Putnam County
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1880 Magnolia Township

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

THE Township of Magnolia contains nearly forty-three sections or square miles of land, or 27,520 acres, made up of prairie and timber, its southern and western portions broken with ravines and seamed with ridges. It is drained by Clear Creek and Sandy, with their numerous branches, both flowing into the Illinois. It is agreeably diversified with prairie and woodland, its surface dotted with small groves resembling an extensive park platted by the hand of nature, and much of it under the highest possible cultivation. The southern and western portions are rough, and until recent years unoccupied; but a large colony of thrifty Germans have taken possession, and the rough hills and deep ravines are being cleared and made into pleasant, inviting farms. This land was for many years held by speculators at high prices, under the impression that the necessities of those living on the prairies would compel its purchase. In time it was demonstrated that the farmer required very little timber, and the speculators, after waiting vainly for purchasers, concluded to accept what it was worth.

The products are mainly agricultural, and much attention is devoted to the raising of farm stock, particularly cattle. Formerly large quantities of grain, principally corn, were sent to market, but most that is raised here is now consumed at home.

The town has always been foremost in religious and educational interests, and a more orderly, intelligent and thinking community cannot be found than here exists.

RAILROADS.

The County of Putnam is wholly destitute of railroads, and this want of the means of transit has led to several expensive schemes, thus far without any result; prominent of which is the building of a line from Bureau Junction through the Counties of Putnam, La Salle, Grundy, Will and Kankakee. It was agitated in 1868-9, and meetings were held at different points along the line in the spring and summer. Putnam County voted to subscribe $125,000; Granville added $10,000; Round Grove, $15,000; Dwight $30,000, Tonica $50,000. La Salle and Livingstone together gave $205,000, Bureau $10,000, Kankakee $165,000, making a grand total of half a million dollars. In Putnam County the first vote of $75,000 had been nearly unanimous for the stock, but when the company demanded an increase of $50,000 more, the people were not quite so eager. The question was submitted to the voters February 8, 1870, and the result was: For the additional sum, 475 votes; against it, 350. February 26, 1870, the road made an assessment of three per cent upon its capital stock, a sum that though small, was not as cheerfully paid.

Magnolia had been deeply moved for and against the project, and much bitterness of feeling resulted. Finally they voted to subscribe, provided the company would build eight miles of the road in this township, the work to be completed to the eastern terminus before the bonds should be issued. This well guarded provision proved their safety. The road was graded in many places in Putnam County, and large sums of money expended in the work, but the company failed in making expected loans, and it was never finished, its history being that of many other railways in the West, where people subscribed bonds in advance of the completion of the enterprise. The County, though deeply swindled, is paying her obligations in full, thereby setting an example that wealthier corporations might copy with profit.

THE EARLIEST SETTLER.

Capt. Wm. Hawes was the first permanent white settler not only on this prairie, but, with the exception of Thomas Hartzell, the first in Putnam or Marshall Counties. He visited this section in the spring of 1821, while on his way from Sangamon County to Galena. He was so pleased with the general appearance of what is now Putnam County, its fertility of soil, fine timber, pure water, high and dry elevation, and general advantageous surroundings, that he resolved to mark the spot for his future home, and hitching his horse to a tree, he cut his name thereon and slept beneath its friendly branches. He went to Galena and remained until November, 1826, when he more formally took possession of his claim and built an exceedingly primitive house, sixteen feet square, of round poles. He split puncheons for the floor and door, and carried rocks from the creek near by, on his back, for the chimney. There was not a nail used in its construction, and like the building of Solomon's temple, no sound of a hammer was heard, for he had none. He lived there all winter, keeping "bach," subsisting mainly upon the results of his skill as a hunter and some corn which he had brought with him from the South, which he pounded into meal upon a stump and baked with fat from venison and a little salt pork from his meagre larder. This cabin or pole-shed stood near the afterward northern limits of Magnolia, in the edge of the timber near the creek, upon the farm he still owns and occupies.

In the following spring he put up another and more substantial cabin near the first, and the latter furnished him and his family a comfortable home for many years.

