Eagle Point Township

Eagle Point Township

Shortly after, two men mounted their horses and galloped to Bufialo Grove for reinforcements. As soon as they were out of reach, the Indians started for Rock River, doubtless guessing their object.

About the time of the attack on Apple River Fort, the Indians attacked three men near Fort Hamilton, in the Wisconsin lead mines, killino- two of them, while the other escaped. Gen. Henry Dodge, who chanced to arrive at the fort soon after, in command of twenty men, started in pursuit, and chased the Indians to Horse Shoe Bend, on the Pecatonica, where tliey had taken shelter and were awaiting an attack from the whites. Gon. Dodge ordered his men to make a charge, and as they approached the place where the Indians lay, they were fired upon. Without giving them an opportunity to reload, the whites sprang upon the s ivages, some of whom tried to escape by swimming. Of the eleven Indians who formed the party, not one escaped. Four of the whites were severely wounded at the first fire, three of whom afterwards died from the effects of their wounds, and the other recovered.

About the 18th of June, a lot of horses had been stolen from Apple River Fort by the Indians, and Capt. James W. Stephenson, in honor of whom our sister county is named, started in pursuit of them. He surrounded them in a small thicket standing in the midst of a prairie, and made three successive charges upon

The Indians now held control of the country. Their war parties prowled about every white man's cauap from Galena to Chicago, and from the Illinoia river to the boundary of Wisconsin. They attacked every white man they came across, and, flushed with their victory, they were prepared for deeper and broader operations. Rut the position of matters soon changed. On the 20th, 21st and 22d of June, Gen. Atkinson took command of the forces assembled on the Illinois River, and put them in motion. Major Dement, with a battalion of spies, pushed forwar 1 and took position at Kellogg's Grove, in the heart of the Indian country. Hearing, on the 20th of June, that the trail of five hundred Indians leading to the south had been seen within a few miles the day before, Major Dement ordered his whole command to be in readiness, while he with twenty mtn started to gain intelligence of their movements. They had gone but a short distance when they discovered seven Indian spies. Followed soon after by some of the men from the camp, he formed about twenty-five of them in line to protect the retreat of those in pursuit. This had hardly been done when three hundred Indians came out to attack them. Seeing himself in great danger of beingsurrounded, the major slowly retired to his camp, closely followed by the savages. I The whole party now took possession of I same log houses, which served them for a fort, where they were vigorously attacked for nearly an hour, when the Indians retreated, leaving nine men dead on t .e field, and probably five others carried away. The whites had five men killed and three wounded. An express had been sent to Gen. Posey, who arrived with his brigade about two hours after the Indians had gone.

When the news of this action reached Dixon, where all the forces under Gen. iitkinson were asseuibled, Alexander's brigade was ordered in the direction of Plum river, to intercept the Indians if they attempted to escape by re-crossiug the river. Gen. Atkinson, after waiting for two days at Dixon, marched up Rock River, accouinanied by Gen. Henry's brigade. Col. Fry and his regiment were sent forward to meet some friendly Pottawatomies.

Black Hawk continued to move up the river, but finding himself closely pursued by the whites, he crossed over to the Wisconsin River. On the 21st of July, a detachment of troops en route for Fort Winnebago to procure supplies, discovered the Indians not far from Blue Mounds, and immediately attacked them, routing them and killing forty or fifty men. The whites had only one man killed and eight wounded.

Gen. Atkinson, having been informed that Black Hawk had fortified himself with his whole force at the four lakes, determined to decide the war by a general battle, and accordingly marched in that direction with as much haste as prudence would admit. On the 8.0th of June, he encamped at Turtle village, a, town of the

Wiunebagoes, and encamped about a mile above it. He continued the march the next day, and on arriving at Lake Kuskanong was joined by Gen. 'Alexander's brigade. The country hereabout was thoroughly examined, and being convinced that there were no savages about, the Ceueral marched his whole force up tlie east s-id'C of Rock River, to Burnt Village, another Winnebigo town, oa Whitewater River, where he was joined by Gen. Posey's brigade and a battalion from Wisconsiu under the command of Major Henry Dodge.

The progress of the army, up to this time, had been sl'ow and Bncertain. The country was almost an unexplored wilderness, and there was literally no reliable knowledge of the cuuntvj uiuoug those composing the army, and the information to be gained from a few Winnebagoes who hung around the camp was delusive.- The frequent stoppages whichwere necessary in the midst of so much uncertainty only gave the savag'is opportunities to> elude their pursuers.

"Eight weeks now wasi'ed awaj in fruit less^ search for the enemy, and the camtaandinggeneral seemed fai-ther from the attainment of his object than Tvhen the second requisitiort of troops was organized. At that time Posey and Alexander co-mmanded each » thousand men, Henry took the field with twelve hundred and sirty-two, and the regaitu: force under Col. Tayk)r, n©w Major General, amounted; to four hunj^ed a!sd fifty more. But by this this time the volunteer feree was reduced nearly one half. Many had entered the service for mere pastJme, and a desire to participate in the exceMfiJit.. fun of an Indian campaign, looked upon as a frolic; and certainly but few volunteered with well-defined notions of the fatigues, delays and hardships of an Indian war in an u:»settled and unknown country. The tedious marches, exposure to the weather, loss of horses, sickness, forced submission to command, and disgust at the unexpected hardships and privations of a soldier's life, produced rapid reductions in the numbers of every regiment. The great distance from the base of operations ; the diificulties of transportation either by land or water, making it impossible at any time to have more than twelve days' provisions beforehand, still further curtailed the power of the commanding general. Such was the wastefulness of the volunteers, that they were frequently one or two days short of provisions before new supplies could be furnished.

