Winfield Township

Winfield Township

Tus town was settled in 1832 by Erastus and Jude P. Gary. They came in just after the close of the Black Hawk war, and settled in the east part of the town. Among the settlers of 1834 were Messrs. M. Griswold, J. M. Warren, J. S. P. Lord, A. Churchill, Alvah Fowler, Iva Herrick, and Ezra Galusha. The town is six miles square; is well supplied with wood and timber; is watered by the Du Page and several smaller streams; has a productive soil and healthy climate ; and is now rapidly increasing in wealth and population.

There are in the town three pleasant villages, three churches, one academy, one grist mill, two saw mills, twelve stores, ten factories, three post offices, two railroad stations, and a population of abont 1,600.

Of the three villages - Warrenville, Winfield and Turner - Warrenville was first settled. The first house was built by Col. J. M. Warren in 1834. There are now in the village a Baptist church, an incorporated academy, a grist mill, a saw mill, three blacksmith shops, two dry goods stores, one drug store, a post office, two wagon shops, a hotel, and about 250 inhabitants. The village is pleasantly situated on the west fork of the Du Page river, three miles from Winfield station, on the G. & C. U. railroad.

The first efforts toward establishing a religious organization in Winfield were commenced at this place by a few members of the Du Page Baptist church, as early as 1834. February 4th, 1836, preparatory measures were taken to organize a society. Ata meeting held at that time, after some discussion, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: " Whereas, in the providence of God, we are located in this part of God's moral vineyard, and at a considerable distance from our mother church, or any other church of the same faith and order: J?esolved, That we organize ourselves into a regular Baptist church, to be located at Warrenville, and to be called the Second Du Page Baptist church: Jeesolved, That we send letters to sister churches, inviting them to send their pastors and deacons, for the purpose of giving us fellowship as a sister church."

On the 23d of February the society met at Warrenville for the purpose of organizing, and the following churches were represented: First Baptist church of Chicago, by Elder J. T. Hinton and Deacon Jonson ; First Church of Du Page, by Elder A. B. Hubbard and Judge Wilson.

The council was duly organized by the appointment of Judge Wilson moderator, and A. E. Carpenter scribe. The articles of faith, and practice and covenant, were then presented to the council, with the names of the members proposing to be recognized. Sixteen members were present, and it was resolved by the council: "That we recognize these members as a regular Baptist church." The services of recognition then took place. A sermon was preached by Elder J. T. Hinton, and the right hand of fellowship was given and a prayer offered by Elder Hubbard. The following are the names of the members recognized :

Several ministers took a deep interest at an early day in this branch of Zion. Among them was Elder Ashley, whose name is embalmed in the hearts of the pious in this part of the Lord's vineyard: He was with this church through several precious revivals, and was the means, in the hand of God, of bringing many from darkness to light. The first pastor of this society was Elder L. B. King. He has been succeeded by Elders A. B. Hubbard, Joel Wheeler, A. J. Joslyn, A. Taylor, Joel Wheeler, 8. F. Holt, Freeman, and H. Westcott, the present pastor, who recently came to this state from New Jersey. The society worshipped in a private house for some time in its early history, there being no school house in or about Warrenville, in which to hold its meetings. The first school house built here was occupied by the church until the old church building was purchased of Col. Warren and fitted up for the use of the society. A large and handsome church edifice is now in process of erection. The corner stone was laid July 22d, 1857. The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. Dr. Howard and Rey. Mr. Boyd, of Chicago; Rev. Mr. Raymond and Rev. Mr. Estee, of Aurora; Rev. J. H. Worrell, of Bloomingdale; Rev. E. Barker, of Naperville; and Rev. H. Westcott, pastor. The house is 35 feet by 66, surmounted with a beautiful spire. The cost of building, including bell and fixtures, is estimated at between four and five thousand dollars. Connected with this church are a Sabbath school of fifty scholars, and two interesting bible classes. There are now belonging to this church fifty members.

A Presbyterian church was organized in the west part of the town in 1836, by Rev. Mr. Clark, missionary, with seven members. Rev. Washington Wilcox commenced preaching at the Big Woods in 1836, and continued as their circuit preacher until 1839. In June, 1839, the Big Woods church was completed, having been built by the united efforts of the Congregational, Baptist, and Methodist societies, who have occupied it alternately since that time. The Rev. Mr. Baxter officiates at this time as the Congregational pastor, and Rev. H. Westcott as the Baptist pastor. There are at present about eight Baptist members, and about the same number of Congregational members.

From 1836 to 1844, the house of John Warne was occupied as a place of worship by the Episcopal Methodists living on the east side of the Big Woods. That branch of the society now worships in the Big Woods church.

There is a small settlement at Gary's mill, near the centre of the town. The first settler here was Rev. Charles Gary, who came in 1837. The saw mill was erected in that year. A society of Methodists, seven in number, was formed here under the labors of Rev. W. Wilcox, in 1837, since which time the society has been supplied with preachers appointed to labor on the Naperville circuit. There are at present twenty resident members - many of the members residing in other towns having withdrawn and formed new classes. The Sabbath school of this society was commenced in

1838. It now numbers 46 scholars, and has a library of between two and three hundred volumes. The original members of this society were Angus Ross, Elizabeth Ross, Erastus Gary, J. P. Gary, Orinda Gary, Samuel Arnold, and Mrs. Arnold.

There are 10 and 68-100 miles of railroad in this town, on which the villages of Winfield, or Fredericksburg, and Turner are situated. The first building at Winfield was erected by John Hodges, in 1849, and occupied for several years as the depot of the G. & C. U. Railroad. This station is the nearest point on the railroad to Naperville, and hence its freight business is large. A greater amount of tonnage is sent from this place than from any other station in the county. The present station house was built in 1854. There are in the place three stores, an extensive lumber yard, owned by Mr. John Collins, several manufactories, and a brewery.

