Lancaster Township

Lancaster Township

TMOMAS BELL, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Cedarville ; born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Dec. 2, 1819; came to Stephenson Co., in June, 1843 ; the trip from Pennsylvania here he made on horseback, in company with his brother Robert, now proprietor of the Tremont House in Freeport ; being a carpenter by trade, he carried on that business for many years in connection with farming, to which latter occup'ations he has gradually giving more and more of his attention ; his farm comprises 400 acres of fine land in Lancaster, Harlem and Buckeye Townships. As an apt reminder of early days, there is yet standing near his residence the first parsonage built in Stephenson Co. Mr. B. is an honored member of the M. E. Church, and of the Republican party ; has held township offices. In 1845, he married Miss Jane W. Young, who came here in 1839, with her parents, Robert and Sarah Young, from Union Co., Pcnn ; the first brick house built in Stephenson Co. was erected by her father ; it being the house now occupied by James Adams, one and a half miles west of Cedarville. in Buckeye Township ; her father died in February, 1857, aged 64 ; her mother yet lives at the advanced age of 79. Mr. and Mrs. Bell, have four children living - James E., William R., Anna M. (Mrs. Clinghman) and Samuel Y.; one daughter, Sarah E. (Mrs. Badger, deceased).

RLDOLPH K. BRUBAKER, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Sept. 25, 1817; lived in Pennsylvania until 1853, when he removed to Stephenson Co., 111., built his present large, convenient and comfortable dwelling in 1854, and from that pleasant home, has since daily gone forth to industrious laborers ; his farm embraces 140 acres, well cultivated, and his location gives him all the advantages of good society, fine markets, etc. Religious faith, Mennonite. He was married in 1840, in Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth Siegrist, also a native of Lancaster Co., in that State ; they have nine children - Abram, John, Andrew, Maria (Mrs. Ebersole), Benjamin, Jacob, Elizabeth (Mrs. Shoemaker), Daniel and Rudolph.

E. B. CLINGMAN, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Cedarville ; born in Stephenson Co., July 22, 1852 ; his father, Josiah Clingman, a well-known citizen of the county, settled here in 1836, and was intimately associated with the affairs of the county until his death, which occurred in 1865. Mr. C. has been all his life a resident of the county, except the years from 1873 to 1878, during which time he lived in Black Hawk Co., Iowa; has been chiefly engaged in farming, though employed as a teacher in his district for the winter of 1879 and 1880; his landed possessions comprise 168 acres, in

Dakota and Buckeye Townships. Politics, Republican. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Anna M. Bell, daughter of Thomas Bell, whose biography also appears in this work. Their children are Harry A., Minnie, Wad and Thomas J.

COWRAD DAMBIIAX, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Freeport; born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1828; immigrated to America in March, 1849; lived iu New York until 1854, when he came to Stephenson Co., 111. ; for eleven years lived on the farm near where Tobias Engle now lives ; for the last fifteen years has resided in his present location. Starting in America without a dollar, he has, by the irresistible combination of hard work and economy, made for himself and family a handsome property, and a home noted for its many conveniences ; his farm consists of 252 acres, in Sees. 16 and 17; near his house is one of the finest springs of living water to be found in the State ; connected with this bounteous water-supply, is a splendid two- story brick spring-house, with special adaptations to dairy purposes ; and his large barn, granary, carriage-house, and comfortable dwelling, all show the care taken to have his surroundings in good condition. His political party is the Democratic. Mr. D. was married, in 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Dreitzell, who was born in Germany, in 1833. They have five children living - Henry, Conrad, Katie (Mrs. John Schetzel, of Dakota Terr.), Enlie and Lizzie ; three deceased - Mary, Augusta and Emma.

SAMIJEL. DAUGHEWBAUGH, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O. Freeport; born about twenty miles from Philadelphia, in Chester Co., Penn., in the year 1807 ; was raised, principally, in the portion of Centre Co. that was, a^, a later date, called -Clinton Co. ; removed to Stephenson Co., 111., in May, 1848 ; his farm here comprises 94 acres, in a good state of cultivation ; for the last few years, unable to perform the active labors of the farm, he has entrusted the farm-work chiefly to his willing boys, "who, with younger energies, carry on the industry. Mr. D. has held township and .school oflBces. His political preferences are Democratic. In 1830, he married Miss Susan Wilt, who was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., in 1809 ; their children are WilHam J., Mary J , deceased; Amanda C., now Mrs. Prosper Lloyd ; John S., Rebecca E., now Mrs. Joseph Diemer; Darius F., Sarah F., now Mrs. William Strong; Samuel A., Benjamin F. and Henry A.

