Warren’s Second Settler
Freeman A. Tisdel was the second settler in what is known as
the Village of Warren. Born in Connecticut in 1806, married in Ohio in 1826,
his children were Delos, Melissa, Freeman and Nancy by his first wife, and
Minnie E. Tisdel by a second wife.
Before coming to Warren he founded the village of Freedom,
in Mich. Arriving at the log cabin of Alexander Burnett in the fall of 1845, he
bought the westerly half of Burnett’s 240 acres, the creek separating the
portions. The cabin went to Tisdel.
Whatever visions Burnett may have had as to the future of
his 240 acres, the coming of Tisdel soon resulted in a land boom. These two
men, with others, proceeded, in a few years, to divide the acres into lots, and
prepare for a city of 10,000 inhabitants in the near future.
The locality was called The Corners, or Burnett’s Corners up
to 1852, when, at the suggestion of Abram L. Brink, the name became Courtland.
The name of Warren was given in 1853 when the railroad arrived from Chicago.
Agitation immediately began for a line to the lead mines, and the Mineral Point
Railroad became an actuality in 1858, while the prospects were good for a
railroad from Winslow. Tisdel well knew the strategic position of Warren as
affording an outlet for the extensive lead mines at Millville, the
forward-looking mineral prospects at Babel, the rich deposits at Mineral Point,
and the productive soil on all sides. Warren seemed a natural transportation
center. Its prospects were rosey, indeed. Land was cheap and rich in quality.
Tisdel built the commodious Stone Hotel, with its Stables
opposite, and a handsome residence on Broadway, as well as other structures.
His residence was later owned by John Morrill, and is now the property of Will
F. Coyne. Broadway is now Tisdel Avenue. Burnett, too, was active, enlarging
his frame dwelling into a big hotel. New settlers arrived almost daily.
Warren’s growth was steady and rapid. Stores multiplied, schools and churches
were not neglected. Warren had its first, last, and only boom.
Those now living and have memories of the years of 1845 to
1859 covering the period of Tisdel’s sojourn in Warren, or those who have
studied the Village’s history, must admit that this man, more than any other,
“put Warren on the map.” Tisdel’s efforts, in bringing the railroad to Warren,
equalled or exceeded the combined exertions of all others.
Tisdel was a “masterful” man; a constructor, as
distinguished from a promoter; a man of intellect and energy; a man of
integrity and character; a splendid example of a public spirited citizen; and a
man worthy of respect and affection. His were the qualities required, today,
for making of “captains of industry.” He was a man of vision and initiative.
Tisdel was chairman of the board of five trustees when the
Town was organized in 1857. A controversy over the act of incorporation of the
Village, caused people to take sides. An illuminated banner was carried in a
procession, having a crude picture of Tisdel, and this was besmirched with mud.
Such lack of appreciation for his years of labor so grieved Freeman A. Tisdel,
that he disposed of his holdings as quickly as possible, and in 1859, moved to
Salem, Nebraska, accompanied by other desirable citizens. His going was
Warren’s loss. The town is, indeed, well founded whose builder is a man of
Tisdel’s character and public spirit. Was Tisdel too sensitive? Was he too
impetuous and quick in forming a resolution? Did he realize that others, who
had invested their all in Warren, had a voice in the Town’s affairs? Could he
tolerate his judgment being questioned? His leaving must have been a pecuniary
loss to himself? The whole incident was most unfortunate.
Tisdel visited Warren in 1868 and was given a public
reception. Then he knew how universal was the respect and affection in which he
was held.
It was with genuine sorrow that the people of Warren
received the news of the death of Freeman A. Tisdel at Salem, Nbr., in 1873.
Tisdel had honored Nebraska by years of service as Treasurer
of Pawnee County, and as a member of the State Legislature.
Tisdel was an excellent subject for study – a very
interesting personality. He left Warren when I was a year old, but I heard his
personality discussed and his praises for some 18 years. Personally, my opinion
of the man has all along been that he was a super-man.
-Jay M. Whitham
The Warren Sentinel-Leader, Warren, Illinois
Wednesday, May 28, 1930
Transcriber’s Note: I
got this from a typed piece of faded paper, not from the Sentinel-Leader
itself. I have faith in the typist, however, and simply typed it verbatim. I
believe I can publish it as it is public domain.
