Presented by The Batavia Arts Council
in junction with The City of Batavia and the Batavia Historical Society,
this Cemetery Walk was a fund raiser to benefit the Arts Council and the Historical Society.
Costumes were provided by All Dressed Up Costumes
Take a moment to learn about the various people who were on our walk:
in junction with The City of Batavia and the Batavia Historical Society,
this Cemetery Walk was a fund raiser to benefit the Arts Council and the Historical Society.
Costumes were provided by All Dressed Up Costumes
Take a moment to learn about the various people who were on our walk:
William B. Van Nortwick (1911-1988) Lot 182 Grave 3 (played by Dan Hoefler)
I’m William Van Nortwick the third. The Van Nortwicks have been here in Batavia from almost the beginning of time. I am the 5th generation to be buried here. You will find a street bearing our name, and who knows what else. Don’t be confused by first names in our family. It’s either William or John. You may want to remember us from two recent movies: “The Monuments Men” and “12 Years a Slave.” I was one of the original “monument men”. Read about that in my biography “Watch Your Step” (published in 1983). You can find it at the Batavia Public Library. I graduated from Princeton in 1934 with a degree in Art and Archeology. I served in World War II, and later in Korea. I served first in the 784th Tank Battalion beginning in 1941. By 1944 I was a Monuments Officers charged with the preservation of historical monuments and cultural objects. So, I’m one of the characters in that movie.
Some have described me as a “world traveler” and “friend of the rich and famous.” I don’t know about that, but I have enjoyed traveling and meeting many interesting people. My father was John Van Nortwick. My grandfather was William Mallory Van Nortwick. My great grandfather, also John Van Nortwick followed his father to Illinois. They’re all around her somewhere. My great grandfather was appointed chief engineer for the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad in 1848. That railroad later became the Chicago and Northwestern. My great, great grandfather, another William Van Nortwick, came to Batavia in 1835 from Fort Edward, NY. He’s the one associated with “12 Years a Slave.” Solomon Northup, the central character in that movie, worked under my great, great grandfather on the Champlain Canal during the winter of 1829-1830. That William Van Nortwick also built the first dam at Batavia and supervised the mill built by his son, John.
You may know that Batavia is sometimes called “The Windmill City”. The Van Nortwicks have played a prominent role in that. Building of the railroads brought a need for windmills to pump water for the locomotives. Great Grandfather was make president of The U.S. Wind Engine and Pump Company in 1870. Another windmill manufacturer, the Appleton Mfg Company, moved to Batavia at the turn of the century. Grandfather and Father both headed that company. You have just learned a little about the Van Nortwick family, and Batavia history. You never know what you might learn from going to the movies.
I’m William Van Nortwick the third. The Van Nortwicks have been here in Batavia from almost the beginning of time. I am the 5th generation to be buried here. You will find a street bearing our name, and who knows what else. Don’t be confused by first names in our family. It’s either William or John. You may want to remember us from two recent movies: “The Monuments Men” and “12 Years a Slave.” I was one of the original “monument men”. Read about that in my biography “Watch Your Step” (published in 1983). You can find it at the Batavia Public Library. I graduated from Princeton in 1934 with a degree in Art and Archeology. I served in World War II, and later in Korea. I served first in the 784th Tank Battalion beginning in 1941. By 1944 I was a Monuments Officers charged with the preservation of historical monuments and cultural objects. So, I’m one of the characters in that movie.
Some have described me as a “world traveler” and “friend of the rich and famous.” I don’t know about that, but I have enjoyed traveling and meeting many interesting people. My father was John Van Nortwick. My grandfather was William Mallory Van Nortwick. My great grandfather, also John Van Nortwick followed his father to Illinois. They’re all around her somewhere. My great grandfather was appointed chief engineer for the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad in 1848. That railroad later became the Chicago and Northwestern. My great, great grandfather, another William Van Nortwick, came to Batavia in 1835 from Fort Edward, NY. He’s the one associated with “12 Years a Slave.” Solomon Northup, the central character in that movie, worked under my great, great grandfather on the Champlain Canal during the winter of 1829-1830. That William Van Nortwick also built the first dam at Batavia and supervised the mill built by his son, John.
