Pine Rock Township

Arseng Earnest

BAIIiEY JOHIC B. Stock Dealer; Ghana ; owns 160 acres farm land ; born in Harrison Go., Ohio, in Feb., 1833 ; came to this state in 1837, and to this Go. in 1839- '40; married Sallie Pue Trask March 21, 1867; she was born in Ogle Go. Jan. 12, 1847; Wm. Hutchins is their only child, born April 16, 1870 ; Mr. B. has been Town Assessor for six years, and previous to his moving here held the same office in Nashua Tp. for five years ; he was also Collector for this Tp. for one year.

BOliVEN W. Farmer; Sec. 3; P. O. Paine's Point; born in Dorset, Bennington Go., Vt, Oct. 3, 1811 ; Mr. Bowen's grandfather was one of that band of patriots who threw overboard the tea in Boston Harbor, and afterwards served seven years in the Continental Army; Mr. Bowen came to this Go. Oct. 23, 1841 ; married Jane Collier Feb. 29, 1832 ; she was born Aug. 26, 1814 ; have had six children : Sarah S. (deceased), Bethana S. (decensed), Mary C, Mahala S., Ellen S. and Marshall S. (the youngest of the four who are still living) ; owns 300 acres ; Democrat.

BUBIGHT M. B. Farmer; Sec. 33; P. O. Ghana; owns 200 acres; born Dec. 25, 1815, in N. Y. State; was raised in Lake Co., Ohio; came to Ogle Co. in April, 1838; married twice; first wife, Susannah Drummond, died Aug. 24, 1873 ; married Judith Drummond, Feb. 10, 1875 ; had nine children, seven of whom are living ; both are members of the Christian Church ; Mr. Buright was one of the three Road Commissioners who were in office when Pine Rock Tp. was first originated.

Butterfiel,D Aivdbew J.

BUTTERFIELrD ElilHU, Farmer ; Sec. 19; P. O. Honey Greek; born in Troy Tp., Bradford Co., Pa. ; School Director ; came to this Co. in Oct., 1854; married Jane Lewis, who was born in Brooklyn, Susquehanna Co., Pa., Feb. 28, 1821, on May 19, 1839; have had eleven children, three of whom are dead; Mr. Butterfield furnished ihree sons to fight for the Union in the late rebellion; Charles, wounded twice, Louis, and Elihu M., who was a prisoner at Andersonville and Florence, Ala. ; all served throughout the war, and were either promoted or honorably mentioned for meritorious services ; owns 25 acres.

- Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1821 ; came to this Co. July 1, 1846; married Annie McGuffin, who was born in London, Canada, July 28, 1833 ; Mr. Canfield, during life, held the offices of Tax Collector and School Director, and was also class leader of the M. E. Church for a number of years; he died Feb. 14, 1874; Mrs. Canfield, who survives her husband, owns 291 acres farm land; resides Sec. 21, P. O. Ghana; is a member of the M. E. Church, and mother of six children: Catherine Imogene, Helen Rosamond, Sarah Abigail, Violet May, John, Benjamin, and Blanche Anna.

COOLrEY ElilJAH R. Farmer ; Sec. 36 ; P. O. Rochelle ; born in Pine Rock Tp., Ogle Co., May 22, 1848; has lived here ever since ; School Director for sev-

^ eral years and Town Collector at present ; maiTied Amerette Clark Sept. 15, 1872 ; she was born in Flagg Tp., Ogle Co., Jan. 15, 1852 ; have had one child, Alta May, born Oct. 23, 1873 ; owns 100 acres land.

DAVIS MATHER Weaver; Sec. 27; P. O. Chana; born in Columbiana Co., Ind., April 2, 1806 ; when sixteen he mpved to Wayne Co., where his parents died; enlisted in the Mexican Army May 1, 1847, in the Mansfield Co. from Richland Co. ; after being engaged in the recapture of Pueblo, was honorably discharged on account of sickness Dec 13, 1847 ; located in Michigan for one year ; he removed to Lake Co., Ind., on land granted him by the government; with the exception of one year has lived in this state since 1858 married Mary Taylor in 1833 ; she was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Sept. 2, 1809 they have six children: James B., born Sept. 24, 1834; Martha J., July 24, 1836 Elizabeth, Jan. 20, 1838 ; Mary M., Jan 25, 1840; Sarah M., Sept. 11, 1841 Sylvanius, Feb. 24, 1845 ; Mr. Davis is a member of the Church of God ; his wife professes Methodism.

