Boone County IL Archives History - Books .....1877 Past & Present Of Boone Co - Part 3 1877
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Book Title: Past & Present Of Boone County IL

AGRICULTURAL.

Being an agricultural community, there has been but little to disturb its 
tranquility since the close of the war. Falling back into the old routine of 
farm life, renewed energy and industry, if indeed such a thing were possible, 
has marked the years that have come and gone since a peace was conquered, 
Prosperity has continued to attend all legitimate undertakings, and, "at peace 
at home, with all the world and rest of mankind," there is but little left for 
our humble pen to add to the general history of Boone County. By-and-by the 
people of to-day will have passed away, and others will come after them. All 
will have made history, but, the compilation of that history will be for other 
minds, and, we hope, abler and more experienced ones, than the humble one that 
has directed this work.

Pre-eminently an agricultural community, and one embracing some of the first 
and most successful farmers in the State of Illinois, the agricultural 
interests are of more direct importance than all olhers combined. Appreciating 
the great worth of this interest, and desiring to present it in all its 
importance, we know of no more reliable or correct data upon which to base a 
summary than the records of the Boone County Agricultural Society. In the fall 
and winter of 1855-6, the question of forming such a society began to be 
agitated among the more thinking and intelligent part of the people, and in 
the spring of 1856 a meeting was called to consider the subject and devise 
ways and means to effect such an organization. The meeting was called for the 
25th of April, and Plane's Hall designated as the place for meeting and 
deliberation. Isaac Miller. Esq., was selected as chairman. At that meeting it 
was determined to organize an agricultural society, and Elias Congdon, Stephen 
A. Hurlbut and M. G. Leonard were appointed as a committee to draft a 
constitution and by-laws for the government of the society, subject to 
amendment. The organization was further completed by the election of the 
following named gentlemen as officers for the year 1855:

President, Allen C. Fuller; Vice President, John Stockham; Secretary and 
Treasurer, George J. Wood. Directors: Fredrick P. Low, Flora; Nijah Hotchkiss, 
Belvidere; Martin T. Gilbert, Caledonia; Hiram Hopkins, Manchester; E. L. 
Tisdell, Leroy, Willett Webster, Boone; H. W. Pier, Bonus; C. F. Witt, Spring.

In the course of the preparation of this work, the nineteenth annual fair of 
the society was held, commencing on Tuesday, the 4th of September, and ending 
on Friday, the 7th, during which time Mr. R. W. Coon, editor and publisher of 
the Northwestern, assisted by Mr. A. H. Keeler, issued a daily edition of that 
paper, which, though small, was filled with useful information, not the least 
important of which was a somewhat comprehensive history of the society, which 
we transfer to the pages of the Past and Present of Boone County.

"The first meeting of the society was appointed to take place on the 25th and 
26th of October, 1855, on the site now known to the people of Boone county as 
the 'Old Fair Grounds.'

"The total receipts of the Treasurer for 1855 were $624. expenditures $302.51, 
leaving a balance on hand of $321.49. Thus far the society regarded their 
effort a success, and the officers began agitating the question of purchasing 
a sufficient amount of land for the purpose of a fair ground. A committee was 
appointed to act in this matter and the old site, of the fair grounds was 
purchased. Active preparations were then made for the improvements of the 
ground and a successful fair to be held on October 1st, 2d and 3d. Allen C. 
Fuller was elected President for the second year, and Geo. J. Wood, Secretary 
and Treasurer.

"The total receipts for 1856 were $983.70, against $624 in 1855, giving an 
increase of $359.70 for the second year.

"In 1857 the following officers were elected: President, Allen C. Fuller; Vice 
President, John B. Tinker; Secretary and Treasurer, Geo. J. Wood.

"The Secretary's report for 1856 shows the total receipts to be $983.70, with 
disbursements reaching $685.45. These amounts not including amounts on hand 
from previous year, or expenditures.

"From 1857 to 1867 the fair was held on the old grounds, and the society had 
years of reasonable success, and again seasons of depression.

"In 1860 Mr. A. E. Jenner was chosen Secretary, and in the minutes of the 
Board held in 1860, when Ezra May was elected President; E. E. Moss, Vice 
President; A. E. Jenner, Secretary, and G. W. Downs, Treasurer, is the 
following:

"Resolved. That the Board is hereby authorized to pay the Secretary for his 
services any amount not exceeding thirty dollars.

"In 1862, on motion of Mr. George Dean, it was voted to postpone the holding 
of a fair until the fall of 1863, and again at a meeting or the directors in 
June, 1863, it was voted to postpone holding a fair until after the next 
annual meeting of the society," and the board then adjourned to meet on the 
call of the secretary. The records then show that the next meeting was held at 
the court-house in April, 1865, when it was voted that the secretary call a 
mass meeting of the members, farmers, mechanics, merchants, ladies and 
everybody to meet in the court-house on Saturday, June 3, 1865, 'to determine 
whether the society shall live or die.' At the June meeting, we infer, it was 
decided to try to live, for L. W. Lawrence was elected President; E. A. 
Jenner, Secretary, and W. R. Cornell, Treasurer, and a fair was held that year 
in September, and the society did very well, we judge, for at the annual 
meeting, held April 4, 1876, the society owed only $15.

"In 1867, at the annual meeting, E. E. Moss was elected President; J. D. 
Tripp, Vice President; A. E. Jenner, Secretary, and G. W. Downs, Treasurer; 
and at a meeting in June of the same year, G. W. Downs moved 'that we deem it 
expedient to change our fair grounds,' and steps were taken for the purchase 
of the grounds at present occupied by the society. These grounds were 
purchased of J. R. Williams for $1,200, the society paying him $675, the cash 
received from A. C. Fuller for the old grounds, and giving notes for the 
balance. Steps were at once taken for the removal of buildings, etc., to the 
new grounds, and the fair of 1867 was held in their new home.

"The fair held on the new grounds in 1867 was probably not very profitable, 
for a motion was passed authorizing the treasurer and secretary to borrow 
money on the best terms they could to pay the indebtedness of the society. The 
officers ot the society for the past ten years have been as follows:

"1868, D. W. Gates, Pres.; Geo. Sands. Vice Pres.; A. E. Jenner, Sec. and 
Treas. 1869, D. W. Gates., Pres.; Geo. Reed, Vice Pres.; A. E. Jenner, Sec. 
and Treas. 1870, A. C. Fuller, Pres.; L. W. Lawrence, Vice Pres.; L. O. 
Gilman, Sec.; G. N. Woodward, Treas. 1871, same with the exception of A. E. 
Jenner as Sec. 1872, John J. Foote, Pres.; Amzi Abbe, Vice Pres.; A. E. 
Jenner, Sec.; C. B. Loop, Treas. 1873, John J. Foote, Pres.; Luke Teeple, Vice 
Pres.; A. E. Jenner, Sec.; C. B. Loop, Treas. 1874, Luke Teeple, Pres.; D. R. 
Andrus, Vice Pres.; A. E. Jenner, Sec.; W. S. Jones, Treas. 1875, Ezra May, 
Pres.; D. R. Andrus, Vice Pres.; A. E. Jenner, Sec.; W. S. Jones, Treas. 1876, 
Ezra May, Pres.; D. R. Andrus, Vice Pres.; A. E. Jenner, Sec.; C. B. Loop, 
Treas. 1877, Richard Barnes, Pres.; John Hannah, Vice Pres.; A. E. Jenner, 
Sec. and Treas.

"Shortly after the Society moved into its new grounds it began to be bothered 
by debts, principally contracted by the expense of the change and the cost of 
new buildings. In 1867, this debt amounted to $2,490 and interest, while at 
the same time the amount expended on the grounds, buildings, etc., aggregated 
$5,740.16. In this year we find that a new departure was had in that the 
Treasurer was required to give bonds. Dr. G. N. Woodward was at that time 
Treasurer, and his bond was for $1,000, signed by P. J. Garcelon, E. R. 
Bishop, Ira Wilson and O. H. Wright, as sureties. This is the only bond that 
the records show as having ever been given by a Treasurer of the Society. In 
1871, after the fair, the receipts and cash were not so large as was desirable 
by the friends of the Society, and the debts were pressing. While things were 
in this condition, at a meeting held in November, 1871, the proper officers of 
the Society were authorized and instructed to execute a mortgage on the 
property of the Society to secure certain indebtedness of the Society, said 
mortgage to run two years from December, 1871.

"On December 9th, of the same year, at a meeting of the Society, it was 
resolved to amend the Constitution so as to make the Society a joint stock 
company with a capital of $5,000, in shares of $10 each, the change to take 
effect as soon as 100 shares of stock should be subscribed, when a transfer of 
the property should be made to the stockholders of the joint stock company. 
Shortly afterwards a Constitution was adopted, and since that time the Boone 
County fairs have been run by the joint stock company, and we believe we are 
justified in saying that each year the fairs have been better and the people 
have become more and more interested in them until the present time. Finally, 
in 1876, a strong effort was made by the members of the Society to clear their 
indebtedness, and for that purpose stock was increased and sold up to 600 
shares, and with the money thus raised the entire indebtedness was paid. Thus, 
at the present time, the Society, after an existence of over twenty years, is 
in better condition than ever before. It has fair grounds on which are first-
class buildings aud improvements, it has the confidence and regard of the 
people of the county, and is free from debt."

At the last annual election for officers, held on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1877, 
the following named gentlemen were chosen:

President—Richard Barnes, Belvidere; Vice President, John Hannah, Belvidere; 
Secretary, Asher E. Jenner, Belvidere; Treasurer, C. H. Peck, Belvidere.

Directors—A. O. Witbeck, Flora Township; Luke Teeple, Belvidere; John Moore, 
Caledonia; Arthur P. Daniels, Manchester; George Reed, Spring; Joel E. Cronk, 
Bonus; George Sands, Boone; Silas DeMunn, LeRoy; E. T. Bellmeyer, Cherry 
Valley; H. P. Kimball, Rockford; W. C. Vandercook, Guilford; A. T. Amos, 
Marshall.

This nineteenth annual gathering of the farmers, stock growers, mechanics and 
artisans of Boone County was largely attended, aud the display of farm and 
pasture products, machinery, etc., exceedingly creditable. Nor were evidences 
of woman's handiwork wanting. In this department the display was surprisingly 
fine. The Secretary's books show that there were 1,048 entries; premiums 
awarded, $1,291.50; special premiums, $100. The annual address was delivered 
by Hon. S. A. Hurlbut, and was listened to with marked attention. The Society 
is now said to be in better condition, financially, than it has ever been, and 
it is to be hoped that its success and prosperity will grow with its years. 
The grounds are situated about one mile and a half due west of the Courthouse, 
a part of them beautifully shaded, the grove occupying an elevated plateau of 
table land. The judges' stand and a portion of the driveway are situated in a 
kind of basin that is overlooked from the grove in the northwest corner of the 
grounds. The open space immediately below the grove (or the most of it) 
remains in the condition in which it was left by the Pottawatomie Indians. The 
ridges and hills they had thrown up for cultivation are sodded over, but 
easily traced. The grazing places of their ponies are now included as a show 
ground and trial track for cattle and horses of finest blood. The shady grove 
in which their "braves" were wont to "sleep the hours away" after a return 
from the hunt or the warpath, and where the squaws, maidens and papooses would 
betake themselves to avoid the beating rays of the midsummer's sun, the former 
to pursue the work of beading moccasins and other Indian gear, is now filled 
with halls for the display of the finer mechanism of their pale-faced 
brothers, and the still finer handiwork of their pale-faced sisters. What a 
change less than half a century has wrought!


