York Township

York Township

We are unable to give as complete a history of this town as we could desire, although we have tried faithfully to obtain the necessary information to do s0. We cannot but believe that there are many incidents connected with its early settlement that would, to say the least, be of interest to the inhabitants of the township, if not to the general reader, notwithstanding the contrary opinion, which prevails among the early settlers.

York was first settled in the spring of 1834, by Elisha Fish. His claim was on the south east quarter of section thirty-five, where his widow still lives. The next who came in was Henry Reader, who settled in 1835, on the south west quarter of section thirty-five. Luther Morton settled soon after on section seven; Benjamin Fuller on section twenty-five; Nicholas Torode, sen., on section twenty-seven; and in April, 1836, John Talmadge removed to this town from Brush Hill, where he had lived since 1834, and settled on the south east quarter of section twenty-three. In May, 1836, there were several families added to the settlement. Among these were the families of Jesse Atwater, Edward Eldridge, and David Talmadge. In July of the same year, the settlement was increased by the families of Jacob W. Fuller and David Thurston. In 1837, Sheldon Peek, W. Churchill, Zerais Cobb, John Glos and John Bohlander came in and settled on what is now called the St. Charles road. John Thrasher came in about the same time, and settled on section thirty. The first settlers of this town were preéminently fitted to endure the trials incident to frontier life. They were "made of the right sort of stuff," and advanced boldly with the standard of civilization, regardless of danger, and knowing no dread of hardships. Many of them had been brought up on the borders of civilization, and were thoroughly inured to all the privations of pioneer life. Perhaps no town in this county can justly claim to itself a more hardy, daring class of pioneers. John Talmadge, whose name has already been mentioned among the early settlers of this town, was for several years a soldier in the U.S. army. In that capacity he was in the service of his country during the war of 1812, and in several battles fought valiantly under our national banner. Although his head is now "silvered o'er with age," yet that quenchless spirit of patriotism which fired his youth still glows within his breast and flashes from his fading eye.

This township contains thirty-six square miles of land, and has a soil, cultivation, vales, fields, landscapes and scenery, which would not suffer in comparison with many sections of country more widely and favorably known. It affords an agreeable variety of surface and soil, well adapted to the wants of the husbandman, and, with proper cultivation, yields him most bountiful harvests for the support of the multitudes dependent upon his industry.

Most of the first settlers were originally from the State of New York, and when the inhabitants were called upon to give a name to their precinct, that of York was selected with but few dissenting voices.

The manufactures of this town are unimportant. A steam flouring mill is now in operation at Brush Hill, owned by F. Gray. This mill has two run of stones, and is the only manufactory of much importance in the town. The Galena railroad runs through the town, and upon it two young and thriving villages have sprung up, like Minerva from the brain of Jove, full armed and ready for efféctive service. These are at Cottage Hill and at Babcock's Grove.

"The village of Cottage Hill is pleasantly situated on the line of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, sixteen miles west from Chicago. The first settler here was J. L. Hovey, who came from Painesville, Ohio. He built a small house in 1848, which he kept as a hotel, it being favorably known by the farmers of the Fox and Rock river counties, who then teamed their own produce to Chicago, as the ' Hill Cottage.' The ' Hill' proper lies half a mile from the railroad, and commands as fine a prospect of prairie, cultivated farms, groves, cottages, and railroad trains, as one could desire to behold. This place being but 15 1-2 miles from the centre of business in Chicago; having good water, pure air, and railroad trains hourly passing - all of which stop here - must soon become known to those who would find for themselves and families, at a convenient distance from the city, a retreat from the noise and dust of its hot and crowded streets."

The railroad was completed to this place in 1849, since which time the village has been chiefly built up. It now contains one hotel, five stores, several manufacturing establishments, a railroad passenger house, some thirty or forty dwellings, and about 200 inhabitants. A fine edifice is now in process of erection, to be used as a church and school house. There is no other church building in the town, although there are several organized religious societies, which hold their meetings in the school houses in different parts of the town.

Babcock's Grove is a pleasant village, of some 200 inhabitants, situated about five miles west of Cottage Hill, on the Galena road. It is an active, businesslike place, and promises to become a town of considerable importance. It has a good hotel, several stores, and a number of fine residences.

The present population of the town of York is not far from 1500. The Germans have settled pretty thickly in some parts of the town, and among them may be tound some of the best farmers in the county. They are frugal, industrious, and honest, as a class, and manage their farms with superior agricultural skill.

There are three post offices in the town. George Fuller is post master at York Centre, Jerry Bates at Cottage Hill, and J. B. Hull at Babcock's Grove.

York has the largest school fund of any town in Du Pace county. The school section was sold at five dollars per acre, creating an original fund of $3,200. It is now near $3,500. The highest rate of compensation paid to teachers is $25 per month; the lowest is $10 per month. The amount paid for teachers' wages amounts to about $800 annually. There are eight public schools taught in the township, which are attended by 400 scholars. The average number of months in the year in which schools are taught 'is eight, and the average number of scholars in each school is forty.

We would here remark that the sources from which we have obtained the statistics relating to this town have not been the most reliable, and if we find errors have occurred, it will not be to us a matter of very great surprise.

SUPERVISORS. 1850 - Edward Eldridge, 18583 - Hiram Whittemore, ap- Gerry Bates, appointed tu pointed to fill vacancy. fill vacancy. 1854 - Asa Knapp. 1851 - Gerry Bates. 1855 - Robert Reed. 1852 - Gerry Bates. 1856 - Robert Reed.

