DuPage County Illinois |
"The settlement of this town began in 1834.
The first inhabitants were Ebenezer Duncklee and Hezekiah Duncklee,
from
Hillsborough, N.H., and Mason Smith, from Potsdam, N.Y.
They left Potsdam on the 13th of August, 1833, and arrived at
Chicago
on the 3d of September, traveling by land across Michigan and Northern
Indiana. Leaving Chicago on the 8th of September, they followed
the
trail of Gen. Scott's army, which had preceded them, to the Des Plaines
river, where they camped for the night, near a party of 300
Indians.
On the following day, they proceeded along the trail as far as the
south
line of Addison. Here they found a grave, which was supposed to
be
that of a soldier in Gen. Scott's army. The grave was on the west
bank of Salt creek. On the opposite bank, near what is now called
Grey's grove, were the remains of the army encampment. Some of
the
tent posts were still standing. Upon examination, it was found
that
the waters of the creek were not salt, as they had supposed. The
stream received its name from this circumstance: A hoosier team,
loaded with salt, became "stalled" while fording it, and the driver was
obliged to lighten his load by rolling several barrels into the
water.
The party left the creek at 5 o'clock, and pursued the trail.
Soon
after dark they discovered a light, which seemed at no great
distance.
One of the company set out in advance, hoping to reach it, but after
making
a circuit through the tall prairie grass, he came upon his comrades
near
the place from which he started- and the party camped for the night
among
the prairie grass and flowers. Their
slumbers were somewhat disturbed by the prairie wolves, which howled most hideously about them during a greater part of the night; but wearied by their long marches, they rested full as well as could be expected under the circumstances. On the following day they reached Meacham's grave, where they found three settlers by the name of Meacham. Here they obtained some instruction in the arts of border life. They learned how to make their claims, how to construct cabins, and how to manufacture their beds. From this place they proceeded to Elk grove, and thence along the west bank of Salt creek to Duncklee's grove, and camped for the night on the spot where the house of H.D. Fisher now stands. "On the 12th day of September they took
a northern direction through the timber, and made their claims near the
north end of the grove. The timber claims were made by marking
trees,
and the prairie claims by plowing a furrow entirely around each.
Immediate
preparations were made for the erection of a house. The ground
was
leveled with a hoe, and prairie grass, which was cut with an ax, was
spread
upon it for beds. A tent was made of
settlement, and the State or country from which they emigrated:
NAMES
YEAR
WHERE
FROM
Hezekiah
Duncklee
1834
N.H.
"The land in this town came into market in 1842, having been surveyed the previous year. When the first settlers came into the town, the land being unsurveyed, each made what was termed a claim, by staking or surrounding with a furrow as much land as he thought he would be able to pay for, when it should come into market. The usual quantity claimed was 160 acres; some, however, claimed more, and some less than that amount. There were some conflicting claims; but these difficulties were generally settled when the land was sold, by the one having the largest portion of the disputed claim buying the whole, and then re-deeding to each holder his proportion. In this way all obtained their lands as claimed, without regard to government lines. There are three groves of thrifty growing timber in this town. Duncklee's grove lies on the east bank and along the Salt creek. It is about three miles in length, and half a mile in width. Grey's grove lies also on the east branch of Salt creek, and contains about 100 acres. Kaler's grove, though smaller, affords considerable fuel and timber. "The balance of the lands of this town is chiefly flat prairie. The soil is from two to two and one-half feet in depth, with a subsoil of clay. It produces good spring wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, etc. Winter wheat generally kills out in the spring, by alternate freezing and thawing. The greater part of the hay is made from prairie grass, which grows luxuriantly on the creek bottoms, and on the low ground. Clover, timothy, and herdsgrass do well, but require manure to neutralize the alkalis in the land. The lands produce an average of about twenty bushels of spring wheat, forty bushels of oats, forty bushels of corn, and one hundred bushels of potatoes to the acre. "The price of farms in this town varies according to their improvement. The minimum value is $25 per acre, and the maximum $50. "The school section of this town sold for $800, which has been increased, by addition of interest from time to time, to $1,300. There are eight school districts in the town, six of which are provided with good school buildings. There are three German schools taught. Henry Bartling is the post master in the south part of the town, and S.D. Pierce at Sagone, in the north part. There are three churches, two establishments for the manufacture of brick, one grist mill, one carriage, one cabinet shop, four stores, two boot and shoes shops, and two blacksmith shops in the town. The Lutherans have a large society, and worship in a house built for their own accommodation. The present pastor is Rev. E.A. Brauer. "The German Methodist society of this town is also large. It has a house of worship, and the pulpit is regularly supplied by a settled pastor. The present pastor of this church is Rev. U. Macklin." The rest of this history describes two large hail storms which did substantial damage to the town in June 1847 and July 1854...recent history as this was written in 1857. Transcribed by Diane Bauer and Pat Sabin. October 1999. Back
to Addison Township
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