Seneca Township

Seneca Township

Seneca, one of the center townships of the county, is joined on the east by Dorr, on the south by Coral, on the west by Marengo, and on the north by Hartland. It is one of the finest townships in the county; the land is rich, gently rolling and under a high state of cultivation. In early times the west side of the township was heavily timbered, supplying building material and fuel in great abundance. The majority of the first houses in the township were built of oak procured from this belt of timber.

The township was named for a tribe of Indians in New York, from which State came many of Seneca's early settlers. E. Pettit made the first claim in this township in 1835. It is now known as the Sponable farm. Mr. Pettit remained here but a short time when he sold to Mr. Sponable.

In 1835 John Belden made his claim where he now resides. He came here from La Porte County, Ind., and is- one of the public spirited men of this section of country.

Russel Diggins moved from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to Seneca Township in 1836. His wife died soon after coming here; she was the first person who died in the township.

A Mr. "Woodward made a claim east of Mr. Diggins and remained only during the .year 1836. His wife died in the fall, and not being able to secure the services of a minister, R. G. White conducted the services by reading a chapter in the Bible and offer- ing a prayer. The funeral sermon was to be preached on the following Sabbath by Rev. Whitman, of Belvidere. On this day the neighbors came from near and far not only to hear a good sermon but to pay their respect and sympathy to the afflicted husband, bat imagine their surprise when they learned that he was not present to hear the address to the mourners, but had gone with his hired girl to De Kalb County to visit some friends.

Robert G. White came from Bond County, 111., to Seneca in the spring of 1836. He built the first saw-mill in this corner of the county. He died in 1871, honored and esteemed by all who knew him.

Eli Craig came to Seneca in 1836. In 1838 he was elected Constable, and had the honor of arresting two thieves who broke into the residence of Samuel Smith and procured $600. Mr. Craig remained only a few years in the township, when he moved West.

Amos Damon came from Ohio in 1836. Silas Chatfield, a Captain in the war of 1812, came here from Ohio in 1836; he died April 2, 1866. He had been wounded while serving his country and drew a Captain's pension for years. Joseph Hannacame from Virginia and settled here in 1836 and died in 1850.

Solomon Baldwin came here in 1836, from Washington County, N. Y. He made several claims for himself and sons and afterward sold to different parties. To C. R. Read he traded a tract for a store. He died 'in August, 1870.

Christopher Sponable came from Seneca County, Ohio, in the fall of 1836. He remained in the township till his death which occurred Nov. 9, 1854. His family consisted of twelve children .

Whitman Cobb, formerly from Cazenovia County, N. Y., settled here in the fall of 1836. A few years afterward he moved to Jo Daviess County, where he remained several years and then returned to Riley Township, this county, where he died Feb. 2, 1866.

M. Dickenson settled in Seneca in 1837, and the same year came John Ackerson and Peter Deitz, the latter was a lawyer by profession and practiced some here in an early day. Clark Wix and Spencer Flanders also came in 1837. Leander Bishop came from New York State and is still a resident of the township. John White came from North Carolina and died in Marengo in the year 1869.

Vermont street, running north and south through sections 9, 16 and 21, and east and west through sections 21 and 22 was so named by the parties who settled on it, all being fron Vermont except a Mr.Mead who owned forty acres.

First Events

The first marriage in Seneca occurred April 8, 1839. The contracting parties were John Ackerson and Elizabeth Dickenson, R G. White, Justice of the Peace, performing the ceremony. The first school was taught by Mrs. Koxy Stevens (wife of G. B. Stevens) in 1840, at her residence, one mile south of Franklin ville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are now residents of Woodstock. The first school-house was built in Franklinville in 1845 near where the present one now stands. It was a frame building and served its purpose about twenty years.

Since 1845 the school interests of Seneca Township have augmented somewhat. There are at present in the township seven school-houses; value of school property is over $6,000; teachers'' salaries amount annually to about $1,700. There are 369 children in the township between the ages of six and twenty-one. Average attendance is 270.