RAILROADS.

Although Boone County is travereed by three lines of railroads, the people of 
the county never voted a single dollar in bonds or money in aid of their 
construction. When the Rockford & Kenosha Road was in contemplation some of 
the farmers in the vicinity of its contemplated line were prevailed upon to 
take stock, for which they gave mortgages on their farms and lands, with the 
guaranty from the company that the company would pay interest on the amount of 
stock so taken. The mortgages were payable in ten years.

Another contemplated road—the Racine, Janesville & Mississippi—panned a like 
course in soliciting and obtaining stock subscriptions, except as to the 
guaranty. Quite a number were inveigled into the scheme, and mortgaged their 
lands tor large sums. A few of these mortgages were compromised, but the 
larger proportion of the mortgagers filed bills, in chancery, and on hearing 
they were cancelled by decree of court.

A number of the mortgages given in aid of the Kenosha & Rockford division were 
for small amounts—some of them for sums not exceeding one hundred dollars. The 
smaller mortgages were paid in full, and the larger ones compromised, and 
there is now no individual railroad indebtedness in the county.

The Galena Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad enters the county 
near the northeast corner of section thirty-sixth Bonus Township, and runs 
nearly due west to a point near the northwest corner of section thirty-two, 
when it bears to the northwest, leaving Bonus Township at the northwest corner 
of section thirty, and enters the town of Belvidere near the center of section 
twenty-five. From Belvidere it bears to the southwest, and leaves Boone County 
at the southwest Corner of section thirty-one in Belvidere Township. This road 
was completed to Belvidere in December, 1852.

The Madison Branch (originally known as the Beloit Branch) of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, after leaving Belvidere, bears a little to the west of 
north, passing through sections twenty-three, fourteen, eleven, and two, in 
Belvidere Township, enters Caledonia Township on the southwest quarter of 
section thirty-five, passes up through section twenty-seven, and at the 
southwest corner of section twenty-two bears directly to the northwest, and 
passing through sections twenty-one (just touching the southwest corner of 
section sixteen), seventeen, and seven, leaves the county at the northwest 
corner of section seven. Caledonia, an important point for the shipment of 
grain, etc., is a station on this road. It was completed in 1853.

The Kenosha Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, running from 
Kenosha to Rockford, enters Boone Township at the southeast corner of section 
one, soon after which it turns directly southwest, passing through Capron in 
the northwest corner of section eleven, thence into and through sections ten 
and sixteen and to near the center of section twenty, when it diverges & 
little to the north through section nineteen, entering Caledonia Township at 
Poplar Grove on the northeast quarter of section twenty-four in that township, 
thence through section twenty-three to the northeast corner thereof, when it 
bears to the southwest, crossing the Madison Division at Caledonia Junction, 
on section twenty-one; thence again northwest to a point a little north of the 
center of section twenty; thence Southwest and through section nineteen, 
leaving the county at the village of Argyle, a Scotch hamlet named after 
Argyle of Scotland.

The main line of the Chicago & Northwestern also passes through the extreme 
northeastern part of LeRoy Township, crossing only a few rods of section one.

The total number of miles of railroad in the county is returned at 40 miles 
and 3,463 feet; the assessed valuation for 1876 at $218,934.


GRAIN ELEVATORS.

There are two grain elevators in successful operation. The stone elevator was 
erected in 1851, by W. H. Gilman, Sr., at a cost of $10,000. Some years later 
it passed into the ownership of D. W. Reed and Deacon Congdon, who converted 
it into a flouring mill. As such it continued to be used until about 1860 or 
1861, when M. G. Leonard, the present owner, became proprietor, by purchase. 
The mill machinery was taken out and the building returned to its original use 
as an elevator. It has a capacity of 60,000 bushels.

The Harper elevator, a wooden structure, was built in 1865, by George H. 
Harper. It is now operated by H. Whitehead.

The following is a monthly statement of the shipments by the carload of grain 
and stock from Belvidere for the year ending December 31, 1876. This is not up 
to the usual average of shipments. During that year the crops were light. In 
1875 the business was large, and it is estimated that for the current year 
(1877) the business will be at least one-third larger:

                   Grain.  Stock.                     Grain. Stock.
January........... 38      18      July.............. 31      12
February.......... 57      17      August............ 42       9
March............. 23      12      September......... 71      14
April............. 22      10      October........... 68      17
May............... 86      17      November.......... 40      17
June ............. 67       7      December.......... 52      39
Total................................................603     189
Grand Total.....................792

In the mouth of December, 1876, 61,980 pounds of poultry were shipped.

Butter is becoming quite an item in the commercial transactions of the county, 
and up to the 14th of September, 1877, a little over 60,000 pounds have been 
shipped—the largest part of it finding its way directly to the eastern 
markets. In addition, there are two butter factories that are holding their 
productions for an advance in prices.


COUNTY SCHOOLS.

Perhaps no interests of Boone County have been so carefully guarded and 
fostered as the educational. The care exercised by the early authorities in 
guarding the school lands—section sixteen in each township—was significant of 
a determination to maintain them intact to the purposes for which they had 
been set apart. The policy marked out by the first Board of County 
Commissioners for the preservation of these lands seems to have been strictly 
and rigidly adhered to by their successors until the lands were fully and 
completely disposed of, and the proceeds properly applied. Such care was not 
without its legitimate fruits. The last report of the State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction shows that the county has a township fund derived from this 
source of $14,288.00; of this amount, $13,491.17 is loaned, $11,458.74 on 
personal security, and $2,032.43 on real estate security. The principal ot 
this sum was derived from the sale of township lands, and is a perpetual 
school fund, the principal or interest of which cannot be diverted to any 
other pnrpose. And no sane man would ever wish to appropriate it to any other 
use.

We extract the following statistics from the report of the State 
Superintendent for the school year ending September 30, 1876:

Total receipts during the year, $42,196.14; total expenditures, $32,944.22; 
balance on hand, $9,251.92; total of expenditures and balance, $42,196.14; 
estimated value of school houses and grounds, $75,250.00; estimated value of 
school apparatus, $994.40; estimated value of school libraries, $231.40; 
number of volumes in libraries, 409; number of school houses, 74; number of 
males under 21 years of age, 2,264; females under 21 years of age, 2,673; 
whole number under 21 years of age, 5,337; males between the ages of 6 and 21, 
2,042; females between the ages of 6 and 21, 1,917; whole number between 6 and 
21 years of age, 3,959; number of school districts, 80; number of districts 
having school five months or more, 77; whole number of free public schools, 
72; average number of months school sustained, 7.4; only three districts had 
school less than five months; the whole number of months during which school 
was sustained, 523, equal to 43 years and 7 months; there were enrolled for 
that year, 1,730 males, and 1,651 females; total, 3,381; 54 male and 123 
female teachers were employed, making a total of 177 teachers employed during 
1876; there are five graded schools, two public high schools, and two private 
schools; eight of the school houses are built of stone, six of brick, and 60 
are frame; two were built during the year; the highest monthly wages paid male 
teachers was $122.22; the lowest, $25.00; highest monthly wages paid to female 
teachers, $44.00; lowest, $15.00; average monthly wages paid male teachers, 
$46.22, female teachers, $28.55. Twelve examinations were held during the year 
and 178 applicants examined; 18 first grade and 114 second grade certificates 
were granted; 11 male and 35 female applicants were rejected; total 
rejections, 46. During the year, the Superintendent spent 38 days in visiting 
schools, 50 days in examinations, 20 in institute work, and 20 days in other 
official duties, making 128 days spent in a directly official capacity.

In November, 1873, ten ladies were elected County Superintendents of schools. 
Mrs. Mary E. Crary was elected in this county, December 28-9, 1874. A meeting 
of the State Association of County Superintendents of schools was held in 
Chicago. Five of these lady superintendents had been appointed to read papers 
and lead in the discussions. The appointments were: Mrs. Sarah McIntosh, of 
Will County; Miss Mary Allen West, of Knox County; Miss Mary W. Whiteside, of 
Peoria County; Mrs. Mary E. Crary, of Boone County; and Mrs. Mary S. 
Carpenter, of Winnebago County. The executive committee of the association had 
selected a list of topics for the consideration of the Chicago meeting. In his 
report for 1873-4, the State Superintendent said: "Mrs. Mary E. Crary, of 
Boone County, in answer to the question, 'Ought certificates to be renewed 
without examination?' gave a decided negative, based upon the following 
reasons: Frequent examinations are a great help to the teachers, spurring them 
on to higher attainments, getting them out of the ruts of mechanical study and 
teaching, and raising their salaries by cutting off the supply of poor, cheap 
teachers." In the same report, State Superintendent Etter said of these lady 
superintendents: "Their excellent official record in this office warrants the 
belief that they acquitted themselves (in the Chicago meeting) with credit." 
These references are simply placed on record here as being pertinent to 
the "PRESENT" part of our work, for these reasons: first, the election of lady 
superintendents was an experiment; and second, because one of them, Mrs. 
Crary, was elected in Boone County.

One of the ten lady superintendents of schools, a resident of the county, and 
her official record a part of the history of the PRESENT, a brief personal 
biography of Mrs. Mary E. Crary will not be out of place in these pages;

Mrs. Crary was born in New York, in 1846. When ten years of age, her parents 
came West, and after a few years of study in different schools of Kansas and 
Missouri, she entered Laurence University, at Appleton, Wisconsin, but was 
called home by the death of her mother. After that bereavement, she entered 
the Rockford Seminary, from which she graduated with honor. She then took a 
course of study in Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York. After a few years 
of successful teaching, she was married, and settled down in Belvidere, still 
continuing to teach, however, in both the High Schools. In the fall of 1873, 
her name was proposed as a candidate for the school superintendency, to which 
office she was elected. Her official record is good. Her reports to the State 
Superintendent are highly commended by that officer, while at home her 
official character, industry, and interest in the schools is universally 
praised. As a teacher she sustained an exalted reputation. She possesses an 
excellent education—nothing of the superficial order—but thorough and 
comprehensive. She is a woman of indomitable energy and industry, and as an 
educator she ranks among the foremost in the state.


BELVIDERE.

As stated elsewhere in the progress of this writing, Oliver Robbins and 
brothers made the first claim in Boone County. That claim covered the grounds 
now occupied in part by North Belvidere, and was divided by the Kiswaukee 
River, and must have been made early in the summer of 1835. This is only 
presumption, however, based upon subsequent events. In June of that year, the 
claim was found occupied by Archibald Metcalf and David Dunham, so that the 
Robbins Bros, either sold their claim to Messrs. Metcalf and Dunham, or 
abandoned it, when the latter "jumped" it.

