The Early Pioneer
The stories of early settlers which ventured across this vast
land that we now call the United States along with the recollections
of their early treks, some of which have been preserved in family
bibles, books and family tales are just as interesting today as when
they occurred.
As the population of the country steadily moved Westward, those
that perhaps had left many of the cities, towns and villages in the
East with the then modern day comforts and conveniences, only to
venture into the wilderness were appropriately called pioneers.
For the adventures that would be shared and the trails they would
open to others that would follow them, would leave its mark in
history. The hardships were many, some giving up and returning to
their points of departure. Others, steadfast and unwavering ventured
onward to the unknown, but with expectation and hope for a better
life.
Those that settled in this area of the Rock River Valley would
encounter some hardships but not nearly as severe as others who would
venture further West through the plains and mountainous regions. For
those that stayed here and started a new life with only what a wagon
could carry, would find that there was plenty of good land and an
abundance of food and water. But why Illinois? And why this
particular area?
There were several reasons why people chose to come to this area
later to be called Lee County, in what was designated as the "Great
Illinois Country." The love of adventure and the sights of new scenes
brought some pioneers West. These were men much in the spirit of
Daniel Boone.
Others came with the idea of quickly making great profits in the
new country. But most of those early settlers came because of the
vision that here an opportunity existed to buy cheap land, to
establish new homes and to give to their families a far better living
than they could back East.
Due to the panic in 1837, times were hard in the Eastern part of
the country. In Europe, because of the number of recent wars, times
there were bad also. Additionally, many of the Eastern States only
allowed property owners to vote. This excluded a vast number of
people who were just as interested in their government and its
issues.
In Illinois, from its earliest days, the state gave the right to
vote to any man who had lived in the state a year and could pay their
county tax. Other significant factors were many of the settlers came
with the idea of working in the lead mines at Galena, at least part
of the year, or of profiting in some way through the seasonal
migration of people to Galena. It would be a lucrative business, many
thought, for travelers must have food and shelter along their
journeys.
In 1837 land was cheap, yet at $2 per acre, with a minimum of 640
acres, few people could buy it. But it was shortly afterward the
price of land was lowered to $1.25 per acre, with a new minimum now
set at 40 acres. Many could now afford to buy enough land for a
really large farm.
The thick groves of tall oak trees and areas along waterways
provided the best home sites as these were quickly gobbled up. The
trees would provide logs for a home, firewood, material for
furniture, fencing and shade during the summer days.
Pioneer homes in the early stages within this region were all
very much alike. They were made of unhewed logs, chinked with wood
and plastered over with clay mortar. Shakes for the roof were made of
split trees, as was the floor. If shelves for dishes and pans were
made, they were usually done by boring holes in the logs and driving
long pins in, then laying boards across the pins.
The room was warmed by a fireplace which also served for cooking.
Bread was often made by being baked in iron kettles with iron covers,
the kettle being placed in one side of the fireplace and then covered
with coals and ashes.
Corn was the staple food and found its way served in a variety of
forms, bread, pudding, hominy and mush. Mills were located far away
as a rule, so often the corn had to be pounded into a rough meal at
home. Sweets consisted of wild honey and maple syrup.
Wild fruits, such as plums, cherries, crabapples, grapes and
berries were used and often were dried for use in the winter months.
Nuts were usually plentiful in wooded areas. As soon as settlers were
able to raise their own pork and beef, they then did their own
butchering. Most of the meat was dried or cured for later use.
The endurance, fortitude and will of the pioneer was strong. And
so it was, a simple life filled with hardship and often tragedy, but
the "pioneer" endured and conquered the obstacles placed before them.
For those that lasted, it opened new trails for those that would
follow in their footsteps.
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