Sycamore Township (part 2 of 3)

In the fall of 1855 William H. Eddy erected the Sandwich House, and on New Year's eve of that year it was formally opened by Moses Cook, lessee. Mr. Cook continued to run the house until October, 1857, when Jonathan Able took charge of it. Various changes have been made, but in 1866 Joseph Dyas purchased the house, and has since continued its management. The house has a good reputation, well deserved.

Early in 1856 a company was organized for the erection of a steam grist-mill. Almaron Gage donated the ground and work was soon commenced. In the fall of the year the mill was complete, and set in motion by Mr. Bennett, who secured the position of miller, receiving a share of the proceeds for his labor. It was furnished with three run of buhrs. Mackie & Bell are the present proprietors. The mill is a ?tone structure, four-stories in height and has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour per day. Patent rollers have been introduced within the past two years, and the mill is now said to be one of the best in the State.

Myrlin Carpenter is the pioneer blacksmith, commencing in the spring of 1854. He soon associated with himself, Chester Wilcox, the firm of Carpenter & Wilcox continuing in existence some years. The representatives of this trade are now John White and Erwin Bros. The wagon and carriage manufacturers also do general blacksmithing.

Lansing & Williams were the first wagon-makers to locate here permanently. They were here within two years after the village was laid ont. G. Walter and Kehl Bros, are now engaged in the trade, the former doing quite an extensive business, employing in busy seasons about 30 hands. The latter does a good business also.

Jacob Hoffwas the first to engage in the trade of shoemaking, commencing business in January, 1856. Mr. Hainas came next in the spring of 1856, and in the spring of 1857 G. Brecher opened a shop. The present representatives of this trade are Haupt Bros, and Mr. Olsen.

Thomas & Emmons established the first coal yard in January, 1856. In the spring following H. F. Winchester commenced the business. Cole & Treat opened a yard soon after. Geo. Whitcomb, Castle & Mosher, Thos. Hickey and E. Doan are the present dealers.

The pioneer masons were John R. Brown, Alpheus Rood, Stephen Westover, Marcus Doolittle, Charles Tracy, Elijah Lester, Lorin Tracy, James Gifford, Geo. Mitten, Cornelius Scouton, A. Munson. F. Webber is the only contractor at present.

Hiram Severy, Walter Scott, Chas. Kinney, John Sibley, Daniel Boyd and William S. Platt were among the first painters. Vermilye & Clark, Mr. Champlin, Norman Butterfield, John Hough, Frank Finch now represent the trade.

Mrs. Jacob Hoff opened the first millinery shop in the spring of 1856. Shortly after, Miss Jane Hicks opened a shop. Mrs. Gillett, Mrs. J. F. Douglas, Mrs. Atkins, Mrs. Butterfield, Mrs. Fonda, each have shops in the spring of 1885.

The first representative of the legal profession was S, B. Stinson, who opened 'an office in the summer of 1856. Mr. Stinson continues to reside here and is in active practice. W. W. Sedgwick, J. I. Montgomery and C. G. Faxon are also attorneys in active practice.

The first representative of the medical profession here was Dr. Griswold, who was here in 1854. Dr. S. C. Gillett came soon after, and continued until the spring of 1857, when he removed to Aurora. In the summer of 1855 Dr. Charles Winslow was associated with Dr. Gillett, and continued with him until the spring of 1856, when he removed to Sugar Grove. Dr. E. H. Lowe was next in the fall of 1855 In the spring of 1856, Dr. N. E. Ballou commenced practicing here. In the summer following, Dr. A. L. Merriam, who previously had practiced in the neighborhood, returned and opened an office in the village. Dr. John Lowe came in the fall of 1857. V. Vermilye, N. E. Ballou, C. S. Dickson, J. C. David, F. P. Stiles, Thos. Armstrong, C. L. Misick, are the physicians here at present.

As the town increased in population, other branches of business were opened, and in addition to what has already been given as being in business here in the spring of 1885, there were the following lines represented by those named in connection : W. G. Adams, elevator and warehouse supplies,

M. B. Castle commenced the first banking business in Sandwich in 1856. His exchange business that year was small indeed. About 1859 Amos Shepard was admitted to a partnership in the business, and under the firm name of Castle & Shepard the business was conducted for three years. Mr. Castle then continued the business alone until 1866, when he formed a partnership with Capt. F. S. Mosher. The bank has always been known as the Sandwich Bank, having its president and cashier. In 1863 J. B. Castle was assistant cashier. At present M. B. Castle is President and F. S. Mosher, Cashier. In the 29 years in which the Sandwich Bank has been in existence it can boast that its doors have never been closed and the check of a depositor never refused. It must be remembered that the bank has passed through the hard times of '57, the war period and the hard times of 1873, and therefore its record is one of which any man might be proud. Mr. Castle is now one of the oldest bankers of the State in point of continuous service.

Main Street, between the present stores of Van Fleet & Smith and J. M. Hummel. It was erected before the village was surveyed or even contemplated, and used until 1856, when it was sold at auction and bought by Mr. Saunders.

In the winter of 1854-5 a company was organized for the purpose of erecting a building and maintaining a high school to be known as the Sandwich Academy.

The school was opened in the spring of 1855 by Prof. J. L. Hendrick, who continued it as a high school until the spring of 1856, when the directors of the public schools of this district purchased the building of the share-holders and continued Prof. Hendrick as teacher until the spring of 1857. In the fall of 1857 the- directors graded them and placed Prof. H. F. Needham in charge as principal, with Miss H. D. Beardsley and Miss P. Morey as assistants. During that fall Prof. Hendrick and Miss A. M. Carpenter each taught a select school.

The present system of grading, which consists of eight grades below the high school, was adopted in 1877. The schools are now in fine condition, under the superintendency of Prof. C. I. Gruey, assisted by James P. Houston, Fannie Schuebly, Ethel Gregory, Annie Cox, Mary McKindley, Anna Brown, Anna Paine, Dottie Winnie, Frances J. Stinson and Loe Hall. The school property is valued at $10,000. The principals since 1857 have been as follows: J. L. Hendrick, H. F. Needham, Delos Williams, Mr. Johnson, L. V. Wilmot, A. J. Sawyer, Harry Moore, A. E. Bourne, C. I. Gruey.

There are now nine religious denominations represented in Sandwich - the Baptists, Methodist Episcopals, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, German Baptists, Lutheran Reformed, Lalter-Day Saints and Catholics.

Methodist Episcopal. - As already stated, in 1836, Rev. William Royal organized a Methodist Episcopal class at the house of Simon Price, composed of some half dozen sisters. This class met in private houses until the winter of 1837-8, when it assembled in the log school-house on section 22. At this house and at the Eddy school-house a little further north, it continued to meet until 1846, when the old red school-house, in the present limits of Sandwich, was erected. On meeting at this house the class was reinforced by a number living in the neighborhood. J. M. Hall was class-leader at this time. When the future of Sandwich was secured, steps were taken to build a church edifice. Almon Gage donated a lot for the purpose, and a neat frame church was erected, and some time in 1856 duly set apart to the service of Almighty God. J. M. Hall donated a lot for the parsonage, which was erected the year previous. The Church has had a prosperous career, though at times dark clouds hovered over it and the faith of some weakened. To-day it has a membership of 200, with about 50 probationers, the result of a revival in the winter of 1884-5.

Baptist Church. - On the 26th day of November, 1842, a few members of the Baptist Church convened at the house of George Shannon, on the Somonauk, to take into consideration the organization of a Church. The following named covenanted together for the maintenance of the worship and ordinances of the gospel, with a view of being recognized as a regular Baptist Church : Almus Pratt, George Shannon, Alonzo Tolman, Joseph Oakley and Mary Buckingham, the two last relating their experience and receiving baptism. The next meeting was held Dec. 17, when David and Betsey Matlock united. On the 2ist of May, 1843, it was voted to call a council to fellowship them as a Baptist Church. On the 3d of June the council was held and the Church was recognized as the Upper Somonauk Baptist Church. In December following the name was changed to Somonauk and Little Rock Baptist Church. Elder Norman Warriner was called to minister to the Church in June, 1843, and served it till 1846, when he was succeeded by Rev. Stephen G. Hunt, who remained four years. In 1851 a protracted meeting was held by Rev. John Higby, and 1 8 were baptized. This was the first protracted meeting held by the Church. Mr. Higby remained with the Church about one year, when Rev. John Young was called. He was followed by Rev. Bela Hicks, Rev. Higby again and Rev. Nelson Alvord, all short pastorates.

In 1852 it was decided to build a house of worship, if sufficient encouragement was given, and to locate near Deacon Pratt's. But little was done until the railroad was built and a station had been determined on at what is now Sandwich. Two lots were obtained from Jacob M. Hall, the original deed of which specifies lots i and 2, in block 3, of the village of Almon, the name Sandwich not having been adopted at the time, March i, 18:54. A neat frame edifice was completed in December of the same year, at a cost of $2,100, and on the 23d day of January, 1855, it was dedicated, Rev. William Haigh preaching the sermon. An addition was made to this house in 1874 at a cost of $600. With other improvements, the property is now worth $3,500.