DAVID Li. EBERSOLE, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Freeport; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1844; in 1868, removed to Whiteside Co., 111., and Irom there, -after a two years' residence, came to Stephenson Co., in the fall of 1870; has a farm of 80 acres, under good cultivation, with good farm buildings, etc. Religion, Mennonite ; ipolitics, Republican ; has held school ofliccs. He was married, in December, 1870. to Miss Maria Brubaker, daughter of Rudolph K. Brubaker, a well-known and worthy of the same neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole have two children - Ella May and Annie Laura.

TOBIAS ENCjrL.E, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 9, 1829 ; removed to Stephenson Co., 111., in the spring of 1851 ; for his first eight years in the county was engaged in the hardware business in Freeport - most of the time in partnership with Henry Strohm ; while in business there, he and his partner built some three business houses on Exchange Block, and in this and other ways aided materially in the building-up of the city. Since 1860, he has been chiefly engaged in farming and stock-raising; his farm consists of 280 acres, in Sees. 21, 22 and 28 ; and he has, besides this, some property in Freeport. He is a member of the Embury M. E. Church ; is identified with the Republican party ; has held school offices; been County Commissioner, etc. In 1853, he married Miss Mary A. Myers, a native of York Co., Penn. ; they have eleven children - Albert H., Jacob M., Tobias S., Charles A., Rosa, Mary, Ida, Emma, Lillie, Cora and Nettie.

D. G. EAGER, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Cedarville ; born in Northumberland Co., Penn., March 23, 1839; removed with his parents to Stephenson Co., 111., in May, 1844; has been engaged in farming, except six years, in which he was employed as a carpenter ; he has 95 acres of land in Sec. 7, Buckeye Township, and 8 acres in Waddams Township. Is a member of the Evangelical Association, and of the Republican party; has held school and township offices. He was married in 1858, to Miss l^EVI FAHS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Cedarville ; born in York Co., Penn., in 1831; in 1852, emigrated to Ohio, where he remained three years, removing to Stephenson Co. in 1855; has a good farm, embracing 216 acres in Lancaster and Waddams Townships. Is a member of the Evangelical Church, and identified with the Republican party; is president of School Board in his district. In 1861, he married Miss Ellen E. Bear, a native of Pennsylvania; she died Feb 27, 1878 ; in the fall of 1S79, he was married to Polly Jones, also a native of Pennsylvania; his children, living, are Elizabeth, Estella, Orlando, May and Emma ; those deceased are Minerva, John, Levi, and Wesley.

WIL.LIAM OLiA8N£R, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in New York, Feb. 11, 1834 ; at the age of 18, left New York and came to Chicago ; stopped near that city for half a year, then went to the Lake Superior region for two years ; returned then to his native place, and six months later came to Stephenson Co , in 1855, and has since that date made his home in this county ; he worked at the carpenter trade until some time after settling here ; of later years has been exclusively engaged in farming; has a good farm of 160 acres, well improved, good buildings, etc. Is a member of the Reformed Church, and a highly esteemed citizen of his community. In 1855, he was married to Miss Lavina Mitchell, daughter of M. P. Vlitchell, a wellknown citizen of this county; their children are Hannah M., Mary R., Irvin M., John F. and Eurie L ; three deceased - Elmira, Willie and Ascenath.

L. F. HEXDERSON, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Freeport ; born in New York, Sept. 22, 1829 ; resided in that State until 1850, when he removed to Stephenson Co., 111., reaching this county on the 23d of May, in that year. On the 6th of January, 1853, he married Mrs. Emmaretta S. Crocker; she died Sept. 7, 1872 ; in 1874, he was married to Miss Annie A. Kramer ; they have two pleasant, bright-eyed children - Emmaretta M. and Freddie 0 ; Mr. Henderson's comfortable home, not far from the city limits, is one of the pleasantest locations in the vicinity of Freeport ; his farm comprises 154 acres, and is well cared for by its genial proprietor, whose business enterprise in years gone by, in starting various manufacturing establishments in Freeport, has resulted in much benefit to the city, if not to himself. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church ; his political affiliations with the Republican party.

