Serena Township

Serena Township

The town of Serena embraces Township 35, Range 4, and abont three additional sections of T. 85, R. 5, which lie on the west side of Fox river. Indian creek runs nearly across the township and is intersected by its principal branch, the Little Indian, on Section 16, There was much good timber along those streams, and consequently settlements com- menced at an early date, The plentiful supply of timber, with rolling, rich prairie, made it a desirable location. There were several saw-mills on the creck at an early day, and two or three flonring mills have been added since,

Settlements commenced in 1831, and settlers came in rapidly after the close of the Indian troubles, in 1838. Robert Baresford was the finst, in 1831, and the Warrens, Alva O. Smith, Daniel Blake and others in 1832.

The Fox River Railroad runs through the east part of the town, with a depot nearly central, which brings a market to the doors of the people who settled in an inland town,

Robert Baresford, a native of Derry, Ireland, came to America, and with his wife, Mary Desert, and family, came first to Peoria, and, with Jesse Walker, to Ottawa in 1825; assisted Walker in establishing ssion at Mission Point, and in 1820 settled at Holderman's Grove. He removed t Indian Oreek in 1881; he built a saw-mill on the creek, and resided in that locality till his death in 1851, Mrs. Baresford died in 1843. He left three children: married, and is now living at Fremont, Ne-

Mary Ann, married William Callen, of - Mr, Cullen has been Sheriff, and for many years editor of the Ottawa Republican; Lovina, married Mr. Wykoff; James, was killed by Indians while seonting in 1832

Daniel Warren, Jr., came from Madison County, N. Y., in 1830, and settled on Indian creek in 1892. His wife was Lucy Skeels, from Putnam County

He died in April, 1867. His widow married Peter Dick, and lives on Section 17. He left six children: Elizabeth, married Anthony Hoar, in Missouri; Ardilla, married Henry Hoar. deceased; Luther. married Catharine Cristler, at Streator; Huron, is in Nebraska; Ruden, married Charlotte Wright, of Serena; Louis $., married Eliza MeClnre, of Serena,

Nathan Warren came from Madison County, N.Y., in 1830, and settled on Section §; is now living on Seetion 5. His first wife was Lydia Baxter; second wife, Maria Lester. He hag seven children: William, is in Serena; Fanny, married Mr. Wariner, of Paw Paw; Lucien, isin Amboy. Second wife's children are: Mary, married George Bristol, near Amboy, now deceased ; Emma; Florence.

Evekiel Warren married Susan Sargent and settled on Section 17. He and Daniel Warren built a sawmill on Section 8, and moved to Morris, and died there in 1847.

The four Warren brothers were children of Danicl Warren, and came with their father from Madison County, N. Y., in 1830, by wagon to Bailey's Point, now Vermillion. The father died near Ottawa in 1832, His widow married the father of Horace and George Sprague; she died in 1836.

Jolin Happ, from Licking County, Ohio, came through by wagon, and settled on Section 23; went to California in 1830. His children are: Sedgwick, Serena; Wilson, was drowned in Colum- ; Havilah, resides in Serena ; Jane, married

James Moore; Cemantha, married Ira Bayley, of Grundy County: Stephen, in Iowa; George, at Northville; Riley, in Serena; Loulsa, married Joseph McKim.

Alva O. Smith, from North Haven, Ot. in 1838; arrived in Ottawa in 1834. He married Olive Warren and settled on Section 18, T, 35, R. 4, in Dee,, 1835, In company with James Day, bought the saw-mill of Ezekiel Warren. Mr. Smith died in 1870, leaving eight children: James, married Mar garet Barker; Levi ©,; Lois L., married William M. Curyea, of Ottawa; Mary, married Isaae Pool, of Serena; Sarah E., married William T, Jones, of Serena ; Alva O.; Olive, married Geo, W. Curyea, of Dayton; Sidney, at home; Eunice 0.

