Clyde Township

Clyde Township

LYDE Township was organized April 6, 1852. The first meeting for choosing township officials was called together and Thomas Exley was chosen Moderator, and Thomas Milnes, Clerk. When the polls were closed the ballot-box was found to contain 21 votes, and they were cast with the following result : W. P. Hiddleson for Supervisor; Thomas Milnes, Clerk ; Thomas Exley, Assessor ; Ed. Wick and William Alldritt, for Commissioners of Highway; John McKinley, for Constable; and Ed. Wick and William Willson for Justices of the Peace.

Clyde is in the northern tier of townships, number 22 north, range 5 east of the 4th principal meridian, and is a full Congressional township.

Carroll County bounds it on the north, Genesee Township on the east, Mount Pleasant on the south and Ustick on the West. It formerly belonged to Union Precinct.

Jesse Hill is credited with being the first settler in Clyde, in the spring of 1835. He was followed by William Wink, who made a claim adjoining. There was but very little done toward settling up or improving this territory until 1838, when substantial men began to come in. During this year Samuel Wessell, who was a native of England, Zachariah Dent, H. W. Daniels, Hugh Hollinshead and Mr. Wing came in and made settlements.

In 1839 Mr. Wing and H. H. Fowler put up a saw-mill on Rock Creek, and commenced cutting out lumber. It was during this year that Wing, who it appears was a speculative genius, got up a real-estate boom, taking in some Eastern men. He staked off some lots at the mill, and founded what he would have people believe, a future great city. This he called Genesee City. Quite an addition was made to the population this year, but the " city " did not seem to grow much, though there was plenty of land for it to expand in, and Wing had it 'for sale. Cabins, however, were put up, farms laid out, ground broken, and farming begun in good earnest. They had a ready market for all their products at Albany, Fulton and other more distant towns.

settlers, sspecially those coming directly from the East, were prone to locate about the timber, holding the erroneous belief that here were the best farming lands. Experience, however, soon taught them their mistake.

During the early times, religious services were held by the pioneers at what was called Genesee Grove, and at the houses of the settlers, which were conducted by some missionary. Some, when they wanted a religious feast, would go down to Unionville. in Union Grove Township.

Mrs. Belinda Beswick, wife of Richard Beswick, won the admiration of the settlers by presenting to them a son, the first child born in the township. This event occurred on the toth of February, A. D. 1840. He was named George Richard.

Marriages in those days were by no means common, and when Sam. Currie and Julia Thomas were joined together in holy bonds of wedlock, it was an occasion of great interest and they the recipients of many blessings. Tradition gives this important event as occurring in September, 1840.

The people were without the advantages of schools for several years. In 1846 a summer school was opened at the house of Thomas Exley, and Lucy Exley was the teacher.

In 1867, the Methodists, having organized a society and gathered up funds sufficient for their purpose, erected them a church edifice. This was located on section 7. Having an organization and a house of worship, they secured the services of Rev. L. C. Connant. This was a growing and an active society for many years, and to it was attached an interesting Sunday-school. Services are still held in this church.

W. D. Hayes secured the establishment of a mail route in the township in 1876, with a postoffice at Malvern village. He was appointed Postmaster, and has held the position since that time. There is another postoffice now in the township, located on section 14, and known as the White Pigeon office.

George Platt is Postmaster. This was first located on section i, with J. S. Reed as Postmaster. Mr. Platt has in connection with his office a grocery store.

Of the first settlers, the only one living now in the township is Zachariah Dent. He still resides on section 14, and, considering his age, is a pretty hearty man.

Clyde Township is very liberally watered and well timbered, with many beautiful little groves. The land is rolling, and in some localities quite broken and picturesque. The soil is mostly clay. In the bottoms it is a heavy loam. There are many splendid farms in the township, with fine farm buildings. The nearest railroad station is at Morrison. The population is estimated at 1,100.

There is a good school at Geyer's mill, taught by Miss Emma Fisk, and one at White Pigeon, taught by Miss Mattie E. Young. At this school there is an average attendance of 20 pupils.

The Assessor's reports for the last year furnishes the following figures : number of acres of improved land, 22,023; value of these lands, $252,775 ; total value of personal property, $215,925; number of horses, 459; asses and mules, 14; sheep, 238 ; hogs, 1,306; carriages and wagons, 204; watches and clocks, 142; sewing and knitting machines, too; pianos, 4 ; organs and melodeons, 24 ; total value of lands, lots and personal property, $316,532.

From the annual report of the County Superintendent for 1884, the following statistics have been obtained: number of school districts 8, with 8 frame school buildings; valuation of school property, $5,- 885 ; of persons under 21 years of age there were 506, of whom 372 were of scholastic age, and 279 enrolled; the highest wages paid teachers was $50 per month; the lowest, $23; the tax levy was $2,144.

Malvern Village

Malvern village is located on section 35, and is quite a stirring little hamlet. S. E. Horning has a wagon-shop, where he puts up a first-class wagon. He also does repairing and general blacksmithing.