"At this time there were not more than four days' rations in the hands of the commissary, the enemy might be weeks in advance ; the volunteers were fast melting away, but the regular infantry had not lost a man. To counteract these difficulties. General Atkinson found it necessary to disperse his command, far the purpose of procuring supplies."

On the lOtli of July, the sevenJ brigades were appointed to proceed to different destinations - Colonel Ewing's regiment being sent to Dixon as an escort for Capt. Dunn,* who was supposed to be mortally wounded ; Gen. Posey marching to Fort Hamilton, (now Wyota, Wis.,) on the Pecatonica; and Henry, xVlexander and Dedge being sent to Fort Winnebago, at the Portage, between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers ; while Gen. Atkinson

" Capt. Dunn has since been elected a jucige in Wisconsin, and in the campaign of 1858 was the Democratic candidate for Member of Congress, against Hon. C. C. AVashburue, Republican.

himself fell back to Lake Kuskanong, where he built a fort and gave to it the narae of the lake, and where he was to remain until the volunteer generals should return with supplies. Henry and Alexander reached Fort Winnebago in three days; Dodge preceded them a few hours by making a forced march. Two days were occupied in getting provisions, on the last of which tlte Winnebago chiefs present reported that Black Hawk and his forces were encamped at the Blanitou Village, thirty-five miles above Gen. Atkinson, on Rock River. The commanding generals determined to violate their orders and march directly upon the enemy with the hope of taking him by surprise, or at least cutting off his further retreat to the north.

When they came to carry out this determination. Gen. Alexander's men mutinied and refused to go on the service, and soon infected Henry's men with the same spirit. All the officers of Col. Fry's regiment, except the Colonel himself, presented to Gen. Henry a written protest against the projected expedition. The only reply made by the General to this protest was to order the officers under arrest for mutiny, and to appoint Collins' regiment as a guard to escort them to Gen. Atkinson's camp. This had the effect to bring the protesting officers to terms; they humbly sued for pardon, and were profuse in their promises to return to their duty and never again to be guilty of like conduct. The General forgave them, and they returned to their posts.

Indians, acconjpanied by nauiod Poquette, and the " White Pawnee," a Winnebago chief, as guides. On reaching Rock Iliver, he was informed that Black Hawk was encamped at Cranberry Lake, farther up the river. Relyto a close, and the men marched with bettCi spirit than usual. In the afternoon of the first day, they were overtaken by one of those fearful storms so common on the prairie; but in spite of the pelting rain, the men pushed on, and during the ing upon this information, Gen. Henry day marched upwards of fifty miles, the determined to make a forced march in officers in many instances dismounting that direction the next morning. i and giving their horses to the men on foot.

as expresses to General Atkinson. They were j ^"^^y earth, covered with water. The Accompanied by a chief called Little Thunder, : rain prevented them building any fire ta AS guide; and having started about dark, and ; cook their food, and they made their supproceeded on their perilous route about eight ; pgj- r^^^^\ breakfast of some raw meat and r.;iles to the southwest, they came upon the ^^^^ dough, formed by the flour in their fresh main trail of the enemy, endeavoring to escape by way of the Four Lakes across the Wisconsin river. At the sight of the trail, the Indian guide was struck with terror, and without permission retreated back to the camp.

not until Little Thunder had announced his discovery in the Indian tongue to his countrymen, who were in the very act of making their escape when they were stopped by Major Murray McConnell, and taken to the tent of Gen. Henry, to wliora they confessed that they had come into tlie camp only to give false information, and favor the retreat of the Indians ; and then, to make amends for their perfidy, and perhaps, as they were led to believe, avoid instant deatli. they disclosed all they knew of L'lack Hawk's movements."* march as the one of the day previous, they encamped on the banks of one of the four lakes forming the source of the Catfish River, in Wisconsin, aad near where the Indians had encamped the previous night. They had now traveled one hundred miles without tasting any cooked food, and when they came to eat their suppers, it was probably with a relish they had nev;r before known. They slept that night on the earth., with only On the morning of the 19th, everything | ^i^^ gj.^ above them, »nd they slept soundwas in readiness at daylight for a forced j ]y giid well. The general expectation march. Another express was sent to ^^^ ^i^^^ tl^ey ^y^uld overtake the Indians the next morning, and all Were in fine spirits. An alarm was giving during the night, by one of the sentinels firing at an Indian who was stealthily approachins the shore in his' canoe. The whole