W. W. HUTCHISON, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Freeport ; is a native of Union Co., Penn., and was born Oct. 15, 1829 ; came to Stephenson Co., 111., in 1843; has a finely located and well-improved farm of 80 acres in the north part of Lancaster Township. Is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and identified with the Republican party ; he has the confidence of his fellow-citizens to the fullest extent ; has held school and township offices ; is the present Treasurer of Stephenson Co., and warmly alive to the best interests of the people among whom he lives. He was married in 1853, to Miss Isabella Young; she died April 9, 1854; in 1867, he married Mary C. Hayes ; have four children - Mary B., Florence L., Annie L. and Edith J.

RUDOLPH KEXCKE, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Washington Co., Wis., Oct. 10, 1844; came to Stephenson Co., 111., in 1859 ; has a farm o 83 acres, in good condition, with comfortable residence, etc. During the civil war' Mr. Kencke gave four and a half years of faithful service to preserve the Union, being a member of Co. Gr, 46th Regt. 1. V. I., participating with his command in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Ft. Henry, Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, Holly Springs. Hatchie River, siege of Vicksburg, Ft. Blakeley, etc., being discharged at the close of the war as Orderly Sergeant of his company. In politics he is a Republican ; hus been School Director of his district. He was married in 1867 to Miss Martha E. Smith, a native of Stephenson Co. ; they have four children - Edgar, Flora, Henry and Arthur. Mrs Kencke is a daughter of Samuel Smith (deceased) ; one of the oldest and best known of the early settlers in Stephenson Co. ; he came to this county from Rockbridge Co., Va., in the fall of 1836, and was during all the subsequent years intimately con- nected with the best material interesta of his community ; he owned some 40,0 acres o^ land at the time of his death, and had probably broken up more of the wild land here than any other man in the county. His habits of industry were kept up to the day of his death, which was caused by a railroad accident on the 19th of November, 1878.

A. JL AIIBERT, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Cedarville ; was born in Somerset Co. , Penn., in December, 1851 ; resided in that State until June, 1874, when he removed to Stephenson Co. ; has been constantly engaged in farming, and is regarded by his neighbors as a worthy, intelligent, and enterprising citizen. Politics, Republican. In August, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary A. Bear ; they have one child living - Forrest Earle ; one child died in infancy.

GEOR<)}E W. li ATTIG, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Northampton Co., Penn., Aug. 22, 1795; lived in his native State until 1851, when he removed to Stephenson Co., 111. ; for many years he pursued his occupation of weaver ; finally, gave his attention exclusively to farming ; by a long life of upright conduct, he has gained the respect of those associated with him, and is universally esteemed by all who know him ; has a farm of 65 acres ; he has held school and township offices. In politics, is a Republican. For sixty-six years has been a member of the German Reformed Church. In 1819 he married Miss Anna Jacoby, who was born near Philadelphia ; she died in 1871 ; the children living are Peter, Anna, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Maria, Emma, Matildah, Rosanna, Susannah, Greorge, John and Bleanora ; those deceased are Lovina, Greorge, William and Vina.

OBED H. LINTNER, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0. Freeport. The subject of this sketch, who is a son of Rev. Christian H. Lintner, an honored minister of the Evangelical Association, was born in Lake Co., 111., in July, 1846 ; came to Stephenson Co., in September, 1866 ; has a farm of 80 acres, finely situated and in good cultivation. His church membership is with the Evangelical Association. His politics. Republican. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah E. Brown, of Stephenson Co ; their children are Fearon, William, Warren 0., Oliver C, Edna C, John J. and Salinas M. J. F. HcKIBBEN, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Freeport; born in Pennsylvania in 1824; resided there - where his father had been one of the early settlers in that part of Pennsylvania - until June, 1845, when he emigrated to Stephenson Co. ; has a nicely located, well-watered, and finely-improved farm of 200 acres. Is one of the leading men of his town-hip ; having been Town Clerk for fourteen years ; a School Director for twenty-two years, and is ever ready to work for the good of his community. Is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Freeport, which church he helped to organize. In politics, he is a Republican. He was married, in 1845, to Miss Mary J. McKibben, also a native of Pennsylvania ; their children are Ann, Elizabeth, now Mrs. J. T. Lease, of Ridott Township ; Clarissa, Amanda, Susan, now Mrs. R. Gardner, of Harlem Township ; James, Perry, Mary, now Mrs. W. H. Brubaker, of Lancaster Township ; Frank, Nellie and Mary J. (deceased).