You may know that Batavia is sometimes called “The Windmill City”. The Van Nortwicks have played a prominent role in that. Building of the railroads brought a need for windmills to pump water for the locomotives. Great Grandfather was make president of The U.S. Wind Engine and Pump Company in 1870. Another windmill manufacturer, the Appleton Mfg Company, moved to Batavia at the turn of the century. Grandfather and Father both headed that company. You have just learned a little about the Van Nortwick family, and Batavia history. You never know what you might learn from going to the movies.
Don Carlos Newton (1832-1893) Lot 184 Grave 11 (played by George Scheetz)
I’m Don Carlos Newton, eldest son of Levi and Rachel Cooley Newton. I was born in Alexander, New York on August 26, 1831. My childhood was really very normal for that time. I had a common school education as did my brothers and sisters. I continued my education at Alexander Academy, and later attended Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. I returned home often to help my father in his wagon making shop. I learned from my father not only how to make wagons, but also how to run a business. In 1854 I married Mary Prindle. In 1854 there was a fire at our wagon shop, and it burned to the ground. My father convinced my mother that it would be wise to move west to be nearer the famers who were buying our wagons. Mary and I came too. We built our factory on the island in Batavia. We named it Newton and Company.
President Lincoln issued a call for volunteers in 1861. Feelings in support of the Union cause were strong here in Kane County. Mary encouraged me to join the cause. I helped organize Company D, the Batavia Company, of the 52nd Illinois Infantry. In December I was promoted to the rank of Captain in charge of Company D. The 52nd was engaged in many of the battles from Shiloh to Chattanooga and Savannah. At Christmas time, 1864, we were mustered out and I returned to Batavia. I went right back to work with Dad at the wagon factory. In 1878 my father died and I succeeded him as president of the company. By the early 1890’s the Newton Wagon Works was completing between 4 and 5,000 wagons per year.
I had other business interests in Batavia, several with my brother-in-law, the Rev. Elijah Gammon. He became an industrialist after giving up the ministry. You might want to know more about is connection to the harvester business. Elijah and I decided we would build a church and give it to the Methodist congregation. That church was built across the street from our homes. The church, our house and Elijah’s are still standing on the Avenue, near the corner of Wilson Street.
Don’t forget to visit with my wife, Mary, over there at the Newton Family Monument. I made provision in my will for the erection of that monument in honor of all the men from Batavia Township who served during the Civil War
I’m Don Carlos Newton, eldest son of Levi and Rachel Cooley Newton. I was born in Alexander, New York on August 26, 1831. My childhood was really very normal for that time. I had a common school education as did my brothers and sisters. I continued my education at Alexander Academy, and later attended Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. I returned home often to help my father in his wagon making shop. I learned from my father not only how to make wagons, but also how to run a business. In 1854 I married Mary Prindle. In 1854 there was a fire at our wagon shop, and it burned to the ground. My father convinced my mother that it would be wise to move west to be nearer the famers who were buying our wagons. Mary and I came too. We built our factory on the island in Batavia. We named it Newton and Company.
President Lincoln issued a call for volunteers in 1861. Feelings in support of the Union cause were strong here in Kane County. Mary encouraged me to join the cause. I helped organize Company D, the Batavia Company, of the 52nd Illinois Infantry. In December I was promoted to the rank of Captain in charge of Company D. The 52nd was engaged in many of the battles from Shiloh to Chattanooga and Savannah. At Christmas time, 1864, we were mustered out and I returned to Batavia. I went right back to work with Dad at the wagon factory. In 1878 my father died and I succeeded him as president of the company. By the early 1890’s the Newton Wagon Works was completing between 4 and 5,000 wagons per year.
I had other business interests in Batavia, several with my brother-in-law, the Rev. Elijah Gammon. He became an industrialist after giving up the ministry. You might want to know more about is connection to the harvester business. Elijah and I decided we would build a church and give it to the Methodist congregation. That church was built across the street from our homes. The church, our house and Elijah’s are still standing on the Avenue, near the corner of Wilson Street.
Don’t forget to visit with my wife, Mary, over there at the Newton Family Monument. I made provision in my will for the erection of that monument in honor of all the men from Batavia Township who served during the Civil War
Rodney H. Brandon (1881-1968) Lot 543A Grave 10 (played by Rodney Allen)
Good afternoon. Let me introduce myself. I’m Rodney Brandon. My life has been a quite remarkable journey from the log cabin in Monroe County, Indiana, where I was born in 1881 to Batavia, Illinois and Lockwood Hall, across the street from here on Batavia Avenue. You have already met Judge Lockwood. I lived in his home until recently. It was back in Anderson, Indiana where I became acquainted with James J. Davis. From that time my life became intimately associated with the Loyal Order of Moose and Mooseheart.
