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Articles by Dick Wells
Pioneer Struggles: Preserving history through local DAR and SAR chapters
I heard stories of my great, great grandmother coming to Annawan in the 1840′s by covered wagon at age seven. She married an Englishman in 1864, raised a family and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1914. I have the newspaper clipping. What was life like? Well, everything was a struggle and the Bureau County Republican and Kewanee Star Courier allowed me to share my answers with their readers. This is #19 in a 20 part series called “Pioneer Struggles”.
Pioneer Struggles: Building a Log Cabin
How many skill sets do we have in 2023? How many would be useful in 1840′s Bureau County? We would rely on our basic communication talent, interpersonal skills, hand and eyes coordination and a whole lot of common sense. Most of our skills would be on the job, not unlike our early county settlers. With little knowledge and no Google, pioneers had to be farmers, teamsters, hunters, fisherman, doctors, pharmacist, blacksmiths and bakers.
Pioneer Struggles: The Blakes of Bunker Hill
Isaac Bailey Blake came to Neponset in 1858 and started the first lumber yard, the first library and one of the first churches. He passed away at 82 years old and his funeral was a testimony of his life. Every store was closed, and school was dismissed. The students marched in procession from the school to the church. Rev. H.L. Hartwell conducted the services in the Congregational Church that was unable to seat all who wished to pay their respects.
Pioneer Struggles: Death of a Pioneer
Excerpt from ‘The Neponset Messenger’ (newspaper), Friday February 24, 1905, page 1, col 5: Neponset: “Isaac Bailey Blake, one of the most prominent residents of Neponset passed away Monday afternoon. Mr. Blake had ever been a hale and hearty man and seldom had been sick. Just one week ago he contracted a severe cold and this, with his advanced age, resulted in his death. Mr. Blake was born in Peacham, Vermont, Dec. 3, 1822, and at the time of his death was 82 years, 5 months and 18 days of age.
Pioneer Struggles: Neponset Civil War cannon Part 3
Restoring a Confederate Civil War cannon may sound difficult … and it is. Folks say the first step is the hardest. In this case, it was the easiest as the Neponset community wanted to celebrate and preserve their local history. Locating someone to properly restore 161-year-old, 900-pound cannon, however, would take some research and luck. The Amish craftsman in Arthur, Illinois, was considered. They had the skillset but did not have a historical perspective.
Pioneer Struggles: Neponset Civil War cannon Pt. 2
We continue our story from July. Recall Joseph W. Merrill came to Neponset from New England in 1856 and a few months later became the postmaster. As postmaster, he knew all the local folks and kept up with local and national news. After Fort Sumter was fired on and President Lincoln made a call to arms to suppress the rebellion. Joseph Merrill spearheaded the recruiting and raised a company of men from Neponset and Annawan.
Pioneer Struggles: Civil War cannon saved, again
History needs a caretaker, and the old Neponset cannon has found one. For more than a 120 years, the old civil war cannon sat on a concrete pedestal in front of the village hall. It had seen two world wars, roaring 20′s, depression, roaring 50′s, Vietnam, men on the moon, a black president and many Neponset parades. But time has taken its toll on the crumbling concrete and the Neponset American Legion Post 875 has stepped up. Just like the city fathers did in the 1890s.
Pioneer Struggles: Nothing fast about Pioneer food
I have written about all aspects of pioneer life. It is fascinating to learn how they dealt with transportation, neighbors, politics, religion and housing. But how the pioneers ate and kept warm is one of the most interesting aspects of their lives. It gives insight into how creative and hard-working they were to sustain their families in the wilderness. At first, pioneers ate by campfires. During their 6-week wagon trip all meals were prepared in the open.
Israel Heaps, Annawan Civil War member of Henry County's 27th Infantry
Annawan contributed 48 men to the 27th Illinois Infantry, Co I in President Lincoln’s 1st Call to Arms, 1861. A year later, 78 Annawan men joined the 112th Illinois Infantry. His presentation focused on one man from each unit. This was the first soldier. Israel Green Heaps, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on November 13, 1839: to William and Hester Ann Heaps. His parents were former Mennonites and had cast their fortune with the early pioneers of our area.
Pioneer Struggles #11: A glimpse Civil War through the eyes of Annawan's Private Heaps
Editor's note: The following is excerpted from a Civil War presentation made to Annawan Kiwanis members April 4 by local history researcher Dick Wells. Annawan contributed 48 men to the 27th Illinois Infantry, Co. 1, in President Lincoln’s first Call to Arms, 1861. A year later, 78 Annawan men joined the 112th Illinois Infantry, Co. A. Wells presentation focused on one man from each unit and the excerpt features the first soldier, Israel Green Heaps.
Geneseo Senior Center celebrates St. Patty's
Geneseo: A St. Patrick’s Dance was held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Geneseo Community Center. Live country and 50-60’s dance music was performed by the “The Last Call”. A Leprechaun even stopped by! The event was open to the public with free admission. It was sponsored by the Geneseo Park District with detail coordination by Gene VanDeVoorde, Annawan and Jani Wells, Neponset. The Geneseo Community Center has not had senior dances since 2018.