R. K. MADDEN, teacher. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Pennsylvania Sept. 27, 1834 ; resided in Pennsylvania until 1857, when he removed to Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio ; remained there five years, removing to Perry Co., in Southern Illinois, in the fall of 1862 ; in 1862, went to Washington Co , 111., where he lived until 1875, when he came to Stephenson Co., where he has resided since that date ; the profession of teaching is the one in which Mr. M. has been chiefly engaged ; he was admitted to the bar in Ohio and re-admitted in this State, but pursues teaching, because to him it is more congenial than the practice of law. He was married in Ohio, in 1861, to Miss Hattie Somers ; she died in 1879 ; three children - Klem, Otto and Edgar.

I. N. MAIiliORY, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Freeport; born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Nov. 27, 1829 ; when a year old, removed with his parents, D. W. C. and Ellen Mallory, to Vermillion Co., 111.; where they resided until the removal to Stephenson Co. in the fall of 1836, and this has been the place of residence since that date ; Mr. M. has a good farm of 137 acres in Sees. 24 and 25, with good dwelling and other buildings, etc. His devotion to the Union was shown during the civil war by his enlisting as a soldier iu Co. B, 46th I. Y. I., a gallant regiment, which did faithful work ia many battles of the war ; he was mustered out at Mound City, 111., for disability caused by exposure in the line of duty as a soldier. He is .1 member of the Christian Church, and, in politics, a Republican of unquestioned devotion to the best interests of the country ; has held school and township offices. In 1855, he married Miss Miranda V. Webb, who was also born in Ohio, but removed to Illinois in early life; their children are Harriet E., De Witt M., Jasper J., Mary E., Albert N., Almira W., James H.. Jane M., William E., Sarah Belle and Martha A.

REUBEN MEYERS, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Northampton Co., Penn., Jan. 16, 1829 ; removed to Stephenson Co., 111., in 1852 ; his first three years in this county he worked in a mill, and after this, until the war commenced, was employed in a woolen factory. During the civil war, he was three years in the service as a soldier in Co. G, 93d I. V. I., being with his command in all its numerous engagements in the West and Southwest, among which may be mentioned the battle S' of Missionary Ridge, Altuona Pass, siege of Vicksburg, etc., etc. Since the war, he has been engaged in farming ; has heli school offices ; in religion a Presbyterian, and in politics a Republican. He was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah M. Lattig, daughter of George W. Lattig ; their children are George William, died March 8, 1880 ; Stephen S. J., Anna E., Eugene L., Susie L. and Frederic C.

JACOB P. MITCHELL, farmer. Sec. 11; P. 0. Freeport; born in Centre Co., Penn., Sept. 18, 1818 ; the part of Centre Co. in which he lived was afterward named Clinton Co. ; removed to Stephenson Co., 111., in the spring of 1842 ; being a carpenter and joiner by trade, he worked at that business until about 1875, much of the time also employing other workmen, and has erected many of the buildings in Stephenson Co. ; since 1875, he has been farming, which vocation he had also carried on previously in connection with his other work ; has 205 acres of fine land in Lancaster Township, besides 15 acres of timber land in Ridott Township. Mr. Mitchell has an accurate knowledge of much of the settlement of the county, and extensive information derived from personal observation of other localities, having traveled many thousands of miles at different times through Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, at early and exciting periods in their history. In politics, he is a Republican. In 1842, just previous to his removal here, he married Miss Eleanor M. Pollock, of Clinton Co., Penn. ; she was a native of Union Co., Penn. ; they have seven children living - Norton L., Robert T., Austin H., Mary J., Martha A., James W. and Sarah E.; three deceased - William B., Maggie Isabella and Emily M.

WILLIAM B. MITCHELL, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Clinton Co., Penn., Dec. 16, 1815 ; came to Stephenson Co., 111., about the 1st of September, 1810 ; being a carpenter by trade, he pursued that vocation in Pennsylvania and for a good many years after coming here ; of late years, has devoted his attention to farming; has 656 acres of land in this county, an exceedingly comfortable, homelike residence, and, having started in life a poor man, he is indebted to his own exertions for his present ownership of a very considerable property. He has held various public offices - Supervisor, Assessor, Justice of the Peace etc., etc., at different times, almost ever since the organization of his township. Politics, RepubUcan. In 1842, he was married to Miss Lydia Furst, a native of Pennsylvania ; their children are Laird A., Duncan N., Ann R., Ellen S,, Jerusha Jane (Mrs. Jacob L. Thomas), William F., Laura C. and John A.

