South Ottawa Township

South Ottawa Township

The town of South Ottawa embraces that part of T. 88, R. 3, which lies sonth of the Dlinois river, being about half the township. Except a narrow strip of bottom-land along the Illinois river, it is on the bluff, and the village which constitutes one ward of the city of Ottawa, looks down upon that part of the city which lies in the valley.

The view isa very fine and commanding one, It was settled before North Ottawa, and the fort built for protection in the Black Hawk war, was just east of where the road going south cuts the binff. The timber land which skirts the bluff of the Tilinois river and along Covell creek, which runs northwesterly through the town, covers a large proportion of its surface,

A peculiar feature, is the existence of a fountain of water which lies a few feet below the surface between the linois river and Covell creek ; a bed of conrse gravel several feet in thickness, Which contains a fountain of pure water. It supplies North Ottawa by pipes running under the river, and the fountain is inexhaustible. The town is favorably located. and will be as valuable as any portion of the county.

250 History of La Satle County. in 1818, and from there to Ottawa, May Ist, 1895, and settled on 8. 15, T. 33, R. 3; he died in 1982, his widow surviving him. She kept a hotel at the foot of the bluff; was a Methodist, and Stephen R. Begg says, a leading sister in the church. Shedied in 1862.

Their children were; David, married Mary Reynolds, lived in Fall River from 1844 to 1870, now lives in Macoupin County, has 11 children; Ursula, married Wm. Kessler, lived in South Ottawa; Richard, died one year ago; Enos, marvied Miss Chew; Calvin, married Mary Gorbit, lived at Tiskilwa; Jeremiah, married Rachel Sprague, second wife Rosa Densmore; Mary Ann, married Horace Spragne, and died soon after.

Josiah E. Shaw, from Whitestown, N: Y., came here in 1827. He married Rosanna Test ; he was a step-son of Enos Pembroke ; he died In 1875. Hix children are one son and two daughters.

Reuben Ri from Monroe County, N. Y., in 1822 ; stopped in Kentucky two years, thenremored to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his wife died, leaving ix child He married a Miss Hibbard, and soon after with the Hibbard family, fifteen persons in all, moved to Tilinois in 1897, stayed in Chicago two months, then moved to Ottawa, and wintered in the cabin with Col. Sayers in South Ottawa. Leased the widow Pembroke's farm in 1828, and made « claim on 8. 17, 1 . R. 4, where Wm. Moore now lives. A Mr. Hib , brother of Mrs. Reed, came from St. Lonis, wh med to be the evil genins of the family. He caused the and his wife, and broke up the family. His son Darins was bound ont to James Galloway ; his son Ansel, to Moses Booth, and his daughter Emeline, then a mere child, to Lewis Bayley. Reuben Reed abandoned his claim and it was taken by a Mr. Town. Darius Reed, who served an apprenticeship with Jas, Galloway, when he arrived at man's estate made a farm on §. 31, T. 34, R. 5, on which he has resided for many years, a wealthy and respected citizen, now temporarily residing in Kansas.

Eleazar Hibbard, who married a daughter of Renben Reed, made a claim on 8, 32, T, 33, R. 4, where B. B. Reynolds now lives. He also separated from his wife, and the Hibbard family moved to Sand Prairie, near Hennepin. All the Hibbard men separated from their wives, and all the Hibbard women from their husbands, it is claimed from the influence of the brother from St. Lonis; in the words of Darius Reed, * they were always in commotion and trouble, casting up mire and dirt, and never found rest but in the grave."' All the Hibbards but one died soon after they left the county.

Charles Brown and wife, Abigail Hogaboom, came from Ulster County, New York, and arrived here November 30th, 1830; bought a claim of James Me-

Kernan, on 8. 32, T. 83, R, 5, where he spent the remainder of his life, a good citizen and honest man; he died in May, 1874; his wife died in November, 1874. Their children were: William, who married

Betsey Ellsworth, died in 1869, aged forty-nine, leaving six children: Louisa, married_Calvin Eells, now deceased; Clarinda, married a Mr, Millis now a widow, in California; Russel, married Susan Hopple, and lives on S, 33, T. 38, R. 3; Ann, married P. C. Watts; Jane, married Frank Libbey, and is now 2 widow, with three daughters and two sons; Edward, lives on the old homestead; Oordelia, married Lyman Cadwell, and lives in Vermillion County.

