Early Farm Life in Bureau County, Illinois, and ... - New Page 1

Log cabin homes of the mid 1850’s were not all that crude. Pictures obtained from the Web
show them to be comfortable, possibly two stories (perhaps a loft) with glass windows and
framed doors. Logs form the walls, with various materials stuffed in the creases to seal out
the cold. The following are examples of cabins of the era.
No information on this home
Built 1854 in Fairview
Heights, IL
Farming the land was tough for Heinrich and his family. Each day was occupied by clearing
land, plowing and planting crops and then harvesting them, all by the use of horse-drawn
equipment. Evenings were spent working on the cabin or house, barns, and other local tasks.
But, they usually retired early since there was much more work to be done the next day. In
the fall and winter, much time was spent around the fireplace or sitting in a kerosene lanternlit
room.
Heinrich and Elizabeth probably spoke only German and so Henry and Jacob learned
German as children. It is presumed that they attended school early in their lives and
eventually learned to speak English. Perhaps this was done at the church or at small schools
in the area.
Elizabeth’s role on the farm was mostly to prepare meals and to tend to the household. She
also cared for any livestock they might have owned. She also tended to a small garden where
vegetables were grown for their personal consumption.
Family transportation was accomplished via horse drawn wagons or buggies. Trips to church
or to Ladd or Princeton and other surrounding villages were done by wagon or by horseback.
In 1864, the Courthouse records show that Heinrich was finally able to purchase the 80 acre
farm (north of the COH) from Nathanial and Henrietta Chauncey. This occurred on 13
September 1864. Chauncey had previously acquired this land from Elihu Chauncey who it is
believed acquired this land in one of the land grant programs of earlier times. Heinrich paid
$800 for this land.
Chapter 8 Page 8