Deer Park Township

Deer Park Township

Deer Park, called after the romantic grotto of that name, which lies within its borders, is eomposed of that part of T. 33, R. 2, lying south of the Illinois river, and that portion of T. 92, R. 2 lying north of the Vermillion. It oceupies the point between the two rivers, and is nearly in the shape ofa triangle, A considerable portion of ite territory is covered by the bottom and bluff timber along the streams, and much mineral wealth will be extracted from those bluffs; coal, fireclay, and stone, for lime and for building purposes, exist in large quantities, The high ridge of prairie extending through Farm Ridge, extends through this town, but is broaden, giving the whole town a high rolling fage, with wx.

Martin Reynolds, and wife, Elizabeth Hitt, came from Champaign County, Ohio; removed to Jacksonville [11., in 1827, and in 1829 located on S. 29, T. 33, R. 2, in present town of Deer Park; the first settler in the town. For the purpose of securing educational advantages for his children, in 1838 he removed to Ogle County and assisted in establishing and sustaining the Mt. Morris Academy. He returned to his farm in Deer Park in 1844, where he resided until his death. His wife died in 1849, leaving six children, (Mr. Reynolds subsequently married the widow Thurston): Joseph, married, and lived near the old homestead, where he died in 1870; James C., married Caroline Clayton, and resides on 8. 28, T. 33, R. 2, a large farmer and stock dealer, has been Supervisor of the town several terms, the first Anglo-Saxon born in Deer Park ; Robert, occupies the old homestead; Margaret, married B. T. Phelps, and lives in Ottawa; Caroline, married Joseph Gum; Elizabeth, married L P. Sanger, formerly of Ottawa and Joliet, now in Utah.

Joseph Reynolds, brother of the foregoing, from Champaign County, Ohio, came to Deer Park in the spring of 1830, where his three sons, Smith, Newton, and Milton, had located the previons fall, on what is now the Clayton farm; they sold the elaim to Vroman, and located at Troy Grove, the first settlers in that locality.

family, and made a farm on the point of prairie just above the junction of the Vermillion and Dlinois and between the two rivers, in the summer of 1834. In 1888 he removed to Ogle County, in company with Martin Reynolds, to obtain « better opportunity for educating their children. He remained there until his death in 1854, leaving thirteen children; Eliza, married Caleb Hitt, brother to her stepmother, Wallace's second wife, and Mrs. Martin Reynolds; Mary Berry, died single; Josiah, was a merchant, and died in Chicago unmarried; William H. L., was killed at the battle of Shiloh (see Ottawa); Sarah Ann, is the wife of Dr. R. Shackleford, of Ohio; Thomas, died at La Salle on his way home from Wisconsin; Margaret, died single; Martin R. M., was Major and promoted to Lieut. Colonel and Colonel of 4th Cavalry, and breveted Brigadier-General - was assessor of interna] revenue for First District, Ilinois, and in November, 1809, was elected County Judge in Chicago - his wife is Emma, daughter of George W. Gilson - he has a large family ; Barbara, married William T. Gooper, of Polo, Ogle County; John Fletcher, died of yellow fever, in Texas, in 1867; Elisha Berry, was the first of the family born in La Salle County, went South in 1856, and has not been heard from since 1869; Matthew HL W., enlisted in the 4th cavalry and was drowned at Cairo; Caleb Hitt, married V_ Belle, youngest daughter of Judge T. Ik Dickey, and is living in the Sandwich Islands.

