Franklin Township

Franklin Township

town, came from New Hampshire in 1844. He bought a fine farm of one hundred and forty-four acres for one thousand dollars, and has since added largely to its extent. At that time most of the town was not settled, or entered. There was but one house between Kingsbury's grove and the little town of Belvidere.

Thomas J. Humphrey, a gentleman of education and culture, and a lawyer by profession, came in 1848. He died soon after his arrival, leaving a large family of children. The eldest male member of this family was Thomas W. Humphrey, Avho was then but eight years of age. Although left thus early, struggling with the hardships of frontier life in Illinois, he acquired a superior education for his circumstances, passed through the scientific course at Beloit college, subsequently became deputy Circuit Clerk of He Kalb County, married at twenty-one, and purchased the Humphrey homestead. He was always a bold, brave, ventursome youth, whose intelligence, integrity, and manliness of character made every one his friend. He crossed the plains to California in 1861, and on the expedition heroically rescued a wrounded emigrant and his family from a tribe of hostile Indians.

Returning in 1862, he raised a company of volunteers from about the borders of De Kalb, Boone and McIIenry Counties. This company was made a part of the 95th Illinois Infantry, of which he was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel. Devoting himself with characteristic ardor to his new profession, he was from the first really its first officer.

At the storming of Vicksburg, on the 19th and 22nd of May, 1863, he was wounded on the first day, but, continuing at the head of the regiment, was on the 22nd stunned by the explosion of a shell, and reported killed, but crawled back to camp in the night.

At the disastrous battle of Guntown he lost his life, and with that loss the army lost one of its most distinguished and most fearless officers, and De Kalb County one of the most heroic of her sons.

His body was returned to Franklin, and beneath the grand old oaks of the family home the largest concourse ever assembled in the town gathered to honor the memory of their martyred hero, by one of the grandest of funeral ceremonies.

A younger brother of General Humphrey, Captain James Humphrey, enlisted early in the war as private, in the Eighth Cavalry, and fought his way up to a Captaincy.

Of the ninety-nine men enlisted from this town seven became commissioned officers. They were, in addition to those mentioned, Captain John B. Nash, Lieutenants Hiram Harrington, Samuel Williamson, John M. Schoonmaker, and John W. Burst, all of the One Hundred and Fifth. Lieutenant Burst first entered the Fifteenth Infantry, but lost his sight while on duty in Missouri, by the poison of a scorpion. After nearly six months of blindness, he recovered; and, full of ardor for the great cause, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth, and after two years faithful service at the battle of New Hope church, he lost his leg, which was three times amputated before it finally healed.

Toavn Of Franklin

A terrible tornado passed through the northern portion of the town of Franklin on one Sunday in May, 1853. It prostrated immense trees, fences, buildings, and everything that stood in its course. The first house struck was Mr. John Youngs'. It was a large building, but in an instant it was lifted up, shattered to splinters, and considerable parts of it carried off' so far that they were never found. Mrs. Young was killed instantly. The residence of Mr. Ira Dean was next struck. It was torn in pieces ; and a lady relative, who chanced to be visiting there, had her back broken, and died soon after. In a chamber were two boys, engaged in playing cards. Both were blown out of the window, but not seriously injured. Several other houses were unroofed, and some barns destroyed.

In 1860 another tornado passed through the central portion of the town, passing, like the former, from the southwest to the northeast. It carried off one house, of which the occupants were absent, and twisted off and carried away huge trees, which could never after be found. Some electric force seemed to be at work in this terrible gale. It tore the ironwork from tools and machinery, and played numberless strange pranks.

Upon Mr. Charles Buckman's place may be seen a curious relic of the Indians. It is a stout stick of timber, about eight inches square, hewn out so as to resemble an Indian with four faces. It is reported to be an Indian idol.

The population of the town was 837 in 1855, 936 in 1860, and 951 in 1865. The town was organized under the present form of government in 1850.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County, Illinois : Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County : Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States : Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, published 1885; 1,578 words in this source stream.

Franklin Township

RANKLIN Township lies in the extreme northwestern portion of the county, and is bounded on the east by Kingston Townhip, on the south by South Grove, on the west by Ogle County, and on the north by Boone County. The township contains more running streams, and has a larger body of timber, than any township in the county. The Kishwaukee River is

The first settlement of this township seems to be a matter of doubt, but was probably about the same time with the settlement of groves in other sections of the northern part of the county.

