Waddams Township

Waddams Township

MRS. liUCY AUJLT, proprietor of the Pennsylvania Hotel, McConnell's Grove; her husband. James Ault, was born Jan. 1, 1825, in Centre Co., Penn.; he died in November, in 1860. She came with lier parents to Stephenson Co., in 1844 ; they were married in 1845 ; she was the daughter of George and Rebecca Lara, and was born Jan. 31, 1827; she owns 172 acres of land about this hotel property; have eight

W. K. BECHTOLD, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. McConnell's Grove ; bora Aug. 31, 1852, in Lebanon Co., Penn. ; in the spring of 1855 he came with his parents to Stephenson Co. ; his father owns about 140 acres of land, which he manages. Married Miss Delilah Stutsman, in 1878 ; she was born in Elkhart Co., Ind, ; they have one child - Lucinda E. His father, William Bechtold, was born Jan. 30, 1821, in Lebanon Co., Penn. ; he was engaged at various pursuits before coming West, among which was milling, boating on the Schuylkill River, mason-work and burning lime; he sold from fifty to sixty thousand bushels a year ; continued this about eleven years ; he served seventeen years as Captain of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, a*' commander of the 2d Brigade, 5th Division ; in th^ spring of 1855 he removed to this county ; he has the finest garden and vineyard in the county ; many of his grapes are imported ; he owns a very desirable residence, built in 1871 ; it cost $3,000. He married Elizabeth Smelser, Oct. 18, 1841 ; she was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1820 ; they have had seven children, six living - Samuel A., Mary M., Levi S., William K., Andrew S. and Linus G-.; Aaron J., died Aug. 31, 1845, in his third year.

THOMAS BROWN, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. McConnell's Grove; born Jan. 26, 1823, in Centre Co., Penn. ; in 1853 he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 80 acres of land. He married Miss Susanna England, in 1846; she was born in Centre Co., Penn. ; they have one son - George L. ; Thomas L. died in 1868, aged 17 years ; lost two children in infancy. He is a Republican in politics.

Li. B. CHURCHILL, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. McConnell's Grove; born Dec. 12, 1831, in Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt. ; in 1841, he came with his parents to Franklin Co., N. Y. ; in 1849, they removed to Freeport, 111. ; in 1867, he came to his present farm, consisting of 73 acres. Married Mary J. Hawkins, daughter of Thomas H. Hawkins, who came to this county in 1835 ; he died May 16, 1879 ; she was born in Pendleton Co., Ky., in 1833 ; they have five children - Herbert, William, Abbie, John and Frank. He enlisted in 1861 in the 12th I. V. I., Company B ; served till April, 1862, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh.

N. A. CLARK, farmer^ Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Lena ; born June 23, 1852, in Waddams Township ; in 1850, his parents came to this locality ; his father died April 11, 1874, aged 58 years ; he owns 172 acres of land. He married Miss Lydia Shoesmith in 1879 ; she was born in Kent Township.

J. C. CONATY, retired, McConnell's Grove; born in 1818, in Boston, Mass. ; after completing his education, he secured a position with the Boston Water Works, under the supervision of Chief Engineer Thomas S. Williams ; continued about three years ; he was then appointed station agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad at Summerville, and held this position a short time; in 1856, he came to Stephenson County, and was emplowed by the Illinois Central Railroad Company to superintend getting out timber and having charge of their property at McConnell's Grove ; he held this position till 1865 ; he then purchased the McConnell tract, consisting of 905 acres ; he now owns about 300 acres of land, also a portion of the town plat, including the brick store and other town property. Married Mary Riley in 1842 ; she was born in Ireland ; they had five children, three living - Mary A., now Mrs. Rogers ; William and Charlotte ; Elizabeth, died October, 1874^ aged 22 years ; Helen, died February, 1880, aged 28 years ; his daughters all received a good education. Mrs. Rogers graduated in Chicago ; during her course of studies, she lived with the family of the Hon. E. S. Chesborough ; she taught the Grammar School in Lena during 1870 ; she and her sisters have taught school about eight years each.

