg, Wis., May 1, 1869, Elizabeth G., in Apple River, 111., April 23, 1876.

mained there until 1853, when he returned to this Co., and it has been his home since ; has held the office of Assessor 1 year, and has held various other township and school offices ; owns 180 acres of land ; has been married twice; present wife was Mary JaneKearns; they were married in this

J. Lumber Dealer ; Apple River ; was born in Co. Clare, Ireland, on March 1, 1849; moved with his parents to Canada in 1859; lived there one year; thence to this Co. in 1860; entered the lumber business with Wm. Hoskins, in this place, in 1873; the business was established by Mr. Hoskins in 1855; Mr. Benningham is a graduate of the Galena High School; is one of the present Board of Town Trustees; was Principal of school in Elizabeth, in this Co., two years; also, Principal of High School in this place seven years; married Fannie Hoskins, July 30, 1873; she was born in this town Aug. 4, 1854; have one child: Willie, born in this town Dec. 10, 1875.

BERRYMAN WM. H. Fafmer; Sec. 35; P. O. Apple River; owns 405 acres of land; was born in Lafayette, Wis., on Sept. 27, 1842; moved to this Co. with his parents in 1849; married Miss Gracie Pryor in Scales Mound, this Co., on March 13,1863; she was born at Scales Mound on April 28, 1847 ; have had seven children, five of whom are living; Mr. Berryman is one of the present Directors of the School Board.

M. Dealer in Agricultural Implements; Apple River; was born in Ireland on May 15, 1839; came to this Co. in May, 1851 ; has been Deputy Sheriff twelve years, Constable fifteen years, Town Collector six years; was also Assessor a number of years, and has held various other offices ; he has the reputation of being one of the most efficient officers in the Co. ; he has always been a firm supporter of the Republican party; married Mary Jane White in Freeporf, Stephenson Co., this state, on May 1, 1866; she was born in Ireland in 1849; have had four children, ~iz. : Mary Elizabeth, born May 26, 1867,

Henry James, Feb. 27, 1870, John M., April 13, 1872, Francis E,, July 3, 1876, died March 22, 1877; Mr. C. had one brother in the army (Henry Cashman); he enlisted in Co. E, 96th Regt., I. V. I., in 1862; was in many severe engagements; he was killed while making a charge on a rebel battery at the battle of Chicamauga, on Sept. 20, 1863 ; he was born in Ireland Aug. 7, 1843. Chambers John W. Apple River.

CHRISTY D. W. Grain Dealer; Apple River ; was born in Butler Co., Pa., Oct. 24, 1844; came from there to this state in 1855, and remained in it until 1862 ; he then went to Montana; remained there four years, at the end of which time he went to British Columbia, in which place he stayed one year; he then returned to Montana, this time remaining a little over a year; became to this Co. in 1866; in 1873 he entered the grain business in this place, which business he has been engaged in since; married Rebecca Ingersoll, in Shullsburg, Wis., Nov. 19, 1866; she was born in Calhoun Co., this State, Jan. 1, 1831 ; they have four children, viz : Scovy Stewart, born Aug. 19, 1867 ; Mary Rebecca, April 19, 1869, Cora Belle, Feb. 6, 1871, Stella Maude, May 3, 1874 ; Mr. Christy is the present Town Treasurer in this place, which office he has held three terms.

COI, YIN WILLIAM, Farmer; Sec. 21 ; P. O. Apple River; was born in AVashington Co., Pa , March 5, 1810; he was one of the 75 who came on the old Col. Bumford keel boat, in 1824, and planted a a little colony where Galena now stands; they were forty-one days making the trip from St. Louis; those persons were actually the first white settlers in this Co. ; the country was then a most unpromising wilderness, mostly occupied by Indians; the first two years after their settlement they had neither law nor religion, and dishonesty was unknown among them; in 18°6 they organized a church, elected a Justice of the Peace and Constable; it was then that rascality and trickery began, and have continued since ; the first trial they had after they organized ended in a free fight, the Justice taking a hand in it; the only fee he ever received was a severe beating over the head with the jaw bone of a hog; at the breaking out of the Black Hawk War, Mr. Colvin entered General Dodge's command, and served until Black Hawk was finally driven across the Mississippi ; he was engaged in many severe Indian fights; was in the battle of Bad Axe; in this battle the power of Black Hawk was completely broken ; he fled, but was captured by the Winnebagoes; in a few clays after was brought in and delivered to the whites; Mr. Colvin was married near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1842; Mrs. Colvm was born in Boone Co., Kentucky, in 1821 ; she died in June, 1872 ; Mr. Colvin owns 191 acres of land; of the seventy-five pioneers who canie up the