Early in the morning of the 21st, the march was continued as vigorously as before, the day's march being even harder than any which preceded it. About noon, the men in advance were close upon the rear-guard of the enemy, and the scouts ahead came suddenly upon two Indians and killed one of them as they were attempting to escape. By making false stands with a few warriors, as if to bring on a general battle, causing the whites to halt and make preparations to meet them, the Indians gained time to reach the bluffs on the Wisconsin River, by four o'clock in the afternoon. At this time, the advanced guard were fired upon by a body of Indians who had hidden themselves in the high grass. Major Pawing immediately dismounted his battalion and formed them in front, removing their horses to the rear. The Indians kept up their firing from behind ihe fallen timber. Gen. Henry soon arrived with the main b >dy, when the order of battle was immediately formed. Ewing's battalion and Jones' and Collins' regiments charged upon the Indians, who retreated before thorn and concentrated tlieir force in front uf 3Iajor Dodge's battalion. Col. Fry was sent to reinforce Dodge, and a general charge was now vigorously made along the whol*^ line. The Indians stood their ground against Dodge and Fry and their men until they came withiri bayonet reach, when they fell back to the west and took a new position in the thick timber and tall grass in the head of a huliow leading to the river bottom. Ewing's battalion and Collins' and Jones' regiments drove them from their new position and pursued them for some distance^ but, night coming on, further pursuit was stopped, and the troops slept upon the battle field. It was ascertained that the Indians left sixty-eight warriors dead upon the field, beside a large number wounded, many of whom were afterwards found dead on the trail. The loss of the whites amounted to one man killed and eight wounded.

Early next morning, the whites reached the Wisconsin River, and found that the Indians had crossed it and escaped to the mountains between the Wisconsin wd the Mississippi. On account of the want of provisions. Gen. Henry determined to fall back to the Blue Mounds. They reached their destination in two days, where they met Gen. Atkinson with the regulars and Alexander's and Posey's brigades. After spending two days in preparation at the Mounds, the whole force, now under Gen. Atkinson's direction, again started in pursuit of the Indians. They crossed the Wisconsin at Wisconsin Hights, the scene of the late battle, (now Helena,) and struck the trail of the Indians among the mountains on the other side. The troops toiled sturdily in climbing the mountains and pushing through the deep swamps. The route was strewn with the bodies of the Indians who had died from the effect of wounds received at the late battle.

^.\fter giving an account of Ihc battle at the Higlits, Gov. Ford says: "That night. Henry's camp was disturbed by the voice of an Indian, loudly sounding from a distant hill, as if giv- given out, and they were on the verge of starvation. They were so closely pursued by the whites that they could hardly find time to cat such food as they were able to procure. In addition to this, neglect and want of care of the wounds they had received brought disease, suffering and death among them to an almost incalculable extent, thinning their ranks with a fearful rapidity. A gentlemen who saw the Indians encamped at Rock Island, just after peace had been made with them, tells us that there was hardly a man, woman or child among them, whose bones did not almost protrude through the skin, so emaciated had they become!

On the morning of the fourth day after crossing the Wisconsin, the advance guard of Gren. Atkinson's army reached the east bank of the Mississippi, where the Indians had arrived some time before them. This was at Bad-Axe, about forty miles above Prairie du Chi'en. The steamboat Warrior, under the command of Captain Throckmorton, had descended to this point the day before, and prevented the ing orders or desiring a conference. It afterwards appeared that this was the voice of an Indian chief, speaking iu the Winnebago language, stating that the Indians had their squaws and families with them, and they were starving for provisions, and were not able to figlit the white people ; and that if they were permitted to pass peaceably over the Mississippi, they would do no more mischief. He spoke this in the Winnebago tongue, in hopes that some of that people were with General Heniy, and would act as his interpreter. No Winnebagoes were present, they having run at the commencement of the action ; and so his language was never explained until aftor the of the war."

Indians crossing the river. In spite of a white flag raised by the In lians, Capt. Throckmorton fired upon them, killing twenty-three and wounding a great many more. Immediately after this affair, the boat dropped down to Prairie du Chien; and before its return the next morning. Gen. Atkinson had arrived with his forces and commenced a general battle.

Aware that the whites were in close pursuit of them, the Indians sent back a small party to meet the advancing troops within three or four miles of their camp, with instructions to retreat to a point three miles ahove their place of rendezvous - with the intent to draw the whites off the right trail. The ruse was successful, and Gen. Atkinson pursued the retreating party with the whole army, excepting Henry's brigade, which had been left in the rear. When Gen. Henry came to the place where the ruse had been played, he at once saw how the commanding general had been most egregiously deceived by the stratagem of the savage. By the advice of his officers, Gen. Henry was induced to march forward upon the main trail. He soon came up with the Indians, and a general battle commenced. The Indians were apparently taken by surprise, but they fought bravely and desperately, though without any plan or concert of action. Before Gen. Atkinson could arrive at the scene of action, the main work had been done. Henry had driven the Indians into the river, and his men were picking off the warriors who were trying to escape by swimming. A portion of the Indians had taken refuge on a small willow island near the shore, and were keeping up a severe fire upon the men on the shore. They were charged upon by some of the troops, and the most of them were either killed, captured or driven into the water, where they met a more certain death.