JAMES COXOX, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. O. Damascus ; born Aug. 15, 1809, in Derbyshire, England ; in 1849, he came to Cincinnati ; in 1850, he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 91 acres of land. Married Ann Bacon April 5, 1842 ; she was born May 29, 1807, in Derbyshire, England ; they had two children, one living - Elizabeth ; lost Anna in 1850, aged 4 years. Attends M. E. Church, and Democrat in politics.

TRUMAN L, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. MeConnell's Grove ; born Dec. 7, 1839, in Winslow Township; he owns 78 acres of land. He enlisted, in 1863, in the 67th I. V. I., Co. H ; served four months. Married Miss Magdalene Jones in 1864 ; she was born in BuflFalo, N. Y. ; they have six children - Mary J., Emma A., Thomas Gr., John F., Helen S. and Luella.

' MARTIN FOGEL., farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. MeConnell's Grove ; born Aug. 30, 1817, in Philadelphia ; when a child he came to Union Co., Penn., with his parents ; in 1856, he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since lived ; he owns 120 acres of land, which he has improved. He married Mary Swatzlanderin 1845 ; she was born in 1828, in Union Co., Penn.; they have had eight children, seven living - Simon M., George H., Fannie E., Amanda C, Catharine E., Abraham F. and William J. C; Lucy B. died in 1858, aged 7 years ; he has one daughter by a former marriage, Mary A.

HIRAM FULLER, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Lena ; born March 2, 1816 ; in Otsego Co., N. Y.; in 1864, he came to his present farm; he owns 107? acres of land ; he served twenty-eight days in the Patriot war of 1837-38. . He married Miss Sarah Sophia Stoddard, June 10, 1841 ; she was born in Crawford Co., Penn., Nov. 1, 1822 ; they have five children - Fidelia S. (now Mrs. Redman), Daniel S., William R., Eva A. (now Mrs. Gates), and Hattie E. (now Mrs. Houser). Daniel S. enlisted in February, 1862, from Genesee Co., N. Y., in the heavy artillery, and served to the end of the war. Republican in politics.

J. B. GATES, farmer; Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Damascus; born Oct. 19, 1808, 'm Hampshire Co., N. Y.; in 1836, he came to Winnebago Co., 111.; in 1844, he came to Stephenson Co.; he owns 150 acres of land, which he entered and improved. He was married Jan. 31, 1832, to Miss Polly Rancier, daughter of Jabez and Betsey Fuller ;. she was born in New Lisbon, N. Y., Nov. 24, 1810 ; they had ten children, eight living - Austin H., Quincy A., Hiram J., Caroline E., Henry H., Emeline L., Norman J., Martin L. ; they lost two children in infancy; his father, Daniel Gates, died in 1864, aged 86 years.

HON. HUBBARD GRAVES, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Winslow ; born Nov. 4, 1804, in Chenango Co., N. Y.; in 1810, he came with his parents to Scioto Co., Ohio ; in 1834, he came to Putnam Co., 111.; in 1835, he removed to Stephenson Co., where he has since resided ; he owns 220 acres of land. In 1839, he was elected Sheriff, and served two years ; he has been County Commissioner one year ; he represented Carroll and Stephenson Counties in the Legislature during 1842-43 ; he has been Justice of the Peace about twenty years ; has been Township Clerk ; he collected the first taxes in this county, the amount collected being $96. He married Miss Cynthia Robey, in 1830: she was born in Scioto Co., Ohio, in 1811; they had eleven children, five living - Mary, Charles, Martha, Lora and Fannie. Republican m politics.

CHARLES GRAVES, general merchandise, MeConnell's Grove; born Nov. 12, 1834, in Sangamon Co., 111.; the following year he came with his parents to- Stephenson Co., where he has since lived; in 1874, he started a flour and feed store in Lena; carried on this business until 1877, when he came to McConnells Grove. He married Mary Webster in 1860 ; she was born in New Hampshire ; they have two children - Annettie and Myrtie.

