Reminiscences and personal recollections of pioneer days in Stephenson County compiled by the late John L. Rockey form a valuable record that is prized by the Stephenson County Old Settlers Assoc. In his article Mr. Rockey who was born near Cedarville but spent his later life at Harrisburg PA, links the past with the present by relating memorable events concerning many of the early settlers who organized the Old Settlers Assoc. The articles list details regarding the organization of the association in August 1869 for the purpose of perpetuating and cherishing the history and traditions of the past through annual gatherings which brought thousands of old homefolks on the trek to Cedarville each August through the years that followed to show country pride and gratitude because of the good fortune of our forefathers who made it possible to claim this fine heritage, all roads leading to this beautiful village of Cedarville with its lovely groves. Most of these men were American born, but descended from Eurpoean heritage. They were an excellent class of people believing that Stephenson county was one of the garden spots of the earth and there was spendid co-operaton.

Many founders of the society were prominent and influential citizens of their several communities. I cannot disassociate John H. Addams from the very foremost, wrote Mr. Rockey. A worthy helper in this movement was Squire Marcus Montelius in whose grove the first reunion was held. He was a surveyor with wide acquaintances in every part of the county. Jacob Latshaw, the village tinsmith, an ardent admirer of Benjamin Franklin and also Jackson Richart the millwright, Joseph Reel and the blacksmith, Jackson Piersal, all ready to bring Cedarville to the front.

Of the farmers in this area, the four Clingman families were themselves a goodly host, they were an honor to the state of Ohio and gave our Buckeye Township its name. Josiah Clingman was a pioneer justice of the peace and in the absence of minister married many young couples. Squire Clingman and his wife were ideal pioneers. She attained the age of 105 years The Squires brother John B. lived nearby and all the younger Clingmans of the Patton neighborhood were valued citizens. Then there were the Lucas brothers Levi and Adrian, also from Ohio. Very courtly and dignified gentlemen, invariably on horseback. I was born in one of Adrians houses, baptized in the Baumgardner barn before the Zion church was built with my middle name being Lucas out of respect for Adrian.

Excellent farmers further north were Jesse and Robert Jones, Englanders by birth, skilled in woodcraft with advanced ideas in farming, pioneering in fruit growing, with large orchards, a vineyard and a hop yard. The Wilcoxen brothers lived south of Cedarville on extensive farms. Other interested farmers were the Wrights, John B. Angle, the Rutherfords, Samuel, Thomas and George Barber. Free and unstinted support came from the Hockmans, Humphreys, Snyders, the Matters, Folgates, Wohlfords, Yeagles, Eppleys, Cryders, Jacksons and others. Equally fine support came from the farmers West of Cedarville - the Leids, Frys, Addams, Wetzels, Canfields, Reagors, Rigneys and others. From the McConnell neighborhood were the Diveleys, Shippees, Bechtels and Robeys. Levi Robey was the first president of the society, well qualified with his jovial nature and store of anecotes, Waddam Robey who bore a striking resemblance to our beloved Lincoln was popular as sheriff of our county.

Pioneers in the Winslow section were the Blanchards and the Brewsters, John K. and his brother Daniel. John K as the builder of a great hotel, conspicous landmark of Northern Illinois. Those from the Western part of the county were Luman Montague and Pells Manny, Judge Andrew Hinds, Dr. W.P. Narramore, Dr. Bradshaw, St. John, Trotter, Bobb, Kleckner, Krape, Belnap, Caldwell, Bollender and Pollock families. Southward lived the scotch-irish families named Wilson, Boals, Nelson, Steward and Thompson. In the Rock Grove section were the Chambers, Barbers, Prestons, Rockey, Myers and Bolender families. John Swanzy, the Hunts, Minors and others came from Ridott. The Colemans, Rosentiels and Hettingers from Silver Creek and the Taggerts from the southwestern sectin.

In Lancaster and Harlem were the families of Furst, Snyder, Rezner, Stout and McCool. In Freeport were Sunderland, Burchard, Ordway, Atkins. Other Freeporters I recall are Emmert, Walton, Cronkrite, Best, Giles, Barton, Sterns and Stover families.

I remember details of the first reunion. The grove was on the Buckeye township line where Harlem and Lancaster join. The day was unusally pleasant with sunshine and a cool breeze. Streams of teams were seen on all the roads, all headed for this place, where care-takers received them. Every locality was represented and joyous were the meetings of long separated friends. Hands were shaken and eyes beamed with pleasure, the spirit of former days was revived. In those early days there was difficulty getting supplies, a railroad had been regarded as an impossibility but the soliciting of subscriptions began and progress was slow. It was tedious to go by team to Galena or Chicago with a load of produce to get groceries. But the women took a hand and as a pioneer mother of Oneco township expressed it "We must sacrifice, we can save and sell the colts, but a railroad we must have." The completion of the first railroad to Freeport marked an epoch in the county history, prosperty which brought comfort and contentment for we not so much out of the world. Youth today cannot comprehend what that railroad meant to our country. Cedarville missed by two miles getting the railroad and felt it keenly for it had woodland, water courses and hills and easy roads through them.

New names and new faces will appear at future meetings with the retirement of the original settlers. May these citizens of the future grasp opportunity eagerly.