Full text of "Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county : together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States : also containing a history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time"

UNIVERSITY OF

ILLINOIS LIBRARY

AT URBANA-CHAMPA1GN

THE UNIVERSITY

OF ILLINOIS

LIBRARY

<311.328

SDWW

portrait? aqd Biographical jsSptehe? of
of tje (JountJ

TOGETHER WITH

PORTKAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL, THE GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS,
AND OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

ALSO CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT
TO THE PRESENT TIME.

CHICAGO:
CHAPMAN BROTHERS.

^ --

-^^-

E HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH-
ICAL ALBUM OF DE KALB COUNTY, and wish, in presenting it to our patrons, to speak
briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty
of the present to commemorate the past, to perpetuate the names of the pioneers,
to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress.
; The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which
men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity,
demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power
to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe
vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and vapidly the noble men, who in their vigor and prime
came to DE KALB County and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to
their graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is
becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of his-
torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only
is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen-
tial that the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various
phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age
of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is abrilliant
record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, their
lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age,
/ and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will be advanced and
a observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten, and their very names hidden in obscurity.

In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were
taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated
indifferently, and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published.
As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous representa-
tive citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented
in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose
^ portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call-
ings and professions worthy to be represented. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with
those presented, but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and pioneers
of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of DE KALB
County for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this ALBUM.

CHAPMAN BROTHERS.
CHICAGO, May, 1885.

;

AND OF THE

:
I

TflfUBMtf

OFTHI
IWMERSITY

HE Father of our Country was
born in Westmorland Co., Va.,
Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
were Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
England. His great-grand-
father, John Washington, em-
igrated to Virginia about 1657,
and became a prosperous
* planter. He had two sons,
Lawrence and John. The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John.
Augustine and Mildred. Augus-
tine, the father of George, first
married Jane Butler, who bore
him four children, two of whom,
Lawrence and Augustine, reached
maturity. Of six children by his
second marriage, George was the
eldest, the others being Betty,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles
and Mildred.

Augustine Washington, the father of George, died
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he left the parental residence. George
received only such education as the neighborhood
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left
school, when he received private instruction in
. mathematics. His spelling was rather defective.

Remarkable stories are told of his great physical
strength and development at an early age. He was
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair-
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life.

When George was 14 years old he had a desire to go to
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him,
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service against the French and Indians. Soon
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter
who did not long survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili-
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac-
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro-
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North-
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The

^3^ -4*S*d>

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com-
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad-
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit

After having been five years in the military service,
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy
widow of John Parke Custis.

When the British Parliament had closed the port
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con-
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila-
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash-
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con-
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com-
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under ever)- possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, T783, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his

commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the pan
of other governments; trials from want of harmony
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean ; and
while perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.

At the expiration of his first term he was unani-
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi-
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France.
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the armies. He chose his sub-
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat-
ters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took
a. severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh-
teenth his body was borne with military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
Mount Vernon.

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad-
miration. The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal-
ent and character, which have been able to challenge
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na-
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits
of the globe, atid which we cannot but believe will
be as lasting as the existence of man.

The person of Washington was unusally tall, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull.

TffLJMARr

m
UMVEIIIOT

DB- JOMM ADAMS,

OHN ADAMS, the second
President and the first Vice-
President of the United States,
was born in Braintree ( now
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten
W^ niiles from Boston, Oct. 19,
^ 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry
I Adams, emigrated from England
,1 about 1640, with a family of eight
\ sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His
father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the bus-
iness of shoemaking. He gave his
eldest son, John, a classical educa-
tion at Harvard College. John
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He
had thought seriously of the clerical profession
but seems to have been turned from this by what he
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun-
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"'
of the operations of which he had been a witness in
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep-
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa-
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial
steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu-

tions he offered on the subject became very popular
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos-
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg-
lislature) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad-
vocated the movement for independence against the
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies
should assume the duties of self-government. He
was a prominent member of the committee of five
appointed June n, to prepare a declaration of inde-
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through
Congress in a three days debate.

On the day after the Declaration of Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife,
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says,"the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will
be decided among men. A resolution was passed
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde-
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows,

JOHN ADAMS.

games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations
from one end of the continent to the other, from this
time forward for ever. You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to
maintain this declaration, and support and defend
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is
worth more than all the means; and that posterity
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I
hope we shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
delegate to France^ and to co-operate with Bemjamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
from the French Government. This was a severe trial
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex-
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis-
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17,
1779. In September of the same year he was again
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi-
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He
sailed for France in November, from there he went to
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and
formed important commercial treaties.

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement,
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con-
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond-
ing, he received dispatches from his own government
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot.he made the trip.

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face
to face the King of England, who had so long re-
garded him as a traitor. As England did not
condescend to appoint a minister to the United
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom-
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788.

When Washington was first chosen President, John
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again
at the second election of Washington as President,
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash-
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President,though not without much opposition.
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great

French Revolution shook the continent of Europe,
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the
class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behaif of the French people. Hence or-
iginated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ-
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were with England and Jefferson led the other in
sympathy with France.

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till
after death. No one could look upon his venerable
form, and think of what he had done and suffered,
and how he had given up all the prime and strength
of his life to the public good, without the deepest
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar
good fortune to witness the complete success of the
institution which he had been so active in creating and
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest
station in the gift of the people.

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is
well known, on that day two of these finished their
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr.
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " IN-
DEPENDENCE FOREVER. " When the day was ushered
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor-
ious fourth of July God bless it God bless you all."
In the course of the day he said, " It is a great and
glorious day." The last words he uttered were,
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re-
signed his spirit into the hands of his God.

The personal appearance and manners of Mr.
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres-
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the manners and address of Jefferson.

HOMAS JEFFERSON was
born April 2, 1743, at Shad-
well, Albermarle county, Va.
His parents were Peter and
Jane (Randolph) Jefferson,
the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in Lon-
don. To them were born six
daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
When 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, hav-
ing been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years of
age. In 1760 he entered William
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion
and splendor. Voting Jefferson, who was then 17
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha-
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the sec-
ond year of his college course, moved by some un-
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses,
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex-
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out
of the city and back again. He thus attained very
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso-
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and

there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man.

Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin-
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer. But the times called for greater action.
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti-
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow.

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon,
became the most distinguished resort in our land.

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress,
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
was placed upon a number of important committees,
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw-
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com-
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con-
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of thai

man what the emotions that swelled his breast
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec-
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re-
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality.

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef-
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses-
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and
in the summer of 1782 she died.

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, ^89, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned
Jan. i, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
r8o4 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra-
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquilily and peace of the Union ; this was the con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
forty years, he had been continually before the pub-
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de-
voted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years required, and upon the organization of
the new administration, in March, rSog, he bid fare-
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello.

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses,
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses, and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a
fashionable watering-place.

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-

g^Vg^ff-3, >m ^f^' ^ A

-_ A*V - .

sary of the Declaration of American Independence,
great preparations were made in every part of the
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer,
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill-
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled him to
decline the invitation.

On the second of July, the disease under which
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained no
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was
the third of July, he expres3ed the earnest wish that
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth
anniversary. His prayer was heard that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life! To die on that day, the birthday of a nation,- -
the day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin-
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper-
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had labored together for the good of
the country; and now hand in hand they depart.
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not
divided.

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore-
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage ; and his command of tem-
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends
never recollected to have seen him in a passion.
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un-
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver-
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.

AMES MADISON, "Father
of the Constitution," and fourth
President of the United States,
was born March 16, 1757, and
died at his home in Virginia,
^ June 28, 1836. The name of
James Madison is inseparably con-
nected with most of the important
events in that heroic period of our
country during which the founda-
tions of this great republic were
d. He was the last of the founders

of the Constitution of the United
States to be called to his eternal
reward.

The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the New World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesa-
peake but 15 years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an opulent
planter, residing upon a very fine es-
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
the midst of scenery highly pictur-
esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and
political attachment existed between these illustrious
men, from their early youth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of
1 8 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.
Here he applied himself to study with the most im-

prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 1771, with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subse-
quent career.

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading.
This educational course, the spirit of the times in
which he lived, and the society with which he asso-
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten-
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State. The next year
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly.
He refused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and
consequently lost his election ; but those who had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,
and he was appointed to the Executive Council.

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his

. >/

.r - - -_

intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of
the most conspicuous positions among them.

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na-
tional government, with no power to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis-
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss
this subject. Five States only were represented. The
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island
was represented. George Washington was chosen
president of the convention ; and the present Consti-
tution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac-
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was
to be presented to the several States for acceptance.
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent
States, with but little power at home and little respect
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven-
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 1789.

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a
young widow of remarkable power of fascination,
whom he married. She was in person and character
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs.
Madison.

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration

as chosen President. At this time the encroach-
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war.

British orders in council destroyed our commerce, and
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser.
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal-
ance he selects any number whom he may please to
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the
ship's side into his boat ; and places them on the gun-
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and im-
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.

On the i8th of June, i8r2, President Madison gave
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, i8i3> was re-elected by a large majority,
and entered upon his second term of office. This is
not the place to describe the various adventures of
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap-
pling with the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United States under blockade.

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit-
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa-
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens-
burg, upon Washington.

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city.
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed,
and he could not go back without danger of being
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in
Washington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. 13, 1 8 15, the treaty of peace was signed atGhent.

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau-
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re-
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi-
son died July 12, 1849.

j -X -:>

TWUBBAW
OHK

nwvEisnv OF LUWBI

AMES MONROE, the fifth
Presidentof- The United States,
was born in Westmoreland Co.,
Va., April 28, 1758. His early
life was passed at the place of
nativity. His ancestors had for
many years resided in the prov-
ince in which he was born. When,
at 17 years of age, in the process
of completing his education at
William and Mary College, the Co-
lonial Congress assembled at Phila-
delphia to deliberate upon the un-
just .and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separa-
tion of the Colonies, and promul-
gated the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly
probable that he would have been one of the signers
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left
school and enlisted among the patriots.

He joined the army when everything looked hope-
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring
in ; and the tones not only favored the cause of the
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits,
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con-
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife

for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel-
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg-
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder. '

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro-
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an
officer in' the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam-
paigns of 1777 and 1*778, in the actions of Brandy-
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however,
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag;
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun-
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.

In 1782, he was elected from King George county,
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having
at this early period displayed some of that ability
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterward
employed with unremitting energy for the public good,

-*&

JAMES MONROE.

(S>

* r

he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of
the Congress of the U.nited' States.
Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with many others of the Republican party,
that it gave too much power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re-
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member
of the United States Senate; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction be-
tween the two great parties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep-
arated them were, that the Republican party was in
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the
Central Government as little power, and the State
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con-
stitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could possibly
authorize.

The leading Federalists and Republicans were
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
building up this majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com-
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the
right equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de-
nounced as almost a demon.

Washington was then President. England had es-
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi-
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres-
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de-
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations.

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three years. He was again sent to France to
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob-
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc-
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to the United States.
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of the world.

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob-
tain from that country some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng-
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng-
land on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State under
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during
these trying times, the duties of the War Department
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con-
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex-
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration'. At the elec-
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had
been chosen President with but little opposition, and
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years
later he was elected for a second term.

Among the important measures of his Presidency
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine."'

This famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that
time the United States had recognized the independ-
ence of the South American states, and did not wish
to have European powers longer attempting to sub-
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt
on the part of European powers to extend their sys-
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
or controlling American governments or provinces in
any other light than as a manifestation by European
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course
of foreign governments, and has become the approved
sentiment of the United States.

At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830,
when he went to New York to live with his son-in-
law, In that city he died,on the 4th of July, 1831,

^ ^^^ ^^

THFUIBW

iuQn

J, SL.

OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the
sixth President of the United
States, was born in the rural
home of his honored father,
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass.,
on the 1 1 th cf July, 1767. His
mother, a woman of exalted
orth, watched over his childhood
during the almost constant ab-
sence of his father. When but
eight years of age, he stood with
his mother on an eminence, listen-
ing to the booming of the great bat-
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames billow-
ing up from the conflagration of
Charlestown.

When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his father for Europe,
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to study; then accom pained his father to Holland,
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then
the University at Leyden. A'bout a year from this
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min-
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence,

in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent;
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings,
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind. After
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such cir-
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive;
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre-
ferred to return to America to complete his education
in an American college. He wished then to study
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be
able to obtain an independent support.

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty,
he studied law for three years. In June, ^94, be-
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap-
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached
London in October, where he was immediately admit-
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney,
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with
Great Britian. After thus spending a fortnight in
London, he proceeded to the Hague.

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal,
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting
him to remain in London until he should receive, his
instructions. While waiting he was married to an
American lady to whom he had been previously en-
gaged, Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London ;
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom-
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the
elevated sphere for which she was destined.

S-;

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ;
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful-
filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his
recall.

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then
was elected Senator of the United States for six years,
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential members
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern-
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach-
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in-
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon
these points, and no one more resolved to present
a firm resistance.

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres-
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign-
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, 1809.

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu-
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he
kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found.
All through life the Bible constituted an important
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five
chapters every day.

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num-
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the
1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon-
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary
of State.

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second
term of office, new candidates began to be presented
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign.
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re-
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty -one ; Henry Clay, thirty-
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr.
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and
he was elected.

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in
the past history of our country than the abuse which

was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was
an administration more pure in principles, more con-
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- ,
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per-
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- if
lously and outrageously assailed.

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab-
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast,
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his
own fire and applying himself to work in his library
often long before dawn.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi-
dent. The slavery question now began to assume
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un-
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re-
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre-
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in
the House, he announced that he should hold him-
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime
in its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he
was threatened with indictment by the grand .jury,
with expulsion from the House, with assassination ;
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final
triumph was complete.

It has been said of President Adams, that when his-
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before
he slept, the prayer which his mother taught him in
his infant years.

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on the floor
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly-
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him.
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious-
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and &
said " This is the end of earth /'then after a moment's *
pause he added, "7 am content'' These were the }
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." ^

OF IKE

IMrVEftSITY OF (LIMNS

NDREW JACKSON, the
seventh President of the
'United States, was born in
Waxhaw settlement, N. 0.,
March 15, 1767, a. few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
from Ireland, and took up
their abode in Waxhaw set-
tlement, where they lived in
deepest poverty.
Andrew, or Andy, as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His
features were coarse, his form un-
gainly; and there was but very
little in his character, made visible, which was at-
tractive.

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun-
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
the dauntless boy.

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear-
ful gashes, one on the hand and the other upon the
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert
with the same demand. He also refused, and re-
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange,

and took her sick boys home. After a long illness
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon
left him entirely friendless.

Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear,
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish
with the Sharp Knife.

In 1791,- Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who
supposed herself divorced from her former husband.
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later,
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur-
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.

During these years he worked hard at his profes-
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec-
ially disgraceful.

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con-
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.
The new State was entitled to but one member in
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack-
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its

^ ^^^ -&e@.

-v. -

ANDRE W JA CKSON.

ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jacks
offered his services and those of twenty-five hund:

Xf sessions, a distance of about eight hundred miles.
f, j? Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo-
i cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired
anaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose
(Second term of office was then expiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson
did not approve of the address, and was one of the
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been
" wise, firm and patriotic."

- Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States
/K Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home.
<^ Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court
\ of his State, which position he held for six years.

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com-
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who
vould do credit to a commission if one were con-

kson

ty-nve hundred

volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops
were assembled at Nashville.
! As the British were hourly expected to make an at-
Q tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was
Vft in command, he was ordered to descend the river
^4- with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The
^? expedition reached Natchez ; and after a delay of sev-
" ' eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything,
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him
golden opinions; and he became the most popular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory."
Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
I made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in
/f which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,
3|5 he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was
^ lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set-
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De-
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis-
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on
one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen-
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson
' traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814, The bend

of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast-
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,
with an ample suply of arms were assembled.

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des-
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en-
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn-
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war-
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold
plunge into the wilderness, with its terrifric slaughter,
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace.

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con-
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he
was appointed major-genCral.

Late in August, with an army of two thousand
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort,
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans,
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued,
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his
troops, which numbered about four thousand men,
won a signal victory over the British army of about
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred.

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men-
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824,
he was defeated by Mr. Adams^ He was, however,
successful in the election of r828, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he
assumed the reins of the government, he met with
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of
her death he never recovered.

His administration was one of the most memorable
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party,
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack-
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man.

Hu*

ARTIN VAN BUREN, the
eighth President of the
United States, was born at
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5,
1782. _ He died at the same
place, July 24, 1862. His
body rests in the cemetery
at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet
high, bearing a simple inscription
about half way up on one face.
The lot is unfenced, unbordered
or unbounded by shrub or flower.

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those
incidents which give zest to biography. His an-
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin,
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a fanner,
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother,
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel-
ligence and exemplary piety.

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un-
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the
age of fourteen, he had'finished his academic studies
in his native village, and commenced the study of
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven
years of study in a law-office were required of him
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with
a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur-
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After
spending six years in an office in his native village,

he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his
studies for the seventh year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil-
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, .
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the *
many discussions which had been carried on in his *
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with *
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the *
cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed-
eral party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.

His success and increasing ruputation led him,
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, the
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years,
constantly gaining strength by contending in the
c6urts with some of the ablest men who have adorned
the bar of his State.

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. jf
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump-
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record
of those years is barren in items of public interest.
In r8i 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap-
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved
to Albany, the capital of the State. <*1V

While he was acknowledged as one of the most
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had

VSUU.&

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

the moral courage to avow that true democracy did
not require that " universal suffrage " which admits
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of
governing the State. In true consistency with his
democratic principles, he contended that, while the
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open
to every man without distinction, no one should be
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue
and some property interests in the welfare of the
State.

In 1821 he was elected a member of the United
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat
in the convention to revise the constitution of his
native State. His course in this convention secured
the approval of men of all parties. No one could
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the
interests of all classes in the community. In the
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de-
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q.
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re-
garded throughout the United States as one of the
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians.
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how
to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all
the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to
organize a political army which would, secretly and
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By
these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
few thought then could be accomplished.

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately
.ppointed Minister to England, where he went the
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met,
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returnee}

home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor-
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause,
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu-
tive. On the 2oth of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re-
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen.
Jackson as President of the United States. He was
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen.
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred
upon him the power to appoint a successor."

His administration was filled .with exciting events.
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in-
volve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer-
cial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at-
tributed to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re-election.

With the exception of being nominated for the
Presidency by the "-Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848,
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until
his death.

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits,
and living within his income, had now fortunately a
competence for his declining years. His unblemished
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he
had occupied in the government of our country, se-
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald,
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics
of the country. From this time until his death, on
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old
age, probably far more happiness than he had before
experienced amitf the stormy scenes of his active life.

WILLIAM, HBXKT flAKKISOX

ILLIAM HENRY HARRI-
SON, the ninth President of
the United States, was born
at Berkeley, Va.., Feb. 9, 1773.
His father, Benjamin Harri-
son, was in comparatively op-
ulent circumstances, and was
one of the most distinguished
men of his day. He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, vs as early elected
a member of the Continental
Congress, and was conspicuous
among the patriots of Virginia in
resisting the encroachments of the
British crown. In the celebrated
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har-
rison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
speaker.

Mr Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected. His son,
I William Henry, of course enjoyed
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could gire. Hav-
ing received a thorough common-school education, he
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated
with honor soon after the death of his father. He
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father,
signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not-
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army,
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi-

dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old.
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap-
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This
Territory was then entitled to but one member in
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that
position.

In the spring of r8oo the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two portions. The
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil-
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap-
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in-
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four
times appointed to this office first by John Adams,
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi-
dent Madison.

When he began his adminstration there were but
three white settlements in that almost boundless region,
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville ; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French
settlement.

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

Q
I
V

the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or " The Prophet."
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit-
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting-
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which
they dwelt.

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was,
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent
by the Great Spirit.

Gov. Harrison made.many attempts to conciliate
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe-
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 1812, his army began its inarch. When
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet-
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace.

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes-
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en-
campment, he took every precaution against surprise.
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept
upon their arms.

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa-
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi-
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
the desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with gun- nd ammunition by the English. Their
war-whoo^ .vas accompainM by a shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide-
ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be-
fore them, and completely routing the foe.

^0* &

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can.
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn-
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier
was plunged into a state of consternation which even
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive.
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra-
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison
was appointed by President Madison commander-in-
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but
General Harrison was found equal to the position,
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re-
sponsibilities.

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers,
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle.
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted
before the fire, without bread or salt.

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of
the National House of Representatives, to represent
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested
the attention of all the members.

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave' his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency.
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but
his triumph was signal.

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most
brilliant with which any President had ever been
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin-
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick-
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after
his inauguration as President of the United States.

Wf tawny

OHN TYLER, the tenth
j Presidentof the United States.
He was born in Charles-city
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He
was the favored child of af-
fluence and high social po-
sition. At the early age of
twelve, John entered William
and Mary College and grad-
uated with much honor when
but seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted him-
self with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
father and partly with Edmund
Randolph, one of the most distin-
guished lawyers of Virginia.

At nineteen years of age, ne
commenced the practice of law.
His success was rapid and aston-
ishing: It is said that three
months .had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the dock-
et of the court in which he was
not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo-
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the
unanimous vote or his county.

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national
bank, internal improvements by the General Govern-

&&&$

ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con-'
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress
were so arduous that before the close of his second
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He,
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful
in promoting public works of great utility. With a
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen
by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his
native State. His administration was signally a suc-
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election.

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the
United States. A portion of the Democratic party
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course,
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor.

In accordance with his 'professions, upon taking his
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi-
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren-
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist-
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen-
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen.
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party.
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, a record
in perfect accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of
his profession. There was a split in the Democratic

JOHN TYLER.

party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef-
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli-
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con-
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri-
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder ; and it was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan-
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg,
for the better education of his children ; and he again
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har-
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili-
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres-
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa-
thy with the Whig party in the Noith : but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Govern-
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre-
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap-
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. In one short month from
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri-
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of
r'l was inaugurated to the high and responsible
e. He was placed in a position of exceeding
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been
opposed to the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a con-
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record.
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun-
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own ? or,
on the other hand, should he turn against the party
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har-'
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub-
lic welfare ? This was his fearful dilemma. He in-
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and
bless us.

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto. He suggested, however, that he would

approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval.
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture.
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas-
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M.
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely
touched the pride of the President.

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi-
dent into their arms. The party which elected him
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a
meeting and issued an address to the people of the
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at
an end.

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign,
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra-
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more,
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his
old friends, the Democrats, until atth'e close of his term,
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr.
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor.

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and
probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife,
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1,842 ;
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married,
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of
many personal and intellectual accomplishments.'

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly
in retirement at his beautiful home, Sherwood For-
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
books and experience in the world, and possessing
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient
moans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the
storms of civil war which his own principles and
policy had helped to introduce.

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State-
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal-
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed-
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

_ -X-O-

,,:T'V\.

AMES K. POLK, the eleventh
^President of the United States,
was born in Mecklenburg Co.,
N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par-
ents were Samuel and Jane
(Knox) Polk, the former a son
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located
at the above place, as one of the
first pioneers, in 1735.

In the year 1 806, with his wife
and children, and soon after fol-
lowed by most of the members of
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi-
grated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
of the Duck River. Here in the
midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was subsequently called Mau-
ry Co., they reared their log huts,
and established their homes. In the
hard toil of a new farm in the wil-
derness, James K. Polk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pur-
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer,
gradually increased in wealth until
he became one of the leading men of the region. His
mother was a superior woman, of strong common
sense and earnest piety.

Very early in life, James developed a taste for
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain
a liberal education. His mother's training had made
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct-
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a

sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits.

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious
service.

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be-
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty-
three years of age. Mr. Folk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably been
slightly acquainted before.

Mr. Folk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican,
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi-
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump,
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and

JAMES K. POLK.

courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his
strong influence towards the election of his friend,
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States.

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. 'His bride was
altogether worthy of him, a lady of beauty and cul-
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, until 1 839, he was con-
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused,
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per-
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac-
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of
March, 1839.

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the i4th of Octo-
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the can-
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur-
ated President of the United States. The verdict of
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig-
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation
to be an act hostile to Mexico.

In his first message, President Polk urged that
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re-
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent

with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Folk's administration
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of " observation," then of " occupation,"
then of " invasion," was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused.
It was by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration
that the war was brought on.

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands.
We now consented to peace upon the condition that
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal-
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were
some Americans who thought it all right : there were
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from
office, having served one term. The next day was
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even-
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits,
and his health was good. With an ample fortune,
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the
cholera that fearful scourge was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
and died on the isth of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.

TRELIBHAHf

OF IKE
WJYERSITY OF ILUifflS

ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
President of the United States,
vas born on the 24th of Nov.,
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His
father, Colonel Taylor, was
a Virginian of note, and a dis-
tinguished patriot arid soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
to Kentucky, where he settled in
^ the pathless wilderness, a few
miles from Louisville. In this front-
ier home, away from civilization and
all its refinements, young Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advan-
tages. When six years of age he attended a common
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char-
acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng-
land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder-
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians,
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken

company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.

Early in the autumn of i8r2, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor
made every possible preparation to meet the antici-
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort,
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk
with him. It was evident that their object was merely
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept
them at a distance.

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, 'sick
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap-
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor-
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc-
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses-
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point,
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt.
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the
rank of major by brevet.

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed
in such situations that he saw but little more of active
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one
best could. There were no books, no society, no in-

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part.

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance.
In the year r836, he was sent to Florida to compel
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re-
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,
had promised they should do. The services rendered
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com-
mand of the United States troops in Florida.

After two years of such wearisome employment
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor
obtained, at his own request, a change of command,
and was stationed over the Department of the South-
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were,
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty
imposed upon him.

In r846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over
forces much larger than he commanded.

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,
the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.'

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder-
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un-
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an-
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de-
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that,
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen
who had been long years in the public service found
their claims ge t aside in behalf of one whose name

(^VV^S^gui >3 V? 6 JV 1 ^ / ~ N

had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re-
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." .

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine
wnter. His friends took possession of him, and pre-
pared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. The popularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri-
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates,
"Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren.
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position,
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed.
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi-
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or
Indians.

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor,
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850.
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un-
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la-
mented his death.

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful
description of his character: " With a good store of
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en-
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse-
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim-
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju-
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out-
side pocket, in any such case, this critic held the
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse),
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase,
'touch with a pair of tongs.'

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil-
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short,
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor-
saving contempt for learning of every kind."

THFUBRARY

OF THE
OUVEftSOT Of ILUiatS

ILLARD FILLVORE,' thir-
teenth President of the United
States, was born at Summer
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on
the yth of January, 1800. His
father was a farmer, and ow-
ing to misfortune, in humble cir-
cumstances. Of his mother, the
daughter of Dr. AbiatharMillard,
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
said that she possessed an intellect
of very high order, united with much
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis-
position, graceful manners and ex-
quisite sensibilities. She died in
1831 ; having lived to see her son a
' young man of distinguished prom-
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high
dignity which he finally attained.

In consequence of the secluded home and limited
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad-
vantages for education in his early years. The com-
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char-
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he
was about to enter. He was a plain fanner's boy;
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible,
and had laid the foundations of an upright character.
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some

enterprising man had commenced the collection of a
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read-
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate ;
and the selections which he made were continually
more elevating and instructive. He read history,
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en-
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be-
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed,
educated man.

The young clothier had now attained the age of
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample
pecuniary means and of benevolence, Judge Walter
Wood, who was struck with the prepossessing ap-
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint-
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and
attainments that he advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The
young man replied, that he had no means of his own,
no friends to help him and that his previous educa-
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to
take him into his own office, and to loan him such
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous
offer was accepted.

There is in many minds a strange delusion about
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col-
lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls
and then enters a law office, who is by no means as
A ^ ^mJ&^mr' ~&va^>s@

MILLARD FILLMORE.

well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing-
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in-
tense mental culture.

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region,
his practice of course was limited, and there was no
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame.
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station
she might be called to fill, Miss Abigail Powers.

His elevation of character, his untiring industry,
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate,
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to
enter into partnership under highly advantageous
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829,
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the
State of New York, as a representative from Erie
County. Though he had never taken a very active
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic,
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties,
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very
unusual degree the respect of his associates.

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our
national history. The great conflict respecting the
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was
then raging.

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep-
utation and success. After a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re-
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe-
rience as a representative gave him strength and
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to
any man can be but little more than an introduction.
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener-
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every
measure received his impress.

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,
he was elected Comptroller of the State.

* >\v ' .

Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con-
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi-
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be
proclaimed in trumpet-tones all over the land. But
it was necessary to associate with him on the same
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman.

Under the influence of these considerations, the
names of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849,
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States.

On the gth of July, 1850, President Taylor, but
about one year and four months after his inaugura-
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con-
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi-
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.

Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition had a majority in both
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate
the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt
theinadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation.
The population of the free States was so rapidly in-
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in-
evitable that the power of the Government should
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill-
more, having served one term, retired.

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres-
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that
his sympathies were rather with those who were en-
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874.

Of THE

mmssm or U.LMQIS

RANKLIN PIERCE, the
fourteenth President of the
United States, was born in
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov.
23, 1804. His father was a
Revolutionary soldier, who,
with his own strong arm,
hewed out a home in the
wilderness. He was a man
of inflexible integrity; of
strong, though uncultivated
mind, and an uncompromis-
ing Democrat. The mother of
Franklin Pierce was all that a son
could desire, an intelligent, pru-
dent, affectionate, Christian wom-
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children.

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen-
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the
love of old and young. The boys on the play-ground
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words,
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de-
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural
devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body,
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy.

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was
one of,the most popular young men in the college.
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and

genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite.
There was something very peculiarly winning in his
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de-
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his
own magnanimous and loving nature.

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of
the State, and a man of great private worth. The
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en-
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci-
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen.
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the-
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote.

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected
a member of Congress. Without taking an active
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty,
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom
he was associatad.

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age,
he was elected to the Senate of the United States ;
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced
his administration. He was the youngest member in
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom-
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

who were born to them, all now sleep with
ts in the grave.

In the year 1838, Mr.' Pierce, with growing fame
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos
state of Mrs. Pierce 's health. He also, about the
same time declined the nomination for governor by the
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr.
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the ayth of May, 1847.
He took an important part in this war, proving him-
self a brave and true soldier.

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo-
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo-
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession,
very frequently taking an active part in political ques-
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise
measures met cordially with his approval; and he
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa-
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin-
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.''
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse-
quently regarded him as a man whom they could
safely trust in office to carry out their plans.

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven-
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the
Presidency. For four days they continued in session,
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation
brought forward his name. There were fourteen
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with
great unanimity. Only four States Vermont, Mas-
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee cast their
electoral votes against him. Gen. Franklin Pierce
was therefore inaugurated President of the United
States on the 4th of March, 1853.

His administration proved one of the most stormy our
country had ever experienced. The controversy be-
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its
culminating point. It became evident that there was
an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad-
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution
of the Union were borne to the North on every South-
ern breeze.

Such was the condition of affairs when President
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien-
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded
by great outrages, had .been rapidly increasing; all
the intellectual ability and social worth of President
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad-
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also,
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo-
cated those measures of Government which they ap-
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him.

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re-
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two
had died, and his only surviving child had been
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left
alone in the world, without wife or child.

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di-
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr.
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov-
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until
the time of his death, which occurred in October,
1869. He was 'one of the most genial and social of
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen-
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al-
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns-
people were often gladened by his material bounty.

THEunumr

OF THE

FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT.

i . 'i . < '. 'i '. 'i '. <i '. '. '. 'i '. 'i ', S '. T i . 'i . 'i , 'i . '.;.' . i 1 . i 1 . i' . i' , i 1 .1' . V , i 1 . i 1 .1' .' i 1

ACl^ViM

AMES BUCHANAN, the fif-
tee'nth President of the United
States, was born in a small
frontier town, at the foot of the
eastern ridge of the Allegha-
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on
the 23d of April, 1791. The place
where the humble cabin of his
father stood was called Stony
Batter. It was a wild and ro-
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun-
tains, with towering summits rising
grandly all around. His father
was a native of the north of Ireland ;
a poor man, who had emigrated in
1783, with little property save his
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer,
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder-
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per-
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se-
cluded home, where James was born, he remained
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where
his son was placed at school, and commenced a
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de-
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution. His application
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en-

abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with
facility.

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster,
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu-
crative practice.

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House,
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac-
quired an ample fortune.

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency,
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster,
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the me;
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri

JAMES BUCHANAN.

sals against France, to enforce the payment of our
claims against that country ; and defended the course
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale
removal from office of those who were not the sup-
porters of his administration. Upon this question he
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay.
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits.
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United
States mails.

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo-
cated that they should be respectfully received; and
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress,"
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the
States where it now exists."

Upon Mr. Folk's accession to the Presidency, Mr.
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such,
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the
account of the course our Government pursued in that
movement.

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1850,
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce,
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr.
Buchanan with the mission to England.

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven-
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The
political conflict was one of the most severe in which
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re-
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre-
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re-
ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood
1,340,618, for Fremont, r, 224,750 for Buchanan. On
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been
allied in political principles and action for years, were
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be-
wildered. He could not, with his long-avowed prin-

ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in
their assumptions. As President of the United States,
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws,
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind,
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub-
lic. He therefore did nothing.

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration
nominaled Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con-
trol of the Government were thus taken from their
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of
the United States.

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them
far more than they had ventured to- claim. All the
South had professed to ask of the North was non-
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu-
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co-
operation of the Government to defend and extend
the institution.

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders
claiming' the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow-
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im-
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, " The
Union must and shall be preserved ! "

South Carolina seceded in December, 1860; nearly
three months before the inauguration of President
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair.
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Fort Sumpter
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals
were seized; our depots of military -stores were plun-
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were
appropriated by the rebels.

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away,
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak-
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver-
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the
scepter.

The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex-
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame,
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion.
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i,

OF THE

BRAHAM LINCOLN, the
sixteenth President of the
United States, was bom in
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12,
1 809. About the year 1 7 80, a
man by the name of Abraham
Lincoln left Virginia with his
family and moved into the then
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years
after this emigration, still a young
man, while working one day in a
field, was stealthily approached by
an Indian and shot dead. His widow
was left in extreme poverty with five
little children, three boys and two
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the
boys, was four years of age at his
father's death. This Thomas was
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the
President of the United States
whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled
with the most prominent in the annals of our world.
Of course no record has been kept of the life
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched
log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest.
Education he had none; he could never either read
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend-
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him-
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a
laborer in the fields of others.

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log-
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi-
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel.
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate-
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother.

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his

cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where
two years later his mother died.

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated
community around him. He could not have had a
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts
into words. He also became an eager reader. The
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read
and re-read until they were almost committed to
memory.

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar-
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr.
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830,
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111.

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age.
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this
until he saw the family com/ortably settled, and their
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when
he announced to his father his intention to leave
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for-
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril-
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of
education, and was intensely earnest to improve his
mind to the utmost of his power. . He saw the ruin
which ardent spirits were causing, and became
strictly temperate ; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi-
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a
single vice.

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield,
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat.
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis-
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin-
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to gn
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven-

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his return they placed a store and mill under his care.

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem,
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there ready to deliver to those
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected. . Mr.
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back, and
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as-
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re-
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law.
His success with the jury was so great that he was
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit.

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question.
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois,
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con-
test in 1858 for a' seat in the Senate, form a most
notable part of his history. The issue was on the
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of
the Declaration of Independence, that all men are
created equal. Mr. Lincaln was defeated in this con-
test, but won a far higher prize.

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago
on the i6th of June, 1860. The delegates and
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty-
five thousand. An immense building called " The
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven-
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes
were thrown'. William H. Seward, a man whose fame
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most
prominent. It was generally supposed he would be
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him :
and as little did he dream that he was to render services
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of
the whole civilized world, and which would give him
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second
only, if second, to that of Washington.

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of.abuse that was poured upon this good

and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti-
more had arranged, upon his arrival to " get up' a row,"
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi-
cation on the part ol the Secessionists with their Con-
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people.

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other
prominent opponents before the convention he gave
important positions.

During no other administration have the duties
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in
his own strength to cope, with, the difficulties, he
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his
trials, both personal and national. Contrary to his
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the
most courageous of men. He went directly into the
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving,
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant,
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It
was announced that they would Le present. Gen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel-
ing, witn his characteristic kindliness of heart, that
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them,
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth
entered the box where the President and family were
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the
next morning at seven o'clock.

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler.
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a
model. His name as the savior of his country will
live with that of Washington's, its father; his country-
men being unable to decide which is the greater.

THFLBM8Y
OFTK

SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT.

NDREW JOHNSON, seven-
teenth President of the United
States. ' The early life of
Andrew Johnson contains but
the record of poverty, destitu-
tion and friendlessness. He
was born December 29, 1808,
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
belonging to the class of the
"poor whites " of the South, were
in such circumstances, that they
could not confer even the slight-
est advantages of education upon
their child. When Andrew was five
years of age, his father accidentally
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with
her own hands.

He then, having never attended a school one day,
and being unable either to read or write, was ap-
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion-
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often
read from the speeches of distinguished British states-
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more
than ordinary native ability, became much interested
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read.

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen,
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle-
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner,

pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book,
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on-
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest
and recreation to devote such time as he could to
reading.

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos-
sessed some education. Under her instructions he
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent
in the village debating society, and a favorite with
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or-
ganized a working man's party, which elected him
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which
position he held three years.

He now began to take a lively interest in political
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes,
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes-
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature,
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased
his reputation.

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive
elections, held that important post for ten years. In
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and
was re-elected in 1855. In all these responsible posi-
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil-

*<<&

ty, and proved himself the warm friend of the work-
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected
United States Senator.

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob-
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom,
and become merged in a population congenial to
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com-
promise measures, the two essential features of which
were, that the white people of the Territories should
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they
would enslave the colored people or not, and that
the free States of the North should return to the
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery.

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin:
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. " Sir,"
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav-
ior was the son of a carpenter."

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of 1860, he
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South-
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap-
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he
established the most stringent military rule. His
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April r5,

1865, became President. In a speech two days later
he said, " The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and
must be punished ; that the Government will not
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole
administration, the history of which is so well known,
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent

opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech.

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char-
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten-
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre-
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23.

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three
months. A test article of the impeachment was at
length submitted to the court for its action. It was
certain that as the court voted upon that article so
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces-
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac-
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty
side would have sustained the impeachment.

The President, for the remainder of his term, was
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently,
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi-
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar-
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten.
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im-
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten-
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con-
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special
session convened by President Grant, on the sth of
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach-
ing the residence of his child the following day, was
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious.
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at
2 A.M., July 3 1, aged sixty-seven years. His fun-
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August,
with every demonstration of respect.

THELlWWRir

OF THE
UOTERSiTYOFILLNKMS

LYSSES S. GRANT, the
eighteenth President of the
United States, was born on
the agth of April, 1822, of
Christian parents, in a humble
home, at Point Pleasant, on the
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father moved to George-
town, Brown Co., O. In this re-
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
received a common-school edu-
cation. At the age of seven-
teen, in the year 1839, he entered
the Military Academy at West
Point. Here he was regarded as a
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in-
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis-
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating
Indians.

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am-
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut.
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians,
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one
side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety.

From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry,
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha-
pultepec.

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re-
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The
discovery of gold in California causing an immense
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt.
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im-
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the
States ; and having married, entered upon the cultiva-
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re-
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga-
lena, 111. This was in the year 1860. As the tidings
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said,
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword
and see Uncle Sam through this war too."

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol-
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield,
the capital of the State, where their services were
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt.
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the
volunteer organization that was being formed in the
State in behalf of the Government. On the isth of

ULYSSES S. GRANT.