Summary

Du Pace County was first settled by the whites in 1830. It was surveyed in 18 - }; was separated from Cook county, of which it previously formed a part, and became a distinct organization by act of legislature, approved February 9th, 1839. By the census of 1850, its population was 12,807; and assuming a uniform ratio of increase drawn from the census of preceding years, it is now nearly 15,000. It has 3,000 dwellings; 2,850 families ; 10 villages ; 7 different religious denominations; 22 churches; 3,150 communicants; 2,250 children and youth who attend Sabbath school. The following is a list of the post offices in the county :

Place. Name Of P. M.

Big Woods, (Naperville)................ . John Warne, Addison........ evecreces ain'e, ocwieie erp wiereteie Henry Bartling, SAZONS... .ccccvcvccescicccrecencccccccees Oy De Pierce, York Center... ...essccccececceseeeeees George Fuller, Cottage Hill (York).........0000veseveswees Gerry Bates. Babcock's Grove (York).............-..+- J. B. Hull, Bonaparte cGeeiee ashe 0.600. cee viswicere .... H. Dodge, Downers Groves. 6.0 ys 665 bo aie arotciece

Du Page Gounty Place, Name Of P. M.

PLACE, NAME OF P. M. Wheaton (Milton)...........20-e0 +e... C. K. W. Howard, Danby, SS Kiniaibienereyeiaie piesinigreacseia'e's David Kelly, TERY DG so ciasea cee tens secccsccssnocecee . 8. Dunham, WWfaye Center... sicc ccescssccccovesences Albert Guild, EEL tio: wins0e sao. Si6's Gisreld)eiete amine esiareiesierie John Thompson, APRIL CRAIN «5.0.10 4: 0:a0'hse! oie eeinieo:sie eis reraimcesecnse B. Fuller, Cass (Downer's Grove).......ee+eeee sees G. W. Alderman, Bloomingdale . 2... cccccssssnccscsccccs Hiram Cody,

There are eighteen miles of railroad in this county, upon which seven enterprising villages are situated. We give a statement of freight handled at the several stations, in pounds, and also the amount of cash receipts for freight.

The statement in another part of the book, that Winfield forwards the greatest amount of freight is incorrect, as it appears by the last report of the G. & C. U. Railroad Company, that less tonnage goes from that station, than from Cottage Hill or Junction.

With the above brief summary our history is ended. Enough has been said to give, as we believe, a pretty correct view of the past and present condition of Du Pace County. If by this compilation anything is rescued from oblivion that will be of consequence to our future historian, the authors are satisfied; and if the work is received with satisfaction among those early settlers, within whose early recollection all the incidents herein detailed have transpired, they will feel doubly rewarded for their labors.

While writing these concluding remarks, news has reached us of the death of Eli Northam, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was an early settler in the south part of this county, and among the foremost in establishing and sustaining our first Christian church. It is fitting to insert here the following brief tribute to his memory which is taken from The Chicago Democratic Press :

"Deacon Norruam was one of the few men who merited, in all respects, the tribute paid by Luke to Barnabas, 'He was a good man.' Twenty years ago when a student in Williamstown, Mass., we well remember that he always impressed us with the highest reverence for his character, as a most worthy representative of the honest, dignified, noble Puritans. For many years he had been fully prepared to leave all things here below, and go to dwell at the right hand of his Savior.

"* His youth was innocent; his riper age Marked with some act of goodness every day ; And watched by eyes that loved him, calm, and sage Faded his last declining years away; Cheerful he gave his being up, and went To share the holy rest, that waits a life well spent.'"

In conclusion we acknowledge our appreciation of the uniform kindness and assistance which we have received in gathering the material for this work.

Errata

Other errors of a similar character occur, but as they will not be likely to mislead the reader, it is deemed unnecessary to point them out.

Index

Captain Naper and Alanson Sweet are deceived by appearances, The scouting party, - - . " : " White Eagle," - - - - - - The Great Spirit and Tobacco, - - - F Hobson and Strong, + - - . - <5 Condition of families at Fort Dearborn, - - - A Gentleman missing, - - - - - ' Gen. Scott's army, - - * F i Tue Orv Craim Feups, - - - . Ps 3 Land Pirate Company, - - : e : Big Woods claim protecting society, - - - - Society for mutual protection, - - . .

Dealer In Lumber

Keeps constantly on hand, at his yards at WINFIELD STATION, and at NAPERVILLE, the largest and best assortment of Lumber to be found West of Chicago, which he sells at prices that leave competition entirely out of the question.

Carpets, Matting, Looking Glasses

We are agents for, and keep constantly on hand, Naper's celebrated premium FLOUR - warranted the best in market. All kinds of Produce taken in exchange for Goods.

Main Street, Naperville, Ill

AND SOLICITORS IN CHANCERY, Office, One Door West of Court House, HENRY F. VALLETTE, l HIRAM If. CODY. S. P. STRYENS, MAIN STREET, NAPERVILLE, ILL.,

Etna Fire Insurance Company

CHARLES W. KEITH, AGENT FOR THE ILLINOIS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE C0, THE PEORIA MARINE & FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS, and the ETNA FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY,

Corner Of Water & Main Streets

Having fitted up this commodious house for the accommodation of the public, the proprietor will spare no pains to satisfy all who favor him with a call.

Wood And Willow Ware, Etc

The proprietors have just purchased in the New York market one of the most extensive stocks of goods, for the Fall Trade, ever brought into Du Page County.

For Both Sexes

Rooms are now fitted up in the building expressly for the accommodation of Young Lady Boarders, who will be under the supervision of competent Female Teachers,

Monday, September 14Th The Winter Term Of 1858, Will Begin

ON Monday, January ath, and continue eleven weeks. For prices of Board and Tuition, apply to C. W. RICHMOND, Privotpat, Naperville, Illinois.