About the 4th of June, 1835, John K. Towner, wife and eight children, with 
their worldly goods packed in a wagon made expressly for the occasion, turned 
their backs upon the village of Avoca, in the town of Bath, County of Steuben, 
N. Y., to find a new home in Michigan. It had been Mr. Towner's purpose to 
make the trip alone—to go and spy out a new home in Michigan, and then return 
for his family; but to this proposition Mrs. T. would not consent, and bidding 
relatives and friends "good-by," they started on their journey, passing 
through Canada and entering Michigan at Detroit. Near Detroit they stopped 
with a sister of Mrs. Towner's mother (a Mrs. Mathews), until Mrs. Towner 
could rest up, her health being poor, and to allow Mr. Towner time to select a 
location for a future home. Not finding the situation and surroundings in that 
State to his liking, and hearing a good deal of Chicago, Mr. Towner left his 
wife and children among her friends, and started via the lake, for that city. 
On the way across the lake he was overtaken by sickness, and was compelled to 
lay up for a few days at the old Tremont House for treatment and rest While 
thus housed up it happened that two citizens of Kennedyville, Steuben County, 
N. Y., and acquaintances of his, were stopping at the same hotel, and hearing 
the name of their old New York friend and neighbor mentioned, they sought his 
room, to renew on the banks of Lake Michigan the acquaintanceship commenced in 
New York in their boyhood days. These men were Cornelius Cline and Erastus A. 
Nixon—men whose names have already become known to those who have followed the 
pages of this book.

Mr. Towner was not satisfied with the outlook of Chicago as presented at that 
date, and was free to express his dislike to his friends. The Rock River 
country at that time was a great center of attraction among people hunting new 
homes, and its natural beauty and wealth of soil was highly praised, and Mr. 
Towner determined to visit that new El Dorado. Always a man of influence and a 
leader among his associates in his native State, Messrs. Cline and Nixon 
needed no persuasion to be induced to accompany him. As soon as able to 
travel, the trio started on foot for Rockford, following the trail made only a 
few years before by the army of General Winfield Scott in his campaign against 
the hostile Blackhawk Indians. When Messrs. Towner, Cline and Nixon arrived at 
the Kishwaukee, they found Metcalf and Dunham, encamped in a small shanty on 
the claim already described. This was in June—the month of roses. The 
landscape was covered with myriads of flowers, and the great natural beauty of 
the surroundings enlisted the admiration of Mr. Towner. Tradition relates that 
when the Indians first entered upon and beheld the flower-bedecked landscape 
of one of the Southern States, they exclaimed: "Alabama!" which being 
interpreted means, "Here we rest." The same sentiment seems to have tilled the 
soul of Mr. Towner, for after a night's rest and a general survey of the 
beautiful landscape surrounding, examining the rich soil, etc., etc., he said 
to his companions: "Others, expecting to find a paradise on Rock River, may go 
there; as for me, I go no further." His decision was the decision of his 
friends, and here they rested.

His decision rendered, he purchased a part of the claim held by Messrs. 
Metcalf and Dunham that included some timber, and took an additional claim 
that covered both sides of the river, a little below the present residence of 
Mr. Andrew F. Moss. He arranged with Mr. Cline for the erection of a log 
cabin, and started1 back for his family, walking to Chicago, and thence by 
lake vessel to Detroit, arriving home with his family just four weeks from the 
time he left them. After a day or two of rest, their goods were re-packed and 
re-loaded, and the journey for the Kishwaukee country commenced. Coming by way 
of Chicago, Mr. Towner there bought four pairs of oxen and an old-fashioued 
Pennsylvania wagon, in those days called "Prairie Schooners." Laying in a 
small supply of provisions, such as flour, bacon, etc., and his wife taking 
charge of the horse team that had hauled them from New York, through Canada 
and Michigan to Chicago, the last end of their journey to find a new earthly 
habitation was commenced. At midnight of the last day of July, 1835, Mrs. 
Towner, with the younger children and her "carriage," arrived on the south 
bank of the Kishwaukee, at a point nearly opposite the present site of the 
Baltic (Martyn's) mills, and went into camp. The next morning, up betimes, she 
saw the sun rise in glory and splendor, and cast his genial rays over the 
ground now occupied by Belvidere—until then the favorite resort of the 
Pottawattomies, their council grounds, as well as a burial place for their 
dead.*
--------------------
*Some years ago a large number of Indian skeletons were unearthed along the 
bluff bank on the north side of the Kishwaukee, a little below the State 
street-bridge, of which more may be said in the course of this volume.

The erection of the house contracted for by Mr. Towner on his previous visit, 
had not been completed, having only been raised four "rounds"—that is, four 
logs high on each side, and until it was completed, the family made the best 
possible shift. They moved into Metcalf and Dunham's shanty, where they 
remained until Mr. Cline completed his cabin. The Towners then moved into that 
and remained there while Cline went East and returned with his own family. 
Soon after their own house was finished, into which they moved. While the 
Towners were occupying the Metcalf and Dunham shanty, Simon P. Doty and Dr. D. 
H. Whitney put in an appearance at their door and claimed their hospitality, 
which was granted, as in those days no door was closed against the wayfarers 
on the wide, sparsely settled prairies. This fact fixes the date of the 
arrival of Messrs. Doty and Whitney at from the fifth to the tenth days of 
August, 1835, and "not the first of that mouth, as we have previously stated, 
a discrepancy, however, of minor importance. This chain of evidence 
establishes beyond all doubt, if, indeed, any doubt ever existed, that 
Archibald Metcalf, David Dunham John K. Towner and family, Cornelius Cline, 
Erastus A. Nixon, Simon P. Doty and Dr D. H. Whitney were the pioneer settlers 
of Boone County, and that Mrs. Towner was the first white woman whose feet 
pressed the green carpet spread by nature upon these beautiful "Elysian 
Fields."* 

Later in the month of August, Ebenezer Peck and Dr. Goodhue came here, and 
like all who had preceded them, were delighted with the situation and the 
country, and while not seeking a place for new homes, they determined to 
secure an interest in what they foresaw must become valuable property and a 
site for a thriving town. In connection with Dr. D. H. Whitney, they purchased 
the claims of Messrs. Dunham and Metcalf, which embraced most of the lands 
occupied by the north part of Belvidere. This purchase was the first step 
towards the formation of the Belvidere Company, subsequently organized for the 
purpose of increasing the capital, building a town, mills, and making such 
other improvements as would add to the convenience and accommodation of 
immigrants and settlers. On his arrival in August, Dr. Whitney was so 
enraptured with the beauty of the landscape, that, in his enthusiasm, he named 
the place "Elysian Fields." When the Metcalf and Dunham claims were purchased, 
the name was changed to Belvidere, in honor of Mr. Beck's native place, 
Belvidere, Canada. In September, Deacon Nathaniel Crosby, then of Fredonia, 
New York, visited the settlement and purchased an interest in these claims, 
and returned East to make arrangements for building a mill at Belvidere the 
next year. "About this time," says Dr. Whitney, in a series of letters 
published in the Belvidere papers, "the company sought the claims of Messrs. 
Payne and Wheeler, two Hoosiers of the claim-making persuasion, who resided on 
Fox River. They had cut logs for a cabin, and Dr. Whitney had them hauled up 
on the site intended for the town plot, where he used them for the erection of 
a double log house, which was the first building in Belvidere that could be 
dignified by the name of a house. It was christened the Belvidere House, and 
Simon P. Doty installed, as landlord. Mr. Doty continued in the management of 
this hostelry until the fall of 1836, when he moved into his own house, the 
first framed building erected in Boone County. The frame buildings of those 
days were sided or clap-

-------------------
*Mrs. Towner is of the opinion that the wife of a chief of the Pottawattomies, 
whom she found here, was a white woman, but was so painted as to conceal her 
identity. But of this more under the caption of Political and Personal 
Recollections.
-------------------

boarded and shingled with oak lumber made by hand. An oak tree of suitable 
size would be selected, cut down, and sawed into "cuts" of the desired length. 
These "cuts" were split into "bolts," and the bolts reduced by splitting with 
a frow as nearly the required thickness as possible, after Which they were 
dressed down with a drawing knife, when they were ready for use.

"The Belvidere hotel was the only 'first-class hotel in the city,' and as its 
landlord knew how to 'keep hotel,' and was withal a popular gentleman and an 
unadulterated Whig, it was a place of popular resort, and besides serving as a 
hotel, it was used as a place for holding public meetings.

"In the latter part of October, 1835, the Marshal for LaSalle county, for 
taking the census, came to number the people of Belvidere, and the entire 
population was returned at thirty seven men, women and children."

Early in 1836, Nathaniel Crosby returned from New York. The claims were 
divided into ten shares, representing one thousand dollars each. The shares 
were all taken, and Messrs. John S. King, Jacob Whitman, Josiah C. Goodhue, 
Simon P. Doty, Frederick W. Crosby, John P. Chapin, Joel Parker and Henry L. 
Crosby admitted to equal interests in the Belvidere Company. Nathaniel Crosby 
became the general business manager in the building of the mills, etc.

The Belvidere Company was thus fully organized, and the work of building the 
mills at once commenced. All the lumber used in the erection of the sawmill 
was made by hand from the trees of the forest near by, by cutting, sawing, 
splitting and shaving, as described in a previous paragraph. Among those who 
were employed in building this sawmill, and who have remained permanently in 
the county, are Andrew F. Moss and Edward E. Moss, who have become prosperous 
farmers. Andrew F. Moss occupies a farm made on the land he pre-empted and 
bought of the government, in 1839, and upon which no debt or mortgage has ever 
been contracted.

The mill was completed and set in operation in the fall of that year. Its 
gearing, machinery, etc. were a great curosity to the Indians remaining here, 
as well as a great convenience, benefit and accommodation to immigrants and to 
settlers, and white settlers had been steadily coming in.

While the sawmill was building, timber for the gristmill was being prepared, 
and by the time the former was finished, the latter was ready for sawed 
material for its completion. Rev. Dr. John S. King and Nathaniel Crosby 
jointly superintended the building of this mill, and for many years after its 
completion settlers came from many miles distant with their corn or wheat to 
be ground. Sometimes there would be from twenty to forty teams around the mill 
at one time, each owner awaiting his turn. The later comers would sometimes be 
compelled to wait a day or two for their grinding, but, as they had come 
prepared to "stay all night," they would camp around and patiently bide their 
time. That old mill was succeeded by the present Baltic Mills of Jas. B. 
Martyn.

The completion of these mills gave a fresh and vigorous impetus to 
immigration, and the sawmill had all it could do to keep up with the demands 
for timber. About the time the building of this mill was undertaken, Col. 
Mahlon Sayers had commenced the erection of another one, at a point about five 
miles below Belvidere, at a place then known as Newburg. For a time it 
was "nip and tuck" as to which of these undertakings would be completed first. 
Col. Sayers, the proprietor of Newburg, was a rival of the Belvidere company, 
and was seeking to make his place the leading town in the county. When the 
State road between Chicago and Galena came to be located, in June, 1836, there 
was a lively contest between Newburg and Belvidere—Doty representing 
Belvidere, and Col. Sayer fighting for Newburg. But Doty was the stronger man 
of the two and spared no effort to have Belvidere made a point on the road, 
and was successful, the Newburg enterprise was abandoned, and Belvidere leaped 
into new life.

