More history on the old log cabin

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

To the editor:

The May 1 Daily Chronicle pictured a log cabin located in rural Kingston that is to be moved to the Russell Woods Forest Preserve in Genoa.

This was the home of the Floyd Nelson Sr. family for 93 years. It was originally located in the banks of the Kishwaukee River that meandered through the wooded area of the 1,100-1,200 acre Ellwood family property. As the river flowed north, it encouraged Indian tribes to follow along to their destination.

Farm buildings were established west of the river across a road, now known as Pleasant Hill. On the side of one of the structures, a white painted sign informed passersby of the name and date of this beginning: MILLER FARM 1833. Harriet A. Miller was an Ellwood family member. The cabin was, no doubt, moved at the same time. It is a mystery as to how it was transported.

Demanding additions resulted in a comfortable farm home. A supply tank adjacent to a sprawling west barn guaranteed running water. Many families bounced in and out of this home through the years. In 1912, Floyd Nelson (aka “Casey”), was appointed manager of this operation. With the help of several men and horses, he struggled along until John Deere’s arrival eased the workload. Casey was equipped for this undertaking, having been raised on the other Ellwood property, a dairy farm, which was located north of DeKalb.

In 1921, Casey married a neighbor girl, Gladys Wallin. From 1923 to 1932, they established a family of five children. As children, we were aware of the location within the farmhouse, by the telltale windowsills. My mother adorned these sills with three to four rows of potted plants.

In 1939, the farm was braced for life-changing electric power. A Mr. “Chicken” Kellog of Genoa was given the task of wiring the house. He scratched his head many times, but eventually came up with a solution for drilling through the massive logs.

Casey passed away in 1967. His son, Rex Nelson, inherited the hard work and many hours of maintaining this large farmland. Rex’s son, Randy, is now in control.

Our mother died in 1972. Another brother, Floyd Jr., lived in the house until his death in December 2005. From then until 2009, the house remained unoccupied. As wrecking crews piled up the boards and shingles, the cabin was plucked from the demolition. It stands today, alone, waiting for a new home across the river.

Donna M. Nelson
Sycamore