Somonauk Township

Somonauk Township

HIS township lies in"the southeast corner of the county, with Kendall County on the east, La Salle on the south, Squaw Grove Township on the north, and Victor on the west. It has a good supply of timber along the banks of Somanauk Creek, with which it is well watered. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passes through the southern portion of the township, through the city of Sandwich and village of Somonauk.

The first permanent settler of the township was Reuben Root, who first located on section 35, the place now owned by David V. Kinney. He sold this claim to Mr. Davis in the summer of 1835, and moved a little farther north, occupying a house which some years after became the property of Mr. Beveridge, and which it is said was erected some time in 1834, and occupied in the winter of 1834-5, by a Mr. Robinson. The exact date of Mr. Root's settlement is not known, but supposed to be in February, 1835. He was living on the Davis place when William Poplin arrived in March, 1835. Reuben Root was a native of New York. For some years he kept a tavern and was the first postmaster of Somonauk. Selling his claim here, he moved west and has since died.

Willliam Poplin was doubtless the second to locate on Somonauk Creek, in this township. He arrived here, as stated, in March, 1835, made a claim, erected his cabin, and made other improvements the same year. His selection was a wise one, and with his " good wife " he yet resides upon the old homestead, where they have spent a full 50 years.

Among others who made settlements along the creek in 1835, were William and Joseph Sly, Simon Price, Amos Hannon, William Davis, Simon Price, Thomas and William Brook.

The 'Sly brothers were natives of Ireland. Joseph remained in the township during the remainder of his life and was a well respected citizen. His house for some years was used for religious purposes, by representatives of any denomination who were willing to preach the gospel to the few then living here. William Sly moved into La Salle, where he died.

The first marriage in the township was that of Isaac Potter and Elizabeth Brook, in the fall of 1836. The ceremony was performed by Elder B. Mack.

The first birth was that of Harriet Poplin, daughter of William Poplin, born Jan. 25, 1836. She is now the wife of Herbert C. Cotton. The second birth was that of Mary A. Davis, born June 2. 1836. George W. Davis and a son of Burrage Hough were probably the two first males born in the township.

The first ground broke was by Amos Hannon in the spring of 1835. All the settlers of 1835 broke ground that year, but Simon Price and William and Joseph Sly are the only ones remembered that attempted to raise a crop.

The first religious services were probably at the house of Simon Price, in the winter of 1835-6, by Rev. William Royal, a Methodist Episcopal divine. Mrs. Joseph Sly disputed this fact, claiming that a Congregational minister, whose name was forgotten, preceded Mr. Royal a short time. None of the early settlers now living remember the man or the occasion of his preaching. Mrs. Royal early in 1836 organized a class, with the following named among the number : Mrs. William Davis, Mrs. Thomas Brook, Mrs. Simon Price, Mrs. Joseph Sly, and Miss Lorena Dennis, now Mrs. Jacob M. Hall. The first quarterly meeting was held soon after, Elder B. Mack officiating. This meeting was held at the house of Thomas Brook.

In the winter of 1836-7, at the house of Thomas Brook, the first school was taught by Lucius Frisbee. He had about one dozen scholars. The first schoolhouse was of logs and was erected in 1837 on section 22. Charles Eastabrooks taught the first school in this house the following winter. The educational interests of the township have kept pace with the increase in population and wealth.

There are eight school districts in the township, with twelve school-houses, the total value of which s estimated at $^7,250. From the County Stiperinndent's report for the year ending June 30, 1884, the following facts have been gleaned : There were 1,649 persons under 21 years of age, of whom were above the age of six years. There were five graded and seven ungraded schools, employing six male and 18 female teachers. The highest salary paid any teacher per month was $m.ii, and the lowest $20. The tax levy was $9,155.

Until Somonauk postoffice was established, the settlers along Somonauk Creek obtained their mail at Holderman's Grove, about 12 miles southeast. A number of families clubbed together and arranged to take turns in going once each week for the mail. In order to make each realize the necessity of going to the office when his turn came, it was agreed that should one fail to go, that his mail would net be brought by any of the others until his turn should again come around and he attended to the matter.