Among the persons living here in 1838 were D. M. Gilchrist, T. H. Humphreys, Theophilus Watkins, Samuel, Charles and Henry Hicks, Andrew Brown, Henry Holmes, Allen Gardner, John Barrett, Wm. T. Kirk, Mr. Owen, B. N. Dean, John Mc- Dowell, Alvah and James Bennett, Job Trindle, Zal Young, Daniel Cronkhite, Martin M. Mack, Samuel Cronkhite, Robert Hoover, Spencer M. Myers, Irill Dibble, Mr. Parsons, William Miles, Andrew Miles and John M. Riddle.

In 1837 Henry Hicks erected a saw-mill, deriving his power from the Kishwaukee River. He ran it until 1842, when it passed into the hands of Dr. Hobart, who also continued to run it for some years. Hicks' mill was known far and near and was quite a place of resort. A postoffice was established here at a very early day, called Hicks' Mill P. O. Henry Hicks was the first postmaster, and held the office until about 1842, when D. M. Gilchrist received the appointment. In 1841 the receipts of the office were reported at $7.72. In 1843, under Mr. Gilchrist's administration, it was increased to $9.93. Martin M. Mack was Gilchrist's successor and was succeeded in 1847 by Morgan Losee, who in turn gave way to S. P. Harrington, Mr. Gilchrist and J. W. Elithorpe. The office was discontinued on the advent of the railroad.

Lacey postoffice and Blood's Point postoffice were each established during the first decade of the county's existence. Lacey postoffice was on the line between Kingston and Franklin, and around it sprung up a little village, which is now a thing of the past. Blood's Point was on section 2, Franklin Township.

Jones Abernethy and Betsey Rand, Miles Abernethy and Lucy Hatch, Daniel Rand and Miss Abernethy, were among the first married in the township.

The first school was taught by Betsey Rand, in a log school-house on section 20, about 1842. The old log school-houses have long since been displaced by mere pretentious buildings. From the report of the County Superintendent of public schools for the year ending June 30, 1884, the following items are gleaned in relation to the schools of the township at that time : There were 522 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 335 were of school age, 324 of that number being enrolled in the public schools. There were ii school districts, with one graded and 10 ungraded schools. Each district had a good frame schoolhouse, the total value being estimated at $10,000. A tax was levied of $4,357 for school purposes. During the year 27 teachers had been employed. The highest wages received by any teacher per month was $60, and the lowest $25, the average being $30.58.

The war record of Franklin Township is commendable. Among the number who distinguished themselves was Thomas W. Humphrey, Lieutenant- Colonel of the 95111 Illinois Infantry. At the storming of Vicksliurg, he was wounded the first day, but continued at the head of his regiment. On the 22d of May, 1863, he was stunned by an explosion of a shell and reported killed, but crawled back to camp in the night. At the battle of Guntown he lost his life. A younger brother, James Humphrey, enlisted as a private in the 8th Cavalry and wrought his way up to a Captaincy. There were 99 men enlisted from the township.

One Sunday in May, 1853, a terrible tornado passed through the northern portion of the township. It prostrated buildings, fences, trees, and everything that stood in its way. John Young's house was the first one struck. It was lifted up, shattered, and portions of it carried off so far they were never found. Mrs. Young was instantly killed. The residence of Ira Dean was next struck, and a lady relative visiting there had her back broken and died soon after. Two boys in the house were blown out of a window, but were not seriously hurt. Several other houses were unroofed and barns destroyed.

The township of Franklin has 22,816 acres of improved land, on which valuation as placed by the local assessor of $323,606. The town lots are assessed at $42,517 ; personal property, $98,359; total, $464,482. The State Board of Equalization reduced the amount to $410,668. Among the items of personal property are the following as reported by the assessor in 1884: horses, 853; cattle, 2,215 ; mules ind asses, 19; sheep, 976; hogs, 1,742; steam engfrj&fr - ^^ @:

IRKLAND village was platted in May, 1876, by Nicholas Saum, though improvements had been made and quite a start given it the previous year. In July, 1875, Mr. Putney built a store-room in which he opened out a stock of groceries. H. H. Stow soon after opened a stock of general merchandise. A portion of his room was rented by Dr. Spiers and E. H. Gardner, who opened up a stock of drugs.