Religious

The first religious services held in the township were at the residence of G. B. Stevens, in the year 1839. Rev. Leander Walker and Eev. Nathaniel Jewett preached alternately every four weeks in private and school-houses for quite a length of time, when others ministered to the spiritual wants of these people, and in this way services were held till the year 1849, when the Methodist church was built at Franklinville. It is a frame building and still in good repair. It will seat about 200. The back part of the building contains a large gallery and the front above the audienceroom contains two class-rooms. The society was organized in

1849, under Rev. Leander Walker. The first Class-Leader was William Deitz; First Stewards, L. H. Bishop, John Sanborn and Stephen Albro. I. H. Fairchilds was official exhorter; he was soon after licensed to preach and filled the pulpit whenever the regular preacher was absent. The following is a list of the ministers who have supplied this charge from its commencement up to the present time: Rev. Wm. Gaddis, O. A. Walker, Rev. Swift, Rev. Jenks (now of California), Rev. E. Ransom, Rev. Avrill, Rev. D. Fellows (now deceased), Rev. Minard (who for many years has been superanuated), Rev. Geo. Wallace, Rev. J. Billings, L. Triggs, L. Whipple, C. Lasenby, Wm. Aug. Smith (for many years Secretary of Rock River Conference), Wm. A. Cross, Levi Kelley, L. H. Davis, Ed. Brown, Edwin Cook, John Rhoads, W. R. Hoadly, J. H. Souls, J. Harwood, Mathew Triggs, John Bacon, G. C. Clark, Rev. McGnire, Rev. Earngey, E. Ransom, N. Critchett, John Adams. Rev. G. K. Hoover, their present pastor, preaches at this point every Sabbath afternoon, holding services in Woodstock in the forenoon.

Seneca is one of the townships in McHenry County which cannot boast of a village or postoffice, though in an early day Franklinville is said to have furnished both. It is situated on section 22 and commenced taking on the form and appearance of a village about the year 1839, when a Mr. Lockwood opened a store and continued in trade about one year when he exchanged properties with Mr. Robinson, of Geneva, who was succeeded by Harley Wayne in 1843. The same year George T. Kasson became a partner of Wayne's and continued in business with him about one year when he sold out to his partner and in company with U. T. Hyde, opened a second store, which was shortly afterward sold to a Mr. Allen, and Kasson and Hyde erected a third store building. At this date Franklinville could also boast of a blacksmith-shop, which was run by Norman Bremhall. In 1843, through the eftorts of John Wentworth (then Congressman from this district), a postoflice was established, which was called Belden. Sylvester Mead was appointed Postmaster; he was succeeded by H. Wayne, and he by G. T. Kasson. It was abandoned in 1866 and for six years this place was without a postoffice. In 1872 Garrie Dietz was appointed Postmaster and kept the office till 1881, when he moved away and they were again without a postoffice. Franklinville received its name in honor of Franklin Stringer, whose memory is worthy of being perpetuated by as flourishing a city as Franklinville at one time promised to become, but perhaps the destiny of the place rested in its first significant name, Snarltown. It is well known that for many years it bore this name, but the origin of the name is perhaps not familiar to many. Tradition has it, that among the early settlers of that section was a George Albrow who came from New York State, and brought with him, besides his family and household goods, a crabbed disposition, and a very disagreeable habit of snarling at every one with whom he happened to have any controversy. He was called by his neighbors, " Snarl Albrow" and this cognomen was afterward given to the little village that grew up around him.