The commissioners to locate that road were Messrs. James Harrington and Mark 
Daniels, of Kane County, and John Phelps, of Ogle County. Their coming was 
looked for with interest. Claims along the line of that road would be 
valuable, and claim hunters went out to meet them and make their selections, 
and some amusing incidents are related of the eagerness, amounting almost to 
greediness, of some of these parties—incidents which we may hereafter relate. 
That road established, it became the stage road between Chicago and Galena. 
The travel was heavy in those days. In the summer and fall, four-horse coaches 
were employed, and in the winter four-horse sleighs. (In December, 1836, a 
post-office was established at Belvidere, being the first on the northern 
route between Chicago and Galena.) S. S. Whitman was appointed postmaster. "He 
held the office about six years," says Dr. Whitney, in his reminiscences of 
Boone County, "when, without a hearing, he was accused, tried and convicted of 
being an honest, upright and faithful public servant, and a Whig, when off 
went his head."

In the fall of 1836, Messrs. S. P. Doty and Deacon Crosby established the 
corners of State and Mechanic streets, with an old, iron, carpenter's square. 
State street was named from the State road, bearing a little west of north. 
Mechanic street was so named because the Belvidere company, in order to 
encourage immigration, had resolved to donate building lots to mechanics who 
would improve and reside upon them. The first buildings erected on these 
corners were: Simon P. Doty built a frame house on the corner now occupied by 
Williams' drug store, which was the Belvidere House, of which we have already 
spoken. The next house was commenced by Matt. Malony, on the corner now 
occupied by the Greenlee Brothers as a hardware store. That building was a two-
storyframe, 24x40 feet. When framed, raised and covered, further work was 
abandoned until 1839, when H. C. Walker took it in hand and completed it, and 
occupied it as a dry goods store. For a long while the upper story was used by 
the Presbyterian people as a house of worship, further mention of which will 
be made in another place. The next corner to be occupied was the one now 
occupied by the large grocery house of E. W. Case. A frame building had been 
erected in the hollow up near the present residence of Cephas Gardner, Esq., 
and an effort made to start the town up there, but Doty objected, and putting 
in a strong oar, he foiled that scheme, and the building was moved down to the 
corner just named, and occupied by Charles Goodhue as a dry goods house. He 
was soon after succeeded by Alexander Neely. The erection of another building 
was commenced on the remaining corner, now occupied by Jones' boot and shoe 
and clothing house. The building was abandoned, however, and the structure, as 
far as it had progressed, torn down and removed to another place. When the 
lands came into market, (1839) the southeast quarter of section twenty-six, 
where Belvidere had been commenced, was bought in by Col. Joel Walker. Soon 
after, a division of the lands among interested parties was decided upon, and 
titles confirmed by quit claim deeds from Mr. Walker. In that division of 
property, the last corner spoken of fell to Mr. Doty, who subsequently deeded 
it to McKnight, who erected thereon the present brick building, which was the 
first brick house built in Belvidere. Doty soon after built a brick addition 
to his Belvidere House, on the Williams drug store corner, which was 
afterwards destroyed by fire. These were the business houses of Belvidere from 
1836 to 1840. Of course there were a few residence houses, but until the year 
of the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider" campaign (1840), the growth of Belvidere was 
slow. After that year, improvements commenced to be made, and in 1877 the 
population is estimated at 4,000, with business houses that reach into the 
hundreds, that in character and magnitude will compare with those of any town 
in the State. The town has extended across the river, and covers an area of at 
least four miles square. The streets are wide, smooth and handsomely shaded. 
The residence houses are neat, tasty and attractive in their outward finish, 
betokening thrift, comfort and refinement within. Churches, school-houses, 
banks and all the other attendants of more advanced life have followed, until 
the "Elysian Fields" of nature—the home of the Indians forty-two years ago—has 
become a delightful and attractive place for homes in 1877.

When the county seat was located on the northeast quarter of section twenty-
six, railroads did not enter into consideration, and had any one been bold 
enough to predict that in less than a quarter of a century such an enterprise 
would not only be undertaken, but completed, and the time occupied in making a 
trip from Belvidere to Chicago reduced from six days to as many hours, the 
prediction would have been scouted, and the seer pronounced an idiot or 
lunatic. Had he predicted that in the same time railroads and telegraph lines 
would traverse almost every township in the county, he would have been either 
laughed out of the county or sent to some charitable institution as 
incompetent to take care of himself. But they are accomplished realities, and 
the whistling of locomotives and the rumbling of long trains of cars are heard 
almost hourly in each of the eight townships. And the man who would express 
the determination to travel back to New York in a wagon drawn by horses, as 
John K. Towner and family traveled from that State to the Kishwaukee country 
in 1835, would be scouted as badly as one would have been at that date to 
predict the railroad and telegraph realities of the present Forty-two years 
have marked wonderful changes. The next forty-two will mark still greater ones.

Previous to the building, and completion of the railroad from Chicago to 
Rockford, the growth of Belvidere had been confined to the north side of the 
Kishwaukee, as contemplated when the county seat was located on the mound. 
When this line of that road was established, hpwever, about one-half mile 
south of the river, building commenced on that side, the result of which was 
to transfer the bulk of the business to the near vicinity of the road, and the 
consequent following of residences, churches and school houses, and it is now 
conceded that the population is about equally divided by the Kishwaukee. The 
river is spanned by a magnificent wrought iron bridge, by which State street 
connects North and South Belvidere, and, almost as level as a floor, (except 
the easy descent on either side of the river) affords a magnificent drive-way.

Belvidere was incorporated under the general laws of the State in 1847, but 
only remained under such government about one year, when, the management not 
proving satisfactory to the people, they voted the corporation down. Until 
1857 there was no town or village government, but about that time the citizens 
applied for and were granted a special charter. The Act granting the charter 
was approved February 5, 1857. The Act provided that the inhabitants of the 
town of Belvidere, in Boone County, should be constituted a body politic and 
corporate, to be known by the name of the "President and Trustees of the Town 
of Belvidere," and by that name should be known to law, etc. The Act further 
provided that all that district of country contained in and known as all of 
section twenty-six and the west half of section twenty-five, in township 
number forty-four, north of range three east, in Boone county, and also all 
additions of lots, blocks and out-blocks to said town, which had been laid out 
and recorded in the recorder's office of Boone County, should be recognized as 
forming the corporation" with the proviso that the board of trustees might 
extend the limits of the corporation not to exceed two miles square of land. 
The first Monday in every month was fixed as the regular time for the meeting 
of the board of trustees, providing also for the holding of adjourned and 
special meetings, and that the first election of trustees should be held at 
the court-house, and be conducted in the same manner as other elections are 
held. The board of trustees consisted of five members, from one of which 
number a president is elected, who by virtue of the charter is ex-officio a 
member of the Board of Supervisors. The charter provided that the first 
election should be held on the second Monday in March, 1857, and annually 
thereafter on the first Monday in March in each and every year.

At the first election for trustees. John K. Towner, Israel Tripp, D. W. Read, 
Cephas Gardner and Warren Pierce were elected.  Their first meeting was held 
at the office of Messrs. Fuller & Wood, on the evening of March 10, 1857. The 
certificate of the judges of election showed that John K. Turner had received 
209 votes: Cephas Gardner, 213 votes; Israel Tripp, 212 votes; Warren Pierce, 
212 votes; David W. Read, 203 votes. Warren Pierce was chosen as president of 
the board, Asher P. Jenner clerk, Mark Ramsey, treasurer, and William Haywood, 
assessor. 

Twenty years have come and gone since the date of the election of the first 
board of trustees. As many changes have taken place in the selection of town 
officials, but the line of policy marked out by the charter and inaugurated by 
the first board, has been carefully and jealously followed. The finances have 
been economically managed, and the morals of the town jealously guarded. No 
debts were ever contracted that the corporation had not the ability to meet. 
Streets were improved, sewerage provided, sidewalks built as fast as the 
growth of the town demanded, the result of which is that in all these things 
Belvidere presents as cleanly, neat, tidy and healthy appearance as any other 
town of the same population in the State. Practically speaking, it has been 
maintained as a temperance community. Occasionally a contest as between the 
temperance and ante-temperance elements has sprung up, but the former have 
always managed to hold the balance of power within their own control.  As a 
consequence no criminal cases, growing out of drunken brawls, have ever found 
their way into the courts. Sometimes the municipal regulations touching the 
traffic in spirituous liquors have been violated, but the violators were as 
promptly arrested and the evils abated. All the adjuncts of good morals hare 
been zealously and carefully fostered and guarded. Good schools have been 
maintained from the earliest days of Belvidere to the present. (Churches have 
increased with the increase of population, until the primitive building 
erected by the Baptist people for a house of worship, and which, in its time 
served as school house, court room, public hall, etc., is now succeeded by 
twelve* church buildings, some of which are structures that would do credit to 
any metropolitan congregation. Besides the congregations represented by these 
church edifices, there are two religious societies without any house of 
worship of their own. But all of these will be mentioned more at length under 
proper divisions. Public halls have also been built as the town has grown in 
population and importance, until there are now two of most ample capacity for 
present or future demands. These, likewise, will be more specifically noticed 
in another place. These notes in general upon the origin and growth of 
Belvidere, and we notice as next in order the


EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.

The first schools taught were private or family schools. When these valleys 
began to fill up the free school system had not become general even in the 
older States. And if it had prevailed throughout the country, there were no 
sources here from which to derive revenue for their support.

Among the early teachers was Miss Harriet King, daughter of Rev. Dr. John S. 
King. Another of the pioneer teachers was Miss Rebecca Loop, a sister to Mrs. 
John K. Towner, who taught a school in the winter of 1836-7 at the Towner 
family residence on the south side of the Kishwaukee. These, according to our 
best sources of information, were the first schools taught in what is now 
Boone County. In the years in which they were taught, the settlements were 
sparse, that at Belvidere being the largest in the county, and consequently 
better able to support a school.

In 1836 or '37 a joint stock company was formed for the purpose of building 
and maintaining an academy to be known as the Newton Academy. March 4, 1838, 
an instrument of writing issued from Boone County, by Dr. Whitney, 
commissioner of sales for the county, conveying to John S. King, Hiram 
Waterman, A. D. Bishop, William Dresser and F. W. Crosby, trustees of the 
Newton Academy, and their successors in office for the use of the academy, a 
certain tract of land described as block 20, in the original town of 
Belvidere. This tract of ground cornered with the southeast corner of the 
public or court-house square, and is now occupied by the handsome residence of 
H. C. DeMunn, Esq. The academy building was commenced and so far completed as 
to be tenantable, and Prof. S. S. Whitman taught a school therein. He was 
succeeded by another teacher, says Mrs. Towner, whose name is forgotten. In 
August, 1843, the academy, grounds, franchises, etc., passed out of the 
ownership of the association, and became the property of John Walworth, in 
trust, to be used by him for educational-purposes and none other. In the same 
month, Walworth conveyed the premises to Arthur B. Fuller,** subject to all. 
the conditions named in the conveyance to Walworth. Fuller, after coming into 
possession of

----------------------
*Methodist, 2; Baptist, 2; Presbyterian, 1; German Evangelical Lutheran, 1; 
Free Methodist, 1: Catholic, 1; Episcopal, 1; Universalist, 1; Christian, 1; 
German Evangelical Association, 1.—12. Two of these, the Episcopal and 
Christian Churches, are without pastors and have no regular services.

