Prophetstown Township (part 2 of 2)

Along Main street are the offices of the five doctors who take care of the public health, Johnson, Arnett, Tascher, Mother, and Bruce from Indiana, the latest arrival. Also, three dentists who aim to keep the village ivory in perfect condition, Holland, and two Gostelows. These have their rooms over stores. Several restaurants, where a dime will secure a good cup of coffee and piece of pie, or a quarter a square meal. The postoffice business is increasing. The sale of stamps during 1907 amounted to $4,009, an increase of $285 over the previous year. The money order trade was $20,- 000. The weight of mail matter dispatched from July, 1907, to December, 1907, was 8,222 pounds. There are five rural routes.

The Methodist church erected in 1864 sprang from a mission in the house of N. G. Reynolds in the summer of 1836. There is a membership of 260, a Sunday school of 150, with an Epworth League, Ladies' Aid, Women's Foreign Mission Society. The pastor. Rev. W. B. Doble, is an Englishman, was educated at Northwestern University and Garrett Biblical Institute, and entered the Rock River Conference in 1890. This is his first year in this charge.

On a hill stands the _Swedish Lutheran with parsonage adjacent. There are over one hundred communicants, a Bible class of 40, a Ladies' Aid of 30, a Y. P. S. E. A small Sunday school for the reason that most of the families are from the country and simply attend the service of preaching. The pastor, Rev. A. Edgren, came from south of Stockholm, and after a high school education in Sweden, studied at Augustana College, then at Paxton, now at Rock Island, graduating in 1873. His third year in this place.

The largest church in the town is the Congregational, with a membership of 340, a Sunday school of 190, a cradle roll of 40. There are various societies: Woman's Missionary Union, Ladies' Aid, Christian Endeavor, Senior and Junior, Boys' Club. Every two weeks a Bible club mests on Friday. The pastor is Rev. Charles Henry Burdick, of Wisconsin, a graduate of Beloit college and Chicago Theological Seminary. 1902. His first charge was at Moline.

The ladies of Prophetstown are wide awake. The W. C. T. U. of fifty members meet every two weeks and discuss subjects announced beforehand. A class in Domestic Science of thirty, who have papers read and topics to consider. Some viand is cooked, and the good women pass opinion on its preparation. As a help and education in this department, literature is studied in the form of Good Housekeeping, published at Springfield, Mass., and the Boston Cooking School Magazine.

The Bay View Club of sixteen members, so called from the Bay View Magazine, issued at the summer school in Michigan, is purely literary. Mrs. George E. Paddock is the presiding genius. They meet twice a month, and compass in their deliberations a wide variety of topics, American history and literature, proverbs, current events, the orators, the reformers, like Garrison and Phillips, historians like Parkman, Motley and Prescott. A lady is appointed to read a paper followed by a discussion. The meetings are held at the homes.

Paris has its Eiffel tower, Washington the marble monument, landmarks of the sky that overtop all meaner objects. Prophetstown has her lofty tank, 100 feet high, situated on a bluff east of town. The pumping station is at the foot, and it measures 140 feet to the top of the steel tank. The pump is run by a 25 horsepower gasoline engine, with a capacity of 166 gallons a minute. The consumption is from 25.000 to 30,000 gallons per day, and the pump works about four hours a day to supply the demand of a hundred patrons whose number is increasing. All the new residences have closet and bath. The water is obtained from a huge well. 24 feet deep and ten feet across. It is not river water, but flows from an upper strata in the bluff. The waterworks were constructed in 1904, and with the extensions since, have cost $25,000.

During the disastrous fire, Jan. 27, 1908, the water system worked to perfection. Asst. Engineer Amos Ott had charge of the pumping station and when the fire broke out the 65,000 gallon reservoir was filled to the brim. At no stage of the fire was there less than 40,000 gallons of water in the tank. During the time that three leads of hose were used the water fell ten feet but that was the lowest stage recorded. The pressure was strong, even at the lowest stage. The pumping capacity proved almost equal to the demand of two lines of hose.