Official

The township was organized in 1850. At the first election held April 2, 1850, the following officers were elected: Supervisor, Calvin Pike; Town Clerk, William Allen; Assessor, L. M. Woodard; Collector, Osgood Josslyn; Overseer of the Poor, Ezra F. Bisby; Commissioners of Highways, Wm. Sheldon, Levi Moore, Paskell Stowell; Justice of the Peace, Chas. Dawley and John W. Richardson; Constable, Osgood Josslyn and John Crain. The present officers are as follows: Supervisor, G. W. Goodrich; Town Clerk, T. M. Cook; Collector, G. Silliman; Assessor, T. M. Cook; Justice of the Peace, G. W. Deirz; Commissioners of Highways, C. N. Weber, Daniel Sheldon and Stiles Silliman; School Trustees, S. M. Farr, H. W. Belden, E. E. Crandall; Treasurer, T. M. Cook.

The small city of the dead located between Franklinville and Woodstock is said to be the spot of ground where the first settlers laid their friends who were cut down by the relentless hand of death.

About the year 1839 the cemetery at the village of Franklinville was laid out by the people who erected the Methodist church. Mrs. Lazarus Ellis was the first person buried there.

Saw And Oki St Mills

mill on section 30. The grist-mill was a frame building of considerable size, and was used for many years in manufacturing flour, but of late years is used only in grinding feed. The saw-mill is still in good repair, though its days of usefulness passed away with the timber. Both these mills are run by water-power, and for many years after they were built were amoDg the leading industries of this section of country.

Eobert G. White, Esq., erected the first saw-mill in the township. It was situated on section 20, and was used constantly about eighteen years. For the past sixteen years it has not been in existence.

Cheese Faotoeies And Creameries

Seneca Township is not behind her sister townships in enjoying the benefits derived from the lucrative dairy business. The Josslyn factory, located on section 10, was erected by Osgood Josslyn and Wid, B. Sanford, in the year 1878. It .is a frame building, 36 x 42 feet. Here both butter and cheese are manufactured, and from 2,000 to 4,000 pounds of milk are consumed daily. Sanford & Josslyn rented it the first year after it was built, to Wm. Boies, at the expiration of which time Mr. Boies purchased a half interest in the property, and the year following purchased the balance, and is at present the owner.

Oak Grove Creamery, situated in the southeastern portion of the township, was built in June, 1878, by a Mr. Slater, who was encouraged in the enterprise by his neighbors gratuitously hauling material to erect the building. "The main building is 40 x 80 feet with an L 20 x 30 feet. Over 6,000 pounds of milk are taken in at this factory daily. Here also both butter and cheese are manufactured. Mr. Slater ran the business for a short time, when Mr. Newman, of Elgin, purchased the property. In March, 1884, Wm. Boies, of Marengo, became its owner.

Seneca Cheese Factory ; located on section 35, was built in 1882, by a company of farmers in that vicinity. Daniel Sheldon, G. W. Goodrich, Ed. Kosencrans and J. N. Mussey were the prime movers in the enterprise. They erected a building 35 x 65 feet, at an expense of about $1,600. The property is rented by Mr. Wm. Boies, who placed in the building the necessary machinery for the manufacture of both butter and cheese. From 6,500 to 7,000 pounds of milk are daily consumed at this factory.

Biographical

Orrin Aibee, farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, Seneca Township, was born in Erie County, N. Y., twenty-eight miles south of Buffalo, Nov. 25, 1828, a son of Adolphus Albee. In 1847 his father moved West, passed through McHenry County, where he left his family, and went to Racine, "Wis. He subsequently went to Indiana, where he died. Our subject received a common-school education, remaining with his parents till manhood. In 1854 he came to McHenry County, and located in Seneca Township, where he now owns 170 acres of choice land, on which he has a fine residence and good farm buildings. He was married Nov. 23, 1863, to Christina M. Lindsay, daughter of Thomas Lindsay. They have three children - Nellie B., Alfred O. and Mary L.