June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol-
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who
had served for 15 years in 'the regular army, were such
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier-
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap-
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and
stripes were unfurled in its stead.

He entered the service with great determination
and immediately began active duty. This was the be-
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur-
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was,
immediately made a Major-General, and the military
district of Tennessee was assigned to him.

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how
to secure the results of victory. He immediately
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can-
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered,
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf.

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro-
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and
by a wonderful series of strategic and tactical meas-
ures put the Union army in fighting condition. Then
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him un-
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru-
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant-
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant.
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials
and enter upon the duties of his new office.

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de-
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as-
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field.
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en-
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur-
render of Lee, April 9, 1865.

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen.
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal-
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair.

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago,
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294
electoral votes.

The National Convention of the Republican party
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872,
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati-
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292
electoral votes being cast for him.

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant
started upon his famous trip around the world. He
visited almost every country of the civilized world,
and was everywhere received with such ovations
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private
as well as public and official, as were never before
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. It
is not too much to say that his modest, courteous, and
dignified demeanor in the presence of the most dis-
tinguished men in the different nations in the world,
reflected honor upon the Republic which he so long
and so faithfully served. The country felt a great
pride in his reception. Upon his arrival in San Fran-
cisco, Sept. 20, r879, the city authorities gave him a
fine reception. After lingering in the Golden State
for a while, he began his tour through the States,
which extended North and South, everywhere mark-
ed by great acclamation and splendid ovations.

NINETEENTH PRESIDENT.

1'-.'"i r ; i'Tv ; ''1*7777'' ' i r 3T'<; 7 ; >' ; << : 7 >< : .' : .. .. . '. . '. '. '. . '. '. '>:<>:',: >, \~<, '..'i '. vrv'.v. '1

UTHERFORD B. HAYES,
the nineteenth President of
the United States, was born in
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al-
most three months after the
death of his father, Rutherford
Hayes. His ancestry on both
the paternal and maternal sides,
was of the most honorable char-
acter. It can be traced, it is said,
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and
Rutherford were two Scottish chief-
tains, fighting side by side with
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert
Bruce. Both families belonged to the
nobility, owned extensive estates,
and had a large following. Misfor-
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot-
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
George was born in Windsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar-
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar-
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac-
turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes,
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was
born inNew Haven, in August, 1756. He was a fanner,
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro,
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth-
erford Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was

born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi-
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich.
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionary War.

The father of President Hayes was an industrious,
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me-
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock~
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con-
ducted his business on Christian principles. After
the close of the war of 1812, for reasons inexplicable
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio.

The journey from Verm6nt to Ohio in that day,
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways,
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter-
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial
fever, less than three months before the birth of the
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be-
reavement, found the support she so much needed in
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the
household from the day of its departure from Ver-
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted
some time before as an act of charity.

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the

RUTHERFORD . HAYES.

subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in-
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him
President of the United States yet." The boy lived,
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his
mother.

The boy was seven years old before he went to
school. His education, however, was not neglected.
He probably learned as much from his mother and
sister as he would have done at school. His sports
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circumstances
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo-
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings
of others, which are marked traits of his character.

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im-
proved, and he was making good progress in his
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre-
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en-
tered Kenyon College in 1838,3! the age of sixteen,
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842.

Immediately after his graduation he began the
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq.,
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re-
mained two years.

In 1845, after graduating at the Law School, he was
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re-
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice,
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro-
fession.

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi-
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how-
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse-
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin-
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its
members such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase,

Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced
and beloved than was Mrs! Hayes, and no one did
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman-
hood. The Literary Club brought Mr. Hayes into
constant association with young men of high char-
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and
modesty.

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac-
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council
elected him for the unexpired term.

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up
arms for the defense of his country.

His military record was bright and illustrious. In
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 7gth Ohio
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude
that won admiration from all.

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division,
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished services
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In
the course of his arduous services, four horses were
shot from under hihi, and he was wounded four times.

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem-
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign,
and after his election was importuned to resign his
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I
shall never come to Washington until I can come by
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866.

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio,
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat.
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton.
He was elected Govenwr for the third term in 1875.

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub-
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his'
full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to his party,
but his administration was an average one.

THEUBRW
OF THE

mrvERsirr OF ILLINOIS

TWENTIETH PRESIDENT.

AMES A. GARFIELD, twen-
tieth President of the United
States, was born Nov. 19,
i83r, in the woods of Orange,
Cuyahoga Co., O His par-
ents were Abram and Eliza
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New
England ancestry and from fami-
well known in the early his-
tory of that section of our coun-
try, but had moved to the Western
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle-
ment.

The house in which James A. was
bom was not unlike the houses of
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It
was about 20 130 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be-
tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a
hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built.
The household comprised the father and mother and
their four children Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and
James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con-
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At
this time James was about eighteen months old, and
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can
tell how much James was indebted to his brother's
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc-
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis-
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace.

The early educational advantages young Garfield
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car-
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed
mother in her struggles to keep the little family to-

gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug-
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor,
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain,
modest gentleman.

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain
some other kind of employment. He walked all the
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city.
After making many applications for work, and trying
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re-
mained at this work but a short time when he went
horrie, and attended the seminary at Chester for
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in
the meantime, and doing other work. This school
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of
which church he was then a member. He became
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way.
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon-
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram
College as its President. As above stated, he early
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem-
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion ;

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

Christianity. Presdent Gar
church of his mother, the ch

President Garfield was more than a man of
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty
and noble who are called ' show a similar loyalty to
the less stately and cultured Christian communions
in which they, have been reared. Too often it is true
that as they step upward in social and political sig-
nificance they step upward from one degree to
another in some of the many types of fashionable
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the
liurch in which he was

a pi

evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec-
tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'"

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. n, 1858, who proved herself
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of
whom are still living, four boys and one girl.

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856,
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet-
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland,
and in 1 86 r was admitted to the bar. The great
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year,
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re-
ceived his commission as Lieut.-Colonel of the Forty-
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug.
14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser-
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action,
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the
work of driving out of his native State the officer
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed-
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres-
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years
before, so now he was the youngest General in the
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloli,
in its operations around Corinth and its march through
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose-
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff."

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with
.

his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won
the stars of the Major-General.

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio
had been represented in Congress for sixty years
mainly by two men Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en-
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that
body. There he remained by successive re-
elections until he was elected President in 1880.
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu-
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by
Mr. Garfield."

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the

same year, was nominated as the candidate of his
party for President at the great Chicago Convention.
He was elected in the following November, and on

March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad-
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre-
liminary work of his administration and was prepar-
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com-
pany with Secretary Elaine, a man stepped behind
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back.
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc-
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit-
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty
days, all during the hot months of July and August,
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent
bearing was teaching the country and the world the
noblest of human lessons how to live grandly in the
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass-
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept.
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J. a on the very bank "of the
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it.
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe-
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed.

OF THE
MHVEBSITC OF ILLMQiS

TWEMTY-FIRST PRESIDENT.

&* ?

HESTER A. ARTHUR,
twenty-first President of the
United States, was born in
f Franklin County, Vermont, on
thefifthof October, 1830, andis
the oldest of a family of two
v sons and five daughters. His
father was the Rev. Dr. William
Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who
emigrated to this country from
the county Antrim, Ireland, in
his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in
Newtonville, near Albany, after a
long and successful ministry.

Young Arthur was educated at
Union College, Schenectady, where
he excelled in all his studies. Af-
ter his graduation he taught school
in Vermont for two years, and at
the expiration of that time came to
New York, with $500 in his pocket,
and entered the office of ex- Judge
E. D. Culver as student. After
being admitted to the bar he formed
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate,
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing
in the West, and for three months they roamed about
in the Western States in search of an eligible site,
but in the end returned to New York, where they
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success-
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur
soon afterward married the daughter of Lieutenant

.,,,,

Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa-
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two
children.

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit,
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon-
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided
that they could not be held by the owner under the
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal.
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed
to represent the People, and they won their case,
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs.
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward
the emancipation of the black race.

Another great service was rendered by General
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings,
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare.
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa-
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly

\ r^ NvSx^<^' _&V5,X^

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

t J

E=X

followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave-
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per-
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all.

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party.
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov-
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer-
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec-
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas-
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered
great service to the Government during the war. At
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr.
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac-
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra-
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if
not indeed one of national extent.

He always took a leading part in State and city
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc-
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July,
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It
was composed of the leading politicians of the Re-
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their
respective candidates that were before the conven-
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re-
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed
was one of the most animated known in the history of
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of
the Democratic party,' was a popular man, and his
party made a valiant fight for his election.

Finally the election came and the country's choice
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President.
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then
came terrible weeks of suffering, those moments of
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na-

tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- x t
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- / '
able patience that he manifested during those hours \ *
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf-
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God-
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr.
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi-
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested
in deed or look of this man, even though the most
honored position in the world was at any moment /
likely to fall to him.

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar-
field from further suffering, and the world, as never
before in its history over the death of any other
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of ' \
the high office, and he took the oath in New York,
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing $
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all ^
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, $>*
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- ^
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been &
greatly neglected during the President's long illness,
and many important measures were to be immediately |
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he
became President, and knew the feelings of many on
this point. Under these trying circumstances President
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of V
affairs, he has happily surprised the Nation, acting so C \
justly, so wisely, so well, that but few have criticised , ^
his administration. Should he continue during the
remainder of his term to pursue the wise policy he
has followed thus far, we believe President Arthurs
administration will go down in history as one of the
wisest and most satisfactory our country has ever
enjoyed. His highest ambition seems to be to do his
duty to the whole Nation, even to the sacrifice of his
warmest personal friends. With the good of the
people at heart, and guided by the wisdom already
displayed, he will surprise his opponents, gratify his J ?
friends, and bless the American Republic, during
the years he occupies the Presidential chair.

^ ^.JMVar' _i^>v?

OF THE
WflfERSJTr OF ILUMflB

TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT.

TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE-
LAND, the twenty- second Pres-
ident of the United States, was
born in 1837, in the obscure
town of Caldwell, Essex Co.,
N. J., and in a little two-and-a-
-story white house which is still
standing, characteristically to mark
the humble birth-place of one of
America's great men in striking con-
trast with the Old World, where all
men high in office must be high in
origin and born in the cradle of
wealth. When the subject of this
sketch was three years of age, his
father, who was a Presbyterian min-
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved,
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most
straggling of country villages, about five miles from
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born.

At the last mentioned place young Grover com-
menced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the
capacity of the village school and expressed a most

emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to
become self-supporting by the quickest possible
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed
to be a position in a country store, where his father
and the large family on his hands had considerable
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com-
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness
that his employers desired to retain him for an in-
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex-
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy.
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette-
ville, he went with the family in their removal to
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a
high school. Here he industriously pursued his
studies until the family removed with him to a point
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica,
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family,
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his

(

S. GROVER CLEVELAND.

z-a\\\\-\% for life, and, reversing the traditional order,
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as
there was some charm in that name for him; but
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to
ask the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not
speak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do,
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put
that into your head? How much money have you
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got
any."

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a
year, while he could "look around." One day soon
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers,
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he
wanted. A number of young men were already en-
gaged in the office, but Graver's persistency won, and
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for
his board and washing. The walk to and from his
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat he had
none yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular.
On the first day of his service here, his senior em-
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that
was enough to scare young Graver out of his plans ;
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume.
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for
chasing principles through all their metaphysical
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do
it," was practically his motto.

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in
which Buffalo is situated ; and in such capacity it fell
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two
criminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es-
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms

in the administration of the municipal affairs of that
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his
performance of duty has generally been considered
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer-
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui-
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for
plain speech,' and my objection to your action shall
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of
a most bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme
to betray the interests of the people and to worse
than squander the people's money." The New York
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve-
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there-
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882,
and his administration of the affairs of State was
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if
any, were made very public throughout the nation
after he was nominated for President of the United
States. For this high office he was nominated July
n, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F.
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks,
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub-
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve-
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State,
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ;
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas,
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of
Arkansas.

The silver question precipitated a controversy be-
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr.
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his
inauguration.

i l

TM UBHAHY

DFTK
UNIVERSITY OF LUNIK

HADRACH BOND, the first
Governor of Illinois after its
organization as a State, serving
from 1818 to 1822, was born in
Frederick County, Maryland,
in the year 1773, and was
raised a farmer on his father's
intation, receiving only a plain
English education. He emigrated
to this State in 1794, when it was a
part of the "Northwest Territory,"
continuing in the vocation in which
he had been brought up in his native
State, in the "New Design," near
Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe
County. He served several terms as
a member of the General Assembly
of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such,
and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfth
and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3,
1812, and serving until Oct. 3, (814. These were
the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov-
ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain.
The year 1812 is also noted in the history of this
State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature
was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and
adjourned Dec. 26, following.

While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond
was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp-
tion on the public domain. On the expiration of his
term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of
Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the
Territory. In company with John G. Comyges,

Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones,
Warren Brown, Edward Humphries and Charles W.
Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the
initial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favor-
able location at the junction of the two great
rivers near the center of the Great West, would
rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter-
prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis-
lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of
Cairo.

In 1818 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor
of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6,
that year, which was several weeks before Illinois
was actually admitted. The facts, are these: In
January, 1818, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti-
tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a
State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The
petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the
State on the latitude of the southern extremity of
Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend-
ed, as to extend this line to its present latitude. In
July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a
constitution, which, however, was not submitted to
the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros-
ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record-
ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed
by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This
constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At
that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties,
namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson,
Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington
and Franklin, the northern portion of the State be-
ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears
that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of

^fgKt

SHADRACH BOND.

county before he was elected Governor. The present
county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80
miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor
the people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and
worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State
is named. In this election there were no opposition
candidates, as the popularity of these men had made
their promotion to the chief offices of the State, even
before the constitution was drafted, a foregone con-
clusion.

The principal points that excited the people in
reference to political issues at this period were local
or "internal improvements," as they were called,
State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the
personal characteristics of the proposed candidates.
Mr. Bond represented the " Convention party," for
introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias
Ke:it Kane, his Secretary of State, and John Mc-
Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led
the anti-slavery element. The people, however, did
not become very much excited over this issue until
1820, when the famous Missouri Compromise was
adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south
of the parallel of 36 30' except in Missouri. While
this measure settled the great slavery controversy,
so far as the average public sentiment was tempor-
arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed
under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas, the issue
as considered locally in this State was not decided
until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See
sketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 1818 was a
compromise one, Bond representing (moderately) the
pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery.

An awkward element in the State government
under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec-
tion of the State constitution. The Convention
wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditor
of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that the
new Governor would not appoint him to the office,
the Convention declared in a schedule that " an
auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and
such other officers of the State as may be necessary,
may be appointed by the General Assembly." The
Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large appoint-
ing power in the Governor ; but for the purpose of
getting one man into office, a total change was made,
and the power vested in the Legislature. Of this
provision the Legislature took advantage, and de-

clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners,
bank directors, etc., were all " officers of the State "
and must therefore be appointed by itself independ-
ently of the Governor.

During Gov. Bond's administration a general law
was passed for the incorporation of academies and
towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of
1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis-
sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners
appointed by the State of Indiana, to report on the
practicability and expediency of improving the navi-
gation of the Wabash River ; also inland navigation
generally. Many improvements were recommended,
some of which have been feebly worked at even till
the present day, those along the Wabash being of no
value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the
capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to
Vandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congress
authorizing this State to open a canal through the
public lands. The State appointed commissioners
lo explore the route and prepare the necessary sur-
veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution ;
but, being unable out of its own resources to defray
the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned
until some time after Congress made the grant of
land for the purpose of its construction.

On the whole, Gov. Bond's administration was
fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from
any party. In 1824, two years after the expiration
of his term of office, he was brought out as a candi-
date for Congress against the formidable John P.
Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,460 for the
latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made
many fast friends by a judicious bestowment of his
gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously
for him in the campaign.

In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg-
islature, with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom
Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni-
tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton.

Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis-
position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap-
preciation of events. His person was erect, stand-
ing six feet in height, and after middle life became
portly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were
strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and
eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died
April i r, 1830, in peace and contentment.

BBBB

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

DWARD COLES, second
Governor of Illinois, 1823-
6, was born Dec. 15, 1786,
in Albemarle Co., Va., on
the old family estate called
"Enniscorthy," on the
"^ Green Mountain. His fath-
er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the
Revolutionary War. Having been fit-
ted for college by private tutors, he
was sent to Hampden Sidney, where
he remained until the autumn of 1805,
when he was removed to William and
Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va.
This college he left in the summer of
1807, a short time before the final and graduating
examination. Among his classmates were Lieut.
Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer,
United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice
Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The
President of the latter college, Bishop Madison, was
a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir-
cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming
personally acquainted with the President and re-
ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15.
The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir-
ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old-
fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by
such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the
age of 23, young Coles found himself heir to a plant-
ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever
since his earlier college days his attention had been
drawn to the question of slavery. He read every-

thing on the subject that came in his way, and
listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more
he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible
was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration
"that all men are born free and equal" with the
practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to
free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove
his residence to a free State. One reason which de-
termined him to accept the appointment as private
secretary to Mr. Madison was because he believed
that through the acquaintances he could make at
Washington he could better determine in what part
of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he would
prefer to settle.

The relations between Mr. Coles and President
Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished
men, were of a very friendly character, arising from
the similarity of their views on the question of slavery
and their sympathy for each other in holding doc-
trines so much at variance with the prevailing senti-
ment in their own State.

In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a
portion of the following autumn in exploring the
Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo-
cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his
negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with
an extra man and horse for emergencies, through
many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri,
determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time,
however, a misunderstanding arose between our
Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected
to repair to St. Petersburg on a .special mission, bear-
ing important papers concerning the matter at issue.
The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex-

-*&&

EDWARD COLES.

)

ander) of the error committed by his minister at
Washington, and the consequent withdrawal of the
the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles
visited other parts of Europe, especially Paris, where
he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette.

In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his
negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with the
intention of giving them their liberty. He did not
make known to them his intention until one beautiful
morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio
River. He lashed all the boats together and called
all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad-
dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him-
self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in
the shortest and fullest manner that they were no
longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty
to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas-
ure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is
best desciibed in his own language :

" The effect upon them was electrical. They stared
at me and then at each other, as if doubting the ac-
curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless
silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word,
but with countenances beaming with expression which
no words could convey, and which no language
can describe. As they began to see the truth of
what they had heard, and realize their situation, there
came'On a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh.- After
a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed
in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to
their gratitude and implored the blessing of God
on me."

Before landing he gave them a general certificate
of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu-
larly with the law of this State requiring that each
individual should have a certificate. This act of
Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering
the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding
him, has challenged the admiration of every philan-
thropist of modern times.

March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr.
Coles Registrar of the Land Office at Edwardsville,
at that time one of the principal land offices in the
State. While acting in this capacity and gaining
many friends by his politeness and general intelli-
gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in
Illinois on the slavery question culminated in the
furious contest characterizing the campaigns and
elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a
new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr.
Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions,
putting forward for the executive office Joseph
Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C.
Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mil-
itia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr.
Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns,
succeeded in electing him as Governor. His plural-
ity over Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote of

over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected
by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech
was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a
wise expression' of appropriate suggestions as to
elicit the sanction of all judicious 'politicians. But
he compromised not with evil. In his message to
the Legislature, the seat of Government being then
at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the
modified form of slavery which then existed in this
State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi-
tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when
it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the
population of Illinois being at that time almost ex-
clusively from slave-holding States and by a large
majority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relic
of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course,
a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority of
them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of
the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and
deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the
public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of
mob, or " shiveree " party, who visited the residence
of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled
and groaned and spat fire.

The Constitution, not establishing or permitting
slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be
defective by the slavery politicians, and they desired
a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub-
mit a new Constitution ; and the dominant politics
of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven-
tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people,
Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address
published by the latter party. This address revealed
the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly man-
ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti-
mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in
which the Governor was placed at that time.

Our hero maintained himself honorably and with
supreme dignity throughout his administration, and
in his honor a county in this State is named. He
was truly a great man, and those who lived in
this State during his sojourn here, like those who
live at the basof the mountain, were too near to see
and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them.

Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop
De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter
of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry,
who caini to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682.

After the expiration of his term of service, Gov.
Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup-
erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond
of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri-
cultural society in the State. On account of ill
health, however, and having no family to tie him
down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities.
About 1833) he changed his residence to Philadel-
phia, where he died July ^ 1868, and is buried at
Woodland, near that city.

THE LIBRARY

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILUHOIS

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

, INIAN EDWARDS, Governor
from 1827 to 1830, was a son
of Benjamin Edwards, and
born in Montgomery
_ County, Maryland, in March,
1775. His domestic train-
ing was well fitted to give
his mind strength, firmness and
honorable principles, and a good
foundation was laid for the elevated
character to which he afterwards
attained. His parents were Bap-
tists, and very strict in their moral
principles. His education in early
youth was in company with and
partly under the tuition of Hon. Wm.
Wirt, whom his father patronized,
and who was more than two years
older. An intimacy was thus
formed between them which was lasting for life. He
was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car-
lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but
before completing his course he moved to Nelson
County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to
purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and
sisters. Here he fell in the company of dissolute
companions, and for several years led the life of a
spendthrift. He was, however, elected to the Legis-
lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson
County before he was 2 1 years of age, and was re-
elected by an almost unanimous vote.

In 1798 he was licensed to practice law, and the
following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes-
see. About this time he left Nelson County for
Russellville, in Logan County, broke away from his
dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and
devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He
then began to rise rapidly in his profession, and soon
became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years
he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge
of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth Judge of
the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State,
all before he was 32 years of age! In addition, in
1802, he received a commission as Major of a battal-
ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1804 was chosen a
Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton
ticket. In 1806 he was a candidate for Congress,
but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of
Appeals.

Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in
the spring of 1809, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief
Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentuck^ received
from President Madison the appointment as Gover-
nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date
April 24, 1809. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in
June, and on the i ith of that month took the oath of
office. At the same time lie was appointed Superin-
tendent of the United States Saline, this Government
interest then developing into considerable proportions
in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three
years of his administration he had the power to make
new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always
allowed the people of each county, by an informal

NINIAN EDWARDS.

vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili-
tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward
United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed
by Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of
the Territory, which office was accepted for a short
time only.

The Indians in 1810 committing sundry depreda-
tions in the Territory, crossing the Mississippi from
the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol-
lowed between the respective Governors concerning
the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav-
ages at Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation -of
the treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de-
predations, and was not re-settled for many years
afterward.

As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in
1812, he was re-appointed for another term of three
years, and again in 1815 for a third term, serving
until the organization of the State in the fall of 1818
and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time
ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States
Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As
Senator, Mr. Edwards took a conspicuous part, and
acquitted himself honorably in all the measures that
came up in that body, being well posted, an able de-
bater and a conscientious statesman. He thought
seriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but was
persuaded by his old friend, Wm. Wirt, and others to
continue in office, which he did to the end of the
term.

He was then appointed Minister to Mexico by
President Monroe. About this time, it appears that
Mr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of
Wm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States
Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi-
dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of
his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in
order fully to investigate the charges. The result
was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards.

Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws,"
disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and
the State of Illinois during the whole of his career in
this commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main-
tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important
actor in the great struggle which ended in a victory
for his party in 1824.

In 1826-7 tne Winnebago and other Indians com-
mitted some depredations in the northern part of the

State, and the white settlers, who desired the lands
and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacu-
ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of
the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be-
tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war,
known in history as the "Winnebago War." A few
chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson
succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief,
and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at
least until the troubles commenced which ended in
the " Black Hawk War " of 1832. In the interpre-
tation of treaties and execution of their provisions
Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The
Indians kept themselves generally within the juris-
diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor,
Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready cor-
respondence with him was difficult or impossible.
Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard to
the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to have
been very efficient and satisfactory.

For a considerable portion of his time after his re-
moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his
farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with
horses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also with
fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He estab-
lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively
in mercantile business, having no less than eight or tep
stores in this State and Missouri. Notwithstanding
the arduous duties of his office, he nearly always pur-
chased the goods himself with which to supply the
stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi-
cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex-
tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and
taking care of, the sick, generally without charge.
He was also liberal to the poor, several widows and
ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to him
even for their homes.

He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in
1803, and they became the affectionate parents of
several children, one of whom, especially, is well
known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely,
Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent of
Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield.
Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas-
kaskia from 1809 to 1818; in Edwardsville (named
after him) from that time to 1824; and from the lat-
ter date at Belleville, St. Clair County, until his
death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cholera. Edwards
County is also named in his honor.

e. aM^

THF UBfttRY
OF THE

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

j:OHN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831-
4, was born in Montgomery Coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788.
His father, Robert Reynolds and
his mother, nee Margaret Moore,
were both natives of Ireland, from
which country they emigrated to j
the United States in 1785, land-
ing at Philadelphia. The senior
Reynolds entertained an undying
hostility to the British Govern-
ment. When the subject of this
sketch was about six months old,
his parents emigrated with him to
Tennessee, where many of their
relatives had already located, at the base of the
Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of
the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex-
posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest-
ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior
of the State. They were poor, and brought up their
children to habits of manual industry.

In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with
eight horses and two wagons, encountering many
hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed
the most of his childhood, while his character began
to develop, the most prominent traits of which were
ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle
and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating
liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal,

this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of
the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest
of Edwardsville.

On arriving at his zoth year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing
that he must look about for his own livelihood and
not yet having determined what calling to pursue,
concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly
went to such an institution of learning, near Knox-
ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his
diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of
his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered
wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a
shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself
into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of
Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years,
going through the principal Latin authors; but it
seems that he, like the rest of the world in modern
times, had but very little use for his Latin in after
life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good
degree of literary discipline. He commenced the
study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble
came on and compelled him to change his mode
of life. Accordingly he returned home and re-
cuperated, and in 1812 resumed his college and
law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 1812 he was
admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time
he also learned the French language, which he
practiced with pleasure in conversation with his
family for many years. He regarded this language
as being superior to all others for social intercourse.

(&%&*&

124

JOHN REYNOLDS.

From his services in the West, in the war of 181 2,
he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He
was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate.

Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the
winter and spring of 1814, in the French village of
Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County.

In the fall of 1818 he was elected an Associate
Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General
Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than
ever into the practice of law, and the very next year
was elected a member of the Legislature, where he
acted independently of all cliques and private inter-
ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for
the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi-
nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and
raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a
judicial calmness and moderation. The real animus
of the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti- Jackson,"
the former party carrying the State.

In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov-
ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he
did all within his power to advance the cause of edu-
cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun-
try, etc.; also recommended the winding up of the
State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously
complicated. In his national politics, he was a
moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the
most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin-
istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred
in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted
the contest with commendable diligence, appearing
in person on the battle-grounds during the most
critical periods. He was recognized by the President
as Major-General, and authorized by him to make
treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the
general Government the war was terminated without
much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This
war, as well as everything else, was materially re-
tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the
West. This was its first appearance here, and was
the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds'
term.

South Carolina nullification coming up at this time,
it was heartily condemned by both President Jackson
and Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same
grounds as the Unionists in the last war.

On the termination of his gubernatorial term in
1834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con-
gress, still considering himself a backwoodsman, as
he had scarcely been outside of the State since he
became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful
days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first
move in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in
all elections made by the House for officers the votes
should be given viva voce, each member in his place
naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This
created considerable heated discussion, but was es-

sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin-
ciple for many years. The ex-Governor was scarcely
absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses-
sions of Congress, covering a period of seven years,
and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed
to get the Democratic party to foster his " National
Road" scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a
large autobiography he published), that it was only
by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in
Washington. During his sojourn in that city he was
married, to a lady of the place.

In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company
with a few others, he built the first railroad in the
Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long,
leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to
.the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not
the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it
by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com-
pany sold out, at great sacrifice.

In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the
Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow
money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord'ngly, he
repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining
a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth
of what was wanted. The same year he and his
wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr.
Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility
of introducing to President Van Buren the noted
Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day

Saint!

In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of
the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu-
larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter
for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis,
a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately
built; and jvas the first road of the kind in the State.
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, when
he was chosen Speaker of the House. In 1860, aged
and infirm, he attended the National Democratic
Convention at Charleston, S. C , as an anti-Douglas
Delegate, where he received more attention from the
Southern Delegates than any other member. He
supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After
the October elections foreshadowed the success of
Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo-
crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi-
ately preceding and during the late war, his corre-
spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern
secession, and about the first of March, 1861, he
urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the
treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal
at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative
man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch-
words that ever gained currency, besides many cun-
ning and odd ones of his own manufacture.

He was married twice, but had no children. He
died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close
of the war.

THFUBBART

OF THE
UHIVEflSITY Of

GO VERMORS OF ILLINOIS.

ILLIAM LEE D. EWING,
Governor of Illinois Nov. 3
to 17, 1834, was a native
of Kentucky, and probably
of Scotch ancestry. He had
*; a fine education, was a gentle-
man of polished manners and
refined sentiment. In 1830 John Rey-
nolds was elected Governor of the State,
and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor,
and for the principal events that followed,
and the characteristics of the times, see
sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we
see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in-
forms us that he was a Receiver of Public
Moneys at Vandalia soon after the organization of
this State, and that the public moneys in his hands
were deposited in various banks, as they are usually
at the present day. In 1823 the State Bank was
robbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand-
dollar deposit.

The subject of this sketch had a commission as
Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies
he acted also as Major. In the summer of 1832,
when it was rumored among the whites that Black
Hawk and his men had encamped somewhere on
Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of
reconnoisance, and with orders to drive the Indians
from the State. After some opposition from his
subordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up
Rock River in search of the enemy. On the' igth of
July, early in the morning, five baggage wagons,

,@X38$ s^ @

camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti-
cles were piled up and left, so that the army might
make speedy and forced marches. For some miles
the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps
and the worst thickets ; but the large, fresh trail
gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen.
Dodge and Col. Ewing were both acting as Majors,
and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the
army. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50
miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed
became fresher, and was strewed with much property
and trinkets of the red-skins that they had lost or
thrown away to hasten their march. During the
following night there was a terrific thunder-storm, and
the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor-
oughly drenched.

On approaching nearer the Indians the next day.
Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a
battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the
battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day
Forced marches were continued until they reached.
Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued,
resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's
men. The next day they continued the chase, and
as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians
leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed
his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order
of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the
ground and ordered a charge, which directly resulted
in chasing the red warriors across the great river.
Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly
efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors
in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes,

a-e S^MK &@5&g@.

WILLIAM L. D. SWING.

eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi,
while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex-
pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for
them in another direction.

In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to
as a " General," which title he had derived from his
connection with the militia.

It was in the latter part of the same year (1832)
that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con-
gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to the
Senate, was chosen to preside over that body. At
the August election of 1834, Gov. Reynolds was also
elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the
time at which he could actually take his seat, as was
then the law. His predecessor, Charles Slade, had
just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec-
tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his
unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash-
ington in November of that year to take his seat in
Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as
President of the Senate, became Governor of the
State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of
15 days, namely, from the 3d to the ryth days, in-
clusive, of November. On the iyth the Legislature
met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his
message, giving a statement of the condition of the
affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin-
uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor ; and
on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan
was sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from

the responsible situation. This is the only time tha
such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi-
nois.

On the 29th- of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was
elected a United States Senator to serve out the
unexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The
latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the
early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is
named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to
the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi-
tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several
important offices in this State, and Richard M.
Young, afterward a United States Senator and a
Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On
the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes, Young 19
and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was
dropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on
the 1 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was
accordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewing
received some votes for a continuance of his term in
Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, was
elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State
Auditor on the ticket with Gov. Ford.

Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer
by profession, and was much in public life. In person
he was above medium height and of heavy build,
with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and
short face. He was genial, social, friendly and
affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of
originality. He died March 25, 1846.

Tiff LIBRARY

OF IK
IWIYERMTY OF ILUHOJS

OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor
1834-8, was born at Paris,
Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the
tender age of 1 9 years he en-
listed in the war against Great
Britain, and as a soldier he
acquitted himself with credit. He
was an Ensign under the daunt-
less Croghan at Lower Sandusky,
or Fort Stephenson. In Illinois
he first appeared in a public capa-
city as Major-General of the Militia,
a position which his military fame
had procured him. Subsequently
he became a State Senator from
Jackson County, and is honorably
mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for
a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt-
able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such
men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and ex-
Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time for Congress,
Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his
friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians.
As yet he was but little known in the State. He was
an original Jackson man at that time, being attached
to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of
his military achievements. His chances of success
against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless,
but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His
speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were
full of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of
the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of
his health. The most that was expected of Mr.
Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would

obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr.
Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a
source of surprise and amazement to both friends
and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 64 r votes ahead!
He received 6,32 r votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un-
til this denouement, the violence of party feeling
smoldering in the breasts of the people on account
of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated.
Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no
other than mere local and personal considerations
had ever before controlled an election in Illinois.

From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his
seat in Congress until his election as Governor in
August, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the
Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey-
nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the / 1
volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock
Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash-
ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did
not personally participate in it, but addressed circu-
lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed,
attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- /
cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his
political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely
in ascendency in the State, was complete ; but while
his defection was well known to his Whig friends,
and even to the leading Jackson men of this State,
the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact
to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at
that day were far inferior to those of the present *: '
time. Of course the Governor was much abused
afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re-
garded party ties and affiliations as above all
other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless

JOSEPH DUNCAN.

sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter
had vetoed several .important western measures
which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural
message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand
against the course of the President. The measures
he recommended in his message, however, were so
desirable that the Legislature, although by a large
majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain
from endorsing them. These measures related
mainly to banks and internal improvements.

It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that the
people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in-
ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank-
rupted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on,
and the disasters that attended the inauguration of
these plans and the operation of the banks were mu-
tually charged upon the two political parties. Had
any one man autocratic power to introduce and
carry on any one of these measures, he would proba-
bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public ;
but as many jealous men had hold of the same plow
handle, no success followed and each blamed the other
for the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan
was carried along, suffering the like derogation of
character with his fellow citizens.

At the height of the excitement the Legislature
" provided for " railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton
to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the
eastern boundary of the State in the direction of
Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the wlbash,
Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, in all
about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the
improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia,
Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ;
also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis-
tributed to the various counties wherein no improve-
ments were ordered to be made as above. The
estimate for the expenses for all these projects was
placed at a little over $10,000,000, which was not
more than half enough ! That would now be equal to
saddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000! It
was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times
over, even counting all the possible benefits.

One of the most exciting events that ever occurred
in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love-
joy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's
term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist,"
editing the Observer at that place, and the pro-
slavery slums there formed themselves into a mob,

and after destroying successively three presses be-
longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse
where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring
to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends
were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the
brave reformer !

About this time, also, the question of removing the
State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for
its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close.
There was, of course, considerable excitement over
the matter, the two main points competing for it be-
ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat-
ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully
allayed.

Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842
he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu-
tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam
W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the
Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi-
date for the same,position. Mr. Snyder, however, died
before the campaign had advanced very far, and his
party substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected,
receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and
909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success
at this time is mainly attributed to the temporary
support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the
want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses,
that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy en-
tertained in the respective localities.

Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited educa-
tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited
greatly by his various public services, and gathered
a store of knowledge regarding public affairs which
served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear
judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral
courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his
deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira-
tion of the people. His intercourse with them was
both affable and dignified. His portrait at the Gov-
ernor's mansion, from which the accompanying was
made, represents him as having a swarthy complex-
ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black
eyes and straight black hair.

He was a liberal patron of the .Illinois College at
Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and
died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted
member of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife
but no children. Two children, born to them, had
died in infancy.

THF LIBRARY
OF THE

wiYERsmr OF HUNOB

^;|

IHOMAS CARLIN, the sixth

Governor of the State of
Illinois, serving from 1838
to 1842, was also a Ken-
tuckian, being born near
Frankfort, that State, July
18, 1789, of Irish paternity.
The opportunities for an education
being very meager in his native
place, he, on approaching years of
judgment and maturity, applied
himself to those branches of learn-
ing that seemed most important,
and thus became a self-made man ;
and his taste for reading and
study remained with him through
life. In 1803 his father removed
to Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he
died in 1810.

In 1812 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici-
pated in all the "ranging" service incident to the
war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un-
daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca
Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the
Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis-
souri, where he followed farming, and then removed
to Greene County. He located the town site of Car-
rollton, in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal
donation of land for county building purposes. He
was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate
organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a
Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the
Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a
post of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap-
pointed by President Jackson to the position of
Receiver of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office
-,/*_ '^mJf^^. /~\ /i

more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy.

While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal improvement
system of the State was in full operation, with all its
expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions
throughout the United States, a great stringency in
the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds
forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest
times " existing that the people of the Prairie State
ever saw, the general election of State officers w'as
approaching. Discreet men who had cherished the
hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua-
tion, met with disappointment. A Governor and
Legislature were to be elected, and these were now
looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State
policy. But the grand scheme had not yet lost its
dazzling influence upon the minds of the people.
Time and experience had not yet fully demonstrated
its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting
its career of profligate expenditures did not become
a leading one with the dominant party during the
campaign, and most of the old members of the Leg-
islature were returned at this election.

Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State
Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the
office of Governor, and S. H. Anderson for Lieuten-
ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed-
wards, brother of Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor,
and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly
for a continuance of the State policy, while Carlin
remained non-committal. This was the first time
that the two main political parties in this State were
unembarrassed by any third party in the field. The
result of the election was: Carlin, 35,573; Ander-
son, 30,335 ; Edwards, 29,629 ; and Davidson, 28,-
7!.S-

Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature
(1839), the retiring Governor (Duncan) in his mes-

THOMAS CARLIN.

sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the
internal improvement system, presaging the evils
threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost
to correct the great error; yet, on the. contrary, the
Legislature not only decided to continue the policy
but also added to its burden by voting more appro-
priations and ordering more improvements. Although
the money market was still stringent, a further loan
of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal alone. Chicago at that time began to
loom up and promise to be an important city, even
the great emporium of the West, as it has since in-
deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe-
tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan,
and accordingly hastened to the East on this respons-
ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera-
ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment
to Carlin's administration, the Legislature also de-
clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary
of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a
Whig, who had already held the post by appointment
through three administrations, was determined to
keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car-
lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in
this regard, however, was finally sustained by the
Supreme Court, in a quo warranto case brought up
before it by John A. McClernand, whom the Gov-
ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that
dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!"
endeavoring to establish the principle of life-tenure
of office.

A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici-
ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges
were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas
Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B.
Scales, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas
all Democrats.

It was during Cov. Carlin's administration that the
noisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc-
curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however,
did not affect Illinois politics very seriously.

Another prominent event in the West during Gov.
Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by
the Mormons and their removal from Independence,
Mo., to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time
they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On
account of their believing as they thought, accord-
to the New Testament that they should have

"all things common," and that consequently "all
the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's
and therefore the property of his " saints," they
were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing
many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that
were so rife throughout this country in those days.
Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the
Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of
Missouri the Mormons always supported the Dem-
ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic
government, when they turned their support to the
Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the
Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter
of great interest with both parties to conciliate these
people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben-
nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing
through the Legislature (both parties not daring to
oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir-
tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed-
eral Government itself. In the fall of 1841 the
Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov.
Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader,
as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued the
writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved.
It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested,
but was either rescued by his followers or discharged
by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus.

In December, 1841, the Democratic Convention
nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov-
ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla-
ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter
naturally turned their support to the Democratic
party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex-
Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime
the Mormons began to grow more odious to the
masses of the people, and the comparative prospects
of the respective parties for success became very
problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and
Thomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as
a candidate, and was elected.

At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin
removed back to his old home at Carrollton, where
he spent the remainder of his life, as before his ele-
vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In 1849
he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the
Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb.
1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife
and seven children.