In 1857, the Pastor, Rev. William M. Bassett, was assisted by Rev. C. E. Tinker, of Annawan, in a most extensive revival. Fifty were baptized and became members of the Baptist Church. In 1859, Rev. Robert A. Clapp became pastor. He was followed after two years by Rev. E. L. Hunt, who served three years. Part of the time he was Chaplain in the army, and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. George A. Bishop The Church grew steadily, 27 being added by baptism in one year, under Rev. Hunt. After a short pastorate by Rev. C. E. Bailey, Rev. D. B. Gunn became Pastor, in 1865, and the following year 30 were baptized. He was succeeded by Rev. Warren Mason, who remained two years, and was followed, in 1870, by Rev. W. H. Card. During his second year 32 were baptized. He remained four years. The succeeding pastors have been Rev. A. L. Farr, six years; Rev. W. A. Branson, one year; Rev. N. A. Reed, two years. The present pastor, Rev. E. W. Hicks, was called in April, 1883, and began April 15.

The Church has had 18 pastors. The following have been licensed to preach by the Church: Cyrus F. Tolman, Gilbert E. Pratt, Henry R. Hicks, Edward Sedgwick. Also Rev. W. H. Eddy, ordained. There have been, altogether, about 625 additions to the Church ; 286 by baptism. The present membership is 176. The officers of the Church in the spring of 1885 were Rev. E. W. Hicks, Pastor; Julius Ives and R. B. Jackson, Deacons ; Luther Kent, Frank Kent, O. S. Hendee, Seneca Culver, Dr. C. L. Misick, Trustees; R. B. Jackson, Clerk.

The First Presbyterian Church of Sandwich was organized at the house of Charles Merritt, at Freeland Corners, Dec. 15, 1851, with eight members. Milo Tuttle was the first elder. In December, 1853, the eldership was composed of Milo Tuttle, William T. Morey, Henry S. Langdon. H. T. Merritt was clerk of the sessions. The first regular minister was

Rev. A. Johnson, who began his labors in the fall of 1854, and occasionally preached until June, 1856. On the 26th day of May, 1856, a meeting of the Church was held at Freeland's Corners and a vote was taken on removal to Sandwich. Eleven voted to remove and two against. It was also voted that the Church be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Somonauk, which name was subsequently changed to First Presbyterian Church of Sandwich. At one of its first meetings in Sandwich, a committee was appointed to confer with a like committee from the Church of South Somonauk, to secure the services of a regular pastor. Rev. L. P. Crawford was called and began his labors July i, 1856. On the breaking out of the war, he enlisted and served for a time, but subsequently returned and served until the spring of 1865. In April of that year Rev. G. H. Robertson began his labors for the Church, continuing until the spring of 1867, when he resigned to accept the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield. Rev. I. D. Henning was the next pastor. He served but about six months, when Rev. R. M. Overstreet accepted a call in the spring of 1868, serving one year. In the fall of 1869, Rev. E. L. Hurd came and served three years. In January, 1873, Rev. G. W. Crofts entered upon his labors for the Church. He was succeeded Feb. i, 1875, by Rev. G. B. Black. In the fall of 1878, Rev. D. W. Fahs began his labors as supply, and in June, 1880, was called to the pastorate. He still remains with the Church.

On its removal to this place services were held in the old Academy. In the summer of 1857, steps were taken to erect a house of worship, and in the spring of 1858 a church edifice was completed and occupied. In 1866 an addition was built, and subsequently a fine organ costing $r,3oo was put in. There has been a total membership of 297, with a present membership of 125.

The Congregational Church. - The Congregational Church of Sandwich was originally organized at Little Rock, Kendall County, April 17,1853. In addition to the articles of covenant usually adopted by such bodies, the Church adopted resolutions by which they refused to fellowship individuals or Churches that were guilty of holding their fellow men in bondage; and also one requiring total abstinence from intoxicating liquors as a beverage as a means of admission into the Church.

Soon after its organization the Church engaged the services of Rev. H. G. Warner, who preached for it one year. Eighteen persons were added under his ministration. From July, 1854, till the spring of 1855, Rev. I. Mattison supplied the Church. For the next year no religious services were held. The village of Sandwich having come into existence, and several of its members having moved thereto, at a meeting May 10, 1856, it was unanimously resolved that the " location of the Church be removed to Sandwich, De KalbCo., and the name changed to the Congregational Church of Sandwich." Two weeks later the first meeting was held in Sandwich at the residence of Deacon Hubbard. Subsequently and until the i4th of June, 1857, services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church. On the day mentioned, a small chapel having been completed the first services were held therein.

In July, 1857, Rev. James Kilbourn commenced his labors with the Church. He served six years, during which time 84 persons were received into the Church. In August, 1863, Rev. C. A. Harvey entered upon his duties as supply, and on the 4th of January, 1865, was called to the pastorate. Until now the Church had worshiped in the chapel, which had become too small for the congregations. It was then sold to the Lutherans, and the present neat and qommodious building (exclusive of the lecture-room and transepts) was erected. It was dedicated January 26, 1865. During Mr. Harvey's pastorate, which terminated April i, 1866, there were 39 additions. Soon after the Church invited Rev. John W. Cass to labor with them. The invitation being accepted, Mr. Cass began his ministry September r, 1866, the pulpit being supplied in the meantime by Rev. N. C. Clark. During that and the following year a parsonage was built, costing, with lots, $2,000. Mr. Cass served two and a half years, receiving into the Church 121 persons. On account of failing health he resigned, and June i, 1869, Rev. C. A. Towle became the pastor, continuing as such until July i, 1873. In that time 73 were added to the Church. In November, 1873, Rev. John L. Granger became acting pastor, and remained three years, with 43 additions. On the resignation of Mr. Granger Rev. G. W. Crofts was called to the pastorate. He served until March i, 1885, during which time there were 114 added to the Church. The present membership is 208.

Sandwich Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M., was granted dispensation December 21, 1866. A charter was granted October 4, 1867. Its first officers were Geo. W. Culver, H. P.; Jos. H. Furman, K.; B. C. Whitcomb, S. Its present officers are Ed. S. Johnson, H. P.; Van R. David, K.; Gustave Walters, S.; George H. Whitcomb, See.; M. Carpenter, Treas. Present membership, 137.

Sandwich Legion, No. 40, Select Knights, A. O. U. IV., was organized August 13, 1884, by Alex. Mc- Lean, Grand Commander of the State of Illinois. The Legion meets on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings in each month. The present membership is 32. M. Dickinson is the representative to the Grand Legion. The officers in the spring of 1885 were as follows : W. J. M. Fish, S. C.; Geo. Greenfield, V. C.; Thos. McNeice, L. C.; Robert White, Rec.

Grand Prairie Encampment, No. 138, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Onarga, IroquoisCo., Ill, June 28, 1872, and by order of the Most Worthy Grand Patriarch, Amos Kemp, was removed to Sandwich, 111., March 7, 1885, and has now a membership of 40. The charter members numbered about 30. The order is progressing rapidly. Its officers in the spring of 1885 were E. E. Stebbins, C. P. ; Chas. H. Pratt, H. P. ; J. A. Durbin, 3. W.

Sandwich Manufacturing Co. - Sandwich is noted for its manufactories. The Sandwich Manufacturing Co. is the oldest as well as the most extensive. In 1856 Augustus Adams, then living at Elgin, started a branch of his manufactory at this place. It was but a small affair, but like the acorn it has developed quite extensively. In 1857 his advertisement read that A. Adams, & Co. had a foundry and machine shop in which they were prepared lo do casting of every 'description. But little was said about the manufactures that have given the firm its wide reputation. Still the idea was kept in view to develop a practical, portable corn-sheller. The first engine blew up and was replaced by a larger and better one. In 1857 Mr. Adams moved his family here, and urged the work as fast as his means would admit. By 1861 the reputation of the Sandwich Adams Corn-Sheller had so extended that calls for it came from all over the Northwest, and to supply the demand, gave employment to about 100 men. It might be well to say that in that year a company for the loth Regiment 111. Vol. I rift, was raised here and about 70 of the company went from these shops. Just at the opening of the trade, in the face of a greatly increased demand, the shops were burned down, but with the characteristic energy of the proprietors, then A. Adams & Sons, they were rebuilt, larger and better than before, and by working extra men and time the trade was supplied. By this time it had been demonstrated that the Sandwich corn- f sheller was a necessity and a staple, and in 1867, ' capital at home was readily found to combine with the firm of A. Adams & Sons to increase the manu- Vj facture, and the Sandwich Manufacturing Co. was organized.

They soon found that there must be more shop room, men and machinery to supply the growing demand, and so they commenced to build, and from this commencement has grown the spacious and complete ^ set of shops. These buildings, with the necessary § yards adjoining, now cover about two blocks of ; ground, with railroad tracks running to every point, so that all material is unloaded from the cars just where it is needed, and all shipments are made direct from the store-rooms. The shops are furnished throughout with the latest improved machinery, much of which was designed and made at home ( for the specialties of their manufacture. The paid up capital of the company is $250,000.

The Sandwich Enterprise Co. is the outgrowth of - a business established by Kennedy Bros., and was ' incorporated under the general laws of the State, ; Nov. 5, 1868. The following named were the in- v corporators : W. W. Sedgwick, M. B. Castle, Wm.