Henry W. Belden, section 33, Seneca Township, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830, the youngest of five children of Solomon J. and Samantha (Grifnt Belden, his father a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York. In 1831 his parents moved to Michigan, and from there, in 1832, to Ohio; thence, iu 1834, to La Porte County, Ind., and in 1836 to McHenry County, 111., and settled in Seneca Township. His father died in Marengo, Aug. 27, 1870. In 1850 Mr. Belden moved to Seneca Township) and bought his farm of 180 acres, where he now lives. He was married Oct. 28, 1849, to Julia J., daughter of James T. Gillette of Northfield, Minn. They have had three children; all are deceased - Merritt, Henry L. and William A. Mr. Belden is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has served as Highway Commissioner, Assessor and School Trustee of his township.

Fred J. Bigelow was born on the farm where he now lives, on section 22, Seneca Township, Feb. 21, 1860, a son of Chauncey and Eoxy Ann (Benner) Bigelow, natives of New York. He was reared in this township, and received a good common-school education. He takes an interest in all literary matters, and when a mere boy obtained a small printing press, and wrote and published a history of the Bigelow family. He was married Feb. 21, 1884, to Gertie D. Havens, a native of Richmond, 111., a daughter of Oscar G. Havens. He owns forty acres of good land, which is well cultivated. His grandfather, Timothy Bigelow, was a descendant of a Huguenot and Shaking Quaker. His children were: Harriet, Timothy, Parmelia, Charlotte and Chauncey. Timothy was born May 2, 1811, and now resides in Union, 111. His children who at tained their majority were Chauncey J., Marlin, Sabrina, Eliza,

Dwight, Henry and Linda. Ohauncey J., father of our subject was born Aug. 31, 1838, and died April 6, 1884. He was for many years an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His children are four in number - Fred J., Delia M., Stella J. and Carrie M.

Luzern A. Capron was born in New York, Nov. 4, 1847, a son of Neri and Nancy (Turner) Capron, natives of Vermont, and New York. In 1849 his parents moved to McHenry County, 111., and settled on the present site of the village of Union,' in Coral Township. Luzern is the only one living of three children. Amos P. died March, 1884, aged forty-one years and George died September, 1877, aged twenty-four years. The mother died in December, 1862, and the father Dec. 24, 1882, aged seventy-two years. Luzern A. Capron was reared and educated in McHenry County. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fine farm of lOi acres in section 21, Seneca Township.

Wm. W. Ellsworth, farmer, section 14, Seneca Township, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, April 29, 1830, a son of Benjamin Ellsworth, a native of Ontario County, N. Y. He was reared a farmer, but received a good education, attending Geauga and Chagrin Falls seminaries. He came to McHenry County in April, 1866, and lived in Greenwood Township till 1878, when he moved to Seneca Township, and settled on his present farm. He owns eighty acres of land, and makes a specialty of raising Poland- China hogs. He was married March 5, 1850, to Caroline S. Presley, daughter of Jeremiah Presley. To them were born six children, four of whom are living - Beujamin F., Charles Fremont, Ensil E. and Ella E. B. F. married Alice "Willis, and lives at Woodstock. Ensil married Etta Knight, and lives in Baraboo, Wis. Politically Mr. Ellsworth is a Eepublican.

G. W. Goodrich, of section 35, Seneca Township, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1819, a son of Joseph Goodrich, a native of Connecticut; was educated in the commonschools and Jefferson Academy in Schoharie Counjty, N. Y. He was married Feb. 3, 1841, to Mary A. TenEyck, daughter of John U. TenEyck, who was killed by lightning in the year 1829. In the year 1856 hecame West and settled in McHenry County, on the farm formerly occupied by his wife's uncle, William Deitz, where he now lives. In 1876 and 1877 he was engaged in the lumber business in Marengo, 111. At present he is engaged in farming, and carrying on a dairy of forty-five cows. His farm contains 493 acres of land. He has held several different town offices and is at present serving his fourth term as Supervisor. The house that his family occupied until its burning, four years ago, was the first frame house within several miles of or in Seneca.

