Berreman Township

Berreman Township

Thomas and John Deeds, referred to in the sketch of Pleasant Valley, probably made the first claim, erected the first cabin, and broke the first ground in fchis township. Of them the earliest permanent settler, N. C. Tenney, a cousin of the Tyrrells, of Ward's Grove, purchased his claim in October, 1836, in the northwestern part of the township. Here he remained until 1842, when he went to Nauvoo, and is now a Mormon Bishop in Utah.

In September, of the year 1837, the stepfather of Mr. Tenney, John Gates, Phebe, his wife, and S. B. Gates, his son, settled in the township, where John Gates afterwards died, leaving his wife and son the two oldest residents of the township.

In November, 1839, James Parkinson, with his family and brother, Isaac W., came to this vicinity and purchased a cabin and claim of a man whose name has been forgotton. James afterwards died ; his children and brother, a bachelor, still live there, and are prominent residents. Dr. Peckham and wife, both of whom are now dead, came in November, 1839, bringing Mrs. Peckham's son, Delson Tiffany, still a resident of the township, who has served it in the capacity of Supervisor, and, in many other ways, been a highly useful citizen. Jacob Troxel settled, about 1839, on land in both Berreman and Pleasant Valley Townships, although his house was in the one last named. He built the first school-house, on the bottom road, near the township line, on section 7, afterward entered by S. B. Gates. There are now school-houses on sections 16, 5, and a combined church and school-house on section 29.

The first death remembered was of Dr. Peckham, who was mortally injured while building his house, by falling from a beam, in 1840. His funeral sermon was preached at the house of John Gates, by Elder Giddings, who lived on Yellow Creek, in Stephenson County. Mr. Giddings preached the first sermon in the township, although there was about that time some preaching by Lyman Clark, afterwards " one of the chosen twelve " at Salt Lake, and by other Mormon advocates.

Religious instruction was also dispensed by " Uncle Billy Johnson," a settler who paid his traveling expenses by retailing, after the sermon, thread, pins, and other notions.

The first church building erected was the Methodist, a substantial frame chapel, of tasty appearance, on section 5. No response has been received to an inquiry concerning the date of erection of the United Brethren Church, situated on the northeast corner of section 5.

The first birth in Berreman Township was a daughter of Mrs. James Parkinson, now Mrs. Jacob Klump. As before stated, the only post-office established was by Isaac W. Parkinson, who is now postmaster, although there have been several changes. The office is called " Willow," and located in Peter Bishop's store, which was the first general store opened in the township. There is now another near by, kept by Israel Solt, since 1876.

. After the township was separated from Pleasant Valley, at the Februarymeeting of the Board of Supervisors in 1857, Arthur Mahorney was made the first Supervisor. He named the township after a friend in Tennessee.

Supervisor, Isaac W. Parkinson, Jr. ; Town Clerk, George W. Schmeck ; Assessor, Delson Tiffany; Collector, Charles Robinson; Commissioners of Highways, N. W. Calhoun, George Ray, and Taylor Williams ; Justices of the Peace, Jacob B. Klump and Lafayette Wagner; Constables, Columbus Tiffany and Henry Collins. The population of Berreman Township in 1860 was 415, and in 1870, 559.

l5l{IM\<;i:i5.IOII\, Farmer; Sec. 5; P. O. Willow; born in Ohio July 31, 1843; came West in an early day with his parents ; served in army in the 39th I. V. I., and remained until the close of the war ; was in front of Richmond and Petersburg; was honorably discharged at Norfolk, Va. ; married Catherine Oberheim March 6, 1864; she was born in Centre Co., Pa., Oct. 24, 1847, and came to this Co. when a child; have three children living: Lewis T., ManleE., Ervie M. ; three dead : John E., Orin S., George A. ; owns 40 acres of land, house and lot, valued at $2,000.

It It I SHOTS JACKSON, Farmer; Sec. 17 ; P. O. Loran, Stepheuson Co. ; was born in Pa. Sept. 24, 1827; his father died in 1831, but his mother married again, and in 1844 the family moved to this Co. ; married Mary A. Bishop in 1853; she died May 28, 1874; married Mrs. Brumgard Aug. 15, 1875; her maiden name was Catherine Brean; she was born in Clinton Co., Pa., April 11, 1844; she married Mr. Brumgard, by which marriage she had three children living : Newton, Harrison, Valentine; lost one, Ida Jane; Mr. Brushous has ten children living by his first marriage: George, Peter, Josiah, Mary Catherine, Parnielia, Barbara E., Julia A., ' Emma F., Wallace, Jackson ; lost one, William ; one child by second marriage, Sylvester ; owns 280 acres of land.

