Downers Grove Township

Grove

"Tins town is in the southeast corner of Du Pace County, and embraces nearly one and one third townships of land. It was first settled in 1832, by Pierce Downer (not by Wells and Grant, as stated in our table) who emigrated to Illinois from Jefferson county, New York.

"He was at that time a man of unusual physical powers, energetic, and capable of great endurance. He is still living at the advanced age of seventy-five years, and although his bodily health is somewhat impaired, more by the weight of years than by disease, yet his mind retains the full vigor of youth. His habits are temperate, industrious and studious. In order to impart a correct understanding of the early settlement of this part of the county, it may be as well to state that Downer's grove, proper, is a body of timber, containing about one section, and lies mostly on sections six and seven of township 38. N. of R. 11. E. It derived its name from the first settler who made his claim in and near it. Subsequently the whole township received the same name. Mr. Downer's settlement was followed the next year by his son Stephen, Mr. Wells and Mr. Cooley. The claim made by Mr. Downer was on the north side of the grove; that of his son was on the east side; and that of Messrs. Wells and Cooley was at the southeast extremity of the large prairie which stretches away some three miles toward the north, five miles toward the south, and three miles toward the west. An important object of the first settlers was to secure a large amount of good timber, hence we find most of our pioneers made their claims on the borders of the groves and forests. r

"The country about the grove had not then been surveyed, and the settlers marked their claims in divers ways; some by sticking stakes; some by plowing a furrow around them; while others, more greedy, were like Franklin's philosopher, anxious to grasp more than they could hold, and claimed all the eye could survey, at one long look, in each direction. From this inordinate development of acquisitiveness, many quarrels originated respecting claims. With all the broad extent of unoccupied territory around them, it would seem impossible that men, in order to protect their rights, should have been obliged to 'make a display of squatter sovereignty ; but so it was. The first trouble about claims in this town was between Mr. Downer and Messrs Cooley and Wells, and here is Mr. Downer's version of the matter.

"¢T went to Chicago one day to buy some provisions, and on returning, thought I saw some one working near the northeast corner of the grove. I went home and deposited my cargo (a back load), and although very tired, went out to reconnoitre my premises. To my great surprise I found Wells and Cooley had commenced erecting a cabin on my claim. I went to a thicket close by and cut a hickory gad, but found I had no power to use it, for I was so mad that it took my strength all away. So I sat down and tried to cool off a little, but my excitement only cooled trom a sort of violent passion to deep and downright indignation. To think that my claim should be invaded, and that too, by the only two white men besides myself then at the grove, made the vessel of my wrath to simmer like a pent sea over a burning volcano. I could sit still no longer. So I got up and advanced towards them, and the nearer I approached the higher rose the temperature of my anger, which, by the time I got to them, was flush up to the boiling point. I said nothing, but pitched into them, shelalah in hand, and for about five minutes did pretty good execution. But becoming exhausted and being no longer able to keep them at bay, they grappled with me, threw me on the ground, and after holding me down a short time, they seemed to come to the conclusion that 'discretion was the better part of valor' and let me up, when they ran one way and I the other, no doubt leaving blood enough upon the field of action to induce a stray prairie wolf to stop and take a passing snuff as he went that way. But, sir, they did'nt come again to jump my claim.'

"The Grove at an early day was one of the favorite camping grounds of an Indian chief of the Potawattomies, called Waubansie. Here hg used to come with his warriors and remain for several days together, and always continued on the most friendly terms with the settlers.

that it could never be genérally settled on account of the scarcity of timber, and up to 1836, only eight or ten families had settled at the grove. In 1835, Mr. I. P. Blodgett one of the first settlers at the east branch in Lisle, sold out his claim there, and bought that of Jumper Wells in this town.

"Mr. Blodgett was a blacksmith by trade, a most worthy man and really a great accession to the settlement, not only as a mechanic, but as a correct and upright man. He was formerly from Massachusetts, and possessed New England habits of industry, morals and economy, which did much for the improvement of society in the new settlement. Here Mr. Blodgett built a shop, and, at that time, made the best plows to be found in the country. We would not be understood to mean by this remark that they were better than the modern productions of Messrs. Vaughan and Peck, but those who know the difficulties which were encountered before the scouring plows were introduced, can properly appreciate the good qualities of the plows made by Mr. Blodgett. It is true that the operation was something like plowing with a hemlock limb, yet they were the best plows we had, and so we used them. To one who has never held a plow that would not scowr, all this may be uninteresting, but ask an old settler, What would be the severest test of human endurance? and he will no doubt answer, 'Being obliged to use a plow that will not clear itself." If a man can do that guiltless of profanity he is unquestionably an upright person.