John Hoxie, from Williamstown, Berkshire Co.. Mass., came in 1836, and settled on Sec. 25, where he still resides. He married Elizabeth Beem. His children are: Henrietta, Fremont, Lineoln, and Fanny. Henry was killed at the battle of Mission Ric

Daniel Blake, born in Maine, removed to Ohio, and from there here in 1838 ; lived a short time under the hospitable roof of Robert Baresford, and settled tion 34; removed to Ottawa in 1868; served as Sheriff from 1871 to 1873. His children are = Joshua M., in Livingston County ; James A,, on the old farm: George, a lawyer, in Ottawa; Mary

1876 - with his wife, Rhoda Smith, and family, came from Plattsburg, New York, in 1835, with a wagon, by the Lake shore, to Illinois, being six weeks on the road; settled on S, 28, The Dominy family, descendants of Ezra, with their wives and husbands, held a reunion in September, 1873; there were 100 present, including children, grand children, and great grand children. His children are: Rebecea, who married Robert Greenless, of Dayton; Nathantel, married Philinda Finch, in Grand Ridge; Jolin, in Towa ; Belinda, married Martin Lewis, now dead ; Sally, died single; Lorenzo, in Serena; Ezra A., married Ann Eliza Pool, in Serena; Gilbert, married Mary EB. Pool; Betsey, married Jacob Peterson,in Serena ; Anna, married Matthias Pool, in Serena. Mr. Dominy is living with the last named, at the ripe age of 91. Mrs. Dominy died in 1873, aged 87.

Amos St, Clair, from Kentucky to Jacksonville, in 1830, and here 13% he settled on S, 32; he died 1899, aged 49 - his widow, Elizabeth Watkins, died in 1868.

Watson St. Clair, son of Amos, came at the same time and settled on Section 82, is now on Section 36, His wife wasLaura J. Beckwith. His children are : Martha B., and Laura E., bothat hom

St, Clair sisters, daughters of Amos, were: Mary Ann,who married H. P. Harvey,ot Freedom; Rachel, married Urial Miller, of Freedom; Eliza Jane, married Samuel B. Flint, of California ; Sarah E., married L. Clifford, of Serena.

Rey, John St, Clair, brother of Amos, came from Kentneky in 1884: a Methodist preacher and Presiding Elder; he was prominent in his denomination, an able, enterprising and useful man, He died in Evanston in 1861. Settled in Rutland.

William Beardsley, from Williamstown, Mass,, came in 1887. and settled on See. 27; Julia, died, in the fall of 1888; Lyman, insane ; Harriet, married Dyson Miller.

Henry Beardsley, half-brother of William, from Williamstown, Mass., came inthe fall of 1837. His children are: Lovina Blake, now in Adams; one son, William, in Mendota; Chester, married Miss Wheeler.

Nathaniel Perley, and wife, Eliza Stevens, from Massachusetts to Ottawa, and from there to the creek in 1839. Mrs. Perley met her death by her clothes taking fire. Mr. Perley has gone West.

William Haskell, and wife, Martha Batcheller, first came to Ottawa in 1837, and tothe creck in 1899, Perley & Haskell built Caryea's mill and distillery in 1839. He died recently in Streator,

Eagle embraces that portion of T! 31, Ri 3, that lies south of the Vermillion river, and the east onethird of T. 31, R. 2. That portion lying along the Vermillion was settled at an early day.

John Coleman, came from Richland Oo., Ohio, in the fall of 1831 ; he settled on S, 22, lived there till 1847, and went to Missouri for two years, and then returned to the old farm ; he is now living in Streator. His wives were : 1st, Anna Cramer; 2d, Roxena Cowgill ; 3d, Hester Kelley ; 4th, Lutitia Griffith, Alldead. Of his children: Julia Ann, married Mr, Ploger, of Ottawa ; Hester Ann, married Josiah Roberts, of Streator ; James, William, Lilla, are single.