Many incidents are related as having occurred at the battle of Bad- Axe, which are of interest to the general reader. "We have room for but one, which we find in a work upon the Black Hawk War, by Benj. Drake:

"A yoimg squa-.v was standing in the grass, a short distance from the American line, holding her child, a little girl of four years old, in her arms. In this position, a ball struck the right arm of tlio child, just above the el bow, and shattering ;he bone, passed into thi breast of its yoniig- Jiiother, and iuhtanilj killed her. She ifil upon the cliild and confined it to the trvniina. When the battle wanearly over, and the Indians had been driven to this point, Lieutenant Anderson of the United States Army, hearing the cries of the child, went to the spot, and taking it from under the dead mother, carried it to the place for surgical aid. The arm was amputated, and during the operation, the half starved child did not crj', but sat quietly eating a piece of hard biscuit. It was sent to Prairie des Chiens, and entirely recovered from its wound."

When tiie troops charged upon the Indians, the squaws and children were so closely commingled with the lest of the lodians that great slaughter took place among them, the squaws in many cases beiug dressed so nearly like the males that it was impossible to distinguish them.

Hawk, who commanded in person the party whose movements had so deceived Gen. Atkinson, retreated to the Dalles on the Wisconsin river. A party of Sioux and Winnebagoes, headed by one-eyed Decori, a Winnebago chief, started in pursuit of them and captured them high up on the river. Among the prisoners were a son of Black Hawk and the Prophet, the latter being a noted chief who formerly lived at Prophetstown, Whiteside county, and who was one of the principal instigators of the war. The party -vere delivei-cd to Gen.- Street, the Indian

The truiips went down to Prairie du Cliieii, where they met Gen. Scott, who had been sent to take the chief command. On their route up the lakes, the troops under his command were afflicted with Asiatic cholera, which was then making its first appearance on the continent. In the course of a few weeks, nearly three hundred men had died from this disease. Gen. Scott i-eached Kock Island in August, but not until the war had been terminated by the battle of Bad-Axe.

On their arrival at Prairie du Chien, the volunteers were ordered to proceed to Dixon, where they were discharged. The men then proceeded to their homes.

Black Hawk and his son, the Prophet and other head men, accompanied by many of the Winnebago chiefs, were sent to Rock Island, wherj a treaty meeting had been appointed; but on their arrival there, tlie cholera was so prevalent among [ tlie troops that Gen. Scott and Goveruor ReynolJ.s thought it advisable to drop down to Jefferson Barracks, where a treaty was formed by which the Sacs and Foxes " ceded to the United States a hirge tra3t of laud bordering on the Mississippi, from the DcsMoiucs to Turkey Kiver, in the Territory of Iowa." Fur the faitliful performance of the treaty, Black Ilawk and his two sons, Wabokieshiek, Naopope and five other hostile Indians were held as hostages.

In the spring, the prisoners were taken East by order of the President, and after an interview at Washington, the prisoners were conducted through the Eastern cities, with the intention, on the part of the whites, of convincing thcni of the utter inutility of their efforts to drive the Americans out of the country. This had the desired effect. Black Iluwk and Wabokieshiek professed a desire to live in peace with the whites. The party were at length taken to Fort Armstrong, where they were forniiilly liberated, after giving many assurances of lastincr friendship for the whites. Black Ilawk remained steadfast to these promises during the rest of his life, and his lodge was at all times open to entertain his white visitors. He visited Washington again in 1837; but he was indifferent to all the attention shown him. He died on the -Sd of October, 1840, at the age of eigi.ty years, and was biu'ied on the banks of the 3iississippi. ,.

The conduct of Gen. Atkinson in the Black Hawk War has been severely censured. We find an opinion prevalent among the early settlers, that he was dilatory in his movements at the beginning of the war, when prompt action would have suppressed the outbreak and ended the disturbances at once. His jealousy of the volunteers, as shown in his. eonduct after the battle of Wisconsin Hights, was in the highest degree discreditable to him as a man and a soldier. That he was in other respects a worthy man and a brave soldier, none will deny; and it is with re- -rret that we mention the above facts.

Source changes here: from The History of Ogle County, Illinois, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens, War Record of Its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion, General and Local Statistics ... History of the Northwest, History of Illinois ... Etc, by Kett, H. F., & Co., Chicago, Pub, published 1878; 3,326 words in this source stream.

Eagle Point Township

There are many other early settlers at Paine's Point worthy of mention, did space permit, among them Luman Taylor, Avery Taylor, Spirick Wellington, ' David Hazleton, Anthony Wood, (his brother Enoch, now of Chicago, lived in Nashua Township,) Thomas, Harrison and Langdon Stinson, their mother and sisters, Horace Grant and family, John Ely and family. Mrs. Thomas Stinson, a lady who was highly esteemed by all, died in May, 1877.

A number of families of the Tiltons settled more recently in the southeastern part of the township. They occupy almost the entire territory of that vicinity.