E GRAFF HIRAM, Retired Farmer; Apple River; was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., on the 20th of April, 1817; he came to this Co. in 1885; at that time the Co. was rather thinly settled, the houses being about 25 miles apart; he was the first School Trustee elected in the Tp.; was elected Supervisor two years in succession (1865 and 1866,) and has held various other Tp. and School offices ; during the early history of the Co. he took an active part in the organization of schools and churches; he is a member of the M. E. Church; has been Class Leader 29 years; Sabbath School Superintendent a number of years; Trustee 6 years; was also elected to the General Conference held at Joliet, 111.; in politics he is Republican, being a firm supporter of that party since Fremont was nominated for President of the U. S. ; he was one of the passengers on the ill-fated steamer Erie when she was destroyed by fire, he being one of the 35 saved out of the 200 on board ; he has been married three times; first wife was Rachel Phelps, married 3d Oct. 1839; died 9th of April, 1849; second wife was Sarah Younce; married 23d Dec., 1849; died 7th of Dec., 1865 ; present wife was Sarah Crase ; was married in Warren, this Co., 7th of June, 1866; she was born in Cornwall, England, on the 15th of Nov., 1828; came to this country in 1849 ; to this Co. 14 years ago ; had one son killed in the army, Wm. Frederick ; enlisted in the 96th Regt. I.V. I., in August, 1861 ; was wounded at Chicamauga; his father brought him home, and he had scarcely recovered before the brave fellow returned to his Regt. and was again wounded at Rocky Face Mountain, said wounds causing his death May 12, 1804 ; he was born in this town 3d of Feb., 1842.

DEMING ALBERT, Farmer; Sec. 21; P.O. Apple River; was born in this Co. on the 26th of April, 1841; has held various Tp. offices ; owns 80 acres land; enlisted in Co. I, 25th Regt. Wis. V. I. in 1862; was Corporal; was in many severe engagements, and all through the Atlanta campaign; was honorably discharged in

June, 1865 ; has been married twice ; married present wife (maiden name Margaret Williams) in Warren, this Co., on the 16th of June, 1864 ; she was born in Ohio in 1849.

JMMMICK WM. OSCAR, Farmer ; Sec. 22 ; P. O. Apple River ; born in this town the 23d of Aug., 1852 ; owns 272 acres land ; has held various School offices; married Miss Esther Stone, in Monticello, Wis., on the 20ih of Oct., 1874; she was born in Mouticello, on the 8lh of Dec., 1854 ; have one child, Oscar Leroy, born in this place, the 17th of June, 1877. Lot L. Dimmick, father of W. O. Dimmick, was one of the pioneers of this Co., coining to Galena in 1825 ; was here during the Black Hawk War; was a member of the Presbyterian Church and lived a sincere, earnest Christian life; married Mary A. Mann, in Galena, the 10th of April, 1831 ; she was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., the 20th of June,1809 ; died the 3d of Feb.,1876 ; Mrs. D. was one of those early pioneer mothers in whom we all feel so justly proud; in 1820 she came West with her parents and settled near Kaskaskia, Randolph Co., 111.; in the following year they moved to Waterloo, Monroe Co. ; in 1829 she came to Galena, where she remained till her marriage, in 1831, when she came to the homestead now occupied by the family; she was one of the 36 inmates of the fort on what is now known as the Wiley farm, during the Black Hawk War; she was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for a period of 25 years, and was a teacher in the first Sabbath School organized in Galena; she had three sons in the War of the Rebellion, Daniel W., born in this town the 9th of Feb., 1840; enlisted in the 96th Regt. I.V. L, Co. E, as Corporal, in 1862 ; served until close of the war; Harry M., born the 23d of March, 1842; enlisted in Co. B, 45th Regt. I. V. I., in 1861 ; died at Corinth from typhoid pneumonia, contracted in the army, 19th of March, 1862; George W, born the 26th of March, 1844; enlisted in the 96th Regt. I. V. I., in 1862; was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Chicamauga, and died, after being exchanged, from disease contracted while in rebel prison, on the 15th of March, 1865.