tions 38 und 36, T. 33, R. 2, in town of Deer Park, In 1831, with a family of seven children. A woman of great energy and business capacity. She died in 1871, aged 82 years. Her children were: John &., living in town of Mission; George W. in Brookfield; William E. died in Ottawa; Joel W., {sce below); Jeremiah died in California ; Perry lives in Morris, Grundy County, lawyer and member of the legistature ; and one son, who lives in California. Joel W. Armstrong came from Ohio with his mothers family in 1831, married Cordelia Champlin, and settled on Sections 33 and 86, T. 33, R. 2; was a large farmer and stock dealer; he was # teamster with the army in the Black Hawk war when a mere lad ; hw held the office of County Recorder; was several terms Justice of the Peace and Town Supervisor; a good business man and prominent citizen. He died in 1871, leaving five children. Malford, his oldest son, died before his father, just after graduating at the Chicago University with the first honors - much 3 Was a young man of great promise, Nellie married EB. C. Lewis, and lives on the old homestead ; Julia married Isaac Smead, and lives at Normal; Cora, Walter and. Hart are at home. Judge Isaac Dimmick, and wife, Clarissa Norton, from Wayne County, Pa., came West in the spring of 1838; he returned and brought out his family in the fall, and located at Vermillionville. He laid out 'and was the owner of the town of Vermillionville, which promised well for a time, but like many other towns of that day, refused to grow faster than the surrounding country, and was forced, with them, eventually to yield the palm to the railroad centres. Mr. Dimmick held the office of Judge in Pennsylvania, and was County Commissioner for several terms here. He removed to Ottawa, where he died, aged 91, His children were: Lawrence W., who came with his father in 1833, married Cynthia Jenks, was Deputy Surveyor, and settled on T. 82, R. 2, where he died in 1852; Esther, married Dea. Wood, she died in 1856; Dr. L, N., a physician, married and practiced at Freedom, then at Ottawa, where he kept a drug store, and is now living at Santa Barbara, California; Philo C., married Sarah Yost, and for his second wife, Miss Stewart - occupied the old farm, then joined his brother in the drug store In Ottawa, now at Santa Barbara, California; Ann, with her mother, lives in Ottawa; Olive, is now the widow of James Van Doren, and lives in Ottawa,

Dr. James T. Bullock, from Rehoboth, Mass. He left there for Ilinois in 1885, by the way of Providence, New York, Albany, Cleveland, Portsmouth, Ohio, and the Ohio,- Mississippi and Ilinois rivers, and reached La Salle County on January 2d, 1836. He settled at Vermillionville, and at once commenced practice as @ physician, which he followed snecessfully for forty years. His Iterary education was completed at Brown University, Rhode Island, and he took his medical course at Boston. He died October, 1875, highly respected as aman and physician. He married Nancy Barrows of Massachusetts, who survives him. His children are: Sarah, who married Rev. Mr. Dickinson, and lives in Massachusetts; Ella married Robt.Galloway, who died in 1809, she is now the wife of Mr. Hay, and is living at Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory ; Prank W. married Agnes Baird, is a physician, and succeeds to his father's practice; Lena lives with her mother,

John Hollinger, from Champaign County, Ohio, in 1833; settled on Section 4, T. 82, R, 2; died Jan. 4th, 1836, His widow married Thomas J. Potter in 1838, and died September 24, 1840, The Hollinger children are: John D., who married, and lives at Granville, Putnam County; Martin H., married, and lives in Page County, [owa; Maria H. is dead; Harry ©., married, a physician at Salt Lake City; Wr §., married, living in De Witt County, Towa ; Blizabeth, deceased ; Caroline 8., wife of James Holman, of Deer Park ; Mary A. Barbary, married, and moved to Iowa, both herself and husband were killed by lightning.

Jason Wiswal), from Susquehanna County, Pa., spring of 1833, by way of Ohio, Mississippi and Tilinois rivers, and by Chicago home. In 1835, in company with Enos Thatcher, came through from Pennsylvania by «wagon, with his wife, Sally Stanley, and family, and settled on S. 12, T. 2, R. 2 He died in 1875, aged 92, « quiet, honest, worthy man. His wife died 1852. His children were: Jason P. and William; Emily, wife of Matthew R. Coon; Jane, wife of Cook Elliott and afterwards of Harvey Kingsley.

way of Chicago, fall of 1833, made a farm onS. 10, and in 1835 sold claim to E. and R. B. Williams and located on Secs. 12 and 13, T. 82, R. 2, where he is now living; has been Justice of the Peace for several years, and Town Supervisor, His children are: Adaline, who married Jacob Cadwell, and lives in California; Hannah, married Alfred Symonds, and lives in California; Caroline, married M. McMillan, now in Iowa; Harriet, married Alexander Cadwell, now in California ; Julia, married O. Paine, lives in La Salle County; Jerusha, married James Garrison, at Grand Ridge, UL ; Edwin, at home.