DEL.AIR AIKEN, Farmer; Sec. 11; P. O. Chana ; born in Cayuga Co., Province, Ontario, Canada, 1840; Republican; served as a soldier during the Rebellion in Co. M., 8th Regt. I. V. C. ; married Perla Allen Oct. 13, 1876 ; Mrs. Delair, who is a member of the Lutheran Church, was born in Erin Tp., 111., March 15, 1855; has 80 acres.

ELiY JOHX, Retired Farmer; Ghana; born in Hebron, Washington Go., N. Y., April 23, 1800; came to this Go. in 1856; has been married three times ; first wife was Jane Stewart, married in August, 1826; she died the year following; second wife was Abigail Waller, married in the year 1827, and died in 1862; married Mrs. Horton (widow), maiden name Abigail Gooley, in August, 1863; she was born Feb. 28, 1822; Mr. E. has four children living and two dead ; owns 183 acres farm land, and a house and lot in Ghana; Democrat; his wife is a member of the M. E. Ghurcli.

EYCHAXEB ALrliEBT, Ketired Farmer ; Ghana ; owns 140 acres, valued at $45 per acre, besides considerable Ghana property, including the house in which he lives, worth in all about $3,000 ; born in Oneida Go., N. Y., July 2, 1829 ; came to this Go. with his father and mother (Gonrad and Gatherine, who have since died), in 1844; married Esther Hitchcock Feb. 4, 1853 ; she was born in Middlesex Go., Mass.; their only child, Wm. A., was born Sept. 8, 1856.

F£AKEI^ YTM. Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Ghana; born in Portsmouth, Eng., Aug. 25, 1845; came to the U. S. in 1864, landing in N. Y. Gity, and before a month had elapsed he enlisted in the 13th N. Y. V. G., serving with distinction

FEROA^OX A. li. Pastor of the Ghristian Ghurch at Washington Grove; P. O. Ghana; his father, Athan. who was one of the very first settlers in this section, went to Gal. in 1850, and died in San Francisco of the typhoid fever ; Mr. F. was born in this Go. May 6, 1845, and with the exception of 11 years passed in Iowa, where he first took charge of a congregation, has always lived in this Go. ; moved with his mother, Eliza R., and four brothers to Iowa ; while there presided over the Ghristian Ghurch at Xenia; Mr. F. had two brothers who served in the army during the rebellion ; David enlisted in Go. F, 34th I. V. I., and John in Go. G, 75th I.V. I.; married Alice R. Granger, who was born in Lee Go. June 24, 1847, on Oct. 27, 1867, in Tama Go., Iowa; have had three children: Luna May, born in Butler Go., Iowa, Oct. 10, 1868; Frank G. and Fred. E. (twins), born in same place, Jan. 26, 1872; during Mr. F.'s pastorate at this place, he has been remarkably successful in convincing sinners of the error of their ways and inducing them to join the church ; the church was first organized in 1842; the present edifice was built in 1850 ; it is held in trust by three trustees.

GAL.E SCOTT, Farmer; Sec. 3; P. O. Paine's Point; born in Ogle Go., Jan. 27, 1849 ; married Ida Burroughs June 9,1873 ; she was born in Lynnville, Ogle Go., Aug,

GRAITT J0H:N' li. Farmer and Stock Raiser; Sec. 1; P. O. Paine's Point; born in Erie, Pa., May 2, 1835 ; came to this Go. in the Fall of 1845; married Ellen M. Ballard Oct. 15, 1863; she was born in Northampton, Hampshire Go., Mass., Oct.

GRAY ^IVIIil^IAM H. Farmer; Sec. 1; P. O. Paine's Point; born in Gamden, Oneida Go., N. Y., Feb. 15, 1833 ; came to this state and settled in Winnebago Go, in

JO:9r£IS SAMUEIi, Farmer; Sec. 11; P. O. Ghana; born in Lycoming Co., Penn., April 24, 1801 ; came to this Co. in July, 1849, and, with the exception of seven years passed in Lee Co., has lived here ever since ; married twice ; first wife, Maria Cockerell, Jan. 15, 1824; she was born in Md. in 1805, and died Oct. 28, 1845 ; second wife, Sarah Boston, Dec. 23, 1847 ; she was born in Frederick Co., Md.,Dec. 29, 1818; Mr. Jones was the father of sixteen children, eleven of whom are living; Mr. J. is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, having united with that denomination in 1839.

