History of LaSalle County, Illinois. Its topography, geology, botany, natural history, history of the Mound builders, Indian tribes, French explorations, and a sketch of the pioneer settlers of each town to 1840, with an appendix, giving the present status of the county, its population, resources, manufactures and institutions

Front matter

0 F LASALLE C?

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

Preface

The volume here given to the public is the outgrowth of a long cherished feeling of the citizens of La Salle County, often publicly expressed, that the memories of the pioneer settlers should be preserved. That the circumstances which surrounded those who reclaimed the wildness of uncultivated nature, who converted an unproductive waste into fruitful fields, and the rade theatre of savage life to the fit abode of Christian civilization, and the seat of thousands of happy homes, should be truthfully portrayed and handed down for the contemplation of posterity.

To do this, after a lapse of half a century from the time the rude and simple red men retired from the scene, and the incoming race commenced the herculean task they have so well performed, is beset with difficulties that one inexperienced can not appreciate.

iv Preface.

The early pioneers have mostly passed away. Twenty years ago many could have told the tale of their toils, whose lips are now forever sealed, and tradition alone hands down to ns the story of their experiences.

Human memory is treacherous, and forty revolving years dim and clothe with uncertainty the history told by the third generation. A few of the old pioneers remain, and to them the author has appealed for the facts, and to them he has submitted the statements herein contained for correction ; and while he can not flatter himself that no errors have crept in, but is of the opinion it would be impossible to exclude ,them ; yet that the work is substantially correct he verily believes, having spared no effort to make it so. The work was undertaken at the solicitation of the Old Settlers' Association, and rather as a labor of love than with the idea of pecuniary profit.

Articles upon Geology by W. W. Calkins, and upon the Botany of the County by R. Williams, are inserted. As these gentlemen- have made these subjects a favorite study for years, and are old residents of the county, it was deemed appropriate that they should appear in their favorite rdles.

The seeming repetition of facts in the two geological articles — the scientific and economic— are no

Preface. v

more than was required to show the value of the material found in the several strata.

The pioneer history of the towns has been arranged chronologically rather than alphabetically. The incongruity of introducing the history of the town of Allen, one of the last towns settled, in advance of all 'the old settled towns, will be apparent to all ; and the inconvenience of finding a town by the index will be much less than that of reading history backwards.

The same course has been pursued in relation to the insertion of the names of the settlers of a town. The aim has been to enter the names in order, according to priority of settlement. The modern system of selling panegyrics, which pervades not only the periodical press, but nearly all the literature of the day, has been wholly ignored. When a more lengthy biography has been given, or a narrative of personal experience more full than elsewhere, it has been to throw light on the usages and experiences of the times, and the one given is designed as a truthful representation of all. While that fulsome flattery that is bought and sold like cabbages in the market has been avoided, words that would wound the sensibilities of the living, or those of the friends of the dead, have been as carefully shunned. The simple leading facts of a person' s life, with official vi Preface.

position, is all tliat has been attempted, while none are so humble as to escape notice ; and. if its reading shall beguile the lonely hours of the departing pioneer, by recalling those scenes over which he loves to linger, or shall excite the emulation of succeeding generations to practice the frugal virtues of those we commemorate, the author will feel that his labor has not been in vain.

Contents

Page

Economio Greology- 25

French Explorations and Settlements - 49