Pleasant Valley Township

Pleasant Valley Township

Alexander S. Smith, who with his family, consisting of Alexander, Jr., Mary and Ellen, came to Galena in 1824, on the steamer " Eclipse." The daughter, Mary, married John Love, and died at Galena in 1827. In 1828, Mr. Mitchell went to New Orleans. In the following year, Colonel James Mitchell, a brother of Alexander, who came to Galena in 1826 and had been living one and a half miles north of there, moved down on the Galena and Dixon road, in the rightly-named Pleasant Valley. His house, which was removed from the road several rods, was burned during the Black Hawk War, and its location has received the name of the " old camp." Alexander, Jr., and Ellen Mitchell went down to live with their uncle, but Alexander soon (1829) went South, where he remained until 1846. -

In 1837, Ellen Mitchell married Joseph Edwards. She now resides with her brother, Alexander, who, as stated, returned in 1846. They are the two oldest settlers of Pleasant Valley Township.

In 1834, Thomas and John Deeds, two brothers, settled on a claim which is still owned by their descendants; they were young men, and were somewhat transient in their location. They took up several claims in Berreman and Pleasant Valley Townships, on which they built cabins, broke a few acres of ground and then sold to others. Their father, Jacob Deeds, with his family, came to Pleasant Valley in 1837. They kept the first post-office and a stage station on the Galena and Dixon route.

About the same time, Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Williams settled in Pleasant Valley, and in 1835, also, James Venable. These men became permanent settlers. Mr. Kellogg went to California at the time of the gold fever, in 1849, but Mr. Williams remained until the time of his death. Thomas Deeds and James Venable married daughters of Mr. Williams. Mrs. Deeds is still living in the township.

Eli Thomas, G. Miller and Darius Myers were also early settlers of the township, the latter having come from New York to Galena in 1843. When passing through this valley, he was attracted by its fertility and general appearance, and after a trip back to New York, he bought a farm in this township, where he still resides. His brother, Solomon, came in 1844.

The first school-house was built of logs, by Thomas Deeds near his farm. The second was built on Darius Myers' land, on section 9. There are now nine school districts partly within the township, all having good, comfortable buildings. There are school-houses on sections 9, 14, 16, 20, 26 and 32. There are within the township Catholic, Winebrenarians, Presbyterian, Methodist and

Age-to-come Adventist Denominations, of whom only the Winebrenarians have a building. It is located on section 27. The remaining denominations hold meetings in the school-houses.

At the time of township organization, in 1853, the township of Pleasant Valley included Berreman. It was named by Thomas Deeds, who was the first supervisor.

The present officers are: Supervisor - J. D. Crowley; Town Clerk - Geo. W. Thomas; Assessor - John Sughroue; Collector - George M. Rock ; Justices of Peace - George Winters and J. C. Ruble ; Commissioner of Highways - Aaron Davis; Constables - John W. Ruble and John R. Buckley; School Trustee - E. D. Thomas.

CAMPBELL DAVID, Farmer; Sec. 1; P. O. Plum River; born in Allegany Co., N. Y., July 12, 1834; came to this Co. in 1846; settled near Elizabeth; was married to Mary Miller, Sept. 30, 1859; she born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1832; two children living: Almira and Daniel De Forrest; lost seven: George H., Charles, Clariuda, Mary A., Henry

Crowley Jeremiah

Teacher; Sec. 2; P. O. Derinda; born in Boston, Mass., April 25, 1850; accompanied his father to this Co. the same year; has resided here ever since; was married Oct. 17. 1876, to Anna Shay; she was born in this Tp., Nov. 30, 1850; they have one daughter, Maud Ella, born July 23, 1877; Mr. C. is serving h;s first term as Supervisor; family are members of the Catholic Church.

DARR DANIEL F. Assistant Postmaster; Pleasant Valley; born in Pa., Feb. 8, 1843; enlisted May, 1861, in the 8th Pa. Reserve; was in nine general engagements and numerous skirmishes; was mustered out in June, 1864; came to this Co. in 1872, to settle up his brother Henry's affairs, who died here in that year.