BOG DR. JOHJf, (deceased) Born in Ghester Go., Pa., in 1800; learned the hatters' trade in Philadelphia, where he was reared ; moved to Eddyville, Ky., in 1819, where he married Elizabeth A. Lyon, in 1821 ; emigrated to 111., settling in Sangamon Go., in 1827, leaving for Ogle Go. in 1834 ; the Indians, not yet having left this Go., they were detained one year in Putnam Go.; Dr. R., who commenced studying medicine in Kentucky, was a pioneer physician in this Go., and to the fact of his being the only doctor to be had in this section, in case one was needed, he undoubtedly owed his life, as lie had incurred the deadly hatred of the " black legs " by his active endeavors to rid the country of that band of .desperate men; Mr. R. moved to Nebraska a short time before his death, which occurred in 1871; his remains were removed from that state to this Go., and re-interred in the family burying ground, at Lighthouse Point, March 4, 1877; Mrs. Roe, who survives her busband, resides in Ghana ; she was born in 1805, and is still a hale, hearty old lady, whose memory of early incidents and events is truly remarkable ; there are eight children, one having died ; the living are : Dr. M. G., Dr. F. M., Giles B., Matthew G., John H., Beulah M., and Francis M. Roe M. G., M. D. ; Ghana. Rosa John, farmer : Sec. 13 ; P. O. Ghana. Ross Andrew, farmer ; Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Oregon. Rowley Abraham, farm; Sec. 30 ; P.O.Ghana.

Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Ghana; born in Elgin, Kane Go., 111., Oct. 29, 1845 ; married Emma Primrose Dec. 10, 1873 ; Mrs. Schoonhoven was born in Monroe Go., Penn., and is a member of the M. E. Church; owns 142 acres land: Republican, Seaworth John, Jr., farmer ; Sec. 14 ; P. O. Ghana.

SMITH G£0. F. Farmer; Sec. 12; P. O. Ghana ; born in Ogle Go. Oct. 5, 1849 ; Mr. Smith, who has always lived in this Co., is the son of Peter Smith, one of the very first settlers in Ogle to. ; Democrat ; married Ann Mary Jones Oct. 9, 1870, in Lafayette Tp., Ogle Co.; she was born Aug. 21, 1841 ; they have two children : Walter A., born June 3, 1873 ; Peter, Feb. 20, 1876 ; owns 80 acres of land.

ISTINSO:8r HEXRY H. Farmer; P. O. Paine's Point ; in partnership with his brother, John L. ; 365 acres ; born in Dumbarton Tp., Merrimac Co., N. H.; came to this Co. in 1854; married Mary A. Richards, who was born in Goffstown, Hillsborough Co., N. H. ; have two children: John L., born May 1, 1867; Jennie B., Nov. 11, 1868.

ISTllSrSOIC THOMAS, Farmer; Sec. 3; P. O. Paine's Point; Mr. Stinson, who has been Co. Supervisor for four years, was born in Dumbarton, Merrimac Co., N. H., Majr 6, 1799 ; came to this Co., in 1839 ; married Naomi J. Butterfield, who was born in Goffstown, Hillsborough Co., N. H., April 3, 1808, and died May 18, 1877; have had three children: Elizabeth J., born in N. H. ; Letitia C, born in N. H. ; Mary A. (now dead), born in Canada; owns 300 acres ; Democrat.

TBASK IISAAC, Farmer; Sec. 17; P. O. Chana; Republican; Captain Trask, who was Town Clerk and Supervisor for a number of years, was born in Gloucester, Mass., Sept. 13, 1804; when 13 years old he went to sea as a sailor before the mast; at 21 he was commander of a vessel in the East India trade out of Baltimore, and made several voyages to that and other foreign countries; married Isabel Rutter May 20, 1833 ; Mrs. Trask was born May 20, 1805, in Baltimore ; Captain Trask came to this Co. in 1837, and two years after brought out his wife and family; have had six children: Israel, born in Baltimore Feb. 22, 1834 ; Margaret R, born in Baltimore May 7, 1836 ; Somes, Dorn m Ogle Co., Aug. 26, 1840, died Oct. 12, 1840; Edward Olwyn, born in Ogle Co. April 10, 1841 ; Ann S., born in Ogle Co. May 21, 1844; Sarah Pue, born in Ogle Co. Jan. 12, 1847; owns 309 acres valued at $65 per acre.