In 1846, Oliver W. Canfield settled at Washington Grove. His son, Geo. E., is now Justice of the Peace at Ghana. John H. Stephenson at one time had a grist mill and distillery on the creek running through Washington Grove. R. T. Haines was a partner in the distillery business. Wm. J. Keyes kept school in 1841, at a cabin on the west side of Washington Grove. Mrs. Cryder afterwards taught near there.

In 187 1, the Chicago and Iowa railroad was built through the township. Phineas Chaney bought the west half of the southwest quarter of section 15, half of it from John C. Ober, and the remainder from Benjamin Canfield, for $4,000. Mr. Chaney made a stock company of this property dividing into twenty shares. The railroad passed through these eighty acres ; they were laid off for village purposes, :ind called " Ghana," after its founder, whose name was originally spelled in that way.

A station was established here, and on July 4, 1871, the first building, the grain warehouse of Phineas Chaney, was completed. This warehouse was run by Benjamin, a son of Phineas Chaney, who was also station agent. A car was first used as depot. It is now used as a tool house.

The first storehouse, and second building, in Ghana was a wagon shop, 18 by 35 feet in size, moved by Mr. Chaney from Paine's Point and fitted up for store purposes. It was first occupied with a general stock by Joel Matson.

The next buildings were the dwellings of Allen Eichaner, on Main Street, and of Charles Long, in 1872. Thomas Emerson built the first blacksmith shop, just east of the village line, in the Fall of 187 1. This he afterwards moved into town. It is still continued by Mr. Emerson.

The next season, John Cumins built the largest storeroom now in Ghana, on the north end and west of Main Street. Mr. Matson sold out to A. E. Kemper, who sold to Watson and Ball. They moved the stock away. The second store was built by A. J. Butterfield and occupied by Lyman Phelps, with a stock belonging to Perry Brothers, of Rochelle. George Proctor had a saloon in the basement.

John Rine, Daniel Sprecker and John Todd now keep general stocks of goods. J. P. Lilly recently established a hardware store. William Mclntire and James Pool now have billiard halls. Blacksmiths, George Trombly and Thomas Emerson. James Miller, Attorney at Law. Dr. Newton, an old resident, lives three miles west of Ghana, at the site of an old town called Watertown. Dr. U. C. Roe has practiced in Ghana for four years.

A substantial hotel building, called the Valley House, was erected in 1875 by John Todd, who built several other houses, and did much to increase the prosperity of Ghana. The hotel is now occupied by Samuel Tilton.

Watertown, above referred to, had, at one time, a saw mill and carding mill, on the Kyte River. The anticipations of making it a manufacturing point were never realized. Major Chamberlain and John Carpenter were among the prominent citizens there.

Davis Junoton

The only school-house in the vicinity of Ghana is one which was built north of the middle of section 22, in 1869. In this, Miss Nellie Putman first taught. She was hired by Asabel Burricht. It is a small frame building, and is now taught by Samuel Howe. It is very detrimental to the growth and best interests of Ghana, that no school has ever been established in the village.

When the school-house was built, a station of the Methodist circuit was there established. Meetings had previously been held at the Ganfield schoolhouse. The following pastors have officiated since that time : Revs. A, P. Hatch, Schoonmaker, Z. Paddock, T. R. Satterfield, and the present minister, Rev. Wm. Gross. The present church building was erected in 1875, at a cost of $1,800, under the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Paddock. It was dedicated by the Rev. Luke Hitchcock, of Ghicago. The present membership is about seventy-five. A Sabbath-school was established in connection with the church, with Alexander Knapp as superintendent. The present superintendent is Rev. E. H. Ganfield.

The elevator, a frame building, was erected in 1874, by Andrews Brothers, who were early residents at Paine's Point. It 'is now owned by David H. Weltz, Sr.

Ghana has borne no enviable name in some social respects, but this Winter marks a new epoch in its history. Besides a great religious revival, by which about twenty-five members were added to the church, the temperance wave has reached the village, and restored many to sobriety and respectability. A large number of the youth, temperate men, and a majority of the hard drinkers have joined in the movement. There is now a membership of 125. Meetings are held Saturday evenings, with the following officers : President, Gapt. F. W. Pike; Vice Presidents, R. K. Hawley, S. L. Aikens and Gharles Glapp; Secretary, J. P. Lilly; Treasurer, Samuel Mitchell, Financial Secretary, John Eakle, and other minor officers.

On Tuesday, March 12, 1878, while the writer was visiting Ghana, a horrible accident occurred which wrapped the little village in a cloud of sorrow not soon to be effaced from memory. Lizzie, the beautiful, bright-eyed little daughter of George Trombly, was burned to death by catching her clothes on fire while in the house alone. She was four years of age, and beloved by the entire neighborhood.

On the night of November 29, 1876, John H. Rine was assaulted by William Maxwell, robbed and left for dead. Maxwell had seen Mr. Rme count out about $165, and take with him when leaving his store at night. Near the church Mr. Rine was knocked down with a car coupling-pin, robbed and dragged to the rear of the church, where he was left senseless. He recovered only after a long period of prostration. Maxwell was tried, convicted and sentenced to thirty years in the penitentiary, where he is now in durance vile.