JOSEPH MYERS, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Nov. 22, 1843; when quite young removed with his parents to De Kalb Co., 111.; they being among the first settlers in that locality. In 1868, he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since, for most of the time, being engaged in farming ; his farm comprising 40 acres ot land, under tine cultivation. During the great rebellion, he was for two years a member of Company A, 17th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, doing faithful service with his command, and being honorably discharged with his company and regiment at the close of the war. He is a member of the Evangelical Association ; in politics, affiliates with the Republican party. In Sept. 1867, he married Miss

WILiLIAM PETERS, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Centre Co., Penn., Oct. 2, ]816; lived there until 1844; when he removed to Wayne Co., Ohio ; from thence in the fall of 1845, he moved to La Grange Co., Ind.; remaining there eight years ; coming to Stephenson Co., 111., in June, 1853; his farm consists of 60 acres, in a beautiful situation, aad on which he carries on, very nicely, the kindred pursuits of farming and fruit growing. Mr. Peters is, by profession, a surveyor, and in various States and localities, has pursued his profession since 1840 ; was for eight years the County Surveyor of Stephenson Co., enjoying in large measure the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He has been entrusted with various local oflBces ; has been Notary Public, in his town, for the last sixteen years; has also been Justice of the Peace, and held various school and township offices. Is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Freeport, and is much esteemed by all who know him. He was married, first, to Miss Isabella H. Swansey, of Pennsylvania, on the 8th day of June, 1844; She died, Aug. 29, 1871 ; his second marriage took place on the 9th of Feb. 1873, to Mrs. Susan Garman, also a native of Pennsylvania ; three children living - Henry E. of Fort Scott, Kansas ; Lillie A., Mrs. M. J. Becker; also of Fort Scott ; and Egarie ; one daughter - Laura Frances, died July 6, 1870.

WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Freeport; born in Albany Co., N. Y., in 1818; lived there until April, 1846, when he came to Stephenson Co., 111., being one of the first pioneers here from his part of New York ; has a neat farm of 80 acres, which he has brought to its present comfortable condition, by patient industry and care. Eeligion, Methodist ; politics, Republican. He was married in January, 1845, to Miss Hannah Townsend, from the .-ame neighborhood, in New York, from whence he came ; she died in 1864. In June, 1874, he was married to Mrs. Sarah Schermerhorn (maiden name, Stafibrd) ; three children living - Wesley R. in Kansas; George 0., and Vernie R.; three deceased - Sarah Melissa, Joseph Avilla, and Amla.

JACOB W. RL'TTER, blacksmith and carpenter, Cedarville ; born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Nov. 15, 1817; he learned hifj trade in Berks Co., Penn., with his father, in 1835 ; went to Ohio at journey work in 1840. October he married Miss Hartman ; worked in a shop of his own in 1845, Schoolkill Co.; he was here over seven years, and afterward in Dauphin, and Fisherville ; he came West in 1854, April 15, and located in Cedarville; first lived in his shop, then built his present home, in 1855, Dec. 17 ; in 1860, put his blacksmith shop up. In 1861, Nov. 16, enlisted ; however, his health failing, returned after nine months' service. Went into his shop, and has followed the business since. Has had a family of eleven children - William H., Sarah A., Benjamin F , Anna C, John J. A., Mary E., one deceased, no name ; Susan R. H., Winfield S. H., David W. J., Isaac T. F. R.

R. F. REZXER, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Freeport; born in Union Co., Penn., Aug. 25, 1825 ; he was raised a farmer, but, at the age of 25, engaged in mercantile business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, in Columbia Co., Penn. ; after five years of mercantile life, he sold his interest in the store to his partner, and came We;t, to Stephenson Co., in 1856, and has since been engaged in farming; has 80 acres of good land, with large and convenient buildings, and all the surroundings of a comfortable and cultivated home. Has been School Director nearly all iha time since his residence here ; for the last six years Supervisor for his township, and universally spoken of as " one of the best men in the county ;" politics. Republican. His religious preferences are with the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member - Second Presbyterian Church, of Freeport. He was married in December, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Sheller ; she was born in Lebanon Co., Penn. ; removed to Huntingdon Co. when quite young, and to Union Co., in the same State, a few years before marriage ; they have four children living - James, Laura, John and Scott ; three children deceased - Scott, Maggie, and one who died in infancy.

