Squaw Grove Township

Squaw Grove Township

QUAW GROVE Township comprises Congressional township 38 N., range 5 E., and is bounded on the east by Kane County, on the north by the township of Pierce, on the south by Somonauk, and on the west by Clinton. Little Rock Creek enters the township on section 6, and, running in a southeasterly direction, passes out from section 36. Squaw Grove in the central, and another 'grove in the southwestern part, furnish the timber.

Tradition has it that in the summer of 1834 a party passed through the grove. Here they found a large number of squaws with their pappooses, but no braves. The grove not being known by any name, one of the .party asked the question, " What shall we call it?" "We will call it Squaw Grove; what could be more appropriate ? They have entire possession." " So be it," laughingly responded the other; " but what shall we call that little grove just east of it ? " " Oh, we will call that Pappoose Grove."

One of this party is said to have been a Mr. Hollenbeck, who made .claim to a portion of the grove on the north, afterwards known as the Tanner farm. Returning to La Salle County, from which he came, Mr. Hollenbeck gave such a glowing description of the country that William Sebree, an old Virginian, with a large family, concluded to at once locate ^%(& there. He is said to have arrived in September, 1834, and was probably the first white man to permanently locate in De Kalb County. On his arrival he built a temporary shelter of poles, which he covered with bark taken from the forsaken wigwams of the Indians, and there his family abode until he could erect a small log house. The winter following was quite severe, and the old gentleman had his ears and nose frozen while cutting prairie hay.

A man named Robson lived this fall in a log cabin at the crossing of Somonauk Creek, a few miles south, but abandoned the place at the approach of winter, leaving Sebree and his family the only white inhabitants in this section of country.

During the year 1835 several families located in the township, among whom were those of William Leggett, M. P. Cleveland, Watson Y. Pomeroy, John Eastabrooks, Samuel Miller, John Boardman and Jacob Lee.

William Leggett made claim to a tract of land on the south side of the grove. He was from Indiana. Mr. Leggett sold to Mr. Ward and returned to Indiana.

M. P. Cleveland located at Pappoose Grove. He was from New York. After remaining here a few years, he sold out, moved West and has since died.

John Eastabrooks was a native of Pennsylvania. He located on the north side of Squaw Grove, where he remained till his death in 1850. He was accompanied here by his son Decatur and his daughter Mary. His wife and the remainder of his family came the following year. Decatur Eastabrooks moved to Carroll County many years ago, where he yet resides. When Mr. Eastabrooks came to the county he brought with him two large, powerful dogs. When the men were away from the house, the dogs would allow no one, especially an Indian, to come near, unless called off by Miss Eastabrooks.

In 1836 several others came into the township, among whom were Timothy L. Pomeroy and W. A. Fay. Mr. Pomeroy located at Pappoose Grove. He subsequently became a Methodist preacher and yet preaches the gospel somewhere in the State. Mr. Fay located on section 29, in the Somonauk timber, -^.gxn.^ /-> A.

But few of the settlers of 1835 are now living. Among the number are Mrs. Rachel Lee, George \V. Lee, Mrs. Sarah J. Sebree, W. M. Sebree, C. B. Lee, Mrs. Mary E. Millard and Decatur Eastabrooks. Of the number Mrs. Lee, George W. and C. B. Lee, Mrs. Sebree and W. M. Sebree yet reside in the township. There may be others, but these are the only ones remembered by George W. Lee.

E. W. Willard and Mary E. Eastabrooks were united in marriage in November, 1836. This was the first in the township. Esquire Root performed the ceremony.

The first birth was that of Martha Jane, daughter of William Sebree. She was born Oct. 14, 1835. She grew to womanhood in Squaw Grove and subsequently married Amos Jackson. She now lives at Janesville, Minn. John Miller has been thought to be the first, but it appears his birth did not occur for some months afterwards.

The first death in the township is claimed by George W. Lee to be that of a Mr. Boardman, from whom Jacob Lee obtained his claim. The date must have been in the summer or fall of 1835. The first death of which the early settlers yet living have any distinct recollection was the death of Julia, daughter of E. W and Mary E. Willard. Her death occurred in 1841. Mrs. Robert Sebree was the next to die in this township.