SAMUEL W. GRISSINGER, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. MeConnell's- Grove - born Feb. 15, 1814, in York Co., Penn. ; at about the age of 20 years he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and has followed this business about thirty years ;. in 1839, he came to Harrison Co., Ohio ; in 1857, to Ogle Co., 111. ; the following year he came to Stephenson Co.; he owns 108 acres of land. He married Margaret Bradley in 1837 she was born in York Co., Penn., in 1814 ; they had seven children ; six are living-Rachel, Ann Eliza, William B., Frank, Mary and Thomas ; lost one child in infancy. Frank enlisted, in 1862, in the 93d I V. I. ; served to the end of the war ; William B. enlisted, in 1863, in the 46th I. V. I. ; served to the end of the

CHARL.es p. GUENTHER, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Lena ; born Sept. 24, 1820, in Frankfort-onthe-Maine ; in 1836, he came to Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; in 1839, to Buffalo, N. Y. ; in 1847, to Alleghany Co., Penn.; in 1853, he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 100 acres of land ; he is a minister of the Gi-erman Baptist denomination ; has been since 1859. He married Miss Mary Emmel in 1847 ; she was born in G-ermany ; tliey have seven children - Emma, Eliza, Charles, Amelia, John, Mary and Samuel. Republican in politics.

J, Li. HARTSOLTCirH, general merchandise, McConnell's Grove ; born Aug. 23, 1840, in Indiana Co., Penn. ; in 1857, he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since lived ; he worked at farming till October, 1867, when he came to McConnell's Grrove and commenced his present business. He has been Township Superintendent ; has been Justice of the Peace the past twelve years ; has been Township Clerk, and has held most of the township offices ; he has also been a member of the Town Board for the past twelve years. He married Miss Mary Robey in 1867 ; she was born in Waddams Township ; they have four children - Frank, Jennie, Lulu and Anna.

WILLIAM H. HOLMES, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Damascus; born May24, 1827, in Yorkshire, England; in 1851, he came to Middlesex Co., Conn. ; in 1852, he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since resided ; he owns 173 acres of land, and has improvements equal to any in the township, having built a good brick house and barn, and otherwise well improved. Married Rachel Whatmuff, May 2, 1855; she was born Dec. 6, 1826, in Yorkshire, England; they have five children - Anna Matilda, now Mrs. P. Gregsby ; John A., George E., William H. and Joseph. Republican in politics ; Methodist Episcopal in religion.

THOMAS JONAS, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; born July 10, 1800, in Germany ; in 1834, he came to Buffalo, N. Y. ; in 1850, he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 45 acres of land, improved with a good house, which cost $1,200, and a barn that cost $900. He married Saloma Bench in 1836 ; she was born in 1816, in Germany; they have ten children - four sons and six daughters ; they lost one child in infancy.

B. KLECKLER, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. McConnell's Grove; born Nov. 4, 1820, in Baden, Germany ; in 1844, he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 212 acres of land, well improved, with good, substantial buildings, etc. Married Ocela Sicwalt, in 1844; she was born in France, in 1818 ; they have eight children - John P., Jacob, Fred, Henry, Michael, Mary, Louisa and Caroline; his son, John P., enlisted in 1862, in the 46th I. V. I., and served to the end of the war. Attends Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM KLECKNER, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Damascus ; born Jan. 12, 1824, in Northampton Co., Penn. ; in 1840, he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 30 acres of land, with a comfortable house and barn. He enlisted iu 1864, in Co. E, 146th I. V. r. ; served to the end of the war. Married Mrs. Hostetter, in 1874 ; she was born in Cumberland Co., Penn. ; had three children, two living - Mary and Alice; Mrs. K. has one child by a former marriage - Chressie.

ALOB^ZO LrSK, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; born July 28, ,1808, in Hartford Co., Conn.; at about the age of 13 years he came with his parents to Genesee Co., N. Y. ; in 1831, he came to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio ; in 1840, he came to Stephenson Co., 111. ; in the spring of 1850, he went back to Ohio, and in the fall returned here, where he has lived since ; he owns 70 acres of land. Married Fidelia Stowel, in 1833 ; she was born in 1814, in New York ; died in 1873 ; had eleven children, ten living - Charles, Frank, Mary, La Fayette, Emma, Edward and Edwin are twins, Lyman, Ida and Ella; lost Caroline in 1861, aged 23 years; Frank enlisted in 1861, and served to the end of the war.

