Cortland Township.
“Cortland Township was settled in 1835 by a party of emigrants pushing northward from Ottawa who was so much pleased with the beautiful appearance of the country, proceeded to make claims. In the following year they were joined by a considerable number of new settlers. The railroad was built in 1853, and a little village soon grew up around the station.” -1871
Cortland Township Historical Resources.
"Cortland, unhurried and unworried, you alone of the triangle formed by DeKalb, Sycamore, and yourself have time to watch the sun rise, circle the heaven, and sink in glory beneath the horizon. Cortland, where everybody is someone, where no person is unknown, and no one's trouble too deep nor desperate for the generous help of your citizens." —Malinda Whittaker Stuart
Township History (1868).
Henry Lamson Boies (1830-1887), for many years the editor and publisher of the Sycamore True Republican newspaper, published the History of DeKalb County, Illinois, in 1868. It includes Civil War rolls and unit histories for area troops, a chronology from 1832-1868, seven historical sketches, and short township histories. Much of Boies’ structure, some wording, and even several errors carry through to later histories.
Township History (1907).
Past and Present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I & II was published in 1907. Lewis M. Gross (1863-1919), compiled and wrote the extensive historical segment that comprises the first 328 pages of Volume I. The historical segment, extensively illustrated, includes history of Native Americans, early settlement, Civil War and the Underground Railroad, and township histories. The remainder of Volume I and all of Volume II contain biographical sketches of individuals, as well as a few businesses.
Digital Sources:
Cortland Township.
Cortland Township Officers meet with County School assistant superintendent, 1944 Sycamore Tribune.
Township History (1876).
1876’s Voters and Taxpayers of DeKalb County, Illinois, is a combined almanac and township-by-township directory, along with some biographical information and township histories. It also includes a list of early setters.
Township History (1963).
Published in 1963 by the DeKalb County Board of Supervisors, From Oxen to Jets, A History of DeKalb County, 1835-1963, was edited by Harriet Wilson Davy (1888-1974), with the assistance of a small but distinguished panel of historians. A more conventional history than prior DeKalb County resources, the book covers early settlement, education, economic and political profiles, contemporary history, as well as historical profiles of townships. In 2012, an update, Acres of Change, 1963-2012, was published.
Community Club.
Cortland Township Community Club was very active in the 1940s.
Community Club business meeting, Sycamore Tribune, February 4, 1944.
Township History (1885).
Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County, Illinois, published in 1885, contains biographical information as well as more than 100 pages of histories including early history and specific profiles like education, agriculture, the press, and government. The book also contains township and municipal histories.
Landfill, Somonauk.
Midweek reporting on the landfill 2010-2012.
Officers.
More to come.
Property/Land.
More to come.
Roads.
More to come.
Schools.
More to come.
Voting.
More to come.
People.
More to come.
WWI.
More to come.
Taxes.
More to come.
WWII.
More to come.
Resources.
Administration.
More to come.
Website.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Road District.
More to come.