The first physician to permanently locate in the township was Dr. Winslow, who located about two miles from the present village of Hinckley.

The first school has been a matter of dispute. It is asserted by some that Jane Sanford taught a term of school in the summer of 1840, and that M. P. Cleveland succeeded her in the winter following. Both terms were held in the house of Jacob Lee. Others say Mr. Cleveland taught the first, and was succeeded by Miss Sanford. All agree that the first was in 1840, and was taught by one or the other. A log school-house was shortly afterwards built at the grove, Mr. Albee, now living at Hinckley, making the window frames for the same. Among the early teachers in the township were John Clark, Henry Clark, Mr. Church and James Furman. The first school money was drawn by Mr. Cleveland. At present the township has eight school districts, each being supplied with a frame school-house, the total value of which is placed at $5,300. From the County Su perintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1884, it is learned that there were 548 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 375 were bet ween 6 and 21, with an enrollment in the public schools of 326. There were 5 males and 16 female teachers employed, the highest monthly wages received by any being $60 and the lowest $25.

Squaw Grove Township, in 1884, had 22,245 acres of improved land, valued at $324,350 The town lots amounted to $50,680; personal property, $98,- 629. A total of $473,659. The State Board of Equalization reduced this amount to $418,115. Among the items of personal property were the following : Horses, 641 ; cattle, 1,776; mules and asses, 19; sheep, 672; hogs, 2,440; steam engines, 4; safes, 5 ; billiard tables, i ; carriages and wagons, 223 ; sewing and knitting machines, 158 ; pianos, 8; melodeons and organs, 59.

JNCKLEY is finely located on section 15, Squaw Grove Township. It was surveyed and platted by Francis E. Hinckley, from whom it derives its name. While having but about 400 inhabitants, it is one of the neatest towns of its size in the State. The dwellinghouses of those residing here are generally large two-story buildings, the yards well kept and all presenting an attractive appearance. As a business point it is good, having a fine farming country around, which is tributary to it.

When it was determined by Mr. Hinckley to locate the railroad station here, Merrill & Wagner, who were in business at the grove, at once began their preparations for removal. They commenced early in the spring of 1872 the erection of the large, fine, two-story building now occupied by Mr. Merrill, and on its completion removed here their stock of goods, and thus became the first merchants in the village. The partnership was some years afterward dissolved,

While the store building was being erected, Mr. Merrill was also engaged in putting up the dwellinghouse in which he yet resides, and iifio which he moved in the spring of 1872. This was the first dwelling-house built upon the village plat, though two others have been there since an early day.

J.- D. Curry was the first grain-buyer. He built an elevator and commenced buying in the spring of 1873. He was succeeded by H. M. Maltby & Co., who continued until the fall of 1883, when S. H. Sidwell, who owned a half interest in the elevator, became the sole dealer.

The first hotel was opened by C. S. Palmer in 1873, in a building opposite Merrill & VVagner's store. The business was continued here for about seven years. The second house was that now known as the Adams House, built by Hayden Spencer, in 1875. It has been known as the Pennsylvania and the Hinckley House. B. H. Adams became the proprietor in April, 1883. He changed its name to the Adams House. It is a two-story frame building, with 12 sleeping rooms, with parlor, office, diningroom and kitchen.

The village of Hinckley comprises a part of District No. i. The school-house was erected here in 1873. There were then two rooms, two departments being represented. In 1883 an addition was made to the school building and the school divided int three departments - primary, intermediate and higher, The teachers for the year 1884-5 were Fred A. Lata^ **$&£ "t*t^( tin, Principal ; Miss Carrie C. Potter and Miss Emma Jones. There were in January, 1885, an enrollment of 136 pupils. The school property is valued at $2,800.

The postoffice was located here in 1872. This office was originally located at the grove and was known as the Squaw Grove postoffice. William C. Tappan was the first Postmaster, the office being established in 1852. His first year's receipts were* $2.55. In 1855 his receipts had increased to $23.52. The mail route was from Ottawa to Belvidere. Mr. Tappan was succeeded by Henry Putnam, who in turn was succeeded by Mr. Johnson, E. Spencer and Frank E. Merrill. The latter was appointed in 1867 and held the office for 17 years, resigning in April, 1884, when C. S. Palmer was appointed. A moneyorder department was created for the office in 1878, the first order being secured by A. F. Prince, in favor of George J. Prince, for $10.75, July 7, 1878.

