Vernon Township

Vernon Township

Much that pertains to the early history of this town has already been given under the head of the county at large. To dwell thereon here, at any very con¬ siderable length, would be but a repetition of what has already been said.

Among the early settlers of this town were Capt. Daniel Wright, Asahel Talcott, Clark Knights, William Easton, Seth Washburn, John Herrick, John and Robert Easton, Theron Parsons, Hiram Kennicott, Mathias Mason, Andrew S. Wells, Elisha Gridley, John A. Mills, Rufus Soules, R. E. and J. M. Washbum, James Chambers, Alonzo Cook, Henry Wells, John Gridley, Thomas Bradwell, Wm. Wigham and Moses Putney.

In this portion of the country was commenced the first settlement of the county ; hence, as a general thing, the first occurrences of every kind arising in human affairs transpired in what now comprises this township.

Here, in 1834, was built the first habitation, by Capt. Daniel Wright. Here occurred the first marriage and the first death. \ Here, in 1835, settled the first lawyer, Hiram Kennicott, who was also the first Justice of the Peace. Here also was built the first saw-mill and sawed the first lumber, and here was erected the first framed building, or building constructed of sawed material. Here was established the first Post Office and the first store of goods, and here was taught the first school. With most of these first occurrences is associated the name of Hiram Kennicott. He was the first lawyer in the county, the first Justice of the Peace, married the first couple, tried the first law-suit, built the first saw-mill, opened the first store of goods and built the first framed building in the county, all of which occurred in this town. It may be added that the first election in what is now Lake County was held at the house of Hiram Ken¬ nicott, in this town.

There was a warm contest among the inhabitants in adopting a name for this town. The petitions and communications to the Commissioners haying the matter in charge, on the subject, were quite numerous. Many of the inhabit¬ ants at that time being from Rome, in the State of New York, desired that name as the name of the town, and so expressed their wishes by petition, and at a public meeting. This was opposed by others, who came from some other locality. The name of Half Day was urged by many of the older inhabitants who had became attached to that name from early associations. This was opposed by others, partly because it was not deemed a very appropriate name, and because no satisfactory account could be given of its origin. The com¬ missioners finally disregarded all the names proposed, and selected the name of Vernon, from Mt. Vernon, the home of Washington.

Of the early settlers of this town, Matthias Mason, the first County Treas¬ urer, still survives, and remains a resident here. He came to Chicago about the year 1833, and there worked at blacksmithing until he came to this county. It is remembered that in the Spring of 1835, he had his shop - a log building - on the corner of Lake and Dearborn streets, opposite the Tremont House.

Elisha Gridley, one of the early settlers of this town, came here when quite young. He is still a resident of the town. He has served several terms as Supervisor of the town, and has been a Representative in the Legislature.

The first town meeting in this town, under township organization, was held at Half Day Village, on the first Tuesday in April, 1850. Matthias Mason presided as Moderator, and Robert M. Hamilton acted as Clerk. The follow¬ ing persons were elected as the first town officers: Capt. James Moore, Super¬ visor; Orange Brace, Town Clerk; Philander Stewart, Justice of the Peace; Elisha Gridley, Assessor; H. H. Hawkes, Job W. Tripp and Irwin Ruth, Commissioners of Highways ; J. W. Ayres, Constable and Collector ; Robert Hamilton, Overseer of the Poor.

The Methodist Episcopal Church commenced work in this town at an early day. About the year 1837, a class was formed at Half Day, of which William Hamilton was Leader, and Joseph E. Kennicott, Steward. Some of the mem¬ bers of this class were as follows : David Hamilton and wife, Mary A. Hamil¬ ton, Andrew S. Wells, and wife, Mrs. John Gridley and her daughters, Eliza-

The Congregational Church of Half Day was organized November 20, 1841. Rev. Elbridge G. Howe was the first minister. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph H. Payne in January following.

The names of members at the time of the organization were ; Joshua Pelton and wife, Susanna Pelton; Sarah Hawkes, Joshua Pelton, Jr., and wife, Esther Pelton; Thomas Pelton, Levi Walker, Jane B. Walker, Lyman Wilmot, Clarissa Wilmot, Jesse Wilmot, Luther Farnham, Mary Cook, Silas Stevens, Selina Stevens.

The Presbyterian Church was organized April 24, 1870, by J. H. Trow¬ bridge, from Chicago. Number of members, 22. The present minister is Rev. S. R. Dale. The present church building at Half Day was built in 1876.

The Evangelical Association was organized at Long Grove about 1845. Rev. C. Kopp was the first minister. The first members were as follows :

Christian Erb, Sr., and wife; Martin Fehlman, Sr., and wife ; Henry Knopf and wife; Adam Knopf and wife; John Knedlesand wife, and four daughters and one son, Harrison ; James Morse and wife.

The Lutheran Protestant United Congregation at Long Grove was organized in 1847. Thefirst regular appointed minister was Mr. Simon Damsen ; before him Mr. Francis A. Hoffmann, formerly banker in Chicago, preached there a few times. The first members were :

The St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church was formed at Buffalo Grove in this town, in 1848. Rev. Mr. Fordmann.was the first Priest. This church is near the county line, and a portion of the members live in Cook County. There were at first about 10 members ; now about 450. The present Priest is Rev. Joseph W. Goebbels. A church edifice was built in 1852, and destroyed by fire in 1854. It was rebuilt in 1856.