Davis and I worked together on his idea to build a Moose Institute. He had the vision and the ability to sell his idea. I guess I had the required managerial skills. We made a pretty good team. Ultimately a site west of the Fox River between Aurora and Batavia was purchased and the name “Mooseheart” was chosen. In August of 1913 I moved from Moose headquarters Anderson, Indiana to Mooseheart to serve as the first Superintendent. I worked on the building program, development of curriculum, recruiting of faculty, and the intake of boys who were the first Mooseheart students. By its fifth anniversary in 1918, Mooseheart had 500 students and 78 buildings. I gradually turned over day-to-day responsibilities at the Child City. But I have continued to be involved there for the remainder of my life. I was later instrumental in establishing Moosehaven, the “City of Contentment” for aged members of the Moose at Orange Park, Florida.
No doubt because of my background and experience, in 1929 Governor Emmerson appointed me as Director of Public Welfare of the State of Illinois. I later returned to that office in 1942 under Governor Green. At one time the little town of Batavia had three of us holding state offices. My friends John Petit and Arnold Benson both served in the General Assembly, Petit in the House and Benson in the Senate.
Before you leave, let me talk about my association with two intuitions familiar to most Batavians. One of those is Bellevue Place, the other is Campana. Dr. Edward Ross had worked for me as a psychiatrist at Manteno State Hospital while I was Director of the Department of Public Health. When I found out that Bellevue was for sale in 1945 I contacted Dr. Ross. He purchased the place and the sanitarium made famous by Mary Todd Lincoln. My friend, Ernest Oswalt became acquainted with a Doctor Campana who had developed Italian Balm. He purchased the Trade Mark and in 1927 the Campana Company was authorized to do business in Illinois. I served as treasurer of the company and continued a relationship with the business which many of you associate with the building constructed in 1937 at the northwest corner of Batavia Avenue and Fabyan Parkway.
Good afternoon. Let me introduce myself. I’m Rodney Brandon. My life has been a quite remarkable journey from the log cabin in Monroe County, Indiana, where I was born in 1881 to Batavia, Illinois and Lockwood Hall, across the street from here on Batavia Avenue. You have already met Judge Lockwood. I lived in his home until recently. It was back in Anderson, Indiana where I became acquainted with James J. Davis. From that time my life became intimately associated with the Loyal Order of Moose and Mooseheart.
Davis and I worked together on his idea to build a Moose Institute. He had the vision and the ability to sell his idea. I guess I had the required managerial skills. We made a pretty good team. Ultimately a site west of the Fox River between Aurora and Batavia was purchased and the name “Mooseheart” was chosen. In August of 1913 I moved from Moose headquarters Anderson, Indiana to Mooseheart to serve as the first Superintendent. I worked on the building program, development of curriculum, recruiting of faculty, and the intake of boys who were the first Mooseheart students. By its fifth anniversary in 1918, Mooseheart had 500 students and 78 buildings. I gradually turned over day-to-day responsibilities at the Child City. But I have continued to be involved there for the remainder of my life. I was later instrumental in establishing Moosehaven, the “City of Contentment” for aged members of the Moose at Orange Park, Florida.
No doubt because of my background and experience, in 1929 Governor Emmerson appointed me as Director of Public Welfare of the State of Illinois. I later returned to that office in 1942 under Governor Green. At one time the little town of Batavia had three of us holding state offices. My friends John Petit and Arnold Benson both served in the General Assembly, Petit in the House and Benson in the Senate.
Before you leave, let me talk about my association with two intuitions familiar to most Batavians. One of those is Bellevue Place, the other is Campana. Dr. Edward Ross had worked for me as a psychiatrist at Manteno State Hospital while I was Director of the Department of Public Health. When I found out that Bellevue was for sale in 1945 I contacted Dr. Ross. He purchased the place and the sanitarium made famous by Mary Todd Lincoln. My friend, Ernest Oswalt became acquainted with a Doctor Campana who had developed Italian Balm. He purchased the Trade Mark and in 1927 the Campana Company was authorized to do business in Illinois. I served as treasurer of the company and continued a relationship with the business which many of you associate with the building constructed in 1937 at the northwest corner of Batavia Avenue and Fabyan Parkway.