The village of Hinckley was surveyed and platted in March, 1873. It was incorporated under the general act in 1877. The first trustees were John A. Coster, A. E. Sweet, A. G. White, N. Naldenhouse, Peter Coster. Clerk, F. L. Winslow. Since that date the following named have served :

Ingersoll Lodge, No. 301, A. F. & A. M. was chartered by the Grand Lodge Oct. 5, 1859, its meetings being held in the village of Cortland. Its charter members were Charles S. Ingersoll, W. M., in whose honor the lodge was named ; John B. Fletcher, S. W ; Nathan A. Cottrell, J. W. ; L. F. Dow, Jonathan Mattison, Richard A. Smith, Richard J. Webb, Onesimus Hitchcock. The name of the lodge was subsequently changed to Cortland Lodge. In 1875 it was voted to remove to Hinckley, the majority of its membership living in or near that village. On its removal its name was changed to Hinckley Lodge, No. 301, A. F. & A. M. At this place it has flourished, its membership embracing some of the best men in the village. Its present membership is 26. Since its removal the following named have filled the chair as presiding officers of the lodge : Archibald Cone, C. H. Hitchcock, F. E. Merrill, George E. Hobbs, J. W. Le Brant, the latter being elected January, 1885. In addition to J. W. Le Brant, W. M., the following named constitute the officers for 1885 : A. Grass, S. W. ; C. E. Long, J. W. ; David A. Hobbs, Treas. ; A. F. French, Sec. ; J. A. Le Brant, S. D. ; H. C. Baie, J. D.

Beacon Hill Lodge, No. 680, I. O. O. F., was organized July 2T, 1880, with George E. Hobbs, N. G.; J. A. Le Brant, V. G. ; A. W. Le Brant, Sec.; A. Grass, Treas. ; J. T. Kerr, Warden ; William Richardson and Christian Keamerle. The following named have served as N. G. : J. A. Le Brant, A. Grass, John T. Kerr, William Frazier, William Lockwood and B. C. Allbee. The following named were in office January, 1885 : B. C. Allbee, N. G. ; H. H. Hopkins, V. G. ; P. F. Albee, Sec. ; J. W. Le Brant, Treas.; John Clark, Warden. The lodge has a membership of 28, and financially and otherwise is a strong body.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of DeKalb County, Illinois, by Gross, Lewis M, published 1907; 2,918 words in this source stream.

Squaw Grove Township

Squaw Grove jvas the first settled township in De Kalh county. Much of the storj of this township has been told in the history of the county, so matters pertaining to its early settlement are found in the chapter "Early Settlement-" in the lore part of this work. We have also noted in that chapter Mr. Hollenbeek, who lived near Ottawa, came as far north as what is now the town of Sycamore and laid a claim to Squaw Grove, a part of which remains west of the presenl village of Hinckley. This was the Bret claim laid in the county and it is now thi Oscar Tanner farm. It was through the representations of .Mr. Hollenbeek that the Sebrees, a family of Virginia origin, came here to look over the country and settled. The Sebrees. upon arriving at Squaw Grove, which' had been given that name by Mr. Hollenbeek. found unoccupied wigwams and occupied them until a log house could be built. The wife of John Sebree. the first settler, was left during the winter of 1834-5 alone with her young children while he went to his eastern home to secure teams. wagons and apparatus necessary for the improvement of their new home. The home of Wm. Sebree was the birthplace of Martha, the first white child bom in De Kalb county. She married Mr. J. Jackson. Her death occurred in 1907. At this time the nearest neighbor of Mrs. Sebree lived at Millington, seventeen miles away. The newcomers lived in the most primitive manner. Most of them had cattle, horses and swine. The Sehrees rejoiced in a pair of hand millstones, with which the settlement all ground their corn. They made clothing from the wool of the sheep. For three years the only plow of the place was owned by Sebree and was made with a wooden mold board. The work of the prairie consisted in sowing oats and planting sod corn, and in the fall of