Surrounding the pumping station, which is near the river, is a native grove of the original oak, blackberry, walnut, willow, affording a delightful park for popular resort. No expense is needed. A 'simple platform, and festivals and celebrations can be enjoyed all through the summer. As you ascend the bluff is the new concrete mansion of Herbert Lancaster, the choicest situation in the town, commanding a noble view of Roek river and the woods on either bank.

A soldiers' monument of gray granite surmounted by a private with gun at rest. On each of "four side?, Kenesaw, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Resaca and this inscription :

Cedar, white pine, Norway spruce, here and there, are beautiful emblems of the evergreen shore sought by the dwellers in the tombs they shadow. All the early names may be read on the marbles: McKenzie. Pratt. Waito. Noyes, Snyder, Greene, Reynolds, Field, Ramsay, Hill, Butler, Averill. Paddock, Shaw, Thompson, Richmond, Loomis, Jabez Warner, 1780-1847. A. J. Matson, 1819-1886. This grave awakens glorious memories. It is that of Delight, wife of Josiah Cleaveland, who was at Yorktnvn. 17S1. Washington and Cornwallis days. She died in 1856 at 92, and was the grandmother of Capt, David Cleaveland, of the Civil war. Here also are the tombs of Silas Sears, long the county surveyor, and N. G. Reynolds, eight years county judge, 1791-1866.

Beyond this solemn enclosure is the creamery, operated by E. C. Dodge & Co. While most of the cream is brought by the surrounding farmers, some is shipped from stations along the railroad. The quantity of butter made varies from 35 tubs in winter to 100 in summer. The milk is brought in thirty-gallon cans. Payment is made twice a month, and it provides the honest yeoman with ready money. A banker remarked that many a farmer would have gone to the wall without this frequent receipt of cash. On a shelf are rows of little bottles with samples of milk for the Babcock tester.

Near the creamery is the modest home of Capt. David Cleaveland, the liveliest of veterans. He was in Co. B, 34th 111., and participated in Shiloh, Kenesaw and other hard engagements. As he talks of those stirring times his eye brightens and he is again leading the charge on the rifle pits.

The Grand Army, John A. Parrott Post, 543, is a thrifty organization, owning their own building. They occupy the upper floor, renting the lower for a store. A well furnished apartment, with portraits on the walls of Washington, Grant, Garfield, McKinley. A kitchen and dining room for festivals. The invaluable treasure of the place is a library of some 200 stout volumes, containing a complete record of the Rebellion, Union and Confederate. It was presented by the lamented Hitt. There are twenty-three veterans in the post. The W. R. C. also occupy the room with their meetings.

Old Landmark Gone

What was known as the Annis House was taken down in January, 1908. Nathan Thompson, who came in 1844, says the building was there at that time, and was erected about 1841 or 42. It was last occupied by H. A. Sturtevant as a residence. As a hotel it goes back to the early days of the stage coach, and saw much of primitive travel and excitement. Walnut was cheaper than pine, as it was a native wood, and the writer secured a piece of a door jamb for the Historical Society, which is as hard and bright as ever after sixty years of usefulness. Peace to its ashes.

Among the agricultural diversions of the community is the Rock River Poultry Association, which held its third annual show in Dec., 1907. Four hundred birds were on exhibition from tiny bantams to colossal White Brahmas. Entries of all classes of the feathered tribe, Plymouth and Buff Rock, Wyandottes, turkeys and geese, fantail and carrier pigeons. A unique exhibit of ring-necked pheasants of H. Cleaveland attracted much attention. Sufficient premiums are awarded to induce a generous display. The officers in charge were gratified with the liberal patronage extended. There is a popular fondness for fowl, not only at shows, but at holiday dinners.

When the news spread over Prophetstown on Saturday night, October 19, 1907, that Professor Ellison was dead, every heart felt a personal loss. He had long been in declining health, had remained in the schoolroom after repeated warnings of the danger, but an unwillingness to surrender his life work impelled a continuance, and the end was unavoidable. The hero died in the harness. . .