John Holderman, and wife, Hannah Young, came from Richland Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1881; the first settler in the town; he settled on S. 27. He died about 1842. He had five children : Jacob, married Rachel Gannet, of Streator ; Allen, is now living in Streator; Sarah, married Elisha Naramoor; Martha, married Barney O'Neill ; Eliza, married George Tillsbury.

John Wood came from Richland Co,, Ohio, in June, 1833 ; settled on S. 22; he died in 1840. His widow married George Basore. His son Peter, only remains.

Dan'! Barrackman, came from Licking Co., Ohio, in 1831; his wife was Rachel Cramer. He had three sons : Charles and Daniel are on the old farm ; Bonjamin, went to Towa,

David Reader, and wife, Sarah Whitaker, from Hamilton County, Ohio, to Tazewell County, 1829, and settled on 8. 16, T. 31, R. 3, in the spring of 1835; a good farmer, and useful citizen. He held the office of County Commissioner; he died April, 1863, leaving five children: James Newton, married in Tazewell County, settled near his father in 1836, moved to Troy Grove in 183%, is now living in Liyingston County ; Mitehell, married Malvina Gum, is in Kansas; Joseph, married Miss Johnson, in Livingston County ; Rebecea, married Rees Mongan ; Jacob, married Elizabeth Jane Lord, and lives adjoining the old homestead.

well County, in fall of 1835, and soon after settled on S17. Mr. Goff died in 1840. His children, Alif, Samael, Janet, and William, all moved to Kansas about 18/0.

Thomas, John, Elza, and James Downey, four brothers from Painesville, Ohio, in1834; settled on Sees. 15 and 16; Thomas served as Justice of the Peace; he died about 1850. John and Elza removed to Magnolia, Putnam County ; James left, after a sliort residence here.

George Tillsbury, from Pennsylvania in 1839; married Eliza Holderman; taught school a few months, and left the county and his family, soon after.

Daniel McCain, from Michigan, married Sarah Shay; died 1840; the widow married William Perygo; after his death she went to Michigan. Stephen Shay died in Michigan.

Samuel Galloway, and wife, Catharine McOlure, of Scoteh descent, from near Londonderry, in the north of Lreland ; emigrated to America, and settled in Lexington, Green County, New York, about 1806 - his wife died in 1815; his second wife was Lydia Moore, who died 1833. He removed to Ia Salle County, Illinois, June, 1837, with all his children; he first located near where Tonica now is, and in 1840 moved on to S. 6, 'T. 31, R. 3 - known as the Galloway farm, and the location of the Galloway postoflice. He died July 24, 1840. His children by his first wife were: Catharine, who married Joseph T. Bullock, and lives near Tonlea ; Samuel C., died single, August 24, 1840; Francis, married Elizabeth J. A. Galloway, and settled on $.1, T. 31, R. 2 - he died July 24, 1889; Mary, married John Briley, and lived on 8. 1, T. 31, R. 2. She died Dec. 25, 1876. The children of the seoond wife are: Elijah M., who married Elizabeth Halcott, daughter of Colonel Thomas Halcott, from Green County, New York, Elijah was Postmaster and Justice of the Peace for several years; he now lives near Monroe City, Missouri; Lydia M., mar vied Henry Slater; her second husband was W. Holly. who died in California. She {s now living with her third husband, Jefferson Smith, in Mich.

Stephen Faro, and wife, Sally Dakin, from Scho: harie County, N. Y., came in 1887 or 8; & cooper and farmer ; he settled on 8. 5, and died abont 1841. His widow married Ard Button.

Isaac Thorp, and wife, Lydia Dakin, came from New York, with Faro; the two married sisters ; settled in 1888 on S.7, near the Vermillion timber, They both, with three children, died of milk sickness; one child survived, and was sent to its friends at the East.