Orson R. Graves, deceased, was born in Vermont, June 21, 1831, a son of Daniel Graves, a hatter by trade, who brought his family to McHenry County in an early day. He was married June 22, 1858, to Betsey Hale, daughter of Alva and Clara (Rouse) Hale. She was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., but came to Lee County, 111., with her parents when quite small. To Mr. and Mrs. Graves was born one child - Herbert S., born March 15, 1862. He received a good education but was obliged to leave school a year before his graduation on account of ill health. He is now carrying on the home farm and is an enterprising, ambitious young man. Mr. Graves died Sept. 13, 1873. He was a representative man of the township, and was always prominently identified with all enterprises of public benefit.

W. John Hazlet, foreman Oak-Grove Cheese Factory, was born in Clearfield County, Pa., March, 1853, a son of William and Maria (Scott) Hazlet, natives of Ireland, his father of Londonderry and his mother of M. ,of Scotch parentage. His parents came to America in 1840 and settled in Philadelphia County, Pa. In 1865 they came to McHenry County, and settled in Dorr Township, subsequently moving to Marengo Township, where they now live. Of their eight children but two are living; W. John and Jeunie. Our subject has received a good education, completing it at the Industrial University, Champaign, 111. He taught several terms of school, and in June, 1882, was employed by Wm. A. Boies to take charge of his factory in Kane County, and in March, 1884, was given his present position. He owns a good farm of 120 acres in Marengo Township. He was married June 29, 1881, to Hattie E. Newell, a native of Garden Prairie, 111., born Oct. 26, 1860, a daughter of George W. Newell. They have had two children - Ada, and Lyle N. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Hazlet are members of the Presbyterian church.

Alpheus 0. Ingalls was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1827, a son of Seth W. Ingalls, a native of Massachusetts, but an early settler of Jefferson County. In 1835 his father started for Ohio with his family but died before reaching his destination. The family settled in Cuyahoga County, but in 1838 moved to

Hillsdale County, Mich., and in 1844 to McHenry County, 111., and settled in McHenry Township. Alpheus 0. remained in McHenry Township till 1879 when he moved to Seneca Township, and settled on section 15, where he has since lived. He owns 154 acres of land and makes a specialty of dairying and stock-raising. He was married in the fall of 1858, to Elizabeth Sands. They have two children - Charles E. and Herbert E. Politically Mr. Ingalls is a .Republican.

Mason James, deceased, was born in Tully, N. Y., in February, 1823, a son of Sheffield James. He was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education. He came to McHenry County in an early day and settled on the farm where his widow now lives. He was married in April, 1849, to Elizabeth Mead, daughter of Joseph Mead. To them were born two children - Frank and Francis, twins, born June 3, 1850. Francis was married Nov. 8, 1871, to Fannie Sherwin, a daughter of Edwin Sherwin, of Idaho. They have two children - Cora and Carrie. He owns 160 acres of land in Coral Township, but resides on section 32, Seneca Township, near the old homestead, where he is engaged in butchering and shipping calves, poultry and hogs. Frank is unmarried and resides on the old homestead with his mother. They have a good farm of 100 acres and nine and a half acres of timber-land. Mr. James died Jan. 20, 1859. He was, as is his wife, a member of the Presbyterian church.

John Marshall was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., K Y.. Feb. 9, 1806, a son of Thomas Marshall, and grandson of John Marshall, a native of England . When he was thirteen years old his parents moved to Chenango County, K Y.,and settled seven miles from any town. His educational advantages were very meager, and when but a boy he began working with his father at the carpenter's trade. In 1845 he moved to Kane County, 111., and in 1847 to McHenry County. He was married in March, 1832, to Mary Davis. They have had ten children - Harrison (deceased), Wiliiam, Harriet, Julia, Albert, Mary, Clark, Celia Ann (deceased),

Marcus Mead, deceased, was born in Warsaw, 1ST. Y., Sept. 23, 1831, and died in Seneca Township, McHenry Co., 111., Dec. 7, 1881. His father, Jotham Mead, brought his family to McHenry County in 1841, and settled on section 21, Seneca Township. Marcus Mead was reared a farmer and always followed hat vocation. He owned a good farm of ninety-seven acres where his family now reside. He was married Dec. 19, 1859, to Phoebe E. Simpkins, a native of Coral Township, born March 23, 1839, a daughter of Richard and Evaline (Ames) Simpkins. To them were born four children; but three are living - George S., Eva and Mattie.