Willard Sylvester Ellison was a natural teacher, and took all pains to equip himself for the career. He studied at Valparaiso, at Illinois and Iowa universities and various normal schools. After ten years in district schools, Gridley in Ustick, Thompson in Carroll, Miles in Iowa, Garden Plain and Unionville, he entered upon his final position as head of the schools in Prophetstown. Eighteen beautiful years! Beautiful in every relation in life, teacher, father, friend, husband, citizen. His pupils, old and young, cherished for him the profoundest affection. Not simply an educator, but a leader in every good word and work. The famous Dr. Arnold of Rugby left a deathless example of faithfulness after fourteen years of service. Ellison was eighteen in Prophetstown.

Never did the village witness a more impressive funeral. The Congregational church was packed with a mourning community. The ministers of the town all took part.

The pallbearers escorting the flower laden casket were Messrs. N. W. Paddock, R. C. Forkey, M. P. Brewer, B. E. Hurd, Simon Keiser and S. D. Gostelow. The short opening service was in charge of Rev. Doble, who concluded with a fervent prayer. Rev. Mr. Burdick delivered a sermon, the text of which was a portion of Paul's letter to Timothy. The lesson was a beautiful tribute to the life of Prof. Ellison, who had fought the good fight and won the victory. The old church choir composed of Mr. and Mrs. Fenn, Mr. and Mrs. Daggett, Mr. Case and Mrs. Paddock, rendered several excellent and appropriate selections. Rev. Mr. Edgren pronounced the benediction.

Prof. Ellison was born in Snringfield. Illinois January 28, 1857. His father died in 1862, his aged mother is still living. He was married in 1886 to Miss Alice Heberling, who with four children, remain-; to mourn his loss.

Has won the battle for the free, Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word; And in its hollow tones are heard The thank* of. millions vet to be. -

Unlike the good Indians, the old soldiers are not all in the cemetery, but dozens of them walk the streets, proud to enjoy the land they fought to save. The gray-haired veterans meet almost daily at the postoffice, where they hear the gossip of the street. II. L. Johnson, cousin of L. L., of Sterling, 147th 111. Infantry. Emmitt Underbill, 34th 111., re-enlisted in 1864, and recalls the grand review in Washington, May, 1865. All the veterans agree that this parade of the tattered flags and bronzed uniforms was the most glorious event in the military annals of the world. E. P. Beardslee, 34th 111., Co. K, 1861-1864, now past sixty-six, lost a finger at Corinth. Ed Reynolds, 75th 111., was shot in the side. George Potter, seventy, 2nd Vermont Volunteers, 1861-1864, went through the Battles of the Wilderness, and was wounded in the side. At the funeral of Henry Giles, 34th 111., were Comrades Oscar Olmstead, F. U. Brewer, Charles Birdsall, Levi Hopkins, Harrison Johnson, Emmitt Underbill and Captain Cleaveland. The Grand Army is crossing the river.

Some Old Families

Of the original settlers of Prophetstown, none are left, afid even their descendants are scarce. The Warners are an exception. Jabez Warner, who came from St. Louis in 1837, had nine children, some of whom became prominent. Edward B., afterwards in Morrison and county treasurer; Sarah C., who married Silas Sears, county surveyor, and who, still living at eighty, the writer had the pleasure of visiting. She lives in one side of her large dwelling, and keeps house by herself, bright in mind, although somewhat feeble in body. She has a distinct remembrance of the early days. Indians were numerous and continual beggars. Her mother never denied them anything, gave a loaf of bread whenever they asked for it. There was a lurking suspicion that at any time they might attempt a massacre. A son of Jabez was John H., who married Miss Clarissa E. Bryant. He spent his later years with his daughter, Orpha, widow of George Shaw. Mr. Warner died in 1907 at ninety or more, to the last busy about the flower beds and garden. The low brick house in' which Mrs. Shaw lives is a relic, built in 1856, and in fine preservation. A daughter, Eliza A., married Andrew J. Tuller, a business man, who afterwards removed to Sterling. They had a daughter, Mary, a lovely girl. The whole family are gone, except Will, a jeweler in Chicago.