000, but was subsequently increased to $100,000. The buildings and grounds of the company cover more than two blocks and a half of ground, having a frontage on Main Street of 200 feet and on Eddy of 140 feet, with a large warehouse. The manufactures of the company are windmills, force pumps, cultivators and feed-grinders. The following named are the officers and directors in the spring of 1885 :

The Tile Works of Dieterich & Ebinger is one of the institutions of Sandwich, though situated about '; one mile west of the city. L. Dieterich had been manfacturing brick some 12 years or more, and in company with Mr. Ebinger commenced in 1882 the manufacture of tiling. The main building of the factory is 36 x 93 feet, three stories hioh, with two wings, one 36 feet square and the other 24 x 69 feet. A large and increasing business is being done.

Among the other manufactories in Sandwich are the wagon and carriage shops of G. Walter and Kehl Bros., the pump factory of D. J. Cook, and the cigar manufactory of Thos. Emerson.

On the 28th day of July, 1883, it was voted to appropriate $13,000 for a system of water works. The contracts were let and work commenced September 28, and on the I2th of January, 1884, everything was complete, a satisfactory test made, and the job accepted by the city. The stand-pipe rests upon a substantial foundation, in the construction of which 42 cords of stone were used, and laid with great care, Milwaukee cement being used. The base of the wall is 25^ feet in diameter, and the top 15 feet. The stand-pipe is 12 feet :n diameter and roo feet high, made of the best shell iron, with a tensile strength of 45,000. The pump is situated in the basement of the engine-house, and draws the water from the well and forces it into the stand-pipe, or through the water mains direct, at the will of the engineer. It has a steam cylinder 18}^ inches in diameter, and the water plungers are 9^ inches in diameter. The length of the stroke is 10 inches, and it makes from roo to 150 strokes per minute without the least jar or noise. Its pumping capacity is 850 gallons a minute, but it has made 1,000 a minute. The enginehouse is a substantial building of stone and brick, 14 x 28 feet, with a basement 9 feet deep, and 14 x 14 feet. The well is 29^ feet deep, 14 feet in diameter. Its tested inflow is 300 gallons per minute. 1 here are now three miles of main, with 32 hydrants.

Fire Company

Sandwich Fire Co., No. i, was organized Jan. 22, 1884. Samuel Mitten was appointed fire marshal by the City Council. William Hickok was elected first, and W. A. Williams second, assistant to the fire marshal. John Eberly was made foreman, witli Joseph Franc's first, and John Van Winkle second, assistant. At that time there were two hose carts, with 900 feet of hose, and one hook and ladder truck, with the necessary apparatus. New officers were elected in the spring of 1885. Samuel Mitten was re-appointed chief, with William Hickok first and John Eberly second assistant. W. A. Williams was made foreman, with Joseph Francis first, and John Van Winkle second, assistant. Charles Johnson is secretary and Frank Moore treasurer. New hose carts have been provided and 500 feet of hose added. Ths company is composed of 30 men, having five officers, 17 men on hose and 8 on hook and laddtr truck.

Hose Co. No. 2 is composed of youths of 18 and under. While not subject to the city, yet in case of fires it acts under direction of the fire marshal. It was organized Sept. 2, 1884, with Norman Mattison, foreman, A. Shepard, Jr., first assistant and Daniel Dickinson, second assistant. The company was organized at the request of the fire marshal. It has a hose cart, with 350 feet of hose. The company is composed of 17 men.

In The War

The war record of Sandwich, and in fact the township of Somonauk, is one in which the citizens take a just pride. On the i4th day of April, 1861, Fort Sumter fell, and on the 151!! the President issued his proclamation for 75,000 men. On Thursday eveing following, a meeting was held for the purpose of giving expression to the views of the people upon the troubles. While the meeting was in progress, L. H. Carr, who had been a soldier in the Mexican War, walked in with a paper in his hand, which proved to be an agreement by which those who signed offered tt eir services to the Government. Mr. Carr had placed his nam1.' at the head of the list. He was quickly followed by others, and before Saturday night a company of 112 men was raised and accepted by the Governor. On Sunday, the ladies of the village met for the purpose of preparing uniforms for the company. On Monday the company was on its way to Cairo. Thus within one week the little village of Sandwich raised, uniformed and sent en its way to the front one of the first companies raised in the State. All honor to the brave men who, at their country's call, offered their lives for its sake. All honor, too, to the noble women, who, without a murmur, though doubtless with breaking hearts, bid the loved ones go, and with willing hands prepared them for the field. This company was assigned to the loth Reg. 111. Vol. Infantry, and did valiant service during the war. Mr. Carr was chosen Captain, and at Island No. 10 met his death from the bullet of a rebel sharp-shooter.

F. W. Partridge soon after raised another company and was chosen Captain. This company was made a part of the 131!) Infantry. Captain Partridge was twice wounded, rose to the command of the regiment, and was brevelted Brigadier-General. William Patten also raised a company which became a part of the I56th Infantry. But these were not all. In other regiments were to be found the men of Sandwich and Somonauk Townships, who were numbered among the bravest of the brave. From the township

HE County of De Kalb is well supplied with railroads, but unfortunately has none running from north to south, though at present writing, in the spring of 1885, one is being surveyed which strikes the county on the southwest corner, and leaves it in the northeast, passing through the cities of De Kalb and Syc amore. The new road, while ostensibly being built by the Illinois Coal Company, is supposed to be backed by the Northwes'ern Railroad Company.

The citizens of De Kalb County were much "interested in railroad building even at an early day, and realized the necessity of using them for the development of the county. The Chicago & Galena Union Railroad Company was chartered in 1836 and authorized to build a railroad from Galena to Chicago. In 1838 a small amount of grading had been done on the prairie west of Chicago, and active operations were suspended. In the latter part of 1845 the subject was again agitated in regard to the road, and a ew company organized which purchased the charter with the design of completing the work. A meeting was called at Rockford Jan. 7, 1846, to be composed of delegates from each of the counties along the line of the proposed road. De Kalb was represented in the convention by James S. Waterman. The road was subsequently built, but north of this county.

In 1852 the Chicago, St. Charles & Mississippi Air Line Railroad was projected, to run through St. Charles, Sycamore, South Grove and Oregon to the Mississippi River at Savannah. James S. Waterman and Mr. Fordham, of Sycamore, first proposed the matter, and began correspondence with E. S. Litchfield, of the Michigan Southern Railroad, in relation to the matter. The latter favored the project, and a meeting was held at Sycamore in which $20,000 was subscribed in the stock of the new company. The proposal to build this road alarmed the managers of the Chicago & Galena Union road, and they were anxious to prevent its construction. They procured a charter authorizing the construction of the "Dixon Air Line " road, commencing at a point about six miles east of St. Charles and running direct west to Dixon, through the county of De Kalb. This was to be a branch of the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad. The village of Sycamore was to have been made a point on the proposed line, but for some cause the survey of a line four miles south was adopted. The road was built and in successful operation through the entire county in 1853. Entering the county on the east on section 25, township 40 north, range 5 east, it passes through the townships of Cortland, De Kalb and Malta. Three large towns have sprung up along its line in this county, each bearing the name of its respective township in which it is located - Cortland, De Kalb and Malta. Some years after the road was completed it passed into the hands of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, by whom it is now operated, and is known as the Council Bluffs & Omaha Line of the Northwestern Railroad.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company also completed its line through Somonauk Township, in this county, in 1853. On this line sprang up the towns of Sandwich and Somonauk.

The building of the Dixon Air Line, now the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, some four miles south of Sycamore, the county seat, left that town "out in the cold." Its enterprising citizens, however, were determined not to be without railroad facilities, so a company was organized to construct a road from Sycamore to Cortland, there to connect with the Dixon Air .Line. The Sycamore & Cortland Railroad was built and began operations in 1859. Among the active promoters of this enterprise were James S. Waterman, Chauncey Ellwood and Charles Kellum. The road was operated by the home company until 1883, when it was sold to the Northwestern. The township of Sycamore appropriatedjfi 0,000 to aid in its construction.

The Chicago & Iowa Railroad was the next one constructed in and through the county. The company was incorporated in 1869, and work almost immediately began. Francis E. Hinckley was elected President. The road was completed through the county in 1871. It enters the county on section 15, township 39 north, range 5 east, and runs through the townships of Squaw Grove, Clinton and Shabbona. The villages of Hinckley, Waterman and Shabbona are upon this line.

old village of Genoa, which, in early days, had been very prosperous, had almost ceased to exist, its trade being virtually ruined. A rarlroad was a necessity, and this it secured in 1875, when the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad Company constructed a branch of its road which crosses the Mississippi at Savannah, and runs west through Iowa to Omaha. This line passes through the townships of Genoa, Kingston and Franklin. The village of Genoa secured in its construction a new lease of life while the villages of Kingston, Kirkland and Fielding have sprung into being.

.E KALB County is at present divided into 165 districts, in which are 170 schoolhouses, and employs 2t5 teachers, 62 of whom teach in the 12 graded schools. The old log school-houses of the earlier days have all given place to frame and brick buildings. Many of the buildings are new, well finished and comfortable, some are really elegant. During the past year teachers and pupils have done a great deal toward making their rooms attractive by decorating the walls with pictures, mottoes and wreaths of autumn leaves. Many dictionaries, wall-maps and some reference books have been purchased by directors, and there is, in many locations, a growing interest manifested in school matters.