A postoffice under the name of Somonauk was established near what is now known as Freeland Corners, in 1837, with Reuben Root as postmaster. Mr. Root served one or two years and was succeeded by John Eastabrooks. The receipts of the office in 1837 were $15. 34. In 1839, when Mr. Eastabrooks was postmaster, the receipts had increased to $22.52. David Merritt succeeded Mr. Eastabrooks and was in turn succeeded by Alex. R. Patten, Lyman Bacon, Charles Bradbury, Joseph Hamlin. and William Robertson, the incumbent. In 1854 a postoffice was established at the village of Somonauk, called Somonauk Station. Mail designed for Somonauk would go to the station, and that for the station would frequently be sent to Somonauk postoffice; so a request was made to the postoffice department to change the name of the latter office. The name of Freeland was suggested and adopted, the name by which the office is now known. It is supposed that the name was suggested from the fact that the neighborhood was composed of liberty-loving people, those who strongly believed in a free land.

William H. Beavers started a store at the "corners," now known as Freeland Corners, about 1848. He was succeeded by David Merritt, who subsequently sold to Patten & Beveridge. The latter sold out to the former, who, in 1854, removed the store to Sandwich.

The Beveridge neighborhood, in this township, was composed almost exclusively of anti-slavery people. The house of George Beveridge was supposed to be a depot of the Underground Railroad, and the charge was never denied by any of the family. A local writer, in speaking of this fact, said: " In 1852, a gentlemanly stranger begged shelter for the night at this house (George Beveridge's). Something led the family to suspect that he was a detective, searching for evidence of their connection with the crime of aiding slaves to their freedom. Finally, seeking an opportunity of privacy, he asked directly of the venerable mother if she had not at times secreted fugitive negroes. ' Yes,' said she, ' and in spite of your oppressive laws, I will do it again whenever I have an opportunity.' Instead of immediately arresting her, as she had expected, the stranger laughed. He was an eminent physician of Quincy, engaged in establishing stations on the Underground Railroad, and during many subsequent years there was a frequent stoppage of trains at this station, and much lime and money was spent in forwarding the flying negroes on to the stewards at Piano, and to other places of refuge."

The United Presbyterians began holding meetings in the vicinity of the "corners" as early as 1841, but an organization was not effected until March 18, 1846. It is now one of the strongest country Churches in the State, with a house of worship that cost $c2,ooo. No more devoted Christians than those worshiping here can anywhere be found.

Somonauk Township, in 1884, had 19,642 acres of improved land, a less number than any other in the county, but at a higher valuation, amounting to $[6.15 an acre, or a total of $317,255. The town lots were assessed at $290,225 ; personal property, $245,495. A total of $866,665. This was reduced by the State Board of Equalization to $762,292. Among the items of personal property reported were the following : Horses, 875; cattle, 2,27 i ; mules and asses, 52; sheep, 247; hogs, 3/126; steam engines, 3 ; safes, 23 ; billiard tables, 5 ; carriages and wagons, 462; watches and clocks, 375; sewing and knitting machines, 390 ; pianos, 66 ; melodeons and organs, 88. With the exception of Sycamore, Somonauk has more pianos than any township in the county.

EFORE the completion of the railroad to this point, the railroad company determined to locate here a station, believing it would be acceptable to the people in the neighborhood and an accommodation to the farmers living near. The road was completed in the fall of 1853, but for some cause the village was not platted till in June, 1855, though many lots had previously been sold and quite a thriving village had sprung up. The original plat was upon sections 32 and 33, township 37 north, range 5 east, and embraced property belonging to Alverus Gage, Lyman Bacon, Franklin Dale, Thomas Brown and James H. Beveridge, Mr. Gage owning the greater portion of it. Several additions have since been made.