Anthony J. Mattson, who came to the young town in 1838, was for many years its representative citizen. He was postmaster in 1848, merchant in 1852, banker in 1855. He entered heartily into every movement to improve the place, and worked successfully to secure railroad facilities. During the war he was provost marshal, and then chief clerk in the U. S. Revenue assessor's office. He was cashier of the First National Bank, organized in 1872. Only 67 at his death in 1886. A useful and strenuous career.

Judge Reynolds, as he was commonly called, or Nathaniel G. Reynolds, came in 1835 from New York by lake to Detroit, and thence by team with wife and five children to Chicago and the Rock river country. Flour was twenty dollars a barrel. He passed through the usual primitive hardships, and was so highly esteemed that he was elected to responsible positions, county commissioner, deputy marshal, justice of the peace and eight years county judge. In 1860 he removed to Sterling, and died there in 1866. The writer often saw Judge in his declining years. He was a plain, sociable gentleman of the old school.

Of the Olmstead clan, George is the best known member. His father, Oliver, a native of Canada, came in 1837. He married Electa Hunt, and the honeymoon was enjoyed in a log cabin with frozen pork and cornbread, instead of roast goose with oyster stuffing. George lives like a king on a main street, and is never absent from Sunday school conventions.

But the Nestor of Prophetstown is Nathan Thompson, born in 1822, here since 1845. He is court of last resort on all antiquarian matters about the village. No appeal from Nate's decision.

Hamdex A. Sturtevant

When Mr. Sturtevant died in February, 1908, Prophetstown lost her oldest business man. Not only prosperous himself, but the instrument of prosperity for others. Busy from a boy.

At the age of twenty-one he engaged in stock buying for A. J. Patterson of Rock Falls. For three years he served this man and with so great success that when he concluded to go for himself he was receiving a salary of $1,500 per year. His success followed him and for years he was well known in the old Chicago stock yards district. For 37 years a resident of the town. He was nearly seventy.

Early on Monday morning, Jan. 27, 1908, Prophetstown had her second serious fire. It began on Sunday night in the basement of Kempster's hardware store, and before the flames were under control, the whole concern, including the extensive implement stock, the largest in the county, was destroyed. The Turck restaurant building was much damaged. States Attorney Waite's library, Dr. Hart's new medical office and supplies were consumed. Some adjacent properties injured. The total loss reaching $50,- 000. R. W. Kempster & Co. had an insurance of $33,000, but still lost about $13,000. Partial insurance on the others.

One of the new industrial enterprises is what is called Diamond Pattern Lumber. It is something novel. Simply a wooden pattern for sills, stair treads, engine platforms, any place where a firm foot-hold is desired. This pattern is ready for the foundry. You buy the style desired, and take to the foundry to be cast, thus saving wages of a patternmaker. The pattern is made in pieces eight feet long, six to twelve inches wide, of clear lumber stock. Dr. J. H. Tascher is president of the Macdonald Manufacturing Company, and the business has already extended over the United States and even abroad. Pins are stuck on a map in the office of the points giving orders, and the cities reach from sea to sea, lakes to gulf.

Most of the fraternal orders are in flourishing condition, .electing officers every winter, and closing with a sumptuous banquet. A long list. Among them the Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors, the Pythians, the Fraternal Reserves. At the social of the Rebekahs on one occasion a basket sale realized $35, and a dance concluded the festivities. The Royal Neighbors have readings, music and drills, and suppers where 250 plates are laid. The Mystic Workers are growing rapidly, and at their functions discuss their plum pudding to the sweet strains of a lively orchestra.

