Grant Township

Grant Township

This township is situated on the western boundary of the county, and is only four miles in width. As a Congressional township it is known as Town¬ ship 15, north Range 9 east. It has the least population, and ranks the least in the assessed value of property of any town in the county.

Among the early settlers of this township were Harley Clark, Rufus Wil¬ lard, Robert Stanley, Chester Hamilton, Devereaux and Henry Goodale, T. D. and D. C. Townsend and Timothy B. Titcomb.

This town was originally named Goodale, in honor of Devereaux Goodale, v/ho was one of the early settlers, and then a resident of the town. Mr. Goodale stated to his neighbors that, if the inhabitants would consent to have the town named after him he would proceed, within a reasonable time, and erect a town house, for the use of the town, at such point as might be selected. There were but very few inhabitants in the township at the time, and as far as known they consented to this name.

A. certificate was laid before the Commissioners having the matter in charge, signed by Noah Dunbar, Chairman, and Wm. C. Neale, Secretary, setting forth that at a meeting of the citizens of Township 45, north Range 9 east, held in said township on the 18th of January, 1850, it was agreed that the same be named Goodale ; whereupon the Commissioners named it accordingly.

But the town house, promised in consideration of the name, was never built. Mr. Goodale soon afterward removed to California, and has never re¬ turned. In 1867, the name of the town was changed to Grant.

This town is watered by Fish Lake, Wooster Lake, Sullivan's Lake, Mud Lake, Duck Lake, Long Lake, part of the Pistakee Lakes and some two or three smaller ponds, not named ; also by Squaw Creek, which passes through the northern portion.

The Pistakee Lakes, so called, spoken of, are a chain of lakes in the western part of the county, which are attracting much attention of late as a place of resort for hunting and fishing, especially the locality within this township. These lakes are three in number. The first is commonly called Grass Lake, and the second, Fox Lake.

Although forty years have elapsed since the settlement of the country around these lakes was commenced, yet that portion in the immediate vicinity presents nearly as wild an appearance to-day as at the beginning. This results largely from the peculiar topography of the country. In some places the land is low and marshy. The shores of the lakes are irregular, interrupted by in¬ numerable nooks and points, and within the lakes are several islands.

Before the settlement of the country, this was a place of general resort for the Pottawattomie tribe of Indians. This was within their country. Here were their villages and most extensive cornfields. The lakes were filled with fish ; the waters were covered with wild fowl, and the country around abounded in game.

In a newspaper published in Chicago in 1844, we found several articles referring to these lakes and country around, in one of which the writer states that it was Blackhawk's endeavor in commencing his war with the whites, in 1882, to reach this chain of lakes with his tribe as a place of security ; and the writer remarks that had Blackhawk succeeded in gaining this ground, the many points and islands of these lakes would have long secured his forces from an army unacquainted with the country. No authority is given for this conclusion, but a reference to Blackhawk's own account of the circumstances attending the commencement of his hostilities would lead to the correctness of this statement. This account shows that his plan was to form a coalition with the Pottawattomie3, by which they would provide him a place of security for the women and children and old men of his tribe. These lakes were then in the heart of the Pottawattomie country. It is known that the Pottawattomies entertained Blackhawk's proposition at a three days' council on the Aux Plaines River, west of Chicago. It is said to have been defeated only by the efforts of Billy Caldwell and Alexander Robinson, two half-breed chiefs.

The following from Blackhawk's narrative, as given at Rock Island after his return from captivity in 1833, to Mr. J. B. Patterson, through the Gov¬ ernment Interpreter, will be found of especial interest in this connection, as confirming the opinion given of the original intention of this noted chief of coalition and finding security in the country of the Pottawattomies, as has been hereinbefore stated :

" About this time, Ne-a-Pope (who started to Malden, where it was ascer¬ tained that the great war chief, Gen. Gaines, was coming to remove us) re¬ turned. He said he had seen the chief of our British Father, and asked him if the Americans could force us to leave our village. He said : ' If we had not sold our village and land, the American Government could not take them from us. That the right being vested in us, could only be transferred by the voice and will of the whole nation ; and that as we had never given our consent to the sale of our country, it remained our exclusive property, from which the American Government never could force us away ! And that in the event of war we should have nothing to fear , as they would stand by and assist us.' He said he had called at the Prophet's village, on his way down, and there learned for the first time that we had left our village. He informed me, pri¬ vately, that the Prophet was anxious to see me, as he had much good news to tell me, and that I would hear good news, in the Spring, from our British Father. The Prophet requested me to inform you of all the particulars. I would much rather, however, you should see him, and learn all from himself.