«-. W. LUTTS, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Lena; born July 4, 1826, in Lycoming Co., Penn. ; in 1847, he came to Michigan : in 1849, he came to Stephenson Co., 111. ; in 1852, he went to California; in 1855, he returned to Stephenson Co. ; in th^ spring of 1860, he went to Missouri ; returned to this county the following year, where he has since lived ; he owns 70 acres of land, with a good stone house and other improvements. Married Miss C. A. Galaher, in 1857 ; she was born in Indiana Co., Penn. ; have four children - Catharine, William, Cora and George ; lost Sarah in infancy. Republican in politics ; attends M. E. Church.

NORMAK^ PHILIilPS, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Damascus ; born Oct. 15, 1801, in Plainfield, N. Y. ; in 1837, he came to Stephenson Co., and entered about 500 acres of land, and now owns about 420 acres; he has been Justice of the Peace, Township Superintendent, Assessor and School Director. His son, Parley A., enlisted February, 1865, in Co. G., 92d I. V. I., and served to the end of the war ; was at the battle of Raleigh, N. C. ; James M. enlisted in 18H2, Co. G., 92d I. V. I. ; served to the end of the war. Married Phebe A. Martin, Sept. 1, 1833; she was born July 16, 1808, in Martindale, N. Y. ; died Oct. 29, 1843; have three children - Parley A., James M, and Ambrose S. ; second marriage to Miss Desiah Hathaway, Sepr. 1844; she was born in 1805, in Otsego Co., N. Y. ; died in 1855 ; have one daughter - Mary.

JOHX PRICE, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. McConnell's Grove; born Sept. 10, 1815, in Centre Co., Penn.; in 1846 he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since lived ; he first bought 1 acre of land, and added to this 9 acres as soon as he could pay for it; he kept adding as his means would admit, and now owns 138 acres, well improved ; he has a good house and barn, and other out-buildings. He married Sarah Bobb in 1838 ; she was born in 1818, in Union Co., Penn.; they have six children - Jeremiah, Catharine, James C, Elizabeth, Jonathan and William H.

JAMES PRICE, groceries and confectionery, and Postmaster, McConnell's Grove ; born Feb. 4, 1832, in Mifilin Co., Penn.; in 1865 he came to Waddams Township ; in 1876 he commenced his present business. He was appointed Postmaster in 1877 ; he has been Township Clerk five years. He married Miss Lydia Smith in 1856 ; she was born in Snyder Co., Penn.; they have five children - Sarah A., Adam A., Emma J., Martha E., Carrie S.; lost Henry H. in 1865, aged 5 years.

MICHAEL. RIDL.EBAIJGH, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. McConnell's born Jan. 30, 1811, in Germany; in 1839 he came to Union Co., Penn.; in 1851 he came to Stephenson Co.; he owns 51 acres of land. Married Elizabeth Arney in 1841 ; she was born in Union Co., Penn., Jan. 10, 1818 ; had five children, four living - Robert, Henry, Melinda and Amanda.

L.EVI ROBEY, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; he was born Oct. 22, 1807, in Scioto, Washington Township, Scioto Co., Ohio; Nov. 21, 1834, he came to Stephenson Co., and settled where he now lives ; he is probably the earliest settler in the county living; he entered about half a section of land, and now owns 114 acres. He was the first Justice of the Peace in this county; was commissioned by Gov. Duncan previous to Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties being divided ; he was one of the commissioners appointed by the court to lay off the townships in Stephenson Co.; he has served seven terms as County Supervisor, and was the first elected in Waddams Township ; he has held about all the other minor offices in the township. He married Miss Almira Waite, Dec. 26, 1833 ; she was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., July 18,1813; they have five children : William A., Louisa E., Cyrus A., Mary M. and Levi W.; Cyrus A. enlisted in 1862, in Co. D, 93d I. V. I.; was wounded at the battle of Altoona, Ga., Nov. 6, 1864 ; is a Democrat in politics.

JACOB C. RUXKLrE, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; born Feb. 16, 1810, in Centre Co., Penn.; in 1857 he came to Stephenson Co.; he owns 80 acres of land. He married Caroline Fye, in 1857; she was born in Centre Co., Penn.; they have seven children, four sons and three daughters ; Democrat in politics ; Presbyterian in religion.