The present township officers are : Supervisor., Israel Trask ; Town Clerk^ John G. Ober ; Assessor^ John Bailey ; Collector^ E. R. Gooley ; Constables, Henry Emmons and William P. Deets ; Commissioners of Highway^ Samuel Mitchell, Sheldon Burright and Scott Gale ; Justices of the Peace, George E. Ganfield and Frederick W. Pike.

The first permanent settler within the limits of Dement Township was John Brodie, who, with his family, settled on section 12 in 1836. In this family there were several sons and daughters. Mr. Brodie was a brother-in-law of one of the notorious DriscoU clan. These characters had evidently left Ohio to avoid the odium of a somewhat tarnished record. They enjoyed the grim pleasure of twitting each other of their Ohio home - the penitentiary. To the Driscoll family, whose connection with this vicinity was at one time much too intimate to be pleasant, a separate chapter will be devoted. They lived across the line, in Dekalb County.

At the time of the early settlements, it was customary for settlers to make claims near groves of timber, for protection from the cold, biting blasts of Winter on the prairies. The grove at which Brodie settled still retains the name of Brodie's Grove. He af.'erwards moved away, being threatened with death for his misdeeds if he remained.

Two years after Mr. Brodie, William Youngs, with his family, settled on Kilbuck Creek, a mile and a half northwest of Brodie. He afterwards moved to Iowa.

Samuel Brock, with his family settled east of, and adjoining, Mr. Young's claim, about two years later. Mr. Brock has since died, and his family now reside in Creston.

The next settler at the grove was Baltz Niehoff, who occupied land for Snively, Sharer & Company, a company who had purchased Brodie's land when he departed. The men of this company, Elias Sniveley, Henry, Sharer, Nathaniel Swingley and Samuel Hitt, had come from Maryland to Mt. Morris, and all became actual settlers of Dement Township afterwards.

Mr. Niehoff moved to Carroll County. Mr. Snively returned to Maryland, Mr. Sharer and Mr. Hitt returned to Mt. Morris, where the former still lives. In 1850, Nathaniel Swingley went to California, but, after three years and a half residence in the land of gold, he returned to Creston, where he still resides, a prominent, influential and democratic citizen.

In 1850, Thomas Smith came from Canada and occupied the farm of Mr. Swingley during his absence. Mr. Smith was made postmaster a few years after, and he, as well as nearly all those living along the public road between Chicago and Oregon, kept open house for the accommodation of passing travelers.

In 1852, Norman Payne and Barzilla Knapp, brothers-in-law, located at Brodie's Grove, section 12, then in Flagg Township. After selecting their lands, they returned to their homes in Connecticut, where they remained two years, and then brought their families to Dement Township. Both are now residents of Creston. Robert Benson, who was absent when Messrs. Payne and Knapp first came, although he had been there and selected his land, returned and was living there when they came back.

These constitute most of the early settlers of Dement Township. From that time the prairies began to fill up more rapidly, and, though it would be our pleasure, it is impossible to name the many settlers following. Many amusing stories are told of those pioneer times, and many a tale of hardship and privation is remembered.

The building of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, described in another portion of this work, caused a settlement at a point on its route, which has since developed into the thriving Village of Creston.

The village is located principally upon the northwest quarter of section 23. The north half of this section was entered by Col. John Dement, of Dixon, after whom the township received its name. Gordon Hewett entered section 24 for Thomas Smith. " Uncle Tom," as he is called, built his house - the first one within the town corporation - a short time before the railroad was built.

Here the first preaching was done, by an Episcopalian minister named Todd. Mr. Smith then kept a public house and post-office, and, when the railroad came through, he was made station agent, the station being called " Denaent." A car was soon left there for a depot.

The next building erected was a storeroom, by Anson Barnum, near and northwest of the site of the present McCrea elevator. The following year he built a house near the south end of Main Street. Mr. Barnum afterwards became county judge, and died in Oregon.

In 1856, James Richards also built a house near and opposite Barnum's, on the west side of Main Street. Soon after, houses were built by Levi Howard, Asa Rice, B. R. Pierce, Deacon Gillett, Joseph Foreman, Isaac Bickford and others.

The second store was opened by H. H. Clark, in 1857, in a building which he erected on Main Street, where now stands the store of Wm. H. Rowe. In the same year, the first hotel was built, at the north end of Main Street. It is not now used for hotel purposes, but is owned by M. D. Hathaway. The only hotel now in Creston is managed by Wm. Koeffer, near the depot.

Alexander Parmalee bought out Mr. Clark, who built a new building, now occupied by Dr. Robbins' drug store. Frank Hanson started the first blacksmith shop, north of the corner where the drug store now stands.

Schools. - The first school-house in Creston was a frame building 26 by 32 feet in size, which was built by B. R. Pierce, in 1857. In this house W. W. Washburne first taught. School was held in that building until 1869, when the present beautiful and substantial school-house was erected at a cost of $10,000. P. R. Walker was the first Principal of the school. The present teachers are : Miss Jane Hathaway, Principal ; the two Misses Allen, Assistants. The present School Board consists of Messrs. Upton Swingley, L. W. Young, and Asa Dimon.