The first grain-buyer was G. W. Wood, who purchased grain which was stored in a ware-house erected by William T. Kirk in 1876. After using the warehouse some 1 8 months Mr. Wood put in an elevator.

The first hotel was run by George Delevan, in 1875. The village has a good hotel known as the Rowen House, erected in 1879. George W. Wood leased and ran the house for three years. Until dining cars were placed upon the railroad, trains stopped at this house for meals.

As the village increased in population new business enterprises were engaged in and changes were made in the firms originating various lines of trade. In the spring of 1885 the business of the place was represented by the following named :

The Kirkland Creamery is one of the institutions of the place. It was erected in 1878 by W. H. Hintz, of Elgin. It is a frame, with stone basement. About 12,000 pounds of milk is used per day. An average of $2,500 per month is paid out. C. E. Feakins has been in charge of the factory for five years.

Kirkl-and comprises a part of School District No. 4. A small brick school-house which stood just south of the village was used for school purposes until 1879, when the present two-story frame structure was erected. The building is 40x60 in. size, with four school rooms. It was opened in the fall of 1879, with Mrs. E. A. Hatch, Principal. S. G. Mason is the present principal, with Richard Haywood and Jennie Dick, assistants.

There are at present no church edifices in the village, though the Methodist Episcopals have an organization and hold regular services in the schoolhouse. Rev. Mr. Edmundson is the Pastor.

The village of Kirkland was incorporated under the general act in 1882. An election was ordered held Aug. 10, 1882, at which the question was to be voted on as to whether it should incorporate. There were 42 votes casl for and one against incorporation. The first election for village officers was held Sept. i, 1882, at which the following named were elected : H. P. Grout, Pres. ; Chas. Miner, Elias H. Gardner, Dr. R. B. Pierce, R. W. Fox, G. W. Wood, Trustees ; W. M. Burroughs, Clerk; W. B. McDowell, Treas.

Since its incorporation, two miles of sidewalk have been built and an expenditure of $3,000 made on the streets, about two miles being graveled. No direct tax has ever been made, the income derived from saloons being sufficient to meet the running expenses of the village government. A council room and calaboose is also numbered among the improvements made.

The village has now about 400 inhabitants. About 75 buildirrgs have been erected since incorporation. The credit for progress made is due in a great measure to W. B. McDowell.

NOTHER pleasant little village of this township is Fielding. It was laid out in July, 1875, by Henry and Julia A. Kock, on the southwest quarter of section 19, township 42, range 3. One addition has since been made.

Henry O'Roke built the first dwelling. Patten Bros, commenced business in the fall of 1875 in the hardware line. The first shoemaker was Andrew Cristman: Henry Peake in 1876 started the first harness shop.

In 1878 a frame school-house was erected, 30 x 40 feet, at a cost of $r,2oo. Mr. Royal was the first teacher. The teacher in the spring of 1885 was James Davis, at which time there was an enrollment of 45.

A postoffice was established at this point in 1875. B. B. Blace was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by John Ball. The incumbent is E. N. Post.

The most important industry of the place in the spring of 1885 was its creamery, which was started in 1882. Lovejoy Johnson, Jeremiah Davis and Joseph Goodrich were the proprietors, under the firm name of Davis & Co. About 500 pounds of butter is manufactured per day. In the summer four teams are engaged in gathering cream.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of DeKalb County, Illinois, by Gross, Lewis M, published 1907; 3,928 words in this source stream.