In the spring of 1827 he cleared away a small patch of ground from underbrush, and broke it up for a crop, using an old-fashioned barshire plow, stocked by himself. He raised a good crop of winter wheat, which yielded twenty to thirty bushels per acre, threshed it out by tramping, and cleaned it in nature's fanning mill - the wind. He also obtained a fair return of corn by cultivation, which found a ready sale among the new-comers at twenty to twenty-five cents per bushel.

He had no stock worth mentioning then, merely a cow and calf and two yokes of oxen, but as soon as he was able, added horses and hogs to his possessions, bringing them up from his old neighborhood near Springfield.

During the first few years cows were worth $10.00 to $15.00 each, and pork from three to ten per cwt., depending upon the wants of the settlers; but after awhile hogs got wild and bred in the timber, and when any one wanted pork, he simply shouldered his gun and went hunting, and pork ceased to have any particular value until killed and dressed.

The settlers also soon stocked up with sheep, and made their own clothing.

John Knox came up with Captain Hawes in 1826, but did not remain here. Hawes sent the latter back to look after affairs at home, with two yokes of oxen and a wagon to bring up household goods.

James W. and Stephen D. Willis and their families came in the spring of 1827, and broke ground on the "Parsons" place, where they put up a cabin, and each raised a crop of corn.

John Knox returned in the spring of 1827, and put up a cabin where Magnolia stands, and then with Captain Hawes and Stephen Willis returned for their families. James Willis remained here to attend the farms and stock during their absence. They returned early in the fall, when Knox took possession of his new home, and Mrs. Hawes and Mrs. Willis respectively found their future residences. Lewis Knox came here with his father this fall, and made a beginning on what has since been known as the Price farm, but afterward sold it to a Mr. Hammett, and left for Rock River, and then went to California.

In the fall of 1827, the Willises sold their claim to Smiley Shepherd, and went further north - James W. to where Florid is located, and Stephen D. to the north-western limits of Union Grove, and were followed by Shepherd, who sold to Cornelius Hunt, and established himself on his well-known farm east of Hennepin.

In 1827, George H. Shaw visited Magnolia and made a claim on Clear Creek; he spent the winter of 1827-8, at Washington, Tazewell County, but returned in the spring, and with his brother-in-law, C. S. Edwards, settled in what afterward became Marshall County. E. B. Wilson also came in 1827 or '28, and made a claim.

In 1827 there was trouble expected with the Winnebagoes, but it blew over. The country was full of Indians, and there was a feeling of feverish unrest until General Cass came West and met them in council at the mouth of Crow Creek, when a lasting treaty of peace was concluded.

A few settlers came in during the year 1828, but none permanently except Hartwell Haley, who made a claim near the west end of Ox Bow Prairie. Louis Knox made a claim on Clear Creek, but afterward sold it and went to California.

In 1829 came George Hildebrant, Isaac Hildebrant, Asahel Hannum, David Boyle, William Graves, Major Elias Thompson, George Hollenbeck, and Aaron Payne, an eccentric preacher, who located at Payne's Point, and after the Indian war went to Oregon. Dr. Fyffe located on Ox Bow, near Boyles; Christopher Wagner, near Magnolia; Hiram Allen, east of Loyds', on the creek; Wm. Kincaid, on Ox Bow, west of Haley's; Cornelius Hunt, south-east of Magnolia, toward Sandy Creek; Isaac Springer also made some improvements near the village this year.

In 1830 Lyman Horrom settled near Caledonia; Joseph Ash, near Payne's Point; Reuben Ash in the same locality; John Wilson, Aaron Whittaker, John Whittaker and Jonathan Wilson settled in the same neighborhood; Joseph Funk, north of Caledonia; Aaron Bascomb, north of Ox Bow, on the south bluff of the creek.

In the same year came also John E. and George Dent and made claims on Ox Bow; likewise Ephraim Smith and Lewis J. Beck, who settled near the Quaker meeting house. Mr. Smith is the sole survivor of those named, and still resides upon the place he entered.

In 1831 James S. Hunt came to Ox Bow and remained until December, 1832, when he moved with his family to Sandy Creek, near the Cumberland Church.

In 1832, few settlers came to the country, and many who were here, alarmed at the prospect, abandoned their claims and never returned. After the war was over, a few came in, among them Enoch Dent, and settled on Ox Bow Prairie, two miles south-east of Magnolia; also Isaac D. Glenn, Henry Hartenbower, L. T. and Henry Studyvin and John German.