Dick Wells Pioneer Struggles #9: Henry County region's Underground Railroad connection
Historians have found it difficult to document the activities of the Underground Railroad. It is like writing a biography of Jesse James – folks were quite good about covering their tracks and little evidence was kept. Just like the Underground Railroad itself. Those involved only knew a few conductors or stops in their area. For their own protection, parents hid their involvement from their children.
Columnist Dick Wells: Religion on the prairie and the Circle of Life
TISKILWA – Storyteller and historian Brian ‘Fox’ Ellis recently presented a program on Black Hawk, the renowned leader of the Sauk tribe born in the 19th century. Only fitting, as it was held in Tiskilwa and in a former Methodist church, attended by 100 people on a November night. The Native American culture speaks to time being a circle, not a straight line. Not only did Ellis reenact the culture, but he was living it as well.
Columnist Dick Wells: Which will be the next 'greatest' generation?
As we drive thru our local parks we marvel at the trees and set-aside prairie. We might even get a glimpse of a turkey or deer. But this was the reality of our first area settlers, nearly 200 years ago. Nothing BUT nature! The documented lives of pioneers Henry Little, Kewanee, George Bowen, Neponset and John Wood, Macon township, Bureau County are well known. Their faith in a better life, determination and sometimes good luck makes their stories a rich part of our local history.
Pioneer Struggles: Seeking out the Greatest Generation
As we drive through our local parks we marvel at the trees and set-aside prairie. We might even get a glimpse of a turkey or deer. But this was the reality of our first area settlers, nearly 200 years ago. Nothing but nature! The documented lives of pioneers Henry Little of Kewanee, George Bowen of Neponset and John Wood of Macon township are well known. Their faith in a better life, determination and sometimes good luck makes their stories a rich part of our local history.
AE&TA tractor drive - from the driver's seat
A local pastor once commented on a recent tractor drive, “You will observe God’s creation at 12 mph”. The Antique Engine & Tractor Association, Geneseo, hosted it’s annual tractor drive on Friday, July 23rd. It was a 35 mile ride with scheduled stops at Riverdale High School, Port Byron and DeClercq Farms, near Hillsdale.
Tiny Neponset depends on neighbors, teamwork
Towns, especially small towns, struggle to become relevant. Tiny Neponset, population 436, is no different. Four years ago, a group was formed to consider a veteran’s memorial in the city park. Vietnam veteran, John Pickering called the first meeting, but it was apparent from the beginning there was no need for a formal leader. It was just a few folks who wanted something good for their town.
Neponset AmLegion plan another busy year
Neponset American Legion Post 875 packs a lot into a Saturday. Dec. 5 began with a monthly meeting and the election of 2021 officers. The officers are: Gary Miller, commander; Rodney Bennett, adjutant; Dick Wells, chaplain; Jon Pickering, special projects; Dave Mueller, Sons of American Legion (SAL) commander; and Justin Stabler, SAL Adjutant. The Neponset chapter has been recognized as one of the best posts in the state.
Neponset creates ‘Avenue of Flags’
By Dick Wells For the Star Courier Thursday Nov 12, 2020 at 12:01 AM Neponset Elementary School usually holds a patriotic all-school Veteran’s Day assembly, complete with music, student readings and a hot breakfast for area veterans, but his year an assembly was not possible due to health concerns. Instead, teachers and students gave up their Sunday morning to assist the local American Legion #875 in posting nearly 200 flags at Neponset’s Floral Hill Cemetery , creating a local "Avenue-of-Flags".
A colLocal tractor drive brings out enthusiasts
By Dick Wells For the Star Courier Tuesday Sep 22, 2020 at 12:01 AM A local pastor once commented on recent tractor drive, "You observe God’s creation at 10 mph." On a rainy Saturday morning recently, 13 tractors left the Gene VanDeVoorde farm in Annawan for a 23-mile ride to the Bos Brothers Farm Show, Spring Hill Road, Erie. VanDeVoorde had hot coffee, donuts and the confidence the weather would clear – and sure enough, it did.
Neponset American Legion going strong
Car clubs, historical groups, service organizations, church fellowship organizations and military veterans’ groups are all losing membership and struggling to survive. They all have worthwhile purposes, but they are losing membership to competing leisure activities and aging populations. Neponset American Legion Post #875 was no different, but today it is flourishing. Five years ago, the once-active post was down to six members and about to lose its charter. Retired Col.
Against odds, Neponset American Legion thrives
By Dick Wells For the Star Courier Friday Aug 14, 2020 at 12:01 AM Most volunteer organizations are having a tough time surviving. Car clubs, historical groups, service organizations, church fellowship organizations and military veterans’ groups are all losing membership and struggling to survive. They all have worthwhile purposes but are losing membership to competing leisure activities and aging populations.
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