THEUWMY
OF THE

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

.-: '. -.--. .-.-.

vg)

JHOMAS FORD, Governor
from 1842 to 1846, and au-
thor of a very interesting
history of Illinois, was' born
at Uniontown, Pa., in the
year 1 800. His mother, after
the death of her first hus-
band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob-
ert Ford, who was killed in 1802,
by the Indians in the mountains
of Pennsylvania. She was conse-
quently left in indigent circum-
stances, with a large family, mostly
girls. With a view to better her
condition, she, in 1804, removed to
Missouri, where it had been cus-
tomary by the Spanish Govern-
ment to give land to actual settlers ; but upon her
arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to
the United States, and the liberal policy toward set-
tlers changed by the new ownership. After some
sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to
Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water-
loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis-
sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first

schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey,
for which he had to walk three miles. His mother,
though lacking a thorough education, was a woman
of superior mental endowments, joined to energy
and determination of character. She inculcated in
her children those high-toned principles which dis-
tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a
rigid economy to provide her children an education ;
but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older
than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit
school to aid by his labor in the support of the family.
He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois
affairs, and but for his early death would probably
have been elected to the United States Senate.

Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities,
received a better education, though limited to the
curriculum of the common school of those pioneer
times. His mind gave early promise of superior en-
dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His
proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P.
Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend.
The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states-
man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant
of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the
Illinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the
county of Cook was named. Through the advice

THOMAS FORD.

this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the
study of law; but Forquer, then merchandising, re-
garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl-
vania University, where, however, he remained but
one term, owing to Forquer's failure in business. On
his return he alternated his law reading with teach-
ing school for support.

In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed him Prosecuting
Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov.
Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a
Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a
Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As-
sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841,
the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition
of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to
the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity
he was holding Court in Ogle County he received a
notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven-
tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re-
signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In
August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De-
cember following he was inaugurated.

All the offices which he had held were unsolicited
by him. He received them upon the true Jefferson-
ian principle, Never to ask and never to refuse
office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood
deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him
rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo-
cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void
of the moving power of eloquence, so necessary to
success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were
sound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In
practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in-
sinuating address of the politician, but he saw through
the arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was
plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at
one time after the expiration of his term of office,
during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by
a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door-
keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid-
night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view
of effecting a " combination ! "

Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary
politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a
political leader. He cared little for money, and
hardly enough for a decent support. In person he
was of small stature, slender, of dark complexion,
with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a
pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one
side, and a small mouth.

The three most important events in Gov. Ford's
administration were the establishment of the high
financial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and
the Mexican War.

In the first of these the Governor proved himself
to be eminently wise. On coming into office he found
the State badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of
the notorious "internal improvement" schemes of

the preceding decade, with scarcely anything
show by way of "improvement." The enterprise
that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the
rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this
promised to be the most important thoroughfare,
feasible to the people, it was well under headway in
its construction. Therefore the State policy was
almost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on to
completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State
was growing so large as to frighten the people, and
they were about ready to entertain a proposition for
repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to
recommend such measures as would maintain the
public credit, for which every citizen to-day feels
thankful.

But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for
his connection with the Mormon troubles than for
anything else; for it was during his term of office
that the " Latter-Day Saints " became so strong at
Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num-
bers throughout the country, committed misdemean-
ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of
theirleader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven
out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a
Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of
course was non-committal concerning Mormon affairs,
and was therefore claimed by both parties and also
accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the
other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of
religion, the Governor no doubt was " between two
fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather
" gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when
that pestilential people left the State. Such compli-
cated matters, especially when religion is mixed up
with them, expose every person participating in
them to criticism from all parties.

The Mexican War was begun in the spring of
1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term
of Mr. Ford's successor. The Governor's connection
with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it
was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc.

Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and
entertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and is
destined to increase in value with the lapse of time.
It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forcible
thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In
tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations
of the professional politician, in which he is inimit-
able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection
that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place-
seekers, while many of them have since been judged
by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings
seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit
a little splenetic partiality against those of his con-
temporaries who were prominent during his term of
office as Governor.

The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111.,
Nov. 2, 1850.

OF TIE

AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH,
Governor of Illinois from
1846 to 1852, was born in
the town of Hill, in the
State of New Hampshire,
Aug. 2, 1808. He was a
descendant in the fourth
generation ot Nathaniel
French, who emigrated from England
in 1687 and settled in Saybury, Mass.
In early life young French lost his
father, but continued to receive in-
struction from an exemplary and
Christian mother until he was 19 years
old, when she also died, confiding to
his care and trust four younger broth-
ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with
parental devotion. His education, in early life was
such mainly as a common school afforded. For a
brief period he attended Dartmouth College, but
from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers
and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently
read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, and
shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at
Albion, Edwards County, where he established him-
self in the practice of law. The following year he
removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained
eminence in his profession, and entered public life
by representing that county in the Legislature. A
strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste-
phen A. Douglas.

In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver of
the United States Land Office at Palestine, Craw-
ford County, at which place he was a resident when

elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was
a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for
James K. Polk.

The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet-
ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French
for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were
Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of
Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scales,
Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly, an array of
very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per-
haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that
he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal,
as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant
Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi-
dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton
Cloud, J. B. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The
resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita-
tion of the old State Banks.

The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, held
their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor,
and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for
Lieutenant Governor.

In the campaign the latter exposed Mr. French's
record and connection with the passage of the in-
ternal improvement system, urging it against his
election ; but in the meantime the war with Mexico
broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un-
popular in this State. The war was the absorbing
and dominating question of the period, sweeping
every other political issue in its course. The elec-
tion in August gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, and
Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist
candidate for the same office, received 5,152 votes.

By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election for
State officers was ordered in November of that year,
before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was
re-elected for the term of four years. He was there-
fore the incumbent for six consecutive years, the
only Governor of this State who has ever served in
that capacity so long at one time. As there was no
organized opposition to his election, he received 67,-
453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of the
first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V.
Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for
James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of
Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in
place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected
and did not run again.

Governor French was inaugurated into office dur-
ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed
during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2,
1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com-
mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair
he was, of course, only an administrative officer.
During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legisla-
ture, by special permission of Congress, declared that
all Government lands sold to settlers should be im-
mediately subject to State taxation ; before this they
were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar-
rangement the revenue was materially increased.
About the same time, the distribution of Government
land warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty
threw upon the market a great quantity of good
lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State.
The same Legislature authorized, with the recom-
mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern
Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the
first in the State and now a section of the Wabash,
St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds,
although it had cost the State not less than a million.
The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve
in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern-
ment to the State, were also authorized by the
Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. In
1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State
revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was
sufficient to meet the current demands upon the
treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the
State at this time was over $100,000,000, and the
population 851,470.

g)Xi@(S"

In 1849 the Legislature adopted the township or- v
ganization law, which, however, proved defective, oj?
and was properly amended in 1851. At its session
in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed
a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions.
This beneficent measure had been repeatedly urged
upon that body by Gov. French.

In 1850 some business men in St. Louis com-
menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of
their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi
in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking
away from them as it sometimes threatened to do.
This they undertook without permission from the
Legislature or Executive authority of this State ; and
as many of the inhabitants there complained that
the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable
land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re-
sulting in favor of" the St. Louis project ; and since
then a good site has existed there for a city (East St.
Louis), and now a score of railroads center there.

It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted
to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of
the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad,
which constituted the most important epoch in the
railroad we might say internal improvement his-
tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com-
pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in-
terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi-
zens, and by the charter a good income to the State
Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road.

In 1851 the Legislature passed a law authorizing
free stock banks, which was the source of much leg-
islative discussion for a number of years.

But we have not space further to particularize
concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra-
tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised,
while the country was settling up as never before.

In stature, Gov. French was of medium height,
squarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face
and pleasant countenance. In manners he was
plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat
diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con-
victions of duty. In public speech he was not an
orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In $
business Jie was accurate and methodical, and in his
administration he kept up the credit of the State.

He died in 1865, at his home in Lebanon, St.
Clair Co., 111.

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF UHKB

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

OEL A. MATTESON, Governor
1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808,
Jefferson County, New York,
which place his father had re-
moved from Vermont three years
before. His father was a farmer
in fair circumstances, but a com-
mon English education was all
that his only son received. Young

Joel first tempted fortune as a, L" removed to J oliet " . In l8 3 8 he became a heav y
small tradesman in p rescott) fo^ctor on the Ilhno.s & M.ch.gan Canal. Upon
the completion of his job in 1841, when hard times

Canada, before he was of age.
He returned from that place to
his home, entered an academy,
taught school, visited the prin-
cipal Eastern cities, improved a farm his father had
given him, made a tour in the South, worked there
in building railroads, experienced a storm on the
Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern
Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and
through Illinois to his father's home, when he mar-
ried. In r833, having sold his farm, he removed,
with his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered
a claim on Government land near the head of Au
Sable River, in what is now Kendall County. At
that time there were not more than two neighbors
within a range of ten miles of his place, and only
three or four houses between him and Chicago. He
opened a large farm. His family was boarded 12

&&&&>

prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State
scrip; when all the public works except the canal
were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons
of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat-
teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and
sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit,
enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a
surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise
next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet,
in which he prospered, and which, after successive
enlargements, became an enormous establishment.

In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but,
by a bungling apportionment, John Pearson, a Senator
holding over, was found to be in the same district,
and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat-
teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however,
with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of

I !

miles away while he erected a house on his claim,
sleeping, during this time, under a rude pole shed..
Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by
a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed.

In 1835 he bought largely at the Government land
sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which
broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State,
he sold his lands under the inflation of that period

' %

greed for office, unwilling to represent his district
under the circumstances, immediately resigned his
unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a
few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days'
time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took
his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity
as a business man, he was made Chairman of the
Committee on Finance, a position he held during
this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms,
discharging its important duties with ability and faith-
fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest,
when work was resumed on the canal under the new
loan of $1,600,000 he again became a heavy con-
tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in
building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most
energetic and thorough business man.

He was nominated for Governor by the Demo-
cratic State Convention which met at Springfield
April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con-
vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of
Cook ; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of
' Menard ; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton ; and D. P. Bush,
of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom-
inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices
the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and Dexter A.
Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at
the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat-
teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul-
tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being
all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took
rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His
turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage-
ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov-
ernmental principles, as in those more solid and
enduring operations which cause the physical devel-
opment and advancement of a State, of commerce
and business enterprise, into which he labored with
success to lead the people. As a politician he was
just and liberal in his views, and both in official and
private life he then stood untainted and free from
blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, socia
virtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor o
citizen, he had few superiors. His messages presen
a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of th
State, and are often couched in forcible and elegan
diction.

The greatest excitement during his term of office
was the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, by Con-

&g&$'

-iri / X>V 5 5T%

gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in
1854, when the bill was passed organizing the Terri-
tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of
the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op-
position to the Democratic party, naturally drifted
into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what
was temporarily called the " And- Nebraska " party,
while the followers of Douglas were known as " Ne-
braska or Douglas Democrats." It was during this
embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham
Lincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska"
candidate for the United States Senatorship, while
Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-nom-
inated by the Democrats. But after a few ballotings
in the Legislature (1855), these men were dropped,
and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat,
was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson,
then Governor, by the latter. On the nth ballot
Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was ac-
cordingly declared elected. Before Goy. Matteson 's
term expired, the Republicans were fully organized
as a national party, and in 1856 put into the field a
full national and State ticket, carrying the State, but
not the nation.

The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import-
ant measures, the present free-school system and a
submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the
people. The latter was defeated by a. small majority
of the popular vote.

During the four years of Gov. Matteson 's admin-
istration the taxable wealth of the State was about
trebled, from $137,818,079 to $349,951,272; the pub-
lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,-
144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the
State resumed paying interest on its debt in New
York as fast as it fell due ; railroads were increased
in their mileage from something less than 4015 to
about 3,000 ; and the population of Chicago was
nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad-
rupled.

Before closing this account, we regret that we have
to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an
upright man and a good Governor, was implicated
in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrip, amount-
ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir-
cuit Court the State recovered the principal and all
the interest excepting $27,500.

He died in the winter of 1872-3, at Chicago.

^ ^^ |*i^(

THF UBRARY

3FTHE
UWERSITY OF ILUNOK

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

.,',". ', . ', . 'X 1 ; ,' : ,' : ,' : ,> :v : .' : . : .' .' ' .' <' .' i 1 .' << .' '

ILLIAM H. BISSELL, Gov-
ernpr 1857-60, was born
April 25, 1811, in the
State of New York, near
Painted Post, Yates County.
His parents were obscure,
honest, God-fearing people,
who reared their children under the daily
example of industry and frugality, accord-
ing to the custom of that class of Eastern
society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta-
ble but not thorough academical education.
By assiduous application he acquired a
knowledge of medicine, and in his early
manhood came West and located in Mon-
roe County, this State, where he engaged in the
practice of that profession. But he was not enam-
ored of his calling: he was swayed by a broader
ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the
healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him
further any charms. In a few years he discovered
his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when
he approached the age of 30 he sought to begin
anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him-
self, discovered a singular facility and charm of
speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a
ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under-

stood that he desired to abandon his profession and
take up that of the law. During terms of Court he
would spend his time at the county seat among the
members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready
welcome.

It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift
into public life. In 1840 he was elected as a Dem-
ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and
was an efficient member of that body. On his re-
turn home he qualified himself for admission to the
Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo-
cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a
pure diction, charming and inimitable gestures, |
clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly 5 >
humor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible t
effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut-
ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and
in that position he fully discharged his duty to the
State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom
failed to convict the offender of the law.

In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and /*"
with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis
tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, gj.
his head well poised, though not large, his address
pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplary
in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent.
He was twice married, the first time to Miss James,

WILLIAM H. BISSELL.

of Monroe County, by whom he had two children,
both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840,
and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter
of Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senator
from this State. She survived him but a short time,
and died without issue.

When the war with Mexico was declared in 1846,
Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his
regiment, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost
unanimous vote, 807 to 6. Considering the limited
opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of
military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista
he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished
ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second
Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver-
ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely
contested battle.

After his return home, at the close of the war, he
was elected to Congress, his opponents being the
Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served
two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician.
During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor
of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and
therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and
thus became identified with the nascent Republican
party.

During his first Congressional term, while the
Southern members were following their old practice
of intimidating the North by bullying language,
and claiming most of the credit for victories in the
Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the
Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena
Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern
troops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel,
which was accepted. This matter was brought up
against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor
and during his term of office, as the Constitution of
this State forbade any duelist from olding a State

In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth
a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the
United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell
for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy,
for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi-
nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County,
for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook
County, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the

election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard-
son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a
ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal-
anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor.
His message to the Legislature was short and rather
ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup-
posed obligations of the people to the incorporators
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re-
opening the slavery question by allusions to the
Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion-
ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was
passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor
at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious
debate followed, and the question whether the Gov-
ernor had the authority to recall a signature was
referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in
favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another
outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment
and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature
failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor.

It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that
the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light,
implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent
State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat-
ing $255,500, was all recovered by the State except-
ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.)

In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudu-
lently refund the. Macalister and Stebbins bonds and
thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a
million dollars. The State Government was impli-
cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex-
plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other
matters previously mentioned, Gov. Bissell has been
severely criticised, and he has also been most shame-
fully libelled and slandered.

On account of exposure in the army, the remote
cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance
into his system and eventually developed paraplegia,
affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left
his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco-
motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was
generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste-
rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its
stealthy hold, to the close of his life, March 18,
1860, over nine months before the expiration of his
gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He
died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, of
which he had been a member since 1854.

Jf INE

j:OHN WOOD, Governor 1860-1, and
the first settler of Quincy, 111.,
was born in the town of Sempro-
nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co.,
N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was
the second child and only son of
Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother,
nee Catherine Crause, was of
German parentage, and died
while he was an infant. Dr.
Wood was a learned and skillful
physician, of classical attain-
ments and proficient in several
modern languages, who, after
serving throughout the Revolu-
tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land granted
him by the Government, and resided there a re-
spected and leading influence in his section until his
death, at the ripe age of 92 years.

The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit
of Western adventure then pervading everywhere,
left his home, Nov. 2, 1818, and passed the succeed-
ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum-
mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown.
and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun
County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes,
he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast [
of Quincy, where for the next two years he pursued
farming. In 1821 he visited "the Bluffs" (as the
present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited)
and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchased
a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow-
ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin,
^^1*, >*UP^__ ^

18. x 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of which
he then became the first and for some months the
only occupant.

About this time he visited his old friends in Pike
County, chief of whom was William Ross, the lead-
ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that
county, which was thought then to be the possible ^
commencement of a city. One day they and others jr?
were traveling together over the country between the *^
two points named, making observations on the com- ==
parative merits of the respective localities. On ap-
proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place,
the latter told his companions to follow him and he
would show them where he was going to build a city.
They went about a mile off the main trail, to a high
point, from which the view in every direction was
most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet
untouched by the hand of man. Before them swept
by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by
navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at {f
length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross f
replied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to
anything!"

Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is a
city of over 30,000 population.

In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice,
as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply '
to the General Assembly for the formation of a new
county. This was done the following winter, result-
ing in the establishment of the present Adams fi
County. During the next summer Quincy was se- ^
lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then
containing but four adult male residents and halt

that number of females. Sinoe that period Mr.
Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un-
til his death, and far more than any other man was
he identified with every measure of its progress and
history, and almost continuously kept in public posi-
tions.

He was one of the early town Trustees, and after
the place became a city he was often a member of
the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the
face of a constant large opposition political majority.
In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856,
3% on the organization of the Republican party, he was
^ chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the
ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the
death of the latter, March 18, 1860, he succeeded to
the Chief Executive chair, which he occupied until
Gov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months after-
ward.

Nothing very marked characterized the adminis-
tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery Cam-
paign of 1860, resulting in the election of the honest
Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the
United States, occurred during the short period
while Mr. Wood was Governor, and the excitement
and issues of that struggle dominated over every
other consideration, indeed, supplanted them in a
great measure. The people of Illinois, during all
that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes
under Bissell's administration to the overwhelming
issue of preserving the whole nation from destruction.
In 186 r ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele-
gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at
Washington, and in April of the same year, on the
breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed

Quartermaster-General of the State, which position
he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com-
mand as Colonel of the 13710 111. Vol. Inf., with
whom he served until the period of enlistment ex-
pired.

Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi-
fied with the Whig and Republican parties. Few
men have in personal experience comprehended so
many surprising and advancing local changes as
vested in the more than half century recollections of
Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler
on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor
within a score of miles, the world of civilization away
behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his
only visitant, he lived to see growing around him,
and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the
wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second
only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in
beauty, prosperity and promise; whose people recog-
nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and
liberality that attach to the name and lengthened
life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor."

Gov. Wood was twice married, first in January,
1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter,
formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had
eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in
June, 1865, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow
of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4,
1880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight
children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of
Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C., who married Mary J.
Abernethy ; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner,
and Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. The
last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and
all the rest are still at Quincy.

ICHARD YATES, the "War
Governor," 1861-4, was born
Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of
the Ohio River, at Warsaw,
Gallatin Co., Ky. His father
moved in 1831 to Illinois, and )
after stopping for a time in
Springfield, settled at Island
Grove, Sangamon County. "Here,
after attending school, Richard joined
the family. Subsequently he entered
Illinois College at Jacksonville,
where, in 1837, he graduated with
first honors. He chose for his pro-
fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har-
din being his instructor. After ad-
mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an
advocate.

Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon
appeared in the political hustings, and, being a
passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the
West, Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to
the party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great
ardor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign for
Harrison. Two years later he was elected to the
Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic
stronghold. He served three or four terms in the
Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora-
tory that by 1850 his large Congressional District,
extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties
north to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him
the Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic
opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop-
ular man who had won distinction at the battle of
Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had
beaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position,
*gs*&. '-^st&frZ e^

two years before, by a large majority. Yates was
elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over
John Calhoun.

It was during Yates' second term in Congress that
the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com-
promise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re-
opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took
strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became
identified with the rising Republican party. Conse-
quently he fell into the minority in his district, which
was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he
fell behind Major Harris only 200 votes, after the
district had two years before given Pie"rce 2,000
majority for President.

The Republican State Convention of 1860 met at
Decatur May 9, and nominated for the office of Gov-
ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B.
Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blooming-
ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were
also candidates before the Convention. Francis A.
Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for
Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr.
Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re-
membered as characterized by the great whirlpool
which precipitated the bloody War of the Rebellion.
The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of
Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ross,
of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The
Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party
had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear-
ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr.
Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr. Allen 159,253. Mr.
Yates received over a thousand more votes than did
Mr. Lincoln himself.

Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during th

RICHARD YATES.

most critical period of our country's history. In the
fate of the nation was involved that of each State.
The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance
from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates
seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself
both loyal and wise in upholding the Government.
He had a deep hold upon the affections of the
people, won by his moving eloquence and genial
manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre-
possessing appearance, with a winning address and a
magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele-
ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and
captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they
were transported. He was social and convivial. In
the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far.

The very creditable military efforts of this State
during the War of the Rebellion, in putting into the
field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers,
were ever promptly an,d ably seconded by his excel-
lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of
"the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battle of
Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look
after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were
promptly responded to by the people. His procla-
mations calling for volunteers were impassionate
appeals, urging upon the people the duties and re-
quirements of patriotism ; and his special message
in 1863 to the Democratic Legislature of this State
pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded
soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor
of noble, sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in
beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes-
sages on political and civil affairs were able and com-
prehensive. During his administration, however,
there were no civil events of an engrossing character,
although two years of his time were replete with
partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar-
rests, Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton
County, attempted suppression of the Chicago Times
and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of
1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting
during the Governor's term. This Convention assem-
bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that
the law calling it was no longer binding, and that it
had supreme power; that it represented a virtual
assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was
sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary to
ffect a peaceable revolution of the State Government

and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness,
prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only
by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the
law calling the Convention required its members to
take an oath to support the Constitution of the State
as well as that of the general Government, they
utterly refused to take such oath. They also as-
sumed legislative powers and passed several import-
ant "laws!" Interfering with the (then) present
executive duties, Gov. Yates was provoked to tell
them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right
of the Convention to instruct him in the performance
of his duty."

In 1863 the Governor astonished the Democrats
by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after
a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to
waste time upon various partisan resolutions ; and,
while the two houses were disagreeing upon the
question of adjourning sine die, the Governor, having
the authority in such cases, surprised them all by
adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding the
first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to great
excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the
Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided in
his favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive
abuse for weeks and months afterward.

During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de-
tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber-
ation of the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the
burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellion
in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of -the
camp at the time, first had his suspicions of danger
aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters
which passed through the Camp postoffice. A de-
tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen.
Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed
name, and he, with other rebel officers Grenfell,
Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Charles
Walsh was arrested, most of whom were convicted
by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to
imprisonment, Grenfell to be hung. The sentence
of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison-
ment for life, and all the others, after nine months'
imprisonment, were pardoned.

In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov-
ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in
which office he continued until his decease, at St.
Louis, Mo., on the 27th of November following.
^ *****_ f^<

ICHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov-
ernor 1865-8, and re-elected
in 1872 and 1884, was born
July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co.,
Ky., the State which might
be considered the " mother of
Illinois Governors." Bereft of
his parents at the tender age
of eight years, his early education
was neglected. When 12 years of
age, and after he had worked a year
and a half at the carpenter's trade,
he removed with an uncle, Willis
Oglesby, into whose care he had
been committed, to Decatur, this
State, where he continued his ap-
prenticeship as a mechanic, working six months for
Hon. E. O. Smith.

In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring-
field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him
one year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, and
commenced the practice of his chosen profession at
Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County.

The next year the war with Mexico was com-
menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered,
was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois
Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat-
tles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo.

On his return he sought to perfect his law studies
by attending a course of lectures at Louisville, but
on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in
1849, he crossed the plains and mountains to the
new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com-

pany of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader.

In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and
x was placed that year by the Whig party on the ticket
of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe,
Asia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his
return home he resumed the practice of law, as a
member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby.
In 1858 he was the Republican nominee for the
Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the
Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In 1860 he
was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the
evening the returns of this election were coming in,
Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " Cerro
Gordo Williams," in which he came out victorious,
and which was .regarded as " the first fight of the
Rebellion." The following spring, when the war
had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature
quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and
he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature
elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry,
the second one in the State raised to suppress the
great Rebellion.

He was shortly entrusted with important com-
mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point
and Cairo ; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen-
eral ; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van,
being stationed on the right of General Grant's army
and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500
men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these
men were from Macon County. He was engaged in
the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this
place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball,
and was carried from the field in expectation of im-

mediate death. That rebel ball he carries to this
day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as
Major General, for g.illantry, his commission to rank
from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he
was assigned to the command of the i6th Army
Corps, but, owing to inability froai the effects of his
wound, lie relinquished this command in July, that
year. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept his
resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow-
ing, to court-martial and try the Surgeon General of
the Army at Washington, where he remained until
May, 1864, when he returned home.

The Republican, or Union, State Convention of

1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr.
Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor,
while other candidates before the Convention were
Allen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois.of Sanga-
mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. Wm.
Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant
Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were
James C. Robinson, of Clark, for Governor, and S.
Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor.
The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority
of about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also a
majority in both the Legislature and in the repre-
sentation in Congress.

Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865.
The day before the first time set for his installation
death visited his home at Decatur, and took from it
his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of six
years, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. This
caused the inauguration to be postponed a week.

The political events of the Legislative session of

1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to the
United States Senate, and the ratification of the 131)1
amendment to the Constitution of thfe United States,
abolishing slavery. This session also signalized
itself by repealing the notorious "black laws," part
of which, although a dead letter, had held their place
upon the statute books since 1819. Also, laws re-
quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a
State Board of Equalization, were passed by this Leg-
islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor-
ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted
some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota-
bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse
railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now
sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure
was promptly passed over his veto by both branches
of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to
attempt to check their headlong career. At this
session no law of a general useful character or public
interest was perfected, unless we count such the
turning over of the canal to Chicago to be deepened.
The session of 1867 was still more productive of
private and special acts. Many omnibus bills were
proposed, and some passed. The contests over the
location of the Industrial College, the Capital, the

Southern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement
and Illinois River improvement, dominated every
thing else.

During the year 1872, it became evident that if
the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the
office of Governor, they could also elect him to the
United States Senate, which they desired to do.
Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu-
tive chair, and placed upon the ticket with him for
Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook
County. On the other side the Democrats put into
the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John
C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election
gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from
35>334 to 56,174, the Democratic defection being
caused mainly by their having an old-time Whig and
Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket
for President. According to the general understand-
ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature met
it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate,
whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena-
tor Oglesby 's term expired March 4, 1879, having
served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of
statesmanship beyond criticism.

During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was
nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the
State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor
of Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both
gentlemen "stumped " the State, and while the peo-
ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a joint
ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the
jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov-
ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. The
Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on
account of its equal division between the two main
parties and the consequent desperate tactics of each
party to checkmate the latter in the organization of
the House.

Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, with
_regular, well defined features and rotund face. In
stature he is a little above medium height, of a large
frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical appear-
ance is striking and prepossessing, while his straight-
out, not to say bluff, manner and speech are well
calculated favorably to impress the average masses.
Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol-
icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanism '
among Republicans, while at the same time his jovial
and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite
party from hating him.

He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehe-
ment, passionate and scornful tone and gestures,
tremendous physical power, which in speaking he
exercises to the utmost ; with frequent descents to
the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari-
sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadesi
vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis,
he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure.

TKUBKW
QFTBE

UIVERSITY OF ILUMB

. 'i , 'i . 'i . 'i ._', . >, . ', . ', . ', .,'r.i'i . '. . '.;' .Y . }' . Y .i 1 .-I 1 . Y . i 1 . i 1 ; i 1 . i 1 . i 1 . i 1 . j 1 ., P

j:OHN Me AULEY PALMER, Gov-
ernor 1869-72, was born on
Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Ky.,
Sept. 13, 1817. During his in-
fancy, his father, who had been
a soldier in the war of 1812, re-
moved to Christian Co., Ky.,
where lands were cheap. Here
the future Governor of the great
Prairie State spent his childhood
and received such meager school-
ing as the new and sparsely set-
tled country afforded. To this
he added materially by diligent
reading, for which he evinced an
eatly aptitude. His father, an ardent Jackson man,
was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which
he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831
he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County.
Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for
about two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's
mother broke up the family. About this time Alton
College was opened, on the "manual labor " system,
and in the ^spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his
elder brotherf Elihujfentered this school and remained
1 8 months. Nexryfor over three years, he tried
variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching.

During the summer of 1838 he formed the ac-
quaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his
gyVjy^/ft.

first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in
political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi-
dence, fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. The
following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be-
gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading
of law, and in the spring entered a law office at Car-
linville, making his home with his elder brother,
Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con-
siderable orginality of thought and doctrine.) On
the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad-
mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners.
He was not immediately successful in his profession,
and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville
had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty
was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes
the success of his life.

From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his
profession, he participated more or less in local
politics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. In
1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con-
vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 he
was elected to the State Senate, and at the special
session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slavery
sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op-
position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise;
and when the Nebraska question became a party
issue he refused to receive a re-nomination for the
Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuing
a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward,

168

JOHN MC AULEY PALMER.

however, hesitating to break with his party, he par-
ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nomi-
T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which
unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas-
x Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made
^ the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska
Democrat, and was elected. The following winter
he put in nomination for the ^United States Senate
Mr. Trumbull, and was one of the five steadfast men
who voted for him until all the Whigs came to their
support and elected their man.

In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State
Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in
1859, but was defeated. In 1860 he was Republican
Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861
he was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re-
publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace congress at
Washington.

When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his
services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the
I4th 111. Vol. Inf., and participated in the engagements
at Island No. 10 ; at Farmington, where he skillfully
extricated his command from a dangerous position ;
at Stone River, where his division for several hours,
Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a
rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major
General; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's
divisions for two hours maintained their position
when they were cut off by overpowering numbers.
Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the i4lh
Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign.
At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert
disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as-
4 signed to the military administration of Kentucky,
which was a delicate post. That State was about
^ half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter
-element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves.
He, who had been bred to the rules of common law,
trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary
power over the persons and property of his fellow
men, with which* he was vested in his capacity -as
military Governor ; and he exhibited great caution in
the execution of the duties of his post.

Gen. Palmer was nominated for Governor of Illi-
nois by the Republican State Convention which met
at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination would
probably have been made by acclamation had he not
persistently declared that he could not accept a can-

didature for the office. The result of the ensuing
election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 over
John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee.

On the meeting of the Legislature in January,
1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was
that portion of the Governor's message which took
broad Slate's rights ground. This and some minor
points, which were more in keeping with the Demo-
cratic sentiment, constituted the entering wedge f jr
the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received
from the Republican party, and ultimately resulted
in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The
Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro-
duction of numerous bills in the interest of private
parties, which were embarrassing to the Governor.
Among the public acts passed was that which limited
railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum
of three cents per mile ; and it was passed over the
Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto,
the "tax-grabbing law" to pay railroad subscriptions,
the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The new State
Constitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was a
peaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov.
Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the
great Chicago Fire of October, 1871, was greatly
alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency.

Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has
been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and
has been talked of by many, especially in the Dem-
ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a
United States Senator. His business during life has
been that of the law. Few excel him in an accurate
appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles-
The great number of his able veto messages abun-
dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to
point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner
and an interesting?, forcible and convincing speaker,
though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his
dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with
appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot
and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is
above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy
complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament. He
has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social
in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his
habits of life, democratic in his habits and manners
and is a true American in his fundamental principles
of statesmanship.

beinj
ciate

OHN LOWRIE BEVER-
IDGE, Governor 1 87 3-6, was
born in the town of Green-
wich, Washington Co., N. Y.,
July 6, 1824. His parents
were George and Ann Bever-
idge. His father's parents, An-
drew and Isabel Beveridge, be-
fore their marriage emigrated
from Scotland just before the
Revolutionary War, settling in
^* Washington County. His father
was the eldest of eight brothers, the
youngest of whom was 60 years of
age when the first one of the num-
| ber died. His mother's parents,
James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated
from Scotland at the close of the
Revolutionary War, settling also in
Washington Co., N. Y., with their
first-born, whose " native land "was
the wild ocean. His parents and
grandparents lived beyond the time
allotted to man, their average age
over 80 years. They belonged to the " Asso-
Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of

America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid
was the training of young Beveridge that he never
heard a sermon from any other minister except that
of his own denomination until he was in his igth
year. Later in life he became a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still
holds.

Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed-
ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood
only by rigid economy and industry, could not send
him away to college. He was raised upon a farm,
and was in his i8th year when the family removed
to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was
very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000
inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a
farm laborer, teaching school during the winter
months to supply the means of an education. In the
fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at
Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently several
terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris,
Ogle Co., 111., completing the academic course. At
this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers
were anxious to have him go to college, even though
he had not money sufficient; but, njt willing to bur-
den the family, he packed his trunk and with onl
$40 in money started South to seek his fortune.

*mm

JOHN L. BEVERIDGE.

Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus
entered upon the battle of life.

First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and
Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which experience he under-
went considerable mental drill, both in book studies
and in the ways of the world. He read law and was
admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn
to love the institution of slavery, although he ad-
mired many features of Southern character. In De-
cember, 1847, he returned North, and Jan. 20, 1848,
he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark-
Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that
time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring
of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee,
where his two children, Alia May and Philo Judson,
were born.

In the fall of 1849, through the mismanagement
of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu-
lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to
earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb
Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro-
fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival
from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in
money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself
and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced
law, worked in public offices, kept books for some of
the business men of the town, and some railroad en-
gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed
to Evanston, 12 miles north of Chicago, a place then
but recently laid out, under the supervision of the
Northwestern . University, a Methodist institution.
Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial
agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge
prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law
office in Chicago, where he found the battle some-
what hard; but he persevered with encouragement
and increasing success.

Aug. 12, 1861, his law partner, Gen. John F.
Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of
cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a
company forit. He succeeded in a few days in rais-
ing the company, of course enlisting himself along
with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles,
111., was mustered in Sept. 18, and on its organiza-
tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at-
tached, Oct. n, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the
Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment
until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat-

tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days'
fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment
the greater part of the summer of 1863, and it was while
lying in camp this year that he originated the policy
of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac-
ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system.
It worked so well that many other officers adopted
it. In the fall of this year he recruited anothercom-
pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was
commissioned Colonel of the i7th 111. Cav., and
skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the
reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's
army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various
sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered
out Feb. 6, 1866, safe from the casualties of war and
a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men
idolized him.

He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with
no library and no clientage, and no political experi-
ence except to help others into office. In the fall of
1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving
one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced
law and closed up the unfinished business of his
office. He was then elected State Senator ; in No-
vember, 1871, he was elected Congressman at large ;
in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov-
ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby ; the latter be-
ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became
Governor, Jan. 21, 1873. Thus, inside of a few
weeks, he was Congressman at large, Lieutenant
Governor and Governor. The principal events oc-
curring during Gov. Beveridge 's administration were:
The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun
in 1869; the partial success of the "farmers' move-
ment;" " Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at
the Centennial.

Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov.
Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever-
idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial
paper at 7 1 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block),
Chicago, and since November, 1881, he has also been
Assistant United States Treasurer : office in the
Government Building. His residence is still at Ev-
anston.

He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in
De Kalb County James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet
Henry and Mrs. Isabel French.

Uii UBHARY

df THE
UMiVERSITY OF U.UU8S

HELBY M. CULLOM, Gover-
nor 1877-83,15 the sixth child
of the late Richard N. Cullom,
and was bom Nov. 22, 1829,111
Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa-
ther then resided, and whence
both the Illinois and Tennessee
branches of the family originated. In
the following year the family emi-
grated to the vicinity of Washington,
Tazewell Co., 111., when that section
was very sparsely settled. They lo-
cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at
the time occupied by a party of In-
dians, attracted there by the superior
hunting and fishing afforded in that
vicinity. The following winter was
known as the " hard winter," the snow [being very
deep and lasting and the weather severely cold ; and
the family had to subsist mainly on boiled 'corn or
hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In
the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom-
inent citizen and was several times elected to the
Legislature, both before and after the removal of the
capital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about
1873-

Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up
to agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had
opportunity during the winter. Within this time,
however, he spent several months teaching school,

and in the following summer he "broke prairie "with
an ox team for the neighbors. With the money ob-
tained by these various ventures, he undertook a
course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a
Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County;
but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu-
dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken
home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While
at Mt. Morris lie heard Hon. E. B. Washburne make
his first speech.

On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to
study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln,
at Springfield, who had by this time attained some
notoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being ab-
sent from his. office most of the time, advised Mr.
Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards.
After about a year of study there, however, his health
failed again, and he was obliged to return once more
to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs for
packing, for A. G. Tyng, in 1'eoria, and while he re-
gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in
a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he
went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City
Attorney, on the Anti-Nebraska ticket.

In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi-
dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as
such, he was at the same time elected a Representa-
tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by
local coalition of the American and Republican par-
ties. On the organization of the House, he received
the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicing

SHELB Y M. CULLOM.

law until 1860, he was again elected to the Legisla-
ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo-
cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow-
ing he was elected Speaker, probably the youngest
man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis-
lature. After the session of 1 86 1, he was a candidate
for the State Constitutional Convention called for
that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the
disgrace of being connected with that abortive party
scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In
1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but
was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap-
pointed by President Lincoln on a Government
Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of
Massachusetts and Charles A. Dana, since of the
New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the
Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at
Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty.

In 1864 he entered upon a larger political field,
being nominated as the Republican candidate for
Congress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, in
opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had
been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over
Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago.
The result was the election of Mr. Cullom in Novem-
ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he
was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by
the magnificent majority of 4,103! In 1868 he was
again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards,
another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes.

During his first term in Congress he served on the
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in
the Treasury Department; in his second term, on
the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territories ;
and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of
Ohio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro-
duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of
law in Utah, which caused more consternation among
the Mormons than any measure had previously, but
which, though it passed the House, failed to pass the
Senate.

The Republican Convention which met May 25,
1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the
other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten-
ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor
of the Chica'go Journal. For the same offices the
Democrats, combining with the Anti-Monopolists,
placed in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy

farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The
result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom
obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated
Jan. 8, 1877.

Great depression prevailed in financial circles at
this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of
1873 and afterward, the effect of which had seemed
to gather force from that time to the end of Gov.
Cullom 's first administration. This unspeculative
period was not calculated to call forth any new
issues, but the Governor's energies were at one time
put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that
had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring
classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East
St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring
men for a short time refused to work or allow others
to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and
the wheels of industry again set in motion.

In May, 1880, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by
the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the
Democrats; and although the former party was some-
what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous
faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant
men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected
by about 314,565, to 277,532 for the Democratic State
ticket. The Greenback vote at the same time was
about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again
became Republican, and no representative of the
Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov.
Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 1881. In his mes-
sage he announced that the last dollar of the State
debt had been provided for.

March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as United
States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul-
lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted
Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov-
ernorship. Senator Cullom 's term in the United
States Senate will expire March 4, 1889.

As a practitioner oflaw Mr. C. has been a member
of the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, at Spring-
field ; and he has also been President of the State
National Bank.

He has been married twice, the first time Dec.
12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had
two daughters ; and the second time May 5, 1863,
to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr.
C. is also in sympathy.

1W UBHABY
THE

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

OHN MARSHALL HAMIL-
TON, Governor 1883-5, was
born May 28, 1847, in a log
house upon a farm about two
miles from Richwood, Union
County, Ohio. His father was
Samuel Hamilton, the eldest son
of Rev. Wm. Hamilton, who, to-
gether with his brother, the Rev.
Samuel Hamilton, was among the
early pioneer Methodist preachers in
Ohio. The mother of the subject of
this ^ketch was, before her marriage,
M^t^Nancy McMorris, who was
born and raised in Fauquier or Lou-
doun County, Va., and related to the
two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well
known in that commonwealth ; and from the latter
family name was derived the middle name of Gov.
Hamilton.

In March, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's father sold out
his little pioneer forest home in Union County, O.,
and, loading his few household effects and family
(of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons,
moved to Roberts Township, Marshall Co., 111., being
2 1 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams
and innumerable hardships and privations met them !
on their way. Their new home had been previously |
selected by the father. Here, after many long years j
of toil, they succeeded in paying for the land and j
making a comfortable home. John was, of course, I

A (g^ag^L,

brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling
except three or four months in the year at a common
country school. However, he evinced a capacity
and taste for a high order of self-education, by
studying or reading what books he could borrow, as
the family had but very few in the house. Much of
his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in
the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial
panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing
their home, to pay debts ; but the father and two
sons, William and John, "buckled to" and perse-
vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed
their place from the mortgage.