Farmer; Sec. 20; P. O. Apple River; was born in Ireland in 1812; came to this country in the year of 1842 and settled at Shullsburg, Wis., thus becoming one of the early settlers of that place ; he came from there to this Co. a few years afterward ; settled in this Tp. and it has since been his home; he owns 80 acres of land; married AnnMcPike in Shullsburg, Wis., in 1858; they have three children.

DOYLE WILLIAM, Farmer; Sec. 24; P. O.Apple River; was born in Lafayette Co., Wis., on the 17th of July, 1842; came to this Co. in 1865 ; owns the farm ; married Miss A. Schaiik in Galena, this Co., March, 1870 ; she was born in Ohio in 1846; have two children, Frank and Mabel. His father, Andrew Doyle, was one of the first settlers in Monticello, Lafayette Co., Wis.

EASLEY P. A. Telegraph Operator, I. C. R. R., Apple River ; was born in Scott Co., Iowa, on the 21st of Jan., 1849 ; has been Town Clerk since 1875 ; and also is the present City Clerk; on the 10th of May, '1864, he enlisted in Co. B, 142d Regt. I. V. I.; served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged; he received the President's (Lincoln) thanks, and certificate of honorable service for gallant and meritorious conduct during the time he was engaged in the service of his country.

I] \\OSS W. D. Merchant; Apple River; was born in this Co. on the 10th of Jan., 1850 ; has been engaged in the mercantile business in this town (Apple River) two years; married Miss Elizabeth Atkinson in Winnebago Co., this state, on the 5th of July, 1874; she was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 12th of April, 1849, and came to this Co. with her parents at an early age ; have two children, Jesse Clare, born the 10th of June, 1875, John Guy, 2d of April, 1877.

I 1 1 I III \<. GEO. Farmer; P. O. Apple River; was born in Yorkshire, Eng., on the 20th of Sept., 1819 ; came from there to this Co. in 1842; owns 170 acres of land ; has been a member of the Co. Board, and has held the office of assessor three years; married Harriet Levitt, in Lafayette Co., Wis., on the 25th day of April, 1849; she was born in Yorkshire, Eng., on the 10th of Nov., 1827; she came to this Co., in 184?,.

FRAJfCOMB JAMES, Farmer; Sec. 33; P. O. Apple River; owns 120 acres land; was born in England, on the 16th of Aug., 1837; came from there to White Oak Springs, Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1858; lived there one year; then he went to New Diggings (same Co.) ; here he married Miss Agnes Morton on the 22d of Aug., 1860 ; she was born in Yorkshire, Eng., on the 20th of March, 1842; they came to this Co. in 1864, and it has been their home since ; have had eight children, the living are Emma, born 7th Oct., 1862, Anna Elizabeth, 8th of Feb., 1868, James Manly, 22d June, 1870, Agnes May, 12th Dec., 1872, Ella Eva, 14th Dec., 1874.