Eagle, on Section 12; was a farmer and nurseryman ; he died in 1871; his wife died in 1847. Emma, lives in Champaign County; Luther, is in Towa ; Charlotte, is Mrs, E. B. Darling, of Streator; Mary, is insane ; Alvin, Celia and Elma, are the remaining children. Second wife's children, Clemens and Lacien. d

Chester Naramoor, from Goshen, Vt, and wife, Lonisa Dickinson, from Goshen, Ct., came from New York to Michigan in 1832 and to LaSalle County in 1839, stopping at Bailey's Grove, where Mra, Naramoor died; Mr. Naramoor died in 1847, They had One son and four danghters, three of the daughters died. Louisa T. married Abram Groom; Elisha imarried Sarah B. Holderman and settled on 8. 1, T. 31, R. 3, where he still resides,

Jacob Moon, and wife, Leal Reese, came from Ohio, first to Bailey's Point, and in 1833 settled at Moon's Point, on the edge of Livingston County, where he spent the remainder of his life. Of his children, Albert married Elizabeth Boyle of Ox Bow Prairie: Jane married Solomon Brock; Thomas married Mary Barrackman; Rees married Miss Baker; Ellen married James Barrackman, both are dead.

Brookfield embraces 'T. $2, R. 5, and that part of 'T. 88, R.5, which lies south of the Ilinois river, 'The first township is nearly all prairie, while the fraction is all timber or bottom land. The first settlement commenced in 1833 and was confined to the skirts of the timber adjoining the prairie, or to the bottom along the Iinois, while the settlements have gradually extended south over the prairie region during the forty years that have intervened. ~

Tt is all now occupied by a thrifty and prosperous people. although an old pioneer will recognize in the sonthern part the prairie grass and wild flowersof the early day, reminders of the olden time, and that the civilized occnpancy is comparatively recent.

Geo. W. Armatrong, the first settler in Broolsfield, came from Licking County, Ohio, with his mother, Mrs, Elsa Strawn Armstrong, in 1831; he made a claim on 8. 28, T. 38, R. 3; but John Hogaboom jumped it and finally bought it for $28. Armstrong made a claim on S, 1, T. 32, R. 5, and moved on it in the fall of 1833; was encamped there when the stars fell, Nov. 13th, of that year; made ® farm and has resided there since, except when a eontractor on the Tlinois'& Michigan Canal. Mr. Armstrong has been prominent as a politielan ; has been Town Supervisor, and Chairman of the Board several years, and has served five terms and still is a member of the Legislature. He married Anna, Green, of Jacksonville, IL, and has nine children? Jolin G., married Nellie McCann, lives in Ottawa: William, is in Colorado; Julius C., married Hattie Goodrich, and is a Congregational minister in Cook

Dr. Frederick Graham, from Westchester County, WN. Y,, first to Ottawa, and then settled on Section 8, in 1836; a practicing physician for many years. He and his wife are both dead.

Levi Jennings, and wife, from Fairfield County, Ct, to Oneida County, Y., and from there to Tilinois, with a large family, in 1834; he made a farm on the Illinois bottom, on Sec. 19, just east of James Galloway. His wife died. He spent the last fow years of his life with his son-in-law, G. W. Jackson, in Ottawa.

Levi Jennings, Jr., a native of Connecticut, when 47 years old, went to Beaver County, Pa., and while there his father moved to Tilinoi He married Emily Allis, and moved to Illinois in 1845, and first settled near his father, then on 8. 8, T. 32, R. 5. He died in 1852, aged 60. His widow survives, aged 69. His children are: Matthew, married Clara Ferguson, lives in Brookfield ; Mary, married Riohard Gage, of the same place; Henry, the first child born in Brookfield, lives in Allon; Frederick, mar- Med Lucy Bishop, lives in Allen; Lucy Ann, is im Marseilles: Catharine Louisa, married Reuben Smalion, of Allen; Julia, married John J. Ford, of Brookfield ; Emily Jane, married Geo. 8. Beach, a Congregational minister, in Ohio,

Daughters of Levi Jennings, by his first wife: Hannah, married G. W. Jackson, of Ottawa; Mary, married George Macy, of Ottawa; another daughter marriod a Mr. Goodell; and one married Eldridge G. Clark.