Peter O'Brien, section 1, Seneca Township, was born in Ireland, in June, 1810. His father, Michael O'Brien, died in 1813. He lived in Ireland till manhood and in 1835 came to America and worked at building railroads nine years. In 1844 he came Wes* and located in McHenry County, 111., and in 1846 settled on his present farm. He owns 240 acres of good land with comfortable farm buildings. He was married Aug. 16, 1841, to Bridget McLellan, daughter of Thomas McLellan. To them have been born twelve children, seven of whom are living - John, of St. Louis, Mo.; Mary, wife of J. N. Lighthall, of Chicago; Thomas, of Marion Centre, Kas.; Peter, Margaret, Kate and James. Margaret and James are in Chicago. Maria, Lizzie, Sarah, Michael and an infant son are deceased. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Horace E. Rosencrans, section 35, Seneca Township, was born in Cook County, 111., March 14, 1849, a son of Horace Rosencrans, of Elgin, who is a native of New Jersey, and was an early settler of Cook County. Our subject was reared in Elgin, completing his education in the Elgin Academy. He came to McHenry County in 1877 and located on the farm where he has since lived. He owns 115£ acres of land, and pays special attention to dairying. He was married November, 1872, to Mary Egelston, daughter of Jehiel Egelston. They have one child - Edith May, born Nov. 9,1875.

Charles L. Boss was born in Genesee Cuunty, N. Y., Nov. 7,. 1824, a son of Charles and Hannah (Spencer) Ross, natives of New York. He was reared and educated in Chautauqua County, N. Y., where his parents moved when he was an infant. In 1842 he came West and spent one summer in Dubuque, Iowa, then worked in the pineries of Wisconsin till he was taken sick, when he returned to Dubuque, and while there learned from his friends in New York that a sister had moved to Coral Township, McHenry Co., 111. Although ill and having a chill nearly every day, he started for McHenry County, and remained with his sister until his recovery in June, 1844. He then worked by the month till the fall of 1846, when he returned to New Y"ork and spent the winter. The following spring he came again to McHenry County and followed agriculture till the fall of 1856, when he sold his farm and the next spring went to Sullivan County, Mo. In February, 1864, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and in May, 1865, to Union, 111. In 1881 he bought a farm, which is cultivated by tenants. He was married Oct. 6, 1849, to Lydia M. Fuller, a native of Mount Morris, 1ST. Y., a daughter of Oren and Polly (Bowen) Fuller, natives of Massachusetts, her mother a sister of Rev. Elias Bowen. Mr. Ross is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Daniel Sheldon, section 35, Seneca Township, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., March 29, 1835, a son of "William and Betsey (Eaton) Sheldon, his father a native of Litchfield, Conn., and his mother of Ontario County, IS". Y. His grandfather, Jonathan Eaton, was a native of Massachusetts, and an early settler of Ontario County, N. Y., but subsequently moved to Steuben County. In 1842 his parents moved to Illinois and settled in McHenry County, where he now lives. His father died in 1865. His mother is living with him and is eighty-two years old. Mr. Sheldon has a fine farm of 205 acres. He never seeks official honors, but has served his township as Trustee six years and as Highway Commissioner six years. He was married in December, 1871, to Celia, daughter of John and Margaret (Davis) Marshall, of Union. They have two children - Annie E. and Bessie H.