Franklin Township

Franklin, the northwest township of the county, has more streams of running water and more timber than any other township of the county. The townships of Franklin, Kingston and Genoa, that of the northern tier of the count}', was ineluded in the Polish survey and put on the market several years earlier than the twelve towns south of it. This accounts for the fact that the survey of lands do not coincide with those of the towns below it. The settlement of Franklin began in 1836 and it is now believed that the first settlers of Franklin were Andrew and William Miles and Samuel Corey. When they came to Franklin that part of the township known now as the Suter fami was still occupied by a small settlement of Pottowattomie Indians. Here they ground their corn and had their place of worship. They had a totem pole surmounted by an idol, where they had their religious offices. This idol was in the possession of Ebe Lucas' family for many years. The other settlers that came into the town this year and the year following were Daniel Gilchrist, T. H. Humphrey, Theophilus- Watkins, Samuel, Charles and Henry nicks, Andrew Brown, Harry Holmes. Allen Gardner, W. T. Kirk, a Mr. Owen, from whom Owen creek takes its name, B, M. Dean, John McDowell, Alvah and James Bennett, Daniel Cronkhite, Martin M. Mack, Spence Myers, Ira Dibble and Squire J. M. Riddle. In 1837 the Hicks brothers built a mill near what was known afterward as the Hicks ford and later this locality is spoken of as the Hicks' Mill country. In 1837 those who came suffered from the financial depression that was general over the country and when that land came into the market they were unable to pay the dollar and a quarter, an acre, so their claims were purchased by Dr. Hobert in 1842. Around Hicks' Mill sprang up quite a village. There were stores and blacksmith shops and it bid fair to be one of the thriving burgs of the county. Dr. Hobert at the time of the purchase of the Hicks' claim was a man of considerable wealth. He was president of the Claims Association of that locality and was prominent in town and county affairs. Thoroughly educated and enthusiastic in the practice of his profession, he was a man of fine appearance, possessed great ambition and acquired a large amount of property, bill to the surprise of ;ill who knew him died of delirium tremens in the earlj '50s. Eicks' Mil] postoffice was instituted in 1841, with Samuel Hick- ,i- postmaster, and the receipts of that office for that year were seven dollars and seventy-two cents. Blood's Point was also an early postoffice, a place well known over the country, as it was just across the line in the county of Boone, and many of the settlers had that as their place of business. Lacey postoffice was established on the east side of tin- town and remained quite a village until the building of the railway in 1876. The Lacey postoffice the B.rs1 year of its existence shows an income of a dollar and twenty-four cents.

The first marriages recorded in this locality were - Ion,- Abernethy ami Betsey Rand, Miles Abernetby and Lucy Hatch. Daniel Hatch ami Miss Abernethy. The firsl school was taught by Bi

Thomas W. Humphrey, who came to this town at an early day. was a prominent citizen and lawyer and a man of education and refinement. He died at nn early age in 1844. His eldest son, General T. W. Humphrey, was at thai tunc eighl win- of age. Martin M. Mack was the county commissioner and a man well known throughout the county. \V. T. Kirk was one of the large land-owners of this township and at one time had in his possession fifteen hundred acres, lie served In- town many years as supervisor. The generally from the southern states, especially Kentucky and Tennessee, while those who came at a later day were from the New- England ami middle -tat-. Dr. Basset! was the first physician, lie subsequently removed to Sycamore ami was one of the early physicians of that township.

The tornado of Is:,:; -truck the township of Franklin, passing through Kingston. It picked up the housi ol John Young, first lifted it up. shattered it. and it was carried off in pieces which were never found. Mrs. Young was instantly killed. It next struck the residence of Ira Dean, and a lady relative visiting there had her hack broken and died soon afterward. Two boys at the house were Mown out of tin' window, but were nut -, - r i o 1 1 - 1 v hurt. Many other houses and barns were unroofed and destroyed. A similar storm passed through the town in I860, striking Franklin near the Kishwaukee river. When the tornado struck the river it scooped the water out, leaving its bed dry for an instant. It then pass d through the timber and took everything before it. making a roadway of ruin about twenty rods in width.

The village of Kirkland was platted in lsOi anil has grown to he one of the thriving towns of the county. It has a population of between eight or nine hundred, has a splendid graded school, of which Professor I. F. Conover i- superintendent. The first church was built in this village in 1S85. The Methodist church service was held in the public school building until L886, when the present edifice was completed. The Swedish Lutheran church was built in 1888, and the Congregational church bought this >i\ years later. The hotel is owned and operated by J. 1>. Morris, present coroner of the county. Aside from being a well built town. Kirkland can boas! of the largest sheep -'nil- on the Milwaukee road between Chicago and the mountains. They are owned and operated by John McQueen, and have a capacity of one hundred thousand -keep. The town i- well supplied with stores of everj nature and ha- been -nice i t -« organization a prominent railroad center.

Pairdale, formerly known as Fielding, was platted in 1876 ami for a time was much larger ami more prosperous than Kirkland. The first building in this town was ere, ted by Lewis Keith and he carried a line of general merchandise. L. W. King started the first drug store. Henry O'Rourke built the first building. The Methodist church, which stood about three miles west of the village, was moved into Fairdale soon after it was -tailed nml a new building now replaces tin- old one and is one of the most spacious Methodist churches in the county. After Kirkland became a coaling and watering station, where all trains stopped, it grew rapidly, outstripping Fairdale on the west, anil owing to its splendid railroad service does a freight business and the percentage of business i- of greater proportions than many townfour time- it- size.