FUtfK EDGAR M. Railroad and Express Agent ; Apple River ; was born in Lafayette Co. April 7, 1849 ; he came to this Co. in 1862 ; has been railroad and express agent in this place seven years; is one of the present Board of Town Trustees; has held that office last three years; married Seraphina Maynard in this town, Aug. 20, 1873; she was born in Cuba, on May 27, 1853 ; have two children, Annita, born in this place on Oct. 5, 1875 ; Roy Alonzo, born in this town May 4. 1877. Mr. Funk's grandfather, Captain Funk, was one of the pioneers of this Co. ; he settled here previous to the Black Hawk War ; he served in that war as captain until its close; he also held various important offices in the early history of this Co.

GRABHAM WILLIAM G. Farmer ; Sec. 28 ; P. O. Apple River ; was born in Durham, England, in May 13, 1843 ; came to this Co. with his parents in 1843 ; has been in California twice; married Athylinda Chapman in Galena, this Co., on Oct. 4, 1866 ; she was born in Shullsburg, Wis., on May 13, 1848; she died on April 18, 1873; have two children, Sarah Josephine, born on Feb. 27, 1869; Joseph E., Dec. 10, 1870; his father, Wm. Grabham, was born in England, in 1809; he married Miss Todd in Durham, England, in 1835 ; she was born in Cumberland Co., England, in 1810; they came to this Co. in 1853; had one son (John) in the army; he enlisted in Company E, 96th Regiment, I. V. I.; in Aug., 1862 ; served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged; he was in most every battle the regiment was.

Jo Davie8S County Directory

Jir.lIK JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 33; P. O. Apple River; owns 140 acres of land ; was born in Ireland in 1827 ; came to this country in 1852; and settled at new Diggings, in Lafayette Co., Wis. ; remained there until 1857; he then came to this Co. ; has held various town and school offices ; married Miss Ellen J. White in this Co. in 1854 ; she was born in Ireland in 1830; they have six children living.

IRVINE RORERT, Grain Dealer; Apple River; was born in Ireland, 19th June, 1831; came to Wis. in 1842; lived in that state until 1854 ; he then went to California; remained there until 1859, when he returned ; he came to this place (Apple River) and engaged in the grain business, which business he has successfully carried on ever since ; married Miss Frances Ellen Maynard, in this place, in 1861 ; she was born in this town in 1841.

Kleeberger Geo. L. Ii

Merchant; Apple River; was born in Germany, 30th Dec., 1830; came to this country in 1836; li%^ed in N. Y. one year, then came to Monticello, Wis., in the year of '38, thus being one of the pioneers of that place ; he came from there to this Co. in 1871, since which time he has been engaged in the mercantile business at this place ; he married Harriet Funk in thi

Co. on the 28th Feb., 1843; she was bo: in Mo. on 14th Feb., 1823 ; her father (Capt. Benjamin Funk) settled near this place in the year of 1827, thus becoming one of the pioneers of the Northwest ; he served as Captain during the Black Hawk War; he was born in Virginia in November, 1798; died on the 28th of Sept., 1851, respected and honored by the entire community in which he lived ; Mr. Kleeberger had one son in the army ; he enlisted in 1862 ; was honorably discharged. Kramer Philip, laborer; Apple River.

1 ^ chant; Apple River; was born in Preston Co., Va., on 10th Nov., 1852; moved with his parents to Mo. in 1856, thence to this Co. in 1857; entered the hardware business at this place (Apple River) in the Fall of 1876 ; married Jennie C. Kevern, in Normal, this state (111.), in 1875 ; she was born in Council Hill, this Co., in 1857.

LAPPIJT BERNARD, Farmer and Stock Raiser; Sec. 26; P. O. Apple River; owns 155 acres land ; he was born in Ireland in 1817; came to this country in 1844, and settled at New Diggings, Wis.; lived there until 1850, when he came to this Co.; married Bridget Clark, in Ireland ; they have nine children living.

LEMON PETER V. Farmer; Sec. 28; P.O.Apple River; was born in Canada on 14th Sept., 1805; came to this state in 1838 ; lived in Rock Island Co. one year ; went from there to Mo. ; lived in that state a number of years ; came to this Co. in 1846, and it has since been his home; maiden name of wife was Nancy Scott; they were married in Shullsburg, Wis., in 1852 ; she was born in Ky. in the year 1811; Mr. Lemon owns 80 acres land.