DEEDS DELILAH (Widow, maiden name Williams), Stock Farm; Sec. 27; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Tenu. Sept. 24, 1812; came to this Co. in 1833; her father was one of the settlers on Plum River; owns 1,264 acres of land; was married Sept. 29, 1840, to Thomas Deeds; he was born in Ky., Feb. 20, 1813; came to this Co. in 1833; served several terms as Supervisor; School Director a number of years, and Postmaster 20 years; died June 27, 1874; Mrs. Deeds is a member of the Church of God.

mouthshire, Eng., Dec. 8, 1826; came to this Co. in 1856; owns 432 acres of land; was married in 1860 to Emily Buss; she was born in Sussex Co., Eng., June 16, 1839; came to the U. S. in 1850; settled in Lena; they have no children of their own ; a relative, Carrie Buss, makes her home with them, and has since she was a little child; she was born in Sussex, Eng., Sept. 29, 1854; came here in 1868.

Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Allegany Co., N. Y., March 17, 1836; came to this Co. in 1846; was married July 5, 1859, to Frances Sortore; she was born in same Co., May 22, 1842; they have six children living: Homer G., John F., Florence R., Charles M., George W. and James L. ; lost two: Mary, died March 24,1861, and one infant; Mr. F.'s father came here in 1846; the country was a wild prairie, a portion of which has since grown up with timber.

FORBES GEORGE H. Merchant and Stock Dealer; Sec. 27; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Wooster, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1839; came to this Co. in 1859; enlisted Sept. 21, 1861, in the 3d Mo. Cavalry; was with them in all their marches, battles, etc.; was discharged Nov. 14, 1864, expiration term of service; was married March 10, 1867, to Helen W. Welden; she was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1849; have four children: Maude C., born Nov. 20,1867; Claude, May 16,1872; Mark, Oct. 31, 1874, and Oliver, March 29, 1877; owns 250 acres of land; has served three years as Justice of the Peace, and four years as School Director.

Farmer; Sec. 20; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Germany, Sept. 29, 1813 ; came to this country in 1839; was married in 1842 to Dorothea.Keck, of Iowa; she was born in Germany, June 13, 1819 ; they moved to Galena in 1843, and to this farm in 1844, then a wild prairie; built his cabin and cleared up a farm ; owns 560 acres, of which 400 are under cultivation; their children are: John, Margaret, Lewis. Michael, Caroline and Sarah; the oldest son, John, was a member of the 45th 111.; served three years ; Mr. G. has served four terms as School Director ; belongs to the Lutheran Church.

HOUSE RANSOM, Farmer; Sec. 2; P.O. Yankee Hollow. Born in Berkshire Co., Mass., July 14, 1804; was married in 1826, to Laura Williams; she was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Manch 26, 1806 ; they came to this Co. in 1845, settled on this farm (then wild prairie), where they have ever since lived ; owns 5 acres of laud ; they have five children living: Bradford, Albert E., Harriet (now Mrs. Eaton), Freeman H., and Leroy S. ; lost seven : William, Walter, Seth W., Edwin, Anna M., and MaryJ.; their granddaughter, Lillie R. Harrington, is also living with them. Humphrey A. farm ; S. 1 ; P. O. Plum River.

KENNEDY JAMES, Farmer; 8.12; P. O. Plum River : born in Ireland in 1810 ; was married to Alice Callahan in 1840; came to the U. S. in 1853; lived in N. Y. three years , moved from there to Stephenson Co., where they remained until 1865. then came to this Co. ; owns 80 acres of land; they have three children living: John, James, and Mary; lost three: William, John, and Bridget; the oldest son, John, was a member of the 65th I. V. I.; mustered out in 1865 ; family all Catholics.

It I' HXS DAVID, Farmer ; Sec. 17; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Guernsey Co , O., May 6, 1819 ; was married in 1844, to Margaret A. Conden ; she was born in Philadelphia April 17,1823; came to this Co. in 1864; owns 120 acres of land; have eleven children living: Milley A., Mary J., Joseph, David P., Arabella, William L., Samuel C., Melissa M., Newel E., Hattie I., and George W. ; lost two: Elizabeth and Margaret; Milley A. (Mrs. Barton) also lives here; she has five children: four girls and one boy; belong to the M. E. Church.

MYERS DARIUS, Farmer; Sec. 9; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Dec. 18, 1816; came to this Co. in 1845; owns 160 acres of land; was married in 1852 to Melissa Appleby; she was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 20, 1836; they have ten children living: Epatninondas, Rebecca, Louisa, Marietha E., Lydia B., Darius E., Judah, Nebuchadnezzar and George (Twins) and Flora; lost two, Euclid died Jan. 15, 1860, and Jane Nov. 3, 1867; Mr. Myers served as Supervisor one year, Commissioner of Highways 3, and School Director several years; Religious belief Seventh Day Adventist.