When the tremendous excitement of the political
campaign of 1860 reached the neighborhood of Rob-
erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been
brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal-
ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Making special
efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he
joined a company of Lincoln Wide-Awakes at Mag-
nolia, a village not far away. Directly after the
ensuing election it became evident that trouble
would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake
company, like many others throughout 1 the country,
kept up its organization and transformed itself into a
military company. During the ensuing summer they
met often for drill and became proficient ; but when
they offered themselves for the war, young Hamilton
was rejected on account of his youth, he being then
but 14 years of age. During the winter of 1863-4 he
attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County,

I
r:

JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON.

and in the following May he again enlisted, for the
fourth time, when he was placed in trfe 141 st 111.
Vol. Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111.,
for the too-day service. He took with him 13 other
lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the
service. This regiment operated in Southwestern
Kentucky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine.

The following winter, 1864-5, Mr. Hamilton taught
school, and during the two college years 1865-7, he
went through three years of the curriculum of the
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The
third year he graduated, the fourth in a class of 46,
in the classical department. In due time he received
the degree of M. A. For a few months he was the
Principal of Marshall " College " at Henry, an acad-
emy under the auspices of the M. E. Church. By
this time he had commenced the study of law, and
after earning some money as a temporary Professor
of Latin at the Illinois Wesleyan University at
Bloomington, he entered the law office of Weldon,
Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member of
this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge.
Admitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamilton
was given an interest in the same firm, Tipton hav-
ing been elected Judge. In October following he
formed a partnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time
Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then
small, but they increased it to very large proportions,
practicing in all grades of courts, including even the
U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continued
unbroken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamilton
was sworn in as Executive of Illinois. On the 4th
of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con-
gress.

In July, 1871, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen
M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Win. G. Williams,
Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan University.
Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son.

In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re-
publicans for the State Senate, over other and older
competitors. He took an active part " on the stump "
in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was
elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic-
Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on
the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti-
tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel-
lany ; and during the contest for the election of a
U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re-

elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war chief on
every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi-
cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and
the Democrats and Independents elected Judge
David Davis. At this session, also, was passed the
first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of
which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, against so
much opposition that the bill was several times
" laid on the table." Also, this session authorized
the location and establishment of a southern peni-
tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the session
of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President pro tern.
of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John
A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who was this time
elected without any trouble.

In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on
the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his
principal competitors before the Convention being
Hon. Wm. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of Wabash
County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and
Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged
actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected
by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor,
he presided almost continuously over the Senate in
the 32d General Assembly and during the early days
of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship.
When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullom
to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton
succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the
oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the
annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon
taking up another's administration. The principal
events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as
the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis-
aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison
Counties in May, 1883, the appropriations for the
State militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license
liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc.

The Governor was a Delegate at large to the
National Republican Convention at Chicago in June,

1884, where his first choice for President was John
A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but
he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr.
Blaine, true to his party.

Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30,

1885, when the great favorite "Dick " Oglesby was
inaugurated.

ILLINOIS.

A r~v ^mJdSL^'

^>56e^

:-'

INTRODUCTORY.

E value of history lies, in a
great degree, in the biogra-
phy of the personages con-
cerned therein. The annals
of the settlers delineate the
pioneer period, while those
of the later residents exhibit
the progress of the country and the
status" of the present generation.
De Kalb County gives a vivid illus-
tion of these statements ; but its
wonderful pioneer era laps upon
its present period in a manner so
gradual that there is really no dis-
tinctive line of demarcation. Many
of those whose efforts gave the
country its earliest impetus may
be seen upon its thorjugh fares ; many of the
haracters in the day of its first things are still on
ie stage, and watch with keen-eyed alertness the
anipulations. successes and reverses of the present
ly, still jealous for the reputation of the county and
agerly solicitous for her substantial and permanent
progress.

The compilers of these records strive to establish
eir claim for biographical integrity, preparing the
flatter from the stand-point of no man's prejudice,
e full scope of the personal record here is to

>X5S- ^^ &

demonstrate the exact relation of every individual
represented to the generations of the past and of the
present.

Succeeding ages sweep away the debris of human
errors and perpetuate the real greatness of a com-
munity. Character stands out statuesque, and events
cluster about individuals, forming the grandest and
truest historical structure of which any age is capa-
ble. Only biography can fitly represent the founda-
tion, progress and ultimatum of local history, and
portray with perfect justice the precise attitude and
relation of men to events and conditions.

This County is justly proud of her pioneer record,
and, so far as possible, the publishers have endeav-
ored to honor the representatives of that period as
well as those of to-day. Labor and suffering, under-
gone in the light of hope and the earnestness of
honest effort and toil, established this county in per-
manent prosperity, and is rounding up a period of
glorious completeness. Her villages are creditable,
her agricultural community is composed of the best
class, and her professional men are of marked in-
tegrity.

In collecting the following sketches the purpose
has been to collect the main points of personal
record, through which the enterprise of decades to
follow may complete a perfect and continuous his-
torical outline from the earliest settlement of the
county to the present time.

OF THE

DE KALB COUNTY.

REUBEN ELLWOOD,
Member of Congress from
the Fifth District of Illi-
nois, resident at Sycamore,
was born Feb. 17, 1821,
in Minden, Montgomery
Co., N. Y., and is the son
of Abraham and Sarah (Delong) Ell-
wood. He was a boy of robust phy-
sique, active, vigorous and energetic,
and possessing ambitions and aspir-
ations which were the direct out-
growth of his temperament and were
fostered by the circumstances which
surrounded him and the period in
which his consciousness awoke to
the possibilities before him. His primary education
was obtained in a desultory manner, the result,
partly of a boy's restlessness and impatience with
deterring conditions, and partly arising from uncon-
trollable causes.

At 1 6 years of age he was fully imbued with
a determination to get on in the world, and in the
summer jf 1837 lie came to De Kalb County, in
the belief that he should find the requisite opportu-
nity, and willing to confront any necessity and make
any effort to secure the desired end. ' He entered a
claim of 160 acres of land in the vicinity of Sycamore
and continued to find employment among the farmers
of that township about four years, when he was com-

pelled to return to his father's home in the State ot
New York, his health having become materially im-
paired. His experience had impressed him with the
necessity of a broader mental culture, and after a rest
of six months he became a student of Cherry Valley
Academy, an institution which was even then famous
and exerting a sensible influence throughout adjoin-
ing districts. Mr. Ell wood studied under its excel-
lent regulations with resolution and purpose.

He was a youth with convictions. Public affairs
in his native State and national conditions shaped
his sentiments and guided his ideas of business and
politics into channels in which he has moved un-
swervingly. In those good old days, which trained
and developed the element upon which the peerless
West planted her feet with audacious courage and
rose to her matchless supremacy, the necessity of
achievement incumbent on every human soul was
instilled into every youth who was moving away
from boyish things and toward the good of man-
hood.

Mr. Ell wood early resolved on a career of business
activity, and accordingly embraced the first oppor-
tunity which offered, to set himself about doing some-
thing. He went to Glenville, Schenectady County,
which adjoined chat of his nativity, and engaged in
raising broom-corn and in the manufacture of brooms,
operating in that line of business about eight years.

In 1857 he came to Illinois, again tempted by the
example of others who had come hither earlier and
made satisfactory tests of the promise of the State so

DE KALB COUNTY.

rich and full that they bore with them the impress of
fable, and also impelled by the craving for broader
and less crowded fields for action and advancement.
He became associated in the hardware business with
his brother, Alonzo Ellwood, at Sycamore, and at the
same time operated in real estate.

A fundamental principle upon which Mr. Ellwood
has always based any scheme of business is, that
general progress affords substantial foundation for the
upbuilding of individual interests, and, in view of
this opinion, about the year 1870 he embarked in the
manufacture of agricultural implements at Sycamore.
In 1875 he entered upon the construction of the
buildings now constituting the factory of the R. Ell-
wood Manufacturing Company, in which he invested
$50,000, and which were completed'in October of the
same year. The result has demonstrated the wisdom
of the project, as the enterprise has proved most
valuable for the growth and prosperity of Sycamore.
The excellent quality of the products and the judi-
cious administration of the business relations of the
incorporated company, have established its repute in
point of importance and value to De Kalb County>
and as second to none of similar scope in Northern
Illinois. The machinery produced acquired speedy
popularity from its adaptability to the needs of the
farmers and the period in which it was introduced,
agricultural industries being at the acme of their suc-
cess. The substantial condition of the business and
its importance to the section in which it is located is
primarily due to its inceptor, founder and promoter.
The mental organism peculiar to Mr. Ellwood gave
him an early impetus toward politics. He became
"eager for the fray," into which the nation was hur-
ried by the rapid march of events, precipitated by the
agitations which took on alarming proportions during
the administration of Van Buren and expanded the
innate principles of the Whig party to a completeness
of development in which they have since stood forth
with statuesque perspicuity. The manifest candor of
Mr. Ellwood's attitude in political affairs gave him
prominence from the outset, and his activity in local
matters while a resident of Glenville, where he was a
member of the Board of Supervisors, brought him be-
fore the people of his district as a candidate for the
State Assembly, whither he was sent as a Legislator
n 1851. He identified himself with the issues of
the Republican party in the same energetic spirit
hich had hitherto characterized his actions, and he

ididato

Dnimak

entien

was made a Delegate to the Convention at Phi
phia which nominated Fremont in 1856.

Coming to Illinois, he developed the same ac
in political as in business possibilities, and the R
publican element of De Kalb County
recognized his fitness for official advancement.
1868 he was the unanimous choice of the Repub
licans of De Kalb County for Representative t
the 42d Congress of the United States from th
Fourth District of Illinois. He was elected to tha
position in 1872, scoring a success over the Candida
of the opposition by 7,800 majority. His reno
tion in 1884 was a signal triumph, not a disse
vote in either town caucus, County or Congressionl
Conventions being cast against him, and he wa
elected by 11,076 majority. The facts pertaining t
his second election to Congress are sufficient ev
dence of the quality of the services he rendered h
constituency in the Legislative halls of the nation.

Mr. Ellwood has been active and efficient in loca
politics and was the first Mayor of Sycamore af5
the incorporative act was passed which made th&
municipality a city. In 1866 he was appointaS!
United States Assessor of Internal Revenue, and o
cupied the position until it was abolished. In tE5
various public projects for the advancement of tl^ /
.city, Mr. Ellwood has been among the foremost, an
in all his movements is controlled by consideraticf
for the permanent progress and prosperity of h
town, county and State. He is the heaviest stock
holder in the manufacturing company which
designated by .his name, and is also its presidin
official. He was one of the organization whic
built and established the Sycamore Preserving W
and is still one of the stock-holders. He also hols
the same relations in the Marsh Binder Company
Sycamore. On the occasion of the building of
Sycamore & Cortland Railroad, he was a prim
actor in securing its construction, was one of il
chief stock-holders and expended a. vast deal of tim
in the accomplishment of the project.

Mr. Ellwood is the proprietor of the busing
building at Sycamore known as the Georges Block
one of the most valuable of the edifices of that citj ^
three stories high and built of brick. His residence
located on State Street opposite Ward's Hotel, ari
the grounds attached, cost $28,000. The structu* \
is tasteful and elegant, and is fitted with steam heafe
ing apparatus and with gas for lighting purposes.!

>~\ ^jm^-t^ ttAvgvX^/??)

-^ v ^ > ^ - ^ynsgr^z

y j

KALB COUNTY.

Mrs. Ellwood, formerly Miss Eleanor Vedder, was
born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., and became the
wife of Reuben Ellwood Aug. 8, 1849. Six children
constitute the issue of their union, and were born in
the following order: Abram, Albert, Frank, Katie,
Jennie and Alida. The second and third sons are
deceased. The oldest is interested in the R. Ell-
wood Manufacturing Company and is the sole pro-
prietor of the department for the manufacture of
Barbed Wire Stretchers. Katie married Frank All-
port, M. D., of Minneapolis.'

Biography, pure and simple, is an exact portrayal
of the relations a man bears to his generation. The
definitive traits which characterize Mr. Ellwood, the
spirit of enterprise by which he is actuated, his
probity and rectitude, his tolerant estimate of his
fellow men and his capacity to recognize, seize and
mold opportunity to the accomplishment of a pur-
pose, distinguish him in all his associations, public
and private. His thorough identification with the
people of whom he is oire, and his devotion to their
paramount interests is the animating cause of his
oopularity as a man and citizen of Sycamore, in which
he is second to none.

The PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF DE
KALB COUNTY presents the unique feature of por-
traying the lineaments of the six members of the
Ellwood brothers who are among its citizens. That
of the Hon. Reuben Ellwood, M. C., appears on a
preceding page, and will be warmly received, for
obvious reasons. Like the others of the Ellwood
fraternity, he is a fine sample of physical develop-
ment, and the value of his portrait as an addition to
the collection in this volume is commensurate with
his public and private character.

pharles H. Chamberlain, farmer and stock-
man, located on sections 22 and 8, Frank-
lin Township, was born March 18, 1849, near
Belvidere, Boone Co., 111. William H. Cham-
berlain, his father, was a native of Massachu-
setts and of Yankee lineage. He married
Sarah Hart, a lady of the same nativity and similar
descent. They located in Boone County, about 1840,
the father becoming an extensive landholder and a
prominent citizen. His death occurred in Septem-

ber, 1873, when he was 55 years of age. He was a T
Democrat in political preferences. The mother is
67 years of age (1885) and still remains at Belvidere.
Mr. Chamberlan obtained a district-school educa-
tion, and was a pupil in that variety of institution
until he was 16 years of age, when he began his ca-
reer as an independent farmer, taking possession of a
farm owned by his father in Franklin Township, in
whose interest he conducted his operations until his
father died. He received 280 acres from the division
of the estate and has since engaged without intermis- v
sion in the prosecution of his agricultural interests.
He rents an additional 120 acres, and makes a spe-
cialty of raising sheep, breeding the Merinos. He is
the eldest of six children, and inherits his father's
political views.

ames Warner, merchant at Sandwich,
wa born Aug. 7, 1833, in Jackson,
Washington Co., N. Y. His parents, Will-
iam S. and Sarah (Coulter) Warner, were born
in the State of New York and died in Wash-
ington County. Mr. Warner is the second of
eight children, six of whom are living. Mary is the
wife of A. Williams, a wholesale grocer of Troy,
N. Y. Elizabeth is a widow, and is a resident of
Cambridge, N. Y. Sylvester is a farmer, and Sarah
is now Mrs. William J. Stevenson. Both live in their
native State. Henry and Fannie are deceased ; Lilly
is the wife of Henry Billings.

The early years of the life of Mr. Warner were
spent on the farm and as a clerk in his father's store
at Cambridge. He. had just passed liis majority,
when, in 1855, he came to Sandwich. During the
four years ensuing he taught four terms of winter
school and alternated his labors as a pedagogue by
clerking. When the Illinois & Mississippi Telegraph
Company opened an office at Sandwhich, Mr. War-
ner became an operator, and officiated at intervals
in that capacity several years.

In 1859 he embarked in a mercantile enterprise
with an associate under the firm style, of J. Warner
& Co., and engaged in the sale of clothing about
five years. In 1865, in partnership with Robert
Stewart, he established a local trade in clothing,
boots, shoes and also managing a tailor shop, and

KALB COUNTY.

shop for the manufacture of boots and shoes. A few
years later Mr. Stewart sold his interest to George W.
Davis, and the new firm continued operative about
four years. Since that time Mr. Warner has prose-
cuted his business interests singly. In April, 1868,
he located at his present stand, where he exhibits a
fine line of goods common to his branch of trade
and is doing a properous business.

He was united in marriage at Sandwich, July 4,
1861, to Charlotte B. Townsend. Their five children
were born in Sandwich in the following order:
Frankie, James Leroy, Estella, Bessie and Henry S.

Mr. Warner belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

i Ilia in L. Pierce, farmer, section 16, Ge-
noa Township, has been a resident of De
Kalb County since he was 21 years of age,
He was born Oct. 1 1, 1832, in Delaware Co.,
N. Y., and is the eldest of seven children.
His parents, Martin and Mary (Carpenter)
Pierce, were born in the State of New York,
married and settled there continuing to reside in the
Empire State until their migration to Genoa Town-
ship, in De Kalb County in 1854. In 1873 they
transferred their residence and interests into Belvi-
dere. The mother is no longer living, and the
father has since been twice married. The brothers
and sisters of Mr. Pierce were named, William L.,
Daniel W., Emmeline, Orrin, Charles, James and
Oliver. James is deceased. (See sketch of Orrin
Pierce.)

Mr. Pierce spent the years of his boyhood and
youth in obtaining his education in the common
schools and in farm labor under his father's instruc-
tions. Soon after he came to De Kalb County he
bought 40 acres in Genoa Township. He has in-
creased his estate by the further purchase of 50 acres
of land, and of the whole, 60 acres are improved
and cultivated. In political faith Mr. Pierce is a
Republican, and he has held several township offices.
His marriage to Sarah Smith occurred Oct. 16,
1857, at Sycamore, and they have been the parents
of three children, Maryetta, Robert J. and Arthur E.
The first-born son was killed by the kick of a horse
when he was five years of age, while leading the
&&>& *^ ^

animal to water. Mrs. Pierce is the eldest of three
children, and was bom Dec. 24, 1839, in New Jersey.

Her parents, Robert and Smith were natives

of New Jersey.

acob Seibert, farmer, in Franklin Town-
ship, was born Sept. 12, 1825, in Hesse
Darmstadt, Germany. His parents were

born, lived and died in that country. Mr.

Seibert was educated in accordance with the
' laws of his native land and remained there
until 1854. In the summer of that year he emigrated
to the New World, and on landing in this continent
made his way to Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., where
he passed some time as a general laborer.

He was married Jan. 4, 1861, at Belvidere, to
Christina Stenner. She was born Nov. 17, 1844, in
Hesse Darmstadt, and is the daughter of Valentine
and Macalina (Click) Stenner. The family look a
final leave of the old country in 1854, coming to
Illinois and locating in Boone County. The children
of Mr. and Mrs. Seibert were born as follows : Ade-
lia, Nov. 8. 1861 (married Dec. 25, 1878, to William
Adams, a farmer of Franklin Township); Fred, born
Jan. 23, 1866; and Reuben, born Feb. 26, 1873.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Seibert settled on
a farm in Boone County, where they resided two years,
and at the end of that time the former entered the
United States Army, enlisting Aug. 12, 1862, in Co.
G, 95th Reg. Vol. Inf., which was commanded by
Captain Bush, of Belvidere. The regiment wa.s at-
tached successively to the corps of Generals Logan
and Grant, and Mr. Seibert was a participant in 1 1
battles, the most important of which were : Vicks:-
burg, Memphis, Corinth and Mobile. He was slight-
ly wounded at Vicksburg, and sustained serious in-
jury to his hearing, from an explosion on the field at
that place. At Mobile his left arm was shot away
by a mortar shell from a mortar boat, and he was re-
moved to the marine hospital at New Orleans. On
sufficiently recovering to enable him to travel, he was
honorably discharged, obtaining his papers June 23,
1865. On returning to his family Mr. Seibert pur-
chased 40 acres of land in Franklin Township,
which he has added a similar quantity by later pur-
chase, and his entire farm is under excellent

DE KALB COUNTY.

193

provements. He is a Republican in political con-
nection and is a Steward and Trustee in the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Seibert is also
a member.

eorge W. Kirk, marketman at Kirkland,
was born May 8, 1850, in Franklin Town-
ship, De Kalb County. He is the son of
William T. and Louisa (Riddle) Kirk, whose
biographical narrative may be found elsewhere.
' Mr. Kirk was brought up on his father's farm
and obtained his elementary education at the com-
mon schools, after which he entered the excellent
schools at Rockford, where he fitted for matriculation
at Beloit College, Wis., and completed a course of
study there in 1870. He returned to De Kalb County
and located as a practical agriculturist on a farm of
1 60 acres, of which he became proprietor by an
arrangement with his father. He devoted his attention
wholly to farming and raising stock, and spent some
years in that avenue of business, finally relinquish-
ing farming and becoming interested in shipping
stock for the Chicago market. After operating ex-
clusively in that branch for some years, he added a
meat market to supply local trade at Kirkland, and
is now doing an extensive business. He is a Repub-
lican in political faith and action and has held the
offices of Village Treasurer and Road Commissioner.
He was married March n, 1880, in Kingston
Township, to Betsey Foster, daughter of Thomas
Foster. Her father is deceased and her mother is
the wife of H. P. Grout. She was born June 18,
'857.

herman A. Hall, farmer, on section r3,
De Kalb Township, was born Oct. 17,
1829, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y.
He was reared to the age of 16 in the county
where he was born, and in 1845 h e came to
Kane County, where he was a resident two
years previous to his removal to De Kalb County.
He bought 160 acres in the township of Clinton, De
Kalb Co., wherein he was engaged in farming until
, and in that year sold out and removed to De

Kalb Township, where he is now the owner of 1 60
acres of finely cultivated land, situated as above
stated. Mr. Hall is a Democrat. His father, Sher-
man Hall, was born in Connecticut, and married
Betsey (Hutchins) Hall, who was born in New York.
They came in 1845 to Illinois and lived two years in
Kane County, removing thence to De Kalb County,
where they resided during the remainder of their
lives. The mother died Nov. 19; 185 6, and the death
of the father transpired Oct. 3, 1863.

The marriage of Mr. Hall to Percis Lyon took
place May 25, 1859, and they have had three chil-
dren, Harold E., Asahel S. and another child who
died in infancy. The second son died when nearly
five years of age. Mrs. Hall was born May 5, 1839,
in Essex Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Asahel
and Adaline D. (Woodruff) Lyon. The latter was a
native of Essex Co., N. Y.; the former of the State
of Connecticut. In the fall of 18154 they settled in
De Kalb, where Mr. Lyon died, March 9, 1874; the
mother is still living.

bhn McDowell, farmer, resident on section
i, Franklin Township, is a pioneer of De
Kalb County and the oldest living settler
of the township where he made his claim Sept.
16, 1833. On that day, in company with
Robert Stewart, Reuben Penwell and Leisier
Carver, Mr. McDowell came to Franklin Township
from La Porte, Ind. The country was in a wholly
wild and unbroken condition, and the Indians still
loitered about the grove. Mr. McDowell remained
through the winter; his companions returned to
their homes. He was then 23 years of age and un-
married.

He was born in York Co., Pa. His father, William
McDowell, descended from Scotch parents and was
.a farmer, in moderate circumstances. The mother
of the subject of this sketch, Sarah (McLean) Mc-
Dowell, was of Irish birth. Both parents are de-
ceased. The son was " bound out " by his father
when quite young, and when he was 18 he was ap-
prenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking. During
this time he went to Bartholomew Co., Ind., and set-
tled there with the man to whom he was indentured.

DE KALB COUNTY.

Later they went to La Porte Co., Ind. In the year
named above he came, as stated, to De Kalb County,
and has been a resident on the claim he then made.
It consisted of 155 acres, to which he added by later
purchase, increasing his estate to 213 acres of valua-
ble land, 75 acres of which is still covered with an
original growth of timber. The exact point of the
location is designated Forest Grove.

Mr. McDowell is a Democrat of a decided and in-
flexible type.

He was married Jan. 31, 1839, to Martha Riddle,
at the farm house of her parents situated on the
Kishwaukee River. They had eight children, five of
whom are deceased. The parents of Mrs. McDowell,
John and Susan (Anderson) Riddle, were respectively
of English and Irish descent, the father being a na-
tive of Tennessee and the mother of North Carolina.
Both are deceased. They belonged while in the
South to the better class of society, and while there
were adherents of the Christian Church. Later they
adopted the tenets of the Seventh-Day Adventists.
The daughter was born April 2, 1822, in Jefferson
Co., Tenn., and came with her parents to Illinois,
the family locating on a farm in Franklin Township.

homas Dodge, farmer, section 27, De Kalb
Township, was born Feb. 2, 1809, in Dur-
ham, Lower Canada. His father, Abraham
Dodge, and his mother, Elcy (Cook) Dodge,
were born respectively in New York and Ver-
mont. After their marriage they resided a few
years in Canada, going thence to Vermont, where
they passed the remaining years of their lives.

Mr. Dodge was about the age of two years, when
his parents transferred their family and interests to
Vermont, and he was occupied in farming there until
the spring of 1863, the date of his removal to De
Kalb Co., 111. Previous to that event, he had in-
vested to a considerable extent in land, and on re-
moval hither he added to his proprietorship, and has
continued in that line of operation until he is now the
owner of 1,400 acres of improved land in the county,
chiefly under the management of renters. His herds
.include 100 cattle, 84 swine and 15 horses.

Mr. Dodge was married Feb. 6, 1836, in Mt. Holly,
Rutland Co , Vt. to Eliza Conant. She was born

^n.jOXfrjr' S~\

Sept. 12, 1807, in Townsend, Mass., also the birth-
place of her parents, Levi and Eunice Conant.
Three children were born of this union, Thomas W.,
Rollin and Lucien. The mother died March 23,
1875, in De Kalb Township.

In political views and connections Mr. Dodge is a
Republican. He has officiated four years as Justice
of the Peace. He was a member of the Vermont
Legislature in 1860-1 ; and is a member of the Me-
thodist Church.

Mr. Dodge is a true son of New England in char-
acter and achievements, bringing hither the thrift,
economy and industry which typify the best elements
of the eastern section of the United States.

rrin Pierce, farmer, section 16, Genoa Town-
ship, was born July 4, 1839, ' n Otsego Co.,
N. Y. His parents, Martin and Mary
(Carpenter) Pierce, were natives of the Empire
State, where they married and settled, remain-
ig until 1854, when they located in Genoa
Township. In the fall of 1873 they removed to Bel-
videre, Boone Co., 111., where the mother died a few
days later. Their family consisted of seven children,
William L., Daniel W., Emmeline, Orrin, Charles,
James and Oliver. James died from an injury re-
ceived while leading a horse to water, he having in
some way become entangled in the halter.

Mr. Pierce was 13 years of age when he accom-
panied his parents, to Genoa Township, and he has
continued a resident of that section of De Kalb
County since, with the exception of five years, dur-
ing which he was a resident of the Territory of Mon-
tana, engaged in mining and farming. His efforts
there met with only moderate success, and he re-
turned to the land of promise, Genoa Township. He
is the proprietor of 130 acres of land, which is all
under tillage with the exception of about 10 acres.
He has been a Republican since reaching man's
estate, and has served in several local official posi-
tions.

He was married Jan. 2, 1871, in Madison Co., N.
Y., to Mary Pyne, and they have four children,
Mary L., John M., Harvey G. and Ruth H. Mrs.
Pierce was born Nov. 29, 1846, in Oneida Co., N.
^^%f^ ^(a)

DE KALB COUNTY.

Y., and is the daughter of John and Sarah Pyne.
She is the second in order of birth and has three sis-
ters, Hannah, Lucy and Sarah.

t on. Charles Kellum, Judge of the Twelfth
Judicial O'rcuit of Illinois, resident at Syca-
more, was born in the (now) township of
Dimock, Susquehanna Co., Pa., March 16,
1821. Samuel Kellum, Jr., his father, was born
in New London Co., Conn., which was for many
years the home of his paternal grandsire, Samuel
Kellum, Sr. The latter was prominent in the affairs
of the Nutmeg State, and held a Captain's commis-
sion in the State militia after the close of the Revolu-
tionary War. Samuel Kellum, Jr., followed in the
traces of his forefathers; he was a farmer by in-
heritance and adopted the principles which were
promulgated in the community where he was bred to
man's estate by voice and deed ; he was a Whig in
politics, and when the issues of that element merged
into those of the Republican party he fell into line
and remained the stanch adherent of the organization
while he lived.

About the year 1832 he became interested in lum-
bering in the forests of the Keystone State, and
operated vigorously in that line of business for a
number of years. Later, he became a Justice of the
Peace. His death occurred Jan. 2, 1869, at Syca-
more, at the residence of the subject of this sketch.
Lucretia (Eldridge) Kellum, his wife, mother of
Judge Kellum, was a native of New London Co.,
Conn., and died at Prophetstown, 111., Jan. 2, 1879,
her demise occurring on the same day of the same
month, ten years subsequent to that of her husband,
beside whom she lies buried at Sycamore.

His ancestry, the period of his birth, and the occu-
pations of his father, were all instrumental in forming
the character and shaping the career of Judge Kel-
lum. He early developed the positive traits of his
maternal progenitors, who were of Scotch-Irish line-
age. It is an established fact that many of the most
prominent characters in the history of the United
States, and who exercised a molding influence upon
its leading institutions in law, politics and religion,

had their origin in the class who inherited traits so
distinctive as to virtually constitute a race. In men-
tal organism their predominating traits partake al-
most invariably of the same characteristics. They
are, as a rule, industrious, cautious, persistent, in-
flexible in morals and probity, and possess inherently
the quality which leads them to great opportunities.
Hardihood in effort invariably marks every step of
their progress ; and young Kellum exemplified this
latter trait in early boyhood. Previous to his twelfth
year he assisted on the farm. In his father's venture
as a lumberman he found opportunity for effort, and
he began as a teamster, later becoming a saw-mill
hand, going to school meanwhile and completing his
educational course at the academies of Montrose and
Mannington in his native county.

When he was about 18 years of age he was con-
nected with an engineering corps, employed in the
construction of the North Branch of the Pennsylvania
Canal, in which he was occupied nearly two years.
The year 1841 he passed as a clerk at Towanda and
at Troy in his native State, and in the year following
he began to read for the profession of law in the office
of Lusk & Little, of Montrose, where he passed the
time to good advantage, meanwhile devoting two
winters to teaching. In August, 1844, he was ad-
mitted to the Bar, and obtained employment in the
office where he had been a student, at $10 a month,
remaining there between one and two years. His
health became impaired and he passed about three
years in a desultory manner, praticing law occasion-
ally, and rafting on the Susquehanna, the latter
employment affording the opportunity he needed for
relaxation from office confinement and the exercise
required to prevent a condition of confirmed dyspep-
sia, with which he was menaced. The practice of
law being his natural element, he went to Towanda
and formed a partnership with Hon. Henry Booth,
now of Chicago, a relation which existed about 18
months. In 1854 he went to La Porte, Ind., and
passed nine months as assistant cashier of the In-
diana (stock) Bank, with his brother, Isaac S. Kellum.

In February, 1855, he came to Sycamore and en-
tered into a partnership with William Fordham.
Their connection remained operative about a year
and was dissolved by mutual consent. Since that
date Judge Kellum has been temporarily associated
with others, but has operated chiefly alone, and has

VQ ^^ ^^C<.

won a widely merited distinction as a practitioner
and jurist.

In the pursuit of his profession he has proceeded
in the even, equable method which is one of his
characteristic traits, and has earned a wider influence
than any other local attorney, never failing to secure
the same quality of respect from associates and
opponents while practicing as an attorney. The
strongest evidence of this is that during the course of
his legal practice he was retained on nearly every
case of importance tried in the courts of De Kalb
County, and his local popularity obtained for him a
large amount of business in other counties. His
arguments were logical, set forth in clear-cut, incisive
terms and bearing an irresistible influence, to which
his prestige is largely due. But above all is the dis-
criminating sense of honor which imbues his every
word and act concerning his fellow men, and which
commands the respect and esteem of his friends and
also of his antagonists in business, for he has no
adversaries in the exact significance of the term.

The records of the Courts in which he practiced
afford abundant proof of the superior forensic quali-
ties of Judge Kellum, as he has been connected with
some of the most notable cases in the Judicial his-
tory of Northern Illinois. His executive abilities
have been recognized in Sycamore from the outset,
and his appreciative townsmen have availed them-
selves of his eminent powers in local positions-
He was early made President of the Board of Trus-
tees, when that city was a village, and he afterwards
became City Attorney. He also served four years
as State's Attorney of his Judicial District.

In June, 1879, he was elected Circuit Judge, a
position he has since occupied, and whose obligations
and responsibilities he has discharged in the efficient
manner which has characterized his entire public and
private career.

The mental caliber of Judge Kellum is of the
quality that constitutes leaders in the profession to
which he belongs. We quote from the United States
Biographical Dictionary for Illinois, r883 :

"Judge Kellum was endowed by nature with a
judicial mind ; he was not only made for a lawyer,
but for a Judge, and his natural endowments have
been enlarged by a liberal education and long prac-
tice at the Bar. His mind readily grasps the most
difficult legal problems, and his decisions are not

s))@f| aa zmxj^ Q

only generally correct, but are marked universally by
the utmost fairness and impartiality. Seldom is it
that any error creeps into the record of a cause heard
before Judge Kellum, and consequently his decisions
are not often reversed by the higher Courts. On the
bench he is urbane and gentlemanly, and is universally
esteemed by the members of the Bar who practice in
his Court ; he is especially the friend of the young
attorney and, whenever possible, smoothes over the
rough path which that class are compelled to travel
before reaching eminence at the Bar. These quali-
ties make him one of the most popular Judges in the
State, and his friends confidently predict that he will
yet be called to sit on the bench of the Supreme
Court."

Politically, he was a Whig in the days of his early
manhood. The portentous events from the date of
his citizenship could have but one significance to a
mentality like his, and, true to his unerring instincts,
he became a Republican on the inception of the
party. Previous to his accession to his position as
Judge, he was a zealous worker in ils ranks and
served as Delegate in the District and State Conven-
tions. Locally, he wielded a powerful influence,
and for a succession of years officiated as Chairman
of the Republican County Committee. In his own
county he was second to none in ability, and in 1872
was its unanimous choice for Congress, but failed in
the Convention. When candidate for Circuit Judge
the next year, the Judicial Convention was ex-
actly divided between him and his competitor, and
the conflict between the opposing elements was
maintained through one entire day, through the suc-
ceeding night and far into the day following. There
being no indications of yielding from any quarter,
the assembly broke up without definite action, leav-
ing the people to settle the point. He experienced
defeat by a small majority. In 1878 a nomination to
Congress was tendered him, and the District urged
his preferment for the position ; but in view of his
judicial prospects he was inflexible in his adverse
decision, his wisdom and judgment in the matter be-
ing fully sustained by succeeding events.

Judge Kellum has recognized and discharged his
obligations as a citizen of Sycamore in the most fit-
ting manner, and has lent his aid and influence to
the furtherance of the public interests of the place
and assisted 'personally in placing them on a sub-

DE KALB COUNTY.

stantial basis. He has been a prominent factor in
the maintenance of her manufacturing enterprises,
and was a stock-holder in the Sycamore & Cortland
Railroad, in the Marsh Harvester Manufacturing
Company and, later, in the Marsh Binder Manufact-
uring Company. He also aided materially in the
earlier enterprises. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and of the Order of Knights Templar.

His marriage to Chloe Clement occurred March
1 5< T ^55' at La Porte, Ind., and two children were
born of their union. William C. Kellum was born at
Sycamore, Dec. 14, 1855, and is an attorney in the
place of his nativity, promising, by his application to
business, to wear worthily the mantle of his sire. He
married Laura A. McKinnon, and they have one
child Charles S. Samuel Kellum was born Dec. 22,
1857, is a salesman in the clothing house of VVill-
oughby, Hill & Co., at Chicago, and is one of the
most exemplary and popular young men that Syca-
more ever produced. Mrs,. Kellum was born at La
Porte, Dec. 31, 1833, and is the daughter of Wm. and
Caroline Clement. She is a lady of more than ordin-
ary strength of character, and in her domestic circle
her fine womanly traits shine pre-eminent. To her
the words, " Her children arise up and call her bless-
ed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her," apply
with peculiar force and truth.

Judge Kellum 's portrait appears on a previous
page. The reprint of his features in this work will
afford a general satisfaction. His mobile face has
been for many years one of the most welcome on the
streets of Sycamore. It bears the impression of a can-
did, manly, generous character, and a spirit wholly
untainted by selfishness. The photograph from which
the portrait was engraved was taken in 1885.

1 illiam H. Rowen, farmer and stockman on
section 26, Franklin Township, was born
on the farm on which he is a resident
Sept. 25, 1858. He is the son of Wm. H.
and Mercy (Caswell)' Rowen. The ,for-
...er was born December 3, 1799, in Hebron,
Washington Co., N. Y., and came to De Kalb County
in June, 1843, and entered the farm where he died
April 4, 1880. The family was among the earliest
settlers of the township. The senior Rowen was

twice married. Of the first marriage, to Betsey Gor-
ham (see sketch of S. G. Rowen), nine children
were born, and after the death of the first wife he
was married Dec. 25, 1856, to Mrs. Mercy Caswell.
She was born Jan. 7, 1822, in Union, Broome Co.,
N. Y., and came to Illinois with her grandparents
when she was 13 years old. ' She was married Aug.

2, 1840, to Marcus Caswell, a native of the State of
New York, born March 15, 1820. He was killed in
California in July, 1855, by the accidental bursting
of a gun. Mr. Caswell is survived by two children,
Charles H., born Nov. 2, 1841, a resident of Bre-
mer Co., Iowa, and Josephine L.,born Nov. 30, 1849.
She married Edward Gorham March 15, 1866, and
is a resident of Franklin Township. Of her marriage
to Mr. Rowen two children were born, W. H. and
Samuel P. G. The birth of the latter occurred Dec.

3, 1863. Mrs. Rowen, with her two sons, occupies
the family homestead.

id D. Brown, Mayor of De Kalb, and |{|
member of the lumber and real-estate firm =t
of Brown & Young, was born Aug. 26, f
845, in Belvidere, N. J. His parents, C. M.
and Catherine A. (De Pue) Brown, were natives ,- \
of New Jersey, and were respectively of English
and French origin. The family came to Illinois and
settled in Sycamore, where the father established
mercantile interests and became prominent in official
positions, among which were those of Circuit Clerk
and Recorder of De Kalb County. The family in- *
eluded three sons, of whom the two younger were ^^
Fred C. and Marshall L., and were the issue of the *&
second marriage of the senior Brown, in 1850, to
Louisa Jackman, of Sycamore. She was born in
Vermont and is still living in Sycamore. The mother
of Mr Brown died at Sycamore in 1849. His father
died there March 14, 1872. .

Until the age of 16 years Mr. Brown was a pupil
at school, and in i86r obtained a position as captain
of a steamboat plying on the Tennessee River. He
was employed at a later period as clerk in a store at
Sycamore, and was occupied in that capacity until
1874. In the spring of that year he entered into
partnership with C. A. Tyndall, of De Kalb, under
the style of Tyndall & Brown, and established a mer-

-^k^r ~**^3y?/Vv?i

DE KALB COUNTY.

candle enterprise. In September, 1876, Mr. Brown
became sole proprietor of the business by purchase
and continued its management until April, 1883,
when he sold to C. A. Reed & Co. In the same
month his present business relation was founded for
the purpose of engaging in the lumber trade.

Mr. Brown is a decided Republican and has been
actively interested in the administration of the mu-
nicipal affairs in De Kalb. He served three terms as
Councilman, and in the spring of 1883 was elected
Mayor for a biennial term. He is prominent in the
Masonic fraternity, and has risen to the 32d degree
in the order.

He was married Feb. 8, 1872,10 Alice J., daughter
of Hiram and Sarah (Dygart) Ell wood, and they
have two children. Zaida E. was born July 29, 1878.
Sarah L. was born Nov. 27, 1881.

rley B. Bowen, grocer and Deputy Post-
master at Kirkland, was born on section 26,
Franklin Township, May 29, 1861, and is
the son of Stephen G. and Emmeline (Baker)
Rowen. The record of the parents appear on
another page.
Mr. Rowen grew to man's estate on the family
homestead, and passed the winters at school in Kirk-
land. When he was 20 years of age he entered up-
on the duties of clerk of the Rowen House at Kirk-
land, which, was under the management of his
brother, Frank S. Rowen, and occupied that position
until his marriage. Soon after that event he estab-
lished the business in which he is at present engaged,
commencing with limited means in an unassuming
way. His energy and popularity, coupled with ex-
cellent management, has greatly increased his busi-
ness relations, and he is fast rising to a position of
equality with older firms in the same line of business.
Mr. Rowen is a young Republican of ardent type
and has been the deputy of his father several years.
He represents several insurance companies.