Daughters of Levi Jennings, by his second wife: Julia, married Daniel Ward; Aphelia, married Gershom Burr; another daughter married a Mr. Goodell

William H. Goddard came from Boston in 1836 > disgusted with farming after four yenrs' trial, went to Louisville, Ky., and pursued his profession of a dentist. His wife was a sister of the somewhat noted ames Ross Brown. chard Edgecomb, from New Providence, West came in 1835; moved to Ottawa.

Jeorge Marsh was born in Norfolk County, Massachuse when five years old removed to Sut ton, Worcester County ; when twenty years of age, removed to State of New York ; lived there antil thirty-eight years of age - the last ten years in the city. Came to Illinois with his wife in 1835, bought a part of Section 4, and subsequently settled on Seetion 16, where he now lives,at the age of 81, He officiated as a Presbyterian clergyman for a thind of acentury, and although his field of labor was a ihmnble one in the sparsely settled outskirts of the county, he led a pure life, and his influence will be felt long after he shall have passed away, He has a family of three children: the oldest, George G., is a Government clerk at Washington; John James, and Mary E. A., are at home.

George S. Maxon came from New York in 1837, and settled on Sec. 2, T. 32, R.5; a substantial farmer and worthy man. Sibel. his wife, died in ASG, aged 63 years, and he died in 1867, aged 73. 'The history of his family is peculiar and sad. His son, George S., Jr., died at the age of 39; his wife died before him, and two of his children are deceased and two are living; Panl, another son, died at the age of 26, he was injured while raising a building, and died « year or two after from the effect of the injury; Lewis, another son, while chopping in the timber cut his foot with an axe and died in a few hours from loss of blood. His daughter, Julia, married « Methodist preacher, was diyorced, came home and died. Another daughter, Roxy, married an Englishman, who started for England and was never heard from after. David, the only remaining child, lives adjoining the old farm.

Asa Lewis, from Troy, N. Y., came in 1887, remained four or five years, and went to Wisconsin. His son, Cyrus B., married Mary C., daughter of Christopher Champlin, and lives at Marseilles.

Tsaue Gage, from New Hampshire, came in 1837, and settled on Section 8. He married Lucy Little, danghter of James Little, of Eden, Mr, Gage is a wealthy farmer. He has four children: Louisa, married §. T. Osgood, and lives at Marseilles ; Harriet E., Ida A., and Benjamin Frank, are at home.

Gershom Burr, from Fall River, Mass., and wife, Mary E. Norris, from Bristol, R. L, came in 1836. Married Ophelia Jennings - his second wife - and settled on Section 20, afterwards called Burr's Grove, He removed bo Ottawa, in 1844, and engaged in merchandising until his death. His children are: Sellick, married Miss Newton, and lives in Ohio; Gershom, lives in Ottawa, unmarried; Mary, is in Rhode Island ; Ophelia, married Dr. Parley ; Charles, married, and lives in Michigan.

A Mr. Stevens bought the place of Dayid Jennings, sold to Levi in 1834, and was supposed to have been killed in Chicago in 1835, for hismoney.

Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids and Fall River, till 1863, were one town, named Grand Rapids, from the Grand Rapids of the Tilinols, which washed its northern border. It now embraces the Township 22 N., R. 4 There ix a grove of timber along the crovk on Secs. 6 and 7, called Ebersol's Grove; the remainder of the town is prairie. Covell creek rises near the southeast corner, and, running northwest, passes out on * §. 6. The high land or divides on the east and west sides of the town are qnite elevated, and have considerable descent to the creek and its branches, in the centre of the town, giving good drainage, a diversified surface, and a more than ordinarily picturesque view to a prairie Jandscape.

Henry Hibbard came front Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1627, and made a claim on §, 5, in 1829, on what has been called the Hbersol farm. John McKernan bought the claim of Disney, in 1831, who must have purchased of Hibbard. McKernan settled there in 1831, and sold to Ebersol in 1834.