JOI^EPH SIEFERMAW, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Baden, Germany, Oct. 3, 1827 ; emigrated to America in 1858, and settled in the same year in Stephenson Co. ; coming here with the honest desire to find a place where he could secure fair pay for industrious toil, he has done much hard work and is rewarded by the possession of a comfortable home and a carefully tilled farm, comprising 80 acres. His religion is Catholic ; his polities, to vote for " the best men." He was married in February, 1865, to Miss Teresa Bene, also a native of Baden ; they have three children living - Mary, William and Caroline ; one child died in infancy.

L.OREWZ ISIEFERMAN, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Baden, Germany, in 1837 ; came to America, and settled in Stephenson Co., in 1864. He soon afterward enlisted in Co. C, 46th I. V. I., and for the remainder of the civil war did faithful service as a soldier for his adopted country, being engaged in the battles of Black River Bridge, Mobile, Spanish Fort, and the other engagements of the final year's warfare ; since the war he has been industriously engaged in farming ; has a good farm of 80 acres. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In November, 1872, he married Miss Wilhelmina Hunt, also a native of Baden; they have three children - Wilhelmina, Anna and Helena.

WILLIAM W. ISfllTH, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Canton, Ohio, July 20, 1826; removed with his parents to Stephenson Co., 111., in 1835, landing in the county on the 31st of October of that year ; his father, Julius Smith, deserves special mention, as an early settler ; being a carpenter and builder, he did about the first work of that kind that was done in Freeport; as examples of his work may be mentioned his building the first court house, and the first bridge across the Pecatonica River ; he was one of the first Commissioners after the organization of the county ; for many years a Justice of the Peace ; one of the charter members of the first Masonic lodge in Freeport, and in various other ways intimately associated with the early settlement of the county ; the confidence reposed in him during the earlier days was continued by his numerous old-time friends and younger acquaintances down to the day of his death, which occurred Feb. 15, 1879 ; his wife, Eleanor Smith, had died July 15, 1850. The first business in which the subject of this sketch engaged for himself, was the manufacture of shingles, which he carried on extensively in Freeport, from 1843 until after the railroad from Chicago reached this point ; he was subsequently engaged in dealing in lumber, wood, etc., in connection with farming, and has, of late years, devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits ; he resided in Freeport until the fall of 1876, when he removed to his present residence; his farm comprises 160 acres of well-improved land, with a neat farm-house, commanding a fine view of the city near it. He has held several important offices ; was first Marshal of Freeport under the city organization, filling that office during the years 1855, 1856 and 1857, and filled various other city offices, and had been one of the Town Trustees previous to city organization ; during most of the years of the civil war he was engaged in the secret service. He is identified with the Republican party, and well known throughout the county as one of its most honorable, upright citizens. Mr. S. was married on the 6th of March, 1843, to Miss Margaret Lawn, a native of New York; they have three children living - Charles W., married, and living in Lancaster Township ; William 0., married and living near Ackley, Iowa, and Minnie; four children deceased - Ellen, Josephine, Elizabeth and Martha (Mrs. Charles Haggart) ; the last-named daughter died in Freeport in 1875 ; her husband died April, 1879 ; their two orphan children - Ellen M. and Carrie, live with rheir grandparents, William W. and Margaret Smith, subjects of this sketch.

BEBfJAniX S^XYDER, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Freeport; born in Pennsylvania, April 5, 1807; removed to Stephenson Co., III., in June, 1840 ; is widely known throughout the county as a thorough-going business man, and public-spirited citizen ; has 500 acres of land in Lancaster and Harlem Townships, and some landed property elsewhere ; and in addition to his management of this large acreage, has been and is engaged in other business, such as lumber and wood dealer in Freeport, besides being agent for the Lancaster Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, etc. Is a member of the Embury M. B. Church. In politics acts with the Republican party. Has held school, township and county offices. His first marriage was in May, 1842, to Miss Mary Stynes, of Pennsylvania, formerly of New Jersey ; her death occurred May 3, 1856. His second marriage was to Miss Julia A. Sidels, a native of Pennsylvania, on the 25th of September, 1856. The children living are Adrain L., Mary E., Mrs. Richard, of Nebraska; William H., George P., Laura A., Oharley L. and Carrie May. Those deceased are Rebecca, John, Sarah, Amaretta and Catherine.

