Joseph Naper was born in Shaftsbury, Bennington County, Vermont in 1798. He was the son of Robert Naper/Napier and Sarah Hawley.
When he was just a young boy, the family moved from Vermont to Ashtabula, Ohio. Here Joseph took after his father by becoming first a sailor, then a commander and eventually the master of his own vessel. His first ship was the “Pioneer,” one of the first steam powered ships on the Great Lakes.
His travels took him back and forth across the Great Lakes, hauling people and goods to and from Fort Dearborn, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Buffalo, New York; and other miscellaneous ports.
He met Almeda Landon on one of his voyages and they were married in Buffalo in August of 1823.
Joseph petitioned Rising Sun Lodge No. 22, in Ashtabula, Ohio, and was Initiated an Entered Apprentice on January 17, 1826, was Passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on February 22, 1826, and was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on March 21, 1826.
Joseph and Almeda started a family in 1825 with the birth of Robert. Elizabeth was born in 1828 and Maria in 1830. All of them were born in Ashtabula, Ohio.
While on a routine trip to Fort Dearborn, now Chicago, he earned extra money as a surveyor for Cook County and discovered the virgin land along the DuPage River with its fertile soil and abundant wooded areas. Joseph recognized the potential to build a new community with the natural resources that were available.
He and his brother, John, had built their own vessel, the “Telegraph,” and they, along with 13 other families sailed to Fort Dearborn in the summer of 1831. They arrived in July and sold their boat, and bought oxen and wagons to haul their families and their possessions to their new homes along the banks of the DuPage River.
Once crops had been planted, a saw mill was built on the river and a trading post was erected to trade with the friendly Pottawatomie Indians. A log school house also was erected to meet to the educational needs of the settlers’ children.
The following year, 1832, the Black Hawk War broke out and the women and children were sent back to Fort Dearborn for their immediate protection. Fort Payne quickly was built on the site of what is now New Hall on the North Central College campus. The war ended that same year and peace with the native Indian tribes prevailed.
Joe and Almeda Naper became the parents of another son this year, William.
In 1833, Joe and Almeda’s young daughter Maria passed away, at the age of three. Their son Thomas was born in 1835.
Joe was elected the representative for Cook County in the Illinois State Legislature in 1836, for a term of two years, and again in 1838. During his second term, he served with Abraham Lincoln, and it is said that they worked together to help pass legislation that each was proposing. Lincoln, as a Republican, wished to move the State Capitol from Vandalia to Springfield, and Naper, as a Democrat, wished to create a new County, DuPage, from Cook County.
Both pieces of legislation passed, and the State Capitol was moved, and DuPage became a county in 1839, with Naperville as the County seat.
During this time period, in 1837, Joe and Almeda had their fourth son, Mark.
In 1842, Joseph officially platted the “Town of Naperville.” He was also instrumental with several other residents in having the cemetery moved from its original location at the Northeast corner of Benton Avenue and Washington Street to a better location, far removed from the town.
Joe and Almeda’s last child, Bertha, was born in 1842.
In 1846, the Mexican war broke out and Joseph volunteered for duty. He first served as Quartermaster and then Aid to General Taylor and took part in the battle at Buena Vista.
After returning from the war, Joe and several other residents who were Freemasons, decided to establish a Masonic Lodge in Naperville. Permission was received from the closest Lodge which was in St. Charles. Once this was secured, the Grand Lodge of Illinois issued approval to operate a Lodge Under Dispensation on September 21, 1848. The Lodge quickly went to work choosing officers, writing By-Laws, and doing the work of a Masonic Lodge, making Master Masons. Joseph was a Charter member, the first Senior Warden and third Master of the Lodge. On October 2, 1849, the Lodge received its Charter and was officially recognized as Euclid Lodge No. 65.
By 1850, the residents recognized the need for a larger school. Construction of the Naperville Academy was begun. After several fits and starts, the new school was completed in 1852, with the financial aid provided by the Masonic fraternities and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Joseph was elected for his third and last time to the State Legislature in 1852.
In 1857, the Village of Naperville was incorporated with Joseph Naper’s being elected as the first Village President. Seven of the ten officers elected were members of Euclid Lodge No. 65.
The year 1857 also saw the first attempt by the residents of Wheaton to have the county seat moved to a more central location in the county, but that attempt failed, and saved Joseph Naper from any obvious humiliation.
At approximately 4AM on Saturday, August 23, 1862, Joseph Naper passed away. His funeral was held the following morning at 10AM with members of Euclid Lodge No. 65, performing the simple Masonic funeral service.
Editor’s Note / Naper Homestead is a park on the site where founder Joseph Naper settled in July of 1831. The property is located at the corner of Jefferson and Mill streets near downtown Naperville, Illinois, and the park was begun in 2011.
Dick Locher, a longtime Naperville resident and legendary editorial cartoonist, was chosen to help create the concept maquette for the sculpture of Capt. Joseph Naper with the blessing of Naper Settlement, the City’s museum. Locher’s concept and design were brought to bigger than life in this beautiful 9 ½ foot monumental bronze sculpture by artist and sculptor Jeff Adams.
Dedication of the Century Walk sculpture was August 23, 2013, on the 151st anniversary of Joseph Naper’s death. The likeness of the City’s founder was the finishing touch on the landmark park.