1836 Samuel Miller went with four yoke of cattle. carrying thirty bushels of oats to Chicago. These he sold for fifty cents a bushel, returning with salt and boots enough for the men of the settlement. The nearest neighbor on the north was on the banks of the Kishwaukee and in 1835 these people from Squaw Grove went to the home of William A. and Ilarinan Miller and helped the former raise his log cabin. The first tax paid in

1837 in this town was by Samuel Miller, who paid sixty-two and a half cents. The first death in this community was the energetic and industrious mother of John Sebree. The first school was taught in Jacob Lee's house by a lady named Jane Sanford, in the summer of 1840, and M. P. Cleveland succeeded her the following winter. This has been a matter of dispute as to who taught the first term of school, Mr. Cleveland or Miss Sanford. but all agree that it was taught in 1840 in Mr. Jacob Lee's house. Squaw Grove was the first to sell her sixteenth section of land for school purposes. Two years later a log schoolhouse was built in the grove and Mr. Alby, now deceased, made the window frames for the same. The first school money was drawn by Mr. Cleveland out of the public funds, while the first wages paid were by private subscription and the first school was known as the subscription school. The house occupied by John Sebree and the first permanent home in the county was located a few rods

Those who followed Mr. Sebree and Samuel Miller were William Leggett, M. P. Cleveland, Watson Y. Pomeroy, John Boardman and Jacob Lee. Mr. Cleveland located at Pappoose Grove, the present site of the village of Hinckley. John

Eastabrook was a native of Pennsylvania. He located on the north side of Squaw Grove in the home later occupied by Mr. Tanner, where he remained until Ins death in 1850. Ee was accompanied to this state by his son Decatur and his daughter Mary. His wife and the remainder of the family came the following year. Decatur Eastabrook removed to Carroll county, where he still resides. When Mr. Eastabrook came to the county he brought with him two large, powerful dogs. When the men were away from the house the dogs would allow no one, especially the Indians, to come near the house unless called off by Miss Eastabrook.

Samuel Miller and John Sebree spent the remainder of their lives on land which they took up from the government. Mr. Pomeroy subsequently became a Methodist preacher and until a few years ago was active in the service in Illinois.

W. A. Pay located on section 29 in the Somonauk tin. I.e.-, a part of which extends to this township. All the settlers of 1835 have passed away except W. Marsh Sebree. who still resides at Hinckley, and is hale and hearty. When Marsh Sebree came to Squaw Grove he was less than two years old and consequently is the oldest living settler who has resided continuously in the county. His father, John Sebree, died in 18:3. In his early life he had spent some years in teaming ami in floating on the Mississippi river. In the fall of 1834 he started from his home in Indiana with his wife and one child, making the journey to De Kalb county with a team and one cow. On his way he worked for a time near Bloomington, picking corn on shares, which served him well when he reached his pioneer home. Their first shanty in Squaw Grove had a fire place built of sticks and mud and the floor was covered with hay. This caught fire on one occasion, but did no damage save the fear of utter ruin to the establishment. He built a log house later, which was quite substantial. He cut the first hay crop in the county. After he had established himself he left his wife and one child and proceeded to Bloomington to bring the corn he had earned on his way here. During this time Mrs. Sebree lived on cornbread, the meal of which was made by hand. They lived in this house for twelve years and kepi a sorl of hotel, as there was no other place for prospectors and land-lookers to obtain lodging. Frequently the floor of the little log house was covered with the sleeping forms of tired travelers.

The first physician to permanently locate in the township was Dr. Winslow, who located about two miles from the presenl village of Hinckley. Around Hie home of John Seiner and a little to tin- north had sprung up quite a village. A schoolhouse had bei u l mill; and the attendance was as large as that of any other district school id' tlni county. A Methodist church had been erei ted, which was moved to Hinckle] in is;:;, when the ( '.. B. a Q. road passed through this county, making the villages of Hinckley, Waterman and Shabi a possible. For years Mr. Frank Merrill and

11. P. Wagner were merchants in the old village of Squaw Grove, notwithstanding the inconvenience "i securing their goods, which in earl] were mainly hauled by team- Prom Chicago ami later from Aurora and Somonauk. This town in the '50s began to be settled by a number of Germans. Among them came William Leifeiht, C. Eartman, James Morsch, F. Granarl and A.ugusl Bastian. Mosi of tie se were emigrants from Germany, « ho ca here poor and bj indust ry and

Lutheran society at this town is nearly four hundred. The church is modern in everj respi et and has a valuable church organ, which cost over a thousand dollars. They have another society in the town of Hinckley known as the Evangelical church. Aside from the churches mentioned there is a Methodist church, which wi- erected in the present village about twelve years ago, and a Baptist and a German Methodisl church.