Directors are more careful in the selection of teachers and more liberal in payment of salary when the teacher is found qualified. By means of the annual institute and a system of teachers' meetings, together with a general dissemination of professional books and periodicals, the qualifications of the teacher have been raised to a much higher degree.

During the past much time has been squandered in irregular, aimless work. To obviate this, a plan of work was arranged by the County Superintendent, printed in " The School-Room Guide," and distributed to every district in the county, during the summer of 1884. The result has exceeded the most sanguine expectations. Fully 80 per cent of the schools followed the plan laid out during the past winter, and 90 per cent, took the first " general examination." Among the results attained are the following: In-

^ public money, keeping the records of the office and i. answering the hundreds of letters received from = teachers and school officers, but little time is left for taken some pains to inquire, and are able to say that £ from fifteen to twenty still survive. We personally 4 know that the following are alive : H. N. Perkins, r who at quite an early day was postmaster at New <j Lebanon. Those whom we do not know among the ' survivors, but are informed that they still live, are Geo. W. Kittell, Moses Bartlett, N. Durham and Rus- magnificent sum of $2.64, to perform the duties of postmaster for the year 1843. Peter Pratt, who lives on the interest of his money, was willing to be postmaster for $7. 1 1 in the year 1847. We suppose the reason that the North Pierce postoffice was discontinued in 1855 was that the postmaster wrote to Washington saying that if he couldn't get more than a 66-cent salary he would be obliged to resign ; and did resign. At the same time, when you get over at Ney and down to ; Hicks' Mills, you are confronted with the startling announcement that there were absolutely no returns ; but in the face of this, poor Mr. Goddsill and poor Mr. Mack worked right along, fortified, doubtless, with the hope of reward in the hereafter, if not here. They must have been good men. We suppose they all voted for ' Long John ' for Congress, and that if they had not he would have removed every last one of them, even those who looked and hoped and prayed for a salary which, alas, never came."

ANY years ago it was written that " it is not good for ir.an to be alone. The truth of the proverb is acknowledged, and men have from time immemorial been seeking mates. Previous to the organization of the county licenses had to be obtained from the County Clerk of Kane"County. The first license granted in this county was in October, 1837. During that and the following year there were made one fifteen couples, as follows .

From October, 1837, to January, 1885, there have been issued 4,910 marriage licenses from the office of the County Clerk. From the records it is learned that hard times and the war have had a depressing effect upon the matrimonial market. "When Johnny came marching home " there was a perceptible increase in the number of licenses issued as compared with the previous four years.

.ROM the books in the office of the County Clerk the following interesting items are obtained: In 1884 there were in the county 396,787 acres of improved land, valued by the local assessors in the various townships it $5,828,4*6. The County Bo?rd of Equalization reduced the amount less than $2,000, but the State Board reduced it to $5,010,744. The local assessors rated the town lots at $1,280,753. This was not changed by the County Board, but the State

Board reduced it to $1,024,580. The personal property was listed at $2,131,886 by the local assessors. The County Board reduced the amount to $2,119,- 386, which amount was not changed by the State Board. The total assessed value by the local assessors, exclusive of railroad property, -was $9,240,237. The State Board reduced the amount to $8,154,710, to which they added railroad property amounting to $471,376, giving a total valuation of $8,626,086. Among the items of personal property assessed were the following: Horses, 14,315 ; cattle, 45,324; mules and asses, 307; sheep, 7,473; hogs, 45,797; steam engines, 53; fire and burglar-proof safes, 105; billiard tables, 35 ; carriages and wagons, 5,424; watches and clocks, 4,325 ; sewing and knitting machines, 2,890; pianos, 291 ; melodeons and organs, 92 r. The value of goods and merchandise was estimated at $210,963; materials and manufactured articles on hand, $31,486; manufacturers' tools,$35,5 16; agricultural implements, $54, 695. There were estimated this year 843 acres of wheat; 11-2,546 of corn ; 61,976 of oats; 80,051 of meadow; 5,606 other field products; 119,116 enclosed pasture; 4,503 of orchard; 13,131 of woodland.

1 HE following reminiscences are from the pen of Hon. J. C. Kellogg, and were published in the Republican-Sentinels the spring of 1855: The territory now embraced in this county prior to the spring of 1835 was in possession of the Pottawatomie tribe of Indians. In all probability few, if any, white men had ever looked upon the unsurpassing beauty of its island groves and fertile prairies, until about the time of the defeat of Gen. Stillman's army by the Indians, on the Kishwaukee, near the northwest corner of this county, in 1832. Volunteers from the central and southern portions of this State, and others engaged in the Black Hawk War, were the first, no doubt, to portray in glowing colors "the right smart chance for making claims" in this charming region. But the "fullness of times "had not as yet arrived. True, some adventurous interloping borderer, "with desire may have desired " to extend " the area of civilization " over some of the big trees and rich acres " there lying and being" on the banks of the " roaring Kishwaukee ;" but then he knew that he was sure to be driven off

There were several Indian villages, under subordinate chiefs, within the limits of this county. One was near the residence of Hon. George H. Hill, in Kingston ; one near John Waterman's, in Pampas [Cortland] ; one near Calvin S. Colton's, in De Kalb ; one near the old farm of John Eastabrooks, in Squaw Grove; and near the Grove in the township of Shabbona was the village of Shabbona, one of the head chiefs of the Pottawatomie nation. From this place, after the surrender of Gen. Hull and Fort Mackinaw, and the Chicago massacre, Shabbona and his braves, accompanied by Wabansia and his warriors, sallied forth to join the forces of Tecumseh and the Prophet, in aid of the British in the War of 1812.

Poor Shabbona, warned by the prophets of the Great Spirit of the encroachments of " Young America," - no wonder that he should have sought to avert the calamity and crush the young giant before his sacrilegious march should triumph over his venerated dead, or before, over-awed by superior power and overcome by " fire-water," in a moment of weakness, he should give the homes and hunting grounds of his fathers to satisfy the all-grasping avarice of Chemo-ko-wan.

It having been noised about in the spring of 1835 that the Indians had agreed to remove west of the Mississippi the ensuing autumn, farther restraint was entirely out of the question. Although the monotonous song of the surveyor, "stake, stuck and tally," had not yet broken the solitude of nature in these regions, nevertheless the impetuous "sons of Ja pheth," like hounds " straining in the slips," were all a tip-toe to "dwell in the tents of Shem." Having learned that " delays are dangerous in claim-making and pre-emption fixins," in making their first debut in Chicago, where it is said they were severally charged one shilling for the privilege of leaning up against a sign- post over night, and two shillings for the "soft side of a white-oak puncheon," down came the settlers upon the newly acquired purchase " like a thousand of bricks," each carving out and appropriating to his own special use and benefit a most bountiful slice of very fat prairie with an abundance of good timber with which to cook it.

Soon after the Indians had done up their sugarmaking, when the groves began to grow leafy and the prairies grassy, as the sun sank low in the west, and the prairie wolves began to howl, and the sandhill cranes to scream and " poke, poke " along the ponds and sloughs for their evening meal of crawfish, a close observer might have espied afar off on an Indian trail, suspicious looking canvass, supposed to be the " sail " of a settler's wagon, evidently nearing some grove, and in a strait to get " somewhar " before nightfall. Presently, emerging from the dusky prairie, the settler's wagon, propelled by some four or five yoke of oxen, canopied by sundry bolts of sheeting; within, containing the family bedding, clothing and provisions; without, implements of cooking and husbandry, chickens in coops and pigs in pens, backed by a drove of cows, calves, colts and other young stock on foot, would loom up plainly to view, "fetching in " near some point, bay or plum thicket.

It was no uncommon thing in those days for the careful mistress of the wagon to " pail the keows " in the morning and place the milk where, by the incessant motion of the wagon, it would "churn itself." In this way the family were provided with a constant supply 'of good fresh butter ; and old chanticleer and his dames in the coop behind, never caught napping when hens should be awake, would keep up the laying process ; so that with other supplies from the wagon, a settler's wife could usually "scare up" a pretty good meal on short notice. In this hitherto neglected spot, where " firll many a flower was born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air," the weary, yet blithe and happy groups, might have been seen to alight, strike a fire, prepare, and, after craving God's blessing, eat their frugal meal; when, guarded by a watchful dog, and a still more watchful Providence, all would retire for needful repose into the inmost recesses of the wagon home. And, at early peep of dawn, one might have seen the anxious settler reconnoitering, with hurried steps, grove and prairie, when, after being "'detached here " - " countermanded there " - bothered almost to death for fear that among so many good chances he should fail to secure the best - at last he would bring himself to the " sticking point," seize the ax and " blaze the line in the timber," and, anon, hitch the team to the prairie plow and " mark out the furrow on the prairie."

man did that which seemed right in his own eyes." The size of claims therefore varied from two "eighties" of prairie and one of timber, to a half section of timber and a tract of prairie two miles square. Some assumed the right to make and hold claims by proxy, being thereunto authorized by some brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin or friend. Meanwhile new settlers poured in apace, astonished and perplexed to find the choice timber and prairie blazed and furrowed into claims, whose ample acres the claimant, with all his children, uncles, aunts and cousins, " to the third and fourth generations " would never be able to till or occupy. The new settlers, perplexed, baffled, and becoming more and more desperate on finding "God's green earth" thus monopolized, would approach his more fortunate neighbor, with the spirit of Abraham to Lot : " Now, I have come a great way to get some of this timber and prairie, 'and one thing is certain ; I am going to have some. There is enough for you and me, and our boys. - Now don't let us quarrel ; you turn to the right and I will turn to the left, or vice versa." Sometimes this good Scripture and consequently good common sense logic would win; but in other cases the grasping spirit of the borderer would stave off all kinds of division or compromise ; and, laying his hand >upon his rifle, he would bluster and threaten in " great swelling words." and drive away the " stranger from his right."