Joseph Ebersol, with Elizabeth Shuey, his wife, and family, came from Harrisburg, Pa., and in August,1834, purchased of Mrs. McKernan, her claim on §. 5, and made that his home, till he died in 1873. His wife died in 1870. He was a blacksmith by trade, though a farmer most of his life ; he brought his anvil and other tools to Llinois. Improvement was made on his farm in 1828 ; orchard set in 1830.

He left seven children: A. M., (see Fall River); Daniel, (see Ottawa); Albert, in Grand Rapids ; Catharine. married Michael Budd ; Louisa, married Geo. H. Rugg, now of Ottawa; Helen, married Edward Reed, of Grand Rapids ; Samuel was thrown from a horse, and killed, when 3% years old.

Eleazar Hibbard, came from Cincinnati, married asister of Darius Reed, and settled on 8, 6. He separated from his wife, and either abandoned or sold his claim and wept to Putnam County.

Benjamin B. Reynolds, and wife, Elma Seofield, from Mifflin County, Penn, in 1835 ; settled on 8. 6. His father, Judge David Reynolds, came with him and assisted in opening his farm, and then returned to Pennsylvania, He still occupies his old farm on Sees. 5 aud 6, part being the claim of Hibbard. His children are, Mary A., David, Pascalena, Eleanora, John P., Sarah E., James C., Benjamin B.. Jr. and Washington.

Luke Rugg, with his wife, Salome Pateh, and family, from Laneaster, Worcester County, Mass., set tled on 8. 23, in 1899. He wasoneof the Worcester colony, started by Geo. W. Lee, John D. Thurston, Pyam Jacobs, aud others. Mr, Rugg, at the time of settlement, was four miles from timber and three miles from neighbors, and after a residence of ten years neither timber nor neighbors had approashed any nearer, except a grove of locust abont his place, known over the county as Rugg's Grove.

: of seclusion from society and despairing of the settlement of that region, Mr. Rugg moved te Ottawa in 1849, where he died. His children are:

Lewis, who came with his father's family in 1839; married Sophia Dimmick ; lived a few years in Ottawa, und is now in Pontiac. George H., lived with his father, he moved to Ottawa, in 1849. He invented and mannfactured Rugg's Harvester, for several years a popular and snecessfal machine. He ix now manufacturing furniture in Ottawa. Charles went to Towa.

John Anderson, a native of Ireland, came from Clinton County, N, Y., here in 1837; settled, with a family, on S. 6. In 1849 he mysterionsly disappeared, and was never heard from afterward.

The prairie region of Grand Rapids, after 1850, rapidly settled, and the region so long occupied by Mr. Rugg, and him alone, was, soon after he left it, teeming with an active and well-to-do population. It is related that the settlement of that town com menced at the north end and progressed south, The town was soon made a school district, and a sehoolhouse built inthe northwest corner. Soonafter, that district was limited to four sections, named No, 1, and the remainder made district No. 2, and a good house built; that district was then limited to four sections in the northeast ner, and the balance of the town made district No. 3, which at once voted a tax to build a school-house. This process was continued till the last four sections in the southeast corner of the town, having helped build all the School-honses in the other eight districts, had to build their own without outside help, The houses were all very fine ones. They were bnilt by @ tax on the real estate in the district, and by a vor of the people whio lived in all those instances mostly in the four sections, which in the end composed the district, and as the remainder of the territory taxed was nearly all owned by speculators, with no one residing on it, the voters were very generous in voting a tax, or as séme called it, 'salting the specu lators.""

One of those speculators who owned thee sections in the last district, complained of being legally fleeced. He said, * I have paid aliberal tax to build nine different school-houses, better ones than are usually seen in older sections of the country, and now three men settled on the one section I do not own, vote a tax of ten or twelve hundred dollars, threefourths of which I have to pay. These Western men are ardent supporters of education.' 'This last statement of the building of school-houses may have beenan exaggeration in this instance, but similar cases did occur, and forcibly show the nature of the contest waged between the settlers and those called land speculators. And where the settlens made the laws and executed them, they frequently had the advantage.