There are three banks : Farmers' National Bank, organized in 1902, with a capital of $60,000, and deposits by last report of $133,907. Nathan Thompson is president; George E. Paddock, cashier; and 0. P. Petty, assistant cashier. The Citizens' Bank, T. F. Jamison, cashier. This is a private concern, organized by Mrs. E. M. Warner and Charles J. Warner. Bank of Prophetstown, also private; president, George E. Paddock; cashier, H. E. Paddock. This is the oldest institution in the town, in operation for thirty years.

Henry Stewart, who lives to the south, ships honey, 1,500 pounds at a time, to Galesburg. He has cement floors in his winter bee house, and other appliances to keep the "How doth the little busy bee, improve each shining hour," in good heart for spring.

There is no complete system of sewerage, and this is doubtless one of the next enterprises of the progressive place, as the water supply is abundant.

Leon

About seven miles south of Prophetstown on the border line of the township and Henry county is the sequestered village of Leon. A neighborhood of intelligent, industrious people, hearty in their support of an earnest and growing church and a small but excellent school. The building is new, and one of the best in the county. Miss Rena Seyller, teacher in 1908, is a graduate of the Prophetstown high school, and prepared for her work at De Kalb Normal, and was in her third year of service.

The church has almost one hundred members, several having been added during a revival in the winter of 1908. There is an Epworth League of 35 active members, and a flourishing Ladies' Aid society. Rev. I. P. Berry, the pastor,, after a course at Oberlin, Valparaiso and De Kalb Normals, and ten years in public schools, engaged in ministerial work.

For a small place, a variety of gatherings and functions during the winter to divert and instruct in the way of sociables, home plays, public concerts and lectures. Once Ralph Bingham was on the list. The population of Leon is about 125. A farming community, and the growth is gradual.

The quiet of the hamlet was rudely broken on Nov. 20, 1905, by the shooting of Burton Mapes, a farmer, by Arthur Handley, who had been working for him. The affray occurred half mile south of Leon, at a crassroad, near a cornfield. The men had a dispute about wages, and Handley drew his revolver and fired a bullet which pierced the side and lungs of Mapes, killing him instantly. In the trial, Handley claimed that Mapes assaulted him and that the shot was fired in self defense. Handley was taken before Justice Mathis, then to the county jail, and on the meeting of the grand jury, indicted for murder. William Allen of Erie, and H. C. Ward of Sterling defended the prisoner. States Attorney Stager, assisted by C. L. Sheldon prosecuted the case. Judge E. C. Graves presided. Morrison was the scene of great excitement during the trial, which continued several days, summoning numerous witnesses, and attracting crowds of curious spectators. The case was given to the jury at 11:28 a. m. on Monday, and on Wednesday at 10:08 a. m., they returned the verdict of Not Guilty. A demonstration of applause in court, which the Judge suppressed. One fea- ture lent a slight romance to the trial and won sympathy for the accused. His betrothed, Miss Gracia Goodell, a sprightly maiden of eighteen, was a close observer of events. Mrs. Mapes, wife of the victim, was also in constant attendance.

The forty cents recalls the incident of the loafer who provided a fishing outfit of two jugs of whisky and one loaf of bread, and was asked why he wanted so much bread. As will be seen, the county always loses by a murder trial, one citizen and considerable cash.

Two lively weeklies chronicle passing events. The Echo, established in 1892 by William Wilson. In 1896 it was purchased by Cleaveland and Hotchkiss, and in 1908> transferred to E. G. Mathis. Since October of that year he has been in control. Eight pages and six columns to a page. Republican in politics. To use the language of Mr. Mathis, the Echo is purely a local newspaper, standing pre-eminently for Prophetstown, her interests and her people. No better weekly in the county.