His marriage to Georgia A. Bell occurred Jan. i ,
1883. Mrs. Rowen was born Sept. 7, 1862, on the
farm of her father in Kingston Township. She is
the daughter of George M. and Sarah M. (Little)

Bell. Her father is a native of Pennsylvania, and was
an architect and builder by profession. He was of
mixed German and Irish descent. The mother was
born in the State of New York, of English and
French parentage. They came to Illinois before
marriage and settled on a farm in Kingston after that
event. In 1867 they removed to Belvidere, Boone
County, and thence one year later to Sycamore. Mrs.
Rowen was educated at the latter place and in Chi-
cago, where she attended school about 18 months.
She began teaching when she was 17 years of age,
and continued her vocation in De Kalb County until
her marriage. With her husband, she attends the
Congregational Church, and is a member of the choir.
Both are actively interested in Sunday-school work,
and are valued and esteemed members of society.

TUS B. Hopkins, farmer, sections 34 and
27, Cortland Township, and owning in all
165 acres, was bom in Erie Co., N. Y.,
in the town of Clarence, Aug. 7, 1812, and is
the son of Cyrus and Charlotte (Bissell) Hop-
kins. His mother, who was born Oct. 30,
Rutland, Vt., of Puritan stock, is still living,
near Beloit, Wis. His father, also of Puritan ances-
try, was born in June, 1784, in Great Barrington,
Berkshire Co., Mass., and died at Beloit, Wis., at the
age of 82 years.

The subject of this sketch, whose portrait ap-
pears on the opposite page, lived in his native
county until he was 26 iyears of.age, on the farm with
his father, in the meantime obtaining a common-
school education. He then came to Squaw Grove
Township, this county, and worked as a common
laborer by the day and month the first season. The
next year he took a farm, and rented farms for five
years, when he went out upon the " raw " prairie,
which he has improved and since made his home.
He first built a log house upon the place and moved
into it in 1844. Fifteen years afterward he built a
frame house, east of where he is now living.

Mr. H. has held the office of Constable in Squaw,
Grove, Road Commissioner for several terms and

School Director a number of years. In politics he is
a Republican, and in religious matters he was for-
merly a Methodist.

He was married Dec. 6, 1836, to Fannie Larkin,
who was born May r, 1815, in Green Co., N. Y., and
died May 7, 1873, on the old homestead in this
county. She was a Baptist. The second marriage
of Mr. Hopkins occurred July 3, 1877, in Blackberry,
Kane Co., 111., to Mary J. Gandy, daughter of George
W. and Mary (Meacham) Gandy. Her mother was
born Aug. 13, 1800, in Woodstock, Ct., and died
April 4, 1876, in this township; and her father was
born Feb. 3, 1804, in New Jersey, and is deceased.
By his first wife Mr. Hopkins had eight children, as
follows: Cyrus E., born Oct. n, 1837, and | was
married Feb. 22,1863 ; Charles H. was born Aug. 6,
1839, and married Dec. 7, 1871; William J., born
Nov. 29, 1840, died Dec. 27 following; John E.,
born June n, 1842, married June 14, 1870, and died
'Aug. i, 1884; Sarah J., born Aug. 6, 1844, was mar-
ried July 4, 1869; Albert J., born Aug. 15, 1846, was
married Sept. 3, 1873; Phebe A., born Aug. 14,
1848, was married Dec. 6, 1870; Fanny A., born
Dec. 27, 1850, was married Oct. n, 1870; and Mel-
vin M., born Oct. 3, 1853, was married Feb. 25,
1879. By his second marriage Mr. H. has had three
children, as follows: Pearl, born July 20, 1880,
died Aug. 14 following; Ross, born July 9, 1882,
died Nov. 3 following; and Daisy I., born Jan. 3,
1884.

ptain Henry C. Whittemore, senior
member of the firm of Whittemore, Cham-
berlain & Co., dealers in hardware, stoves,
agricultural implements, wagons and carriages
at Sycamore, was born Oct. 31, 1841, at Au-
burn, N. Y. He was seven years of age when
^ his parents, Lorenzo and Hannah (Kelsey) Whitte-
more, removed their family to Sycamore. His father
was born March n, 1807, in Leicester, Mass., and is
still a resident of Sycamore, where he operated as a
mechanic nearly a quarter of a century. The Cap-
tain's mother was born Dec. 25, 1805, in Ulster Co.,
N. Y., and died in March, 1879. They had two

children. Floyd K., the younger, is a banker in
Springfield, 111.

Captain Whittemore passed his boyhood and youth
in the acquisrtion of his education, and about the age
of 1 8 years secured the position of Deputy Circuit
Clerk, in which he was occupied until the era of
1861, which tried the mettle of every man and boy
within the Federal Union. The stuff of which Cap-
tain Whittemore is made was proven early in that
memorable year by his enlistment as a private soldier
in Company G, Second Illinois Light Artillery. He
was transferred, a few weeks later, to Company H,
which was detailed for service in the Ordnance De-
partment of the Army of the Tennessee, the office
being established at Cairo, during the winter of
1861-2, and also at Columbus, Ky.

In the spring of 1863 the command was transferred
to the Army of the Cumberland. In December,
1861, young Whittemore was made Lieutenant, and
he held that rank until July, 1863, when -he was
commissioned Captain of Battery H. He performed
the duties of the position until February, 1865, when
he was detailed as Assistant Adjutant General on
the staff of Gen. L. H. Rousseau, and served until
the termination of the war.

Captain Whittemore was mustered out of the
military service of the United Stales July 29, 1865,
and entered the postal service of the Government,
operating in South Carolina. In the spring of 1867
he returned to Sycamore, and embarked in the busi-
ness of tanning, in which he was interested about
two years ; at the expiration of that time turning his
attention to insurance, and later, entering the office
of the County Clerk as a Deputy. In 1873 he formed
a partnership with John B. Harkness and his brother
F. K. Whittemore, and founded the business in
which he^has since operated. The members of the
present firm are Captain Whittemore, W. G. Cham-
berlain and A. W. Brower. Their trade and business
relations in their line of traffic is the leading one in
the county, their invested capital being about $15,000.

Captain Whittemore is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and belongs to Lodge No. 1 34, at Syca-
more. He is a Republican in political convictions,
and has served his township several years as Super-
visor. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the
State Legislature, receiving a gratifying majority of
2,400 votes.

His marriage to Amelia E. Martin occurred at

DE KALB COUNTY.

Sycamore, March 14, 1864. Mrs. Whittemore was
born April 19, 1841, in the place where she has
always lived, and she is the daughter of Harry and
Jane Martin. Four of five children botn to Captain
and Mrs. Whittemore are living. They were born as
follows: Charles F., Aug. 24, 1865, died Oct. 20,
1871; Mary, Sept. 20, 1867; Harry, Sept. 25, 1869;
Cora, Jan. 19, 1872; Floyd, Dec. 8, 1874.

"ames M. Elliott, farmer, having 132 acres
on sections i and 2, Cortland Township,
was born in Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio,
March 27, 1820. His father moved to Union
Co., that State, whence he, when 1 6 years of
ag'e, in company with a half brother, John,
came with a four-horse team to this county, arriving
Oct. 8, 1835. John entered a claim east of Mr. E.'s
present place, but the climate aggravating his
rheumatism, he returned to Union Co., Ohio, where
he now lives.

The subject of this sketch made his home with
his half brother and worked around by the month
until his marriage, Jan. 4, 1839, to Miss Dilla Perry,
who was born Sept. 21, 1822, in Yates Co., N. Y.,
in Potter Township, and was 13 years old when her
parents emigrated to Illinois, coming all the way by
team and being six weeks on the road. Her father,
Matthew H. Perry, was born in Berkshire Co., Mass.,
in August, r796, of American ancestry, and is now
residing temporarily in Iowa, while his home is in
Burlington Township, Kane Co., 111. Her mother,
Pamelia, nee Briggs, was born in Providence, R. I.,
in April, 1 80 1, of American parentage. Her grand-
father on her mother's side, Caleb Briggs, was a
Revolutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Perry moved
to Ottawa, 111., in the fall of 1835, and the next
spring to Big Rock Township, whence, in the fall of
1837, the^ removed to Burlington Township, Kane
County, where they have since lived, although Mr. P.
resided a short time in this (Cortland) township,
while he was building a house on his farm.

Mr. Elliott's father, Alexander Elliott, was born in
Chenango Co., Pa., and died in r829, in Union Co.,

Ohio, of milk-sickness, while he was building a house
upon a tract of land he had purchased there, and
while his residence was in Clark Co., that State. He
had been married three times. He first married
Jane Chatfield, and she died, leaving four children.
His second wife was the mother of the subject of this
sketch, who left three children, all sons, James being
the youngest. His third wife was Sarah Moore, nee
Custer. Two years after his father's death the re-
mainder of the family moved to their new home in
Union County. The mother of the subject of this
sketch, Polly, nee Sweet, was a native of Tennessee
and died in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1821, when he was
but a year old.

Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have three children, viz.:
Henry M., born Sept. 18, 1840; Morris M., Aug. 12,
1842; and Clarence, Jan. 4, 1850, the first two in
Kane County and the last in this township.

Mr. Elliott is a Republican in his political views,
and has held the office of School Director. Mr. E.
had five brothers in the army during the last war.
Two, Hale and Samuel, died of disease in the hospi-
tal, and one Oliver H. Perry lost an arm at Savan-
nah, Ga., when Sherman captured the city.

lexander H. Durham, farmer, section 10,
Genoa Township, has been a resident of
that municipality most of the time since
his birth within its borders, which event oc-
curred Aug. 26, i84r. Henry and Jane
(Wager) Durham, his parents, were natives of
the State of New York. They were pioneers in
Genoa Township and residents of the village of that
name, where they died. Their deaths occurred
respectively in 1854 and in 1855. They were the
parents of 10 children, five of whom are still living:
Sarah, Sabrina, Ursula, Ethan A. and Alexander H.
Mr. Durham received a common-school education,
and when he was 14 years of age his mother died.
Being then wholly orphaned, he became an inmate of
the family of his brother-in-law, Julius Chipman, ot
Kingston Township. Eighteen months later he re-
turned to the place of his nativity and lived about
year and a half with one of his brothers. On the

TRUMftff
OF IK

UIIVERSin OF H.LHKBS

COUNTY.

death of the latter he engaged as a farm assistant
with his brother-in-law, James Merriman, for whom
he worked two years. During that time he married
and located on a farm nearly half a mile east of the
village of Genoa, to whose ownership he succeeded
by the provisions of his father's will. He occupied
the place seven successive years, when he sold it
and bought 80 acres, where he established his per-
manent homestead. He already having 160 acres on
section 15, adjoining that which was left him by the
death of his father, he now owns 260 acres in all,
170 acres under tillage, and 20 acres of timber on
section 31. Mr. Durham is in sympathy with the
Democrat element in political sentiment.

His marriage to Jennie Farr took place in Spring
Township, Boone Co., 111., Jan. i, 1862, and they
are now the parents of four children, Elmer E.,
born Oct. 2, 1863; Leonard P., born May 18, 1868;
Amber S., born March 2, 1870; and Roy H., born
Dec. 30, 1883. Mrs. Durham is the fourth daughter
and child of Oliver and Roxana Farr, and was born
Jan. 27, 1843, in Pennsylvania. Her brothers and
sisters were named Nancy, Mary, Armina, William,
Millard, Martha and Maynard.

Joseph F. Glidden, patentee of the Glidden
barb-wire fence, residing at De Kalb, was
born Jan. 18, 1813, in Charleston, Sullivan
Co., N. H. He is the son of David and Polly
(Hurd) Glidden, both of whom were natives of
the Granite State and were there married.
About the year 1814 they removed their family and
interests to Orleans Co., N. Y., and were there resi-
dent until 1844, when they came to Illinois. They
made a brief stay in Ogle County, removing thence
to the home of their eldest son, then a farmer in
De Kalb Township, and were inmates of his house-
hold through the closing years of their lives. They
had six children, Joseph F., Betsey, Eunice, Wil-
lard J., Abigail and Stephen H.

Mr. Glidden was in the second year of his life

when his parents settled in Clarendon, Orleans Co.,
N. Y., and entered upon agricultural pursuits. He
was brought up on the farm, acquired a thorough and
practical knowledge of its details, and interspersed
the seasons of labor by attendance at school. Pri-
marily, he was a pupil in the ordinary educational
institutions of the township, and later became a stu-
dent at the Middlebury Academy in Genesee County
he afterwards attended a seminary at Lima, Living-
ston County, in the same State. He formed educa-
tional plans with reference to a collegiate course, and
taught some months ; but, being of a practical turn of
mind, the field for immediate action, to which he was
accustomed by training, possessed an almost irre-
sistible attraction, and he engaged as a renter of
farms for some years, that being the common mode
of operation adopted by those who had their way to
make from the beginning. The figure at which the
acres of the Empire State were held precluded almost
the slightest promise of the advancement of a laborer
to a proprietorship, and Mr. Glidden began to con-
sider the feasibility of making his way westward.

In the fall of 1842 he proceeded to Detroit, with
two threshing-machines, of the primitive construction,
then in use, and spent 30 days in Michigan on the
wheat farms of that State, operating his threshers,
assisted by his brother Willard and two other men.
Finally reaching St. Joseph, on the east side of Lake
Michigan, he shipped the machines to Chicago and
proceeded to De Kalb County, where he passed two
years in the same avenue of business. During the
winter of 1842-3 he bought 600 acres of land located
on section 22, De Kalb Township, of his cousin,
Russell Huntley, and which he still owns. He resi-
ded two years in Ogle County, not taking possession
of his property until 1845.

Mr. Glidden's first marriage took place in Claren-
don, Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1837, when he formed a
matrimonial union with Clarissa Foster. He left his
wife and two children behind him when he started
for the West with his machines, and before his wife
joined him in Illinois the children had passed to the
spirit world. She came to Ogle County in June,
1843, and died the next year in childbirth. The lit-
tle daughter, for whom her own life was given, died
in early infancy. The children of this marriage were
named Virgil, Homer and Clarissa.

The second marriage of Mr. Glidden, to Lucinda

DE KALB COUNTY.

Warne, took place in Kane County, in October, 1851,
and they have one child Elva F. now the wife of
W. H. Bush, a merchant of Chicago.

In 1845 Mr. Glidden took possession of his farm,
(j' remaining its resident proprietor until 1877, adding
to its extent and increasing it to more than 800 acres.
It is a fine sample of the perfection of attractions and
value to which a prairie farm may be brought. In
the year named Mr. Glidden relinquished the per-
sonal management of his farm and removed to the
city of De Kalb, where he became an inmate of the
Glidden House, which he had built a few years
before.

The summary of the triumphs of American inven-
tive genius present a splendid array. Their relative
importance has developed a saying, which, perhaps,
in general significance, cannot be gainsaid, that
" those who add to the material wealth of nations are
greater than those that contribute to the comfort or
convenience of mankind." But analysis and time
must weaken the force of the statement. The man
who " made two blades of grass grow where one grew
before " may be a benefactor, but the beneficence of
his achievement becomes a question if the extra blade
is superfluous. It has become trite that the " inven-
tion of the cotton-gin advanced the South 50 years,"
and the progress of the North consequent upon the
invention of the reaping-machine is similarly estima-
ted. But for 40 years the question of fencing the
broad, beautiful acres of the prairie section of the
United States remained unanswered, and hampered
the farmers in all their projects; and there seemed
for years no remedy for the existent condition but in
legislation, a forlorn hope in view of the fate com-
mon to legal provisions in the hands of sagacious and
interested interpreters of the statutes. Stone walls
were utterly impracticable; the raids of the agents
selling Osage orange and willow cuttings, which
should produce self-perpetuating fences with the
celerity of Aladdin's lamp, were profitable to none
but their companies. With every tree that fell be-
neath the woodman's devastating ax, receded farther
and farther the hopes for fencing material.

Mr. Glidden solved the problem which had been
a standing perplexity of increasing proportions for
almost half a century, and by his invention of the
barb-wire fence placed his name on the list of en-
during fame with those of Whitney, Arkwright, Howe

and McCormick and a long catalogue of others, who
will move through the records and traditions of the
future as the benefactors of the world. The history
of the invention is interesting and belongs to the per-
sonal biography of Mr. Glidden and to the lasting ( '
records of De Kalb County. The earliest patents
for barb-wire fencing were issued in 1867, but the
material lacked practical merit and attracted com-
paratively little notice. Mr. Glidden interested him-
self in it, and, recognizing the utility and profit of a
saccessful method of constructing wire fence, pushed
a course of experiments as he found opportunity.
He cut barbs by hand and extemporized a process
by which they could be twisted about the wire. A
piece 30 feet long |was armed with the spiteful ap-
pearing prongs and twisted with a piece of smooth
wire by attaching the two to the axle of a grindstone,
the twist being obtained by turning the crank. The
fence was stretched in the barn-yard of Mr. Glidden
and proved a success. The result of the experiment
is still a fixture and feature of the barn-yard where it
was originally placed, and is demonstrating the prac-
tical utility of the device as thoroughly as at first.
The gratified inventor applied in October, 1873, for
letters patent, which he received in the spring of
1874.

Meanwhile, Isaac L. Ellwood, a hardware mer-
chant of De Kalb, had expended considerable time '
and money in experimenting with various kinds of
fencing, and Mr. Glidden laid before him the results
of his experiments, and they formed an association
for the purposes of manufacture. They rented a
small building and employed a corps of laborers,
consisting chiefly of boys ; but the speedy increase
of their business necessitated their removal to more
extensive and centrally located quarters, and in the f
winter of 1874-5 they took possession of their factory
at De Kalb. In the spring they opened business
with a working force of 30 men. Changes were
made from time to time, which were protected by ad-
ditional patents, and the manufacture of barb-wire
fence was continued by Messrs. Glidden & Ellwood f(
until March, 1876. At that date, the Washburn &
Moen Manufacturing Company, of Worcester, Mass., ,
purchased the half interest of Mr. Glidden and the rt
present firm of I. L. Ellwood & Co. was established.

Mr. Glidden received $60,000 and a guarantee of (*)
25 cents on every 100 pounds of fencing material

DE KALB COUNTY.

constructed. The latter rate has been reduced to
five cents per hundred weight, the enormous produc-
tion of the barb-wire fence yielding even at the roy-
alty of one-fifth the original stipulation a generous
income to the inventor.

Since 1876 Mr. Glidden has devoted his attention
to his first love farming and superintends the
management of his extensive tracts of farming land
in De Kalb County, comprising an extent of 1,500
acres. He is also engaged to a considerable extent
in stock-raising, and, associated with H. B. Sanborn,
is the owner of a cattle ranch in the portion of coun-
try known as the Panhandle of Texas, where they
are herding about 16,000 head of cattle. They own
280 sections of land, constituting 280 square miles
of territory, and requiring 150 miles of fencing, which
was erected at a cost of $40,000. Mr. Glidden owns
also a half-interest in a flour-mill at De Kalb.

He has also been active in the duties of his citi-
zenship in De Kalb County and Township, and in
1852 was elected Sheriff. He possesses the distinc-
tion of being the last Democratic official of the
county. He has served his townsmen as Supervisor
several terms, and performed the duties of other local
offices of minor importance. Mr. Glidden is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity.

Of his character and prominence a reliable esti-
mate may be formed by the sketch given. He is
essentially a member of the class descended from
the " grand old gardener," and he has remained true
to his lineage, which may be regarded as closely
akin to dignity itself. The farmer comes of a descent
whose antitype was molded in the freshness of God's
plan of man, and found fitting to inhabit Paradise.
The man who spends his life in tilling the ground
proves his birthright in the inheritance of a redeemed
world. Mr. Glidden has found no allurement in the
career of a capitalist, nor availed himself of the op-
portunity afforded by his sudden accession to wealth,
which has since flowed with a lavish tide into his
coffers, to grasp by the throat men of less fortunate
hap and turn their disasters to his own profit. He
remembers his days of toil and struggle, and takes
justifiable pride in the spreading beneficence of his
invention and in the well earned title of a farmer of
De Kalb County, pure and simple.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Glidden are pre-

sented on other pages. Their value to the biograph-
ical records of De Kalb County is manifest without

elaboration of statement.

ames P. Seaman, farmer on section 15,
Cortland Township, has land also on sec-
tions 14 and 1 6, 120 acres in all. He
was born in the town of Bovina, Delaware Co.,
N. Y., Aug. 21, 1830. His parents were
Ephraim and Naomi (Carman) Seaman, both
of whom have long since deceased. His father, who
was born in 1805. was killed Dec. 21, 1847, in
the township of Preston, Chenango Co., N. Y.
While cutting down a tree for a sick neighbor, it
broke in two about 16 feet up, and in chopping it
down from this awkward position it fell upon his
neck and broke it! He was thus found by James P.,
the subject of this sketch, and by a man who after-
ward became his brother-in-law. The senior Seaman
was also a native of Bovina Township.

When the subject of this sketch was n years old,
his parents emigrated with him to Chenango Co., N.
Y., where he lived until 1854. He then came to
Cortland Township, this county, and worked in
company with Amos Rogers three years, when his
mother purchased the present homestead. At her
death it was divided among the three children of her
first marriage, James being the administrator. Her
second marriage was to Robert Clark, a sea captain.
She was born Feb. 19, 1810, in the town of Bovina,
N. Y. Both her parents were of Yankee ancestry.
A great-great-grandfather was a seaman in the Rev-
olutionary War, a Major, and on that account re-
ceived a large tract of land, which he sold at six cents
per acre, it being in the Southern States.

Mr. Seaman was married Nov. 15, 1857, in Oxford,
Chenango Co., N. Y., to Miss Mary A., daughter of
Levi B. and Caroline E. (Olds) Jackson. Her father
was born Feb. 24, 1808, was a shoemakerby vocation,
and died Sept. 2, 1876, in Oxford, N. Y. Her mother
was born Feb. 24, 1 8 10, in Oxford N. Y. Mrs. S.,
the second child in the above family, was born Dec.
28, 1837, in Erie Co., N. Y.,and was a year old when
her parents moved to Oxford. Of the six children^
^yag^ )@\

DE KALE COUNTY.

in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Seaman, three are de-
ceased. The record stands: Carrie L., born July 10,
1860, in this (Cortland) Township; Arthur C., July
8, 1865, in this township, and died March 16, 1876,
and is buried in Ohio Grove Cemetery ; Nonie C.,
born Feb. n, 1868, and died in Cortland, Jan. 16,
i88r; Frankie, born July 12, 1870, died Aug. 25,
following, and is also buried in Ohio Grove Cem-
etery; May L., Aug. 4, 1871; and Lizzie H.,
Aug. 28, 1875, the last two born also in Cortland.
Mr. Seaman is a Republican in his political views,
and both himself and wife are members of the Free-
will-Baptist Church.

enry N. Olmstead, farmer, section 16,
Genoa Township, is a native of the place
where he has passed his entire life to the
present date. He was born March 4, 1851,
and is the son of Caleb and Samantha (Wager)
Olmstead, natives of the State of New York.
(See sketch of Caleb Olmstead.)

Mr. Olmstead obtained a fair common-school edu-
cation, which he completed by attendance at the
High School at Sycamore. When he was 22 years of
age he embarked in his career of independent man-
hood, and in 1884 purchased the family homestead,
which included 160 acres of valuable land, nearly all
being under cultivation.

Mr. Olmstead has been identified throughout his
career in political matters with the Republican party,
and has officiated in the discharge of the duties per-
taining to several local offices.

His marriage to Jane Wright took place at Genoa,
March 4, 1877. They have had four children, viz.:
Caleb, born Oct. 23, 1878; Olin H., June 22, 1879;
Nellie and Jay G. The two youngest are not living.
Mrs. Olmstead was born Aug. 9, 1857, in Sycamore,
and is the daughter of Royal and Mary (Siglin)
Wright, the former a native of New York, the latter
born in Pennsylvania. Her parents located at Syca-
more soon after marriage, and her father there en-
aged in farming. He died March i, 1872. Her

^^ff. ^^

mother lives in Iowa. Mrs. Olmstead is the eldest
of eight children. Her brothers and sisters were
named Frank, Asa, Charles, Amos, Jacob, Flora and
Hiram.

arles D. Carter, M. D., physician and
surgeon at De Kalb, is a native of De
Kalb County, having been born within its
limits Nov. 19, 1858. He is the son of Or-
lando and Huldah (White) Carter. (See
sketch of O. Carter.) Mr. Carter passed his
early life in the manner common in the training and
rearing of farmers' sons, and he obtained a fair edu-
cation in the common schools which he attended as
opportunity served, until he was 19 years of age, after
which he began the study of medicine with the
purpose of making it the vocation of his life. He
alternated his periods of study with farm labor, and
studied three years at Rush Medical College in
Chicago, receiving the authority of that institution to
enter upon the practice of medicine in 1882. He
established his business at De Kalb, and is steadily
gaining a substantial repute as a practitioner and
founding a successful career in his profession.

Dr. Carter is a Democrat in his political convic-
tion, and is one of the foremost in character and
promise of the young men of De Kalb County on
whom is the dependence of the future generation.

rederick S. Crane, farmer and stock-raiser,
sections 15, 14, 22 and 23, Cortland
Township, was born in the town of Mar-
vin, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 6, 1833, and was
only two years old when the family moved to
Du Page Co., 111., in 1835, coming in a two-
horse wagon, and settling on a tract of land before it
was surveyed. When it came into market his father
purchased it, and it is now owned by his brother.

5* ,. I .-

DE KALB COUNTY.

He was brought up on the farm. When 16 years
old his father died, and when of age he commenced
to establish himself near his father's homestead,
where he lived until the spring of 1869, when he
purchased 225 acres of land where he has since re-
sided. To this purchase he has since added, until
he now has a total of 400 acres. He received a
common-school education at Naperville; has been
School Trustee and Director; and in politics he is a
Republican. Both himself and wife are members of
the Baptist Church.

He was married Dec. 20, 1855, at Naperville, 111.,
to Miss Mary A. Bristol, who was born Feb. 18, 1834,
in Wethersfield, N. Y., and was brought by emigration
of her parents to Naperville in 1843, where they have
ever since lived, excepting the last few years. Mr.
and Mrs. Crane have five children, as follows :
Hiram D., born Nov. 3, 1856; Frank H., May 13,
1858; Myron F., March 7, 1860; S. Jennette, April
5, 1865; and Carrie M., Feb. 5, 1869, all at Naper-
ville.

Mr. Crane's father, David Crane, was a farmer,
and died in Naperville in 1849, at tne a S e of 4 2
years. His mother, Catherine W., nee Stolp, was
born Jan. 21, 1814, in Pultneyville, Wayne Co., N. Y.,
and is now living in Merriain, that county. Mrs.
Crane's father, Hiram Bristol, was born March 22,
1800, in Fairhaven, Vt, and is now living in Aurora,
111. Her mother, Sarah, nee Spink, was born June
17, 1804, in Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y., and
died May 9, 1869, at Aurora, 111.

/.enry H. Wagner, merchant at De Kalb,
was born July 6, 1847, in La Salle Co., 111.
He passed the years of his early life on the
homestead of his grandparents in De Kalb
County, coming to De Kalb in 1863. After
operating a few months as a clerk, he entered
the- army of the United States, enlisting in Co. K,
i32d Regiment of Illinois Infantry. After a service
of five months, he received his discharge and re-
sumed his former occupation of salesman for Win-
ship Brothers, of De Kalb, operating in their interests
but a short time, the business of the firm being inter-

/^NV^TY-^s.ft ' '^ B lllfl P ^1 B ^' / "V- T^

rupted by the death of the senior partner. Mr.
Wagner entered the employment of R. K. Chandler,
whose death in 1875 terminated the business, and
Mr. Wagner embarked in a mercantile enterprise in
his own behalf. He began on a limited scale, pro-
ceeded safely and secured a permanent foundation
for his present extensive relations. He is the lead-
ing dealer in general merchandise at De Kalb.
Politically Mr. Wagner is a decided Republican and
is a member of Merritt Simonds Post, No. 283 j
G. A. R.

His marriage occurred March 24, 1871, to Nancy
E. Waite, a lady who was born in the State of New
York, April 14, 1847. Of six children born of their *
union, four survive, namely, Eva L., Cora F., Elvin
H. and Nina L. Those deceased died in infancy.

dolph Elten, of the firm of Deily & Elten,
builders and dealers in coal at Sycamore,
was born Dec. 15, i84r, in Germany. His
parents, August and Bertha Elten, were born
in Germany and died there. They had three
children, Adolph, August and Gustave. The
latter is a builder in Chicago. The second son is
deceased.

Mr. Elten was instructed in his business by his
father, who pursued the trade of builder through his
life. He came to the United States in March, 1865,
and embarked in his business in Chicago. He was
occupied three years in that city as foreman in the
.sash and door factory of Frederick Schroeder, who
tranferred his business from the Garden City to
Sycamore, whither Mr. Elten accompanied and offi-
ciated three years in the same capacity. In the
spring of 1878 the latter formed an association with
Jacob Deily for the prosecution of a joint relation as
builders, and a year later began to deal in coal.
They employ about half a dozen men commonly and
have erected a number of prominent buildings at
Sycamore and vicinity.

Mr. Elten was married June 27, 1869, in Chicago,
to Caroline Evers, and they have had four children :
Hermann was born May 2, 1870, and died Sept. 19,
1871; Julia was born Feb. 9, 1872; Charles, April

DE KALB COUNTY.

19, 1875; George, Aug. 31, 1877. The latter was
born in Sycamore and died Nov. 14, 1880. The
others were born in Chicago. Mrs. Elten was born
in Baltimore, Md., and is the daughter of John and
Hermine (Buttner) Evers. The family attend the
Congregational Church.

>
^

hubal T. Armstrong, Deputy Clerk of
De Kalb County, resident at Sycamore,
was born Dec. 14, 1834, in Chautauqua
Co., N. Y. His parents, Dr. Thomas and
Joanna (Terry) Armstrong, were natives of
Washington Co., N. Y., and in 1831 removed
thence to Chautauqua County. When the son, who
is the subject of this sketch, was nine months old,
the family transferred their residence to Erie Co.,
N. Y., settling in Evans Township. In 1840 they
went to Wisconsin and settled in Union, Rock
County, where they were pioneer settlers. The
lather practiced his profession there 12 years, re-
moving with his family thence to Sandwich, De Kalb
County, where 'he established his business and has
since continued its prosecution.

Mr. Armstrong accompanied his parents in their
varied migrations, and was an inmate of the parental
household until 1861. When he was 16 years of age
he became interested in civil engineering and began
the practical pursuit of the business of operating as
flagman. While in Wisconsin in 1852-5, he was
employed at intervals in the Government survey.
In the year named he set out for an overland journey
to California. He prospected on the route and
arrived in the Golden State in February, 1862. He
had acquired a thorough knowledge of civil engineer-
ing and entered into the prosecution of that business,
in which he operated until 1865. In that year he
returned to Wisconsin and engaged in farming in
Rock County, in which he was engaged three years,
coming to De Kalb County in 1868. He interested
himself in agricultural operations in Milan Township,
in whieh pursuit he passed three years, removing at
the expiration of that period to Sycamore.

In 1871 Mr. Armstrong was elected County Sur-
eyor and continued to discharge the duties of the

incumbency until 1884. During four years of the
included period he operated in the interests of the
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, surveying lands in
Iowa and Dakota. In 1884 he was appointed to
the position whose duties he is discharging with
entire satisfaction to all concerned.

His marriage to Eunice Richardson took place in
1855. She is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y.,
Seven children have been born of their union
Hattie, May, Annie, Elizabeth, Carlotta, Nevada and
Arthur.

avid Wood, deceased, formerly a farmer
on the south half of section i, Cortland
Township, was born April 21, 1808, prob-
ably in Connecticut. His parents were John
and Phebe (Bradford) Wood, both of whom
died in Union Co., Ohio. His father was a
farmer.

The subject of this sketch spent his early, life in
Union Co., Ohio, and emigrated thence to the place
in this county where his widow now lives, and whsre
he died, March 24, 1861; he was buried in Ohio
Grove Cemetery. Having been brought up on a
farm and received a common-school education, he
continued working his father's farm on shares for a
time, and in September, 1835, in company with
George Gandy and four or five others, came to this
county. He made a claim on section i , township
40 north, of range 5 east, now known as Cortland ; he
erected a log house and lived here until i84T, when
he returned to Ohio, where he was married. He re-
turned to this county in the fall of 1843, at which
time the land came into market, and he entered it.
In 1855 he built a frame residence, which his family
is still occupying.

Once in early day, he went to St. Charles with an
ox team to get provisions, and on his return his team
gave out. He remained over night under an oak
tree, but could get no sleep, as he had to stir around
continually to keep from freezing. He had some
beef with him in the wagon, and the wolves were near
by, howling around, all night. The next morning he
had to break the ice to get his team over.

-x >

'"' '

OF THE
MHVERSfff OF HLHIfflS

He was married Oct. 27, 1842, in Union Co.,
Ohio, to Miss Ruth Cary, daughter of Ephraim and
Matilda (Gandy) Cary, both of whom died in that
county, the former Dec. 12, 1878, and the latter July
21, 1855. Mr. Cary, a farmer, was born April 9,
1790, in Pennsylvania, and Mrs. C. Dec. 15, 1801.
Mrs. Wood was born Sept. 24, 1825, in Madison Co.,
Ohio, and was two years old when her parents
moved with her to Marvin Township, Union County,
where she lived until her marriage. In her younger
days she attained great skill in the art of spinning,
flax in winter and wool in summer. Would often do
two day's work in one, without becoming veiy tired.
Indeed, she followed this[business more than ordinary
house-work.

Of her seven children, only one is deceased. The
names of all and dates of birth are as follows : John,
Jan. 9, 1844; Matilda J., Dec. 5, (845; Phebe,
April 21, 1848; Mary A., March 25, 1850, and died
Dec. 23, 1880; Elizabeth, May 14, 1852; Rhoda,
Nov. 3, 1854; and Malinda E., May i, 1859.

Mrs. W. is a member of the Church of the United
Brethren, as was also her husband, and in his
political views he was a Republican. The landed
estate now comprises 134 acres.

. orman Preston, farmer, section 29, Genoa
Township, is a native citizen of the place
of which he is a resident, and was born
Oct. 12, 1840. His parents, Justus and Sina
(Hall) Preston, were natives of Connecticut and
became pioneer citizens of De Kalb County in
1836, settling in Genoa Township. The father died
there June 2, 1847, aged 53 years, 5 months and 4
days; and the mother's demise took place Feb. 25,
1869, in that township. She was aged 67 years and
and 26 days. Their children were named Henry.
Augustus, Charles, George, Norman and Julia E.

Mr. Preston acquired a common-school education
and remained a member of the parental household
until he was 25 years of age, when he was married
and became the head of a family, settling in inde-
pendent life in Genoa Township. Mrs. Preston,
formerly Mary A. Hathaway, was born in the State

of New York, March 4, 1846, and is the daughter of
Edwin and Millicent (Rowley) Hathaway, who had /
seven children, viz.: Alonzo, Lydia J., Nathan R., $
Mary A., Alonzo E. and Joel B. One child died in *f '
extreme infancy, and also Alonzo, the eldest child, is .
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Preston were married at W-
Sycamore, Jan. i, 1866. They have one child, Sina
M., born Aug. 3r, 1872, in Genoa Township. Mr.
Preston is identified with the Republican party in
political views and connections.

nry H. Gandy, farmer, section 10, Cort-
and Township, occupying 115 acres on the
southwest quarter, was born in Trumbull
Co., Ohio, April 16, 1810. Both his parents
were natives of New Jersey. His father, H. H.,
was born Feb. 24, 1768, and died March 27,
1849, in Union Co., Ohio; and his mother, Sally, nee
Harris, was born Feb. 7, 1785, and died Sept. i,
1846, in Union Co., Ohio. Mr. G.'s paternal grand-
father died in the service of his country during the
Revolutionary War, in a hospital at Valley Forge,
and his maternal grandfather was also in the Revolu-
tionary Army.

When the subject of this sketch was only two years
of age his parents removed with him to Madison Co^
Ohio, where they lived 18 or 19 years, when his father
bought land in Union County, same State, moved his
family there and lived five or six years. Mr. Gandy,
of this sketch, moved to this township when he was
27 years of age, arriving on the very anniversary of
his birth-day, in the spring of 1837, and has lived
here ever since. To this place his brother George
W. had preceded him in the fall of 1835, and also
his brother-in-law, Henry Smith. Isaac Gandy, a
nephew, was also here : he has since died. Only
one man is now living who was a member of this first
settlement on this side of the Grove. All the other
settlements at that time were in the timber.

Mr. Gandy was married Sept. 12, 1833, to Lucinda
Meacham, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Snow)
Meacham. Her mother was born in 1808, and died
in Windham Co., Conn. Mrs. G.'s father was born
about 1772, and died in April, 1857, also in Windham

County. Mrs. G. was born Sept. 5, 1806, in the
above county, probably of Puritan English descent.
Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Gandy, all are
living, namely: Joseph, born Nov. i, 1834, in Union
Co., Ohio; Julia A., Oct. 7, 1836, same county;
Marcus, March 8, 1839; Jerusha, Feb. 15, 1841;
Matilda, June 4, 1843; Francis M., June 27, 1845 ;
and Andrew J., March 15, 1848. The last five were
born in this county.

Mr. G. has been Assessor tor many years, and has
been School Director. In politics he is a Democrat.

The portrait of Mr. Gandy, accompanying this
sketch, will doubtless be welcomed in this ALBUM by
the people of De Kalb County, and accordingly it is
with great pleasure that the publishers insert it in
this connection.

<,enry Lamson Boies, editor of the True
Republican, published at Sycamore, was
born July 5, 1830, at South Hadley, Mass ,
and is the son of Artemas and Susan (Lamson)
Boies. In the paternal line of descent he comes
of Huguenot ancestry. His patronymic also
unmistakably proclaims his French origin and refers
to the estates which his earliest progenitors received
from the sovereigns of France. By the persecution
of the Huguenots under Cardinal Richelieu they
were driven to Scotland, and, enlisting under Crom-
well, were sent to Northern Ireland, from which as
Scotch-Irish they emigrated to Massachusetts about
\ 1680.

\ Artemas Boies, the father, was born in 1792, in
Blandford, Mass. His natural abilities and educa-
tion fitted him for a high sphere of usefulness and
activity and he became a clergyman of the Congre-
gational Church, attaining distinction in his profes-
sion and, dying, left his sons the heritage of the name
he bore, ennobled by a life of stainless integrity and
eminent devotion to the trusts imposed by the obli-
gations of his ministry. In 1835 he moved his
family and interests to Boston, and five years later
made another transfer to New London, Conn., where
he died Sept. 20, 1845. The mother was born in
the year 1800, in Keene, N. H. In her widowhood

she returned to the place of her nativity and there
passed a score and a half of years, dying in Septem-
ber, 1876. Mr. Boies was the parent of seven chil-
dren, four of whom have passed to the mystic realms
of the life beyond. The oldest surviving son, Will-
iam E. Boies, is his father's mantle-bearer, and has
been a clergyman of the Congregational Church for
a period of years extending nearly to the time of his
father's demise. He resides at Long Meadow, Mass.
Lauretta M. is the youngest living child, and resides
at Rye, N. Y.