liVEAVER GEOROE, Farmer; Sec. 8; P. O. Chana; born in Washington Co., Md., Nov. 15, 1829; moved to 111., settling in Polo Tp., in 1855, where he was in business for over 12 years, and during which time he was one of the City Fathers and Trustee of the M. E. Church ; then moved to Marion Tp., farming for five years, when he opened a hardware store in bregon; selling out, he went to Chicago and entered the grocery business, remaining but one year, he came to this Tp., building the residence which he now occupies ; married, by the Rev. Mr. Gantz, to Elenora S. Spickler, Jan. 9, 1851; his wife is a member of the M. E. Church ; was born in Washington Co., Md., Feb. 21, 1828; have had five children: Mary L., born Nov. 30, 1852 ; George W., Aug. 2, 1854; Emma E., Sept. 13. 1856; Clara V., April 3, 1858; John H., Dec. 17, 1859; 120 acres, valued at |75 per acre.

WEI.TY DAVID H. Grain Shipper and Stock Dealer ; Chana ; owns 220 acres farm laod, and the finest residence in Chana ; Republican ; born in Washington Co., Md., Oct. 1, lb21 ; came to this Co. in the Spring of 1844, remaining three years; he moved to Carroll Co., residing there for some time ; returning to this Co., he has lived in Marion and Pine Rock Tps. ; Mr. W. passed six years in California where he was in the quartz business ; married twice ; first wife was Leah Detrich, married Nov. 6, 1845 ; she was born July 17, 1826 ; died Feb. 6, 1861 ; second wife was Ann Adams; married Aug. 21, 1861; she was born Dec. 10, 1842 ; have had five children : Susan E., Martha H., and George L., by his first marriage; Mary E. and Sophia Belle by his second marriage.

W^IIililAMS JACOB, Chana; Retired Farmer ; owns 235 acres, two lots and a house in Ghana; Democrat; born in Baltimore, Md., Feb. 8, 1801 ; when five years old, moved with his parents to Chester Co., Pa. ; then to Butler Co., same state, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for over 30 years ; came to this Co. when a young man, and has lived here ever since ; Mr. W. was elected School Director last Spring for a term of three years ; married twice ; first wife was Ann Russell; married April 15, 1824; she was born Feb. 12, 1806, and died Aug. 20, 1847 ; married Nancy James July 26, 1848 ; she was born July 21, 1820; Mr. W. is the father of 11 children; is a member of the Baptist Church; his wife is a Methodist.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Ogle County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, by Various, published 1886; 1,312 words in this source stream.

Pine Rock Township

Among the pioneers were James Aiken and his sons Charles, Thomas, Richard and Samuel; Wm. K. Bridges, Homan Morgan, Lyman Morgan, John H. Stephenson, Riley Paddock, Thomas Paddock, Aaron Paine, Thomas Stinson, David Maxwell, Geo. ites and Luman Taylor.

James Aikens, with his sons, came from Ohio. He is remembered as a good man, well disposed in all things, and a devout member of the Methodist - Episcopal Church. His sons, Thomas, Charles and. Richard, were supposed to have been members of the famous Banditti of the Prairie, whose depredations are so well remembered by the early settlers of the county. The old gentleman died many years ago. One, if not all, of the boys is also dead: :

Wm. K. Bridges came in 1835 and located in Washington Grove. He was a man of good address, - a (fine conversationalist, and as a neighbor, as expressed by one who lived near and knew him well; - "none were better." The poor and needy found in him a friend, but alas, he was also a member of the | gang of bandits. It required " proof as strong asin holy writ" to induce his neighbors to believe in his guilt. When the Driscolls were shot he fled |

- and was an honored citizen. _ Riley and Thomas Paddock located in Washington Grove. They became quite prominent citizens and held many local offices. Riley now resides in Ashton, Lee County, while Thomas is a resident of Lafayette Township.

Aaron Paine located in the north part of the township in 1835. The settlement around him became known as Paine's Point. He was a man of great force of character. Many years ago he took up his residence in the State of Oregon.

Captain Isaac Trask and family located about one mile west of White Oak Grove, on Kite River. At a ripe old age, he yet remains a prominent figure in

The first marriage was not known by those interviewed, but among the first are remembered those of Samuel Eshbaugh and Minerva Morgan, James copal and a Lutheran Church at Paine's Point, and a Methodist Episcopal one at Chana. The first Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in November, 1835, at Washington Grove. Among those forming the class were James Clark and wife, Flora Jane Benedict, Isaac Rosecrans and wife, Orson Rosecrans and wife, Jeptha Noe, Thomas Aiken and wife, Brookings Aikens and wife, James Aikens, Richard Hardesty, Samuel Aikens, Margaret Aikens, Martha Aikens and Rebecca Rosecrans. Prayer meetings were often held at the house of Isaac Rosecrans. A frame church was built in 1837, and Rey. Alexander Irvin preached in it the first discourse. There is no society there at present.