**The Arthur Fuller here spoken of was a brother to Miss Margaret Fuller, a 
noted woman of Boston. She came here in person and bought the property for her 
brother and had it deeded to him. Subsequently she visited the European 
continent, became acquainted with, and married an Italian nobleman, Count 
D'Orsini. At a later period herself, husband and child made a visit to her 
friends in the East and, on the return voyage, were lost off Long Island.
----------------------

the property, occupied it as teacher for about two years, when he conveyed it 
to John K. Towner and Eben Conant subject to the same conditions. A son of 
Conant was a Unitarian minister, and employed the academy as a school room and 
house of worship, but his doctrines not proving satisfactory to the 
representatives of the other churches, neither his school nor church 
aspirations succeeded very well, and in January, 1852, Towner and Conant 
conveyed the property to Rev. Charles Hill Roe, a Baptist minister. Up to the 
time of Roe's purchase the building had been used for educational purposes, 
and consequently was the first school-house (the old Baptist church excepted) 
in Belvidere. After his purchase, Roe remodeled the building and occupied it 
as a residence until 1862, when he removed it and built a new house on the 
ground it had occupied, using the old academy building as a barn. In March, 
1865, Roe conveyed the premises to Henry D. Waterman; in March, 1868, Waterman 
conveyed it to Enoch Kendall, and in July, 1869, Kendall conveyed it to H. C. 
DeMunn, the present owner and occupant. And thus was the Newton Academy, 
grounds, franchises, etc., disposed of. The old academy building is still used 
as a barn by DeMunn, who says he owes much of his greatness and learning to 
his living so long on such classical ground, around which cluster the memories 
of so many learned men and educators, and to which he has given the name 
of "Piety Hill."

In October, 1845, D. B. Pettit commenced a select school with eighty-six 
scholars, in the old Baptist church, of which we have repeatedly spoken. He 
continued this school for six months, when he went East, remained absent a few 
months, and, returning, resumed teaching. During Mr. Pettit's absence, his 
school was continued by Jeremiah Phillips, who came here in February, 1846, to 
visit a sister, and while making this visit engaged in teaching penmanship. 
After Pettit's return, he and Mr. Phillips were engaged in teaching for six 
years, occupying rooms wherever they could be obtained, sometimes in the court-
house and sometimes in second stories of business houses; a part of the time 
occupying the old academy.

About this time (1842) the lands had become taxable, and the people forehanded 
enough to maintain public schools, and to build school-houses. In town and 
country the good work was prosecuted. About 1854 the stone part of the public 
school building in the Court-house square was undertaken, and when completed 
was the most pretentious school building in the county. In 1857-8 a brick 
addition was built, affording accommodations for 400 scholars. This building 
cost about $8,000. Since then the increase of population on the South side 
demanded the erection of school buildings over there. Besides a large brick 
and stone honse, with accommodations for 400 scholars, two other buildings 
(frame) are occupied.

The present principal of the North Belvidere school is Henry J. Sherrill, 
formerly of Madison county, New York. He has occupied this position about 
eleven years in succession. As an educator, he has but few, if any, superiors 
in the Northwest. His discipline is thorough, and his system of teaching as 
nearly perfect as is generally acquired. Scholars have gone from this school 
to graduate in others with high sounding names, and after an absence of some 
months have returned to find themselves far behind the classes they left. He 
is ably assisted by the following corps of teachers:

Blanche Soule, assistant in High School department; Prudie May, grammar 
department; Hattie Clark and Emma Shedd, intermediate department; Susie Rix 
and Emma May, primary department.

Three hundred scholars are enrolled.

Mr. J. W. Gibson is principal of the Sonth Belvidere school. He was chosen to 
this position in 1874, and has given the most liberal satisfaction. He is 
represented to be an excellent classical scholar, thoroughly practiced in his 
method of teaching, and his discipline without fault. His educational aides de 
camp are:

Mrs.B. M. Blackburn, assistant in High School; Miss Ida May Fry, grammar 
department—Nettie B. Gray, assistant grammar department; Miss Mary E. Wyman, 
intermediate department—Miss Carrie Bush, assistant; Miss Sina Coleson, second 
primary; Eva Smedley, first primary.

Such are the schools of Belvidere in 1877. In either of them better scholars 
can be graduated than were graduated from Yale, or Harvard "when this country 
was new." They are the pride of the people by whom they are sustained, and an 
honor and a credit to the great State in which they are maintained, and whose 
wise and generous laws have made them equal to the colleges of fifty years ago.


RELIGIOUS INTERESTS.

BAPTIST CHURCHES.

Passing from the educational, interests, we come to the Church History of 
Boone County, the next in importance to the history of its early settlement. 
In fact, these histories are so closely interwoven with each other as to be 
almost inseparable. From the best sources of information at our command, it 
appears that the Baptist people were the first to enter upon and occupy the 
field, and with that perseverance, industry, and earnestness for which that 
branch of the Christian church has ever been noted from the days when St. John 
the Baptist went down into the water, they have, in some degree, maintained 
the supremacy, as is shown both by numbers and the two elegant church edifices 
in which they worship. We learn, also, that in the early days of this county 
it was their purpose to build up here an educational and theological 
institution, and thus make it a great disseminating center of religious truths 
and instructions, but from causes not known to the writer (perhaps more 
liberal offers of property and other aid being tendered in other localities) 
the scheme was never carried out. Be this as it may, that people are none the 
less worthy of commendation for their early work in planting the seeds that 
have germinated and ripened into such fullness as is evidenced in the presence 
of large adult congregations, learned pastors, prosperous, well-conducted 
Sabbath-schools, and their two large and commodious houses of worship. The 
plan that has ripened into such good results appears to have been laid among 
the Baptists of Chautauqua County, New York. It was a worthy undertaking, and 
has been crowned with brilliant success. How true that bread cast upon the 
waters will return many days hence!

To Rev. Dr. John S. King, a very eminent Baptist divine, and a man whose name 
has often appeared on these pages, one whose moral, social, business and 
religious character was without reproach, belongs the honor and the glory of 
preaching the first sermon uttered in the Kishwaukee wilds. Dr. King came here 
in the late winter of 1835, and an earnest and zealous servant of the Lord, a 
faithful sentinel on the outposts of the Christian army, he soon found a place 
for holding religious services. The doors of the primitive home of Timothy 
Caswell were thrown open, and in that humble cabin, standing in what is now 
the eastern part of Belvidere, not far from the banks of the easy-flowing 
Kishwaukee, on a March Sunday, in 1836, the voice of prayer and praise first 
ascended heavenward, and floated out upon the air that had so short a time 
before been undisturbed except by savage shouts, the howling of the wolf, or 
songs of birds. The attendance was not large, but the words of wisdom—of glad 
tidings and great joy—or that peace that surpasseth all understanding—were 
none the less earnest. Without money and without price—no immediate earthly 
reward in expectancy—his sermon was none the less eloquent. Glittering jewels 
and flashy attire were not there for display, but hearts full of earnest 
resolve—resolves taken long years before in the old churches, in the old homes 
away back by the clear, silvery waters of Lake Chautauqua—were of more worth 
than all the glittering jewels and tinsels of fashion that ever flashed and 
shone in the temples of the unholy. The songs of prayer and praise may not 
have been so finished and artistically rendered as those of the present day; 
there may have been but one hymn-book in the congregation, and the preacher 
compelled to line out his selections, but a deep inspiration of holiness and 
solemnity filled every soul, and rendered vocal with sweetest melody every 
song of praise and invocation. That first religious meeting—on the banks of 
the far western Kishwaukee, appointed perhaps in the far east Chautauqua—was 
the precursor of better things—the first rays of that glorious light that has 
continued to grow and shine until Belvidere has become pre-eminently a city of 
churches and church-going people. He planted the seed, lived to see it ripen 
into a golden harvest, and at the advanced age of nearly ninety years—years 
full of usefulness—Dr. John S. King, in September, 1875, at DeKalb, DeKalb 
County, was called to a home in the mansions above, there to receive the 
fullness of his reward.

Thus commenced the Baptist work in the Kishwaukee valley. At a little later 
period an humble and unpretentious house (of which we have repeatedly spoken) 
was erected, and in its day served its purpose well, but finally gave way 
before the demands of an increased population, and consequently increased 
congregation. That, too, in time, had to give way to a larger and more 
commodious structure, and the present society now occupies as handsome a 
church edifice as any people could desire—much more elegant in architecture 
and finish than even the most sanguine of its Chautauqua parentage ever 
anticipated.

The following historical summary is compiled from the church records, and 
shows a degree of prosperity and usefulness rarely equalled:

The first sermon was preached here in March, 1836. There were quite a number 
of Baptists here at that time, and Rev. Dr. John S. King, Deacon N. Crosby, 
Ira Haskins and others, soon thereafter began holding regular religious 
meetings. Every door was kindly opened, and the house was filled every 
Sabbath, whether preaching or praise meeting. In July, 1836, the Baptist 
Society was organized, with the following named constituent members:

Rev. John S. King, M. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Haskins and daughter, May; Timothy 
Caswell and wife, Mercy Matilda, and unmarried daughter, and Mrs. Elizabeth 
Payne, another daughter; Moses Blood and son, Caleb, now Rev. Caleb Blood, of 
Kansas; Melvin Schenck and wife, Ann; Calvin Kingsley and wife, Charlotte S.; 
Nathaniel Crosby, Andrew F. Moss, and Charles Whitman. Melvin Schenck was 
chosen church cleric.

Others soon joined the new interest. In September, 1836, Prof. Seth S. 
Whitman, from Hamilton, New York, became their first pastor. Their numbers 
rapidly increased by the coming of John Lawrence and wife, Luther W. Lawrence 
and wife, Asa Moss, Sr., and wife, and others.

This church was blessed with many strong and efficient members, and soon 
became a power. It was the first church to incorporate the adult members into 
the Sunday-school.

List of Pastors—Prof. Seth S. Whitman, ten years; Rev. S. A. Estee, three 
years; Rev. Charles Hill Roe, D. D., thirteen years; Rev. H. J. Eddy, D. D., 
four and one-half years; Rev. N. W. Miner, D. D., three years; Rev. J. P. 
Phillips, four months (fell into ill health and resigned); and Rev. W. A. 
Welsher (in his fourth year) present incumbent.

The supplies have been: Revs. S. Morton, John S. King, L. W. Lawrence, N. 
Otis, and others. Evangelists who made a good record for the cause: Revs. 
Isaac T. Hinton, Thomas Powell, Jacob Knapp, Robert Boyd, D. D., W. W. Moore, 
Morgan Edwards, and H. G. Weston.

This society has had a total membership of nearly 1,300, numbering about 500 
during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Roe, of blessed memory. The present number is 
about 250.

Sabbath-school.—Present number, 80; enrolled, 120.

In 1865, about 65 members were dismissed to form the South Belvidere Baptist 
Church, which now numbers over 300 members, with a total membership of 480. 
That church has had for pastors, Revs. Horace M. Carr, J. L. Benedict, John 
Fulton, and the present incumbent, J. M. Whitehead. Like the parent society, 
this congregation has a fine house of worship, and an open door for good, 
dividing the Baptist interest between the two churches. The total membership 
of the two churches is a little over 1,700.

The first house of worship erected by this people has already been spoken of. 
Their second one was a brick edifice, 42x62 feet, built in 1858, at a cost of 
about $5,000, and occupied the lot now occupied. In 1867, this house was 
pulled down to make room for the present beautiful edifice, which is 65x105 
feet, which was erected furnished at a cost of $30,000, the most of which cost 
was borne by the congregation occupying it.