Stanley, Levi C. Aldrich, Garry Smith, Samuel Curtis, J. R. Adams, David Page, Henry Carpenter, Walter Blanchard, J. W. Walker and Horace Aldrich. The county at this time was being settled very fast by new comers, and the interests of the settlers began to clash. The claims extended around the entire grove. No questions arose respecting prairie claims, for it was the timber that all were after. Mr. Horace Aldrich had come in trom Jefferson county, New York, and Mr. Downer had selected a claim of timber and prairie for him. It was not long before he discovered that Asa Carpenter was intruding (we dare not say trespassing) upon his timber claim. Mr. Carpenter was cutting timber for fencing, and swore he would persist in doing so, for he had as good aright there as any other man. The neighbors advised with him, but it was of no use. They remonstrated, but the effect was the same. They finally threatened, but this only made the old man swear like the army in Flanders. The neighbors then held a consultation among themselves, and decided to apply squatter sovereignty to the old man's case. Accordingly they met at a stated time, and went to the place where they found him busily engaged getting out rails. They requested him to leave the claim, but the old man swore positively that he would do no such thing. One of the settlers proceeded to cut along hickory gad, and the powerful hand that had wielded the same persuasive argument on a former occasion, was again called into requisition. After about a dozen blows had been industriously applied to his back and legs, Carpenter proposed a brief cessation of hostilities, that he might argue the

18U HISTORY OF question with them. The request was complied with, but-the conversation soon waxed warm, and the hickory was again applied with redoubled vigor. This was too much for poor human nature to bear, and Carpenter, putting every power of pedestrianism which he had, in operation, left the crowd without even thanking them for this first practical lesson in squatter sovreignty.

"These were the only instances where personal violence was employed to settle claim feuds. Claim protecting societies were formed similar to those already noticed in another part of this book; agreements were entered into to deed and re-deed, and when the lands were surveyed and came into market, each settler received all he had justly claimed.

" The first school in this town was started in 1839, and taught by Norman G. Hurd. It was kept in the back part of a log house, owned by Mr. Samuel Curtis. This was a private enterprise, and by shifting from one old building to another, the school was kept going from five to six months during the year, for some four years.

"Tn 1844 a school-house was built, and is yet oceupied by the district. For a full description of this building we refer the reader to a report of Rev. Hope Brown, while commissioner, by which its reputation suffered some, but since the Reverend gentleman has left the county, the old house stands fair.

"What has. been said relates more particularly to the settlement of Downer's grove proper, than to the township of that name, for the reason that all, excepting five or six sections of the township, was upon the old Indian survey, and not subject to the difficulties which attended the settlement of the unsurveyed portion of it.

"It may be said, and truthfully, that, in a moral and physical point of view, the inhabitants of this township stand on high vantage ground ; and yet they claim to be no better, and no smarter than their neighbors. In concluding our chapter on this town, we propose to sketch some of the incidents and practices, more common at an early day than now.

"Until within a few years, this part of the county was infested with wolves, which were a source of great annoyance to the whole community. The farmers, however, were the principal sufferers by their depredations; for sometimes whole flocks were destroyed and scattered by them in a single night. To rid the country of these mischievous animals, it was the custom for all who were able to "bear arms," to rally once every year for a wolf hunt, which was usually a scene of much amusement, and oftentimes of the most intense excitement. These expeditions were conducted in various ways. The general hunt, which was perhaps the most common, was conducted upon the following plan :

"Notice of the time of starting, the extent of country to be traveled over, and of the place of meeting, which was usually at the common centre of the circle of territory to be traversed, was first given to all the participants in the hunt. At an early hour on the morning of the day appointed, the hunters assembled and chose a captain for each company, whose duty it was to station members of the company at short intervals upon the circumference of the circle alluded to, and then the game was completely surrounded. Ata given time the line of hunters began their march, and when they had approached near enough to the centre to close in and form a solid line, they halted and remained stationary, while the captains advanced with their sharp shooters to ascertain whether any game had been surrounded. If an unlucky wolf or deer had been.drawn into the snare, upon making his appearance before the lines, he was sure to be riddled by rifle balls. We have been informed by one who frequently participated in hunts of this kind, that he had known of sixty wolves and as many deer being killed in one day. This mode of hunting the deer seemed altogether too cruel and cowardly in the eyes of some, but no scruples were entertained in thus exterminating the mischievous, thieving wolves. To see the harmless deer penned up with no chance of escaping, darting about bewildered, with eyes almost starting from their sockets, and then to see them slaughtered in the manner described, appeared cruel in the « extreme. The mode of honda wolves adopted by the settlers at Downer's grove, was different from that described, and obviated the appearance of cruelty in slaying the deer.