Source changes here: from History of Whiteside County, Illinois from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908 : Illustrated, with Biographical Sketches of Some Prominent Citizens of the County, by Davis, William W, published 1908; 1,999 words in this source stream.

Clyde Township

Soon after leaving Morrison, as you drive north, on the south side of the road, is a cemetery with numerous tombs. The gate is not fastened, and one is at liberty to walk about the grassy mounds. Several names on the marbles of early settlers, Secor, Kennedy, Hays, Pratt, Harris, Parry, Hiddleson. The oldest record is that of T. L. Jackson, who died in 1882 at 94. Compass and square on the stone. Here sleep a group of heroes of the Civil war. Aaron Bailey, who died in 1871 at 77. J. Warren Heaton, 1864, only seventeen, a youthful patriot. D. Columbia, whose stone bears the simple motto, "In the service of his country." J. D. Paschal, 1886, at 79. Sergeant Charles M. Shaw, Co. H, 5th Vermont Volunteers, dving in 1870 nt 34.

This little cluster of houses to which we are coming is Malvern. Two stores, a town hall, and a church, the Evangelical. The pastor, Rev. R. S. Welsh, lives at Fairhaven, and comes over to preach on Saturday night or Sunday morning, according to previous arrangement. Before his present work, he labored in Paoific Garden Mission, Chicago. Mrs. Davis is superintendent of the Sunday school of 35 scholars. The proprietor of one of the Malvern stores is M. W. Humphrey, who came to the country in 1857, and married Emma Newton, whose father, George Newton, emigrated from England in 1852, and was a gallant soldier in the 75th Illinois.

Rock creek and Little Rock creek run through Clyde, and various mills were erected in early days. The Milnes mill on Little Rock, built by Joseph Milnes, was taken down in 1895, and a bridge now crosses the stream near the site. W. P. Hiddleson erected the building known as the Hough's mill, still in active operation by George Appel, who grinds grists for the farmers as they bring them in the old-fashioned style. Chiefly, feed for stock, as most people prefer the refined roller flour. There was also a Brothwell mill which disappeared long ago. As these mills were the natural centers of business and gossip, the first post offices were established at Brothwell's and Milnes' mills. In 1840 an oil mill to manufacture that fluid medicine was put up, but early frosts spoiled the castor beans and ended the enterprise.

Near Malvern reside the liveliest couple the writer has seen in his travels. The gude wife is a daughter of Donald Blue, who had an adventurous career. He was born in the Highlands of Scotland, 1799, year of Washington's death, emigrated to Canada, was in the Patriot War of 1837, settled in Clyde in 1839, drove an ox team to California in 1852, returned to his farm, and spent the last twelve years of his life in Morrison. A large family of eleven children. This daughter was first married to Robert McKay by Rev. Mr. Crissman of Morrison in 1888, and the second time to Daniel Ackerman, of New Jersey, the last of his family. He came with his father through Chicago about 1840. The father was offered eighty acres in the heart of the young port if he would act as pilot on the lake for a few months, but fleas, mire, and other annoyances were so offensive that the mother refused to stay, and so the Ackermans are not today among the millionaires of the metropolis. The old gentleman landed in Clyde with fifty cents in silver, and moved into a green loo; cabin before the chimney was completed. Both the present Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman are impetuous talkers, each trying to head the other, and lively as crickets. She regularly every Saturday takes thirty pounds of butter to Sterling, receiving 30 cents in winter, 25 in summer.

are 40 members, and Sunday school all winter. There are three pastors who exercise the sacred functions in turn, like the priests in the tourses of the Jewish sanctuary: D. E. Gerdes, W. M. Grater, and John W. Miller. They do not expect support from the congregation, but earn their own bread by the sweat of their brow. The Bible is their creed. They take its declarations in their plain meaning. Feet washing is observed once a year after communion. At their religious meetings there is the utmost freedom and cordial intercourse.

A little further on is the Aldritt School, taught in 1908 by Miss Cora Hoak. The property in fine condition with concrete walk to the door, convenient pump, pictures on the walls, cheerful flowers in the windows. Judging by the register, the Janvrins are the prevailing family in the district. The school is fitly called Aldritt, for several of that name were pioneers in the district. John in 1846, Richard in 1844, William in 1845^ all from Staffordshire, England, settled in Clyde, and reared large and respectable families. Another Englishman was Richard Beswick, who came to Clyde in 1839, and opened an extensive farm. His son, George R., was in the 13th Illinois, and died at Rolla, Missouri, in 1862.

Near the site of the early Milnes mill, the writer had a short interview with the venerable R. M. Kennedy, who came from Franklin county, Pa., in 1839 to Indiana, then to St. Paul, driving an ox team 800 miles, which he sold, and returned by water to Fulton. Seven in the family stayed all night with Walter Wright for two dollars and a half. He settled in Clyde in 1855. Mr. Kennedy is 85, and looks good for another decade.