William Wiswall, brother of Jason P., and wife, Louisa Case, from same place, came by the rivers in the fall of 1834; settled on 8. 12, T. 32, R, 2. His wife died in 1856. With his two sons, Bruce and Ferris, and danghter Sarah, moved to Colorado.

Jedediah Beckwith, and wife, from Wayne County, Pa,, in 1833 came to Hennepin, Patnam County, and to Deer Park in 1834; made a farm on 8. 13, 'T. 32, R, 2; died, 1838; leaving two children: Horace, married Miss Collins, and moved to Iowa; Emily, is a seamstress, and lives at Wenona, this county.

Bradish Cummings, and wife, Sophia Sergeant, from Ware, Massachusetts, in 1834, settled on S. 11, T. 82, R.2. His wife died in April, 1885. He married Betsey Hatch, from Connecticnt, in 1886. Sold his farm to Nathan Applebee, and moved to Brooklyn, Iowa. His children are: Sergeant, who mar ried Mary Hi Henry, married Mary Peck; William, married Susan Crasen ; and Charlee - haye all four settled in Iowa , Sophia, ee Samuel J. Hayes, and lives in Farm Ridge; Frances, married Moreland Francis, and lives in Iowa; Almira and Maria, children of the second wile, went with their parents to Towa.

Camp Hateh, and wife, Miss Ambler, from New Preston. Ct., in the spring of 1834. settled on S. 9, T. 52,R.2. He died in the fall of 1835. His widow married Jabez Whiting.

Jabez Whiting, from England, came to Vermil- Hionville in 1886; married the widow of Camp Hatch, and in 1869 or '70 moved to Iowa. Held the office of Justice of the Peace one term. Had two sons: Adolphus and Jobn - all in Iowa.

Matthew R. Coon, and wife, Emily Wiswall, from Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1884, with William Wiswall, came by the rivers, and settled on 8. 12, T. 82, R. 2; moved to Iowa about 1845, and from there to California, where he died, leaving four children.

Enos Thatcher, and wife, A. Case, came from Pennsylvania in wagons, with Jason Wiswall, in 1836, and settled on S. 12, T 82. R.2; served as Constable for several years ; a teacher and leader of sacred music. His wife died in 1838; hisson Henry, and daughter Elizabeth, who married Godfrey Lin eoln, are both in Oregon. My. Thatcher married a second wife, who with their children, George and Celia, reside in Livingston Coumy. Mr. Thatcher is now with his children In Oregon,

Pa., in the fall of 1838, and settled on 8. 33, T. 82, R. 2; his wife died in 1848; he is still living with his son-in-law, J. P. Wiswall, at the ripe age of 90, His children were one son and the daughters: Franklin, who married. Harriet Hubbard, and settled on 8. 26, T. 38, R.2 - was a joiner by trade, and a successful farmer - he died in 1866, leaving eight children; Julia, married J. P. Wiswall; Sophia, married Lewis Rugg, and resides in Pontiac ; Minerva, married James M. Leonard - died in 1875.

Harvey Hatch (deaf and dumb), came from New Preston, Cona., a brother of Dr, Jethro Hateh and of Mre. Bradish Cummings, settled on S. 10; married, and removed to Galesburg, where he is now living.

Rev, Thomas Powell, a Baptist clergyman, and his wife, Elizabeth Day, came from Saratoga, N_Y., in June. 1836, and located on 8, 14, T. 32, R. 2, but resided and preached at Vermillionville ; was pastor of the church at that place nine years ; he was the pioneer Baptist of this region, and formed a large number of vburches in La Salle and adjoining counties , he was a faithiul and earnest worker, and the denomination owes him a debt of gratitude for the work le has accomplished ; he is living in OF tawa in good health at a ripe old age, His elildren are: Euphemia, widow of Mr. Foote, living with ler daughter in Urtawa; Barbara Ann, marred Mr Jacoby, she is now deceased ; William 'T., is now in Mary B., married H. 0. Strawn, and lives in Ottawa ; Sarah P., is deceased ; Benjamin R., is in Dubuque, Iowa ; Jobn D,, isin Chicago; Truman

Livingston Jenks, and wife, came from Bradford County, Ps., in 1838; settled at Vermillionville ; served as Justice of the Peace for several years; he died at Tontea in 1870 ; his widow died in 1872. His children are: Oliver, a physician in Marengo, IL, Chancellor, a lawyer in Chicago; Charles, is in California ; Morgan and John, are in Chicago; Cynthia, is the widow of L. W. Dimmick; Nancy, is martied; Sarah, married Mr. Shed ; Abbey, is in California; Olive, married Dr, Jennings, and they are also in California.