WARREN STEBBINIS, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Freeport. The subject of this sketch was born in Stephenson Co., Feb. 27, 185P.; has been a continuous resident of this county; in partnership with his brother has 219 acres of land, and is an energetic and enterprising farmer. Politics, Republican. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Ellen Screiber, a native of Ogle Co., Ill ; their children are Lillian, Frances and Emma Jane.

C. YARCjrER, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Freeport; was born in Centre Co., Penn., about 1820 ; came to Stephenson Co. in October, 1865 ; has a fine farm of 187 acres. Has held school and township offices ; is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, in Freeport ; his political preferences are with the Democratic party, but bis influences are exerted to keep in office the best men, irrespective of party affiliations. In 18-43, he married Miss Sarah J. McManigal, a native of Centre Co., Pa. Their children are Mary C, Harriet J., James L., Franklin R., Thomas M., William C , Sarah E., Juliet L., Hiram M. and Laura J.

Source changes here: from History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a Record of Its Settlement, Organization, and Three-quarters of a Century of Progress, by Fulwider, Addison L, published 1910; 1,663 words in this source stream.

Lancaster Township

Next to Freeport, Lancaster is probably the most important township of the county from a political standpoint. It comprises a territory of about thirty-three square miles, or about 17,000 acres of improved land. The township is irregular in shape, being bounded on the south by the Pecatonica River, whose irregular and meandering curves make .the surveying of the township and the calculation of its area a matter of approximation, and difficult in the extreme. The soil is rich and the township contains some of the best farming land in the county. The extreme southern portion is not so valuable, owing to the fact

The history of Lancaster Township begins in 1835, with the migration of Benjamin Goddard, his wife, John Goddard, and John Jewell, who came to this county in 1835, and settled in Central Precinct, afterward Lancaster Township. It was in the winter of the year, in the month of December, when the immigrants arrived, and the prospect of the snow-covered fields and the desolate woods must have been far from heartening. To Benjamin Goddard belongs the credit of making the first permanent settlement in the township, although ha was only one of a company which came in 1835. Most of his associates, however, became identified with Freeport Township, which was afterward cut off from the southwestern corner of Lancaster and he alone remained in the outlying country.

For several years the settlers neglected Lancaster, or, if they settled there at all, did not remain permanently. For several months the newcomers had no neighbors at all except William Baker and Levi Robey, who had "squatted" in Buckeye and Harlem Townships. As far as neighbors in Lancaster were concerned, there were none. In 1836, Levi Lucas, Robert Jones, and John Hoag visited Lancaster, but apparently were not pleased with the prospects, for they stayed a brief time only, and then removed to Buckeye and Rock Run Townships.

In the same year David Neidigh settled for a short time and then packed up his goods and moved into Buckeye. In 1837 a few permanent settlers arrived. George Hathaway and Robert Hathaway came in and entered their claims in Sections n and 32. In 1838 Elias Macomber settled in Lancaster, and in the same year a Mr. Sedam built his log hut in the far northern part of the township on the town line of Buckeye and Lancaster. In 1839, L. O. Crocker, who has previously resided in Freeport, moved into Lancaster, and later Joseph F. McKibben and Dr. John Charlton settled in Section 16, Andrew Sproule in Section 12, very near to the present site of the village of Winneshiek, John Stotzer in Section 24, Samuel Smith, Jr., in Section 24, and later, in 1840, W. B. Mitchell and Jacob and Mycene Mitchell, who took up extensive claims in the northern part of the township.

On March 31, 1836, occurred the first birth in the township, that of Lucy In the same year the first marriage occurred, Thatcher Blake being united with Goddard. In the winter of 1837 occurred the first death, that of Reagan Lewis. Jane Goodhue.

From 1840 on, the history of Lancaster Township possesses no distinctive features. It was quite the same of Lancaster as of the rest of the county. Settlers began to pour in in large numbers and the land was all quickly taken up. With the completion of the railroad to Freeport, the rural portions of Lancaster suffered a relapse, as many of the farmers went to settle in the city. Later on this loss was hardly noticed, so quickly were the vacant places filled, and today it is one of the most populous townships of the county.

Lancaster Township has always been the scene of considerable political activity. It is strongly republican in politics, and many of the Lancastrian farmers have filled offices in the county and state. Next to Freeport itself, Lancaster is always looked upon as the principal political hot-bed of the county.