The following account of the village of Turner has been furnished by Dr. J. McConnell, and rather than run the risk-of marring it by any rude touches of our own pen, we insert it verbatim.

"The village of Turner is situated in a healthy region, some thirty miles west of Chicago. It is the centre of a rich and fertile plain, gently undulating, and beautifully interspersed with luxuriant groves and verdant prairie, with here and there the farmer's home rising up as monuments of industry and beacons of domestic peace. It is-at the junction of four railroads, viz.: the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, running from this point to Galena, Ill., and Dubuque, Iowa; the Chicago Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, running

The first house within the limits of this village was built by Capt. Alonzo Harvey, who bought the claim covering the present village site, and during the time of his residence in said house, his daughter Lois was born, being the first white person born on said grounds. But the Captain soon tired of farming, and sold his claim. He is nowa prominent citizen of Chicago, where his daughter Lois, of rare beauty, now at the age of sweet sixteen, mingles a welcome guest in the first circles of society.

The government title to said claim was partly secured in the name of Wiurislow, and partly in the name of Stickney, after which the most of it fell into the hands of Hon J. B. Turner, the heirs of Mr. Winslow, and Dea. J. McConnell. But no thoughts of a village at this point were entertained by any of the inhabitants until the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company commenced to run a branch of their road from this place to Fulton, which branch is now the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad. In fact, no effort to build up a village was attempted till the spring of 1856, when Hon. J. B. Turner platted and recorded, according to the statutes of the state, some forty acres, to which C. W. Winslow, Esq., added twenty acres. In the summer following, Deacon J. McConnell made an addition of seventy acres of the most desirable business and dwellings lots in said 'town. Since which time, there have been sold to actual settlers, about thirty lots, some of which have already been built upon, and upon others, buildings are now being constructed. Within the same time, from a farm adjoining said village (owned by G. W. Eastman,) have been sold about fifteen acres, in lots, ranging from one to two acres, for residences, and though our village now numbers only about five hundred souls, it is a place of vast business energy and active life.

We have recently had an extensive variety store established here, of which Williams & West are the proprietors. They sell their extensive stock at Chicago prices, and are about building an extensive store and storehouse on Depot street, extending across to the railroad track. W.S. Atchinson is also building a large store, for a wholesale and retail boot and shore business.

With all our railroad facilities, this is a choice location to head off large Chicago jobbing houses. Dr. Hall is also building a store for the drug business. J. McDonald has also a large store and storehouse, and deals extensively in dry goods, groceries, hardware and agricultural implements. He also pays cash for all the farmer has to sell, and to show the increase in his business, I give the following statistics: In 1853, when he commenced buying grain, his receipts were only 1200 bushels ; in 1854, 3000 bushels; and in 1855 they reached over 30,000 bushels; with a steady increase ever since, together with a trade in butter, lard, pork and wool, to compare.

We have alsoa large and commodious hotel, of which Messrs. Alexander & Easterbrooks are the gentlemanly proprietors; a country tavern kept by Michael Hahn; a large boarding house of which W

J. Mowry is proprietor; a splendid butcher's shop, owned by Wm. Updike; a livery stable, by Crum; a blacksmith shop; carriage shop; two grocery and provision stores; one tailor's shop; a dress maker-and milliner ; a harness shop ; a boot and shoe store; and eight resident carpenters and joiners.

The railroad companies make this their general wood depot. They also have machine shops; aT rail repairing shop, with steam power, ete. To carry on their branch of industry, for officers, agents, mechanics, and common laborers, it requires about a hundred men, and as about forty trains every twenty-four hours pass through this place, it requires four extensive wells to fill the tanks of the tenders. The shipments and transhipments upon the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at this place, amount to about a thousand tons per month; of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad to about fifteen hundred tons per month, and the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad rather less.

The best public school house in Du Pacr County was built in this village the present summer. In the summer of 1856 was organized the "First Congregational Church of Turner," and the following named officers elected: Deacons, Dr. J. McConnell and W. R. Currier; Clerk, J. L. Hagadone. A few days after, a body corporate, with power to hold real estate; was formed under the title of "The Congregational Church and Society of Turner, Illinois," and the following board of trustees was elected, viz. :

Deacon J. McConnell, Deacon W. R. Currier and Milo Hawks, Esq. The Hon. J. B. Turner, in honor of whom the village was named, being present, donated to the society a splendid lot for a meeting house, and immediate steps were taken to prepare the way for erecting a house of worship upon it. The Rey. S. W. Champlain who is now preaching here, is the first minister employed by the society. There is an interesting Sabbath school in successful operation here, of some fifty pupils, and an intelligent bible class numbering over twenty. The library contains about two hundred volumes."

Winfield is a well cultivated farming town. The aggregate value of real estate in 1856, was $160,329, and of personal property $68,007. The town is divided into eight school districts, all of' which are provided with good school houses. The school section was sold in 1840, at ten shillings per acre, and the fund thus derived has been increased to $1,282. The amount paid to teachers in 1857 was $1,126, and for building and repairing $1,785. The whole number of scholars in attendance during 1857, was three hundred and seventy-five.

A company called The Winfield Cavalry, was organized here in 1855. It has now about forty members. G. N. Roundy, captain; and F. G. Kimball, first lieutenant.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Charles Gary, in April, 1850. The following are the names of town officers who have been elected since that time:

Commissioners Of Highways

1850 - James Brown, J. A. Suith, Israel Mather. 1851 - James Brown, J. A. Smith, Israel Mather. 1852 - James Brown, J. A. Smith, Israel Mather. 1853 - M. M. Kemp, John Fairbank, G. N. Roundy.