John Hogaboom married Miss Hopkins, and came from Ulster County, New York, here, in the fall of 1830 ; settled on 8.33, T.38, R.3, After his wife died he married widow Brooks ; had fourteen children. Of those living, Adelia married Nathan T. Carr, lives in Brookfield, and ha§ seven children; Emily married Morgan Marion, in Towa; Mary married Prank Ocean, and lives in Towa; George and Loring live on the old farm ; Edgar married Miss Wade, and lives inOttawa; Charlotte married a Mr. Robins, and lives in Nebraska; Frances married Henry Gilbert, and lives in Iroquois County.

Richard Hogaboom, brother of the above, from the same place, in 1880, married Phebe Farnsworth, and settled on S. removed to Green Bay, in 1837, and now lives in Nebraska, Has four children: Eliza, married D. C. Mills, and lives in Farm Ridge; Cornelia, married Joseph D, Lewis; Harriet, married a Mr. Robinson, both in Nebraska; William, lives with his parents.

Abel Hogaboom, brother of John and Richard, came from the same place, and settled on 8. 6, T. 32, R.3. He married Charlotte Jones, and after her death, he married the widow Horn, daughter of Jacob Gruber; is now living in Nebraska, and has. seven children, one son, Frank, living on the old homestead. Mary, married to Robert Crane, in 'South Ottawa; Hannah, Eliza, Susan, and Luella at the old home; Abbey and Lucy with their parents.

_ Richard mand wife, Hannah, parents of the foregoing brothers, came from Ulster County, New York, in 1830. He died in 1845, aged-83; his widow died in 1857, aged 84.

John McKernan, from Kentucky, settled on Covell Creek, in the fall of 1828 ; lived there one year, and then went to Brown's Point, and made a claim on §, 32, T, 83, R.3; in 1831 sold the claim to Charles Brown, and boughta claim of Disney, on S. 5, T. 33, 'R.4. In 1839, Mr. McKernan was drowned in the Tilinois river. In 1834 the widow sold the claim to

Ebersol, and with the family, removed to S. 22. T. 31, R. 4, at the head of Otter creek, where she died, in 1872. Twosons, Hugh and Patrick, died

David Strawn, son of Jeremiah Strawn, came with his father's family from Perry County, Ohio, in 1830; bought land on S. 36, in South Ottawa, at the sale in 1885. He married Sarah Loyd, of Ohio, and eecupied his land soon after. He wasa large farmer, and extensive raiser and desler in stock, and one of the owners and builders of the Paducah Railroad. He died in 1873, leaving seven children. Theodosia married J. W. Ebersol, and lives at Strawn, Livingston County; Susan married a Mr. Porter, and is now deceased; Bertha married Thomas Morgan: they live inChicago; Walter married Florence Parr, 'and lives at Strawn ; Clara married Mahlon B. Linton; Ella, Harian L., and Cora Belle, are at home.

John Rockwood, and wife, Sally Green, a sister of Henry Green, of Ottawa, came from Cheshire County, New Hampshire, in fall of 1934, and settled on Section 26, where he made his home till his death, about 1840. They had seven children: Loring Otis, lives with his mother, now 86 years of age, on the old farm; John, married Sarah Jane Lewis, and is living in Gibson; William, married Maria Doolittle, and lives on Section 10, Farm Ridge, a large farmer; Elisha, married Deborah Cox, and lives in Indiana; Levi, died young; Mary, married J. R, Dann.

Judge James Glover, father of J. O, Glover, came from Oswego, N. ¥., in 1833, and settled in South Ottawa ; he had held the positon of County Judge in New York for a considerable time. He died about 1849,

James Day, mother and sister, came from the city of New York in 1882; the sister died, the mother returned to New York, and James became insane, and left. Mr. Day laid out the original town of South Ottawa. Their family history is a sad one; they were educated, refined and intelligent people; Miss Day died of calomel salivation, the result of the murderong medical practice of that day.

'7.38, R.8. Hissecond wife was the widow Holland ; he had fifteen children; Mary, married Calvin Pembroke; Jolin, is in Texas; Debby Ann, martied David Clark; Francis Asbury; Mary Ann, married John Quimby ; George, is dead ; Margaret, married James Wilson; Peter, isin Pontiac; Sarah, married & Mr, Fisk; Joseph, is in Pontiac; Angedine, married Edward Smith ; Henry and Samuel are at Rooks Creek.