But I will tell you that he has received expresses from our British Father, who says that he is going to send us guns, ammunition, provisions and clothing, early in the Spring. The vessels that bring them will come by way of Milwa-ke. The Prophet has likewise received wampum and tobacco from the different nations on the lakes - Ottawas, Ghippewas and Pottawattomies - and as for the Winnebagoes, he has them all at his command. We are going to be happy once more !" e-a pope said : " The Prophet told me that all the different tribes before mentioned would fight for us, if necessary, and the British would support us. My party having all come in and got ready, we commenced our march up the Mississippi - our women and children in canoes, carrying such provisions as we had, camp equipage, etc., and my braves and warriors on horseback, armed and equipped for defense The Prophet came down and joined us below Rock River, having called at Rock Island, on his way down, to consult the War Chief, agent and trader, who (he said) used many arguments to dissuade him from going with us ; and requested him to come and meet us, and turn us back. They told him, also, that there was a war chief on his way to Rock Island, with a large body of soldiers.

The Prophet said he would not listen to this talk, because no war chief dare molest us as long as we are at peace ; that we had a right to go where we pleased, peaceably, and advised me to say nothing to any braves and warriors until we encamped that night. We moved onward until we had arrived at the place where Gen. Gaines had made his encampment the year before, and encamped for the night. The Prophet then addressed my braves and warriors. He told them to 44 follow us, and act like braves, and we had nothing to fear but much to gain; that the Americans might come, but would not nor dare not interfere with us so long as we acted peaceably ! That we were not yet ready to act otherwise. We must wait until we ascend Rock River and receive our re-enforcements, and we with them be able to withstand any army ! "

That night, the White Beaver (Gen. Atkinson), with a party of soldiers, passed up in steamboats. Our party became alarmed, expecting to meet the soldiers at Rock River, to prevent us from going up. On our arrival at its mouth, we discovered that the steamboats had passed on. I was fearful that the war chief had stationed his men on some bluff, or in some ravine, that we might be taken by surprise. Consequently, on entering Rock River, we com¬ menced beating our drums and singing, to show the Americans that we were not afraid. Having met with no opposition, we moved up Rock River leisurely some distance, when we were overtaken by an express from the White Beaver with an order for me to return with my band, and recross the Mississippi again. I sent him word that I would not (not recognizing his right to make such a demand), as I was acting peaceably, and intended to go to the Prophet's village, at his request, to make corn.

" Having accomplished that, the White Beaver would not permit us to remain here. I began to consider what was best to be done, and concluded to keep up the river and see the Pottawattomies and have a talk with them. Several Win¬ nebago chiefs were present, whom I advised of my intentions. As they did not seem disposed to render us any assistance, I asked them if they had not seen us wampum during the winter, and requested us to come and join their people and enjoy all the rights and privileges of their country. They did not deny this, and said, if the white people did not interfere, they had no objection to our making corn this year with our friend, the Prophet, but did not wish us to go any further up.

" The next day, I started with my party to Kish-wa-co-kee. That night I encamped a short distance above the Prophet's village. After all was quiet in my camp, I sent for my chiefs, and told them we had been deceived ; that all the fair promises that had been held out to us, through Ne-a-pope, were false! But it would not do to let our party know it. We must keep it secret among ourselves and move on to Kish-wa-co-kee, as if all was right, and say something on the way to encourage our people. I will then call on the Potta¬ wattomies, and hear what they say and see what they will do. We started the next morning, after telling our people that word had just come from Mil-wa-ke, that a chief of our British father would be there in a few days.

" Finding that our plans were defeated, I told the Prophet that he mu$t go. with me and we would see what could be done with the Pottawattomies. On our arrival at Kish-wa-co-kee, an express was sent to the Pottawattomie villages. The next day a deputation arrived. I enquired if they had corn in their vil¬ lages. They said they had very little and could not spare any ! I asked them different questions and received unsatisfactory answers. This talk was in the presence of all my people. I afterward spoke to them privately and requested them to come to my lodge, after my people had got to sleep. They came and took seats. I asked them if they had received any word from the lake, from the British. They said no. I inquired if they had heard that a chief of our British father was coming to Mil-wa-ke, to bring us guns, ammunition, goods and provisions. They said no. I then told them what word had been brought to me, and requested them to return to their village and tell the chiefs that I wished to see them and have a talk with them.

"After this deputation started, I concluded to tell my people that if the White Beaver came after us we would go back, as it was useless to think of stop¬ ping or going on without provisions. I discovered that the Winnebagoes and Pottawattomies were not disposed to render us any assistance.