"The wolf hunt was a source of amusement in this town for years, and whenever a wolf dared to show his head above the prairie grass, the boys were instantly in pursuit of him. The pursuers usually went on horseback, carrying in the hand a short club, and the captain of the company was the one who had the swiftest horse. The plan of action was to spread out in every direction and scour the prairie until the game was started, when by a peculiar yell, the whole company was called together and the chase commenced. Every horse was now put to his utmost speed, and with his rider, would go flying over the prairie like the wind. It is utterly impossible to describe the wild excitement that attended the wolf chase. Generally arace of from three to five miles would bring J/r. Wolf down; then, the day's sport would be ended, and the party would return home in a sort of triumphal procession, bearing the fallen hero. Such reckless, headlong riding was attended with much hazard, and although no serious accident ever happened to the riders, yet it is surmised that the horses might have suffered from ring-bones and spavins induced by undue speed.

" At one of the last of these hunts a circumstance occurred which may be classed with the serio-comic, as it at first assumed a serious phase, and then, as circumstances changed, became thoroughly ludicrous. Ona cold, blustering morning in January, 1846, the boys (men) started out fora hunt. Wolves were becoming scarce, and the party wandered off some five or six miles, to the north of what was then known as the Duzenberry claim. The new settlers had commenced fencing their lands, and at several places before coming to this claim the party had been obliged to dismount and remove the obstruction, but here they found a ditch fence, which terminated at a great distance on the open prairie, and was built upon the supposition that the cattle could not, or would not go around it, consequently there was no fence on the back side.

fence opposite to the party, and although their horses had been trained to jumping, yet an attempt to leap it would only land both horse and rider floundering in a deep snow bank.

"While holding a consultation to decide upon some method of surmounting the barrier, a wolf started from a thicket and crossed the path only a few rods from them. Every man instantly wheeled into line, and as quick as thought darted on after the affrighted animal. In the language of one of the company, 'the wolf was a large, gaunt old chap, and promised to give us a long pull and a strong pull.' Gard had a fine smart little pony, that would run like the wind, and he led the company. The chase led us far out into the prairie, and before long we found ourselves running inside of the fences on the Duzenberry claim, in a southerly direction, and would soon have to clear one of the ditch fences. There were fifteen horsemen spread out in a line, every man plying the whip and spur, and every horse at the top of his speed. We came to the fence, which the wolf cleared about two rods in advance of Gard, and as he came up, his horse seeming to partake of the general excitement, made a bold leap, clearing the ditch fence in fine style; but unfortunately landing in a snow bank, the horse stumbled and fell, plunging entirely out of sight - at the same time throwing Gard over his head and burying him beneath the snow. To the party in the rear it appeared as though the earth had swallowed up both horse and rider, as the fence and snow partially concealed the scene from their view. Not a rider attempted to check the headlong speed of his horse until he had cleared the fence. Some of the foremost horses made a second leap, which carried them completely over the prostrate horse of the first rider. The first thought was for Gard. The general exclamation was, 'Tle is dead!' and an awful gloom sat upon the countenance of all. While thus solemnly ruminating upon his almost inevitable fate, the party were not a little astounded at beholding him rise, Pheenix like, from his bed of snow, among the floundering horses.