DR. D. W. SCOTT, physician and surgeon, McConnell's Grove; born Nov. 21, 1833, in Geauga Co., Ohio ; at about the age of 4 years, he came with his parents to Buena Vista, 111. ; in about 1858, he commenced the study of medicine ; graduated in 1870, at the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati ; ia 1865, he commenced practicing in Green Co., Wis. ; in 1870, he removed to Buena Vista, where he continued practicing till 1879, when he came to McConnell's Grove. Married Miss Urania

SANFORD S. SHERMAN, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; born Aug. 8, 1830, in Essex Co., N. Y. ; in 1849, he came to Knox Co., 111. ; in 1860, he came to Stephenson Co.; he owns 220 acres of land, with a good house, barn, and an orchard of about 200 trees, and other improvements. He married Miss Emma Lock in 1859 ; she was born in Essex Co., N. Y. ; they have six children - Emma, Edrick, Lillie, John, Rosa and Raymond; lost three children in infancy. He and his daughters, Emma and Lillie, are members of the church of the United Brethren ; Mrs. S. is a member of the M. E. Church.

WILIilAM SHIPPEE, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; born Dec. 7, 1816, in Bergen Co., N. J.; in 1839, he came to Clearfield Co., Penn ; in 1852, he came to Stephenson Co. ; he owns 128 acres of land ; he has been eight years Justice of the Peace. He was married March 30, 1856, to Mary, daughter of Samuel Bechtold ; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio ; she came to Stephenson Co. when a child, with her parents ; they have eleven children - four sons and seven daughters ; he has two children by a former marriage - John and Ira.

ROBERT SISSON, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Lena ; born March 28, 1814, in Cambridgeshire, England ; in 1843, he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since resided ; he owns 225 acres of land. His brother, William, was born in June, 1812, and has been a resident of this county the past thirty-nine years ; he entered this land from the Government, and has since lived here. He married Miss Mary A. Foreman in 1843 ; she was born in 1824, in Cambridgeshire, England ; they have eleven children - William, Robert, Mary Ann, Ruth, Rebecca, Susan, Jane, Christopher, John P., Moses and Joshua ; his son William enlisted, in 1862, in Co. G, 92d I. V. I., and served to the end of the war ; his eyesight is very much injured from exposure when in the service.

A. F. STAMII, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. McConnell's Grove ; born Feb. 7, 1840, in Centre Co., Penn. ; in 1855, he came with his parents to Michigan ; in 1856, they came to Stephenson Co. ; "he owns 93 acres of land, which he has improved ; in 1877, he built a very substantial barn, 32x50, which cost about $1,000. He married Miss Leah Stamm in November, 1866 ; she was born in Centre Co., Penn. ; his father died April 13, 1871, in his 63d year.

J. M. STAMU, general merchandise, McConnell's Grove ; born May 27, 1852, in Huntington Co., Penn.; when he was 3 years of age he came with his parents to Waddams Township: he was engaged in farming till 1874, when he was employed as clerk for McNutt & Shippy ; continued with this firm till 1877, when he commenced his present business ; he has been Township Clerk. He married Elizabeth Masters, July, 1879 ; she was born in Maryland.

ANDREW ST. JOHN, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Buena Vista ; born Sept. 11, 1807, in St. Clair Co., 111.; in 1825 he came with his parents to Sangamon Co.; in 1827 he went to Galena and engaged in mining; in 1830 he returned to Sangamon Co.; in 1836 he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since lived ; he owns 228 acres of land. He married Catharine Chilton, April 23, 1830 ; she was born in Madison Co., 111., Feb. 27, 1811; died May 24, 1880 ; they had six children, four living - William A., Armenda F. (now Mrs. Bobb), Jane S. (now Mrs. Soladay), and Sarah (now Mrs. Sheckler); Thomas enlisted August, 1862; died at Camp Douglas, Chicago, October, 1862 ; lost Mary, aged 17 years.

JEREMIAH SWART, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Lena ; he was born March 21, 1849, in Waddams Township; his father, Isaac D. G. Swart, was born May, 1812, in New York; about 1844 he came to this locality; he died Sept. 14, 1878; owns 253 acres of land. He was married, in 1848, to Mrs. Orpha Allen; she was born in Canada, in 1822 ; they have three children - Jeremiah, Amelia and Susan; she has three children by a former marriage - Torrence, Polly and Roxie.