Among the early improvements made in the township was a saw mill built by the Aikens family. Samuel Aikens and Richard Hardesty run it for some years. A steam saw-mill was subsequently built by Henry A. Stiles, Geo. Taylor and others.

John H. Stephenson built a grist mill here about 1841, which continued in existence about 15 years. It was finally converted into a distillery.

Pine Rock was among the first townships organized. Its first election was held in April, 1850, and a full board of town officers was then elected. The following named have served as members of the Board of Supervisors from that time to the present :

@| COMPANY of some 18 persons purchased ie the west half of the southwest quarter of " section 15, Pine Rock Township, and in July, 1871, had it surveyed into town lots. Mr. Hinckley was given a half interest in the plat. The new town was given the name of Chana in honor of Phineas Chaney. In recording the town plat the name was spelled wrong, but it was

The first house built on the village plat was that erected by Benj. Chaney for a warehouse. Mr. Chaney bought the first load of grain, on the roth of August, 1871, of John Gibson. He continued in the business until March, 1872, when he sold out to Rigle & Co., of Chicago. James Miller now owns the warehouse and Sidwell & Co., of Chicago, purchase grain at this station.

Thomas Emmerson built the second house, in September, 1871, for a blacksmith shop. Mr. Emmerson built a residence shortly after, the first in the place.

The first store building was removed from Paine's Point, in January, 1872, by Phineas Chaney. It was rented by E: L. Matteson, of Rockford, who opened in February, a stock of general merchandise.

The school house in the district of which the village forms a part was about three-fourths of a mile After a hard struggle it was removed to the village in 1883.

hardware, Brunson & Spivey; blacksmith, Thomas A. Emmerson; wagon-maker, John Blecker; grain-dealers, Geo. H. Sidwell & Co. and John B. Bailey; Stock-buyer, John B. Bailey; barber, Clinton Awles.

and located a claim, then returned to Schuyler County, where they remained during the winter. - ee the spring of 1835, in company with Benjamin Sse Phelps, another brother, they returned. These brothers are well known to all the pioneers of the county. ~ cot John, or Jack Phelps, as he was familiarly called, - was acharacter in his way. A native of the South, he had all the prejudices of that people against the Yankees, and at first was really averse to their settling in his neighborhood. He lived to a good old ~ age and was President of the first Old Settlers' Society organized in Ogle County. Geo. W. is still a citizen of the county and has resided for many years in the city of Oregon. Benjamin moved to Missouri years ago. ie

William Sanderson, a native of Scotland, was alse a pioneer of 1835. Mr. Sanderson was an honest man, ' AS holding the respect and esteem of all who knew him,

William Artz came from Maryland, in 1839, and | located a claim on sections 20 and 29, where he lived until 1869, when he moved to Oregon city, where he yet resides.

John James was from Connecticut. He was quite active in politics and helped organize the township. Mr, James died in Missouri,but his body was brought back to Rockvale for burial.

homestead. Robert E. Page was one of the pioneers of 1837. He married and died here. _ Rey. Alexander Irvine came in 1836, and was the first minister of the gospel to locate in the township. He died about 1839, and his death is supposed to have been the first in the township. Miner M. York and Margery Irvine were united in marriage in August, 1837, the first here. Another early marriage was that of John Timmerman and Elizabeth Wagner, about 1839. Froilla Artz, son of Wm. Artz, was born May 6, 1841, and is supposed to have been the first born. Rey. Norton was one of the first preachers in the township, but was probably preceded by Rev. Alex.

Benjamin Boyce taught the first term of school in an old log school house, near his residence, in 1841. The second school house was erected a few years later, in the Phelps neighborhood.

The following interesting items are gathered from the Report of the County Superintendent of Public Schools for the year ending June 30, 1885. In the township there were 410 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 294 were of school age. Of that number 241 were enrolled in the public schools, The township was divided into eight school districts, each of which had school regularly during the year. All the schools were ungraded. There were 4 male and 11 female teachers employed, receiving salaries ranging from $25 to $45 per month. There were two stone and six frame school houses, valued at $4,900. The amount of tax levy for the support of schools was $2,250.