In the fall of 1853, before the railroad had been completed here, and while the employees engaged in its construction were yet in the vicinity of the old red school-house, on the site of the present city of Sandwich, Franklin Dale went to Mr. Gage and proposed purchasing some ground of him on which to erect a store building. Desiring the land in the vicinity of the depot, Mr. Gage prevailed on the engineer engaged in the survey to come down and designate where the depot building should be erected. Mr. Dale then made his selection and at once commenced the erection of his building. Gustave Hess commenced to erect a building for a store and dwelling about the same time, but Mr. Dale had his completed first; and, occupying it with a stock of general merchandise, became the pioneer merchant of the

While these business enterprises were being set on foot the railroad company was engaged in the erection of the depot buildings, completing them in the winter of 1853-4.

Lyman Bacon about the same time purchased 10 acres of land from Mr. Gage with a view of building a hotel. For some cause he failed in his purpose, but erected a building which he used as a dwelling and as a shoe shop, being the pioneer shoemaker of the village.

In the fall of 1853 David Hunt laid the foundation for the present hotel building, and in the spring completed and occupied it as a hotel, being the first in the place.

Somonauk Bank was established in February, 1880. It is a private institution, with John Clark as president and H. Wright, cashier. T. J. Wright and

Some months after the railroad was completed, Buck Branch postoffice, located about one mile north, was removed here and its name changed to Somonauk Station, the latter word being added from the fact that there was a postoffice called Somonauk in the township. Confusion arising in forwarding and receiving mail, Somonauk postoffice was subsequently changed to Freeland, and in due time the word " Station " was dropped from this office. Lyman Bacon was the first postmaster and served until 1861, when Henry Curtis was appointed, and for 24 years has handled the mail at this place.

The village of Somonauk was organized Jan. 4, 1859, by incorporating it under the " Town Corporation Act." At the election to vote on such incorporation, 49 votes were cast for and 10 against the same. The first trustees elected were Lyman Bacon, E. W. Lewis, E. Hoxey, William Heun and D. F. Andrus. Lyman Bacon was chosen President and

On the 1 8th day of July, 1872, the question of organizing as a village under the general law of the State was submitted to a vote of its citizens and adopted. The first board of trustees under the new organization was constituted as follows : J. Poor, President ; H. Potter, T. B. Blanchard, F. Schort, J. B. Brigham, W. W. Hathorn, Clerk.

The following named have served the village as members of the Board of Supervisors: John M. Goodell, 1867; William Heun, 1868; Edward W. Lewis, 1869; N. L. Watson, 1870-1 ; Jeremiah Poor, 1872; John Clark, 1873.

The first school in the village was in the winter of 1855-6, and held over the hardware store, by D. F. Andrus. The present school-house was erected in 1856 and occupied in the winter of 1856-7. Additions have since been made to the building to meet the wants of increasing population. No thorough grading of the schools was made until 1880, when P. K. Cross was elected principal. Two classes have since been graduated, diplomas being given to the graduates. Mr. Cross Continued as principal until 1884, when Miss Leah Delagneau was appointed. Four rooms are occupied, Miss Delagneau having charge of one, with Miss Lizzie Benedict, Anna R. Hunt and Ella Howe, respectively, in each of the others. The graduates are as follows :

Religious

The religious welfare of the people is attended to by the following denominations, each having houses of worship - Protestant Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist Episcopal.

The Baptist Church was organized May 19, 1857, a preliminary meeting being held Jan. 10, 1857. The constituent members of the Church were William Patten, Perry G. Jones, Frances A. Jones, John Shailer, Elizabeth Shailer, Ashbel Stockham, linda Stockham, Enoch Stockham, J. N. Braddock, U3 S«^ -ftegtf©.

The Catholic Congregation was organized in the year 1865. Previous to that time the number of Catholic families was comparatively small and their spiritual wants were supplied at certain times during the year -by the resident priests of Naperville, Mendota and Ottawa, who held religious services either in a private house or in the hotel of the village, where the Catholics would assemble to comply with their duty and have their children baptized and the other sacraments of the Church administered.