School was first taught in the township by George Swingley, in Nathaniel Swingley's house. The first school room in the township was built by Gilbert Campbell and Hiram Barnum, in 1855. Miss Cummins first taught the school, and in the two Winters following the school was instructed by Barzilla Knapp*.

Religious. - The Congregational Church was organized September 21, 1856, by Rev. Flavel Bascom, agent of the Illinois Missionary Association, with fourteen members. Rev. Richard C. Bristol became the first pastor, December i, 1857, on a salary of $250. S. B. Gillett was the first Deacon. The church edifice was built in the Spring of 1866, principally through the energetic labors of its Pastor at that time. Rev. Henry Buss. The society now numbers seventy members, and its Pastor is Rev. Hadley M. Crosbie. The Deacons are F. H. Gillett and E. H. Miller. The Sabbath-school, organized in connection with the church, has a membership of about seventy-five.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Creston was organized at Brodie's Grove April 19, 1857, by Rev. John Nait, who was then in charge of Lane Mission. There were nine members. Martin Webb was first Class-leader, and N. H. Morse, District Steward. Class met at Mr. Webb's and preaching was held in dwellings - generally at Mr. Webb's. The Presiding Elder was Rev. Luke Hitchcock, now agent of the Western M. E. Book Concern. The first preacher in charge of this circuit, then connected with Malta, was Rev. J. Frost, deceased, late husband of Mrs. Julia Frost, now living in Creston. It was then in St. Charles District Rock River Conference, now Dixon District Rock River Conference. The church was built in the Fall of 1866. Rev. D. Appleford was preacher in charge, and there were 51 members. Present Pastor, Rev. J. H. Thomas. Number of members, 62.

Dement Lodge No. 515, A. F. &> A. M. - Was established in Creston October I, 1867, with the following charter members: V. M. Southgale, H. M. Webb, J. White, C. H. Robbins, E. L. Wells, H. Dunning, J. L. Padgett, Elias Mead, A. Miller, A. Dimon, J. W. Fay, J. V. Dimon, F. Leach, W. A. Washburne, C W. Fay, Geo. Payne, J. E. Lawson, N. P. Fay, S. Woodard, A. B. McCrew, J Campbell, C. F. Chapman, T. Y. Frost, I. F. Mettler, C. E. Adams, D. Dimon The first officers were : A. Dimon, W. M. ; C. E. Adams, S. W. ; J. Oakley, J W., who were also charter members. The present officers are : D. Dimon, W M. ; U. Swingley, S. W. ; E. Hooper, J. W. ; C. I. Bewley, Secretary ; J. Gomon, Treasurer ; F. A. Campbell, S. D. ; J. Smith, J. D. ; C. B. Horton, Tyler. The present membership is fifty-six.

Creston Lodge, No. 572, 1. 0.0. F. - Was organized April 21, 1875, with six charter members as follows : B. Knapp, N. G. ; T. Y. Frost, V. G. ; C. H. Frost, Secretary; James Harde^ian, David Fowler, and J. B. Cobb. There! are now about thirty- five members. Its present officers are : W. H. Pratt, N. G. ; John Harbison, V. G. ; Joseph Cole, Secretary; E. E. Overholtzer, Treasurer. The society has a nicely furnished hall and fine regalia.

The Creston Cornet Band. - Was organized in April, 1874. In the Fall of the same year the band purchased a new set of fourteen instruments at an expense of about %zoo. It is the prize band of Ogle County, having received the first premium of $75 at the County Fair in 1877. Instructor, Prof. D. S. McCosh ; leader, M. R. Wolcott.

The present township officers are : Supervisor^ Joseph White ; Town Clerk, Wm. H. Pratt ; Assessor, A. Lewis ; Collector, Daniel Overacker ; Commissioners of Highways, B. R. Pierce, W. S. Lyon, and Thomas Brown ; Justices of the Peace, George W. Allen and Joseph White ; Constables^ D. Overacker and C. B. Horton ; Treasurer, Albert Lewis.

The present village officers are : Trustees, Albert Lewis, President ; Upton Swingley, George W. Allen, C. I. Bewley, C. C. Benjamin ; Village Clerk, Wm. H. Pratt; Justice of the Peace, B. Knapp.

The following list embraces the principal business interests of Creston at present writing, April, 1878 : G. W. Allen, carpenter and builder, and manufacturer of Allen's Patent Barb Fence Wire; C. E. Adams, postmaster and news depot ; Fred L. Anderson, harness shop ; G. A. Aurner, physician ; L. Barling, clothing ; G. W. Blackmer, coal and hay dealer; Bohlander Brothers, general merchants ; Mrs. Davis, dressmaker; Asa Dimon, agricultural implements ; Daniel Dimon, wagon shop ; Drake & Cobb, general merchants ; Martin Dunn, drug store ; D. E. Edington, general merchant ; Charles Emrich, blacksmith ; H. Fogleman, Fogleman House ; Fogleman & Dimon, livery stable ; D. Fowler, tailor; Wm. Koerfer, Creston House; J. McCortney, boot and shoemaker; J. A. McCrea & Co., grain elevator, stock, and lumber dealers ; Jacob Mitchell, meat market; J. H. Nelson, blacksmith; E. E. Overhaltzer, restaurant ; Jane Rickey, millinery and dressmaking; H. C. Robbins, drug store, jewelry, books and stationery ; - Sheer, harness shop; H. T. Thompson, general merchant ; Joseph White, grain elevator, coal dealer and Justice of the Peace ; Wm. Waterman, loan and collection agent; C. E. Whitten, physician and surgeon ; B. Knapp, Justice of the Peace, loan and collection agent.