Mr. Boies of this sketch inherited the consumptive
tendencies of his family. He had been trained in-
tellectually with much care in his boyhood and
youth, and at 20 was seized with pulmonary hemor-
rhage. Change from the severe climate of New En-
gland was necessary, and he passed the winter of
1850 in the Azores, receiving benefit in more than
one respect, and returning to America by the way of
Liverpool and London. He went to Charleston, S.
C., to pass the winter following and taught school a
year in the Palmetto State. His health had improved
so much that he returned North with renewed cour-
age to engage in business. In 1852 he bought an
interest in a gunpowder factory at Catskill, N. Y.
Three months later he was again in the toils of his
former disease, and he -decided on a change of cli-
mate and a career which would give him the benefit
of open air. With this view he came to De Kalb
Co., 111., in 1854, and became the proprietor of a
farm situated in the town of South Grove. In 1858
he located at Sycamore. He now owns 20 acres of
land within the corporation of Sycamore, and also a
farm of 320 acres in Hand Co., Dak. He platted
Boies' First Addition to Sycamore in 1865. In 1871
he laid out a second addition, and a third in 1876.
In 1858, associated with John R. Hamlin, he initi-
ated the project which resulted in the construction of
the Sycamore & Cortland Railroad, connecting with
one of the main routes of the Chicago & North-
western Railway and now the property of that cor-
poration. In 1863 Mr. Boies became connected with
the True Republican, and in 1865 became its editor.
It is one of the leading journals of the county. He
is also the author of "Boies' History of De Kalb
County," a valuable compilation for purposes of sta-
tistical reference, which was published in r

Mr. Boies has been a valuable and important fac-

DE KALB COUNTY.

tor in the development of Sycamore. His enterprise
and public spirit have added greatly to the rate of
progress of this section, and he is widely known and
justly esteemed in all his private and public rela-
tions. He obtained the appointment of Postmaster
at Sycamore and officiated four years. His latest
public service was in 1870, when he was appointed
Secretary of the Illinois State Senate.

The marriage of Mr. Boies to Harriet S. Holmes
took place Feb. 9, 1858, at Springfield, Mass. Mrs.
Boies is the daughter of Alexander and Margaret
(Rumrill) Holmes, and is a native of Sherburne, N.
Y. Edward Irving, oldest son, was born Feb. 20,
1860, and is assistant editor of the True Republican.
Charles Artemas was born Jan. 3, 1863, and is a
farmer in Hand Co., Dak. Lucy M. was born Feb.
3, 1865.

^rasmus D. Walrod, a pioneer of De Kalb
County, was born June 16, 1816, at Oak
Hill, Montgomery Co., N. Y. His parents,
Peter W. and Mary (Wayt) Walrod, as well as
his grandparents, were born in the State of
New York, but the stock from which they de-
scended originated in Germany.

The parents of Mr. Walrod removed to Wyoming
Co., N. Y., when he was seven years of age, his
father buying a farm in Eagle Township. (The
municipality was then Allegany County, which was
afterward divided and Wyoming County formed.) In
1835 the family set out for Illinois, bringing with
them all their household effects in two wagons drawn
by horses. Mr. Walrod was then 19 years of age
and drove three horses attached to a heavy wagon.
In crossing the Black Swamp in Ohio, they were
obliged to double teams with other -immigrants in
order to ford the mud into which the wagon wheels
sunk to their hflbs. The transit consumed six weeks.
On arrival in De Kalb County the father and older
brother located at Union Grove in De Kalb Town-
ship, or what is now thus designated, the date of
their location preceding the Government survey.
The father and two oldest sons each secured a
claim on which log cabins had been erected, which

they occupied, and made puncheon for doors, floors
and tables. The senior Walrod retained ownership
of his claim about three years, when he sold and ob-
tained one in what is now the township of Sycamore.
He built a log house, entered vigorously upon the
improvement of the property, and died upon his
homestead, in 1844. The mother died in 1856.
They were the parents of nine children.

Mr. Walrod is next to the youngest in order of
birth. As soon as he arrived in De Kalb County he
made a claim in Mayfield Township, which was
"jumped" from him, and he secured another by
purchase from his brother in the same township,
built a log house and took possession. In 1839 he
sold the property for $1,050 and bought a claim of
L. D. Walrod situated on section 32 in Sycamore
Township, a part of which is now included within the
limits of the city. This was previous to its coming
into market, and when the opportunity for securing
his patent arrived he borrowed money and made the
entry according to the regulations made and pro-
vided. With the exception of a period of seven years
this estate has since been his residence. In 1850
Mr. Walrod made an overland journey to California,
which occupied four months and three days. The
party were well provisioned and spent their nights in
camp. The route would have been made in entire
comfort but for having overtaken three men without
provisions, with whom they divided, which necessi-
tated rationing the entire party. Mr. Walrod re-
mained two years in the Golden State and returned
by the isthmus route to New York, coming again to
Sycamore, where his family had remained during his
absence.

Mr. Walrod was married Aug. i, 1839, to Melintha
Powell, a daughter of Rachel and Ruth (Pierce)
Powell. Her father was born in England and was
married after his emigration to America, her mother
being of Massachusetts origin. Mrs. Walrod was
born in the township of Perinton, Monroe Co., N. Y.,
Nov. 9, 1817. Her father died while she was an
infant, and her mother afterwards became the wife of
James Cartwright. The family migrated in 1837 to
Illinois and located at Union Grove in De Kalb
County. The land included in the claim which Mr.
Cartwright entered is now the county poor farm and
under the finest class of improvements. Mr. and
Mrs. Walrod have but one surviving child, Walter

D., born March 13, 1843. He was educated in the
public schools of Sycamore, and has been twice mar-
ried. Mary (Wntkins) Walrod died three years after
marriage, leaving one child, Willie E. W. D. Wal-
rod married Amanda Denmark for his second wife,
and they have four children, Malintha, George,
Lewis and Walter. Ransom G., the eldest child of
E. D. Walrod, was born Oct. 30, 1840. He was ed-
ucated at Princeton, Bureau Co., 111., his health fail-
ing while at school, and he died Aug. 15, 1857.
Edward died in infancy. George C. was born Aug.
23, 1849. He attained to a fine degree of scholarly
advancement and was graduated at a commercial
college in Chicago, and'afterward engaged in teach-
ing. He died Feb. 9, 1875. James R. died in infancy.

'lea C. Pond, member of the firm of
Warren & Pond, dealers in watches, clocks,
jewelry, plated ware and musical instru-
ments, at Sycamore, was born Dec. 24, 1856,
in the towi.ship of Sycamore. His father,
Americus H. Pond, was born in Pennsylvania,
and came to Sycamore abo.it 1850, where he married
Amy Hollenbeck. They have five children : Emily
E. is the wife of D. S. Brown, a banker at Genoa ; C.
C. was born next in order; William L. is -an attorney
at De Kalb; Harry A. is a farmer on the family
homestead!; and Lizzie is the youngest.

Mr. Pond became a teacher at the age of 20 years,
and continued in the pursuit of that vocation until
the spring of 1882, operating in this county continu-
ously, with the exception of one term, when he
taught at Laddonia, Audrain Co., Mo. In April of
the year named, he entered into the partnership
known as Pond & Bacon, in the sale of jewelry, the
business of that firm continuing until March 3, when
he purchased Mr. Bacon's interest, and on the 2oth
of March, 1884, Mr. Pond consolidated his business
relations with those of George O. Warren. They are
managing a prosperous enterprise, one of the largest
in the line in the county. Mr. Pond belongs to the
order known as the Modern Woodmen of America.

He was married Sept. 30, 1880, at Sycamore, to
Etta, daughter of Edmond B. and Susan Sivwright

Harned, and they have one child, Ethel C., born 2?
Jan. 30, 1883. Mrs. Pond was born Dec. 7, 1858, <f
in the township of Mayfield.

ndrew H. Olmstead, farmer, section 17 >
Genoa Township, is the son of Caleb and
imantha (Wager) Olmstead, whose biograph- I
ical notice appears on another page. He was (5
born Jan. 12, 1836, in Delaware Co , N. Y. /
His parents came to De Kalb County in 1846,
and he has been a resident of Genoa Township
since he was 10 years of age, with the exception of
several months in 1874, which he spent in travel in
Colorado and California for the benefit of his health.
He is one of the leading agriculturists of his town- (
ship, where he owns nearly 1,000 acres of land, all ^
under improvements. His stock includes an average ^
of 150 head of cattle, 10 horses, and he fattens for r=
market about 75 hogs yearly.

He was married Dec. 29, 1859, in Genoa Town- e=
ship to Rebecca J. Eiklor, and they have been the 5
parents of three children, Cora M., born June 6, <
1866; Ada M., Sept. 13, 1869; and Effie R., Jan.
15, 1879. The latter died when two years and four
months old. Mrs. Olmstead was born Aug. 30, 1844,
in Erie Co., Ohio. She is the daughter of Frederick
and Jeannette Eiklor, both of whom were natives of
Ohio. Mr. Olmstead is a Republican by principle
and inheritance and has held several local offices.

ells G. Chamberlain, of the firm of Whit-
temore, Chamberlain & Co , at Sycamore,
was born July 27, 1837, in Williamstown,
Mass. Emery Chamberlain, his father, was
fanner and was born in Connecticut, Dec.
791. His death occurred Feb. u, 1876.
The mother of the subject of this sketch, Mary
(Brownell) Chamberlain, was born in May, 1794, in
Vermont, and died Feb. T3, 1871. Their marriage
took place in 1810, and the period of their lives
gether embraced 60 years and 10 months. Eight of^
their 13 children are now living (r884). Mary, tli

..-' i V><. /

COUNTY.

wife of R. Starkus Buckley, died in Little Rock, Ark.
Betsey died in youth. Laura married Charles Gard-
ner, and they went to the Indian Territory, where
Mr. Gardner was a teacher among the Choctaw In-
dians, in the employment of the United States Gov-
ernment. William Gardner, their son, was the first
white child born in the Territory. Mr. Gardner is now
teacher in the city of New York, where his wife died.
Porter E. is a retired farmer, resident at Rockford,
111. Emmeline is the widow of Dr. Sherwood, of
Chicago. Thomas M. is a retired farmer living at
Belvidere, 111. Lucy is the wife of F. Sanderson, a
merchant tailor of Beloit, Wis. Henry M. entered
the Union army and returned thence to Madison,
Wis., where he died. Warner E. is a farmer in Ash-
land, Minn. Jane S. married L. M. Van Buren, M.
D., of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Kate died at Williams-
town, Mass., when she was 19 years old.

Mr. Chamberlain is the next in order of birth.
When he was 16 years of age his father's family re-
moved to Beloit, Wis., and he was placed at the
Mills Boarding School for boys at South Williams-
town, where he was a student two years. He went
to Beloit and became a clerk in the hardware store of
A. P. Waterman and continued in that employment
two years, after which he was occupied as an as-
sistant on his father's farm until he reached his
majority.

Mr. Chamberlain celebrated his attaining to man's
estate by his marriage Aug. 19, 1858, to Emily A.,
daughter of Clark and Sally Giles. She was born
Nov. 1 6, 1841, in Farmersville, CattaraugusCo.,N. Y.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cham-
berlain, five of whom are still living. Mark was born
Oct. 29, 1861, and is a carpenter and machinist,
resident at Sycamore. Clark was born Aug. 30,
1864, and died April 5, 1865. Myrtie was born Dec.
25, 1865; Mary, Aug. 23, 1870; Grace, Nov. 17,
1874; Fenton, Dec. 7, 1877.

In the fall of 1866 Mr. Chamberlain bought a farm
in the township of South Grove, De Kalb County,
consisting of 80 acres situated on section 16, where
the family resided six years, the proprietor being oc-
cupied in the improvement and cultivation of his
property. In 1872 he rented the farm and removed
to Sycamore. In 1875 he sold the place and entered
the hardware store of Warren & Ellwood as a sales-
man. A year later the proprietors sold their inter-
ests to Harkness & Whittemore, who conducted the

establishment until 1878, when Mr. Chamberlain
became a partner by the purchase of an interest,
and the firm style became Whittemore, Chamberlain
& Co. Their establishment is one of the largest in
the line of hardware, and all branches commonly
connected therewith, in the county, and they also
have a jobbing department. Their business requires
one general assistant and two tinners.

obert Holland, farmer on the southeast

quarter of section 32, and north half of the
northeast quarter of section 33, Cortland
Township, was born in Fermanagh, Ireland,
March 26, 1815. His parents, Thomas and
Ellen (Graham) Holland, passed all their life
in their native land, Ireland. At the age of 23 or 24
Mr. Robert Holland left his native land, where he
was brought up on a farm and obtained a limited
education in a boys' school, and came to the "land *^-
of opportunity," in a sail vessel, landing at New York 5?
in May, 1839. He first labored for three months in &
a brick-yard at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., then a year for =
a hotel-keeper in the country near by (Dutchess^'
County) ; next, he followed manual labor for five
years, farming and gardening, in the town of Rich-
field, Fairfield Co., Conn.; then for nine years more
he worked by the day and followed ox-teaming, in
the same town; and finally, in 1854, he came to
Kaneville, this State, purchased 80 acres of land,
and began to make a home. Finding a few tempor-
ary improvements on the place, he extended theml
and rendered the place more valuable for ten years, | X
when he sold it and bought his present farm of 240!
acres. It also was partly improved when he took
possession of it, and he has raised its value from $30
to $65 per acre. He lias enlarged the dwelling, and
now has a good frame house ; also a good grain and
stock barn and all the necessary out-buildings.

Mr. Holland was married June 28, 1843, in Ridge-i
field, Conn., to Miss Grace, daughter of Thomas S.
and Emily (Gilbert) Keeler. Mrs. H.'s parents died. 8
in Connecticut, her father a little over 40 years of/j
age and her mother at the age of 62. One of her*
grandfathers was a Revolutionary soldier,
dren have been born in the family of Mr. Holland
viz.: Thomas, April 28, 1846; George, May 31, 184

s^^r: *|)@S^

DE KALB COUNTY.

X Nathan G., Aug. 8, 1852; Elizabeth J., April 22, 1859;

'A and Ellen, July 28, 1844, who died Oct. 24, 1867,011

$ ' 9 the homestead. Elizabeth was born in Kaneville,
1 111., the rest in Ridgefield, Conn.

A. Mr. H. is a Republican and has been Road Over-
seer, and Mrs. H. is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

eorge O. Warren, of the firm of Warren &
Pond, jewelers, at Sycamore, was born July
2, 1853, in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is the
son of Luke A. and Ursula (Foster) Warren.
He is one of a family of eight children, seven
of whom are living. William H. is a gauger
by profession, and resides in Dakota. Mary L. is
the wife of J. E. Southworth and lives at Santa
Clara, Cal. Sarah E. married Arthur E. Wilbur,
of Clinton, Iowa. Alta R. is the wife of William
Campbell, a farmer near Mason, Michigan. Michael
F. is a jeweler in De Kalb. John F. is a dealer in
fruits and vegetables at Galveston, Texas. George
O. was born next in order. Abi died Feb. 2, 1858,
aged 21 months. In 1864 the family settled in Ful-
ton, Whiteside Co., 111., and resided there about two
years, going thence to Ogle Co., 111., where they
lived until the spring of 1871. At that date the
father bought 50 acres of land in Cortland Township,
De Kalb County, of which he retained possession 10
years. In 1882 he sold the farm and the parents
removed to Sycamore.

Mr. Warren began the acquisition of the details of
his profession when he was 18 years of age, at Buda,
111., continuing there about a year, when he came to
Sycamore and entered the jewelry establishment of
his brother, Michael F., and operated under his su-
pervision until the fall of 1874, when, associated with
his brother-in-law, J. E. Southworth, he opened a
jewelry store in a part of the building now occupied
by Ellwood & Sivwright. Mr. Southworth became
sole proprietor of the business nearly two years later,
and Mr. Warren purchased another stock of goods
and founded a business in the same line, which he
conducted about eight years. March 20, 1884, he
and his present partner, C. C. Pond, consolidated
their stocks and have since conducted a joint busi-'

ness, which they are rriai. aging with success and sat-
isfaction to the public. They trade in watches, clocks
jewelry, table and pocket cutlery, optical goods and
musical instruments. Mr. Warren is a member of
the order of Modern Woodmen of America.

Hrs wife was formerly Jennie C. Smith, to whom
he was married Jan. 13, 1875. She was born March
6, 1854, near Detroit, and is the adopted daughter of
Spafford and Eliza Smith, of Sycamore. One son,
SpafFord S., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Warren.
They are members of the Baptist Church.

emuel C. Harris, farmer, section 27, Genoa
Township, was born May 26, 1832, in
Genesee Co., N. Y. His father, John
Harris, was also born in the same State, Jan.
13, 1784, and married Irena Curtis, a native of
Vermont. After their marriage they settled in
the Empire State, coming West later in life and set-
tling in Oakland Co., Mich. The father died there
Dec. 29, 1839. The mother died in Genoa Town-
ship in the fall of 1865. They had four children,
Paulina, Philo, Sina and Lemuel C.

Mr. Harris came to Michigan with his parents
when he was but two years of age. In 1844 he came
to Boone Co., 111., and lived with his uncle, Philo
Curtis, under whose charge he remained four years.
He then opened an independent career for himself,
engaging as a farm assistant and working by the
month seven years. He came to De Kalb County
in 1851 and bought a farm in Genoa Township,
where he settled and resided two years. He then
exchanged his estate for a farm of 120 acres in the
same Township, where he established his homestead.
The place is wholly under improvements. Mr.
Harris is a Republican in political bias and supports
the issues of the party. He is a member of the
Order of Odd Fellows.

The first marriage of Mr. Harris occurred at Syca-
more, Jan. i, 1855, when Caroline C. Durham be-
came his wife, and of their union three children were
born: Edgar D., May 14, 1857; Edna C., Dec. 31,
1860; and Caroline, Oct. 28, 1864. The latter died
when six weeks old. The decease of the mother

DE KALE COUNTY.

occurred Nov. 21, 1864. Nov. 24, 1868, Mr. Harris
was a second time married, to Mary E. Stark, at
Belviderc. She was born in the township of Syca-
more, Jan. i, 1845. Her parents, Marshall and
Louisa (Tyler) Stark, were natives of Pennsylvania
and in 1835 settled in the township of Sycamore,
where her father died Dec. 26, 1882. Their ten chil-
dren were named Herman, Martha, Mary, Jefferson,
Henry, Theron, Ada, Ella, Emma and Hattie. Mr.
and Mrs. Harris have one child, Jefferson S., born
March 3, 1870.

liel T. Lane, farmer on the southwest
quarter of section 21, Cortland Township,
where he has 40 acres, was born in San-
bornton, Belknap Co., N. H., June 6, 1825.
His father, Simeon Lane, was a farmer, and died
in New Hampshire, aged 75 years. His mother,
Huldah, nee Robinson, died also in that State, at the
age of 59 years.

The latter lived in his native State until 25 years
of age, on a farm, working by the month the several
years of this period. In 1850 he came West and lo-
cated in St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., where he en-
gaged in manual labor by the day for seven years or
more. He then went to Warrenville, Du Page Co.,
111., and rented a farm two or three years; then
rented a farm near St. Charles for a year. By this
time the need of the nation for soldiers became so
great that Mr. Lane concluded to risk his life in the
Union cause.' In August, r862, therefore, he en-
listed, in Co. E, 1 27th 111. Vol. Inf., Captain Gillett,
Colonel Van Arman, in the I5th Army Corps, under
Gen. John A. Logan. He took part in five battles,
two at Vicksburg, and one each at Little Rock,
Resaca and Dallas (Ga.), in which last he was
wounded, May 7, 1864, by a minie ball that grazed
the top of his "head. He then went into the conva-
lescent camp at Nashville, Tenn., where he did duty
until he was discharged.

Returning to Warrenville, he was on a farm for
three years, when he sold the place and took posses-
sion of his present farm. Here he first had 80 acres,
but has since sold half the place. He is a Republi-
can in his political views, but neither he nor Mrs. L.
is a member of any Church.

He was first married June i, 1853, to Sarah Per-
vere. Her parents, George and Hannah Pervere,
both died in the Old Granite State. She was born
Sept. 24, 1830, and died April 12, 1856, leaving one
child, Luella, who was born July 31, 1854, in St.
Charles, 111. Mr. Lane was married a second time
Sept. 19, 1858, in Warrenville, 111., to Miss Helen
Pelham, daughter of George and Louisa (Hovenden)
Pelham, natives of England. Her father was born
March 19, 1809, and died Jan. 27, 1884; her mother,
born Dec. 28, 1809, is still living, in Warrenville,
with a son. They, with a family of six children,
emigrated to Huron Co., Ohio, in the winter of 1841,
just after the death of one of their children. After
residing in the latter place three years they came to
Warrenville, locating upon a farm he purchased in
the vicinity. Mrs. Lane was born July 29, 1833, in
England, and was eight years old when the family
emigrated to this country. Her parents came here
poor, but by frugality they in time accumulated a
handsome amount of property. Mr. Pelham, by his
death, left a large circle of mourning friends. He
had led a noble Christian life.

Mr. and Mrs. Lane's children are the following :
George S., born Jan. 7, 1860; Albert M., Aug. 26,
1861 ; Huldah L., Feb. 14, 1863, died March 21,
following, and was buried in her grandfather's door-
yard in Warrenville; Lillian B., Sept. 4, 1866; and
Henry I., Aug. 28, 1870. The first two and the
fourth were born in Warrenville; Huldah L. was
born in Wheaton, 111., and the last in Cortland Town-
ship, at the present place of residence.

arry Ewing, photographer at Sycamore, was
born Jan. 31, 1858, in New Brighton, Beaver
Co., Pa., and is the son of Ebenezer and Sarah
C. (Bechtel) Ewing. His parents were natives
of Pennsylvania, and later in life removed to
Galesburg, 111., where his father died, in 1880.
His (Harry's) mother is still living there. Their four
children are living: Ella married Leon Simon, a
druggist of Chicago ; Frances and Mattie are the two
youngest.

Mr. Ewing is the eldest. He passed his youth in
the common schools, and in 1876 began to fit himself_
A r^, >m^M>.<ii!^

DE KALB COUNTY.

ffor his business at Galesburg, with Z. P. McMillen.
under whose instructions he operated two years, and
^ afterward was connected two years with C. A. Winsor
of the same place. Going thence to Marshalltown,
he operated two years and' came thence to Sycamore
in May, 1881. He became an employee of G. W.
Taylor, photographer, and after six months purchased
the establishment where he had been employed and
is still engaged in its management. Many of the
portraits in this ALBUM are reproduced from photo-
graphs taken by him.

He was married at Sycamore, March 15, 1883, to
Nellie, daughter of Azel and Mary (Shurtleff) Stone.

I She was born June 22, 1859, at Kenosha, Wis. They
have one child, Arthur Stone, born Dec. 18, 1884,
at Sycamore.

ilium King, farmer, section 34, Genoa
Township, was born June 5, 1817, in
Essex Co., N. Y., and is the son of Reuben
and Roxana (De Wolf) King. His parents
were natives of Massachusetts, where they
resided some years after their marriage, and
subsequently removed to the State of New York.
On their emigration to De Kalb County they located
in Genoa Township, going later to pass the last
years of their lives with a daughter in Kane Co., 111.,
and there died.

Mr. King is next the youngest in order of birth of
ii children born to his parents. He lived in his
native county until he was 19 years of age, when he
went to Trumbull Co., Ohio, and there he maintained
a residence until 1849, the date of his removal to
the State of Illinois. He settled in Genoa Township,
where he has been a citizen since, with the exception
of two years which he passed in Nebraska. He is a
Republican in political connection and accepts the
tenets of the party. He has held several of the
minor local official positions.

He was first married to Hannah (Dowd) Miller,
widow of William Miller, in Trumbull Co., Ohio.
She bore him five children, Nelson, Alva D., Alfred,
Melvin and Emma. The mother was a native of
New York, and died in the township of Sycamore,
2, 1877. Mr. King was married the second

time June 3, 1877, in Genoa Township, to Harriet L.,
daughter of Joseph and Julia A. (Haskins) Dano.
Herbert, Keuben and Justin are the names of the
children born of the second marriage. Mrs. King
was born Jan. 3, 1856, in Leeds Co., Ont. Her par-
ents were born in the State of New York, and after
their marriage settled in the Dominion of Canada,
where her father died. Her mother lives at Syca-
more.

eorge M. Sivwright, of the firm of Ell-
wood & Sivwright, grocers, etc., at Syca-
more, was born Dec. 2, 1837, in Cornwallis,
Kings Co., N. S., and is the son of James M.
and Prudence (Eaton) Sivwright. His father
was born in Windsor, N. S., Feb. 20, 1804, and
began his business life as a tanner and boot and shoe
manufacturer at Cornwallis, where he operated until
he removed his family to Sycamore in 1844. He
became a landholder in the township of Mayfield,
De Kalb County, and died on the homestead, Dec.
24, 1878. George's mother was born in 1807, in
Cornwallis, N. S., and died at the home of her
youngest son in Sycamore, Nov. 25, 1881. Five of
their seven children are living. David L. resides in
Hutchinson, Me Leod Co., Minn., is a farmer and
farrier and ex-Sheriff of the county where he resides,
is a man of wealth and position and a decided Re-
publican. Susan H. married E. B. Harned, a farmer
in the township of Sycamore and owning an extensive
tract of land. Eunice died in the i7th year of her
life. George M. is the next in order of birth. Alex-
ander is a traveling salesman in the interests of the
Marsh-Whitney Binder Company. Wentworth E.
is a clerk 'in a hardware store at Sycamore. James
L. resides on the homestead in Mayfield Township.
William Wells is deceased.

Mr. Sivwright was seven years of age when his
parents located in De Kalb County, and he was
brought up on the farm. On arriving at man's estate
he became the proprietor of 120 acres of land in the
township of Mayfield, and was actively engaged in
agricultural pursuits until 1872. In that year he
accepted a position as conductor on the Sycamore &
Cortland Railroad and officiated six years. On the
termination of that engagement he traveled some

-^g^

DE KALJ3 COUNTY.

months as collector of the R. Ellwood Manufacturing
Company. He acceded to a half interest in the
business in which he is engaged in March, 1881,
purchasing his claim of the senior member of the
firm. The business is extensive and popular, and
represents an estimated investment of $to,ooo. Their
stock includes full lines of groceries, drugs, oils, paints,
crockery, etc., and they utilize nearly the entire space
of the three-story building which they occupy.

Mr. Sivwright is a prominent member of the Order
of Odd Fellows, and has filled successively all the
chairs of the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment.

He was married Dec. 26, 1860, in Kingston, De
Kalb County, to Maria L., daughter of Thomas and
Temperance Fairclo. Mrs. Sivwright was born Dec.
22, 1840, at Morristown, N. J.

Guy T. Sivwright, only child, was boui Aug. 30,
1861, in Mayfield Township. He grew to manhood
the idol of his parents, his succeeding years develop-
ing the fulfillment of the promises of his childhood
and youth. He was carefully educated, and finished
his studies at Valparaiso, Ind., College, where he
was graduated and afterwards was an assistant in his
father's business about one year. He possessed an
admirable character and won the esteem of young
and old. He was fitted for a life of usefulness, but
all he might have been on earth and the hopes of
those who loved him were blotted out by the dark-
winged destroyer. In the fall of 1883, he sustained
an injury from a fall in the skating-rink, which re-
sulted in spinal abscess, and from which he died June
15, 1884.

orace Haskins, farmer, section 34, Genoa
Township, is the son of John and Mary
(Talman) Haskins, both of whom were natives
of the State of New York, where the father was
born Feb. 13, 1781, and died March 17, 1856.
The mother of Horace was born Aug. 28, 1783,
and died March 22, 1825. Her ancestors came over
in the Mayflower. Mr. Haskins was again married
Nov. 3, 1825, to Mrs. Mary Winters. She had five
children by her first husband.

The subject of this sketch is the tenth in order of
birth of a family of 13 children, and was born Nov.
17, 1820, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. When he was 23

^x^g" . "^y^ o^

years of age, he came to Illinois by the lake route,
making his way to Chicago on board a sail-boat,
which he assisted in building. He came from the
Garden City directly to St. Charles, in Kane County,
where he made a brief stay, and later proceeded to
Genoa Township and engaged in the cultivation and
improvement of 80 acres of land, of which he became
the proprietor by purchase. To this he has added
until he now owns 262 acres in De Kalb County,
besides valuable farming tracts in the States of Ne-
braska, Michigan and Iowa. His stock on his home
farm comprises about 50 head of cattle, seven horses
and a quantity of stock of other varieties.

Mr. Haskins is one of the solid and influential
citizens of De Kalb County. He was the possessor
of $5-37 V* wr en he arrived in Chicago, and is now
the proprietor of an estate worth $50,000. He
brought the first scouring plow into De Kalb County.
In character he is justly rated as a generous, liberal
and public-spirited man, enlisting warmly in all en-
terprises which promise general benefit to the com-
munity.

The marriage of Mr. Haskins to Mariah Bebee
occurred March n, 1841, in Lorraine, Jefferson Co.,
N. Y. She was born in that place June 19, 1820,
and is the daughter of John and Sarah (Clark) Bebee,-
who had a family of 10 children. The family of
Mr. and Mrs. Haskins has included seven children,
two of whom are living: M*ary E., born May 19, 1846,
is the- wife of John Haines and resides in Syca-
more Township; Martha M., born Nov. 22, 1852,
and married to a farmer of Cortland Township, of
the name of Daniel Beebe (not Bebee). Four chil-
dren died in infancy, and one, the oldest, died on the
lakes while the family were en route for Illinois, and
was buried at Milwaukee. The adopted son of Mr.
and Mrs. Haskins was received into the family July
27, 1870, and named Horace Clarence Haskins.

The portrait of Mr. Haskins, accompanying this
sketch, presents the features of a physiognomy indi-
cating a solid man, a substantial citizen and a reliable
support of all enterprises and principles that com-
mend themselves to his intuition of right. He has
ever distinguished himself for his energy in pushing
forward every enterprise inaugurated for the good of
his community. None are more generous in aiding
every such undertaking, and none more unselfi
in their devotion to the general welfare and progres

o ^^r' &i@^tei

\><r : A

DE KALB COUNTY.

%* of his people than is Mr. Haskins. While he has de-
(^ voted much time and money for the good of others,
he has by rare good business sagacity been able to
accumulate a goodly fortune since he came to this
county. The portrait of Mr. Haskins is engraved
from a photograph taken in 1 884.

ames S. Russell, Police Magistrate^esident
at De Kalb, was born Sept. 25, 1834, in
Warren Co., Ind. His parents, John and
Mary A. (Fleming) Russell, were natives of
Ohio and settled in De Kalb County in the
spring of 1848. They located on a farm in
Kingston Township, where the mother died Dec. 28,
1879. Their seven children were named James S.,
Westly D., Robert W., Sylvester S., David F., Milton
D., Reuben A. and Sarah J.

At the date of the removal of the family to De
Kalb County, Mr. Russell was 14 years old. The
first 19 years of his life were devoted to labor on his
father's farm and in securing his education at the
common schools. From that period until he was 22
he attended Mount Morris Seminary, in Ogle County.
On completing his studies he went to Wyoming,
Iowa, and was occupied through the following year as
a book-keeper. Returning to Kingston, he engaged
in the management of a part of the homestead farm,
which he worked on shares for nine years.

In August, 1867, he came to De Kalb and pur-
chased a half interest in the livery establishment of
S. Duffy, succeeding to the sole proprietorship in the
spring of 1868. In 1881 he sold the livery with its
equipments to Orlando Carter. He next engaged as
traveling salesman in the interests of the Superior
Barb Wire Company and occupied that position six
months. In the fall of 1881 he became an owner by
purchase of an interest in a hardware house, the
property of a body of stockholders, of whom Mr.
Russell was President. At the end of four months
he terminated his connection with the company. In
the spring of 1884 he was elected to the office of
Police Magistrate of De Kalb, which position has
since monopolized his time and attention.

Mr. Russell is prominent as an agriculturist and
owns 160 acres of improved land in Afton Township.
He has officiated as President, Secretary and Treas-

^^ &~

urer of De Kalb County Agricultural Society, and has
discharged the duties of several local official posi-
tions. He has been a member of the Board of Edu-
cation through several terms, and occupied the
position of President of that body. He has been
active and influential in educational matters since he
has resided in the county. He officiated one year as
President of the City Council and was by virtue of
that office Supervisor of his township. He was Clerk
of Kingston Township during his residence there.
Politically Mr. Russell is a Republican. He has
been a sufferer from the results of a severe attack of
rheumatism since 1860. He was violently ill during
35 days, and has been seriously disabled since.

He was married June 14, 1858, to Margaret,
daughter of William and Ellison Cooper. The
family of Mcs. Russell were at that date residents of
De Kalb County, but in 1880 sold the homestead in
Kingston Township and removed to their present
location in Belvidere, Boone County. Mr. and Mrs.
Russell have three children. J. Alva was born Dec.
28, 1862; R. Arthur, April 24, 1870; Mabel C.,Sept.
14, 1872.

Four brothers of Mr. Russell entered the military
service of the United States during the war of the
Rebellion, three of whom lost their lives. Westly
D. enlisted in the I3th 111. Vol. Inf., and died in
Kingston Township, from the consequences of
disease contracted in the army. Robert W. became
a soldier in the 4 2d Regt. 111. Vol. Inf. He was
killed in a charge on a rebel' battery in the battle of
Stone River. David F. belonged to the 951)1 III.
Inf., and died in the hospital at Vicksbury;.

eander P. Kellogg, farmer, section 3, Genoa
Township, was born Aug. 4, 1826, in Es-
sex, Vt. His parents, Orlando and Mary
A. (Place) Kellogg were natives of Massachu-
setts and had 10 children. Mr. Kellogg is the
eldest child of his father and mother, and was
a resident of his native State until he was 18 years
of age, when, in 1844, he removed to McHenry Co.,
111. He passed a winter there, and in the spring of
the year following came to De Kalb County, locating
in Genoa Township. He operated the greater por-
tion of the time for 20 years as a teamster between

Chicago and De Kalb County and other portions of
the State of Illinois.

In 1 846 he pre-empted 80 acres of land on section
3, where he has since maintained his homestead, and
has doubled his acreage. His entire landed pro-
perty is under cultivation. He is a Republican in
political conviction and principle. Though often
urged to accept local official positions he has per-
sistently declined. In 1852 he was appointed Post-
master of Ney, in which position he served continu-
ously eight years. He has since officiated as Assistant
Postmaster.

He was married Jan. 20, 1847, in Sycamore, to
Harriet M. Hutchason, and they have seven children,
Clarke O., Harriet J., Leslie VV., Hutchason A.,
Harlow O., Edward E. and L. D. The parents of
Mrs. Kellogg, Clarke and Elizabeth (Bradley) Hutch-
ason, were natives of New York. The father died
there and the mother married Ira Manning. They
came to De Kalb County in 1846, and later in life
settled in Michigan, where they died. Mrs. Kellogg
is the third of a family of six children, and was born
Sept. 21, 1827, in Niagara Co., N. Y. She is a mem-
ber of the Free Methodist Church, and Mr. Kellogg
is a true Christian man.

eorge E. Stafford, of the firm of Dayton &
Stafford, stock dealers at Sycamore, was
born Sept. 22, 1831, in Preston, Chenango
Co., N. Y. Isaac Stafford, his father, was
born in Vermont and married Lucy Seymour,
f a native of the State of New York, after his re-
moval there. Later they came to Cortland Town-
ship, De Kalb County, where the mother died Feb.
16, 1876. The father died there July 21, 1883.
Three of their five children are now living: Saxa
is a farmer in Cortland Township ; and Isaac is a
physician in Harrison, Madison Co., Montana.

Mr. Stafford was reared to the pursuit of agricul-
ture, and came to De Kalb County in 1857. He was
about 24 years of age when he became the proprietor
of 27 acres of land in Cortland Township, situated on
sections 15 and 22. From this beginning he has in-
creased his possessions until he is the sole owner of
205 acres of land in that township, a half interest in
444 acres, and a third interest in 160 acres, all lying

within the same township. He^remained there resi-
dent until the spring of 1884, the date of his removal
to Sycamore. In November of the same year he
formed his present business relation with James
Dayton and entered upon the purchase and shipment
of stock to Chicago.

Mr. Stafford was married Nov. 17, 1858, in the
township of Cortland, to Christina, daughter of Peter
and Isabel Youngs. Two children resulted from this
union, namely, Emily, who is the wife of Charles
A. Lattin, and Frank G., who is a dealer in live stock
in Sycamore.

ohn Gould, farmer, section 22, Cortland
f Township, having 34 acres in the southern
part of the section and 120 acres in all,
was born in town of Harmon, Kennebec Co.,
Maine, Oct. 8, 1814. His parents, Abel and
Mary (Kelly) Gould, are deceased and buried
at Ohio Grove Church. They were probably natives
of Maine, and moved to the State of New York when
John was a babe, and soon to Meigs Co., Ohio,
where a farm had been purchased and where they
lived seven years or more; they then sold out and
removed to Jefferson Co., Ind., rented a farm for a
number of years, then lived in Dearborn County, in
the southeastern corner of that State, until 1840,
when they came to this county, with horse teams, ar-
riving Nov. 15, not more than three miles from Mr.
G.'s present residence. He died Dec. 7, 1858, aged
about 77 years. John's mother was an orphan,
brought up by Judge North in her native State
(Maine), and died in September, 1865, at the age of
83 years.

Mr. John Gould, whose name heads this sketch,
was first married Feb. 4, 1838, in Dearborn Co., Ind.,
to Mary Ann Johnson, who was born in that State in

1818, the daughter of and Elizabeth (Hinds)

Johnson. She died in this (Cortland) township, in
the spring of 1845, and is buried in the Ohio Grove
(or Baptist Church) Cemetery. Her three children
are: George H., born April 25, 1839, and died Nov.
4, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn., and was a member of
Co. C, io S th 111. Vol. Inf., and died in the service;
Mary E., born May 15, 1841, married Wm. Black-
man, Dec. 23, 1866, and lives in Dakota; and SB-

DE KALB COUNTY.

brina A., born July 5, 1843, married Luther Wheeler,
March 5, 1860, and is residing in this township.
Oct. i, 1848, Mr. Gould married Miss Caroline,
daughter of James and Hannah (Merrow) Wheeler.
Her father was a native of Massachusetts and died
in February, 186 1 (or thereabout), in Maine; and
her mother, born in Winthrop, Me., died in the same
State, in 1867, at the age of about 7 8 years. Mrs.
G. was also born in Winthrop, Jan. 29, 181 r, and she
has two daughters, namely : Elvira R., born April
18. 1850, and married Joseph Snyder, Dec. 24, 1868;
and Clotilda Jane, born Aug. 5, 1852, married John
I. Simons, Nov. 20, 1873, and lives in Dakota.

Mr. Gould had a very limited school education in
his youth, especially in mathematics, as that seemed
peculiarly difficult to him; but he has nevertheless
battled successfully with the world. He is a vener-
ble old settler here, having occupied his present
farm ever since the year 1847. In his political prin-
ciples he votes with the Republican party, and he,
as well as Mrs. G., is a member of the Free-will
Baptist Church at Ohio Grove, having been one of
the first members of that congregation and has been
an officer in the Church.

eorge H. Kesler, farmer, section 1 6, Genoa
Township, has been a resident of De Kalb
County since 1859, with the exception of
two years, which he passed in Burlington, Kane
Co., 111., the date of his parents' removal hither.
He was born Aug. 7, 1839, in Orleans Co.,
N. Y., and is next the youngest in birth of 10 chil-
dren. His brothers and sisters were Abraham,
Phebe, Mary, Eliza, Andrew, James, Lyman, Horace
and John. His parents, Philip and Betsey (House)
Kesler, were natives respectively of Germany and
the State of New York. The father died in the
township of Genoa Oct. 22, 1880; the mother's de-
mise occurred July 3, 1864.

Mr. Kesler is one of the substantial farmers of his
township and county, and is the owner of 325 acres
of valuable farming land, which is nearly all under
cultivation. He is a Republican in political faith
and relations, and has held various local offices.

His marriage to Mary A. Smith occurred at Kings-
ton July 4, 1861, and they have been the parents of

=)-&

eight children, four of whom are still living, namely:
Lillie M., who married F. B. Fieste, Sept. 4, 1884;
George G., Luella and Elinor S. Those deceased
were named Ira J., Adaline, Robert S. and Em.nett.
The parents of Mrs. Kesler, Robert and Susanna'
(Rutti) Smith, were natives respectively of New Jer-
sey and Pennsylvania. She is the second of four
children, and was born Oct. 12, 1841, in New Jersey.

dolphus W. Brower, resident at Sycamore,
was born Aug. 13, 1845, ijj Kenosha Co.,
Wis. In paternal descent he is a repre-
sentative of the Hollanders who settled the
State of New York in 1620. His paternal
great-grandfather came from the Netherlands,
in a vessel commanded by Hendrick Hudson and
called " Die Guten Fraii " (the good woman), and,
with his wife, Jemima (Quackenboss) Brower, settled
at Nyack on the Jersey shore. Later he went to the
State of New York, where he was a pioneer settler,
and was identified with the class distinguished as
" Knickerbockers."