In 1833 James Shields settled on Ox Bow and began his improvements, buying the claim of Elias Thompson, who moved to Henry. Isaac Ash came also, and George Griffith, Robert Dugan, Isaac Parsons and William and Joseph Hoyle. The latter moved into a cabin built by a Mr. Gunn, who afterward moved to La Salle. It was quite primitive in character, and having been built during the Indian war excitement, had port holes in the sides for defense. It was sixteen feet square, had a "shake" roof and the old fashioned chimney, with dried clay hearth. Mrs. Hoyle was a Quakeress, and, like her "friends" noted for extreme neatness and tidy surroundings; so about the first thing she undertook was to polish up with soap and water that clay hearth, not doubting but she could make it clean and white, until it assumed the consistency of a sort of mortar bed, when she perceived her error and abandoned the job with disgust.

In 1834 came John Goddard, D. P. Fyffe and Thomas Patterson, the latter buying the Knox claim and laying out the village of Magnolia.

In 1835 came John Lewis, somewhat noted for his energetic devotion to the cause of the negro, and settled north of Captain Hawes' farm. John Hall settled in Magnolia the same year, and built here one of the first houses in the village. Alexander Bowman also came this same season.

In 1835 Dr. J. B. Ashley, George W. Ditman, Amos Harvey and Janus and William Ramage came to Magnolia. William Lewis, the noted Abolitionist, removed from his farm near Hennepin and settled near his brother, John Lewis. Sarah Baker settled this year on Ox Bow Prairie.

In 1837 William and Sarah Wireman, and the family of Benjamin Lundy, followed by himself three years afterwards, were added to the "Quaker settlement," now gaining rapidly in numbers and influence.

In 1838 came Joel Hawes, who lived a while on the farm of his brother, Captain Hawes, and subsequently bought a claim from Elisha Swan, north of and near Magnolia, where he has ever since resided. William Dixon settled on what is known as the Thomas Filson place, which was sold to the latter in 1848.

In 1840 came William Swaney, and settled north of Clear Creek, on his present farm, and Joseph Mills located on the prairie to the eastward, in the center of the "Quaker settlement."

NOTE. We have given the above names and dates as nearly as could be ascertained, though it is not claimed they are correct. Most of the parties named have either moved elsewhere or paid the debt of nature, and dates of their arrival and settlement can only be approximated. Ed.

THE VILLAGE OF MAGNOLIA.

Magnolia is situated in the extreme south-east corner of the County, thirteen miles from Hennepin. It is the oldest settled town in Putnam. In the fall of 1826, claims were made within a mile north of the site, by Capt. Wm. Hawes, James W. Willis and Stephen D. Willis, who are believed to have been the first to penetrate that part of the wilderness with the intention of settling. The next year John Knox arrived, and located upon the site of Magnolia.

The first public school house was put up in a field used as a brick yard, and was a small log structure, erected in 1836, and Andrew Burns, brother of Judge Burns, was the first teacher. Thomas Patterson, the founder of the town, which he hoped to see grow into a populous city, built this humble edifice, and dedicated it to science. Though it never became the initiative of a Yale or Dartmouth College, it grew to be a large public school, graded and improved as the times progressed, and now affords the rising generation all the advantages of a general education.

The first public house was kept by John Knox, though every house those days entertained travelers, for the rules of hospitality forbade to turn a stranger from the door. "Knox's Tavern " (a double log house) was afterward the stopping place for Frink & Walker's stages, and became famous along the line for its comforts and conveniences.

John McKisson and Thomas Patterson were the first merchants, and the yard-stick owned by the latter is still in the possession of Captain Hawes, who preserves it as a memento of old times. Elisha Swan also was a trader here for a time.

For some years after Magnolia was settled the post office was at Robert's Point, and Geo. Ditman had to go thither for his mail as late as 1836.

The first preacher was old Jesse Walker, who visited the future village in 1828. He had a trading post at Ottawa, and obtained goods at St. Louis, which he brought up in a keel boat. He preached occasionally here and at Hollenback's, as well as other places in this section. He was a curious, bluff old man, and rather shrewd in business. His favorite byword or heavy anathema was " I snum!"

At one time the town gave promise of large future growth, but the building up of other centres of business attracted people elsewhere, and much of its glory has departed.

THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

The pioneers of the "Society of Friends," or Quakers, who settled in Putnam County, were the brothers Joseph and William Hoyle, Englishmen by birth, who made claims and built their humble cabins near the head of Clear Creek, in the spring of 1833. They were accompanied by George Griffith, an old neighbor in Eastern Ohio. These three families made their homes near together, and formed the nucleus of the "Quaker settlement," now an important portion of the community of the Township. Jehu Lewis and his family moved to the neighborhood in 1836, from Tazewell County.

In 1837 Sarah - or "Grandmother" - Wireman and her two daughters, with her son William and his family, came from Eastern Pennsylvania. William Lewis and his family, and Elijah Kirk and family had previously arrived and made themselves homes.

In 1839 Joseph Mills visited this locality on a prospecting tour, and was so well pleased with the surroundings that he bought a small tract of land, determined to make it his future home. His report was so favorable that his son Henry was induced to emigrate in the fall of that year. In the spring of 1840, Joseph Mills and his family, including Joshua his son, now a resident of the settlement, returned to their new home, accompanied by Eli Raley and his daughter Elizabeth.

The first "open meeting" was held at the cabin of Grandmother Wireman, soon after it was built, in the fall of 1837, where the settlers met to worship. This meeting was followed by others at long intervals, until their increasing numbers made the narrow limits of the cabin too small and in 1840 they changed to a small log school house standing on the north branch of Clear Creek. This was built in 1838, though first used in 1840.

In 1840 William Swaney came, with the intention of making this his future home.

The first death among the members was that of Edith, wife of Wm. Hoyle, in 1840.

The first marriage in the Friends' settlement was that of Isaac Griffith and Eliza Lundy, daughter of Benjamin Lundy, in March, 1841. The wedding ceremony was performed at the house of Mr. Joseph Hoyle. Marriages among the members of the Society of "Friends" are conducted in a peculiar manner. The groom in the presence of the congregation promises to "love, cherish, and protect," and the bride to "love, honor, and obey." The parties then sign a paper attesting the fact, to which those present attach their signatures as witnesses, which is deposited among the archives, and the ceremony is finished. No parade or display is allowed, and wedding presents are not encouraged. It is a plain, solemn performance and when finished, the couple go about their business.

The new Society was not recognized by the general organization of the "Friends" until November 4, 1841, when A. Knight and others came from Indiana as a committee, and called a formal meeting for worship and preparation, and commenced their monthly meetings. Wm. Lewis was chosen the first clerk of the Society.

They had in the meantime begun the erection of a brick church, or meeting house, but it was not finished and occupied until the spring of 1842.

The old log school house, where the Society met and worshipped previous to this, has long since passed away, but our illustration represents it very correctly.

During those years the country was rapidly filling up, the members were prosperous, and numerous additions were made to the Society.

Up to this date they had no regular leader Miss Rebecca Fell had a certificate as minister according to the rules of the sect, but she lived some distance away and could not attend. Joseph Mills was felt to be entirely competent to fill the place, but had never been "recommended," as it is termed.

In 1843, in "the first month," as they term it (Jannary), Wm. M. Price was married to Miss Sarah Wireman, according to the customs of the Society, but the ceremony was so much at variance with the customs of other religious denominations that some proposed to prosecute the couple for living together in unlawful wedlock. So prone are some people to mind business not their own! These over-zealous law-abiding citizens consulted lawyers and read the statutes in vain, for the laws duly scanned declared that a public notice to the world in a public meeting, five weeks prior to the day of the intended marriage, constituted a sufficient notification to make the marriage binding.

In the year 1845, Joseph Edwards and Ann, his wife, came to the settlement, she being the second "recorded minister" for this Society; i. e.: One whose qualifications have been duly approved by the Society, and therefore allowed to act in the capacity of a minister. She was very eloquent and justly appreciated, but her failing health compelled her to desist after a short season of labor, and not long after she died.

The organization, though still not numerous in members, continued to grow and prosper, while laboring under many disadvantages, being peculiarly organized. It was constituted a branch of the Blue River, (Ind.) quarterly meeting, to which it was required to report every three months. This parent body met alternately at Terre Haute and at New Albany, in Indiana, 300 miles away. The distance was so great that these reports could not be sent oftener than once or twice a year.