Richard Simpkins, deceased, the first settler of Coral Township, was born in Bradford County, Pa., May 14, 1810, a son of John Sitnpkius. In 1833 he came We3t and stopped for a time in La Porte County, Ind., but the same year came to McHenry County and entered a claim on section 6, Coral Township; then returned to La Porte, Ind., but the next year came again to Mc- Henry County and settled on his land. He walked from Chicago, following an Indian trail and wading the streams and sloughs. He at one time lived nine days on potatoes and salt, and the morning that he ate his last potato started to meet the teams that were coming from Chicago with provisions. He met them at Des Plaines, a distance of thirty miles. He was an honorable, upright man, and lived to reap the benefit of his early years of toil and hardship. He died April 17, 1884, in Marengo. He married Evaline Ames, daughter of Billy Ames. To them were born eight children, six of whom are living - Phoebe E., widow of Marcus Mead, of Seneca Township; Thankful, wife of Edwin Spencer, of Clay County, Dak.; George, of Marengo; Harriet, wife of Jacob Rosencrans, of Garden Prairie, 111.; Martha, wife of James Twombley, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Bradford, of Marengo.

Source changes here: from History of McHenry County, Illinois, published 1922; 1,344 words in this source stream.

Seneca Township

Seneca Township is one of the central subdivisions of the county, being composed of all of congressional township 44, range 6, and is bounded on the north by Hartland Township; on the east by Dorr Township: on the south by Coral Township, and on the west by Marengo Township. As an agricultural section it has no superior in all this part of Illinois. The fertile, gentle rolling land has been put in a high state of cultivation. Originally, this township was heavily timbered on the west side of its domain, and nearly all of the houses of the early times were built of excellent varieties of solid oak cut from the nearby forests.

Origin Of Name

Seneca was the name of a powerful Indian tribe in western New York, from which many of the first settlers to this township came, hence they named the township to which they moved after that Indian tribe of the far away Empire State.

First Settlers

It is stated on good authority that the first white man to invade what is now known as Seneca Township was E. Pettitt, who came in 1835. His selection of land was subsequently known as the Sponsable farm. John Belder also arrived that year from La Porte, Ind., and he lived here for many years. Jedediah Rogers, a Vermont Yankee, was another settler of 1835. In 1836 Russell Diggins moved from St. Lawrence County, X. Y., to Seneca Township, and his wife died soon after their arrival in this township. Her death was the first known within the township. A claim was taken up by a Mr. Woodard in 1836, but he left it before the Civil War period. Another permanent settler was Robert G. White, who came in 1836 and remained until his death in 1871. It was he who built the first saw-mill in the township. Eli Craig came in 1836, and in 1838 was elected a constable. During the latter year came to the township as settlers the following: Amos Damon, Captain Silas Chatfield, Joseph Hanna, Solomon Baldwin, Christopher Sponsable, Whitman Cobb and Ephriam Rogers. The next season the arrivals to the township were: M. Dickenson, John Ackerson, Peter Deitz, Clark Wix and Spencer Flanders. In 1840 the permanent settlers were: Leander Bishop, John White, William Sponsable and Salem Stowell. Another account given of the township's settlement says that the first band of settlers included Jasper Havens, Levi Morsey and Joseph Hanna, all of whom came from Virginia in 1835-36. A Mr. Albro was the first settler at Franklinville, coming there in the autumn of 1836.

Pioneer Events

A Mr. White and his family came into the township in about 1836, settling in section 29, where soon after White & Son put up a saw-mill at the junction of the Middle and North branches of the Kishwaukee. A little later George Smith & Co. erected a flour-mill on the same stream on section 30, and this was doing a good business late in the eighties. The township had another saw-mill, built by Anderson & Graves in 1844. From quite an early day the principal business of the township was its dairy industry. A cheese factory was erected at Franklinville in 1868. Later this was bought by Doctor Stone and moved to a site not far distant, and was there used as a feed store. Still later it w-as converted into a feed-mill and butter and cheese factory. The next year Mr. Bigelow put up a second factory on his farm a mile to the west of the village of Franklinville. Subsequently this was sold to I. Boies of Marengo.