" The next day, the Pottawattomie chiefs arrived at my camp. I had a dog killed and made a feast. When it was ready, I spread my medicine bags and the chiefs began to eat. When the ceremony was about ending, I received news that three or four hundred white men, on horseback, had been seen about eight miles off. I immediately started three young men, with a white flag, to meet them and conduct them to our camp, that we might hold a council with them, and descend Rock River again, and directed them, in case the whites* had encamped , to return, and 1 would go and see them. After this party had started, I sent five young men to see what might take place. The first party went to the encampment of the whites and were taken prisoners. The last party had not proceeded far before they saw about twenty men coming toward them in full gallop ! They stopped, and, finding that the white men were com¬ ing so fast in a warlike attitude, they turned and retreated, but were pursued and two of them overtaken and killed ! The others made their escape. When they came in with the news, I was preparing my flags to meet the war chief. The alarm was given. Nearly all my young men were absent, about ten miles off. I started with what I had left (about forty), and had proceeded but a short distance before we saw a part of the army approaching. I raised a yell and said to my braves : ' Some of our people have been killed ! - wantonly and

" In a little while, we discovered the whole army coming toward us in full gallop ! We were now confident that our first party had been killed. I im^ mediately placed my men in front of some bushes, that we might have the first fire when they approached close enough. They made a halt some distance from us. I gave another yell, and ordered my brave warriors to charge upon them, expecting that we would all be killed. They did charge. Every man rushed and fired, and the enemy retreated in the utmost confusion and con¬ sternation before my little but brave band of warriors.

" After pursuing the enemy some distance, I found it useless to follow them* as they rode so fast, and returned to my encampment with the few of my brave* (about twenty-five having gone in pursuit of the enemy). I lighted my pipe and sat down to thank the Great Spirit for what we had done.

" The next morning, I told the crier of my village to give notice that we must go and bury our dead. In a little while all were ready. A small depu¬ tation was sent for our absent warriors, and the remainder started. We first disposed of our dead, and then commenced an examination in the enemy's deserted encampment for plunder. We found arms, ammunition and provisions, all of which we were in want of - particularly the latter, as we were entirely without. We found also a variety of saddle-bags (which I distributed among my braves), and a small quantity of whisky, and some little barrels that had contained this bad medicine, but they were empty. I was surprised to find that the whites carried whisky with them, as I had understood that all the pale faces belonged to temperance societies .

" Having returned to our encampment and found that all our young men had come in, I sent out spies to watch the movements of the army, and com¬ menced moving up Kish-wa-co-kee with the balance of my people. I did not know where to find a place of safety for my women and children, but expected to find a good harbor about the head of Rock River. I concluded to go there, and thought my best route would be to go round the head of Kish-wa-co-kee, so that the Americans would have some difficulty if they attempted to follow us. On arriving at the head of Kish-wa-co-kee I was met by a party of Winnebagoes, who seemed to rejoice at our success. They said they had come to offer their services, and were anxious to join us. I asked them if they knew where there was a safe place for my women and children. They told me that they would send two old men with us to guide us to a good and safe place.

" I arranged war parties to send out in different directions before I pro¬ ceeded further. The Winnebagoes went alone. The war parties having all been fitted out and started, we commenced moving to the Four Lake* , the place where our guides were to conduct us."

The skirmish with the whites, of which Blackhawk speaks, was that which became known as the defeat of Stillman's Run, in what is now Ogle County, about fifty miles distant from the country of the Pistakee Lakes.

It will be noticed that Blackhawk was proceeding up what he calls the Kish-wa-co-kee River - now called the Kishwaukee - the former being a Pottawattomie term,, it is said, meaning " land of sycamore trees." He says he pro¬ ceeded around the head waters of this river. This would bring him into what is now the western part of McHenry County, in the vicinity of the present village of Marengo, within about twenty miles, or a day's travel of the Pistakee Lakes. But it seems, however, after the Pottawattomies failed him, Blackhawk accepted the protection of the Winnebagoes, and, guided by them, proceeded to the Four Lakes, now Madison, Wisconsin.

Among the Pottawattomie villages with which Blackhawk communicated, and from which he states he received deputations, were no doubt those about the Pistakee Lakes. This was, at that day, the great corn country of this tribe, especially that portion lying in and about the northern part of this township.

The first school house in this town was a log building, of hewn logs, at the crossing of the north McHenry road, and the road leading to the Nippersink Point. It was built in 1844. Daniel Armstrong was the first teacher.

The first town meeting in this town was held at the Goodale's Tavern, on the first Tuesday in April, 1850, at which the following persons were elected town officers : Chester Hamilton, Supervisor ; D. C. Townsend, Town Clerk ; Jehiel Compton, Assessor ; Orren Marble, Collector ; Cornelius Smith, Over¬ seer of the Poor; Calvin Clark, Rufus M. Way and Robert Stanley, Commis¬ sioners of Highways ; Chester Hamilton and A. S. Maltby, Justices of the Peace ; L. P. Barnes and Orren Marble, Constables.

The total valuation of property for 1850, including both real and personal, was $33,868. The amount of tax computed on the same, for collection, was $472.56.

The Roman Catholic Church have a church edifice in the northeastern part of this town, near Fox Lake, which was built about twelve years ago.