In the course of time other meetings sprung up within a radius of from sixty to one hundred and ten miles, and the Society here applied for permission to have their quarterly extended to yearly meetings, to be held at the brick church on Clear Creek, which was granted, and much advantage was derived from the change.

In the course of time the "Friends" in the West were so strengthened in numbers as to enable them to have two general quarterly meetings - two in Indiana and two in Illinois. This continued until 1874, when the Putnam Society embraced all the "Friends" in both States, with Clear Creek Church as the central point. A body of Friends in Iowa also united with this Society, giving it an extensive scope of territory, forming as united, "The Illinois Yearly Meeting of Friends," a general gathering of which was held here in the "ninth month" (September) 1875, and worked under the auspices of the Baltimore and Indiana yearly meetings, the Illinois section and the Indiana and Iowa Friends all constituting a branch of the Baltimore yearly meetings. The assemblage above referred to was largely attended, and at its yearly convocations are seen representatives from all the societies in the West.

In 1869 they built a large and convenient meeting house on the prairie northeast of Magnolia, for the yearly assemblies, costing $5,500. The total membership of the yearly meetings, composed of a few Friends in Indiana and those of Illinois and Iowa, numbers thirteen hundred people.

In 1878 they adopted a new discipline for the government of the Church, which has become vastly popular among the members everywhere. "It looks upon Christ as the rock and foundation stone, upon which all who worship the Father in Spirit and truth may stand. To Him all can come and partake of the waters of life freely, 'without money and without price.’"

The local Society in 1880 numbered 187 persons, and is in a prosperous condition. The Friends comprise the best citizens of the County, and are noted for their industry, good order, honesty and hospitality. Cleanliness is recognized as next to Godliness, and in their persons and habits and about their dwellings this excellent virtue is a notable, unvarying and unexceptional rule. They are clean in person and pure in language. As a community, they are law-abiding, honest and peaceful, and cherish sentiments of love and charity toward every animate object.

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE.

The oldest school house in the Township, if not in the County, was built in the fall and winter of 1830, and stood on Clear Creek, about one mile above the Camp Ground.

It was of hewn logs, sixteen feet square, with a hole for a window, made by sawing out a log. Its roof was covered with sticks, and C. S. Edwards, the pioneer pedagogue, opened school therein January 6th, 1831, and taught till February, 1832. When he began his labors the school house was unfinished, and there was neither a floor nor a permanent door. The school, during Mr. Edwards' connection and for many years after, was supported on the "pay" or subscription plan. The patrons of this first school, or perhaps during the year between the dates given, were: Aaron Whittaker, Thornton Wilson, __ Studdyvin, Aaron Payne, David Boyle, Hartwell Haley, George Hiltabrant, Wm. Graves and Ashael Hannum. The average attendance at this very primitive school was about fifteen to twenty in winter, and from ten to twelve in summer.

JEREMIAH STRAWN'S FORT.

During the war Jeremiah Strawn protected his cabins by a strong stockade, in which dwelt his own family, Mrs. E. Armstrong's family, Aaron Payne and Andrew Whittaker and their families. It made quite a little community, and all the available space in the cabin was occupied at night, the floors being covered with sleeping humanity, large and small. During the day the men worked outside, with guns ready for use.

One Saturday afternoon some malicious person rode past the fort and screamed, "Indians! Indians!" The women were nearly frantic by the time the men returned, and Mr. Strawn and Mr. Payne rode back to Magnolia and thence to Hennepin, finding no Indians.

The news of impending war was brought to the settlement by Elisha Swan, who advised the settlers to volunteer for public defense or they would be drafted. Some did neither, but left for the southward some to return after the war, and others to remain permanently away. But the majority at once shouldered their guns and reported ready for duty.

They armed themselves, and each man had a uniform peculiar to his own notions of war. Some wore coon-skin caps, others wore straw hats of home manufacture, while a few boasted no rim at all. Guns were of various sizes and different lengths, generally however, much longer than the modern style. These home guards were on duty about six weeks, and but few, if any of them, saw an Indian during the entire campaign, though each received a land warrant from the Government for his services.

Extracted 14 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from Records of the Olden Time, 1880, by Spencer Ellsworth, pages 208-217.


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