Hereupon arose innumerable disputes and wranglings concerning the size, tenure and boundaries of claims. The more reflecting among the settlers saw a dark cloud, big with the elements of strife and social disorder, gathering in the not very distant horizon, whose tornado blasts threatened soon to lay waste all that was of value in the rising community. There was no municipal law reaching these cases, and if there had been the settlers probably would have been none the better for it, for it is believed that at this time there was neither a justice nor a statute book north of the Illinois River and west of Fort Dearborn, unless we except Ottawa and Chicago.* Wrongs and outrages for which there was no known legal redress were being multiplied. Blackened eyes, bloody noses and chewed ears were living realities, while the dirk, pistol, rifle, with something like cold lead were significantly talked of as likely to bring about some " realities " which might not be " living." What could be done to insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare and secure to each settler his rights? Evidently but one thing. Happily, some had seen something in the New Testament about those who are " without law, being a law unto themselves," and settlers found themselves in this fix exactly. It was therefore apparent both from Scripture and reason that the settlers must become a law unto themselves, and, " where there was a will there was a way." A " settlers' meeting," at a given time and place, therefore, came to be a watchword from shanty to wagon, until all were alarmed. Pursuant to this proclamation a "heap" of law and order loving citizens convened on the 5th of September, 1835, at the shanty of Harmon Miller, then standing on the the east bank of the Kishwaukee River, in the town of Kingston.

Happily, the best possible spirit prevailed. The Hoosier from the Wabash, the Buckeye from Ohio, the hunter from Kentucky, the calculating Yankee, Brother Jonathan's " first born " and the " beginnings of his strength," impelled by a sense of mutual danger, here sat down in grave council to dictate laws to Kishwaukee and " the region lying round about throughout the coasts thereof." Hon. Levi Lee was chosen to preside over this august assemblage, where the three great departments of free government - the executive, the legislative and the judicial - were most happily united, and Capt. Eli Barnes was appointed secretary. Gently glided the sometimes turbid waters of that ancient river, the sonorous Kishwaukee, as speech after speech setting forth the wants and the woes of the settlers, the kind of legislation demanded by the crisis, went the rounds. Even those who were not used to " talkin" much 'fore folks " evinced their cordial approbation and readiness to co-operate by doing up an amount of cheering, which no doubt really did " astonish the natives." At last, ripe for immediate action, a committee was selected to draft and present to the meeting a constitution and by-laws by which the "settlers upon the public lands " should be governed. After some little deliberation back of the shanty, around the stump of a big white oak, which served as a writing desk, said committee reported a preamble, constitution and by-laws, which for simplicity, brevity and adaptation to necessity, it would be hard for any modern legislation to beat. The self-evident &, ?*$-$£ «|fcg§j£@ truths " proclaimed by Jefferson in the immortal Declaration," it is believed were, for the first time, reiterated on the banks of the Kishwaukee ; and had there been a little more time for reflection and preparation, the top of some settler's wagon would have been converted into a star-spangled banner and thrown to the breezes of heaven from the tallest tree top in the grove. The common sense, law and logic, as well as patriotism, contained in thie constitution and by-laws, were instantaneously recognized to be the very things demanded by the crisis, and were adopted with unparalleled enthusiasm, each subscribing his name thereto with his own hand, thereby pledging his " life, fortune and sacred honor " to carry out the provisions of the code. As nearly as can be recollected, its provisions were somewhat as follows : A prudential committee was to be then and there chosen whose duty it should be " to examine into, hear and finally determine all disputes and differences then existing, or which thereafter might arise between settlers in relation to their claims," and whose decisions, with certain salutary checks, were to be binding upon all parties, and to be carried out at all hazards by the three departments of government consolidated in aid of the executive, in what jurists sometimes denominate the "posse comitatus." Each settler was solemnly pledged to protect every other settler in the association in the peaceable enjoyment of " his or her reasonable claim as aforesaid ; " and further, whoever, throughout all Kishwaukee, or the coasts thereof, should refuse to recognize the authority of the aforesaid association and render due obedience unto the laws enacted by the same from time to time, should be deemed a heathen, a publican, and an outlaw with whom they were pledged to have no communion or fellowship. Thus was a wall affording protection to honest settlers built in troublous times. Hon. Levi Lee, Hon. George H. Hill, Captain Eli Barnes, James Green and Jesse C. Kellogg were chosen to be the settlers' committee, and who, as may well be supposed, had business on hand for some time in order to restore and " insure domestic tranquillity " and " promote the general welfare." The thing worked like a charm, and the value of these associations in Northern Illinois, to the infant settlements, has never been over-estimated. Similar associations were formed and maintained in Somonauk and other portions cf the county until the land came into market in 1843, when all De Kalb

County, except the north tier of townships, was sold to the highest bidder, that is, so far as terra firma w» concerned. The moral as well as the physical power of settlers' associations was so great that if a speculator presumed to bid on a settler's claim he was certain to find himself " knocked down and dragged out;" and had the land officers showed the least sympathy or favor to the rascal, there can be no doubt but that an indignant and outraged yeomanry would have literally torn the land office to fragments in almost " less than no time."

After a period of unexampled peace and prosperity, it was found that this living in a " state of nature " was liable to evils for which the late session of the legislature at Miller's shanty had provided no adequate remedy. The case was this: A had a promissory note against B and wanted his pay. B was not exactly prepared to " fork over," and being nettled that he should be dunned, had the audacity to intimate to A that " it might trouble him to get it anyhow." Kishwaukee was then, as well as other portions of the county, attached to La Salle for civil purposes. This was a real poser. Claim jumping had been provided for, but this appeared to be a novel case. Finally the settlers concluded if they had come to share the inheritance with the " Suckers " they must do as the Suckers did, and have some one who knew something about the Justinian code, the commentaries of Blackstone and the statutes of Illinois. So, in the summer of 1835 (1836), the exigency of the case having been duly made known, the County Commissioners of La Salle laid off by proper metes and bounds Kishwaukee precinct, wherein Joseph Collier and Stephen Morey were duly elected justices of the peace, who, in due time, were inducted into office before Joseph Cloud, Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court in Ottawa. Whether these worthy " squares " ever " got to see " a copy of the Illinois Statutes is much to be doubted; it may be supposed, however, with more certainty, that they were "clever men," and withal "right smart, and calculated to do 'bout what's right." The best of all is that Mr. B. on hearing the " squares " had got back from Ottawa, put over to Mr. A's in a "giffin," laid down the "spelter" and took up his note to save cost.