Hinckle\ i- a thriving town and. being in a rich grain producing section, ha- a large farm trade. They have two large elevators, two hanks, one a private bank, managed bj II. I'. Wagner, and the other a stale bank, of which William Yon Ohlen is president am! .lames I'ogue cashier. From the rude log house built in the grove in 1838 has grown a large graded school containing five room-.

There is no town in the county that has a greater wealth or capital than the village of Hinckley. The Hinckley Tile Works, which were established many years ago. is the leading manufacturing indtistrv.

Pierce

Congressional township 39 north, range 5 east, is known a- the civil township of Pierce, so named in honor of Franklin Pierce, who at the time of its organization was just inaugurated as president of the United States. It is hound on the east by Kane county, on the north by Cortland township, on the south b\ Squaw Grove ami on the west by Alton. The headwaters of the Big Rock creek are in this township. It is a prairie country, the northern half being undulating, while {lie southern half is rather flat. It has been an excellent wheat country in the past, and in 1870 it produced more of that cereal than an\ other township iii the ( ounty.

Elder Nathan Wilcox has the honor of being i he firsl lo locate in what is now the township of Pierce. Ih' located in the north part of the township in 1847. I luring that year John Lesher, a native of Pennsylvania, and Jacob E. Plapp, a native of Germany, came ami -elected their future section 24. lie buill a substantia] frame house, lived there until is:,:;, when he sold out and renewed to Iowa. He now lives in Dubuque. Plapp selected the northeast quarter of section 24, but did not pennanentlj settle until about two years lie died on the homestead in January, L885.

Jacob Lint ner came from Lake county, Illinois, and located on section 25. He was born in Dauphin county. Pennsylvania, in 1799. His wife was Frances Shaffner, also of the same county and state. In 1828 the} settled in Richland countv. Ohio, where they remained until 1814. when they settled in Lake county, Illinois. Mr. Lintner died on tin- old homestead in 1850. His widow successfully managed the farm until her death, March 33. 1883. They had eight children, only one of whom is now a resident of the township - Mrs. Ferderick Hoffman.

There were a number of arrivals in 1849, among whom were Henry Earner, Christian Meyer, George Eberly, David Gerlach, Bernard Milnamow, Thomas Gormley, Malachi Henaughan, John Allen and Josiah Jacob. Earner was from Pennsylvania. He settled on section 27 and died there. Meyer also settled on section 27. He now resides in Sandwich. Eberly was also from Pennsylvania. He located on section 26. He died here. His son George now lives on the same section. Gerlach chose for his home a portion of section 24. He is now dead, but has two sons living in the township, Samuel on the homestead and Anderson on section 14. Henaughan located on section 10. He is now dead. Two sons survive him. who yet reside in the township. Milnamow, Allen and Gormley all yet reside in the township. All are Irishmen.

Among other pioneers of the township were Levi and Moses Hill. Thomas Hallornn. 1'. lloran. P. Dunn, L. Hennegan. John Ferriek, the Butlers and Dillons.

Pierce township has for its settlers many sturdy sons of "Erin," who have served their town and county well, many of whom have attained prominence outside of this town and county. The same is true of the Germans, who came here. They make most excellent citizens, have established public schools and churches, where their language is spoken. The Evangelical church service is now conducted in the English language.

Pierce township was first included in Somonauk precinct, subsequently in Orange precinct, then in Eichland. Until 1853 the north half was attached to Squaw Grove, and the south half to Cortland township. In that year it was organized as a civil township.

The first school in the township was taught by William J. Bates, in 1S50, on section 8. The schoolhouse was made of split poles. Mr. Bates taught twenty-one terms in that district. In relation to the present status of the public schools of the township, the following items are gleaned from the report of the county superintendent of public schools for the year ending June 30, 1884: There were four hundred and sixty persons in the township under twenty-one years of ase, of whom two hundred and ninety-six were over six. Of this number two hundred and seventy-two were enrolled in the public schools. There were eight districts, each having a frame schoolhouse, the total value of which was estimated at six thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars. Each district bad school over one hundred and ten days during the year, in which twenty-four teachers were employed, receiving an average monthly salary of thirty-four dollars anil forty-three cents, the highest being forty-live dollars and the lowest twenty-live dollars. The tax levy was two thousand, two hundred and twenty dollars.