Among the company was Alden Stanley, a noble, fine fellow, (alas! he has gone to his long home,) who was standing by, very much excited. He wore a buffalo coat, made like a frock, cut off at the knees. Soon atter Gard came out of the snow, his horse, for the first time, suddenly made his appearance, and seemed very much frightened. The first thing that attracted his attention was Stanley's buffalo coat, and wheeling, he kicked at it like a flash of lightning, carrying away one entire skirt. At this juncture the wolf was discovered about a mile distant, standing upon an elevation and looking back over his shoulder. Taking it all in all, this was one of the most laughable farces I ever witnessed, passing, as it did, from one extreme of feeling to another, and so suddenly too, that none knew whether to laugh or cry until we were just ready to remount and resume the chase, when it was first discovered by Stanley that he had lost one ot his coat skirts. The attention of the company was drawn to the fact by Stanley's remarking that some of his comrades had dressed their sheep skin; and this brought down the house with a loud roar. After mounting their horses, the company started again, jehu-like, in pursuit of the wolf; and within five minutes from the time of the new start Mr. Wolf had surrendered unconditionally to superior foree. I think the wolves even, were superstitious about the Downer's Grove boys, and made it a practice to give up at once when they were on their track. Many of the boys are still living, and reside at or near the grove. Of these may be mentioned Hon. W. Blanchard, D. C. Stanley, John Stanley, L. Stanley, Emerson Stanley, Charles Curtis, E. E. Downer. Ah, when we come to call the roll, there are more missing than we thought for. And now where are they? Well, the Adamses are in California, the Curtises are at Wheaton, Henry Blodgett is an attorney at Waukegan, Israel Blodgett is in California, Daniel has gone to his last resting place, Asel is in railroad business, and - and - in fact, there are not as many left as I thought there were ; but there are yet enough to get upa good game of ball now and then."

There are four societies of Protestants and one of Catholics in the town. The Methodist Episcopal society was the first to establish preaching at the Grove, which was as early as 1839. Father Ged, as he was called - an itinerant preacher of that denomination - used to come across the prairies on foot from Barber's Corners, with undeviating regularity, to preach to the people here. The adverse changes of the weather made no difference with him; and wherever he had an appointment he was sure to meet it, in spite of heat or cold, wind or rain. Nothing but a sincere desire to do good could have induced him to undergo, voluntarily, the hardships to which his itinerancy subjected him. He succeeded in forming a small society at the Grove, where preaching has been regularly sustained ; and the infant church has grown to be quite numerous. This society has a good meeting house, which was built in 1852. We give some statistics relating to this church. The society was regularly organized in June, 1851, by Rev. Mr. Grundy, with the following named members: J. P. Cotes, Mary C. Cotes, Nancy E. Cotes, Norman G. Hurd, Antoinette Hurd, Eliza Bakeman, Anne Page, Lester Hunt, and Dorcas

The whole number of members on record is thirtysix. The number of Sabbath school scholars is eightyfive; and the number of volumes in the library is three hundred.

The Methodists have another society and church in that division of the south part of this township called Cass. The first effort towards organizing the church - at Cass, was made by the Rey. Elihu Springer, in 1834.

The original members of this church were Hart L. Cobb, Betsey Cobb, George Jackson, Louisa Hill, and John Covely. There are now twenty members cf the society, forty members of the Sabbath school, and three hundred volumes in the library.

A society of Congregationalists was organized in this town in March, 1837, by the Rev. N. OC. Clark. The first members were G. E. Parmalee, John A. Richards, Dexter Stanley, Henry Puffer, Nancy Stanley, Susan S. Parmalee, Lucia Puffer, Elizabeth M. Puffer, and Hannah P. Puffer. The pastors in regular succession, have been:

The Baptist Church was organized under the labors of the Rev. Mr. Holt, in 1853, with about thirty members. Among the most active members in forming this society were Edward Goodenough, Albin Lull, and Norman Gilbert. The same year it was organized, the society erected a church edifice, which was an honor to those who projected and carried out the enterprise. No further particulars respecting this church have been obtained.

The Catholics have a church and society at Cass, called the church of St. Patrick. A house of worship was erected in February, 1846, and the society at that time numbered thirty-four. The following table will show who have been its pastors, and also the number of members at different periods since its organization :

The population of Downer's Grove at this time is about 1,200. The people are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and hence the town contains no villages of much importance. Near the north east part of the town there is quite a smart little "huddle," generally known as Brush Till; but at present we believe it is dignified by the title of Fullersburg. The first settlement at Fullersburg was made by Orente Grant, in 1836.

There is another settlement at Lower Cass, in the south part of the town, on the Chicago and Joliet road. The first settlers here were Albin Lull, Dr. Bronson, Hart L. Cobb, Thomas Andrus, and H. Martin. Of this settlement it may be said that its inhabitants are an industrious, enterprising, "good set of folks,' - a high compliment to pay to any community.

The amount paid to teachers in 1856 was $1,048 98. The number of school districts in the town is nine. The highest rate of compensation paid to teachers is

$25 per month. The average number who attend school is about 500; and the average number of months in the year, in which schools are taught, is eight. The average monthly compensation of female teachers has been about fourteen dollars.