The Indians were still lingering among the settlers, rather loth to leave anyhow, and some, taking advantage of their " spiritual infirmities," were mean enough to filch away his pony, rifle and even the last blanket in exchange for whisky, or "good-^ietosh." As Nebuchadnezzar, after being turned out to grass awhile, "came to himself again," so a poor Indian, after a drunken debauch, will sometimes come to himself again and recoil upon those who let the snake out to bite him. In many things shrewd and discriminating, they know when, where and how to render " tit for tat." One instance, in illustration, where they came it over " che-mo-ko-man," will be given: A half Yankeefied Frenchman, who will be called Peter [Lamois], had made a claim upon the east side of the Kishwaukee, and had engaged a half civilized Indian boy, called Shaw-na-neese, to drive his breaking team. Now, as ill luck would have it, or " somehownother, " it came in their heads that for just about one barrel of good-ne-tosh, each, on his return to Walker's Grove, in Will County, might astonish the settlers with a nice Indian pony. The temptation lo play upon the Anglo-Saxon was too strong. Shaw-na-neese, who had a mother and sister living in the Big -Woods, near where Aurora now stands, was supposed to be well acquainted with the Indians, and could talk either Indian or English. So, off goes Peter for the whisky, never .once "linking "of the foolish settler, who, for fun, set a fire on the prairie that burnt up his own stacks. In due time the barrel of good-ne-tosh was regularly set up in the cabin of the settler, and "where the carcass is there will the eagles be gathered together." Shaw-na-neese talk - Indians talk - ponies plenty - good-ne-tosh plenty - so much pony, so much good-ne-tosh. Yes, humph ! the " doping " begins ; the che-mo-ko-man adding Kishwaukee at the bung by night to supply the deficit made at the faucet byday, until there was a moral certainty of perfecting the contract as to measurement. After the barrel was pretty much delivered of its contents and the sharpsters began to hint that it was time for them to " walk up," - that is, if they could - to the captain's office and settle, the Indians being really drunk or appearing to be, began to grumble about Peter cheating them, selling no good good-ne-tosh. Explanation was attempted, but the thing could not be explained ; expostulation was used, but in vain ; "you 'cheat poor Indian," and they grew madder and madder. Peter and his comrade began to have fears for their personal safety. There was no white man near, and if there had been they could not have expected that they would be sustained in such an enterprise. All on a sudden the terrific warwhoop burst from the whole group, and, drawing their long knives, they rushed upon the liquor dealers like so many fiends from the pit. Just at this moment another Indian snatched Shaw-na-neese on to a pony behind himself and galloped off at the top of his speed, for what has since been called Chartres' Grove. But, alas, and well-a-day, for unfortunate Peter, when he cried " there was none to deliver!" He had a good pair of legs, and "it came into his heart1' that "jess now," if ever, was the time to use them ; and bounding somewhere about a rod at a jump, he " cut for the bush," and the Indians after him, pell-mell. As good luck would have it, however, he managed to conceal himself in the thick brush and elude their grasp, until at last, giving up their chase, they returned to Peter's shanty. Here they soon made a finish of the remainder of the poor whisky, and, appropriating for their own " special use and benefit " Peter's bag of flour, frypan and new broadcloth coat, they vamoosed, cutting up those dreadful antics which savages thirsting for blood alone know how to perform. Peter's predicament was by no means enviable. He knew that he was in the wrong. He had time to think and he did " link.' He had time for thought and he "tought " if he ever lived to get out of the scrape he was " sure to quit te tarn liquor business anyhow." Afar off, from the bosom of the thicket, he had beheld the plunder of his shanty, and the subsequent withdrawal of his enemies. He had no doubt but what they had gone for reinforcements and would soon return and murder him. Perhaps they were still lying in ambush " to let the life out of him." Still thinking discretion the better part of valor, he kept still till it began to grow dark, when what should he hear but the friendly voice of his old comrade, Shaw-na-neese, cautiously calling lo him from the plundered shanty, and saying to him that he had just got away from the Indians, who were intending to come and kill him as soon as it was dark, and he was advised further by the red-skin not to make his whereabouts very public - was assured that he would get up the oxen, " gather up the fragments that remained," hitch on to the " truckle trackles," and H ,-s >»iiJ?«kjnr' SLi^vXsi/' join him with all possible dispatch in the grove. Peter and his comrade were at last under cover of the night, plodding their way over old logs, sloughs and brush, to the west side of the grove, from whence, in a cold rain-storm, and Peter in his shirt sleeves, they made good their retreat towards Walker's Grove, which they had the good fortune to reach the next day, drenched with mud and water; and where Peter, starved, cold and hungry, was prepared to do up any quantity of muttering and swearing about the "tarn Injins." Here, among the simple children of nature, behold the faint dawnings of a more perfect day ! We are not only indebted to them for the knowledge of succotash and hominy, but for what they have taught us in "getting shut " of the liquor dealer.

[After referring to the attempt to build a town by the New York Company, the desire of the people to form a county organization, and the call for an election for county officers, Mr. Kellogg continues :]

The day of election for county officers at last arrived. The settlers, " by the grace of God free and independent," from " Norcutt's to Driscoll's" and from Somonauk to the farthest verge of Franklin, were seen flocking to the house of Frederick Love, and certain big trees thereunto belonging - for it soon became apparent that all could not begin to get in at once. Let it not be understood, however, that there is any design to speak disparagingly of the old cabin of Judge Love, for it was a very respectablelooking shanty for those days, and within and without betokened more than usual thrift, means and hospitality. There were some - alas! the truth may as well be told - too many for the security of well disposed and honest settlers, who affected utter contempt for all claim associations, calling them " land monopolies," declaring that one settler had just as good right to cut down Uncle Sam's timber and fence up his prairie as another. This might have been true in the abstract, and yet the first claimant and occupant was entitled to the preference, to just so much as was needful to him and no more. All pre-emption laws are based on this principle, - " first come, first served." It was clearly seen by the more reflecting that if the contrary doctrine should prevail, all security to property in claims would be at an end; " domestic tranquillity could not be ensured," nor could the " general welfare be promoted." Claim associations must therefore be maintained and their authority respected, or society would be resolved into original chaos, each defending himself and his by his own right arm - that is, if he was able. In what way can the reasonable claim of the settler be best secured until the lands shall be surveyed and brought into market, was then the all absorbing question. Compared with this, the question whether the " hero of Tippecanoe," or the " foxy Dutchman of Kinderhoof " should come to the Presidential chair was of no consequence. As a "tariff for revenue," or a "tariff for protection," the settlers were in for one that should insure both. In a word, they found themselves divided into two parties, denominated " Claim Jumpers " and " Anti-Claim Jumpers."

After the whittling, log-rolling, caucusing and liquoring had been done up, the respective parties rally their hosts at the polls and quietly await the issue. On counting the votes, it was found that the Anti-Claim Jumpers' ticket was elected by a very handsome majority. Levi Lee, Rufus Colton and Robert Sterrett were elected County Commissioners ; Joseph C. Lander, Sheriff; Jesse C. Kellogg, Recorder. The County Commissioners elect at once repaired to the house of Rufus Colton, where " each administered the oath to the other," as authorized by the act to create the county of De Kalb. The Commissioners appointed Jesse C. Kellogg Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court ; Eli Barnes, County Surveyor; and Lysander Darling, County Treasurer; ordered a special term to be held in a few days at the same place to lay off the county into justices' districts and election precincts, and before the "guns of the glorious Fourth came booming over ' the land of the free and the home of the brave,'" De Kalb was a "sis" in the sisterhood of counties in the Prairie State. Of the County Commissioners, Hon. Levi Lee, now a citizen of Wai worth Co , Wis., a member of t'he Legislature, alone survives. [Lee has since died.] That kind-hearted, worthy old settler, Lysander Darling, County Treasurer, and, it is believed, Joseph C. Lander, the first Sheriff, have gone down to the grave. Rufus Colton, the County Commissioner in the central portion of the county, was a native of New England, and a son of a Congregational minister. Much of his early life was spent in a printing office, where he acquired that business tact and readiness of the pen for which he was so justly celebrated. For several years he conducted a weekly journal, called the Woodstock Observer, in Windsor Co., Vt. ; was the first Probate Justice, the first Clerk of the Circuit Court of De Kalb County ; a warm-hearted friend, and, if from local cause, over an enemy, still a generous one. During the last years of his life -a member of the Congregational Church at Sycamore, and sympathizing deeply in the down-trodden and oppressed, he has gone down to the grave, and his remains repose in hope i was by birth a Pennsylvania!!, a man of uncompromising integrity, and one always knew where to find him. He was shrewd and discriminating ; in politics a Democrat; in religion, a Calvinistic Baptist; in claim matters, as true a man as ever " broke bread." He lived respected and died lamented. His remains sleep quietly in his own loved Somonauk. Of the first County Clerk and County Surveyor, nothing need be said, as they are still " living characters, known and read by all men." [Both have since passed away.]

The day for the special term of the County Commissioners' Court having at length fully come, selfmade and constituted attorneys, men having business at Court, boys and lawyers, curious to " see the elephant," and " how the thing worked," were seen pouring into the village of Coltonville from all directions. This village was a common center between Levi Lee and Robert Sterrett, really in advance of most of the prospective paper towns of those days, the powerful competitor of Centerville, Brush Point and Sycamore, or Orange, as Sycamore was then called ; for the " county seat " then consisted of a neat hewed-log cabin with ample " linters " and fixtures, standing on the bluff southeast of the present residence of C. S. Colton [in 1881; the residence of the south branch of the Kishwaukee, on or near the site of the old Indian town, and containing under one roof a dwelling-house for a large family, a store, a postoffice, a tavern, a justice, a physician and an attorney's office. In addition to the ordinary business, it so happened that on this memorable day, some two or three sharply contested lawsuits were pending before Justice Colton, and attorneys, parties, constables, jurors, witnesses, men wanting " license to keep a quiet and orderly house," where they could get their neighbors druiik " in pursuance of la\v," were soon seen in patient " waiting upon court," anxious to have their business done up. The County Commissioners from the north and from the south country had arrived. The County Commissioner from the interior, as may well be supposed, had an unusual press of business. The Clerk, having the records of the former court in the top of his hat, half a quire of foolscap, sundry articles of stationery, and some of " Rogers' best cutlery " in his pockets, was already seen standing at the door - there being no room for him in the inn, when the whole multitude within and without,

It was readily perceived that if the good landlady was to get dinner for 75 or 100 " hands," that she would need what little elbow-room could well be spared in the kitchen, and how she did it must ever be to some an incomprehensible mystery, and yet she did, and " behold, it was very good." One thing is quite certain : in those palmy days the prairie grass did not grow under the feet of that landlady. Business being urgent, however, it was thought best to locate a spare table in the shade on the i.orth end of the house, and open court out of doors. Sheriff Lander, with the assistance of the by-standers, having set the table and given it a business-like aspect, and Hon. Levi Lee having produced and laid thereon a " bound book," a cast of merchant's ledger with the accounts torn out, the best that could be produced, it was proclaimed in stentorian tones, at last, that "the County Commissioners' Court of De Kalb county was in session and ready for business." The Court having taken a recess for dinner and again resumed business, applications for merchants' and tavern licenses were presented and granted, of course on condition that the applicant file a bond, pay a certain sum into the treasury, together with the sum of one dollar for the use of the clerk, agreeable to the statute in such cases made and provided. [In dividing the county into election precincts] one would think the line here and another there ; but it was I universally conceded that the east line of the county began "somewhar" near the big slough bridge east of Winslow Norcutt's, or where Homer Roberts now lives; consequently, quite a portion of Kane County,