In 1866, the South Belvidere church built a temporary house of worship, 24x40 
feet, costing $1,000. It was afterwards used for a conference room. In 1867, 
they built a house on the corner now occupied by John Plane's hardware store, 
which cost $12,000. That building, together with the conference room, was 
destroyed by fire, in December, 1871, and in 1873 the present beautiful 
edifice, 44x70 feet, and a conference room, 24x36 feet, was built, at a cost 
of nearly $15,000.

S. S. Statistics of South Belvidere Baptist Church.—The School was organized 
in October, 1865, with about 200 members enrolled. Average Sabbath attendance, 
nearly 150; present enrollment, about 250. The Superintendents (in the order 
named) have been E. E. Moss, Henry G. Andrews, H. O. Sherman, and George B. 
Ames. Volumes in library, 260.

The total value of the Baptist Church property is estimated at $50,000.


FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The next church in the order of organization is the First Presbyterian. For a 
period of time involving nearly four years from the date of the first 
settlement of Boone County, the only regular religions services at Belvidere 
were, conducted under the auspices of the Baptist Church, but the services 
were open to all, and no member of any other church organization declined to 
attend because they were Baptist. As immigration increased, so increased the 
adherents to the different forms of worship. Presbyteriansm, as industrious, 
earnest and zealous as the Baptist or the Methodist— always jealous of the 
tenets of its faith, and true to the spirit of its founders—had 
representatives among the immigrants, and as time grew apace, and their 
numbers increased, they, too, determined upon establishing a church. Their 
first services were held at the house of Stephen Burnet, about three miles 
north of Belvidere. At first, like their Baptist co-laborers, their 
congregations were small, but their earnestness and religious ardor were none 
the less sincere. The same zeal and devotion that had been the governing 
principles of the fathers of that branch of the Church—that had carried its 
tenets and truths wherever man had an abiding place—that, through evil report 
as well as good, had enabled it to build churches, found schools and 
seminaries and colleges—was present in these pioneer meetings, and sustained 
and encouraged its believers. Years of trial and persecution, as all Christian 
people were persecuted in the earlier days of the Christian era, had only 
tended to purify and strengthen their faith. While acknowledging all religious 
organizations as co-laborers in one common field, and ready to bow with them 
in the presence of the Most High, there is yet an independence in a true 
Presbyterian that will accept no compromise of his church's Articles of Faith, 
or to depart therefrom and give up its individuality by becoming a part of any 
other church organization, unless for reasons beyond possible control, such as 
inaccessibility to their own churches and houses of worship. Love of order and 
home enter largely into the hearts of Presbyterians everywhere, as much in the 
Kishwaukee wilds as in the densely populated cities. No matter where 
Presbyterians may go, they carry these attributes with them, and never feel 
that they are at home until worshiping beneath their own vine and fig tree—
their own roof, and that free from debt. First assembled as a little band of 
true and steadfast worshipers at the humble pioneer home of Stephen Burnet, on 
Squaw Prairie, in 1838, without organization, we trace the history of their 
society organization, its success and prosperity, down to the present. In the 
compilation of this summary, we are much indebted to Henry W. Avery, Jr., 
clerk of the church, merchants and esteemed citizens of Belvidere.

The church is designated on the records of the Ottawa Presbytery as the "First 
Presbyterian Church of Belvidere, Illinois." It was organized at the log house 
of Stephen Burnet above quoted, March 17, 1839, with 23 members, whose names 
were as follows:

Mrs. Dorcas May, Ezra May, Mrs. Abigail Burnet, Stephen Burnet, Mrs. Harriet 
Sheldon, Frederic S. Sheldon, Mrs. Abigail Hicks, George V. Hicks, Mrs. Mary 
Gardner, Austin Gardner, David Caswell, Aaron H. Billings, Mrs. Louisa 
Rollins, Chauncy Bristol, Mrs. Maria L. Fisk, Mrs. Mary C. Dubois, Mrs. Hannah 
Blood, Mrs. Juliet M. Gilman, Mrs. Nancy Hale, Mrs. Phil. McBride, Mrs. Louisa 
May, Mrs. R. Cunningham, Miss Adaline E. Sheldon.

At the organization, Rev. John Morrill officiated, and Ezra May and Austin 
Gardner were elected ruling elders. The Articles of Faith and Covenant now in 
use were then adopted.

Up to the arrival of Col. Joel Walker, the congregation worshipped at the 
residence of Mr. Burnet, and then in the former's log house across the 
prairie, three miles north of Belvidere, until the following year.

In 1840, the second story of the frame store-building erected by Col. Walker 
the previous year, on the northwest corner of State and Mechanic streets was 
finished off, and its use as a place of worship given the society. The hall 
was dedicated June 4, 1840, and occupied three years.

The church was received into the Ottawa Presbytery, when in session at 
Belvidere, June 23, 1841, at which time Rev. Royal Nathaniel Wright, was 
installed as the first pastor, with a promised salary of $400 per annum, $150 
of which was pledged by the Home Missionary Society.

In 1843, the first church edifice of this society, and the first building in 
the county used exclusively for religious purposes, was erected, on the corner 
of Main and Mechanic streets, the present location. It was dedicated in August 
of the same year. The material was white brick, its dimensions 36x48 feet, its 
cost $2,250, and the design plain and unpretentious.

In April, 1857, the erection of the church building now occupied as a place of 
worship by the society was commenced, and in February, 1858, it was dedicated. 
It is built of red brick, after, the Corinthian order of architecture; with 
the addition of a spire, is 60x80 feet in dimensions, will seat 800 persons, 
and cost $18,000. While the new church was building, the society met for 
worship in the first Union Hall.

The membership record is: Original number, 23; received during various 
pastorates, 835; received between the pastorates, 27; total since 
organization, 885. Present number of members, 400. Number of original members 
now living, 10.

The pastors have been: Morrill (supply), commenced labor, March 17, 1839; 
pastorate ceased, March, 1840; duration, 1 yr.; members received, 23.

Royal Nathaniel Wright, commenced labor, June, 1841; installed, June 23, 1841; 
pastorate ceased, Oct. 6, 1849; cause, died, aged 38; duration, 8 1/2 years; 
members received, 182.

Charles Fanning, installed, Oct. 23, 1850; pastorate ceased, April, 1854; 
cause, resigned, ill-health; duration, 3 1/2 yrs.; members received, 118.

E. D. Wilis (supply), commenced labor, April, 1854; pastorate ceased, May, 
1855; duration, 13 months.

Eleazer T. Ball, commenced labor, May 6, 1855; installed, July 9, 1855; 
pastorate ceased, Aug. 9, 1855; cause, died; duration 1 month; members 
received, 16.

Henry B. Holmes, commenced labor, Jan. 18, 1856; installed, April 23, 1856; 
pastorate ceased, Dec, 1862; cause, resigned, call to Dubuque; duration, 6 3/8 
years; members received, 149.

David R. Eddy, commenced labor, May 10, 1863; installed, May 4, 1864; 
pastorate ceased, July 7, 1872; cause, resigned, call to Flint; duration, 8 1-
6 years; members received, 313.

Supplys, July to December, 1872.

Thomas C. Easton, commenced labor, Dec. 15, 1872; installed, Sept. 15, 1873; 
now serving; members received, 57. 

The Record of Eldership is as follows:

Ezra May, elected March, 1839; died Sept., 1854; served 15 1/2 years. 
Austin Gardner, elected March, 1839; died Feb., 1843; served 4 years. 
Joel Walker, elected Feb., 1841; died July, 1855; served 14 1/2 years. 
Marcus Wnite, elected April, '42; removed Sept., '50; served 8 1/2 years. 
David Dickey, elected Jan., 1846; died Dec., 1850; served 5 years.
Sidney Avery, elected January, 1846; still serving. 
Jona. Mitchell, elected Sept., 1850; died Sept., 1853; served 3 years. 
Theron Linsley, elected Sept., 1851; died May, 1857; served 5 1/2 years. 
Sey. Gookings, elected Sept., '51; removed April, '55; served 3 1/2 years.
Eli Foote, elected Sept., 1851; retired Nov., 1864; served 13 years. 
Eli Foote, re-elected Nov., 1869; still serving.
John Lawrie, elected Sept., 1851; retired Nov., 1860; served 9 years.
H. W. Avery, Jr., elected Sept., 1852; still serving.
James D. Tripp, elected Nov., 1854; still serving.
Warren Pierce, elected Nov., 1855; removed 1859; served 3 1/2 years.
Olney Nichols, elected Nov., '56; removed Aug., '62; served 5 3/4 years.
D. E. Foote, elected Nov., 1856; still serving.
Danl. McEwen, elected Nov., '57; removed Dec., '67; served 10 years. 
Saml. Pepper, elected Nov., 1861; retired Nov., 1864; served 3 years. 
Elliot Bush, elected Nov., 1861; died June, 1864; served 2 1/2 years.
H. D. Waterman, elected Nov., 1862; retired Nov., 1865; served 3 years. 
John Yourt, elected Jan., 1864; still serving.
M. C. Tomkins, elected Nov.,1864; removed Mch., 1873; served 8 1/3 years. 
N. C. Bentley, elected Jan., 1866; still serving. 
Ira Stanbro, elected Oct., 1868; retired Nov., 1872; served 4 years. 
M. Linsley, elected Nov., 1872, retired Nov., 1875; served 3 years.
I. T. Witbeck, elected Oct., 1873; still serving. 
H. J. Sherrill, elected March, 1876; still serving.

The system of rotary eldership was adopted November, 1851, and has been 
practiced since that date.

The retirements were occasioned by no causes discreditable to those 
withdrawing.

The Sabbath School was organized in the hall owned by Col. Walker, June 6, 
1840. Deacon Austin Gardner was its first Superintendent. Mrs. Mary Gardner, 
Col. Walker, and Mrs. Alice Walker, were his associate teachers, and the 
pupils numbered about twenty-five. Additions were gradually made, and soon the 
names of C. C. Bristol, Bradford Dean, Mrs. Hannah Blood, Mrs. Annette S. 
Wright, and Mrs. Louisa M. Fisk appear as teachers. In 1843, Deacon Gardner 
was removed by death. Mr. Albert Brainerd was elected his successor, but the 
responsibility rested upon and was borne more particularly by Col. Walker, 
who, from its organization to his death, in July, 1855, was zealous for the 
prosperity of this Sabbath-school. Mr. Brainerd was succeeded by N. C. Amsden, 
some time in 1844. About the first of January, 1846, H. W. Avery, Jr., was 
elected Superintendent, and, by re-elections, was continued until May, 1866, 
excepting intervals of from a few months to perhaps a year, which were filled 
by H. P. Woodworth, E. B. Conklin, L. B. Danforth, Seymer Gookins, and E. N. 
Bush. In May, 1866, Dr. D. E. Foote was elected Superintendent, and, by annual 
re-elections, was continued until May, 1876, when he was succeeded by D. D. 
Sabin. In May, 1877, Mr. Sabin declining a re-election, James R. Leonard was 
elected, and is at this date the acting Superintendent. There have been 
probably more than one hundred and fifty different teachers. The classes have 
increased from three or four, at first, to twenty-five, and the pupils from 
twenty-five to three hundred and fifty, as perhaps the highest number ever 
reported. A marked feature of this school is the attendance of many adults. 
Probably one-fourth of the members are classed as adults, who, with their own 
and others' children, together study the regular Bible lesson. Nearly all the 
members of the Sabbath-school are regular attendants upon the church service, 
and the church receives many additional members from this nursery. The library 
is usually replenished yearly, with such books as are considered suitable, 
while those which have been read and are in fair condition are gratuitously 
sent to more destitute schools in the farther West.