PULLEY WILLIAM, Farmer; Sec. 20; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1820; was married in 1841 to Mary Kuhus; she was born in same Co., Aug. 15, 1812; owns 158 acres of land; have seven children living: Joseph S., Adam, Eliza, Mary C., Elizabeth A., Susie A. and Sarah J.;

Samuel died in 1842, and William died of Small Pox, March, 1863, while South with his Regt., the 45th I. V. I.; Mr. Pulley came to this farm in 1860; served three terms as School Director.

REED JAMES, Farmer; Sec. 17; P, O. Pleasant Valley; born in Crawford Co., Pa., in Dec., 1815 ; was married June, 12, 1849, to Julia A. Weir; she was born in Mercer Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1828; they came to this Co. in 1850 ; moved to Wis. in 1852; remained there till 1865, when they returned, and in 1867 bought the farm where they now reside-, owns 211 acres; have six children: William, Cora E., Campbell, Lee J., John B. and Amos R. ; Mr. R. was Tp. Trustee one term ; belong to the U. P. Church.

HARVEY, Farmer; Sec. 14; P.O. Pleasant Valley; born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1836; emigrated to Ogle Co., 111., in 1848, and to this Co. in 1868; owns 80 acres of land; was married Jan. 1, 1856, to Sarah Davis; she was born in Randolph Co., III., Oct. 11, 1833; they have five children living: Martha J., (now Mrs. McGinnis) Mary E., John P., Ainos and Amanda; lost two, Henry and an infant; Mr. Robinson is serving his first term as School Director; is a Republican. Robert Davis and wife the father and mother of Mrs. Robinson are residents of this Tp., are both very near 80 years of age, have been married 56 years; he was a soldier during the entire Campaign against Black Hawk.

ROCK GEORGE M., Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Lafayette Co., Wis., April 4, 1844; came to this Co. in 1850, with his mother, his lather having died in 1846 ; owns 80 acres of land ; was married Dec. 22, 1869, to Almira C. Frederick ; she was born Dec. 1, 1851 ; they have three children living: Oscar O., Marion W., and Orin H.; one died in infancy; Mr. R. enlisted in the 45th I. I. V., in 1861; was with the regiment in all their marches, etc. ; was in thirteen general engagements; mustered out in 1865: is now serving his first term as Town Collector; family attend the Church of God.

RURLE GEORGE, Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Willow; born in MifHin Co., Penn., Dec. 15, 1844; enlisted in June, 1863, in the 26th Pa.; served three months; came to this Co. in 1865; was married Dec. 15, 1871, to Clannda Fulton; she was born

April 17, 1853, iu the house they now occupy, her father being among the first settlers in this valley; they have one child living, Charles Wilbur, bora March 8, 1875; lost one, Olla V., born Aug. 17, 1871, died Aug. 19, 1875 ; they are members of the M. E. Church.

RUBLE JACOB, Farmer; Sec. 12; P. O. Willow; born in Mifflin Co., Pa., Dec. 17, 1838; came to this Co. in 1866; owns 42 acres of 1 :nd ; was married in 1865 to Elizabeth Williams; she was born in Centre Co., Pa., Oct. 24, 1841 ; they have three children, Mary A., ReginaE.. and Margaret E. ; Mr. R. enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, in the 1st Pa. V. C. ; was in about twenty general engagements, and numerous skirmishes; was discharged Sept. 9, 1864; is serving his first term as School Director; they are members of the M. E. Church.

RUBLE JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 12; P.O. Willow; born in Mifflin Co., Pa., Jan. 14, 1801; came to this Co. in 1842; settled on this farm (then wild prairie, not yet in market); owns 225 acres; was married in 1825, to Julia A. Parkinson; she was born in Centre Co., Pa., in 1805, died in 1854; have five children living,Elizabeth J.(Lutz) resides in Ohio, Christiana, Susan, Rachel, and John; lost seven, James, Louis, William, Jacob, Rebecca, Becka A., and Julia A.; family attend the M. E. Church.

RUBLE JOHN C., Farmer; Sec. 13; P.O. Willow; born iu Mifflin Co., Pa., Dec. 17, 1842; enlisted April 18, 1861, in the 1st Pa. V. C.; was with the regiment in twenty general engagements; was wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill; was a prisoner three months ; discharged in June, 1865; came to this Co. in 1866; was married Nov. 28,1867, to Susan Ruble; she was born in this Tp. Dec. 16, 1845; they have one daughter, Julia A., born July 16, 1868; Mr. R. is serving his second year as Road Commissioner, first as Justice of the Peace, and has served four years as School Director; Mrs. R. is a member of the M. E. Church.