Adolphus Brower, son of the above, was born July
31, 1777, and married Elizabeth Baker. She was
born Feb. 25, 1775, and became the mother of three
sons and four daughters. The husband was fife-
major in the war of 1812. The threatened invasion
of the British aroused the latent indignation of the
people, and men and women alike devoted them-
selves to the labor of erecting intrenchments. The
chorus of a song which was then popular and mani-
fested the quality of the prevailing spirit, ran as fol-*
lows :

' Pickaxe, shovel, spade;

Crowbar, lioo and barrow;
You'd better not invade;
Yankees got the marrow.''

Adolphus Brower and his wife died at the age of
78 years.

William B. Brower, their youngest son, was born
Oct. 6, 1803, in Brooklyn, N. Y. He was married
March 20, 1825, to Paulina Broadway. Her father,
Frasier Broadway, was born April 16, 1778, and in
1800 was married to Hannah Weed. She was born
Sept. i, 1777, and died aged 84 years. Their family
comprised four daughters and four sons. All the
latter, in later life, pursued the calling of their father,
who was a butcher. T. E. and Alfred' Broadway,

COUJVTY.

became prominent in their business and were located
at 844 Broadway, New York, for many years. W. B.
Brower went to Wisconsin in 1837, and was among
the earliest pioneers of Salem, afterwards called
Wheatland, and now known as Randall, the original
township being now divided into three distinct towns.
He left New York Aug. 7, of the year named, and
arrived at what is now Kenosha on the first day of
September following. At the date of his location the
Menomonee or Black Hawk Indians were numerous
in the vicinity. On the admission of Wisconsin as a
Slate, in 1848, he was one of the first appointees to
the position of Justice of the Peace by the Governor.
Paulina (Broadway) Brower was born June 30, 1805,
in Vermont, and became the mother of eight chil-
dren. Elizabeth was born May 12, 1828, and is the
wife of Henry Parrnelee, of Geneva, Wis. John H.
was born May 8, 1832, and is engaged in speculat-
ing at Kenosha, Wis. William B., born May 20,
1834, is the manager of the homestead. Hannah-
born May 5, 1839, is the wife of V. C. Reynolds,
and resides on the home farm. Anna, born May i,
1843, is the wife of M. L. Hoffman, a stock dealer
in Kenosha County. A. W. is the next in order of
birth. Emmeline, born Aug. 27, 1849, married Will-
iam Wilcox, of Geneva, Wis. One child died in in-
fancy.

Mr. Brower was brought up at home in the Badger
State until he was 15 years of age, when he was
placed at a business college in St. Louis, Mo. He
made a special study of penmanship, and devoted
six months to the acquisition of a complete knowl-
edge of telegraphy. Soon after returning home he
went to the city of New York, and a few months
later became interested in travel. He came to Syca-
more in 1872, and, associated with Marshall Stark
(deceased), engaged in the sale of lumber, pursuing
that enterprise about two years. He formed his
present business connection May i, 1877, by the
purchase of an interest in the firm relations of
Whittemore & Chamberlain, the copartnership now
comprising three members. They carry an average
stock of $[3,500, including all the lines of goods
common to such establishments and suited to their
patronage. Their business embraces, besides the
ordinary trade in hardware, a large amount of re-
pairing.

Mr. Brower was married May 20, 1874, to Ella

53f&. **$$* ft.

Stark. She is the daughter of Marshall and Louisa ^f
Stark, and was born at Sycamore, Feb. 10, 1857. Mr. *jj
and Mrs. Brower have two children : Anna was
was born Feb. 24, 1878; and Floyd E. was born
Aug. 4, 1880. Their first child, Marshall William,
was born Aug. 25, 1876, and died when about 10
weeks old.

ester P. Wood, Sheriff of De Kalb County,
resident at Sycamore, was born March 27,
1839, in Erie, Pa. His parents, George L.
and Margaret (Conrad) Wood, belonged to the
agricultural class. The former was born in the
city of Hartford, Conn., and died on his farm
in the township of Kingston, De Kalb County, Jan.
23, 1864. The mother of Lester P. was born in Erie,
Pa., and died on the homestead Aug. 2, 1880. Of
their children,! Elizabeth and Roxy, the oldest in date
of birth, are deceased ; Abigail E. married John D.
Dyer, marketman at Sycamore ; George E. is a resi-
dent of Laporte, Ind., and is in the Unked States
mail service ; and Jane M. is deceased.

Mr. Wood is the oldest son and third child. He
was reared on his father's farm, where he was in-
structed in agricultural labor during the farming
seasons and attended school winters. He passed
his boyhood and youth in this manner until he was
19 years of age, when he went to the seminary at
Wheaton, DuPage Co., 111., and completed his edu-
cation. On coming of age he became proprietary
owner of 360 acres of valuable land in the township
of Spring, Boone Co., 111., twelve miles nortn of Syca-
more, of which he took possession in 1860 and con-
tinued its management until 1874. In that year he
sold the property and returned to Erie, where he
maintained his residence two years, and was occu-
pied in the purchase and shipment of stock from
Chicago to Eastern markets. He pursued the same
line of business until the fall of 1879, coming at that
time to Sycamore.

After a residence of a single year he secured, in
the autumn of 1880, the election of Sheriff of De Kalb
County on the Republican ticket, and in 1882 was
re-elected without opposition to the same incum-
bency. The quality of the services rendered to the
interests of De Kalb County by Mr. Wood are

^fflgLar' .S.v^-N^//??)

-*^^ "ftfgig?^.

attested by his re-election, a procedure which reflects
much credit on his supporters, and proves that the
voting community of De Kalb County are not delin-
quent in the matter of recognizing and rewarding
efficiency and merit. Mr. Wood belongs to the
Order of Knights Templars and other Masonic
bodies.

His marriage to Ellen C. Zimmerman occurred
Aug. 28, 1858, at Erie, Pa. Mrs. Wood is the
daughter of Frederick Zimmerman, and was born
Oct. 6, 1842, at Erie. The three children born of
this union are as follows: Jane M. was born Aug. 18,
iS6o, and is the wife of W. F. Sell, marketman of
Sycamore. Addie Z. is the second child; George
F., only son and youngest child, is Deputy Sheriff
under his father. The children were born in Spring
Township, Boone County.

ohn B. Whalen, real-estate, abstract and
insurance agent, at Sycamore, was born
Aug. 5, 1850, in Penfield, Monroe Co., N.
Y. Harvey Whalen, his father, was born Dec.
22, 1809, in Milton, Saratoga Co., N. Y.; and
has been a farmer throughout the course of his
long life, being now }$ years of age. He was also a
local politician of prominence and influence, and is
still living in Penfield, N. Y. John B.'s mother,
Lucinda (Watson) Whalen, was born in Monroe Co.,
N. Y., and died in 1854. Their five children are liv-
ing. Mr. Whalen is the second in order of birth.
The oldest, Henry V., is an engineer and lives in
Michigan. Charles H., Wilson and Howard live in
Penfield with their father.

Mr. Whalen was reared in the varied occupations
incident to the life of a farmer's son, and when about
1 8 years of age became a traveler in the Eastern
States, engaging in that occupation one year. In
iS-jo he came to Braidwood, 111., and remained there
eight months, acting as accountant in the mercantile
establishment of L. H. Goodrich. He went sub-
sequently to Gardner, 111., where he operated a year
in the same capacity. In 1872 he became a resident
of De Kalb County, his first engagement in business
being as book-keeper for J. H. Rogers at Sycamore,
where he was occupied nine months. He relin-

quished the position to accept an appointment as
Deputy Circuit Clerk under E. F. Dutton. He filled
the position three years and in iSj6 bought the ab-
stract office of De Kalb County, which he has since
conducted and is the owner of the only complete set
of abstracts in the county. He does a considerable
business in real estate and represents eight fire in-
surance companies and one life insurance, viz.: Royal,
London, Liverpool & Globe, also the Lancashire of
England. Hartford, Continental, National of Hartford,
Westchester & Northwestern National and the Con-
necticut Mutual Life Association.

Mr. Whalen officiated as Alderman of Sycamore
from 1879 to 1883. He is President of the Sycamore
Athenaeum, and is President and General Manager
of the Russell Manufacturing Company, at that place,
an association engaged in the manufacture of paints
and varnishes. He is the owner of his place of resi-
dence and of a considerable amount of real estate
variously located.

Mr. Whalen was married April 25, 1876, in Syca-
more, to Nellie Farndon. Wallace W., only child of
this union, was born May 5, 1877. Mrs. Whalen
was born Nov. 10, 1852, in Troy, N. Y. She has
been a resident of Sycamore since four years of age,
and was brought up in the family of the late James
S. Waterman.

eter N. Corson, a retired farmer, resident at
Genoa, was born Oct. 6, 1819, in Pennsyl-
vania, of which State his mother, Elizabeth
(Buck) Corson, was a native, his father, John a
Corson, having been born in New Jersey. The <y>
family of n children were born as follows:
Hannah, Catherine A., Peter N., Sarah, Susan, Henry,
Lavina, Daniel, Alfred, Harriet and Lucretia.

Mr. Corson was a farmer in his native State until
1869. In the spring of that year he bought 160 acres
of land in Genoa Township in De Kalb County, of
which he took possession and occupied it about eight
years, selling a portion of his acreage in 1877, and re-
moving in that year to the village of which he has * *
since been a resident. In political faith he is a
Republican.

His first marriage occurred in Pennsylvania, Jan.
29, 1843, to Sarah Newman, and of their union eight

DE KALB COUNTY.

' children were born, Teresa, Lloyd V., Henry M.,

| Emily, Ursaline and Amanda. Two children of that

i marriage are deceased : Teresa died when three years

old and one child died in extreme infancy. The

mother died Dec. 27; 1875,111 Genoa Township. Mr.

Corson was again married March 7, 1878, to Amelia

(Godding), widow of William Rochester Durham, who

died Oct. 7, 1873, in Genoa Township, and by whom

she had eight children, Rochester H., Sarah J. and

Emily J. (twins), Francis M., Caroline A., Lillie Y.,

f Fannie M. and Olive M. Three children Rochester

> H., Emily J. and Francis M. are deceased. Mrs.

Corson was born July 17, 1827, in England.

enry Pooler, farmer, having 325 acres on
section i$, Cortland Township, was born
July 24, 1804, in Dutchess Co., N. Y.
When a year old his parents, Jacob and Betsy
(Price) Pooler, moved to the town of Schuyle^
Herkimer County, that State, and a year later to
Warren Township, same county, then back to Schuy-
ler, then to Warren a second time, and finally bought
a farm in German Flats. The mother died in that
county ; the father died in Montgomery Co., N. Y.,
and was buried in his son Joseph's burying-ground
at Warren.

Henry remained in Herkimer County most of the
time until he was of age, then worked out by the
year or month for about three years ; next, for three
years he labored upon his father-in-law's farm for a
consideration of 50 acres of land; then he bought a
farm of 65 acres, to which he subsequently added
until he had an aggregate of 151 acres, in German
Flats. In 1 86 1 he came to this county on a visit to
his daughter, when he made a purchase of 150 acres,
to which he has since added by further purchases
until he has a total of 325 acres. He now has a fine
farm and a splendid home, all earned by his own
industry and wise economy, and without speculation.
On the sth of March, 1828, he married Miss
Margaret, a daughter of Nicholas and Lana (Passage)
Shoemaker, and of German ancestry. She was born
June 7, 1802, in German Flats, N. Y. Of the five
children born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Pooler,
three are living: Almira, born March 22, 1829, and
married John Christman Sept. 10, 1852, in German

Flats, N. Y., and died December 16, following, in
De Kalb County; Henry, born April 22, 1833, in
Herkimer Co., N. Y., died in the same county Oct.
28, 1834; Philany, bom July 19, 1835, married John
Christman in October, 1857; he died Oct. 9, 1863,
from injuries received from a threshing-machine;
Louisa, born Feb. 6, 1837, married Henry Christ-
man, Dec. 28, 1854, who died Jan. 4, 1883; William
F. was born April 26, 1840, and is now living near
Lake City, Iowa. The foregoing births all took
place in Herkimer Co., N. Y. Mr. Pooler's grand-
mother was of Low Dutch ancestry, and died in
Schuyler Township, Herkimer Co., N. Y. His grand-
father was of New England ancestry, and was killed
in Schuyler Township by being thrown from a wagon.
Mrs. Pooler's mother died at the age of 59, and
her father, a farmer, died at the age of 87.

Mr. Pooler has a good, large frame residence, a
large frame barn, and his farm is estimated at $65
per acre. He is a Republican in his political sen-
timents.

A portrait is given of Mr. Pooler on the opposite
page, which is a valuable addition to the portrait
gallery of this ALBUM.

ineca H. Willis, farmer, section 36, Genoa
Township, has been a resident of De Kalb
County since 1852, and has belonged to its
agricultural element since 1860, when he be-
gan his independent operations by working his
father's farm on shares one year. He engaged
with his father as an assistant and continued to
operate in that capacity seven years. In 1868 he
bought a farm in Genoa Township, containing 117
acres. He now owns 120 acres additional, and of
the entire tract has placed 150 acres under improve-
ment. In political faith he is a Republican.

Mr. Willis was born Aug. 5, 1841, in Warren Co.,
N. Y. He was 10 years of .age when his parents,
David W. and Laura M. (Halladay) Willis, removed
to De Kalb County. They are natives of Vermont,
and after marriage settled in the State of New York,
whence they removed to Illinois, settling in the town-
ship of Sycamore, where they have since resided.
Their children were named Seneca H., Morgan,
A r^ -^g^uir- lj@^f(

234

.> .Ar.4Z.tf COUNT*.

Harry B. and Angelia. The second and fourth in
order of birth are deceased.

The marriage of Mr. Willis took place in Genoa
Township, Dec. 24, 1865, to Mary M., daughter of
Alonzo and Rhoda (Rogers) Hedger. The parents
of Mrs. Willis are natives of New York, and had
three children, namely, Ann E., Mary M. and Enoch
O. The daughter was born Nov. 30, 1844, in Hamp-
shire, Kane Co., 111. Of her marriage to Mr. Willis
three children have been born Lizzie A., Laura R.
and Stella B. The latter died in infancy.

1'ohn Waterbury, farmer on the northwest
quarter of section 8, Cortland Township,
was born in North Castle, Westchester Co.,
N. Y., May 12, 1830; was brought up on a
farm in his native place, living there until Sep-
tember, 1858, and learned the shoemaker's
trade before he was 21. Commencing this trade at
the age of 19, he followed it for six years, then went,
at the above date, to the city of New York, where he
spent three years in draying. He then came to this
county and for ten years resided in the township of
Pierce, and in 1868 came to his present place of resi-
dence. It was then but partially improved, but Mr.
W. has since made it one of the best farms in the
township, having upon it a. first-class frame residence,
barns, etc. In his political views Mr. W. is a Re-
publican, and he stands high in the estimation of his
fellow citizens.

He was married Dec. 25, 1855, to Miss Rebecca
A. Brundage, and they have 'had five children, all of
whom are living, viz.: George I., born Nov. 6, 1857,
in New York city, in December, r88i, married Flor-
ence Rathbun and is living in Iowa; Charles, born
Oct. 27, 1861, in Pierce Township, this county, is
living at home; Harvey C., born June T7, 1865, in
same township; Mary F., Nov. 5, 1867, in same
township; and John A., Oct. 23, 1880, in Cortland
Township.

Mr. W.'s father, John Waterbury, was a carpenter
by occupation, and died in March, 1878, at the age
of8i years, on the old homestead; and his mother,
Sarah H., nee Palmer, died in June, 1880, at the age
of 79 years, also on the old homestead. Mr. Water-
bury 's paternal grandfather was a guard in the

Revolutionary War, but was never in action on the
battle-field. Mrs. W. was born Jan. 20, 1838, in
North Castle, Westchester Co., N. Y., of which county
her parents were also natives. Her father, Allen
Brundage, was a farmer, and her mother's maiden
name was Fanny Smith. Mr. and Mrs. W. are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

enjamin Nilson, Clerk of the City of Syca-
more, and member of the grocery and pro-
vision house of Nilson Bros., was born
July 31, 1850, in Sweden. Pehr Nilson, his
father, was a farmer and prominent in politics
and public life. He was a member of the
Legislature of Sweden in 1865-6 and held the posi-
tion of State Juryman 14 years by election, eventually
resigning.

Mr. Nilson was a pupil at school until he was 14
years of age and passed three years subsequently on
the farm where he was born. At 17 he entered the
High School to complete his education, remaining a
student there until 19 years old. He came to
America in 1871, and on landing proceeded at once
to Sycamore, where he had friends. He obtained
employment as a farm assistant, in which he was
occupied three months. At the end of that time he
went to Chicago and was employed in the Rock
Island car-shops until Jan. i, 1872. At that date
he returned to Sycamore and attended school to learn
the English lanuguage. In the fall following he
entered the grocery of Rowe & Shurtliff, where he
was a clerk four years. In 1876 he became an as-
sistant of C. Brown & Son, druggists and grocers.
July 12, 1880, associated with his brother, Knut P..
Nilson, he founded the business which they have
since conducted. Their stock comprises lines of
goods suited to their patronage and represents a cash
value of about $6,000. The proprietors are enter-
prising men and citizens of the best type, who have
secured the confidence of the community. Mr. Nil-
son of this sketch is a stock-holder in the Cornwall
Silver Mining Company of Colorado, a corporation of
seven members who own several mining claims. In
the spring of 1879 he was elected Clerk of Sycamore,

and has been twice re-elected. He is a member of
the Order of Odd Fellows.

The marriage of Mr. Nilson to Betsey Swanson
occurred at Sycamore, Oct. 3, 1873. Their family
now (1884) includes three children, Bertha Edusa,
born Jan. 14, 1875; Elsa Urania, July 24, 1881;
Edward Pehr, Nov. 17, 1883. Mrs. Nilson was born
in Sweden in 1846, and is the daughter of Swen and
Elsa Paulson, who are well-to-do farmers and own a
large flouring-mill near the city of Sawesborg in
Blikings Lan.

3nry Martin, general merchant at Cortland,
was born in Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt, Oct.
10, 1840. His father, John Martin, was
born Dec. 20, 1804, in Chelsea, was afarmerin
his native State until 1855, then real-estate
dealer here in Cortland until his death, in
March, 1880. His mother, Sarah, nee Percival, was
born Dec. 15, 1803, and died Feb. 19, 1875, in Syca-
more, this county.

Henry passed the first 15 years of his life in his
native county, and came with the family in 1865 to
Sycamore, was educated in common and graded
schools and at an academy; and in 1862 he enlisted
in the army for the cause of the Government. He
was first employed for about eight months as chief
clerk in the ordnance department at Columbus, Ky.,
furnishing ordnance to Grant's army at Corinth ; was
then transferred to Memphis, Tenn., in the same de-
partment ; next to Huntsville, Ala. ; then into Mc-
Pherson's army, the Army of the Tennessee; followed
Sherman's army from Chattanooga to Atlanta ; or-
dered back to Nashville, Tenn., where he awaited
orders from November to February; then was at
Chattanooga until 1865; next, at the Macon (Ga.)
Arsenal until the fall of 1866, when he was appointed
Clerk for the Sub-Commissioner of the Freedmen's
Bureau. He was thus stationed still at Macon until
1868, and finally at Augusta, Ga., until the Bureau
was abolished. Then, in 1869, he was appointed
Deputy Marshal for the District of Georgia, in which
relation he served until 1876, when he returned to
Sycamore.

Here he engaged in the produce business for a
year, and then established a general merchandise

store in partnership with Mr. Matteson, under the
firm name of Martin & Matteson ; but soon they dis-
solved and then he started alone. Was in Mr.
Jordan's store for a time, then removed back to the
old store, which he occupied until he built the new
store, in the fall of 1883. This is the best building
in the town, where Mr. Martin carries the largest
stock in the place.

In politics Mr. M. is a Republican.

He was married March 3, 1870, to Miss Florence
J. , daughter of George and Martha Flewellyn; she
was born in Georgia, and is now 37 years of- age.
The two living children of Mr. and Mrs. M. are
Sadie B., born Dec. 6, 1870, in Atlanta, Ga., and
Bessie, May, 6, 1880; three were lost in infancy.
" Johnnie " was born in 1875 and died when a month
old, and Florence was born in 1877, and died in
1879; the remaining one died at birth.

Mrs. M. is a member of the Congregational
Church.

.vin Shurtleff, druggist at De Kalb, is a *
native of the Province of Quebec, where s
he was born March 22, 1830. His parents
md grandparents are natives of Massachu- (
setts. He was reared in the Dominion with
the exception of a period of four years spent
at Derby Academy in that town, just across the Can-
adian border in Vermont. After the completion of
his educational course he engaged in teaching in
Canada, and was occupied three years in that voca- v
tion in his native province. In 1851 he decided on
a change of base and came to Illinois, teaching two
years at Rock Island. In 1853 he went to Ottawa,
111., and passed about the same length of time simi-
larly occupied. At the end of that time (about 1855)
he bought a farm in Kane Co., 111., on which he set-
tled and held his residence about eight years, en-
gaging meanwhile in teaching. In 1863 he sold his f
farm, and, going to Sycamore, passed three years in
the business of a lumber dealer, and afterwards de-
voted his time and attention for several years to .*
traffic in stock and produce. Making another ven- &
ture, he engaged in a mercantile enterprise at Syca-
more, in which he was interested three years.

In 1875 Mr. Shurtleff came to De Kalb and estab-

\Q ^^^ ^^^

DE KALB COUNTY.

)

lished his present business, which includes the sale
of drugs, groceries and crockery. His place of
business is of extensive proportions, beiftg 120 feet
deep.

In politics Mr. Shurtleff is a Republican. He has
officiated as Township Assessor and taken an active
interest in all matters pertaining to education within
his sphere. He has been connected with the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church for 30 years ; is present Dis-
trict Steward and President of the Board of Trustees.
His family are also members of the same religious
body.

Mr. Shurtleff was married in Kane County to
Sarah J. Arnold, their union taking place Oct. 22,
1857. Their children were born as follows : Willis,
who died when nine months old, Wilfred C., Jessie
B., Elmer K. and Alice F.

arnum V. Viner, farmer in Cortland Town-
ship, having 55 acres on sections 15 and 16,
was born in the town of Parishville, St.
Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 23, 1824. His father,
Charles Viner, was born May 6, 1797, in Bris-
tol, England, and was killed by a cyclone in
Mazon, Grundy Co., 111., April 18, 1861. Mr. V.'s
mother, Sarah, nee Banister, was born in Rutland,
Vt., May 4, 1797, and died in January, 1868, in
Grundy 'County. Mr. Charles Viner was a farmer,
and came to America in 1812 as a British soldier.
He afterward left the army, when Corporal of the
Guard, and with six others crossed the St. Lawrence
into the States. He married in 1815, and had four
sons and four daughters.

The subject of this sketch is the third child in the
order of birth in the above family. His parents
moved, with him, when he was four or five years of
age, to Madrid, then to Pierpont, then to Canton,
and when he was 20 years old they emigrated West,
locating in the town of Seneca, McHenry Co., 111.
After living there eight years with his father, he was
married, Jan. i, 1847, to Miss Mary T., daughter of
David S. and Catherine (Marshall) Wickes. Dr.
Wickes was born in Troy, N. Y-, Nov. 29, 1800, and
died Oct. 15, 1844, in Meed's Creek, Steuben Co.,
N. Y. ; and Mrs. W. was born May 21, 1800, in
Hyde Park, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and died Sept. 15,

1876, in Elliottville, Fillmore Co., Minn. Mrs, V.
was born in Dundee, Yates Co., N. Y., July 30,
1829. She suffered a paralytic stroke in 1876, losing
the use of her left hand. Dr. W. was a successful
physician of the old school, and died from the effects ii
of overwork.

Mr. Viner lived nine years at Seneca, McHenry
County, and then moved to the township of Mazon,
Grundy Co., 111., purchasing a farm of 80 acres, then
a wild place, where he first attempted to make a
home ; but he soon afterward sold it to his brother )
and returned to McHenry County and bought 122 %
acres of improved land. After living there three or I
four years he sold out and moved again to Grundy
County and purchased an improved farm of 80 acres,
but a year afterward he sold this and removed to
Portage Co., Wis., where he bought new land, built
upon it and improved it some, and in four months
went back to Grundy County again, purchased 80 /
acres, built a house upon it and dwelt there a little
more than a year. He sold again and moved to >
this (Cortland) township, bought a farm of 86 acres i
and lived upon it for 20 years. He then rented this *
farm and moved to Morris, Grundy County, lived ^
there a year, relumed here and sold his farm on sec- *
tions 26 and 27, and finally purchased his present
place, in 1882.

In his political views Mr. Viner is a Democrat,
and in an official capacity he has been for several
years a School Director.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Viner are : Sarah
C., born May 10, 1849, in Mazon, Grundy Co., 111.,
and married March 5, 1868, Emery Willmarth, and
lives in Cortland village ; Charles D., born in Seneca
Township, McHenry Co., 111., Feb. 4, 1853, and
March 2, 1876, married Ada Brown, and now living
in this (Cortland) township; Thomas D., born also
in Seneca Township, Sept. i, 1855, married March
28, 1883, Alice Smith, and is now living in Nebraska;
Alva V., born in Mazon, III"., Dec. 21, 1857, married
Maggie Ellis Jan. 31, 1883, and is now a merchant
in Waverly, Iowa; William E., born in Cortland
Township, this county, Aug. 16, 1860, is now a clerk
in Morris, Grundy County; Frank L., born in this -,
township, Feb. 26, 1867, lives in Nebraska; Joseph
C., born May 25, 1869, also in this township, died
Aug. 6 following; and Ellis F., born Dec. 23, 1871,
in Cortland Township, is living at home.

DE KALB COUNTY.

Win. L. Viner, oldest brother of Varnum V., while
on a visit, by permission of his father, to an uncle in
Pennsylvania, Jonathan Banister by name, taught
school there during the winter of 1841-2, worked on
a farm the next spring near his uncle's, then went
down the Ohio River on a raft of lumber, and thence
up the Mississippi River to Galena, from which point
his family received a letter from him, and since that
time he has never been heard from. His father went
to Galena and spent three weeks in search of him.

obert D. Lord, resident at Genoa, has been
a citizen of the township since 1845. He
was born Sept. 9, 1817, in Saratoga Co.,
N. Y., and is the son of Ebenezer and Mary
(Morris) Lord. His parents were natives re-
1 spectively of Connecticut and New Jersey, and
settled in Saratoga County, where they resided many
years, removing thence to Yates County, in the Em-
pire State, and there died. Of ten children born to
them nine grew to mature years.

Mr. Lord accompanied his parents at the age of
eight years' to Yates County, and he was a member
of the parental household until his marriage. After
that event he managed his father's farm three years,
when he came to Illinois and bought 80 acres of land
in Genoa Township, became resident thereon and
continued its management until the summer of 1862-
He enlisted at Sycamore in the losth 111. Vol. Inf.,
and was elected and commissioned Second Lieuten-
ant. After three months' service he resigned on
account of ill health. On returning to De Kalb
County, his medical adviser recommended change of
climate and he went to California, returning nine
months later for his family, and set out with them in
the spring following, crossing the plains in wagons.
They remained in Calirornia six years, Mr. Lord en-
gaging in various occupations. He returned in 1869
to De Kalb County and resumed the calling of a
farmer on his farm in Genoa Township. At the end
of five years he removed with his family to the vil-
lage of Genoa, where he interested himself in butcher-
ing and in dealing in butter, cheese and other farm
produce. After a period of three years he closed his
business in those avenues and returned to his farm.
In 1883 he determined to retire and erected a fine resi-

dence in the village of Genoa, to which he removed
in the winter of 1884. Mr. Lord retains the owner-
ship of 80 acres of valuable land in Genoa Township
and also of 160 acres in Iowa. He is a Republican
in politics. While a resident of Genoa Township he
was Postmaster at New Lebanon one year, resigning
the position at the expiration of that time. He was
Justice of the Peace for a long term of years.

He was married March 17, 1840, in Yates Co.,
N. Y., to Olive Hogeboom, and they have been the
parents of nine children, but three of whom survive
Julia, Joseph and David. Mrs. Lord was born
April 24, 1820, in the State of New York, and is the
daughter of Andrew and Julia Hogeboom. Her
father was of Dutch descent and was born in the
Empire State. The mother was a native of Connect-
icut. The family located in Genoa Township in
1845. The fatherdied there about 1855; the mother
is living and is 88 years of age.

enjamin P. Whipple, farmer on the north-
east quarter of section 9, Cortland Town-
ship, was born in Muncie, Lycoming Co.,
Pa., Oct. 25, 1857. Both his parents were
also born in that county, and are now living
three miles north of Sycamore, this county.
His father, James Whipple, was born March 4, 1831,
of American ancestry, and his mother, Mary, nee
Warner, was born 1833. They came to this county
in 1870, arriving March 18, locating upon a farm
which he had purchased the year before of Arnold
Brown, and which is now occupied by a brother of
Benjamin.

The subject of this sketch lived with his father
until he was 23 years of age, when he bought a
threshing-machine, in company with his brother,
which they ran for seven seasons, ending with that
of 1883. At that business they were very successful.
He purchased his present farm in 1879, of Mr.
Meeker, who had the use of it for a year afterward.
In March, 1880, Mr. Whipple moved upon the place.
In 1883 he bought 80 acres of Joseph Gandy, ad-
joining on the south.

Mr. Whipple was married Dec. r6, 1879, to Miss
Mary A., daughter of Moses and Rachel (Evans)
Dean. Mr. Dean was born in Hasbrouck, Sullivan

DE KALB COUNTY.

^Co., N. Y., Jan. 26, 1815, engaged in a grist or saw
T) mill or other enterprises, and since he came West in
> 1857 he has followed banking in Sycamore and
farming. Mrs. Dean was born in Fallsburg, Sullivan
5 1 Co., N. Y., Jan. 26, 1816, was married June 13, 1840,
and had seven children, of whom Mrs. Whipple is
the fourth in order of birth. Mrs. D. died April 26,
1884, in Sycamore, greatly respected by the com-
munity, as indeed are the whole family yet living.
Mrs. Whipple was born Sept. 19, 1854, in Hasbrouck,
^ N. Y., and was carefully educated and disciplined in
^ ) an affectionate family. Mr. and Mrs. Whipple have
had two children, namely : Warner D., born Dec. 23,
' 1880, in Sycamore, 111., and Le Roy J., Dec. ir,
1882, in Cortland Township.
In politics Mr. W. is a Republican.

.Ithorn Rogers, of the firm of Hoyt &
Rogers, general merchants at Sycamore,
was born Sept. 13, 1848, at Ballston
Springs, Saratoga Co., N. Y. His father, Elam
Rogers, was born in 1800 and commenced life
as a farmer, afterwards in the employment of
the Scythe Manufacturing Company at Ballston,
where he is now living in retirement. The mother,
Caroline M. (Prentiss) Rogers, was born in Worcester,
Mass., and is still living. The family circle is yet
intact. Their nine children were born in the follow-
ing order: Rachel P. married W. H. Dodge, a lum-
ber, dealer at Rochester, Minn. Caroline M. is the
widow of John C. Waterman, formerly a prominent
capitalist of Sycamore. Elvira is the wife of C. R.
Bassett, a wholesale notion dealer in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Amelia married T. W. Stebbins, a hardware merchant
at Rochester, Minn. Emily is an invalid, and is a
member of her sister's family at Rochester. Melissa
married M. Pinner, real-estate broker in the city of
New York. Ethan, twin brother oi Mr. Rogers of
this sketch, is an ax manufacturer at Cohoes, N. Y.
Jennie is the widow of H. H. Hurst, a former drug-
gist of Ballston, N. Y.

Mr. Rogers obtained a good education at the ex-
cellent schools of the several grades in his native
county, completed by an academic course of study.
About the age of 18 years he entered the factory with
his father, where he remained a few months and

afterwards became a clerk in a dry-goods store at
Ballston, where he was employed until 1871, the year
of his removal to the West. He continued his former
occupation at Rochester, Minn., until his health, be-
came affected through confinement, and in 1875 he
went to the Atlantic coast. In the year following he
came to Sycamore to take a position as salesman in
the mercantile establishment in which he is now a
proprietor, then owned and managed by Waterman
& Hoyt. In 1878 the firm became Hoyt, Rogers &
Co., by the admission of the latter as a member, and
its affairs were conducted under that style until t88o,
when the business and its relations became the
property of the present proprietors by the purchase
of the interest of Mr. Waterman. The invested
capital of Messrs. Hoyt & Rogers is estimated at
$18,000, and they are doing a satisfactory business
in the sale of general merchandise. They are also
interested in the Marsh Harvester Company as stock-
holders.

Mr. Rogers was married May 6, 1880, in Sycamore,
to Jennie L. Byran, and they have two children :
Martin L., born Oct. 7, 1881, and Urania B., born
Nov. 8, 1883. Mrs! Rogers was born Feb. 24, 1857,
in Sycamore, and is the daughter of Dr. O. M. and
Jane L. Byran, of Sycamore. She is a graduate of
Wellesey College.

Ibert A. Olmstead, farmer, section 16,
Genoa Township, was born Jan. 19, 1838,
in Delaware Co., N. Y. He is the son of
Caleb andSamantha (Wager) Olmstead, whose
biography is given on another page. He was
still in childhood when his parents removed to '
De Kalb County, and he remained at home until
about 22 years of age, having been engaged for nearly
three years previous in farming on shares. He pros-
pected some time for a satisfactory location, and event-
ually located on r2o acres in the township where he
has since been a citizen. His estate now comprises
440 acres of land, nearly all under improvement.
His farm stock includes about 100 head of cattle and
20 horses, and he sends to market annually an aver-
age of 50 hogs. Mr. Olmstead has been identified
with the interests and issues of the Republican party
since he became eligible to the privileges of citizen-

Z>JS KALB COUNTY.

f ship, and he has officiated in several local positions.

5 His marriage to Susan E. Siglin took place Jan.

i 15, 1868, in Elgin, Kane Co., 111. She was born
Feb. 7, 1843, in Pennsylvania, and is .the fourth in

\f order of birth of 10 children born to her parents,
Jacob and Hannah J. (Setzer) Siglin. Her brothers
and sisters were named Rachel, Mary, Jacob, John,
Josiah, Tayler, Michael, Jennie and Ella. Her par-
ents were pioneers of De Kalb County and still re-
side at Sycamore.

.on. Chauncey Ellwood, Mayor of Sycamore
(1885). The portrait of this gentleman,
which appears on the opposite page, is a
most fitting accompaniment to the PORTRAIT
AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF DE KALB COUN-
TY, from the relations he sustains to its citizens
and from the fact that he has been a resident within
its borders for more than a quarter of a century. He
has been a landholder at Sycamore since 1837, when
he entered a claim to 80 acres of Government land,
receiving his patent for the same dated the loth
day of July, 1844, and signed by the President, John
Tyler. His residence is located on a portion
. of this land now included within the incorporated
limits of Sycamore. The comparative condition of
the now beautiful city with those primitive days may
'be estimated from the fact that, when Mr. Ellwood
removed hither in 1858, a broad field of wheat
fronted on what is now one of the main thoroughfares
of Sycamore.

Mr. Ellwood was born Dec. 24, 1816, in Minden,
Montgomery Co., N. Y., and is the son of Abraham
and Sarah (Delong) Ellwood. The former was born
Nov. 7, 1792, in Montgomery County, and was a
farmer in the early years of his life ; a respected citi-
zen, having filled various town offices in the town
where he resided in New York State ; an active busi-
ness man, having constructed several sections upon
the New York Central Railroad and also upon the
enlargement of the Erie Canal, and in the latter
years of his life carried on the cooperage busi-
ness. He died at Sycamore, whither he and wife re-
moved in 1856, his demise occurring August 24,
1872. The mother died at Sycamore Jan. 18,
She was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Feb.

23, 1795. Both parents belonged to hardy races,
tenacious of life and of robust physical development,
all of which characteristics are perpetuated in the
present generation. The mediate ancestral stock
had its origin in the sturdy, stalwart inhabitants that
settled the valley of the Mohawk in the State of New
York. Of eleven children born to Abraham Ellwood
and his wife ten survive. Nancy, the oldest child,
was married in Montgomery County, her native State,
to Livingston D. Walrod, and removed to Sycamore
after the birth of her first child, Joseph, in the fall
of 1836. Her second son, James W. Walrod, now de-
ceased, was the first white boy born at Sycamore
in 1838. Malinda is the widow of Joseph Sixbury,
and resides at the home of Mr. Ellwood, of this
sketch, who is her immediate successor in the order
of birth. A sketch of herself and husband will ap-
pear upon another page in this volume. Eliza mar-
ried Aaron Barringer, and, after his death, became
the wife of O. Bowman. She is now a widow and a
resident of Cherry Valley, Otsego County, N. Y.
Chauncey, Reuben, Alonzo, Livingston, Hiram,
James E. and Isaac L. were born in the order
named. Chauncey, Reuben, Alonzo, James E., all re-
side at Sycamore, and are represented in this work.
Livingston is a physician in Schenectady, N. Y.
Hiram and Isaac L.,both prominent business men at
the city of De Kalb, are the subjects of biographical
sketches in the ALBUM of this county. Alida, young-
est child, married E. P. Young (deceased), the record
of whose life may be found on another page.

Mr. Ellwood acquired an academic education at
Amsterdam, N. Y., carving out his educational course
by his own exertions. While pursuing his studies,
he conducted classes in mathematics, philosophy and
the rudiments of Latin in the same institution, there-
by paying his board and tuition. He went to the village
of Frankfort, where his active temperament brought
him into prominence through his interest in general
and local political affairs. He was an ardent Whig, and
in 1849 he secured the appointment of Postmaster at
Frankfort under President Taylor, and remained in
the position through the administration of Millard
Fillmore. He was elected Superintendent of Com-
mon Schools at Frankfort for a number of years. He
entered the law office of Judd & Cleland in the same
village and read under their instructions until his ad-
mission to the Bar of the Empire State, when he
formed a business association with his junior pre-

DE KALB COUNTY.

ceptor, and they established a legal practice at
Frankfort, under the style of Cleland & Ellwood,
their connection existing three years. Mr. Ellwood's
wide-awake, alert, mental organization kept him
always, so to speak, " on deck," and his readiness for
any amount or quality of hard work pushed him into
places of responsibility and effort, and during the
years 1854-6 officiated as Superintendent of section
No. 5 on the Erie Canal, including a distance of 25
miles, and extending from Little Falls to Whitesboro,
one of importance on the line of the canal, extend-
ing through the city of Utica; and its gradual de-
scent along the hanks of the Mohawk to Little Falls
necessitated numerous locks and created an enor-
mous amount of labor every year.

Mr. Ellwood's connection with the political his-
tory of his native State was during, the period in
which the Republican Party was organized. Mr.
Ellwood frequently represented his district in the
Congressional Conventions during the existence of
the old Whig party as well as since the organi-
zation of the Republican party. On the isth of
September, 1855, the last Whig District Conven-
tion of Herkimer County convened in the village
of Mohawk, which was attended by Mr. Ellwood in
the capacity of Delegate from Frankfort, and he was
unanimously chosen Delegate to the Whig State
Convention to be held at Syracuse on the 26th day
of the same month.

Sept. 13, two days before the meeting above re-
ferred to, the Republican element of Herkimer
County issued a call for a cpunty convention to be
held at Herkimer, Sept. 22, to appoint delegates to a
Republican Convention to be held at Syracuse on
the same day, which had been fixed for the conven-
ing of the Whigs in that city. The Whig Convention
of Sept. 26, 1855, which met at Syracuse pursuant to
the call, was the last assembly under the banners of
the old regime in the Empire State. The party in
New York practically expired in 1854, and the deler-
gates who went up to Syracuse in September, 1855,
went there to pay a last melancholy tribute to a de-
funct organization. A feeble attempt to re-galvanize
the Whig party took place, but the delegates, fair-
minded, conscientious, reflective men, revolved in
their thoughts the principles set forth in the pream-
ble to the call, pursuant to which call another body
was in session in another quarter of the same city.