Tra L, Peck, came from Saratoga, N. Y., and settled in Vermillionville. In 1835, he married Miss Allen, and subsequently a second wife; he is deerased ; his family are in Towa, His children were : Mary, who married Henry Cammings ; Ira, is married ; Jane, Wayland, and Jolia, are at home.

David Olark, and his wife, Debby Ann Gorbet, eame from Clermont County, Ohio, in 1896, and Settled at Vermillion, where he worked at his trade for several years, then removed to Utica, and is now living in Waltham; a good blacksmith, and an honest man,

Andrew Kirkpatrick, and his wife, Ann Lefevre, came from Champaign County, Ohio, in the fall of '1897, and settled on S. 8, T. 32, R. 2; is a potter by trade; and for several years carried on the mannfacture of stone ware ; he died in the spring of 1866, and left five sons, and two danghters: John, married Rebecca Brant, 2d wife, Mary Mays, now in Texas; Nathaniel, is in Southern Illinois ; Sarah Ann, married Lloyd C. Knapp, and died Jan. 6, 1857; Cornwell, and Wallace, manufacture stone ware, at Anna, Union County; Andrew, married Anna Woodward, and died in 1853; Murray, married Diantha Baldwin, and lives in Lowell; Mary Jane, married Alfred Slater, and lives at Metropolis, Til.

James M. Leonard, came from Middleborough, Plymouth County, Mass., in the spring of 1834, and settled at Vermillionville. He married, second wife, Minerva Dimmick. In company with Seth Baton, he erected a dam and saw-mill on the Vermillion, in April, 1835, and completed a flouring mill in 1836; the company kept a store, and for several years did a heavy business in the flouring mill, but were unfortunate in losing their dam several times. Mr, Leonard died in 1852, leaving one son and two daughters by his first wife, and one son and one daughter by his last wife, who died in 1874. Manning Leonard, son of above, married Miss Sumner, and died at Tonica, in 1870; Eliza Ann, married Charles Todd, who died of cholera at La Salle in 1852; Fanny, died in 1852,

Seth Eaton, came from Middleborough, Plymonth County, Maseachusetts, in September, 1834, and settled at Vermillionville; was partner with James M. Leonard, in a store, saw, and flonring mill, and is now residing in the wwn of Vermillion; his wife, Miss Allen, died, and he afterward married Maria Bailey. His son, Frank, was killed in the

John Beeson, and his wife, came from England to New York, and to Illinois in 1835, and settled on 8. 6, 7. 32, R.2. He was a radical abolitionist, and lectured upon anti-slavery, temperance, and other reforms; removed to Oregon, and espoused the cause of the red man, and is now on a miasion to the Indian reservations, laboring to get justice done tothe

Indian; an honest, true, but overzealous friend of humanity, and will doubtless find wrongs enough to be righted, to occupy the remainder of his life. He had one son, Welburn, who is residing with his mother, In Oregon.

William Wheatland, and his wife, came from England, to Urbana, Ohio, and from there here in 1835, and settled on S. 3, T. 32, R. 2; he wasa local Methodist preacher; he filled a humble place asa

Edward R. Williams, came from New Milford, Connecticut, in the summer of 1885. He was edueated asa cadet, at West Point, and served asa Veutenant in the United States army, for five years, whien he resigned, and came to Hlinois. He settled on S. 84, T. 33, R. 2, where he still resides. He 'married Huldah Kent, and has four children.

settled on S, 10, T. 82, R. 2, He married Miss Allen ; after her death, he married Sarah Herrington, who lived but a short time; his third wife was the widow Beach, from Connecticut, who also died in 1872. He hastwo children: Jebiel, whe married Inecy White, and lives in Deer Park; and Henrietta, who married a Mr. Holeman, and lives with her father.