Davis Junction

This village is situated in Scott Township, midway between Rockford and Rochelle, at the crossing of the Chicago, Rockford and Northern, and the Chicago and Pacific railroads. It was laid out in May, 1875, by Jeremiah Davis ; is situated in the heart of a rich agricultural section, and is a place of much promise. It has a population of about two hundred. The York River Butter Factory was built and commenced operations May 14, 1877. It has a capacity for working 16,000 pounds of milk ner day, and is as complete an establishment as can be found. T. H. Baker, President; G. W. Eraser, Secretary; Israel Boyes, Manager. James Martin runs a steam feed mill with an engine of forty horse power, capable of turning three runs of stones. There are also other business interests, as follows : Burdick & Wilson, carriage and wagon makers ;

J. K. Dentler, general merchant; P. Brace, hardware; Joseph Kendall, drugs, groceries and books; Frank Eaton, grocer; J. P. Eddy, meat market; Miss Agnes H. Canning, milliner, dressmaker and postmistress; Frank Morse, livery stable ; Henry Woodworth, blacksmith; Junction House, built by Peter Tilton, run by Wm. Hills; Central Hotel by Frank Eaton. An elevator is situated on the Chicago, Rockford & Northern railroad, having a capacity for_ handling 5,000 bushels of grain per day. There are two express offices, the American and United States. Four mails arrive each day. The public school building is a fine, large brick structure of two stories. The two railroads crossing at right angles make this place very desirable for manufacturing purposes, on account of the facilities offered for distribution of products. In this township is Big Mound, an eminence visible for a distance of fifteen miles in every direction.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Ogle County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, by Various, published 1886; 524 words in this source stream.

Eagle Point Township

S «tier of townships, and comprises the east half of township 23, range 7 east of the 4th principal meridian. It is bounded on the east by Buffalo Township, on the west by Carroll County, on the north by Brookville Township, on the south by Whiteside County. The history of the township is contemporaneous with and forms a part of Buffalo Township, with which it was connected until 1870, when it was organized by the County Board of Supervisors. Buffalo Grove extends into the township, covering parts of sections r2, 13, 23, and 24. Elkhorn Grove, which lies mostly in Carroll County, also extends into this township, coyering parts of sections 22 and 27. The remainder of the township is prairie, save a small portion adjoining Whiteside. Keeping in mind that Eagle Point is, but half a Congressional Township, it makes an excellent showing.

The Township Assessor, in the spring of 1885, reported the following items: Improved land, 12,703 acres; unimproved land, none; total value $203,- 355- Of personal property there were: Horses, 499 ; cattle, 2,083; mules and asses, 17; sheep, 84; hogs, 2,714; carriages and wagons, 187; watches and clocks, 130; sewing and knitting machines, 69; pianos, 3; melodeons and organs, 20. Total value of personal property, $64,916.

Among the early settlers of what is now Eagle Point Township, were John Waterbury, Solomon Shaver, Nicholas Shaver, Duncan A. Grant, Thomas Worden and Wm. Nichols. These were all from Delaware Co., N. Y., and are all dead save Nicholas Shaver, who is now living a retired life in the city of Polo. Of the number, Solomon Shaver was probably the best known. He was a large, muscular man, a great Abolitionist and a radical temperance man. His house was a station on the Underground Railroad, and he was one of its most efficient conductors. No man was ever more courageous than he in defense of what he considered right. He considered that it was his duty to aid in the freedom of the slaves, and he was not averse to giving his views of the matter. Mr. Shaver was just as radical upon the temperance question as upon that of the freedom of the slaves.

Eagle Point Township was organized in 1870, since which time the following named have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors for the years named: Wm. Donaldson, 1870-2; John W. Stewart, 1873; Wm. Donaldson, 1874; Daniel W. Newcomer, 1875-81; Geo. Poole, 1882-5.

Eagle Point

Eagle Point is an old settlement on section ro. A post office was established here in 1839, with Mason Crary as Postmaster. Henry Elsey is the present Postmaster. Mr. Elsey likewise has a grocery and provision store. The Presbyterians erected a house of worship here in 1847, but it has since passed into the hands of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who have an organization here of 30 members, Rev. Wm. Otjen, Pastor. There are two blacksmith shops and one wagon and repair shop in the village at the present time; also one physician. Eagle Point is six miles west of Polo, its. nearest railroad point, from which it has a daily mail by