STRICKEL EDWAR1>, Farmer; Sec. 14; P.O. Pleasant Valley; born in Norfolk Co., England, Feb. 20, 1833; came to the U. S. in 1853; resided in New York until 1856, when he came to this Tp., where he has ever since resided ; owns 198 acres of land ; was married in 1852, to Mrs. Ruth Foster (maiden name. Price) ; she was born in Greenbriar Co., Va., Feb. 4, 1818; she has two children by first marriage, Rachel V. (now Mrs. Hilliard), and Hannah M. ; they are all members of the Church of God, Pleasant Valley.

0. Pleasant Valley; born in Warrec Co., Ky., Aug. 16, 1817; his father moved to Dubois Co., Ind., in 1819; from there to Vermillion Co., same state, in 1829, where he died in 1831 ; Mr. T. went to Coles Co., 111., in 1837; was married Dec. 31, 1840, to Sarah Gaston ; she was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, Nov. 16, 1820; they have seven children living: John W., Louisa A., George W., Lucretia G., Stephen M., Sarah E. and EH A.; Joseph M. enlisted in the 45th

1. V. I. in 1861; was in the battles of Ft. Donuelson, Pittsburg Landing and several other actions; died of small pox at Lagrange, Tenn., Feb. 13, 1863; Mr. T. was Commissioner of Highway four years; Assessor one year, and School Director ten years ; owns between 400 and 500 acres of land.

TROXELL JACOB, Farmer; Sec.12; P. O. Plum River; born in White Deer Co., Pa., Aug. 14, 1830; came to this Co. in 1842; owns 280 acres of land ; was married Feb. 7, 1856, to Mary E. May; she was born in Hancock Co., Ky., Dec. 23, 1833: have eight children : Mary J., Sarah A., Henry T., Webster D., Emma M., Sylvester G., William J. and Fannie G.; Mr. T. was Road Commissioner one year, and School Director six years; family attend the Church of God, Pleasant Valley; Mrs. T. is a member of the same.

TROXELL JACOB, (Deceased) born in Union Co., Pa., in 1794; was married Oct. 23, 1819, to Sarah Grimm; she was born in Berks Co., Pa., Feb. 14, 1798; came to this Co. in 1842, and to this farm in 1844; owns 280 acres of land; have eight children living: Elizabeth Pratt,

Henry, Mary Mackay, Jacob, Leah Fitzsimraons, Edward B., William and Sarah J. ; lost two: Lucy, died in Pennsylvania, and John, died in Elizabeth, in 1845; Mr. T. was a soldier of 1812, and for a long time Captain of Melitia in Pa.; he died in 1852; Edward B. is in charge of the farm; he was Supervisor 7 years. Commissioner of Highways 3 years, Collector 2 years, and Township Trustee 16 years. Troxell Wm. farmer; Sec. 12; P. O. Plum River.

WEIBM MARTIN, Farmer; Sec. 20; P.O. Pleasant Valley; born in Germany, Jan, 15, 1837; came to this Co. in 1846; owns 180 acres of land ; was married March 8, 1861, to Catherine Hank; she was born in Germany, Feb. 22, 1842 ; they have three children living: Maggie, Anna M. and August; lost two: John, died Oct. 18, 1867, and Joseph, April 11, 1872; attend the Lutheran Church, of which Mrs. W. is a member.

Co. in 1866 ; owns 175 acres of land ; they have ten children living: Helen O., Frances A., Ella C., Amelia M., Allen J., Lucy M., Clara E., Edwin S., Cora E. and Minnie L.; Flora R. died Sept. 10, 1876, aged 18; Mr. W. has been School Director eight years.

WINTERS GEORGE, Farmer; Sec. 31; P. O. Pleasant Valley; born in Prussia, July 24, 1827; came to this Co. in 1843; settled in Derinda; lived there till 1852, when he went toCalilornia; returned in 1854; was married July 5, 1857, to Theresa Haines, of Kansas; she was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1838; bought this farm in 1857; was then a wild prafr?tr7" owns 375 acres of land; they have two children living: George W. and Sebastian; lost two: John and Louis; Mr. Winters was Town Clerk 2 years, Assessor 1 year, Supervisor 4 years. Justice of the Peace 16 years, and School Director 10 years; are members of the Lutheran Church.