Alice (1892-1979) and Lucile (1903-1990) Gustafson
Lot 584 Graves 12 and 3
(played by Diane Upton and Diane Blodgett)
Alice: I’m Alice Gustafson. This other lady is my sister, Lucile.
Lucile: Alice, you were a teacher right here in Batavia.
Alice: I was an educator in Batavia from 1922-1956.
Lucile: My, oh my, that’s quite a long time. Were you always known as “Miss Alice”?
Alice: I guess so. I served as a teacher at both Grace McWayne School and at Louise White School. I was later the principal of Louise White School.
Lucile: There have been so many really fine folks who served as educators in Batavia. They named a school in your honor. I’m really proud of that.
Alice: It was really a great honor. But, let’s talk about our parents and the rest of our family.
Lucile: That a great idea.
Alice: Our father was Nels Peter Gustafson. He came from Sweden when he was 15. Our mother, Alice Butcher, was born in England. In 1918 we all moved to the Van Nortwick’s farm west on Main Street Road.
Lucile: Most of us lived there for quite a long time. We had a lot of sisters and brothers.
Alice: That’s right. After you came back to Batavia, you lived there with our brothers, John and Arnold. You and John were the Batavia historians.
Lucile: John wrote the History of Batavia with young Jeff Schielke.
Alice: Nice young man. He later became the mayor of Batavia.
Lucile: That’s true. And he is still in that position.
Alice: Oh my! Jeffery has been doing that for a very long time!
Lucile: Alice, what do you remember about our dad?
Alice: Look at his tombstone. The inscription means “Sons of the North—organizer of Nordens Soner.” Dad organized that fraternal society in the summer of 1896. Eventually the name was Americanized and known as Sons of the North. Dad was always very proud of the work they did. Lucile, you did a lot in the community after you returned to Batavia.
Lucile: I am proudest of my contribution as a member of the Batavia Historical Society. Do you know, Alice, there is now a Gustafson Research Center attached to the Depot Museum.
Alice: I believe that you were also the first Waubonsee Community College board president.
Lucile: I served for 14 years as a community college trustee
Alice: But, Lucile, the most important Gustafson family connection is with the Congregational Church of Batavia.
Lucile: My goodness, yes. I’ll wager that there were members of our family at that church for a hundred years. But that is another long story. When you folks return to the church latter this afternoon you will want to ask about that.
Lot 584 Graves 12 and 3
(played by Diane Upton and Diane Blodgett)
Alice: I’m Alice Gustafson. This other lady is my sister, Lucile.
Lucile: Alice, you were a teacher right here in Batavia.
Alice: I was an educator in Batavia from 1922-1956.
Lucile: My, oh my, that’s quite a long time. Were you always known as “Miss Alice”?
Alice: I guess so. I served as a teacher at both Grace McWayne School and at Louise White School. I was later the principal of Louise White School.
Lucile: There have been so many really fine folks who served as educators in Batavia. They named a school in your honor. I’m really proud of that.
Alice: It was really a great honor. But, let’s talk about our parents and the rest of our family.
Lucile: That a great idea.
Alice: Our father was Nels Peter Gustafson. He came from Sweden when he was 15. Our mother, Alice Butcher, was born in England. In 1918 we all moved to the Van Nortwick’s farm west on Main Street Road.
Lucile: Most of us lived there for quite a long time. We had a lot of sisters and brothers.
Alice: That’s right. After you came back to Batavia, you lived there with our brothers, John and Arnold. You and John were the Batavia historians.
Lucile: John wrote the History of Batavia with young Jeff Schielke.
Alice: Nice young man. He later became the mayor of Batavia.
Lucile: That’s true. And he is still in that position.
Alice: Oh my! Jeffery has been doing that for a very long time!
Lucile: Alice, what do you remember about our dad?
Alice: Look at his tombstone. The inscription means “Sons of the North—organizer of Nordens Soner.” Dad organized that fraternal society in the summer of 1896. Eventually the name was Americanized and known as Sons of the North. Dad was always very proud of the work they did. Lucile, you did a lot in the community after you returned to Batavia.
Lucile: I am proudest of my contribution as a member of the Batavia Historical Society. Do you know, Alice, there is now a Gustafson Research Center attached to the Depot Museum.
Alice: I believe that you were also the first Waubonsee Community College board president.
Lucile: I served for 14 years as a community college trustee
Alice: But, Lucile, the most important Gustafson family connection is with the Congregational Church of Batavia.