There are no important streams in Lancaster Township, if we except the Pecatonica River, which forms the southern boundary, and is hence not within the township. A small and unimportant stream known as Lancaster Creek rises in Dakota Township to the north, flows south through the eastern part of Lancaster Township and through the village of Winneshiek - thence into Ridott Township, where it joins the Pecatonica River. Three railroads enter Lancaster Township, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R., which traverses the entire township diagonally from northeast to southwest, the Chicago & Northwestern R. R., which crosses the extreme southern part of the township from west to east, just north of the Pecatonica River, and the Rockford & Interurban Electric Railway, which runs parallel with the Chicago & Northwestern tracks.

Owing to the proximity of Lancaster Township to the city of Freeport, there are several institutions properly to be connected with the life of the city, which deserve mention within a history of the township. There is, for instance, the Freeport Country Club.

The Freeport Country Club was founded in the summer of 1909 by a company of ladies and gentlemen of Freeport who were desirous of easily and comfortably enjoying the pleasures to be derived from sojourning in the rural districts. These adherents of the simple life leased a large territory of land belonging to the Maynard farm, and thereon erected a small and unpretentious but comfortable and well appointed country club house. The site is most beautiful, occupying a considerable extent of hilly lands completely covered with a dense growth of forest. The club house, a rustic one-story structure, is located at the edge of the woods, on the very crest of the hill, from which the distant spires of Freeport are visible five miles away.

The institution is so new that very little has yet been done in the way of improving the land. The site offers great opportunities, however, to the landscape gardener. The woods are most beautiful, covering the sloping sides of two hills with a thick woody ravine between them, where the timber is so thick that the sunlight barely filters in between the boughs, and where it is cool and so dark that the matted leaves and grass scarcely dry from one shower to another. Part of the timber has been cleared away, and up on the hilltop a tennis court has been laid out. Swings, garden chairs, etc., have been placed about the clu5 house grounds, and golf links are projected for the coming year.

Forest Park. Forest Park's career begins with the building of the Rockford-Freeport electric line. Previous to the building of that railroad there were no pleasant picnic grounds within easy reach of the city. The managers of the interurban conceived the scheme of establishing a pleasure park somewhere along their line, and entered into negotiations for the securing of a suitable spot. They found a ready co-operator in the person of F. B. Stoessiger, who owns a farm on the River Road about three miles east of Freeport.

The farm of Mr. Stoessiger is well known as one of the most picturesque spots in the county. It lies cramped between the river and the Ridott Road, and is covered in part by a thick grove of trees. The old farm house is an early stone structure, built over half a century ago. It is built close to the high- way and clinging to the side of a steep hill. Down behind the farm house is the old spring house, a most interesting landmark and one of the few spring houses left in this part of the country. The water which gushes up from the sand bottom is clear and deliciously cool, and the spring house has become of late years a Mecca for picnickers. In the grove across the tracks from the spring house Forest Park was built. The buildings consist of a few small sheds and outbuildings for shelter in case of rain, a lemonade and pop corn stand, which is occupied only on picnic days, a speaker's stand, and a number of tables and benches for picnickers. The grove winds along the banks of the river, and affords a most delightful spot for picnics. It has become the custom of late ears for a number of Freeport fraternal organizations to hold their annual picnics at Forest Park, and many Sunday school and private picnics are held there as well.

There are also a number of private parks and picnic grounds along the river near the electric line, but none are especially deserving of mention.

Winneshiek, a village of recent growth, is the only settlement of Lancaster Township. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the township, about three miles south of the village of Dakota, and eight miles from Freeport. Formerly Winneshiek supported a postoffice and many of the farmers of the surrounding country came here for their mail. With the advent of the rural free delivery system, Winneshiek post-office was discontinued, but the general store continues to do a prosperous business among the farmers of the vicinity.

The town site is attractive, the group of houses being located at the foot of a rather steep hill, and surrounded by a small grove of trees. Lancaster Creek courses through the village on its way southward to the Pecatonica. Since the removal of the post-office, Winneshiek is deprived of all its former importance as a business centre, but it still has a population of fifty or more, and a store which is doing a steady paying business.

The village supports a church and school. There are also two other churches in the immediate neighborhood of Winneshiek, as well as three or four schools within a radius of three or four miles. The village is best reached from Freeport by train to Dakota, and thence by carriage, or by carriage direct from Freeport, driving through eight miles of the most attractive cultivated land of Stephenson County.