The older of the two is the Whiteside Bulletin, originally the Prophetstown Spike. It was established Sept. 2, 1871, and took its name at the suggestion of a patron because the last spike had been driven on the branch railroad that entered Prophetstown in March of that year. It was one of the first papers established in the county south of Rock river. Until Jan., 1878, it was managed by A. D. Hill, gaining a good local circulation, and was quite an influentdal publication, politically independent. The next owner and publisher was John W. Olmstead, who after conducting the paper for some months, sold it to C. G. Glenn. He transferred it to A. W. H. Frazer, and in May, 1883, A. D. Hill again purchased the business, conducting it to Feb., 1888, when he disposed of it to Mrs. II. P. Greene. The next publishers were Case and Mathis, then R. C. Turner, and now E. J. Cunningham.

Woodlands Of Whiteside

Where are the luxuriant groves that once gave a charm to the early landscape? The Indians left them, the first settlers found them. But they are slowly and sadly disappearing. The places that knew them, shall soon know them no more forever. Like the buffalo, they are falling before civilization.

Where are Buffalo Grove, Hickory Grove, Round Grove, Gap Grove, and dozens of others? Those not entirely cleared away are mere shadows of their former extent. These bodies of timber seemed like old friends with their welcome shade and protection to men fresh from the hills of New England, New York and Pennsylvania. The early settlers seemed to have a respect for forests that had grown for a century. They used them only for the development of their farms. They did not estimate them by the cord, and turn the product into money. The commercial spirit was not abroad to stifle sentiment and spoil the panorama. It was reserved for the second generation to clear the native woods, and put the land into corn and potatoes. The tree, like the negro in Dred Scott, had no rights which a white man was bound to respect.

There are still bodies of timber along the Elkhorn and Rock river, but the various woodlands scattered through the townships are much smaller. A few years ago at Emerson a large tract of timber was cut away, and Coe's grove in Jordan is yearly receding. It seems to be considered sharp management to clear the land and farm every acre.

All this is, of course, poor housekeeping. The United States is approaching a timber famine. Walnut, oak and other hard woods, pine, maple, are yearly becoming scarcer, and the government has found it necessary to reserve 160,000,000 acres on the western slope for future lumber needs of the country. So the railroads realize the situation. The Pennsylvania has set out 550,000 trees, and the Santa Fe system is considering the merits of the Eucalyptus of Australia. '

Another fact. Why do the Ohio and other large rivers, the Elkhorn and the creeks rise so rapidly after rains and overflow their banks? The water dashes over the bare hills or plains with nothing to check, while woodlands catch the rain as in a reservoir and give it off in gradual supply.

It would seem a wise thing, then to cherish our woodlands, and make an effort to supply the loss. Most farmers plant a few trees for shade around the house, or a row for windbreak about the orchard. They have not yet reached the stage of the Kansas men who set out acres of trees and cultivate like corn until they form a grove, and are able to take care of themselves.

Norway plants annually 1,500,000 trees to take the place of those consumed in the manufacture of wood pulp, which is one of her chief articles of export.

Two farmers in Whiteside have given this subject of forestry the consideration is deserves. Tobias Kauffrnan in Jordan in 1876 had the happy and patriotic thought of starting a centennial grove, setting out an acre of Norway spruce and white pine in nursery rows. As they became too thick, he thinned them out, and today, after thirty years, some of the evergreens are two feet in diameter. They stand north of the house, and not only answer as a living bulwark against the polar blizzards, but form a cheerful ornament, summer or winter, for the pleasure of the passing traveler.

More recent is the scheme of "A. N. Abbott, Ustick, of the state experiment statiQn. In a note he informs the writer that he aims to have eighty acres in forest. Sixty to be planted, twenty in an old wood lot to be managed under forest care. He has already planted 25,000 trees on twenty acres, and intends to plant 10,000 in the spring. The kinds are mostly black walnut and hardy catalpa. He has set out two thousand white pine, 2,500 white ash, also black walnut, tamarack, spruce, black cherry, Russian mulberry, larch, osage, cotton wood, maple, elm. He adapts the trees to soils suitable. The writer was on the land devoted to this experimental forest, and was surprised at the rapid growth of the trees, especially black walnut. It is to be hoped that Mr. Abbott's example will find numerous imitators everywhere in Illinois.