In literary affairs Seneca Township, from a very early time, has been second to none in the county. A literary society was organized and met semi-monthly, its object being largely to procure good books as cheaply as possible. When the books had been well read by the community they were auctioned off and more new»ones provided.

As to the market prices in this township between 1836 and 1850, let it be stated for a fact that those who dealt at Franklinville (known a long time as "Snarltown") sold their eggs at five cents a dozen and sending every member, to wit: father, mother, four sons, daughter and son-in-law. And what is still more wonderful, every member of that household returned in safety.

Perhaps the crowning glory of the township took place on Fourth of July, 1876, Centennial Year, at which time Mayor Donnelly, having offered a flag to the township bringing the biggest delegation to the Woodstock celebration, Seneca brought in nearly eight hundred people, and carried away the coveted prize.

Franklinville Cemetery was laid out in 1839 by the common consent of the pioneer settlers, but especially by the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Lazarus was the first to be buried at that place.

Schools And Churches

The first school in Seneca Township was taught by Mrs. Stevens, the wife of G. B. Stevens, at their residence, one mile south of Franklinville, in 1840. The first sehoolhouse was erected in Pranklinville.

The earliest religious meetings were held at the home of G. B. Stevens in 1839, by Rev. Leander Walker, and he and Rev. Nathaniel Jewett preached alternately every four weeks at private residences until 1849, when the Methodists built their church at Franklinville.

This is a little community or hamlet, situated in section 22, about four miles southwest of Woodstock. It was first known as Snarltown. but the name was later changed to Franklinville in honor of Franklin Stringer, a spirited, highly enterprising citizen of the township. The reason assigned for the first and peculiar name of this hamlet is said to have been on account of a man named George Albrow. who immigrated hither from New York State. He possessed so contrary a nature that had he lived in later days he probably would have been termed a "grouch." In those days, his habit of snarling at everyone gained for him the name "Snarl"' Albrow. Hence the village that grew up around

A Mr. Lockwood opened a store on section 22, and began trading with the neighboring farmers, and after one year he exchanged his store for one owned by a -Mr. Robinson of Geneva, 111. Robinson was in time succeeded by Ilarley Wayne, who in 1843 took in George T. Kasson as a partner. Kasson bought out Wayne and formed a partnership with l'. T. Hyde, and they opened a second store. Norman Brebhall was the Hist blacksmith to kindle his glowing forge in the hamlet. In 1843, through the efforts of ' ' Long ' ' John Wentworth, then congressman from this district, a post office was established at Franklinville, which at first was called Belden, and Sylvester Mead was appointed postmaster. He was followed by H. Wayne, and he by G. T. Kasson. The office was abandoned in 1866, and for six years there was no post office, but in 1872 Carrie Deitz was appointed as postmistress. Franklinville is now served by rural free delivery.

The community still known as Franklinville has a Methodist Episcopal Church, a charge out from Woodstock ; a store and blacksmith shop. In its early days it had high hopes of becoming the seat of justice and ranking among the best places of the county, but time changes the best laid plans of men.

The Seneca Ladies' Literary Society of this hamlet was organized in 1855, and has been in continuous service ever since. The first work undertaken was to help raise funds at a charge of five cents each two weeks, for the Mount Vernon Association. It early established a library and exerted an influence for good in various ways. It has now adopted and is supporting a French orphan. Mrs. Martha Rose, now of Marengo, was an early librarian there and is still an honorary member on its rolls.

Population

The following are the township officials of Seneca Township: supervisor, E. F. Kuecker ; assessor, R. M. Bean; clerk, Roy Andrews; highway commissioner, Henry A. Russell ; justice of the peace, Philip Andrews ; constable, James Welch.