Lucile: My goodness, yes. I’ll wager that there were members of our family at that church for a hundred years. But that is another long story. When you folks return to the church latter this afternoon you will want to ask about that.
Eunice Shumway (1899-1983) Lot 23 Grave 10
(Played by Carrie Schafer)
Welcome to the original part of the cemetery. This is where some of the first residents of Batavia find their final resting place. My name is Eunice Shumway. I belong to the Shumway clan going back to the first days of white settlers here on the Fox River Valley. My parents were Horatio G. (1865-1945) and Alice Wood Shumway. My grand father was Charles Walker Shumway (1827-1915?). He is the one who founded the company C.W. Shumway & Sons in 1872 in response to the need for castings due to the destruction of the Great Chicago Fire the year before. It was known as Osgood and Shumway Foundry and then took its final name in 1904 when my Uncle William (second son) joined the family business.
Some people claim that I was had to get along with. The fact is that I just had better ideas than most of the people who came my way. I was very interested in preserving the history of our town. I am proud of the fact that I served as the first president of the Batavia Historical Society. The first organizational meeting took place on January 17, 1960 in the basement of the Batavia Congregational Church. I was elected president. Sallie Krueger, vice president, Miriam Johnson , secretary, Ray Patzer , Treasurer. John Gustafson was appointed the historian. A lot of those original members, like myself and the entire Gustafson family had been documenting our history long before the society was organized.
One of the biggest moments in the society’s history occurred on October 12, 1973. That was the day that the C. B. and Q Depot left its home at Webster and Van Buren and traveled through town to its present location on Houston Street. The Depot acquisition was a tremendous community effort. It is now the home of the Depot Museum and the Gustafson Research Center.
(Played by Carrie Schafer)
Welcome to the original part of the cemetery. This is where some of the first residents of Batavia find their final resting place. My name is Eunice Shumway. I belong to the Shumway clan going back to the first days of white settlers here on the Fox River Valley. My parents were Horatio G. (1865-1945) and Alice Wood Shumway. My grand father was Charles Walker Shumway (1827-1915?). He is the one who founded the company C.W. Shumway & Sons in 1872 in response to the need for castings due to the destruction of the Great Chicago Fire the year before. It was known as Osgood and Shumway Foundry and then took its final name in 1904 when my Uncle William (second son) joined the family business.
Some people claim that I was had to get along with. The fact is that I just had better ideas than most of the people who came my way. I was very interested in preserving the history of our town. I am proud of the fact that I served as the first president of the Batavia Historical Society. The first organizational meeting took place on January 17, 1960 in the basement of the Batavia Congregational Church. I was elected president. Sallie Krueger, vice president, Miriam Johnson , secretary, Ray Patzer , Treasurer. John Gustafson was appointed the historian. A lot of those original members, like myself and the entire Gustafson family had been documenting our history long before the society was organized.
One of the biggest moments in the society’s history occurred on October 12, 1973. That was the day that the C. B. and Q Depot left its home at Webster and Van Buren and traveled through town to its present location on Houston Street. The Depot acquisition was a tremendous community effort. It is now the home of the Depot Museum and the Gustafson Research Center.
Mary Prindle Newton (1835-1913) Newton Civil War Monument (Played by Lori Holm)
My name is Mary Newton. My grave is over there near my husband. I think you have already met Captain Newton. We were married in 1853 in Bennington, New York. There are quite a number of us New Yorkers who ended up here in Batavia. Welcome to the Civil War Memorial my husband and I had built to remember the civil war veterans from Batavia. I am proud, indeed, of the ways in which we were able to provide financial support for various projects in Batavia. My younger brother, James Prindle and my sister Jane’s husband, Elijah Gammon, joined each other in a number of business ventures over the years. Our home was next door to Elijah and Jane. My husband and Elijah got together in 1887 to build the Methodist church on Batavia Avenue across the street from our homes. After my husband’s death I followed his wishes and gave the Levi Newton homestead at One North Batavia Avenue to the Library Board of Directors. The Batavia Library was at that location from 1902 to 1921. It is also interesting to note that when that property was razed to allow Wilson Street to gone on down the hill the Library Board later purchased our home. The library occupied “Newton House” from 1921 to 1981. I am glad to see that Newton House, Gammon Corner, and the Methodist church remain prominent structures on Batavia Avenue. I regard them all as part of what we left here in Batavia. I understand that Captain Dwight Eisenhower visited this Newton Monument in 1918. You might be interested to know more about that, as well. That’s all the time I have today. I hope you have enjoyed your walk through the Batavia West Side Cemetery on this Flag Day 2015. There’s another Batavia connection there. You can investigate that part of our history at another time.