Elder Wilcox was probably the first to preach Christ and Him crucified in the township. There were in 188.5 two church organizations - the Evangelical Association and the Lutherans.

The first meetings of those holding the view« of the Evangelical Association were held at the house of John Lesher. about 1849, near the county line. The people of Kane and De Kalb counties met together to worship in private houses on both sides of the line for some years. Eevs. Hall. Eockuts and Weldy were the first preachers. John Shoop was the first class leader and Jacob Lintner exhorter. Among the first members were David Gerlach and wife ; Benjamin Moss and wife ; John Shoop and wife ; George Eberly and wife ; Jacob Lintner and wife; John Kuter and wife; J. F. Plapp and wife; John Bartmeis and wife; John Schwitzer and wife: Valentine Hummel and wife; Christopher Hummel and wife; John Lesher and Peter Hummel. About 1850 a church building was erected on the southwest quarter of section H was replaced in the early '90s by one of the most spacious and beautiful churches now in the country districts of our county. The first church was dedicated by Bishop Esher of Chicago. The society owns a parsonage conveniently located near the church. There are now one hundred and fifty members connected with the society. Peter Hummel, Jacob Kunes and Oscar Ramer are the classleaders : Andrew Gerlach. Thomas Shoop. Fred Lontz and George Schule, stewards: Peter Hummel, Fred Lentz. George Earner, George Schule and J. Kuter. trustees. Eev. Jacob K. Sehultz is the present pastor. Services are held in German and English. A Sabbath school is connected with the church.

The first meetings of the Lutheran church were held at tin1 schoolhouse in district No. 2. in 1870, and were conducted by Eev. John Andreas, from Somonauk. An organization was effected, embracing the families of Henrv Rath Peter Conse,

Charles Dellenbach, Joseph Dellenbach, Detnst. George Motz, Frank Redelperger. August (on-.. Henry Schmidt, Henry Anspaeh, Eartman Schule and William Nehring. The society met for worship in the scl Ihouse until 1872, when a neat frame church building was erected on the northeast quarter of section 33, which, together with the furniture eosl two thousand, four hundred dollar-. There are now twenty families belonging to the society.

Piereeville postoffice was established in 1854, with Moses Hill as postmaster. His commission was dated Pebruar} 21, 1854. The office was at his house, which was on the route from Sycamore to Cortland. .Mail was received from each direction twice a week. In 1851 Mr. 1 1 1 11 resigned, after which time various persons held the office until 1879, when Mr. Hill was reappointed. Ee served until George Schule was appointed and the offic was discontinued in 1892.

The first birth in the township was that of a child of John Lesher, m 1849. The second birth was that of Man Jane Meyer, daughter of Christian Meyer, born October 6, 1850. She is now the wife of Valentino Hummel.

The lii-t death was thai of Jacob Lintner. He was first buried on his farm, but his remains were subsequently removed and interred in the cemeter\ <d the Evangelical Association.

The supervisors of Pierce township were: H. S. Champlin, C. M. Eumiston, R. Milnamow, S. Denton. T. Gormley, V C. Cottrell, G. W. Slater. ('. M. Humiston, P. W. Gallagher, John Walsh. 3ST. B. Sheldon, Charles A. Eubbard, James D. Gormley, A. G. Smith and J. D. Gormley, 1886- 1907.

One of the places of interest in Pierce township i- the Grove known as Grimm's woods. Ithasbeen the scenes of many picnic parties and for a period of sixteen years the school- of the township have formed a Picnic Association and hold their annual picnics at this place regularly. Miss Nellie Davidson, who taughl school in this township for mam pears, organized the above a>sociation.

Pierce is the only township of De Kalb county that remains democratic, and but one during her whole history has she givi n a republican majority for a presidential candidate. The only log house remaining in the township is on Mrs. Rhoda Wilson's farm, and it has been in constant use until