LEVITT WILLIAM, Justice of the Peace; Apple River; was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1804; came from there to Ohio in 1831 ; lived there six years ; was in Pa. one year ; came to this Co. in 1838, and to this town in 1839; there were but few living here at that time, and there was not a house on either side for a number of miles ; has been Justice of the Peace 15 years - nine years in this place ; has also been assessor three years, and has held various other offices; married Cynthia Stone in Monticello, Wis., in 1852; she was born in Canada in 1814; she died in 1855; present wife was Ann Maynard (maiden name Ann Arthur); they were married in Monticello, Wis., in 1857 ; she was born in Cornwall, England, in 1812.

Rush Tr

Street and Highway Commissioner; Apple River; was bora in Somerset Co., Pa., on 28th Jan., 1817; came to this Co. in 1827, and settled at East Forks (now Scales Mound), where he erected him a house and cultivated 10 acres land ; this was then the greatest number of acres under cultivation in any one piece in what is now known as Jo Daviess Co. in 1827 ; he was engaged in the Winnebago War, in 1832; he served in the Black Hawk War ; was elected Supervisor of this town in 1859; has been Commissioner 12 years, and has held various other offices for the last 20 years ; in 1835 he discovered some of the best paying lead mines in the Co., the principal one being Vettegrand, better known as Blackleg Diggings; his father, Conrad Lichtenberger, was born in Pa., in 1789; he served in the war of 1812, and helped drive Black Hawk over the Mississippi in 1832-3; he died in this Co. on the 29th day of Oct., 1836; Cyrus Lichtenberger married Miss Hettie Harper, at Scales Mound, on 29th Dec., 1840; she was born in Ind. on 9th Feb., 1823; her father, J. Harper, came to this Co. in 1833, bringing his family with him ; he was born in S. C. in 1797; he served under General Jackson in the war of 1812; he died in 1848.

Me DON A 1,0 JOHN, Retired Farmer ; Apple River ; was born in Ohio on 10th Aug., 1807; moved from there to Va., in 1823; lived there until 1828; he then went to Mo., and remained there until 1831, when he removed to Greene Co., Wis., where he resided until 1834 ; he then came to this state; since then this Co. has been his home; he owns 323 acres land ; has held various school offices, and in the early settlement of the Co. he took an active part in the organization of schools and churches ; married Samantha Reed in Ohio, on 14th Aug., 1832; she was born in Vt., on 12th April, 1806; have had nine children: William, born 21st May, 1833, died 26th Oct., 1833 ; Laurilla (now Mrs. Phelps), 26th Oct., 1834; George, 16th May, 1836, died 30th Sept., 1856; Adaline, 6th May, 1838, died on 10th May, -1847; Mary, 24th Feb., 1840, deceased ; William A., 25th Feb., 1842; he enlisted in Co. E, 96th I. V. I. ; was honorably discharged; Amanda, 26th Oct., 1844, died on 29th of March, 1867; John L., 15th Oct., 1847 ; Marcus A., 7th Aug., 1850.

McFADDEN SAMUEL,, Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Apple River; owns 100 acres of land ; was born in Ireland in 1834; he came to this country when he was seventeen years old; lived in New York sixteenyears; came to New Digging, Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1857; remained there until 1862, when he came to this Co. ; it has been his home since; married Catherine Stevenson, in N. Y. ; she was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, in 1835; Mr. McFadden is one of the present Board of School Trustees ; has also been School Director a number of years.

MANN JAMES H. Farmer; Sec. 23; P. O. Apple River ; owns 160 acres of land ; was born in this Co. March 26, 1846; went to Montana in 1867; lived there until Spring of 1873, when he returned and married Miss Clara Stone, in Monticello, Lafayette Co., Wis.; this, also, was the place of her birth; his father (Harvey Mann) was born in N. Y.; he came to this Co. in 1827 ; 4n 1832 he took part in the Black Hawk War, he and his family being driven from their home by the Indians.