Franklin furnished ninety-nine men for the nation during the Civil strife, and of the number entering the service quite a number became prominent. Among that number was Thomas W. Humphrey, who. being left an orphan at the age of eight years, struggled with the hardships of frontier life and began at a very young age to operate the farm owned by his mother. lie acquired an excellent education for Ins circumstances, worked his way through the Beloit College, became deputy circuit clerk of De Kalb county, married at twenty-one, and during the same year purchased the Humphrey homestead. He was always a bold, brave, venturesome youth, whose integrity and manliness of character made every one his friend. For years he taught country school during the winter and in 1861 crossed the plains to California and on the expedition heroically rescued an emigrant and his family from a tribe of hostile Indians. Eeturning in 1862, he raised a company of volunteers from the borders of De Kalb, Boone and McHenry counties. Many of the boys enlisting in his regiment had been his students in the country school. This company was made a part of the Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry and Mr. Humphrey was elected major. He devoted himself with energy and ardor to the profession of arms and soon held a commanding position in the regiment. He was promoted to the position of lieutenant-colonel for meritorious service and upon the resignation of Colonel Avery was made colonel. He took part in 1 1 1 < stunning of Vicksburg on the 19th and 22d of May, 1863, was wounded on the first day, but continued at the head of the regiment. On the 22d lie was ordered to lead his regiment across a bridge in the face of an enfilading fire from the enemy. He put himself at the head of the regiment and was one of the three who finally passed over. He took refuge behind a hill and while here was stunned by the explosion of a shell and was reported killed, but during the night crawled back to camp. Horace Greeley in his valuable work, "A Great American Conflict." in giving his report of the disastrous battle of Guntown, where Colonel Humphrey lost his life, says: "The command of the expedition in pursuit of Forest was given to General Sturgis in spite of the fact that he had proven himself an incompetent officer." He speaks in highest terms of Colonel Humphrey. The army were compelled to march on double quick during the sultry forenoon of June 10th and were completely exhausted on reached the place of battle. Instead of waiting for his artillery and organizing his army for a general movement. General Sturgis ordered one regiment to charge at a time. When the orders reached Colonel Humphrey he suggested to General Sturgis that it would be better to wait until he could be supported by the regiment but that he was there to obey orders. Without any further conversation he headed his regiment for the enemy and was one of the first to lose his life. He was mortally wounded, placed in an ambulance, and carried twelve miles to the rear, but before reaching the destination he died from loss of blood, occasioned by the jar of the ambulance. His body was then taken in charge by one of his ;i ids. placed in a single buggy and taken to Memphis, a distance of sixty miles. There the body was embalmed, placed in a steel casket and sent to his home in Franklin. His brevet as brigadier general was issued two days previous to his death and reached his home in Franklin while his body was a corpse at the old homestead. At the time of his death General Humphrey was twenty-nine years of age and no man in De Kalb county had a brighter.mihtary future. Beneath the old walnuts and oaks of the family home the largest concourse that ever ' assembled at a funeral in De Kalb gathered to do honor to the memory of the martyred hero. The funeral was conducted by Major-General Stephen Ilulhert, of Belvidere, who escorted the remains from Memphis to Franklin. The funeral sermon was preached by W. A. Atchison, the Methodist preacher, who was chaplain of one of the regiments that went to the front in 1861. The Thomas W. Humphrey post, G. A. P., was organized in Kirkland in 1885, with the Hon. Charles F. Myer as commander. Franklin sent John B. Nash, who became captain in the One Hundred and Fifth; Lieutenant Hiram Harrington, who died during the war; Lieutenant Samuel Munson, John M. Schoonmaker and John W. Burst, all of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. Lieutenant Burst entered the Fifteenth Infantry, but lost his sight while on duty in Missouri, by the poison of a scorpion. After nearly six months' blindness he recovered, and full of ardor for the great cause re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth, and after two years' faithful service, in the battle of New Hope Church, lie lost his leg by the explosion of a shell. His leg was amputated in the field hospital and the next day he was taken across the mountains forty-five miles to Kingston, Georgia. The second morning he was placed on a train in the freight ear and taken to Chattanooga. On arriving there he was at once carried into the receiving tent and the wound was examined. Gangrene had set in and he was ordered to the gangrene morgue. Another amputation was promptly made, but the wound did Mil heal and a third amputation was made after i rival at home about the middle of July. 1864. II. was commissioned captain but never mustered in. the commission being received after the loss of his leg. Major Burst was appointed postmaster, in 1866, at Sycamore, and entering the railway mail service was appointed in 1881 by Governor Oglesby as warehouse registrar and at the request of Jeremiah Husk, secretary ol agriculture, was appointed inspector of emigration in Chicago. In 1894 he was quartermaster general of the G. A. E. In the fall of 1896, during the famous free silver campaign, he was one of a party organized by General Alger and composed of Gen erals Howard, Sickles, Stuarl and Marden and Corpora] Tanner. They made a tour of thirteen states in the interest of William MeKinley. After McKinley became presidenl Major Bursi was again appointed inspector of emigration in Chicago, which office he is still holding.