William Clayton, and his wife, Elizabeth Pantney, came from near Wellsburg, Virginia, and settled on 8. 28, T. 88, R. 2, in 1834. He bought the claim of Esdell, who bought of Vroman. Vroman bought his claim of Reynolds, and sold to Esdell, who got badly frozen on the prairie, and died at Martin Reynolds'. His administrator, Josiah Seybold, sold the claim to William Clayton. Mr. Clayton has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and Town Supervisor, but bas little taste for office, preferring the quiet of his farming operations, in which he has been very successful, accumulating a handsome property. His wife died in 1876. His children are: James, who married Sarah Clayton, and settled on 8. 21 - removed to Colorado, and was murdered when out prospecting; Caroline, married James ©. Reynolds; Sarah, married David Dick, who lives on S. 22; William married Miss Ostrander, and lives on 8. 92; John, married Jnlia Suydam, and lives adjoining William - both are successful and prosperous farmers; George, went to Colorado, and while taking a drove of cattle and horses from New Mexico to Colorado was murdered, probably by his Mexican assistants - his body was found unburied ebildren: Mary B., married William Gray, and have resided in Deer Park; Emma, married a Mr, Davis - her second husband was Mr. Haines ; Robert, died of cholera.

William Gray came from Rhode Island, in 1837; a carpenter by trade; married Mary Brown, and settled and still lives on 8. 2, T. 88, R.2. They have two children: Arthur, who married Belle Bane; his present wife is Candace Fuller - he lives in Streator; Fanny, married James Chase, now at her father's.

Job G. Lincoln came from Middleborough, Mass, with William Gray, in 1837; 2 carpenter by trade, Married Elizabeth Thatcher, and settled on S. 2, T. $2, R. 2; removed to Oregon.

John Clark, and wife, Sarah Cooky from Grafton, N. H., came in 1839, and settled on S. 10, T, $2, R, 2. Mrs. Clark died in 1845; he died in September, 1872, leaving five children: Charles, married Olive Slater, and lives in Missouri; Moody, died single; John, married Rachel Merritt, and lives in Barean County; Lydia, married William Ellsworth, and lives on the old farm; Sarah, married John Elliott, and lives in Vermillion.

Ebenezer Little, and wife, Phebe Palmer, from New Hampshire, in 1838, and settled on 8. 9, T, 88, R. 2. Hedied in September, 1839; his widow died in February, 1864. They left seven children; George, is married, and lives in Southern Tiinois; Charles, a graduate of Hamilton College, came West, in 1840, and died soon after; Moses, married Miss Cook, died in Lowa; Fernal, lives in South-

Dr. Thomas W. Hennesey, of La Salle, now living in Dimmick; Alexander, married Harriet Wiswall, they are living in California; Sheldon, is a Baptist clergyman, married Martha Adams, and lives in Deer Park; Jacob, married Adeline Wiswall, they are in California ; Lyman, married Cordelia Brown, now in Iroquois County; George, married Mary Elizabeth King, and occupies the old homestead.

Michael O'Connor and wife, Sarah Lane, from Treland to New York, from there to La Salle, and on to 8, 36, T. 33, R. 2, in 1838, Four sons, John, 'Thomas, Michael and Martin, were born in Ireland; Elizabeth, married; Elias, May and Edward, at home. Mr. O'Connor is deceased. He gave each child eighty acres of land; to William, who is insane, 160; to the widow and two youngest children, 160. He died about 1866.

William Turner, from Kentucky in 1889, Settled on Section 35. He married Nancy Argabright. They both died of milk sickness near the same time, leaving nine children: Fletcher, Arthur, Elizabeth, Jane, Melissa, James, John, Martha, and George.

Mr. Argubright, from Ohio. Settled in the west part of Deer Park about i837 or'8. He died soon, leaving several children; Andrew, married Catharine Trout, and died in 1847; Jacob; Nancy, marvied William Turner; and James.

Micah Pratt, from Massachusetts about 1838. Manufactured brick near Lowell, and then settled 'on Section 20, where he died in 1870. One danghter, married Abner Gray, now in Livingston County ; 'one son, Delbert, died in the army.

Mr, Ellis, from Canada, made a claim on Section 1 in 1833, and sold to Norris. Norris made a small improvement, sold, and left. Ellis died soon after, and his widow became insane,