Itl rSllli: .IOII\. Farmer; Sec. 31; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Nederweingen, Switzerland, March 8, 1812; married Esther Huber in 1836 ; came to the U.S. in 1854; she was born in Dulsdorf, Switzerland, March 1, 1814; they came direct to this Co. ; have four children living: Jacob S. Bucher, Mrs. Dorothea

White, Mrs. Anna Kaufman, and John J. Bucher ; Jacob S. Bucher was born Jan. 18, 1837, in Switzerland ; married Elesta Mclntyre Aug. 30, 1860; she died in 1875; served in Union army during the war, in the 45th I. V. I.; was in battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, and Champion Hill; was honorably discharged after serving three years and three months. Bucher Johannes, farmer; Sec. 13; P.O. Pleasant Valley.

\^y Sec. 5 ; P. O. Willow ; was born in Bedford Co., Pa., April 18, 1838; when quite young his parents moved to Maryland, where they lived until 1857 ; then came to Ogle Co., 111. ; lived there one year, and in Stephenson Co. three years ; in 1861 came into Jo Daviess Co. ; enlisted in 57th Regt. I. V. I., and served until the close of the war; joined Sherman's army at Savannah, and came up through the Carolinas to Washington, and was honorably discharged at Chicago; married Julia A. Parkinson Jan. 10, 1861 ; she was born in this Co. March 11, 1843; have seven children living: Roberta, Crissie, Manly J., Russell W., JohnS., Hattie, Josephine ; owns 213 acres of land ; was Assessor two years, Supervisor two years, School Director three years, and Highway Commissioner.

CI* AY JEREMIAH, Farmer; Sec. 5; P.O. Willow; was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1830; his mother with her family came to this Co. in 1849, and this has been his home since that time ; Sept. 20, 1855, married Martha Stahly, who was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1837 ; have eight children living: Mary C., Lovina J., William H., Mollie A., Samuel F., Charles S., Fannie A., Elliott R. ; was a member of the 153d I. V. I., and was honorably discharged at Springfield at the close of the war ; Mrs. Clay's mother (Mrs. Catherine Stahly) lives with them; she was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 16, 1806, and came to America in 1831 ; owns 198 acres of land ; was Postmaster two years and School Director six years ; member of M. E. Church and A. F. and A. M.

1842; she was born in Stark Co., Ohio, April 25, 1825 ; came to this Co. in 1856 ; was Commissioner of Highways six years, Justice of Peace four years (commissioned by Gov. John M. Palmer) ; was School Director for many years ; have ten children living: Wm. H., George E., Sarah C., Margaret A., Julius F. J., Esther A., James Wesley, Josephine, Emma A. and Ward H. ; lost five; owns 280 acres of land ; his mother, Mrs. Mary Cullens, resides with them ; she was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., in 1795. Cullens Wni H. farmer ; Sec. 32 ; P. O. Loran.

DARK JOHXC. Farmer; Sec. 19; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Jan. 24, 1835; came to this Co. in 1856; was married May 13, 1860, to Ann Harkness, who was born in Canada June 27, 1837; one child living, Oscar E. ; have lost five children ; Sept., 1862, enlisted in 96th I. V. I., and served until the close of the war; was at Atlanta, Buzzard Roost Gap, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Lovejoy Station, Franklin, Nashville; served as Sergeant and Corporal, and was honorably discharged at Nashville ; owns 200 acres of land. Davis John, farmer ; P. O. Willow.

JOIIV. Farmer; Sec. 5; P. "O. Willow; born in Lincolnshire, Eng., Aug. 7, 1831 ; came to U. S. in 1842 ; suffered shipwreck on the voyage off the banks of Newfoundland ; all survived but one ; lived in Freeport two years, and returned to England; came to America again in 1845 ; married Miss Phoebe J. Baker May 5, 1868; she was born in Canada Aug. 22, 1850 ; came to the U. S. with her parents in 1860 ; have three children : Julia Ann, Henrietta A., Jennie Maud ; lost one child, Franklin Eugene ; Mr. D. owns 60 acres of land.

GATES SAMUEL B. Farmer; Sec. 6 ; P. O. Willow ; born in Wayne Co., N. Y., June 4, 1822, on shore of Lake Ontario ; his father emigrated to this Co. in 1837 ; were first permanent residents in