My name is Mary Newton. My grave is over there near my husband. I think you have already met Captain Newton. We were married in 1853 in Bennington, New York. There are quite a number of us New Yorkers who ended up here in Batavia. Welcome to the Civil War Memorial my husband and I had built to remember the civil war veterans from Batavia. I am proud, indeed, of the ways in which we were able to provide financial support for various projects in Batavia. My younger brother, James Prindle and my sister Jane’s husband, Elijah Gammon, joined each other in a number of business ventures over the years. Our home was next door to Elijah and Jane. My husband and Elijah got together in 1887 to build the Methodist church on Batavia Avenue across the street from our homes. After my husband’s death I followed his wishes and gave the Levi Newton homestead at One North Batavia Avenue to the Library Board of Directors. The Batavia Library was at that location from 1902 to 1921. It is also interesting to note that when that property was razed to allow Wilson Street to gone on down the hill the Library Board later purchased our home. The library occupied “Newton House” from 1921 to 1981. I am glad to see that Newton House, Gammon Corner, and the Methodist church remain prominent structures on Batavia Avenue. I regard them all as part of what we left here in Batavia. I understand that Captain Dwight Eisenhower visited this Newton Monument in 1918. You might be interested to know more about that, as well. That’s all the time I have today. I hope you have enjoyed your walk through the Batavia West Side Cemetery on this Flag Day 2015. There’s another Batavia connection there. You can investigate that part of our history at another time.
Samuel D. Lockwood (1789-1874)
(played by Tom Van Cleave)
Welcome to our little town of Batavia, Illinois. I’m Samuel Drake Lockwood. I was born August 2, 1789 in Poundridge, Westchester County, New York. I opened my first law office in Batavia, New York, in 1811. After practicing law for 7 years I was eager to try something new. Several of my friends were going to the newly admitted state of Illinois. I joined them. We came by flatboat down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers to Shawneetown. We then traveled on foot to Kaskaskia, Illinois, arriving on Christmas Day, 1818. In 1821 I became the States Attorney for Illinois. This opened many political doors. A year later, I became Secretary of State to Governor Edward Coles. Two years later President Monroe appointed me the receiver of public moneys collected for land patents granted by the land bank office in Edwardsville, Illinois.
While in Edwardsville, Governor Coles appointed me as Associate Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. As Associate Justice, I signed the first marriage license in the State of Illinois. I also dealt with the major issue of the time. It was a personal cause for me to keep Illinois a free state and I became a leader of the Anti-Slavery Party. I became acquainted with a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. My son-in-law William Coffin has referred to us as “intimate friends.” I’m not sure about that.
In 1851 I was named state trustee of the Illinois Central Railroad. I served in that capacity until my death. This necessitated a change of residence. We moved from Springfield to Batavia. I may have become the first commuter from Batavia to Chicago. We purchased the biggest house available to accommodate our large family. We purchased the house from Elijah Town. I understand that the house later was known as Lockwood Hall.
I died in 1874 at the age of 85. My funeral was at the Congregational Church. Our family plot here is one of the largest. 26 of my descendants are right here.
(played by Tom Van Cleave)
Welcome to our little town of Batavia, Illinois. I’m Samuel Drake Lockwood. I was born August 2, 1789 in Poundridge, Westchester County, New York. I opened my first law office in Batavia, New York, in 1811. After practicing law for 7 years I was eager to try something new. Several of my friends were going to the newly admitted state of Illinois. I joined them. We came by flatboat down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers to Shawneetown. We then traveled on foot to Kaskaskia, Illinois, arriving on Christmas Day, 1818. In 1821 I became the States Attorney for Illinois. This opened many political doors. A year later, I became Secretary of State to Governor Edward Coles. Two years later President Monroe appointed me the receiver of public moneys collected for land patents granted by the land bank office in Edwardsville, Illinois.
While in Edwardsville, Governor Coles appointed me as Associate Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. As Associate Justice, I signed the first marriage license in the State of Illinois. I also dealt with the major issue of the time. It was a personal cause for me to keep Illinois a free state and I became a leader of the Anti-Slavery Party. I became acquainted with a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. My son-in-law William Coffin has referred to us as “intimate friends.” I’m not sure about that.