HENRY WOHLFORD, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Orangeville ; born Dec. 9, 1811, in Center Co., Penn.; in 1842 he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since lived ; he learned the tanner's trade in Pennsylvania, and worked at this business till he came to this county ; he owns 136 acres of land, which he entered and improved. He married Catharine Worneldorf, in 1835; she was born in 1815; they have ten children - four sons and six dauo;hters.

Source changes here: from History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a Record of Its Settlement, Organization, and Three-quarters of a Century of Progress, by Fulwider, Addison L, published 1910; 1,630 words in this source stream.

Waddams Township

Waddams township is six miles square, and contains twenty-three thousand and forty acres of rolling prairie. It is crossed by the Pecatonica River, which receives a large number of tributaries within the confines of the township. The most important is Waddams Creek, a small but swift current, which rises in the southwestern corner of the township and flows northeast into the Pecatonica. In addition, there are numerous other creeks and streamlets which cover the township with such a system of water courses that water power is never lacking. The township, it is believed, was surveyed by William Hamilton, son of the great secretary of the treasury in Washington's cabinet, who had settled in the lead mine regions at Hamilton's Diggings and who also was an Independent Ranger during the Black Hawk War.

The first settlement was made by Levi Robey in 1835. His nearest neighbor was William Waddams, seven miles to the west. He built a log cabin on the Pecatonica, and began a "clearing," which was the first farm in Waddams township. The same year Nelson Wait, Hubbard Graves, Charles Gappen, Alija Watson, John and Thomas Baker and William Willis joined the settlement. These earliest settlers got their mail and supplies at Galena and went on a two or three days' journey to mill on Wolf Creek. Indians and wild animals abounded ih the wilderness and the settlement of the township was accompanied by the usual frontier dangers and privations.

The settlement was made strong in 1836 by the new arrivals, mostly from the east. That year came Thomas Hawkins, John Boyington, Lydia Wait and family, N. Phillips, Pells Manny, John Lobdell, Barney Stowell, Lewis

Griggsby, Nicholas Marcellus, John Dennison and a nam named Velie. The first birth in the township was William Robey, son of Levi Robey, September 21, 1836.

Within recent years Waddams township has taken a place of great importance in the politics of Stephenson County. It is one of the few Democratic townships of the county outside of Freeport, and, as such, is an interesting factor in all county elections.

McConnell is a pleasant little village on the Pecatonica River and on the Dodgeville branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. Besides several stores, hotel, blacksmith shop, two churches, a school house and the postoffice, there is an excellent creamery run by Peter Danielson, an expert butter-maker. The surrounding farmers find excellent market for milk. The creamery puts out from nine thousand to twelve thousand pounds of butter daily. West of McConnell, about one mile, is a cheese factory that does a good business. McConnell has a number of fine residences that are well kept.

The old house, the oldest now standing in McConnell, was built by Robert McConnell and is yet in good repair. There is nothing left of the old mill but a remnant of the dam. Two old settlers, who have been citizens for more than fifty years and who know the history of the community, are Mr. A. C. Martin and Charles Graves.

In 1836 John Dennison entered one thousand acres on the present site of McConnell. He had the town fever and his idea was to lay out and build up a town on the Pecatonica. He was joined by John Vanzant and built a saw mill north of the grove in 1836. The next year, Dennison and Vanzant, the latter being a surveyor, laid off the land in town lots and made such improvements as they could in order to attract settlers.

In 1838 Robert McConnell arrived from Pennsylvania and purchased the land and improvements and called it "McConnell's Grove." He established a store at once and brought his stock from Galena. The town did not build up rapidly and the land was secured by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, which sold it to John Kennedy after the best timber had been removed. Kennedy sold lots and farms to settlers, including Charles Webster, George Buck, John Ault, Lewis G. Reed and other about 1855.