In the year 1863 a hall was purchased for their house of worship, but as the number of Catholics began to increase rapidly, it was soon found to be incompetent to meet their requirements, and the building of a new frame structure for a church was commenced in 1866. This church was 40 x 80 feet in dimensions, with a steeple 100 feet high, containing a bell, weighing 800 pounds. This church cost about $4,000. From this time religious services were held every two weeks, the church being in charge of Rev. D. Nieder Korn, S. J. Still the Catholic people were not permitted to enjoy the comfort of their new church very long, the building being totally destroyed by fire in May, 1868. It was on a Sunday. A funeral service had just been held, and when the people returned from the cemetery they saw at a distance how dense clouds of smoke were issuing from the roof, and in less than 15 minutes from the time that smoke was seen the whole building was enveloped in flames and totally destroyed. How the fire originated is a mystery, even to this day.

After this Rev. J. Dale, a Belgian by birth, visited the Catholics of Somonauk and held services for them. He resided at Leland and remained nine months. The congregation lost no time to replace the old building by even a finer and costlier edifice, built of brick, 40 x 80 feet in dimensions.

new church were finished, the Rt. Rev. J. Duggan, Bishop of Chicago, gave the congregation a new pastor of its own, in the very young priest, Rev. C. J. Huth, who had just been ordained two weeks previous. He was the first residentjpriestof Somonauk. He took charge Feb. 14, 1869.

He succeeded in completing a very fine church and purchasing a parochial residence. The congregation grew larger from year to year under his administration and numbers now 1,000 souls. Father Huth attended, besides Somonauk, the churches of Leland and Bristol, and visited occasionally the Catholics of Shabbona Grove.

He purchased for the church three beautiful altars with statues, one grand pulpit, costing $325 ; one beautiful and large pipe organ, costing $i, too ; a bell and tower, costing $850.

Father Huth was pastor of Somonauk 15 years and three months, and left the place May i, 1884, having built up one of the finest parishes in this part of the country. He joined in marriage 200 couples, baptized about 800 infants, and buried 200 dead.

Father Huth's successor, the present incumbent, Rev. L. A. R. Erhard, is a gentleman of recognized ability, filled with zeal for the Church. He has improved the church property and succeeded in winning the good will of his people and of the public.

South Somonauk Lodge, No. 181, I. O. O. F., was organized July 25, 1855, with T. R. Mack, W. B. Hough, Isaac Hatch, Edward Thomas and John M. Goodell as charter members. The early records and charter of this lodge were destroyed. In 1875 it began working as a German lodge, continuing as such till the present time. It has a membership of 20. The officers in the spring of 1885 were Jacob Spach, N. G. ; Ernest Steuping, V. G. ; A. Rumple, Sec. ; A. Meyers, Treas. ; John Betz, Deputy and Representative to Grand Lodge.

Somonauk Encampment, No. 62, I. O. O. F., was chartered Oct. 9, 1866, with George Shafman, Robert Fish, Moses West, Fred. Schwanz, S. J. Girodat, A. J. Wright and Geo. W. Wolverton as charter members. The Encampment is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of 44. Its present officers are E. Suppes, C. P. ; E. Graf, H. P. J. F. Poplin, S. W. ; S. 'E. Beelman, J. W. ; G. W.

Beelman, G. ; Henry Banzet, S. ; G. W. Beelman, Deputy and Representative to Grand Encampment. Rising Sun Lodge, No. 634, I. O. O. F., was organized Oct. 10, 1877, with the following officers : S. E. Beelman, N. G. ; J. J. Murphy, V. G. ; A. E. Ames, Sec. ; C. Rohrer, Treas. There has been an enrollment of 55, with the present membership of

The sisters in the Order have taken hold with a will, and Home Lodge has been prosperous from the start. It now has a membership of 41, with the following named officers: G. W. Beelman, N. G.; Miss Amelia Suppes, V. G.; Miss Carrie M. Beelman, Sec.; John Lawman, P. S.; Mrs. Bertha Faltz, Treas.

Somonauk Lodge, No. 646, A. F. & A. M., was chartered by the Grand Lodge in October, 1870. Previous to receiving the charter the lodge worked under dispensation from March, 1870. Death has taken two members - R. H. Thomas, N. Mollier. The lodge has had a prosperous existence, having enrolled 82 members, with a present membership of

The Illinois Catholic Order of Foresters, a benevolent society, has also been inaugurated May 26th, The court was organized by the High Chief Ranger as St. John the Baptist Court, No. 17.