ISLAND OF DUNHAM TOWNSHIP
The "Island area" of Dunham Township got its unusual name because the early
white settlers were forced to build their homesteads on the little hills and
knolls of the wet marshy area.
Thus the homes were on "islands" of firm ground and that name has stuck to
the area ever since. Starting in 1902 and through 1912, there were drainage
districts formed by the landowners and a series of ditches and tile systems
were worked out to drain off the excess water. This system has produced an
area of excellent farm land where once ponds, bogs and sloughs existed and
cat tails, willows and slough hay grew. The drainage districts are still
functioning today (1976) and are governed by boards of local farmers.
The Indians must have used the "Island" for hunting grounds. I could find no
mention of specific tribes, but without a doubt the game and fish were
abundant.
According to early records of McHenry County, J. W. Stevenson, a farmer from
Ohio, took up residence in Section 19 of Dunham Township in 1837, Post Office
Capron, Illinois.
The Stevenson family still hold title to land on the "Island". In the same
book I found the name W. Pennington, a farmer from Ireland, who claimed land
in Section 20 of Dunham Township in the year 1855. His post office was
Chemung, Illinois.
A plat book of 1872 lists the following as owners of land on the "Island" :
R. Collins
John Hallisy
D. O'Connor
W. Roach
J. Hooley
P. Barry
D. Donovan
J. O'Brien
F. Cunningham
M. Sweeney
S. W. Burgess
W. Rosencranz
N. R. Finney
J. Crowley
J. Galvin
J. Barrett
and several Brickleys- Michael, Peter, John and J. L.
Most of these were farmers from the southern part of Ireland who settled in
America on land that resembled their home land.
Through the years the land has remained to nurture crops and animals that
have helped feed the nation. Through wars, depressions (when farms were lost
and resold), droughts and floods. Until the present day (1976) when smaller
farms have been absorbed into larger tracts, dairy farms have changed to
grain and vegetable and many of the "old" families are gone the "Island" is
still there.
Our Harvard American Legion Post was named the "William J. Metzen" Post
honoring a boy who lived with the Henry Donovan family on the "Island". The
son, Leo Donovan, lives on the original farm.