Henry County IL Archives History - Books .....Andover 1877 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 2, 2008, 9:48 pm Book Title: History Of Henry County, The ANDOVER. The first white settler in what is now Andover, was a Dr. Baker, who built a log-house in the edge of White Oak Grove, just south of the Captain Mix place. Either the locality did not people fast enough to suit the doctor, or the situation was too healthy for business, for he shortly removed to the more congenial latitude of Green River. The first permanent settlement was in June, 1835, when Rev. Pillsbury, Slaughter, and Pike came as a committee of the New York Association to locate lands for a colony. They entered a largo quantity of land, and laid the foundations of a city by platting a section of land into streets and squares, and lots and blocks; and to indicate that it was to be the center of intelligence and learning, they christened it Andover. They located the present Andover mill site, and erected a mill. Nat Huntoon, deceased, was the first miller, and his customers came 75 to 80 miles, glad to find a mill so near. After several years' grinding and sawing, a freshet carried away the dam and left the mill upside down. When the building of the mill was commenced the committee bought a bill of goods in St. Louis to pay hands with, as these could be more easily obtained than money, and, supplying the actual necessities of the times, were preferable. As an example of the business done at this mill, and the mode of keeping accounts, the following bill on record in the County Clerk's office is given. It is indorsed "J. Jacobs' Return," and is an account of business at Andover mill, thirty-six years ago: Cash return from the 13th to the 24th of Dec. 1840. Dec 14 Asa Wisner Sold three dollars worth of shorts and flour cash, 3.00 22 Tabor 222 lbs flour and 1 B bran - 4.00 Sold 100 lbs flour cash 2.00 Mr. More to. 100 lbs shorts 1.00 J Jacobs took of sam for grinding 50 Credit Return. Dec 15 Mr. Chapin Dr to 30 lbs flour 1.60 John Jacobs 1 1/2 B corn 38 17 George Pillsbury 220 lbs flour and 10 B corn and 4 B reffuse wheat 7.00 Asa Wisner Dr to 2 B corn 50 Asa Wisner Dr to 234 lbs flour and 14 3/4 B wheat 14.13 E Buck 34 lbs Damaged flour 34 Wm Ayres 5 B bran 31 J L Hoskins to flour 28 Hoskins Credit to 3 ax healves 25 Dec 26th 1840. J JACOBS. Wm. S. and Jesse Woolsey came out with the committee in 1835, but spent the ensuing Winter at Richland Grove. The nearest post-office was Knoxville, and early in the spring Wm. S. Woolsey started for the post-office after mail, but was compelled to turn back by the depth of water covering the flat prairies in the present Clover Township. Shortly after Eben Townsend succeeded in getting a mail route established with a post-office at Andover-not in the village, but in the residence where the venerable Aunty Miller now lives, near Wm. Boltenstern's. Letters cost 25 cents a piece, and when postage was reduced to 10 cents, they were considered a luxury which every one could enjoy. The town was laid out by Eben Townsend, E. A. Mix, and Ithamar Pillsbury, trustees of the colony, on Dec. 29, 1841. The first marriage in Andover was that of Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury and Caroline Miller, daughter of Deacon Miller. This occurred in 1837. The first child born in the colony was Mary E. Woolsey, daughter of Jesse Woolsey, now the wife of Edmund Buck, living near the village. The settlers hauled wheat to Chicago and sold it at 37 1/2 cents per bushel, camping out on the month's trip and carrying their provisions with them. Dressed pork was taken to Peoria and sold at one dollar per cwt., pay being taken chiefly in dry goods. Groceries could only be had for money, and those who were deprived of that article, went without- often the much-needed groceries. Cabins were constructed generally with only one room. The bed was made by placing one strong post in a certain position adjacent one corner, and by boring holes in the sides of it, and in a log in the wall corresponding in height with the hole in the post; two strong pieces of wood were fitted into these places, and slats laid from these poles to the wall. On this rude, strong structure the bed was placed, and to save space a bunk was constructed immediately over this, in which the younger members of the family were placed. Sven Nelson was the first Swede settler in Andover or Henry County, coming with Capt. Thompson in 1840. His, however, was an isolated case, bringing no family, and it was not till 1847 that the Swedish emigration, with an advance guard of four families, commenced. In 1849, several more arrived in New York, in charge of Rev. L. P. Esbjiom, a Lutheran preacher of much learning and ability. They were met by a committee of the association in New York and induced to change their plan of going to Knox County, and settle in Andover, by the donation of two lots for a church site. The present magnificent church of that denomination is the result of that settlement; and from that time to the present the Swedish settlement in and around Andover has steadily augmented by immigration from fatherland, until that nationality greatly predominates. The visitations of cholera in 1849-'52-'54, carried off great numbers of the Swedish settlers, who from their circumstances and habits of life, were poorly prepared to contend with such a scourge. With the advent of the Swedish people, Americans, instead of settling in Andover, would go to other localities where the foreign element did not predominate. Another reason tended to cause persons coming to the West in quest of homes to "go by" Andover. The committee to purchase these lands represented $40,000 capital, and had entered twenty-two sections-14,080 acres-and held this large tract at too high a figure. Land was cheap at that date; the settler was generally more hardy than wealthy, and instead of buying of this colony, who had hoped to build up a large city, would purchase elsewhere, thereby giving the neighboring localities the start, which Andover has never been able to regain. The blocks comprise ten acres each, and, had the wishes of the founders of the colony, the New York