MAYNARD JOHN, Retired; Apple River; was born in Cornwall, Ene., Sept. 14, 1810; came to this Co. in 1841; remained two years; returned to England, where he remained ten months; went to Cuba; lived there nine years, when he again returned to England, remaining a period of two years; then to Jamaica; back to England for six months; hack again to Cuba for one year ; from there to this country by way of Havana, remaining only a short time; he crossed the ocean to Ensr. in 1860; after crossing and re-crossing twice, he returned in 1863, making his home since then in this place ; married Miss Elizabeth Drew, in Cornwall. Eng., in 1834 ; she was born in Cornwall, Eng., in 1817 ; have five children : Henry J. D., born in Cornwall, Eng., in Fall 1834, Malichi, in Cornwall, in 1837, Mary Eliza (now Mrs. Maynard), in Cuba, Sara Zina (now Mrs. S. J. Funk), in Cuba, Thomas Y., in Cornwall, in 1854.

PAIOE GEORGE A. Farmer; Sec. 36; P. O. Apple River; owns 400 acres of land; was born in Windsor Co., Vt., on the 16th of Oct., 1819; came from that to this Co. in 1840; there were not over a dozen families located on farms in this Tp. at that time ; he was instrumental in establishing the first post-office in this Tp. and was the first P. M. appointed, which position he filled a number of years ; he has also been Deputy Co. Surveyor for 8 years, Justice of the Peace 9 years, School Treasurer 10 years ; he took a prominent part in the organization of the Co. Grange at this place, and is an earnest supporter of the Greenback party ; he married Louisa Towne, in Woodstock, Vt., on the 23d of July, 1841 ; she was born in Windsor Co., Vt., on the 30th of April, 1819; have had four children: Lucius, born 7th Sept., 1843, died 16th Oct., 1846; Edward G., 9th of Feb., 1847; Francis L., 16th Oct., 1849; Pluma C., 14th June, 1857.

PARKIN ROBERT, Carpenter and Joiner ; Apple River ; was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 4th of Nov., 1831 ; he came from there to this country in 1855 and settled in Lafayette Co., Wis. ; he lived there two years ; he then moved to this Co. and it has since been his home; he is one of the present Board of Trustees in this place; married Mary Heath, in this town, on the 15th of Dec., 1874; she was born in Canada on the 5th of May, 1849; have two children, Jane and Thomas; Mr. Parkin and family are members of the Episcopal Church.

PARKIN THOMAS R. Farmer; Sec. 24; P.O. Apple River; was born in Yorkshire, England, on the llth of Jan., 1843; came to this country with his parents; they settled at New Diggings, Wis.; he lived there until 1857, when he came to this Co. ; during the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. B, 142d Regt., I. V. I.; served till the close of the war and was honorably discharged ; owns 160 acres of land.

PETERS THOMAS E. Farmer ; Sec. 26; P. O. Apple River; was born in Mexico on the 24th of March, 1839; went from there to Cornwall, England with his parents when he was 7 years of age ; lived there three years ; they came to this Co. in 1849. Mr. T. L. Peters owns 160 acres of land; during the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 142d Regt., I. V. I. ; served until the war was over and was honorably discharged ; has been School Director a number of years ; married Mary Ann Levitt, in Monticello, Lafayette Co., Wis., on the 9th of May, 1873; she was born in Monticello on the 25th of Nov., 1851 ; have two children : Benjamin Lane, born the 25th Nov., 1874, John Levitt, Aug., 1876.

PHIPPEKT ORY, Farmer; Sec. 28; P.O. Apple River; was born ift Allegany Co., N. Y., on the 3d of Aug. 1815 ; came to this Co. in 1838 ; married Elizabeth Benson, in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1839; she was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1815 ; bad one son, Orlando, in the army; he enlisted in Co. E, 96th Regt., I.V. L, in 1862; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war ; Mr. Phippen owns 160 acres of land.