William Thompson, from New York City in 1833 ; settled on 8. 82, T. 83, R. 3; was here seven or eight years ; sold to William Richardson and went to St,

Thomas Tracy, brother of the above, from same place, had a wife and several children; died in Michigan ; his family have all left thecounty,

Bilas Matson, and wife, Lydia Stanton, from Owego, New York, in 1839; settled in South Ot tawa. Has four children: Charles Henry, now in Livingston County ; David, Jerome and Mary, at home.

Calvin Eells, from Oneida County, New York, «ame to La Salle County in 1831, went West for a year or two, then returned to New York, and in 1836 removed with his widowed mother to South Ottawa, and settled on Section 98. He married Louisa Brown, who died about 1850. He aft ward married S. A. Tacker, His first wi children are: Frederick, who married Ernestine Maines, lives in South Ottawa; Charles B., married Eliza Maines in Vermillion County ; Nathaniel is on the old farm, and Lucien in Kansas; Susan O. married George H. Maines, on the old farm; Marons is in Farm Ridge ; Isabella, married Samuel Ponndstone, of Farm Ridge. The second wife has two sonst Douglass A, is in Odell ; Horace is with his mother, near the old place.

Russel] Kimball came at an early day from New York. He married Mercy Hogaboom, and settled on jon 28, sold to Calvin Hells, kept a hotel in Sonth Ottawa, afterward moved to Sheboygan.

Sheldon Bartholomew came from New York with Brown and Hogaboom, married Charlotte Hogaboom, and settled on Section 28; he sold to Thomas Hodgson; died in Ogle County; his widow came back to La Salle County, and died a few years after, who moved to Kane County ; they are now living at George B. Macy, from Connecticut, first to Peoria, and to Ottawa, 1836; he married Mary Jennings, who died in 1854. He died abont 1864. They left five children: Charles, Eliza, Mary, Anna and Clara. Bartlett Dennison, and wife, Jane Lindley, came abont 1884. He sold goods, and owned a saw mill on Indian creek ; went to California, and died there. Erastus Allen, from Plattsburg, New York, came in 1834; sold goods with Crook ; went to Galena. Robert Fowler, and wife, Polly Platt, from Plattsburg, New York, kept a boarding honse; died here. Burnett Miller, from Clinton County, New York, 'went to Wisconsin. Daniel Farnsworth, from Clinton County, N. ¥., - in 1832; he died in 1870, His widow was fatally 'burned by her clothes taking fire. Children: Albert, died in California ; William, married Miss Dix, he died in South Ottawa; Robert was killed, his widow is in Texas; Elizabeth, married S. Crook; Electa ; Pliebe, married Richard Hogaboom, and was fatally burned by a like accident as that which befel her mother.

Samuel Tyler, the first wagon maker in Ottawa, came in 1833; moved to Wisconsin. Platt Thorn and wife, Betsey Platt, from Clinton pont, Wew York, a glove maker by trade; went returned, and died here. His widow and children wet to California, Sylvanus Crook, from Clinton County, New York, in 1822, a merchant and farmer ; he was a Jastice of the Peace for several years, and died July 9, 1871 He married Elizabeth Farnsworth, whosurvives him, Lacy married Albert Pool, now in Towa; Minnie and Charles are at home.

Moses Booth, brother in-law to Christopher Long, came here in 1827 or 1828, and lived with Long, on Covell creek. His wife died, and he married Miss Alvord. He went to Kendall County, lost a log, and died soon after.

Christopher .Pavier came here about 1834, from Yorkshire, England. He had fourchildren: George, died in Cincinnati; Charles, married Miss Cuntiff. lived for several years in South Ottawa, and died in East Ottawa; two sisters live in Cincinnati.

Mrs, Pavier was the widow Nancy Arnold, and had a son and adangliter by her first husband. Her son George Arnold married Sarah Russell. He ran the ferry at Ottawa for several years, and is well remembered by the people from the south side. He is now in Iowa, near Dubuque. Jane Arnold married Samuel W. Rogers ; after his death, she married a Mr. Kelley, and went West

Samuel W, Rogers, from Vermont, cameto Ottawa in 1893 or 1834. He kept a grocery, and owned the ferry for several years, He died in South Ottawa,