In 1880 McConnell had a population of about one hundred and fifty, a hotel, two wagon and blacksmith shops, a harness shop, two stores and received mail three times a week. The school house was built in 1849. The first teachers in the vicinity were Fayette Goddard and Adeline Hulburt, with an average of seventy students for many years. The school district was divided, because of the increased number of settlers, in 1868 and 1871. The present school building was erected in 1889. Talk of building a new three room school is persistent, but the majority of the taxpayers are not yet convinced that they want to build so large a school.

McConnell Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church was organized in 1850, October 19, with nineteen members. The first pastor was Rev. G". J. Donmeyer.

Services were first held in the school house, and in 1869 the church building was erected. It was built of brick, 30 x 45, had a steeple and cost $2,200. In 1880 there were fifty members, and G. J. Donmeyer was still pastor. His connection with the church had not been continuous, however, and for a time Rev. J. Stoll and J. K. Bloom had served as pastors. Rev. Mr. Barr is the present pastor.

Lutheran Church. Three miles to the west of McConnell is another Lutheran Church, which was organized also by Rev. G. J. Donmeyer in 1851 with thirteen members. In 1871 the organization built a church building valued at $1,890. In 1880 Rev. J. W. Fritch was pastor.

Damascus

The village of Damascus is one of the oldest of the county. It is not a large settlement, and has never been platted out as a village site, but all of the farmers within a radius of a mile or more call themselves residents of Damascus. The population gathered about the store and blacksmith shop, which form the nucleus of the village, numbers about one hundred and fifty.

Damascus was founded and given its present name in 1837 by Norman Phillips, who became its first postmaster after a while. In three or four years the post-office was established and Damascus continued to have a post-office patronage of five hundred or more until the rural free delivery system came a few years ago, and Damascus post-office ceased to do business.

Damascus is largely settled by members of the Phillips family, descendants of the man who founded the village, and for many years the post-office was conducted by members of the Phillips clan. The one break in the link was the postmastership of W. K. Bechtold, who for a while ran the general store, and held the office of postmaster at the same time.

The village contains a general store, owned by G. W. Phillips, a blacksmith shop, of which James Albright is proprietor, a school, a church, and a creamery. In years gone by, Damascus was a very important point. Being situated on the Pecatonica River, at one of the few points where the stream was crossed by a oridge, it drew a large number of transients to its population. These gradually departed upon the building of more bridges, and the establishment of ferries, and to-day the place is of very little commercial importance, except for its creamery. Tradition says that when the controversy concerning the establishment of the county seat was in progress, Damascus was an active factor in the struggle, and was finally defeated by the small majority of one vote. Freeport, Cedarville and Damascus were the candidates for the honor, and, as is well known, Freeport eventually won out. Nevertheless, both Cedarville and Damascus were lively competitors. They had the advantage of a more central location and at one time it seemed as if they were the logical candidates for the court house. But Freeport backed up its claims with a large sum of money, and the battle was to the strong.

University Of Illinois

Damascus Creamery. The creamery is operated by a farmer's stock company, of which J. A. Phillips is president. It does a large business, and, outside of Freeport, is by far the most important creamery in the county.

First Baptist Church. The Damascus Baptist Church has been in existence for about twenty years. It was founded in 1890 by the Rev. C. E. Wren, pastor of the Lena Church, and has since been attended by the pastors who do service for that congregation. The charge is a student charge, and the pastor at present in charge is the Rev. Hervey Gilbert, who resides at Lena. The membership of the church is about thirty. The church building was built very soon after the founding of the church society in Damascus.

Damascus lies on the road between Lena and Cedarville, about an equal distance from both of these points. It is situated on the town line between Harlem and Waddams townships, and the post-office has at various times been located in Harlem Township. At the time of the advent of the rural delivery, it was established on the Waddams side of the road, and the greater part of the village is on that side. The last census gave the village a population of about one hundred and fifty, and there has been hardly any increase since that time.

Waddams Center

Waddams Center, as the name indicates, is the central spot of Waddams township. The site is not marked by a village of any consequence, and the main object of interest is the district school, known as the Waddams Center School. The settlement embraces a territory of three or four square miles, the inhabitants of which designate themselves as "Waddams Center people." Waddams Center does not support a church, but there is a church at McConnell, only a short distance away, which is attended by the farmers of the region. There is