ROBBIXS MEL.ZAR, (deceased, the subject of this sketch was born in the green mountains of Vermont, June 14, 1809; in 1831 he removed with his father's family to Chautauqua Co., N. Y. ; in 1834 he married Aurelia Sprague, and engaged , in farming, in which occupation he continued for several years ; but hearing the glowing reports of the far West, and being favorably impressed with the many advantages claimed for the new country, he determined to brave all the hardships and privations that must necessarily be undergone by all the early settlers; he came to Illinois in the Spring of 1841, remaining until the Fall of the next year, when he returned to New York and brought his family west with him, thus becoming one of the pioneers of Northern Illinois; he located on a claim about one mile east of where HOW stands the Village of Apple River, and engaged in farming, in which business he remained for a number of years ; he has reared a family of ten children, all of whom are living; he died at his residence in this village (Apple River) on the llth day of April, 1876 ; many are they who will long cherish his memory for his unbounded generosity and large-heartedness; he was ever the poor man's friend, giving whereever there was need, and many were the acts of kindness he has performed; he was a kind husband and indulgent father; the funeral services were held in the Presbyterian Church of this place, which was too small to contain the great number who followed the old citizen to his last resting place ; such is the record left by him that we could fill a volume with recitals of* his good deeds; but no words that we can employ would add any new lustre to the character he bore in the community where he lived so long.

ROWE JOSEPH H. Farmer; Sec. 26; P. O. Apple River; was born in Scales Mound, this Co., Jan. 11,1847; owns 150 acres land ; married Miss Cunningham in this place in 1873; she died in 1875; his father, Joseph Rowe, was born in Cornwall, England ; came from there to this Co. in 1830, and settled near Galena ; there were but few families in this Co. at that time; he died in this place in the 55th year of his age.

SCOTT THOMAS, Police Magistrate; Apple River; was born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 31, 1824 ; came to this country in 1849, and settled in Lafayette Co., Wis. ; he moved to this town (Apple River) in the year of 1873; Mr. Scott has held the office of Justice of the Peace two years, and was elected Police Magistrate in April, 1877; married Eliza Evans in Shullsburg, Wis., Sept. 26, 1851 ; she died March 6, 1873; had four children: John L.. born July 21, 1852, Elizabeth, in Feb., 1854, died in May, 1855, Margaret A., Aug. 26, 1856, Thomas H., Aug. 16, 1859. Nl li:i U JOHX, Cabinet Maker; Apple River; was born in Switzerland in Feb., 1831; came to this C<>. in 1852, and settled in Galena; lived there until 1869; he then went to Kansas; remained there until year of 1872; then moved to this town and entered the furniture business,

SIJ{ VISS lil I ICI. Postmaster; Apple River ; was born in this Co. Nov. 22, 1843 ; was appointed Postmaster in Aug. 1865. the duties of which office he has since faithfully discharged; on Aug. 5, 1862, he responded to his country's call and enlisted in Co. K, 96th Regt, I. V. I. ; was in many severe battles, and through the Atlanta campaign ; lost his right leg in the battle of Rocky Face Mountain ; was honorably discharged in Nov. 1864, married Miss Huldah Bunker, in Stephenson Co., this state, on Sept. 29, 1872 ; she was born in N. Y., Oct. 3, 1851.

SII i:ilA\ RICHARD, Farmer; Sec. 27 ; P. O. Apple River ; owns 40 acres of land ; was born in Ireland in 1830 ; came from there to N.Y. in '52 ; lived in that state two years; thence to this Co. in 1854; married Bridget Donald, in South Salem, N. Y. ; she was born in Ireland.