Association, been fulfilled, a city equal to or greater than Galesburg, would now be seen. Andover is now largely owned by Swedes, who are a slow, painstaking people, are mostly engaged in farming and gardening, and live a most careful, frugal life. Several are from Bishop Hill colony, and have become quite wealthy. SCHOOLS. About the year 1842 or *43, a small house for school purposes was built on the south side of the grove, about one mile and a half from the village. To this all the youth of Andover, and for several miles around, were sent until the year 1847. At that time the village was quite prosperous and a school was needed there. A small frame house was erected, which was used until the year 18G2 or 'G3, when the present one was built. It contains two school-rooms and two recitation rooms. Two teachers are employed, and the attendance-nearly all Swedish children-whose parents, to their credit, always have their children instructed in the English language-is about 100. THE CHURCHES. The village contains three churches, the oldest of which is the Presbyterian. The meeting to organize was held on Sabbath, Dec. 10, 1837. This was held at the house of Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, and eighteen persons united with the church, twelve of whom brought letters from other churches and three united on profession. The names of the fifteen were: James S. and Mrs. Abigail Miller, Erastus and Mrs. Esther Buck, Asa and Mrs. Clarissa Wisner, Thomas and Mrs. Wealthy Ann Blish, Albert Jagger, John S. Gardner, William L. Collier, Marcus B. Osborn, Austin R. Gould, Mrs. Hannah Hoyt, and Mrs. Freelove Woolsey. Those uniting by profession were: Mrs. Eliza Osborn, Vincent S. Terry, and Edmund Buck. James S. Miller, Erastus Buck, and Marcus B. Osborn were elected elders, the two former also as deacons. Until the year 1856 they met for public worship in the school-houses and the residences of the members, generally using the house of Rev. Pillsbury. In the Spring of 1856, they erected a very comfortable house of worship, which is yet used. It cost about $3.000. The congregation, by the year 1841, were able to call a pastor, and did so unanimously, choosing their founder, and he was installed April 12, and remained until Sept. 5, 1849, when he was dismissed at his own request. On May 10, 1854, the Rev. Thomas S. Denning was installed pastor, and was pastor until June 1, 1855. Rev. G. S. Inglis was sent as a stated supply, and preached till 1860. The Rev. Pillsbury was again called that year to the pastorate. During the eleven years of his absence, he had been five in Princeton, Bureau County, where he organized the present large congregation of Presbyterians. Six years he had passed at Macomb, part as President of the College there, and part as pastor of the church. He remained at Andover, the scene of his early western labors, until his death, which occurred on April 20, 1865. For three years the pulpit was filled by supplies, when Rev. R. L. Adams was called in Jan., 1869, and remained until Feb., 1874. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. D. B. Fleming. The membership at one time was over 100, but owing to removals and other causes there are now only half that number. The Sunday-school has an attendance of about 40 scholars. The Rev. Pillsbury, so often referred to in the early history of the county, was a man of unbounded energy and enterprise, and possessed of the largest Christian liberality. He was born at Dracut, Mass., Aug. 22, 1794. He was the youngest of a large family, the children of Joshua and Elizabeth Pillsbury. When 18 years old he enlisted in the army, and served some time in the War of 1812. He was licensed to preach in 1825, and remained for several years in the Eastern States. During the early part of the year 1835, he came through the West on a prospecting tour, and on his return to New York, organized the New York Association for the purpose of buying western lands, and locating colonies. The accounts of this latter work are fully given elsewhere, and to these Henry County owes much of her prosperity. Rev. Pillsbury organized fourteen churches in the West, the first at Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 27, 1836, and the last at Dixon, Ill., Jan. 29, 1852. He was married twice. Ten children blessed the second union, many of whom are now living in the county. Mrs. Pillsbury is now in Macomb. Rev. Pillsbury returned in 1860 to Andover, where he labored till death came; and he now lies buried in the little village church-yard near the scene of his early western labors. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. The earliest meetings as well as the organization of this church took place at the house of H. A. Clementson, on the northeast corner of Sec. 18; but later services were held in a small school house in Andover, until 1852, when they occupied the basement of their first church, which was finished a few months later, at an expense of $2,000. The formal organization of the church was effected March 18, 1850, and among the communicants may be mentioned Rev. Lars P. Esbjorn and wife, Samuel Johnsson and wife, Jonas Anderson and wife, Anders Peter Larsson, Nils P. A. Peterson and wife and Olof Nordin. In 1867-'69 they built a fine new brick church at a cost of $30,000. The pastors have been Rev. Lars P. Esbjorn, from 1849 to 1856; Jonas Swensson, 1858 to 1878, and Erland Carlsson, the present pastor, who has had charge since May 1, 1875. The present membership is 982, with a Sunday-school attendance of 150 children, and a Bible class of 60 persons. Additional Comments: Extracted from: THE HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ITS TAX-PAYERS AND VOTERS; CONTAINING, ALSO, A BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY; A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE; MAP OF THE COUNTY: A BUSINESS DIRECTORY: AN ABSTRACT OF EVERY-DAY LAWS; WAR RECORD OF HENRY COUNTY; OFFICERS OF SOCIETIES, LODGES, ETC., ETC. CHICAGO: H. F. KETT. & CO., 15 LAKESIDE BUILDING. 1877. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/henry/history/1877/historyo/andover220gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 13.1 Kb