The most important and, in some respects, remarkable revival in the annale of 
this organization occurred during the pastorate of Rev. P. R. Eddy, in the 
winter of 1864-5. As its fruit sixty-seven persons were received into covenaut 
on profession.

This church has been notably preserved from internal discord and division, and 
marked for its love of reformatory movements and faithfulness to the doctrines 
of civil and religious liberty.

Biographical.—Rev. Thomas Chalmers Easton, M. A., was born in Jedburg, 
Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 12, 1835. He received his classical 
education in the Latin School and Nest Academy, under the tuition of Burnett, 
and entered St. Mary's College, at St. Andrews, well qualified, and graduated 
with distinguished honors, class of 1855. He soon after emigrated to this 
country, and entered the Congregational ministry, and in 1868 had his present 
degree of M. A. conferred by Beloit (Wisconsin) College. He has been the 
pastor of three large churches—his first charge being the First Congregational 
Church in South Glastonbury, Connecticut; his second, the Scotch Church at 
Argyle, Winnebago County, Illinois, and his present charge, the First 
Presbyterian Church, Belvidere. During the years 1860-1, he served as Chaplain 
to the Legislature of New York, and was identified with the Abolition 
movement, debating largely the "Personal Liberty-Bill," in company with Hon. 
Gerritt Smith, Fred Douglass, and others, who viewed these important political 
subjects from the same standpoint as Mr. Easton. He is well known as a 
lecturer, and takes the deepest interest in all philanthropic and educational 
reforms, and is greatly beloved by his present congregation.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Where has Methodism not been carried? From a little class organized by John 
Wesley in London, England, in 1739; persecuted and hunted from place to place, 
their numbers increasing from month to month, from year to year, they now rank 
first in point of numbers among the civilized people of the world. There is no 
limit to the industry and earnestness of this people. Wherever it has been 
possible to reach mankind at home and abroad, there the truths taught by the 
followers of John Wesley have been carried. It has made the dark places light, 
and opened the pathway of peace to millions of benighted souls. No sluggard 
can be a Methodist. That organization tolerates no drones; and its system is 
so perfect, that each part of its working machinery is in full harmony with 
the other. These people follow their plan of evangelization as regularly as 
the sun follows its orbit. No plummet was ever truer to the line than are the 
Methodists to their work. Not only is industry a pre-requisite to a good 
Methodist, but courage as well, particularly to the ministry. When once one's 
mind is made up to enter that sacred calling, friends, kindred, home, and if 
needs be, country, must be sacrificed to the duty embraced, and wherever work 
is to be done, there must he go. It may be to missionary service in the 
remotest islands of the sea—a backwoods or a prairie mission or circuit, with 
perhaps the appointments a day's journey or a week's journey apart—the 
settlements sparse, the labor great and the prospect of earthly reward 
exceeding small. Hunger, exposure, persecution are in the way, bnt Methodism 
smiles at these as it sings its hosannas of praise, and shouts its paeans of 
defiance at the bulwarks of the tempter. In the character of the pioneer 
Methodist ministers—circuit riders, like Peter Cartright, or Kentucky's 
Findley, there is something grand, and touchingly sublime. But these are only 
two of tens of thousands, the memory of whose character, courage, self-denial 
and devotion to the cause of the Master and the salvation of souls, lives as a 
monument in the minds of every true follower of the Author and Finisher of 
men's faith.

Early in the field everywhere, they followed close on the heels of the early 
immigrants to the prairies of the Kishwaukee, chanting their songs of praise 
and shouting defiance at all obstacles between them and the accomplishment of 
the work they were commissioned to do.

As a general rule, their missionaries go ahead to spy out the land and look 
after the spiritual needs of the early pioneers. Later comes the circuit rider 
with his saddle-bags, Bible and hymn book, and thus, step by step, their good 
work is prosecuted.

The history of Methodism in Northern Illinois shows that the first class 
formed within the bounds of the Rock River Conference was at Galena, in 1829; 
the second at Plainfield, the same year; the third at Chicago, in 1831. At the 
next year's conference, Zadoc Hall was sent to explore the country, and form a 
new circuit west of the Illinois River and north of Peoria. His charge was 
called the Peoria Mission, and was larger than the entire conference is now. 
The Ottawa circuit was formed from the northern part ot the Ottawa, in 1833, 
and the Belvidere circuit cut from the Ottawa circuit two or three years later.

The following list comprises the preachers in charge to the present time 
(September, 1877): 1838, Jesse Walker; 1839, N. Jewett; 1840, __ Brayton; 
1841, Jas. McKean; 1842, R. A. Blanchard; 1843, M. Decker; 1844-5, R. A. 
Blanchard; 1846, Wesley Latin; 1847, Geo. Lovesse; 1848, W. Wilmot; 1849, R. 
Beatty; 1850, M. Decker; 1852-4, Thos. North; 1856, L. Anderson; 1857, S. 
Stover; 1859, C. S. McReading; 1860, S. F. Denning; H. Crew, P. E.; 1861, S. 
F. Denning; R. A. Blanchard, P. E.; 1862, F. A. Read; 1863, H. Atchison; 1864-
6 Geo. J. Bliss; H. L. Martin, P. E.

Since then the preachers have been: 1867, J. C. Stoughton, 1st church, 176 
members; S. Cates, 2d church, 55 members. 1868, E. W. Adams, 1st church; S. A. 
Cates, 2d church, W. A. Willing, P. E. 1869, W. H. Fisher, 1st church; S. 
Cates, 2d church. 1870, W. H. Fisher, 1st church; W. H. Wilkinson, 2d church. 
1871, W. H. Fisher, 1st church, 148 members; R. A. Blanchard, 2d church, 110 
members. 1872, — Newton, 1st church; J. O. Ogden, 2d church, W. A. Gray, P. E. 
1873, W. H. Haight, 1st church; J. O. Odgers, 2d church. 1874, W. H. Haight, 
1st church; J. O. Odgers, 2d church; 1875, W. H. Haight, 1st church; W. T. 
Shaw, 2d church; 1876, N. H. Axtell, 1st and 2d churches.

April 29, 1866, the following persons took letters from the church, and 
organized the Second (South Belvidere) Methodist Episcopal Church:

G. Chamberlain, H. Nicholson, N. Nicholson, A. Howard, L. Howard, G. D. Smith, 
E. Smith, B. B. Hovey, M. J. Boyee, J. Danforth, E. EstaBrook, M. S. 
Chamberlain, H. Chanahim, M. S. Bassett, S. A. Banks, P. Burton, R. Swail, H. 
Cornell, C. Cornell, E. Allbright, H. Bennett, H. Pastee. L. Anderson was made 
pastor.

In the year 1850, the brick church was dedicated, then the finest house of 
worship in the city. This people first occupied, as a place of worship, the 
second story of a frame building that had been commenced by a Mr. Fisk, on the 
Rockford road between Belvidere and Beaver Creek; but after being raised was 
pulled down and removed to Belvidere and erected at the corner of State and 
Perry streets, opposite the present residence of Mrs. John K. Towner. At a 
later period, they moved into a building erected by Dr. Whitney for a law 
office, on the rear end of the lot now occupied by the Presbyterian church, 
and which they occupied one winter, when they moved into a building that had 
been erected on State street (now occupied as a residence by Mrs. Wilbur) by 
J. G. Saxton, for a hardware store for Nijah Hotchkiss. They continued to 
occupy his place until they had purchased the site of their present church, 
and erected a small framed house thereon, where they remained until their 
present house of worship was built.

The interests of the town growing more favorable to the South Side, that 
church has become the strong one. Its Sabbath-school is the largest and most 
prosperous in the city. It has the singular honor of having thirty-three per 
cent, of its scholars entitled to diplomas for perfect lessons for the entire 
year. That number having been perfect also in rigid examination upon the 
year's study. Prof. I. B. Gibson is the superintendent at present.

Biographical.—Rev. N. H. Axtel came to take charge of the two churches, from 
the Park Avenue Church, Chicago. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1836, and 
entered Allegheny Preparatory School in 1848. Then, after spending two years 
in the South and West, returned to college and graduated in 1860. Being 
elected to a professorship in Willoughby College, he spent one year there and 
the next two years in Evanston, teaching in the Northwestern University, and 
completing a course of Divinity in Garrett Biblical Institute. Since entering 
the ministry, his appointments have been Princeton, Galena, Aurora, Mendota, 
Elgin, Park Avenue—Chicago, and Belvidere. He is represented as a close 
student, a deep thinker, a ready and logical speaker, and sincere piety.


EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN IMMANUEL CHURCH.

In 1868, the Rev. A. Wagner, of Chicago, occasionally came to Belvidere, 
rendering sermons to the German Lutherans of the town and vicinity. Early in 
1869, about twenty families were organized as a congregation, and sent a call 
to Rev. Phil. Estel, which was accepted. Services were held at the court 
house, and in private residences. In time; Mr. Estel accepted a call to 
another field, and services were rendered to the congregation by surrounding 
ministers, until in 1873, Rev. William Heinraut accepted a call as pastor of 
the congregation. In 1875 the congregation succeeded in buying the former 
Congregational church, a frame building 50x30 feet, 20 feet high, surmounted 
by a steeple 40 feet in height. The church was consecrated the 25th of July, 
1875, after being thoroughly repaired and refurnished. In July, 1877, Rev. 
Heinranft removed to Missouri, and was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. C. 
F. Th. Eissfeldt, who was installed August 12th.

The congregation has a present membership of forty-six. Services are held 
every other Sunday at 10:30 o'clock a. m.; Sunday-school from 12 to 1 o'clock 
p. m. From November to April, a school is taught by the pastor, which is 
sustained by the congregation.

The names of the original members of this church are: J. Suhr, J. H. Buhmeyer, 
Fr. Sturm, G. Gierhahn, F. Reimer, J. Watomann, John Berg, Chr. Grawe, J. 
Wesebaum, H. Kraft, J. Wascher, C. Johannis, John Riedel, C. Gahlbeck, A. 
Sander, John Sturm, C. Marske, Chr. Johannis, J. Weber, A. Lettow, S. Luhmann, 
J. Piehl, H. Streage—23.


THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

Among the other people that settled here in the early times were a few 
representatives of this branch of the church. As jealous of their belief as 
the others were of theirs, they secured occasional preaching as opportunity 
offered. Rev. Seth Barnes, who was settled at Rockford, made occasional visits 
to Belvidere, and preached here as early as 1838. The meetings were held 
whenever a suitable building could be secured. Sometimes they were held in 
Towner's Hall, sometimes in some, of the church edifices, and often in private 
houses, and were generally well attended. Mr. Barnes continued these meetings 
for about one year, when he removed from Rockford, finally locating at St. 
Anthony (now East Minneapolis), where he continued preaching until his death 
some years later. Before his removal to Minnesota, however, he assisted in 
establishing the Better Covenant, a newspaper devoted to the interests of his 
church. Subsequently the name of the paper was changed to the New Covenant, 
and continues to be published under that name at Chicago.