SHEFFIELD D. A., M. D., Apple River; was born in New London Co., Conn., Aug. 29, 1836; when he was nine years of age his parents moved to Otsego Co., N. Y. ; he remained there until 1856, when he came to Dixon, 111., and commenced studying medicine in the office of N.W. Abbot, M. D. ; at the breaking out of the late rebellion, he entered 96th Regt., I. V. I., as Assistant Surgeon; he served in that capacity until the Spring of 1863, when he resigned on account of ill health, and returned home; at this time his health was such that it unfitted him fortheduties of his profession, in consequence of which he placed himself under medical treatment in Chicago, 111., at the same time attending the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated in 1867; his health now being restored, he came to Apple River, and has since practiced medicine here successfully ; in Aug., 1869, he became editor of the Apple River Index; this paper was published by H. C. Gunn, and was republican in politics; in 1870 Dr. Sheffield's professional duties were such that he could no longer attend to its publication, and so resigned ; he was married to Miss Mary N. Brookner, Dec. 1, 1859 ; she was born in Dixon, Aug. 3, 1839 ; have had nine children, three of whom are living: Mary Muriel, born Dec. 10, 1869, Catharine Elizabeth, Nov. 14, 1872, Helen Myran, July 25, 1877.

born in Derbyshire, England, May 15, 1832; came to this country in 1832; settled in Georgetown, Pa. ; lived there five years; he then returned to England, remained there until 1852, when he came to Rochester, N. Y. ; lived there until 1855, when he came to this place, which has since been his home, excepting in '60 and '61, when he was in Col. ; commenced business here in 1863, and has been successfully engaged therein ever since; is at present one of the Board of Trustees ; has been Town Collector three years, School Director six years ; is a member of the M. E. Church, of which he is Steward and Trustee at present; married Miss Eliza Jane Heath in East Brighton, Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 19, 1854 ; she was born in Co. Sligo, Ireland, in 1823; have one child, William Henry, born in 1860; had one brother, John, in the army; he enlisted in 3d Mo. in the Fall of 1861 ; served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged.

STAHL, JOHN. Of the firm of Stahl Bros.; Proprietors of Meat Market, also Dealers in Choice Liquors, Wines and Brandies; Apple River; born in Germany in 1840; came to this Co. in 1854; July 27, 1862, he enlisted in the 96th I. V. I.; was in many severe battles : among them were Chicamauga, Nashville, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta; was wounded at Kenesaw, and was honorably discharged July 2, 1865; married Lena Rothmaer in Galena, this Co., in 1867; she was born in Germany in 1844.

IARTY JOSEPH, Farmer and Stock Raiser; Sec. 22; P. O. Apple River; owns 288 acres land ; born in Cumberland Co., England, Dec. 15, 1837 ; came to Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1857 ; remained there until the Fall of 1868 ; then came to this Co. and has remained in it since; has held office of School Director a number of years ; married Marietta Adams in Lafayette Co.. Wis., Oct. 1, 1867; she was born in Wood Co., Ohio, March 17, 1842; have

WARMER SAMITES, Farmer; Sec. 27; P. O. Apple River; was born in Mass. in 1810 ; he came to this Co. in 1829 ; there were only a few families in this Co. at that lime; he entered the Black Hawk War at its commencement; he served in Gen. Dodge's command, in Capt. Clarke's Co., and was engaged in many sharp contests with the Indians ; of the men now living in this Co. who served in Clarke's Co. and took an active part in Indian fighting, he and Wm. Colvin (whose biography we give in another place) are the only survivors ; they served in the same Co., and fought in the same battles, and both are hale and hearty men at the present writing ; Mr. Warner owns 180 acres land; he married Maiy Ann, daughter of Jacob and Bethina Wood, who came to this Co. in 1829, in this town, July 3, 1834; she was born in Virginia, July 29, 1819; Mr. Warner had two sons in the army, Edgar and George P. ; Edgar enlisted in Co. E, 96th Reet., I. V. I., as Color Bearer; in Aug., 1862, he was killed while his regiment were making a charge on the enemy at the battle of Chicamauga; George P. enlisted in 45th Regt, I. V. I.; he was killed at the battle of Shiloh.

WIL.L.IAJIS THOMAS, Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Apple River; was born in this Co. July 28, 1848; married Elizabeth Benson, in Franklin Co., Iowa, July 3, 1869 ; she was born in N. Y. in 1846 ; have four children living, viz. : Mary, born iu