In relation to the names of the groves, Somonauk takes its name from the creek bearing the same name, and in old times could be safely spelt any way that first came to hand. Squaw Grove has its name thus because it was much frequented by the squaws when the men were gone on their hunting excursions, and Pappoose Grove, because pappoose may be a little squaw. Ross Grove from Joseph Ross, the first settler. Johnson's, from Johnson, the first settler. Paw Paw, from -Paw Paw in Michigan, or some other place. Lost Grove, because it seemed to have strayed away from all the rest of the groves, and to have got lost, and there stopped. The chain of groves southwest of Sycamore, united by isthmuses, and perhaps by a common sympathy, of course would be called Union Grove. Most of the early settlers in the grove southeast of Sycamore, having come from Ohio, what more natural than it should receive the name of Ohio Grove ? The beautiful little grove, a little northeast from Sycamore, was so named because a Norwegian doctor by the name of Norbo first settled there. The grove further northeast, Chartres', because a Frenchman by that name was its first settler; and the grove northwest of Sycamore Big Grove, because, when compared with other groves, it was big. Hickory Grove, north of Genoa, is so called because hickory was so abundant there. Last of all, Driscoll's Grove took its name from the far-famed Driscolls,one of whom had settled here, from whence he was kidnapped and taken to a little grove in Ogle County by a band of lynchers, where he, with his father, after undergoing the mock forms of a trial and conviction, were shot down like dogs, and tumbled into a common grave. Humanity shudders at the thought of this bloody transaction. In truth it might be said, however, that the horse-stealing, robberies and murders of the " banditti of the prairies " had become, as :t was thought, intolerable. Yet it cannot be safely argued that the end justified the means. None of the old neighbors of the Driscolls who resided at this grove, believe him to have been connected with any of these enormities, though his father and relations might have been. The old Scripture principle that " the son should not bear the iniquity of the father," it seemed, was of no avail to him. After the massacre of the Driscolls, this grove took the name of V South Grove, because it lies south of the main body of tf

HE following reminiscence was given by Major Evans Wharry to V. Hix, in March, 1879, and by the latter prepared for the City Weekly. Leaving out the introductory clause, we copy as follows : The Major and a Mr. Sharer, both members of the New York Land Company, came here in 1836, with the view of taking up a large tract of land in the interest of the company. They landed in Chicago in May, 1836, and after remaining in that city for a couple of weeks started for Galena, by way of Rockford. Reaching this locality, they met with Dr. Madden, formerly a resident of Brush Point, Mayfield, and at that time a member of the Illinois General Assembly. The project of the formation of De Kalb County, then a part of Kane County, was being talked up, and the Doctor, being favorably impressed with the Major and the mission upon which he was bent, prevailed upon him to stop here and assist him in a scheme which he had in view, which was no less than to locate a shire town for the new county. The Major, thinking favorably of the project, consented, but did not think the selection of a site for the new county seat which the Doctor made, a good one. The site in question was what is now the Thomas Wood farm, half a mile north of the river bridge, and formerly well known as the Clark Wright place. The land there is comparatively low and level, and as the Major's eyes took in the elevated situation south of the river, and upon which the city of Sycamore now stands, he was at once of the opinion that it should have been selected. But the Doctor was allowed to have his own way, and the Major at once commenced improvements on the quarter section chosen, a portion of which the Doctor was to have for his influence in the legislation needed to locate the capital town of the county. In fact, the Doctor and Major were mutually interested, and both hoped to realize handsomely outof their venture inapecuniary way. The Doctor, by agreement between the two, was to have 50 of the 160 acres. He returned to Springfield to see to the appointment of a Board of Commissioners to locate the county seat, and the Major went to work in the interests of the new town, and had the same platted and placed on record at Geneva. He purchased Norwegian Grove, lying a little to the east, paying for the same the sum of $400, and removed Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, who gave the name to the grove, to Geneva ; purchased two or three teams of oxen, erected a store on the premises now owned by Roswell Dow. He also bridged the river, constructed a dam, cut a mile race from a point near the southwest corner of Norwegian Grove, through the lowlands just north of the river bridge, traces of which remain to this day, and erected a saw-mill, and sought to make the place a prominent one for those days. At that time the old State road, running west from Geneva to the Mississippi, ran along the north side of Norwegian Grove, and this fact may have had something to do with the selection of Dr. Madden as a member of the Legislature.

While the Doctor was busy in the Legislature the Major was busy at home. Commissioners favorable had been selected by Madden and things promised a happy termination. The Doctor, however, had a deeper purpose in view than the Major had at first suspected, but which soon showed itself. Madden came back in advance of the Commissioners and insisted that he must have more than the 50 acres at first agreed upon. At this the Major was taken somewhat aback, but finally consented to increase the number of acres to 75, the amount of land the Dod or thought he ought to have. This would have been willingly acquiesced in by the Major; but just upon the eve of the selection of a site by the Commissioners the Doctor became still more greedy and demanded 100 acres. Then the Major's ire was thoroughly aroused, and in the height of his indignation he vehemently told the Doctor to go to gehenna; that he would never give him that amount of land. The two were now at sword's points, and the Doctor at once set about to secure the location of the county seat at Brush Point. Apprised of his purpose, the Major quietly but actively began to bestir himself to defeat the Doctor, and at once hired riders to traverse the county to enlist the citizens in his behalf. The Commissioners came, two of them, and 150 men from all parts of the county met them upon their arrival. The place of meeting was at the Major's store. The day was spent in consultation. There were several parties in this part of the county who had a location for the county seat in view, among them Captain Eli Barnes, who then owned what is now the John Burke farm, on the De Kalb road. There was where the Captain wanted it located. Then there was Mr. Calvin Colton, of Coltonville, who desired its location at his place. And it was wanted by a party from Genoa.

On the next day, the interest increasing, there were 200 men assembled at the Major's headquarters. The party was mounted on horses, and finally, in company with the Commissioners, they all started out to inspect the different competing localities for the county seat. They crossed the river and halted first upon the site the Major had all the time favored and which, after his quarrel with Madden, he determined to secure, if possible, and that was where the city now stands. Here the Major pointed out in eloquent teims the natural advantages of the place, after which the party took up the line of march. It was a jolly crowd and a jolly occasion. There was running of horses, whooping and all manner of fun afloat. Reaching the Captain Barnes place they listened to a stump speech from that redoubtable individual and then struck for Coltonville. This locality was soon inspected and away they broke for Brush Point. After reaching there the Major invited the party to ride to the west for a distance of about 60 rods, which was done, and they found themselves in the middle of a large flat covered with water. This, the Major said, was the place the Doctor had selected for the county seat, for the reason that it would never lack a supply of water! Then a derisive shout went up at the expense of the Doctor and the party took up the line of march for Genoa. From Genoa they finished the circuit .-by bringing up at the Major's store. Here a further confab followed until finally one of the Commissioners, Mr. Walker, told the party to go home, but to return on the morrow, when the county seat would be located.

The eventful day arrived and so did the crowd. The party mounted and again visited each and every place they had gone to the day previous, with the exception of Genoa. The Commissioners said that Genoa was a nice place but too near the north line of the county to be available. Then Commissioner Walker spoke and informed the crowd that with the concurrence of the other Commissioners (one of them was absent in St. Louis) he should designate the place selected by Major Wharry for the capital of the county. The other Commissioner, Mr. Thurston, who was in close confab with Madden at the time, refused to concur with Walker, and advised that the absent Commissioner be summoned. He was asked if he would be present providing the absent man could be got here, and replied that he would not - that he would never come there again. This exasperated the Major and his friends, and they finally made him say as to which of the different sites visited he preferred; and, being considerably frightened by the demonstration made, said that if he must, he would say that Wharry 's selection seemed the- most favorable. The matter was ended by Walker, who stuck a stake, painted red at the top, near where the court-house now stands, and the crowd drove it four feet into the ground. Afterwards a hickory pole about roo feet high was raised on the spot by the Major and his friends, where it stood with colors flying from the top.

Madden continued to fight against the location with all his might, but the people of the county came forth winners. The friends of the Major here were aided by the settlers at the southern extremity of the county on condition that the former should aid them in their desire to be set off and become a part of the county adjoining them on the south, which was agreed to. The support given to the Half-Shire bill some years ago by the people here is said by the Major to have been in consequence of the agreement spoken of, but how this may be we do not pretend to know or to say.

The land tract located by Major Wharry and Mr. Sharer in the interest of the Land Co., after the agreement first entered into by Madden and the Major, embraced two square miles of land with the boundaries as follows : Commencing about one quarter of a mile north of the Roswell Dow place, the west line was run to the south two miles, thence to the east, taking in a portion of Ohio Grove, and which also included the old Indian village, on what is now known as the Tyler farm ; thence north two miles, running to the north of Norwegian Grove, and taking in the same, and thence west two miles to the place of beginning. It will thus be seen by those familiar with the section of country embraced within the lines, that the tract included the quarter section upon which the county-seat was to be located, and which is now the Thomas Wood farm. The Major tells us that the tract was marked out with a plow, four yoke of oxen being used and four days being consumed in the undertaking.