Until 1853, the Belvidere Universalists only had occasional services, 
conducted by different preachers. The first day of August, 1853, the first 
regular organization was effected. That meeting was held at the court house 
and under the direction of Rev. T. S. Bartholomew, the First Universalist 
Society of Belvidere was fully organized. Jeremiah Phillips was chosen as 
church clerk, Peter Payne treasurer, and Charles McDougal, Simmons Terwilliger 
and Timothy Lewis, trustees for the society. The names
of the parent members of the society were:

Timothy Lewis, Chas. McDougal, John W. Mack, Simmons Terwilliger, Jeremiah 
Phillips, Peter Payne, T. S. Bartholomew, Chas. E. Drake, Sherman E. Lewis, 
David Beebe, Eben Hammond, Selva Mack, Cephas Gardner, Enos Walker, J. R. 
Murphy, Elisha Leach, F. A. Hull, H. C. DeMunn, S. S. Stroud, W. C. Tuttle, 
Hannah Morse, H. J. Doolittle, Mary Curtis, Almira Lewis, Martha Drake, Emeret 
Lewis, Nancy Beebe, Angenett Merrill, Elizabeth White, Melissa Payne, Emily 
Kandy, N. A. Hull, Wm. Perkins, Fanny McDougal, Esther E. Doolittle, B. Fox, 
J. J. Waterman, L. C. Waterman, L. J. Cohoon, H. A. Cohoon, Nathaniel 
Bancroft, E. A. Bancroft, E. M. Rogers, S.M. Cook and N. G. Tripp—45.

After the organization of the society, their meetings were held in the old 
Baptist church building, (which had been purchased by Alexander Neely for a 
school-house) at the corner of Van Buren and East streets, and which they 
afterwards purchased, together with the ground on which it stood. In 1862, the 
society commenced to build a new house, and one in keeping with the character 
of the surroundings. It is a very handsome frame building, with stone 
foundation, and a seating capacity for two hundred persons. With the grounds, 
it cost about $3,000.

Mr. Bartholomew remained as pastor of the society about two years, and was 
succeeded by Rev. R. G. Hamilton, who remained three years. He in turn was 
succeeded by Rev. A. B. Ellis, who labored with them about the same length of 
time. Under ins pastorate, in 1865, a re-organization of the society was 
effected. The next pastor was Rev. W. S. Ralph. The next pastors in succession 
were Rev. J. J. Austin, who remained two years; Rev. S. A. Holt, not quite one 
year, when he resigned. Until a permanent pastor could be secured, 
arrangements were made by which Rev. P. M. Reed, of Rockford, preached for 
them every alternate Sabbath. This supply continued about six months, when 
Rev. H. Slade, of Elgin, was called to the pastorate of the society, filling 
the pulpit for one year. Rev. H. W Harrington came next, and remained two 
years, closing his pastorate April 1, 1876.

Since Mr. Harrington retired, the society has been without a pastor, but its 
organization is kept up, and the pulpit occasionally supplied by Rev. D. M. 
Reed.

Their Sabbath-school was first organized in 1854, by Mrs. T. S. Bartholomew, 
and re-organized in 1861, with Mrs. Bartholomew as superintendent. In 1865 
another organization of the school was accomplished. At this time the school 
numbered one hundred scholars and fourteen teachers, and had a library of 300 
volumes. At the last organization, Rev. Bartholomew was chosen superintendent. 
The present trustees of the society are D. E. Moulton, William Weed and S. 
Terwilliger; Charles Carpenter, clerk and treasurer.


CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

When the Towners came to the Kishwaukee, in 1835, they brought with them the 
doctrines and faith taught by Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Christian 
(often synically called the Campbellite) Church. This people, although liberal 
in their sympathies and regard for the other denominations, are as closely 
wedded to their faith as are the Methodists, the Baptists, or the 
Presbyterians, to theirs. And it is not strange that such representatives as 
Mr. and Mrs. Towner should seek the earliest opportunity to establish the 
doctrines of their church among the others that have grown up in Belvidere.

The first minister to proclaim the doctrines of this branch of the Church to 
the people of Boone County was Elder Walworth, in 1838. He is represented to 
have been a preacher of great power and eloquence, as well as of great worth 
and piety. Under his ministrations, the Christian society was organized and 
put in the way of usefulness. The owner at one time of the old Newton Academy 
building, spoken of elsewhere, he used it as a place of worship. While 
laboring here, he was a correspondent for the Unitarian papers, and by this 
means made the acquaintance of Rev. Mr. Conant, a Unitarian minister and 
educator. This acquaintance resulted in bringing Mr. Conant to Belvidere, and 
he finally succeeded Elder Walworth in the ownership of the Academy building 
and pastorate of the Christian society. Elder Walworth, being recognized as a 
great evangelist, had frequent calls to other fields, but, during such 
absences, his Belvidere pulpit was filled every alternate Sabbath by Mr. 
Conant. Elder Walworth is now located in Green County, Wisconsin. 

About 1841-2, Elder William Roberts came and assumed the place Elder Walworth 
had filled so satisfactorily, and continued to preach the truths of his church 
until failing health compelled his resignation, some time in the year 1843. A 
writer in the Herald, of Gospel Liberty, under date of August, 1877, in 
referring to the early life of Elder Roberts, holds this language: "After 
dedicating himself to the labor of the ministry, his labors, which were 
somewhat itinerant, were directed for a time to the little hamlet two miles 
from my father's—now DeLancy—where a blessed and extensive work of grace 
crowned his efforts! Much of the time, for perhaps a year or more, he labored 
among us, and in all his intercourse with the people his bearing was such as 
to hold the love and respect his first labors had won. Being still unmarried, 
it is somewhat remarkable, perhaps, and also a fact to be thankful for, that 
no shadow of flirtation was ever known of him, and no one of the many young 
lady converts ever betrayed the least indiscretion in relation to him that I 
ever heard of. The 'holy kiss,' which I fear has given too much latitude to 
some cordial, un-sanctified natures, was limited in his case, I fully believe, 
to greetings of my father. This they ever exchanged on meeting after a few 
weeks' separation, and I wish that all who practice obedience to the Apostolic 
injunction in this matter could as certainly know it to be the 'holy kiss' as 
I believe were these greetings of my father and his 'dear little elder.' I 
have heard my father say he was one of the very few he had known who never, to 
all human appearance, had an hour's declension from his first love. * * * The 
last meeting he attended among us was very much like the one recorded in the 
last chapter of Acts. It continued five hours."

Arthur Fuller came next after Elder Roberts, and he, likewise, through the 
help of his sister, Miss Margaret Fuller, became the owner of the Academy 
building. He remained two years, as teacher and preacher. After his 
resignation, Rev. J. L. Towner, son of John K. Towner, who had graduated from 
college, preached to the Christian society; and whenever Elder Walworth could 
find time from other more needy fields he would come and preach to his people. 
Thus were the meetings kept up until Elder William Bradley came, in January, 
1853. Under the ministration of this divine the church was wonderfully 
blessed. Until his coming, no decisive measures had been undertaken for the 
erection of a church building, but he soon set about this enterprise, and in 
June, 1856, says Mrs. Towner, their church edifice was completed and 
dedicated. Elder Bradley remained in this charge until 1858, when he resigned 
the pastorate. He is now preaching in Boston.

Next in the succession came Elder Adams, through the remainder of 1859-'60, 
and then went to California. Elder Watson, from New Hampshire, a young man of 
excellent qualifications, succeeded Mr. Adams, and remained four or five 
years. He is now located at Troy, Miami County, Ohio, and is recognized as one 
of their ablest and most worthy preachers.

About this time the society began to lose its strength and influence, by 
reason of the removal of members to Iowa and other new homes—sometimes as many 
as twenty of them going at one time.

Elder Linscott was the last regular pastor of the society. He was a most 
industrious and zealous worker. During his pastorate, about eighteen months, 
he preached to three congregations almost every Sunday—at Belvidere in the 
morning, to the Bonus Prairie congregation in the afternoon, and at Capron in 
the evening. His labors carried the society up to 1863—4, when it had become 
too weak to support a pastor, and it gave up the field as an organized church 
body. Their church building has passed into other hands, but is still occupied 
as a house of worship. Only a few of the old members still remain here. Among 
these is Mrs. Towner, relict of John K. Towner, who died November 7, 1861. 
Mrs. Towner, though far advanced in life, is hale and vigorous, and the last 
female representative of the Belvidere settlers of 1835. In fact, she is the 
mother—an honored and respected one—of the city. Her son, Elder John L. 
Towner, of whom mention has been made in the course of this church sketch, is 
located at Industry, McDonough County, doing a work of usefulness.


EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This church organized in 1847. Members—Mr. and Mrs. Albert Neely, Mrs. 
Margaret Keith, Mr. Nijah Hotchkiss, Miss Alma Hotchkiss, Mr. George Dean, 
Mrs. A. F. Moss, and Mr. and Mrs. George Williams. Clergymen—Rev. Alfred 
Louderback, Rev. S. D. Pulferd, Rev. E. B. Tuttle, Rev. Mr. Waterbury, Rev. La 
Bagh, Rev. W. H. Cooper, Rev. W. H. Couch, Rev. W. H. Yeator, Rev. W. H. 
Partmus, Rev. W. H. Eddy. Owing to loss of church records by fire a full 
history cannot be given.


FREE METHODIST CHURCH.

The Free Methodist congregation has a small but very neat church edifice, and 
regular services, by Rev. E. C. Best. Their Sabbath-school is in a prosperous 
condition, and the members of the society earnest, industrious workers in 
their church's interest. Unable to gather the data for a more extended notice 
of this society, we present the following lines from the pastor, which 
explains itself and justifies the brevity of this sketch:

"City, Sept. 20.—Dear Sir: I find it impossible for me to give a full history 
of our church here, as I can not get the records prior to about 1865 or 1868, 
for a few days at least. Respectfully yours,

"E. C. Best."

This note was in answer to one written to Mr. Best, after two or three visits 
to the parsonage and finding him absent, asking for information about his 
church society, etc.


CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Catholics have a very handsome church edifice and good congregation, but 
in consequence of the absence of the priest on a visit to Europe, it was 
impossible to obtain any data relating the church's history, although repeated 
efforts to accomplish that end were made, hence the brevity of this sketch.


GERMAN EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This people have a small church edifice, and a membership of fifty persons. 
Their society was organized about 1867, with not to exceed ten persons as 
members. Rev. L. Keller is their present pastor, who preaches to the 
congregation every alternate Sunday. Their Sabbath-school numbers from thirty-
five to forty scholars, and six teachers; Charles Fritz, Superintendent.

Additional Comments:
THE PAST AND PRESENT of Boone County, Illinois,
containing A History of the County—Its Cities, Towns, &c., A Biographical 
Directory of its Citizens, War Record of its Volunteers in the late Rebellion, 
Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men,  General and Local Statistics, 
History of the Northwest, History of Illinois, Constitdtion of the United 
States, Map of Boone County, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED;
CHICAGO: H. F. KETT & CO, Cor. 5th Ave. and Washington St.
1877.


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