Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... of the wandering type and were constantly seeking new homes. These pioneers were followed by a second class of settlers who generally had some property and were able to pay cash for at least part of their lands, and to make additional improvements. Lastly, came the man of property whose idea was to cultivate the land in the best possible manner and become a permanent resident.66 The pioneers of the first class were poor, indeed, enjoying few of the comforts of life and too often were so lazy as to make no effort whatever to better their condition. They lived in rags and idleness, providing for their families by hunting and occasionally cultivating a small patch of corn and vegetables but doing no other work, leading, on the whole, a most shiftless life and seeking no advancement. Morality, too, was of a low standard especially among these people and the poorer European immigrants who settled in the South.67 The second and third classes were much advanced beyond the first. These people aimed to advance their material condition and worked constantly to accomplish their object. Immigration to Northern Illinois after the opening of steam navigation on the Great Lakes reached such a volume that it seems impossible to make any such classification as has been made for Southern Illinois. There was no gradual procession cf types but an influx of the agricultural type. So rapidly was the land filled up that a residence of three months in Chicago, for example, gave one the right to be recognized as an old settler.68 Travelers through this part of the state give conflicting accounts regarding the inhabitants and their homes. The general sentiment seemed to be that the settlers were of a class superior to the early pioneers of the southern counties....