Of course the old town north of the river was soon abandoned after the site for the county seat was finally determined upon. We have already spoken of Captain Eli Barnes. The Captain is accredited with building the first house in Sycamore, the same being the present City Hotel, then known as the Mansion House. Although the first constructed, the Barnes tavern was not the first house on (he ground. A little wooden building had been moved here from the old Hamlin place, south of here, and was occupied by a Dr. Bassett, the first physician of the place. John P. and Charles Waterman were the first merchants. This was in 18*39. This year the old courthouse was built, which stood nearly opposite the present one, and was a very primitive affair. The next year - 1840 - the village consisted of about a dozen houses. Among others resident at the time, and whose names are familiar to many of our readers, were E. S. Jewell, D. Banister, Jesse C. Kellogg, Carlos Lattin, L. D. Walrod, Jos. Sixbury, F. Love, and Marshall Stark. The Mayos and other early settlers did not come until a year or two later.

By the way, we asked the Major how he got his title. We supposed he had seen actual military service; participated, perhaps, in the Black Hawk or some other memorable war, and were anxious to hear him recount his military exploits. But in this we were disappointed. He was only Major of a company organized in the earliest days here for protection against the raids of the banditti of the prairies, who infested this portion of the West. In the same way Marshall Stark got to be Colonel and Eli Barnes Captain. Many now living remember seeing Captain Barnes at the head of Fourth-of-July processions in Sycamore, dressed in uniform, with sword and pistols, and mounted on his clumsily caparisoned steed. We remember him well, and it was with a feeling of awe that we gazed upon his stern features, and heard the severe orders as they issued from his lips to those under his command. He has long since been dead.

Index

Hager,C 753 Haile. Nathaniel A 278 Haish, Adam 498 Haish, Jacob 415 * Hall, Jacob M 740 Hall, Sherman A 193 Hall, Stephen A 466 Hallam, Charles 541 Hamilton, James L 669 Hamilton, John M ,79 Hampton, Robert F 655

Source changes here: from Past and Present of DeKalb County, Illinois, by Gross, Lewis M, published 1907; 4,966 words in this source stream.

Sycamore Township

The story of the township in which the county -i-;ii is located is generally in a large measure the history of the county. Sycamore was not settled first, but probably third. Squaw Grove and Somonauk settlements preceding it by a few claims. The first settler of Sycamore township was probably Lysander Darling. lie located on the farm now owned by Charles Davy on the Genoa and Sycamore road. Another early settler here was a Mr. Charters, a frontiersman, who located in the grove in the northeast part of the town, and from him the name of Charters Grove was taken. Peter Lamoy, a man of splendid ability, was one of those of a class now almosl extinct, who roamed upon the frontiers of civilization, and he made his home here for a time. The storj of Peter Lamis and of his selling liquor to the Indian- is given in the reminiscences of Jesse lv Llogg. Marshall Starksettled here in 1835, and in 1836 served as one of the first county jurors from Kane county. Others who followed in the year 1835 were Jesse C. BLellogg, Edward F. White. Carlos Lattin, who had settled temporarily in the 30utb part of the state, removing to De Kalh count] this year, and took possession of a claim, including -i side of built the firsl house in what is now Sycamore, of logs, on Mam street, on the presenl site of the Sycamore National Bank. This was his home for ten years, and in 1841 he erected a brick house on in the later "."iOs his iv- .Ion,, was a large frame house on the cornel oi Somonauk and High streets, where hi- daughter, Mrs. F. E. Stevens, now re^ sides.

Sharer, a wealthy Ww Yorker, who in company with Evans Wharry, Clark White and Mark Daniels, tinder the Brm name of C. Sharer & I pany, claimed two square miles of land, running from Marshall Stark's land on the north to the south line of the tow oship. At this time the township had no1 been laid oul nor the county surveyed, but tlie\ struck out the sup] osed lines w il teams and plow. This company dammed the Kishwaukee river, built a mill, enclose:! with a highj heavy rail fence a trad - wide and two

Somonauk street, and prepared to build a town. This was in the days of inflated paper currency and ' towns" were laid out in every part of the Mississippi valley. The old town nortli of the creek consisted oi two or three log cabins. In one Esquire Eli (.. Jewell kept a blacksmith and wagon shop and J. C. and Charles Waterman a store. In 1837, after the county seat contest, which is given in the reminiscences of Evans Wharry, were settled and the present court house site was located, the town was removed from north ol the river to the present site and laid out by Evans Wharry and .lames Waterman. The latter was a surveyor. An early resident of the village was Captain Eli Barnes, who built the first frame house in the town, which was known for years as the City Eotel and stood on the site of the Sycai e Library. It was later purchased by F. B.

Town-end and removed across the street, repaired and still is occupied as a hotel. The second frame house in the town had been removed from the Hamlin farm and was occupied by Dr. Barrett, the firsl physician of the place. It stood until 1855, residence, and was then burned down on suspicion thai it had been used for the sale of liquor. The old court house was built in 1839 nearly opposite the presenl structure and in 1840 the little village consisted of a dozen houses scattered over considerable land without fences and with but one well, t aptain Barnes' hotel was one of the best hostelries wesl of Chicago and for years was called the

Charles in I83"t and Mr. charters left about the same tune and at present it is not known where Lysander Darling located after leaving Sycamore. Edward White had located his claim on land now owned by A. F. Park and for a time that was one of the places of interest in the county. The first religious - tereises of the town were held in the

Jesse C. Kellogg, who became prominent in county affairs, taught the winter term of 1837-8 and religious exercises from this time forward were held in the sehoolhouse. The first child born in the township was Caroline White, who was born August 31, 1836; the first boy was Marcus Walrod, born in 1838. The first wedding was that of Daniel Lamb and Julia Maxfield, March 16, 1838. and the first death that of Mrs. Lorinda (Wood) French. May 29, 1837. Mark Daniels was the first postmaster in the town, receiving his appointment in 1837, the salary being sixteen dollars and eighty-eight cents.

After the organization of the county the first Fourth of July celebration in our history took place at the tine new log house of Ephraim Hall. At this time Mr. Hall's residence was no doubt one of tin' very best in the county. A picture of this building, which still stands, will lie found in this history, and an account of the celebration is given in the county history proper.

Mr. Lattin was not married until 1839, so he and Marshall Stark kept "old bach" together. "Carlos'' never liked housework, and after eating a meal the two would try a game of old sledge to see who would be kitchen maid, and as Marshall proved the shrewdest player, poor Carlos generally had to wash the dishes, much to his discomfort. So passed the days, and in their declining years they loved to live them over and over again, notwithstanding all the privations endured, and although their last days were spent in plenty and amid all the luxuries of life, their happiest days were the struggling days of their pioneer life.

Another old settler in the north part of the town was Edward Jackman, whose son Kendall later removed to Genoa and still lives at an advanced old age, and is prominent in Genoa's political and social life. The Clark Wright farm now owned by F. B. Townsend was first selected as the proper site for a county seat, a change afterward being brought about by disagreement between Dr. Henry Madden and Evans Wharry, so that to Evans Wharry particularly we are indebted for the selection of the present site of our court house.

In 1839 Sycamore had grown to be a village of a dozen houses, but most of its inhabitants boarded in the Mansion House, a portion of which was also used as a store. Those who came in 1838 and 1839, who afterwards were prominently identified with the interests of the town and county, were Joseph Sixbury, Timothy Wells, Sylvanus Holcomb, Clark Wright, E. D. Robinson, E. P. Young, Deacon Harry Martin.

The Walrods came to this town in 1839, but had settled previously at Union Grove on land which is now in Do Kalb township. Those who came and settled outside of the village were Ralph Wyman, Amos Storey, Benjamin Evans and Elihu Wright. After locating the county seat Eli G. Jewell was required to sell at auction certain lands of the one hundred and sixty acres of land which had been donated to the county. Twenty lots were sold at from fifteen to twenty dollars, the size being twenty by thirty feet, and the first session of the court was held here in 1839. After the first court house was built the first school taught in the village by Dr. Bills in the second story of the court house, and it was occupied for several years and the first public school house was built here in 1853.

The Congregational society was organized here in 1840 and held meetings in the court house. Mr. Charters built his log house on land now owned by Elijah Garvin. Eli G. Jewell located first on the farm now owned by James Divine, and the exact site of Dr. Norbo's house is now known. Other stores were opened here in the early '40s and Sycamore became quite a business center. In 1842 Sycamore had doubled the number of houses of 1839 and had three wells, but much sickness prevailed on account of the surface water, which many were compelled to drink from the shallow wells provided at that time. One of the pioneers who still lives at an advanced age remembers that during her first visit here nearly half of the people were sick from fever and ague. The life of the town centered around the Mansion House, and many social events patronized for many miles around occurred there. In the early '40s two cemeteries were laid out, one known as the Methodist cemetery on the site of the Methodist parsonage on Somonauk street and the other located on East State street. These were occupied until about 1865, when the bodies occupying these old cemeteries were taken up and removed to beautiful Elmwood cemetery, southeast of town.

During the '40s the early band of pioneers were reinforced by the Mayos, Hosea Willard. George Weeden, James Harrington, J. C. Waterman, C. 0.