The others who lost their lives and who enlisted for service in the war from the town of Franklin. we give the following: Thomas W. Humphrey, Hiram S. Harrington, W. Miles, Wesley Witter, John Stokes. Eustus Lusher, Henry Kline. Alonzo Randall, J. II. Strawn, W .1.. Foss, C. E. Foss, A. G. Foss, S. L. Cronkhite, [saac Weaver, Perry C. Rowan. Danford Gorham, J. G. Griffin and John Eckert.

In 18(36 the Methodist church was built at Charter Oak. when- a postoffice had been maintained for many years. After the building of the railway and the building up of Kirkland, the Methodist church was organized there. People gradually removed from this locality into Kirkland. so that at present the memberships of the Bethel church in Mayfield and of the Charter Oak church have been taken out, the members uniting with the organization at Kirkland. The Baptist church of Sycamore was organized in this township in 1S50. In 1004 the T. I. & M. road was built through the town of Franklin, touching Kirkland on the south.

The citizens of Franklin who are well known outside of the limits of their town are I. 1!. Drake. who was a farmer on section 29, served his town several vears as supervisor. J. W. Ellithorpe, farmer and storekeeper east of the present village of Fairdale. He was a man of good ability and was at one time mentioned prominently as a candidate for senator, and bad it not been for the treachery of some of the politicians of his own town might have been nominated.

Hon. C. F. Myer was born in Germany and came to Franklin in 1862. Before a year had passed he had become proficient in the English language and was teaching a district -ehool. He in Franklin ami married a daughter of John M. Sehoonmaker ami engaged in fanning. Mr. Myer, being a man of splendid attainment-, succeeded well in business, served as town supervisor for many terms and in many other capacities. In 1892 he served in the legislature at Springfield ami is at present visiting his mother, who still live,-, in - (ermany.

<;. W. Ault. a producl of De Kalb county, bum in Mayfield township, attended district and graded schools, served as clerk in the bank at Kirkland, then assistant cashier and finally became a partner with D. B. Brown, upon whose death he succeeded to the business and i- a1 present managing one of the strong financial institutions of the county.

The sons of Daniel Gilchrist, one of the early pioneers, Warren, and Charles, have been prominent in township affairs. Warren served nearly a quarter of a century in the office of assessor, was a man respected and liked by every one. He died on his farm about ten years ago. Charles Gilchrist. is a bachelor and leads rather a retiring life: is a man well read and is of that nature that to know i m iin.it' I \ is but to respect. Few men with the opportunities for an education that was offered him in pioneer days are better posted on current, affairs than is Mr. Gilchrist. The only fault that we can fined with Charles is that his beautiful home east of the village was not shared by a mistress that might have added sunshine and made this bachelor even more happy and contented than he now is.

deserves special mention is the genial Scotch gentleman, Jolm McQueen. Born on the other side of the water, he had attained his majority when lie left Anld Scotia's shore for the hind of promise. He at present conducts the largest sheep industry in this section of the country. He at presenl owns the sheep sheds which have a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand sheep. In addition he is vicinity of Kirkland, which is used during the summer and fall for feeding the vast numbers of sheep that are brought to Kirkland from the west and are here prepared for final marketing. This industry naturally gives employment to a large number of people and gives a splendid demand for the produce of the farm. Two families of this township deserve especial mention and have contributed largely in the building up of this community. W. T. Kirk, prominent in town and county affairs and at one time the largest landowner in the township, settled here in 1837. He had a large family of children, who were engaged in business in Kirkland at different times. William Rowan, progenitor of the Rowan family, settled here in the early '10s. He had a large family of sons, who had attained their manhood when they came to Franklin township. Boyd D. Rowan was one of the successful financiers of De Kalb county and organized the present Kirkland Rank. Stephen G. Rowan was prominently identified with the public affairs of Franklin township. He reared a family of five children, who are making excellent success in life. Bainbridge Dean in his life time was the owner of the "Prairie Home" farm of six hundred acres, was supervisor of his town for many years and in company with Boyd Rowan established the bank now owned by G. W. Ault.