Besides the Aldritts, some of the other pioneers were from England, Zachariah Dent, 1839; Henry W. Daniel, 1838; Samuel Ressell, 1838. From Scotland, Samuel Currie; 1839; William Wilson, 1839; and John Wilson, 1839. In honor to the 'Scotch element, there is peculiar propriety in naming the township Clyde after the famous river at Glasgow.

Ten miles northeast of Morrison, in Clyde township, is situated the only private charity in Whiteside. This is Mt. Carmel Faith Missionary Training Home and Orphanage. It is undenominational, and depends upon the promises of God and prayer of faith to supply its needs. Very much in the spirit of Spurgeon's Orphanage in London, Francke's institution at Halle, or George Muller's at Bristol, England. There are forty acres in the property deeded by the generosity of Mr. and Mr?. A. G. Zook. There are several houses for the school proper, besides the buildings for farm purposes. Two wells and some unfailing springs afford an abundant supply of water.

the wood pile in 1899, God met Mr. Zook, definitely calling him to yield his property and himself for service. A new move, but the assurance was clear that it was to be a training home for Christian worker.-;. It was soon learned that the earnest laborers in Chicago in this field were overrun with -neglected and homeless children. They were praying for relief, and here was their opportunity. On March 1, 1900, the home was opened. The first child was received April 6. In August, 1901, a new step was taken by faith, the editing of a paper. Its name, Soul Food, is significant of its purpose.

From time to time children were brought into the orphanage from Chicago and from surrounding towns. The object of the work is not to put children into private homes, but to provide proper care and training in the orphanage, and bring up the neglected children in ways that will make them useful Christian men and women. Only children will be accepted who will be allowed to remain till they are eighteen, so that parents may not reclaim them before they are firmly established in right principles. There are three features in the discipline of the young people: the day school, religious instruction, and industrial training. Each day is begun with an hour of worship.

All are expected to take part in the affairs of the establishment. The boys do the chores, cut the wood, help about the field and garden. Each has a small garden spot to exercise his taste and ability. The girls assist in the household and in the care of the younger children. Good health has been a blessing vouchsafed to the little family. The laws of proper living are observed. The nervous and debilitated children from the city with country air and diet and exercise soon gain appetite, digestion, clear skins and bright eyes.

But more room is an imperative necessity, or the work cannot enlarge. More children cannot be taken because there is no place to receive them. In 1904, the last report, the family consisted of thirty children ranging from two months to fifteen years, all well and active. There are five workers. Very soon a. Missionary Training Home is expected to be an active department. There are constant calls for men and "women qualified for evangelistic work, to carry the gospel to darkened minds at home and abroad. The printing press is proving an important factor in the preparation of gospel workers. While setting type the boys are gathering a fund of useful information. A while the farm had been rented but now an overseer in charge provides employment for the lads, and thus an income is secured from the land.

From a booklet of By-laws we glean several items of interest. No salaries are paid to any worker. There must be simplicity of dre«. Purity and temperance are demanded in all things. All workers are encouraged to make special study of the Bible, and to spend much time in secret prayer. Punctuality must be observed in rising and retiring, and in attendance at th^ table. There are only four articles in the simple confession of faith, and this is the second: We believe in a definite work of sanctification by grace, cleansing the heart from all sin, and making the body the temple of the Holy Ghost.

To set forth the needs of the home and the spirit of the institution, a small, three-column paper of four pages is published monthly at Morrison, with A. G. Zook as editor, and A. Myrtle Zook and May L. Donaldson, associate editors. The subscription price is low, and two hundred more patrons are needed to make the journal self-supporting. "Soul Food" is the suggestive title of the paper. No secular topics are discussed, the whole aim being to encourage faith and pious meditation. Bishop Ken's hymn seems to pervade the columns:

Near Malvern is a horticultural enterprise that has grown steadily from a small beginning. In 1882 Lee Horning conceived the plan of a vineyard, and planted several thousand vines of different varieties. Some not yielding well were replaced with Concord and Moore's Early, which nourished till 1900, when the severe winter froze them so they had to be replanted. Now they are in good bearing condition. It was his intention to market the fresh fruit, but it was attended with so much drudgery, that he decided to make the crop into wine. His plan has proved successful, but has required the expenditure of time, money, and perseverance: In order to give the proper flavor, age is a necessary condition, and he keeps the wine in storage from eight to ten years, before placing on market. As this storage requires much room, underground cellars of stone, steel and cement had to be constructed, as well as cold air ducts to afford proper ventilation. An acetylene system furnishes abundant light. Two of his products he takes special pleasure in recommending, the unfermented wine for church service, and the pure article for medicinal use. Mr. Horning is justly proud of his establishment, and is always glad to welcome visitors to its examination.

Various Items

Isaac Fletcher, who died in Morrison in March, 1908, was a citizen of Clyde for forty years. He and his wife came from England in 1860, purchased a farm in the township, and by industry acquired a competence sufficient to enable them to retire when health failed to a cottage in Morrison. He was nearly 82.