In 1851 I was named state trustee of the Illinois Central Railroad. I served in that capacity until my death. This necessitated a change of residence. We moved from Springfield to Batavia. I may have become the first commuter from Batavia to Chicago. We purchased the biggest house available to accommodate our large family. We purchased the house from Elijah Town. I understand that the house later was known as Lockwood Hall.
I died in 1874 at the age of 85. My funeral was at the Congregational Church. Our family plot here is one of the largest. 26 of my descendants are right here.
Elijah Shumway Town (1805?-1890)
(Played by Dale Grishchow)
I’m Elijah Shumway Town. When I was 23 I first got my chance to serve the Lord when I went to the Indian Mission in Mayhew, Mississippi. I served there for 6 years. It was there that I married Hannah Cone. I later talked Hannah into taking the long riverboat trip to Fort Dearborn. We got a wagon and crossed to the head of Big Woods. I am one of those folks from New York State who came to the Big Woods at the very beginning. We spent our first nights with Christopher and Elizabeth Payne. Payne was the first white settler in Kane County. We established the Church of the Big and Little Woods in the cabin of Thompson Paxton. I was elected clerk of the church. When we began our first Sunday school I was chosen to serve as Superintendent. I later helped build the Congregational Church on Batavia Avenue. I understand that you may be returning there later this afternoon. Paxton Hall is named for my friend Thompson Paxton. You might also be interested to know that there is a memorial stained glass window in the sanctuary with my name on it.
My interests didn’t just lie in the church. I was elected Batavia’s first justice of the Peace. I built the limestone house across the street where Judge Lockwood and his family lived. The Brandon family also later lived in that home. The limestone house just to the north, now called Stone Manor, is another of my buildings. I was also one of four men to build the Batavia Institute. That’s where Mary Todd Lincoln was later hospitalized. For ten years I was the owner of one of the limestone quarries. An awful lot of Batavia limestone was used to erect buildings around this town. I ran the Batavia Barrel Manufacturing company, too. Sackett Booth and I formed a partnership and we owned Island Mills, a saw mill and lumber yard on the Island.
In 1873, I met and married Hannah Hutchinson. I was 69 years old then. Some wondered if I knew what I was doing. She was a wonderful lady. I left Hannah a widow in my 85th year. So, I had two wives, both named Hannah. I was laid to rest between my first Hannah and my second Hannah in this, the oldest section of the cemetery.
(Played by Dale Grishchow)
I’m Elijah Shumway Town. When I was 23 I first got my chance to serve the Lord when I went to the Indian Mission in Mayhew, Mississippi. I served there for 6 years. It was there that I married Hannah Cone. I later talked Hannah into taking the long riverboat trip to Fort Dearborn. We got a wagon and crossed to the head of Big Woods. I am one of those folks from New York State who came to the Big Woods at the very beginning. We spent our first nights with Christopher and Elizabeth Payne. Payne was the first white settler in Kane County. We established the Church of the Big and Little Woods in the cabin of Thompson Paxton. I was elected clerk of the church. When we began our first Sunday school I was chosen to serve as Superintendent. I later helped build the Congregational Church on Batavia Avenue. I understand that you may be returning there later this afternoon. Paxton Hall is named for my friend Thompson Paxton. You might also be interested to know that there is a memorial stained glass window in the sanctuary with my name on it.
My interests didn’t just lie in the church. I was elected Batavia’s first justice of the Peace. I built the limestone house across the street where Judge Lockwood and his family lived. The Brandon family also later lived in that home. The limestone house just to the north, now called Stone Manor, is another of my buildings. I was also one of four men to build the Batavia Institute. That’s where Mary Todd Lincoln was later hospitalized. For ten years I was the owner of one of the limestone quarries. An awful lot of Batavia limestone was used to erect buildings around this town. I ran the Batavia Barrel Manufacturing company, too. Sackett Booth and I formed a partnership and we owned Island Mills, a saw mill and lumber yard on the Island.
In 1873, I met and married Hannah Hutchinson. I was 69 years old then. Some wondered if I knew what I was doing. She was a wonderful lady. I left Hannah a widow in my 85th year. So, I had two wives, both named Hannah. I was laid to rest between my first Hannah and my second Hannah in this, the oldest section of the cemetery.