Victor

i Victor, one of the younger townships of the county, was at first, a part of the town of Clinton. The first settlers who came to this section, now known as Victor, were Jeremiah Mulford, first postmaster under Van Ruren and who named the post-office after his favorite president. During the same year W. H. Keene, Aruna Reckwith, James Green, Newton Stearns, Peleg Sweet, George N. Stratton, Simon Suydam, IT. C. Beard and W. R.

Prescott took up claims in this locality, and during the next li\e years all of the land of the township was entered. The completion of the C. B. & Q. Railroad and the establishment of a station at Somonauk proved advantageous to this section and the next year settlers came in rapidly and soon all the rich prairie was filled with thrifty, industrious people. Many Germans and Irish were among the number and also quite a colony of Xorwegians. Also W. H. Keene and grandmother. Hopestill Fritz, who died a few years after coming to Victor, at the age of ninety years. It was a pleasant memory of her life time, which she used to frequently relate that "Shortly after Washington had crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania the general and his staff stopped at the home of her father to get a drink. She hastened in the house, brought out some milk and supplied the general and his staff to their heart's content." Hopestill Fritz was buried in the Suydam cemetery, and owing to her splendid patriotism and her memories of "the father of his country," her grave is decorated each year with flowers such as are strewn over the graves of the boys who served in the later wars of the republic.

Victor is not crossed by any railroads and is exclusively an agricultural township, there being no villages or towns within its borders, and there is no postoffice in this section at the present time since the inaguration of the rural mail route. The Suydam church was built by the Methodists in the early '70s and is the only house of worship in the i own. Services, however, are held by the Methodists in the Green town schoolhouse. This schoolhouse, one of the best country school buildings in the count v. was erected for the double purpose of school and church service.

After Victor was given a separate organization in 1853 Benjamin Darland was elected its first supervisor. The northeastern part of the town was settled largely by United Presbyterians and among the number were J. C. Beveridge. who served the town many years as supervisor and for over thirty years was school treasurer. Hiram Loucks served his town for years as supervisor and was afterwards elected a member of the legislature. Hiram C. Beard, one of the early settlers of this town, taught the first public school in South Grove, the first public school in the town of Clinton, served as supervisor of the town for several years and was elected county superintendent of schools during the war. Mr. Beard was an excellent educator, was progressive in his ideas and the men who were associated with him in the management of school affairs pronounced him an excellent official. Wallace Moore, a resident of Victor, enlisted as a volunteer in the Civil war and lost an arm in the service. He was elected county clerk in 1869 and served till 1872, dying in office. The supervisors of Victor were: Benjamin Darland, one year; Samuel Lord, one year; George N. Stratton, three years; H. C. Beard, four years; J. C. Van Derveer, two years; H. C. Beard, 1867-8; William H. Prescott, three years ; J. C. Beveridge, in all about seven years; Hiram Loucks, T. J. Warren, Silas D. Wesson. William Montague, X. -1. Sawyer and Alvin Warren.

S. D. Wesson enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and was with thai regiment to the close of the war. Mr. Wesson is a speaker of considerable force, has the wit of the son of Erin and is known as the "'[ t laureate."

Simon C. Suydam, one of the pioneers of this township, lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years and six months and in 1899 had his photograph taken with his four succeeding generations. Mr. Suydam remembered well the sun of the French and Indian war. his Life covering a greater part of the period of the United S history. Victor furnished one hundred and three men for the Civil war and raised ten thousand, eight hundred and fifty-eight dollars for use in that conflict. Some of those who perished in the strife were Ferdinand Van Derveer, B. T. Pi C. T. Bond. ('. B. Suydam. These with about fifteen others constitute the sacrifice during the strife, to say nothing of those who remained and lost their health.