The friends of Freedom without distinction of

party, and such as are opposed to the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, and hostile to the further ex-
tention of slavery in sentiment, and determined to
exercise their rights of suffrage in such a man-
ner as to carry out their views in future political
action," were words which rang in their ears and re-
echoed in their consciousness, while the old-liners
affirmed that Whiggery and Republicanism were es-
sentially identical, and that the latter, being a tem-
porary offshoot, would die early, unless safely gath-
ered into the sheltering bosom of the former. Before
the day closed the Whigs marched from their cham-
ber of assembly to that of the Republican convention.

Oct. 1 8 following, 22 days later, Chauncey Ell-
wood was a Delegate from Frankfort to a Republican
Convention called for the purpose of nominating
county officers. One of the distinctive actions of the
Convention was an endorsement of the resolutions
and nominations of the Republican State Convention
at Syracuse. To the sentiments and principles,
which he adopted without qualification or reservation,
Mr. Ellwood has since consistently and inflexibly
adhered.

He came to Sycamore in the spring of 1858, and
on the 7th of May following he was admitted to
practice in the State Courts of Illinois. He formed a
business relation with a law association already es-
tablished at Sycamore, which conducted a successful
enterprise covering a period of two years, under the
style of James, Lowell & Ellwood. On its termina-.
tion the relation of Owen & Ellwood was formed,
which existed two years and was ended by the with-
drawal of the junior partner.

In April, 1861, Mr. Ellwood was appointed Post-
master at Sycamore by President Lincoln, and
retained the position until November, 1866. Mean-
while he figured in local and State politics, having
represented his county several times in State Con-
ventions, his career being a continuation of the
line of action he had pursued in the State of
New York, and the records attest the vigor and
persistency of his public attitude. In the 25111
General Assembly of Illinois, from 1866 to 1868,
he was elected First Assistant Secretary of the
Senate under Gen. Chas. E. Lippincott, and on the
resignation of his chief became his successor. In
the next sessions (1868-1870) he was elected Secre-
tary of the Senate. In the fall of 1869 he was
nominated for State Senator from his District, but

,,T7X,

DE KALB COUNTY.

failed of election on account of dissension in the Con-
vention. In the fall of 1877, without solicitation, he
was made the candidate of the National Greenback
Labor element for State Senator and made a gratify-
ing run in his District, which is strongly Republican.
His own town, which was Republican by a majority
of more than 300, gave him 235 majority and he
came very near an election. In 1879 he was elected
a member of the Board of Education. He served as
its Secretary in 1880 and 1881, and was re-elected in

1882, became its President, and is still the incum-
bent of that position (1885).

Mr. Ellwood has operated in the general business
interests of Sycamore with the same alertness, energy,
persistency and industry that have characterized his
entire career. In 1866 the Sycamore Bank sus-
pended, with heavy liabilities, and Mr. Ellwood
closed its affairs with the creditors. In 1867, asso-
ciated with Dr. O. M. Bryan and Alonzo Ellwood,
he started a flax-mill, which is still in existence and
operated under the ownership and management of
Messrs. Loomis & Luther. In 1874 he engaged in
the boot and shoe business at Sycamore, which he
conducted until his promotion to the place of chief
executive of the city. He is a Director in the R.
Ellwood Manufacturing Company, and one of the
managers and President of Elm wood Cemetery. On
the organization of the Marsh Binder Manufacturing
Company, he became a stock-holder, and was elected a
Director. In the year following he declined a re-elec-
tion from press of other business. From 1875 to July,

1883, when the road passed into the ownership of
the Chicago & Northwestern corporation, he was
Vice- President and General Manager of the Syca-
more & Cortland Railroad. One of the achieve-
ments of his administration was the erection of the
fine brick depot at Sycamore. The kindly nature of
Mr. Ellwood is as clearly shown by his consideration
for the residents of Sycamore during the period of
his management, as in any other phase of his career,
many being granted the favors of magic slips signed
" C. Ellwood," which secured to them the privileges
of the road. Many a boy will bear in lasting re-
membrance the man who sent him to the conductor
with a chalk mark on his back, bearing a significance
most gratifying to the wearer of the brand which
passed him over the road.

In 1883 he was elected Vice-President of the De

Kalb County Agricultural Association and re-elected ^'
to the same position in 1884 and 1885. '

Though not a subscriber to the tenets of any ec-
clesiastical denomination, Mr. Ellwood lends counte-
nance and substantial aid to the maintenance and V~)
furtherance of religious influence. He attends the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is characteristically
liberal and generous in its support. His interest in its
welfare was most appropriately recognized by his selec-
tion as an eminently proper person to pronounce the
address of welcome in behalf of the local society on
the occasion of the convening of the 42d Session of jj
the Rock River Annual Conference held at Syca- I
more, in October, '88r. His remarks were published
in full in the City Weekly and were made in the
genial vein and liberal spirit of their author. A reso-
lution was presented and adopted by the Conference
expressing the thanks of the organization for the ad-
dress, and also for the courtesy extended by Mr. r
Ellwood to its members in passing them on the
Sycamore & Cortland Railroad, of which he was >->,
Manager. The appreciation of his efforts was em- ^
phasized by additional mention in the general reso- +
lutions adopted at the close of the Conference.

Mr. Ellwood has been twice married. He formed -jv
a matrimonial alliance with Jane E. Budlong in 1846, .
in Frankfort, N. Y. She was the daughter of Dr.
Caleb and Susan Budlong. Murray, only child of
this union, was born in 1847, and died before he was
six months old, after a brief illness of less than 24
hours' duration. The young mother, in the weariness
of broken health and hopes baffled by the sudden
death of her blooming, beautiful babe, did not rally .
from her depression, and on the i4th of April, 1848, ]
she sank away to eternal rest. She belonged to
prominent family, and her untimely death was the '
subject of much comment in the local press. The
order of Odd Fellows, to which her husband and
father belonged, passed resolutions of condolence
and attended her funeral in a body, wearing the
badge of mourning. She has been in the realm of
the blessed nearly 37 years, but on earth her memory *Q)
is still fresh and green, and is perpetuated by the
copy of the action of Oneontha Lodge, bearing under *
its official seal the expressions of sympathy passed
at a special meeting April 15, 1848.

Mr. Ellwood was again married in November,
1857, in Ionia, Mich., to Helen E., daughter of Sam-

.Q Stf^C i&$&

, . .. -. / . >^ _

244

DE KALB COUNTY.

uel and Anna Dexter. Three children were born of
this marriage: Florence was born Nov. 14, 1858,
and died Sept. 30, 1859; John D. was born Feb. 9,
1860, and is now a resident of De Kalb. He mar-
ried Emma, daughter of Thomas and Eleanor Combs,
of the city of De Kalb. Anna was born Sept. n, 1864.
Their mother died March 5, 1866, at Sycamore. She
was a lady of finely disciplined mind and possessed
unusual earnestness and decision of character. Her
married life was passed in the conscientious discharge
of every duty as wife and mother The qualities
she exercised as a friend and neighbor built for her
a memorial more enduring than marble, and she is
still mentioned with admiration and appreciation by
those who were the objects of her consideration and
esteem.

The residence of Mr. Ellwood at Sycamore is lo-
cated on a plat of ground containing 12 acres, be-
longing to his original claim, of which he became the
possessor in 1837. The spot where the house stands
is in the same state in which it was when its owner
first selected it, its soil having never been broken by
the plow. In the rear of the residence is a small
artificial lake, of a half-acre in extent, and stocked
with fish.

Mr. Ellwood was a charter member of Oneontha
Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 215, at Frankfort, in which he
was prominent and passed all the chairs. He was
also made a Mason in Olive Branch Lodge there,
and passed the various offices, including that of
Master of the Lodge ; and on removal to Sycamore
he transferred his membership by demit to Blue
Lodge No. 134. He is now a Royal Arch Mason at
Sycamore.

Oae of the most notable occasions in the history
of Mr. Ellwood's connection with the home of his
adoption was the event of the presentation of an
elegant gold-headed cane by his friends at Sycamore.
The cane cost $100. The engraving embraces an
appropriate inscription, and the design of a locomo-
tive with tender and passenger coach attached. But
over and above the value and beauty of the gift was
the abounding enthusiasm which characterized the
arrangement and consummation of the presentation
ceremonies. It was a perfect ovation and the assem-
blage was gratifying in point of numbers and en-
thusiasm. The militia and the fire companies,
embracing the members of four organizations and

led by the Band, made a most imposing parade, after
which the concourse gathered m Wilkins Hall and
were called to order by the President of the occasion,
Judge Charles Kellum. The leading addresses are
presented intact. Mayor Nathan Lattin spoke as fol-
lows:

" Mr . President : We have met on this occasion
and in this hall in a different capacity and for a
different purpose than we have been wont to meet
here. Sometimes we have met here for pleasure,
sometimes as political factions, and sometimes we
have met when excitement and passion have largely
predominated in our deliberations ; but on this occa-
sion we meet much differently. The war-club and
the tomahawk are, for the time being, buried deep
out of sight, and all meet to x show respect to and
good will toward one of our active, enterprising and
public-spirited fellow townsmen, one whose interests
have been largely identified with the interests and
prosperity of Sycamore for the past 20 years not
only have been but still are. We have also met to
present him a slight token of our appreciation. I
need hardly say that the citizen referred to is HON.
CHAUNCEY ELLWOOD.

" He came to Sycamore about 20 years ago, when
the place was but a village of a few hundred /Inhabi-
tants, no buildings of very large pretensions, either
for business, residences, hotels or places for religious
worship; no large manufacturing establishments, or
machine shops ;. no flax or grist mill ; no railroad ;
Mill's stage coach was the only public conveyance
by which to communicate with the outer world ; the
steam whistle had scarcely broken upon the primeval
stillness. He identified himself with the interests of
the place of his adoption and has been identified
with them up to the present time, and, I may say,
is more closely identified with them now than at any
time in the past. He has seen the village of 20
years ago grow to be one of the most beautiful cities
of the present and still in the height of her ambition ;
the unpretentious buildings disappear and in their
place's appear substantial business blocks, handsome
residences, beautiful churches, mills, machine shops
and manufacturing establishments; in place of the
stage coach, the railroad; the shrill whistle of engines
is heard morning, noon and evening. The surround-
ing country has had to contribute new territory f<
its growth. He has not only witnessed these changes
f~\ ^m^j^ef geJkVS^-^^Vf?)

""^cxT^"" "'-.,'. /v __

DE KALB COUNTY.

but has been largely identified with the efforts that
have brought them about.

" But more particularly has his efficiency been
demonstrated in the capacity of General Manager of
the Sycamore & Cortland Railroad. To-day our lit-
tle railroad commands the respect of not only in-
dividuals, but also of other railroad corporations, and
by it Sycamore is made one of the principal railroad
points of Illinois, and its importance is appreciated
by all the commercial centers east and west. It is
but justice to say that to Chauncey Ellwood belongs
the credit largely of our enviable position, and also a
fair share of the credit of other improvements of the
past years. And when years have passed away, and
with them he and ourselves, then his name will shine
bright on the roll of honor among those who stood
faithful and true to the interests, welfare, growth and
prosperity of this, the most beautiful little city in the
world, with this sentiment ever before him : ' Syca-
more : may she ever be right ; but, right or wrong,
nevertheless, Sycamore ! '

" For his fidelity to the interests of the city, his
friends have met on this occasion to present to him,
in the name of the citizens of Sycamore, a token of
their appreciation, and I may say, all join in approv-
ing.

" Mr. Ellwood, in the name of your friends, in the
name of the citizens of Sycamore, I have the honor
of presenting to you this cane as a token of their ap-
preciation of your fidelity to the interests of this city.
Take it and use it, and by its use may you be able to
lengthen out the span of life a little at least ; and
when you are through with it, and your work done,
may your posterity preserve it as an heirloom to your
remembrance ; and may it be an incentive to them
to serve their town, county, State and country well
and faithfully."

In response, Mr. Ellwood said :

" Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen : I have often
been called upon to express my views upon the vari-
ous matters pertaining to the general welfare of our
city's prosperity ; but never with the same emotions
as at the present time, as I see before me so many of
the professional and business men, the militia com-
panies, the elements of our city's prosperity, the
laboring men, also the elements of its preservation,
the fire companies, to respond to the kind sentiment
you have expressed to be the recipient of a testi-

/-s \

monial so beautiful and valuable as this cane. I
frankly admit that I do not know how to express my
feelings and thanks.

" You have so kindly referred to my long residence
in this place that I may be pardoned in saying that I
have witnessed its prosperity and growth, that I have
seen it gathering strength year by year, by the united
and energetic efforts of her business men, until it has
grown from a mere hamlet to a beautiful and pros-
perous city of some four or five thousand inhabitants,
unsurpassed by any city in the State for the high
moral standing of her business men, whose energetic
aid has never been wanting to further any enterprise
that would tend to the advancement of the city's
prosperity.

" As to the management of the railroad, it is due
from me to say that I have ever received th'e hearty
co-operation of the president, officers and directors
for all the changes and improvements that have been
made upon it. It is also due from me to say that
our business relations with the general officers of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company have
been and are of the most friendly character, and to
them is due much of the success which our road has
obtained, never having asked them for a reasonable
favor in behalf of our road, or for the business men,
which has not been readily and cheerfully granted.

" I accept this beautiful cane, not so much on ac-
count of its intrinsic value, nor for its beauty, but as
coming from my old friends and neighbors, as a
memento of their friendship and esteem. I shall
keep and prize it as long as I live ; and, as the ever
changing years roll round, the sweet memories and
recollections of this hour will ever grow brighter and
brighter, dearer and dearer to me. Again I thank
you, my friends, with the assurance that this occasion
will ever be treasured and remembered by me as one
of the happiest events of my life."

Judge Kellum responded to repeated calls as
follows :

"Ladies and Gentlemen : It is gratifying to me. as
doubtless it is to all of the citizens of Sycamore, to
participate in an assemblage of this character. We
have met to show our appreciation of the business
ability, zeal and fidelity of one of Sycamore's oldest
citizens, Hon. Chauncey Ellwood. He has witnessed
and been a part of the city's growth, and has been
largely identified with its prosperity and success as a

DE KALB COUNTY.

business center, but has more particularly dis-
tinguished himself in his management of the Syca-
more & Cortland Railroad. Amid the manifold
perplexities incident to the railroad business, his
uniform courtesy and obliging manners, his civility
and complaisance, have reflected honor upon his
management. This occasion is worthy of Sycamore,
whose citizens are always willing to do honor to the
men who do most to promote her material interests.
All asperities, bickerings and heart-burnings, growing
out of political or other interests, are forgotten and

' made subordinate to the spirit of the occasion.

' " Mr. Ellwood, when with enfeebled frame and

* tottering step you walk the down hill of life, you will
find more support and comfort in the cheering
memories of this scene than in leaning on this staff,
carrying with you, as you will, to your life's end the
assurance of the esteem and approbation of your fel-
low-citizens."

R. L. Devine, Esq., made the following speech:
"I am much pleased and gratified over this de-

monstration of respect towards one of the oldest

* residents of Sycamore. Mr. Ellwood has claims to

be considered one of the pioneers of the place.
J More than a third of a century ago he purchased of

the United States the land where his homestead is
now located, in the limits of Sycamore. He has been
identified with many and perhaps most of the lead-
ing business enterprises of the town for years. He
has given a good word and a helping hand to many a
man who stood in need of them. It is quite impos-
sible for a man to lead an active public or business
life without often meeting with harsh criticism and
unjust opposition. Our friend here has had his full
^ \ share of that kind of experience ; but it is better to

[ appreciate and to commend and reward the good
deeds of those with whom we associate than to
magnify the errors such as all men are liable to com-
mit. I am all the more pleased with this demonstra-
tion, as it shows a disposition on the part of the
people to stand by one another and by the town.

^ Our city is prosperous and we are all proud of it; but
its prosperity can only be maintained in the future,
as it has been in the past, by harmony and unison
among its business men and citizens generally. Let

f us always bear in mind that old motto, 'United we

j\ stand, divided we fall.'

Messrs. ]. S. Waterman, Hon. VV. M. Byers, David

Syme, W. M. Loomis, R. Ellwood and G. M. Siv-
wright made brief and appropriate speeches, and after
the closing ceremonies the assemblage dispersed,
bearing away with them the remembrance and in-
spiration of one of the most enjoyable occasions in
the history of Sycamore. It reflects quite as much,
however, on the hearts that instigated such an
affair as on the man who was its distinguished
object. In January, 1883, Mr. Ellwood set out fora
Southern tour and traveled leisurely via Louisville,
Nashville and Montgomery, visiting prominent places
in Florida and shipping from Cedar Keys for Havana,
Cuba. All along the route he wrote his impressions
and observations in the form of keen, breezy, de-
scriptive letters, which he sent for publication to the
City Weekly at Sycamore. They were characterized
by the vein that runs through all his acts, earnest
devotion to and solicitude for the people and interests
of Sycamore.

It has been the lot of Chauncey Ellwood to live in
the most important period of the history of the Re-
public, and to share in its chances. His early life
was filled with the struggles that were his only in-
heritance. By diligence and the display of his good
judgment and business ability he has accumulated a
competency, although beginning active life with no
advantages.

,enry H. Slater, merchant at Genoa, was
born Oct. 31, 1838, in New Jersey. He
was reared to the age of 17 years on his
father's farm, attending the common school in
boyhood, and at the age named accompanied
his parents to Genoa Township, where they
joined the community of farmers. On reaching the
period of his majority, he returned to the East for a
visit and remained one year. He came back to De
Kalb County, and in August following his return he
enlisted in the iosth 111. Vol. Inf., enrolling in Co.
A, and shared the fortunes of the regiment until the
close of the war. He advanced to the grade of Ser-
geant, and was afterwards promoted as First Lieu-
tenant. He received his discharge at Washington,
D. C.

On his return to De Kalb County he entered into
the prosecution of a mercantile enterprise at Genoa,

OFTKE

DE KALB COUNTY.

forming a partnership with Henry Perkins, and they
prosecuted their joint interests in that direction three
years. Mr. Slater sold his claim and bought a farm
in the township of Genoa, and conducted an agricul-
tural enterprise two years. Again selling out, he
went to Grundy County, where he engaged in busi-
ness with A. K. Stiles. Eighteen months later he
disposed of his interest to Mr. Stiles and returned to
Genoa, embarking in a, mercantile enterprise. In
1876 he erected the fine brick building where he has
managed his business since. His yearly traffic
amounts to about $30,000.

Mr. Slater is a Republican in political connection
and has discharged the duties of several local offices.
He is a member of Lodge No. 288, F. & A. M., at
Genoa.

He was married to Anna B. Stiles, and they have
two children Samuel A., born April 16, 1868, and
Margaret A., born Sept. 2, 1870. Mrs. Slater 'is the
daughter of A. K. and Fanny (Smith) Stiles, the
former a native of Vermont, the latter of Canada.
They came to Genoa Township, where they lived
during the remainder of their lives. Their family in-
cluded four daughters and two sons.

Joseph Gandy, farmer, section 10, Cortland
Township, was born in Leesburg, Union Co.,
Ohio, Nov. i, 1834, and when he was
three years of age his parents moved with their
family to this county, where they have since
lived. Mr. G. never learned a trade, but, being
naturally a good mechanic, he can build any com-
mon farmer's house or barn as well as anybody. He
has been a school officer in his township, and in his
political views is a Democrat.

He was married Oct. 9, 1859, to Mary Jane Parker,
who was born Dec. 10, 1839, in Camden Township,
Hillsdale Co., Mich. They have five children,
namely: S. Douglas, born July 18, 1860; Sarah E.,
July 24,1862, was married Nov. 16, 1882, to Fred
W. Snow, and is a resident of Cortland village ; Ada,
born Jan. 29, 1864; Vida,Sept. 10, 1865; and Henry
Harris, April 9, 1874, all on section 9, this town-
ship. Mr. G.'s father was Henry H. Gandy. (See
sketch of H. H. Gandy.) Mrs. G.'s father, Abel
Parker, was torn in the State of New York, Dec. 14,

^&&*& **^ %*

i8oo, and died in 1851, in Camden, Hillsdale Co., f\
Mich. Her mother, Climena, nee Pease, was also 4P
born in New York State, July 4, 1813, and died Dec.
1 3> I 879, in California Township, Branch Co., Mich.
Her maternal grandfather was a Revolutionary sol- V&
dier.

ramont N. Hollembeak, retired farmer, re-
siding at Genoa, was born Feb. 5, 1816, in
Genesee Co., N. Y. Ruluff Hollembeak,
his father, was a native of New York, and
married Electa Ames, who was born in Ver-
I mont. After their marriage they became resi-
dents of Genasee County, afterwards removing to
Pennsylvania, where the father died. The mother
came to De Kalb County, and after a residence of
nearly 30 years returned to Pennsylvania, where she
died. Their children were named Electa, Betsey,
Aramont N., Alfred A., Abram, William and Amy.

Mr. Hollembeak is the oldest son of the children
born to his parents, and accompanied them while
yet in extreme youth to Crawford Co., Pa. He was
13 when his father died, and he continued to .reside
with his mother three years after that event, aiding
her in the support of the family. In 1832 he began
an apprenticeship to learn the business of a wagon-
maker, remaining until the year preceding his ma-
jority, after which he pursued his trade as a vocation
at different points until the date of his removal to
De Kalb County, and afterwards for a season. Among
other places where he carried on his business may
be named Conneaut, Ohio, where he operated three
years.

In 1839 he became a citizen of De Kalb County
and entered a claim of 160 acres of land in the
township of Genoa, of which he afterwards obtained
the patent from the Government. On this he lo-
cated and was an occupant until Nov., 1877, when he
built his present residence, and of which he took pos-
session on its completion. His fine and valuable farm
is managed by a tenant. ,

Politically, Mr. Hollembeak is an out-and-out Re-
publican, and he has been an important factor in the
general interests of his township. He has been Su-
pervisor two terms, has served several terms
Assessor, School Trustee and Road Commissioner,

^^ -*m

Iff

DE KALB COUNTY.

and has discharged the duties of a Police Magistrate
six years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Jan. 12, 1838, he was married, in Crawford Co.,
Pa., to Pamelia, daughter of Frederick and Amy
Decker. Her parents were residents of Genesee Co.,
N. Y., where her father died. The mother went to
Pennsylvania and later to Michigan, to live with her
children, and died at Cassopolis in that State. Their
daughters were Betsey, Catherine, Hannah, Amy,
Jane and Pamelia, and sons, Barney, Grant and
( Stacey. Mrs. Hollembeak was born May 7, 1817, in
Cj Genesee Co., N. Y. The children born to her and
her husband are Adelia A., Alfred, Henry, Emily,
Ruluff and Ralph.

A fine lithographic portrait of Mr. H. accompanies
this sketch.

ohn E. Atwood, merchant at De Kalb, and
senior member of the firm of Atwood &
Burnside, was born Aug. 26, 1828, in the
town of Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass. He
remained in the Bay State until 1 1 years old
and spent the succeeding four years in Jeffer-
son and Lewis Counties, N. Y. In 1844 he came to
Illinois and settled in Rockford, finding employment
as a farm laborer. When he reached the age of 22
years he entered a dry-goods store in that city, where
he acted in the capacity of salesman. He ceased his
connection with his employers at the end of four
years, during which he had spent about one year in
his native State.

He came thence to De Kalb County and engaged
in business in the township of Malta, operating there
three years and coming to De Kalb in 1862. He
formed his present business relation with A. W.
Burnside in 1877, previous to which date he was
connected with his brother. The annual aggregate
of the business transactions of the firm are estimated
at $40,000, and they rank among the leading com-
mercial houses of this section of Illinois. Mr. At-
wood adopts the principles of the prohibition element
in politics. He is also a member of the Masonic
fraternity.

He was first married in Belvidere, 111., to Angelita
Harrington, a native of Buffalo, N. Y. They had

two children: Clara A. resides at Colorado Springs,
and J. Harie is in the employment of John V. Far-
.well & Co., of Chicago. Their mother died in Malta
and Mr. Atwood was again married in that place
March n, 1861, to Annie E. Fuller. One child
Walter B. has been born to them. Mrs. Atwood is
a native of Pennsylvania.

ififerson O. Stark, of the firm of Stark Bros.,
dealers in stock and pressed hay, at Syca-
more, was born April 4, 1847, in the town-
ship of the same name, in this county. His
father, Marshal Stark, was born Aug. 12, 1813,
in Luzerne Co., Pa., and became a resident of
De Kalb County Sept. 14, 1835. Louisa (Tyler)
Stark was born in Susquehanna Co., Pa. The senior
Stark located a large tract of land on section 31,
Sycamore Township, which was deeded to him on
its coming into market, and is still in the family. At
one time he was the proprietor of a place of public
entertainment at Sycamore, known as the Stark
House, a part of which is still standing contiguous
to the Ward House. He was Sheriff of De Kalb
County one term and officiated in other positions of
trust and importance. His death occurred Dec. 26,
1882, and his widow is still a resident of the home-
stead. Their ten children are all living. Harmon
M. resides on 360 acres in Kingston Township in
this county, which is a portion of the unsettled es-
tate. Martha is the wife of Hosea Atwood, a farmer
in Jasper Co., Iowa. Mary married Curtis Harris,
of the township of Genoa. Jefferson O. is the fourth
in order of birth, and is in company with Henry, his
junior brother. Theron resides in Sycamore and is
administrator of his father's estate. Ada married
James Maitland, and resides on the homestead. Ella
is the wife of A. W. Brower, a hardware merchant of
Sycamore. Emma married Charles Wiggins, a farmer
in Storey Co., Iowa. Hattie is the wife of Burt Lee,
a resident of Sycamore.

Mr. Stark was reared to the legal age of manhood
on the paternal estate, and on reaching a period of
independence he engaged in buying and shipping
stock. Three years after he established his business
he admitted his brother to an interest, and they have
since been heavily engaged in transactions in the

^\.A /-s ^nJSxrL.i^' vsx>

DE KALB
)

' avenues named. They buy and ship stock to Chicago
nd press hay for mark-it, having the requisite facili-
*. ties at Sycamore and also at Kirkland.

Mr. Stark is the owner of his residence and a
i second dwelling, which is rented. He was married
Nov. 13, 1875, to Lydia Carver, a native of Luzerne
Co., Pa., and is the daughter of Jabez and Ellen
(Jackson) Carver. She was born in Lemon Town-
ship, Luzerne Co., Pa., Aug. i, 1850.

ayne Holdridge, farmer on the northwest
quarter of section 28, Cortland Township,
was born in Smithville, Chenango Co.,
N. Y., Nov. 22, 1825, and is a son of Ira
and Anna (Howell) Holdridge. His father
was born in 1786, in Pownell, Vt, and died Jan.
13, 1869; and his mother was born on Long Island,
N. Y., Sept. 26, 1792, and died Dec. 28, 1869, in
Chenango Co., N. Y. They had a family of ten
children.

Mr. Holdridge, the eighth in the above family,
was brought up on a farm and received a practical
school education. At the age of 28 he came to this
county, arriving in June, 1853, and locating on his
present farm of 67 acres, lying just north of the rail-
road. For 1 1 years he lived in the village of Cort-
land, where he owned a house and lot and followed
painting, and bought his farm in 1864, since which
time he has occupied it. In 1864 it had only an old
house, but he has placed upon it a good residence,
barn, outbuildings, etc. In politics Mr. Holdridge is
a Republican.

He was married Sept. 27, 1857, to Miss Clara L.,
daughter and youngest child of Job and Anna
(Sprague) Densmore, of Puritan English stock. She
was born Oct. 24, 1834, in McDonough, Chenango
Co., N. Y. Her father, a Methodist minister, was
born March 25, 1790, in Reading, Vt, and died Sept.
9, 1845 ; and her mother was born May 24, 1791, in
Vermont, and died March 23, 1880. Her grand-
father Densmore was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War. Mrs. Holdridge has a Continental eight-
dollar bill which he received in pay. Her grand-
father Sprague was a Captain of a stationary com-
pany at Castleton, in the Revolutionary War. Her
oldest brother, H. B. Densmore, came to Kane Co.,

COUNTY.

111., in 1837, and located at Sugar Grove, where he
still resides.

Mrs. H. came to this county with her mother in
1845, they leaving New York State the day after Mr.
Densmore was buried. There were 21 in the party,
and they came West by team. Among them were
Mrs. D., two children, and a sister named Cornelia N
Breed, who has married and is now living in New
Bedford, Bureau Co., 111. A brother, Joseph, is now
living in Shell Rock, Butler Co., Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Holdridge have had one child,
Ethelbert by name, who was born July 25, 1861, in
Cortland Township, and is now living in Cortland
village.

Mr. H. is a Republican in his political views.

illiam Wallace Bryant, M. D., practicing
physician and surgeon at Sycamore, was
born Oct. 31, 1832, at Chesterfield, Hamp-
shire Co., Mass. His father, Martin M.
Bryant, was born in the same place, and
JJ married Nancy A. Skiff, a native of Williams-
burg, Mass. He was a physician of the " new
school," and in 1838 settled at North Adams, where
he pursued his profession until his death in 1844.

Dr. Bryant was a child of six years when his par-
ents went to the town of Adams, and was 12 years old
when his father died. He remained with his mother
and attended Drury Academy in Adams, and subse-
quently became a student at Marlow, Cheshire Co.,
N. H. He began to read medicine under the in-
structions of Dr. W. W. Gardner, at Pittsfield, Mass.,
and supplemented the knowledge there obtained by
attending lectures at the Medical College at Worces-
ter in his native State, where he was graduated in
June, 1856.

In October of the same year, Dr. Bryant came to
Sycamore, then in its days of incipiency, and has
since been engaged as a practitioner at this point.
He has built a substantial and popular business, and
has discharged the duties of his profession with little
intermission.

Dr. Bryant was married in September, 1856, to
Cordelia Sheldon. She was born in Monroe, Frank-
lin Co., Mass., and is the daughter of Hiram G. and
Lydia (Ballou) Sheldon. Their children are Charle

*4a

DE KALE COUNTY.

H., Austin B., William M. and Nellie. The oldest
son was born in Sycamore, April 24, 1857, and was
primarily educated in the schools of his native city.
He studied medicine under his father's instructions,
and at the age of 18 years commenced to attend
lectures at the Chicago Medical College, where he
was graduated in March, 1879, after a thorough
preparatory course covering a peiiod of four terms.
He was married in March, 1877, to Lottie V. Har-
rington, who was born in Iowa. They have one
child.

Dr. W. W. Bryant has been a Universalist in
religious principles for a quarter of a century. He
is a Democrat of the Douglas school.

enry Patterson, carpenter and joiner at
Genoa, was born Dec. 20, 1829, in Mead-
ville, Pa., and is the son of Joseph and
Eleanor (Compton) Patterson. He came from
his native State to McHenry Co., 111., in 1845,
when he was 16 years of age, and was a mem-
ber of his father's family four years after their loca-
tion in Illinois.

In 1850 he went to Chicago for the purpose of ac-
quiring a knowledge of the business of a carpenter
and joiner, in which he was occupied three years.
He came to Genoa in 1854 and established himself
in the business in which he has since operated.

He was the owner of 45 acres of land in the cor-
poration of Genoa, ten acres of which was laid out
in lots, now known as Patterson's Addition to Genoa.

Mr. Patterson is a Republican in political faith,
and has officiated as School Director and Village
Trustee.

He was married Feb. 16, 1854, in Genoa Town-
ship, to Adelia Crocker, and they are the parents of
six children, Charles F., Edward J. A., Hermon H.,
Mary E. and Clayton A. One child died in infancy,
and Edward died Feb. 2, 1862, in Genoa, when four
and a half years of age.

Mrs. Patterson is the daughter of Elder Allen and
Sophronia (Tackles) Crocker. Her father was a na-
tive of Massachusetts and a soldier in the war of
1812. Commenced preaching when 22 years of age,
and continued in the ministry 56 years, preaching in
the States of New York, Ohio and Illinois. He died

in Genoa, Feb. 7, 187 r. Her mother was a native of
New York. She received her education at Wyoming
Academy in the same State, and died in Genoa,
Nov. 30, 1874. They came from New York in 1846,
and located in Genoa Township. Their children ^
were born in the following order: Alvaro, Mary A.,
Philenia, Elvira, Adelia and Angeline. Mrs. Patter-
son was born Jan. 16, 1836, in South Leroy, Genesee
Co, N. Y.

obert H. Roberts, merchant at De Kalb,
senior member of the firm of Roberts &
Tyler, was born July 28, 1836, in Oneida
Co, N. Y. His father died when he was 12
years of age, and during the year following he
was wholly orphaned by the death of his
mother. Thrown entirely upon his own efforts for
maintenance, he availed himself of the first oppor-
tunity that presented for honorable, remunerative la-
bor, and engaged in farm work by the month, also
operating as a salesman in a store, being occupied in
these two callings for a period of seven years.

In 1855 he cafae to De Kalb County, where he
rented a farm for a time, which he worked on shares.
He proceeded next to Kansas, bat the State being in
a disturbed condition from the strife engendered by
the slave element, he remained there but a year.
However, he entered a claim of 160 acres of land,
espoused the Free-Soil cause and enlisted under the
banner and principles of " Jim Lane," serving as
need required. He afterwards sold his daim. Re-
turning to De Kalb County, "he obtained a situation
as a clerk at Sycamore, where he was occupied three
years. In 1861 he started a grocery business at De
Kalb, associated with his brother Richard. After a
connection of four years the latter sold his interest to
S. A. Tyler, the firm assuming its present style.
They are engaged in the provision trade, and also do
an extensive business in live stock.

Mr. Roberts is a stanch Republican and enjoys
the confidence of his townsmen. He held the posi-
tion of County Treasurer from 1875 to 1882, and has
discharged the duties of Village Trustee.

He was married Oct. 20, 1863, in Herkimer Co,
N. Y, to S. Emma, daughter of R. H. and M. L.
Smith, and they have had two children. Wallace A.

as born Oct. 24, 1868. The other child died in in-
| fancy.

William T. and Mary (Williams) Roberts, the

parents of Mr. Roberts of this sketch, were natives

of North Wales. They emigrated to the State of

t New York and were married in Oneida County,

vhere they remained until their death.

eorge M. Kinyon, farmer on the northeast
quarter of section 8, Cortland Township,
was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. $,
1827. His father, John Kinyon, was born
Nov. 13, 1796, and is still living, with a son in
the town of Ridgeway, Orleans Co., N. Y.
George's mother, Lydia, nee Post, was born Nov. 28,
1800, and died in March, 1883, in Hartland Town-
ship, Niagara Co., N. Y.

The subject of this sketch moved with his parents
from his native place to Ridgeway when a lad, where
his father bought a farm, which he still owns. At the
age of 19 young George arrived in this county, May
15, 1847, and purchased the farm which he still owns
and occupies. It consisted of 130 acres of prairie
and 17 acres of timber. He and Mr. H. H. Gandy
are the only men in this settlement who still own the
land they bought in pioneer times when they first
arrived here. On his place, when he purchased it,
was a double log house, the farm was fenced and a
large portion of it " broken " by the plow. Since then
he has erected a fine frame residence, barn, outbuild-
ings, etc., and kept the farm in a good agricultural
condition.

By his first marriage, Nov. 12, 1848, Mr. Kinyon
wedded Miss Marilla Churchill, in Sycamore Town-
ship, this county. She was a daughter of David and
Maria (Parker) Churchill, and died March 26 follow-
ing, and now lies buried near the Baptist church in
Ohio Grove Cemetery. She was not taken up and
buried " under her mother's window," as Boies' his-
tory says, but was taken to St. Charles and brought
back. There was a second funeral, when she was
buried in the same coffin, with the exception of a new
lid, in the same grave. Her father was drowned in
1854, in Virgin Bay,on his way home from California,
and her mother is still living in Iowa, the wife of Mr.
Armstrong. For his second wife Mr. K. was wedded,

Oct. 22, 1849, to Mrs. Nancy P., widow of John Ad-
kinson, who died Feb. 19, 1847, in Dearborn Co.,
Ind. He was born in Switzerland County, that State,
in 1823. His daughter, Vesta A., who was born three
weeks after his death, was his only child, and now
lives in Washington Co., Kan. Mrs. Kinyon was
born April 14, 1827, in the town of Philips, Franklin
Co., Maine, the daughter of William Peace Whitney,
her father having been so named because he was
born on the day peace was declared at the close of
the Revolutionary War. He was born in Cumber-
land Co., Mass , and died Dec. 29, 1863, at Cort-
land. Her mother, Nancy J., nee Carlton, is living in
Washington Co., Kan., with her son George, a farmer.
She was born Nov. 30, 1806, in Cumberland Co.,
Mass.

By the second marriage of Mr. Kinyon there have
been three children, as follows : John William, born
Aug. 31, 1850; Dexter D., Oct. 8, 1854; and Lydia
G., May 18, 1857.

Mr. K. is a Republican, and both himself and wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. Morris, editor and proprietor of the
Malta Mail, was born at Danbury, Conn.,
in the year 1822, and there resided for 40
years. He learned the woolen business, serv-
ing his time with Dick & Sanford, at Sandy
Hook, about ten miles from his native place.
He was married in 1844, and at that time was carry-
ing on the manufacture of cloths in his native town,
and continued to do so until 1848, when he sold out
and was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Phil. F.
Barnum, a brother of P. T. Barnum, which office he
held for three years. In 1851 he was again made
Sheriff and held that office until 1862, when he re-
signed and came West and settled at La Crosse, Wis.,
and went into the insurance business.

In 1864 he came with his family to Rockford, this
State, and there remained until 1874, when he moved
to Chicago, where he continued in the insurance bus-
iness, traveling in the Western and Southern States.
In 1877 he bought the Malta Mail, a paper that had
just been started, also the Creston Times, in Ogle
County, and with his sons, Howard A. and Charles
H., they continued until the death of Charles H., in

DE KALB COUNT}.

1 882. In August, 1882, in company with his son
Howard, they started the Rochelle Herald, at

^ Rochelle, Ogle County, and now father and son are
conducting the Malta Mail, Creston Times and

A Rochelle Herald, and all are in a healthy and grow-
ing condition.

Barnes S. Waterman, one of the founders of
Sycamore, now deceased, was born May
29, 1820, in the township of Salisbury,
Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was the son of John
D. and Mary Waterman. In 1822 his parents
removed to the village of Fairfield in the same
county, where his father engaged in commercial pur-
suits, and where the son became a student at the
academy. The father dying before the latter had
reached the threshold of manhood, he was early
brought to a realization of the effort necessary to a
successful stiuggle with the world, to which he was
made heir by the loss of his natural protector.

His mother was a woman of sterling character and
more than ordinary intellectual capacity, and her
sons entered upon their careers with the double in-
heritance of brains and business tact. James
studied civil engineering, and in 1838 joined his
brother Charles in the State of Illinois, making his
first location at Newburg, Boone County, and after-
wards at Sayersville in Winnebago County. North-
ern Illinois presented an excellent field for the
exercise of the calling for which his educational course
had fitted him, and he passed five years as an as-
sistant in the survey and adjustment of the townships
and minor divisions. This work developed his
natural traits of activity, energy and perseverance,
and proved the foundation of a substantial fortune.
The intervals of service in the employ of the Gov-
ernment were passed in the mercantile business with
his brother at Sycamore, the site of the place being
then located on the Kishwaukee River, on the plat
made by the New York Company in 1836. He ob-
tained the position of Deputy Surveyor of De Kalb
County, and in 1839 made the survey and plat of
the site of the present city of Sycamore. His abili-
ties in his profession, and his capacity for unremit-
ting effort, gained for him a substantial reputation as

a business man, and an influence which he excited
for the general welfare, and in 1842 he brought his
prestige to bear materially on the extinction of the
State debt of Illinois by aiding in securing the meas-
ure designated the "two-mill tax," whose results
demonstrated the value of its provisions.

In 1844 Mr. Waterman established a mercantile
enterprise at the village of Genoa, situated on the
northern border of De Kalb County. In the spring
of 1845 he became a permanent citizen of Sycamore,
founding the first enduring mercantile business at
that place, opening his transactions in that avenue
in a room of the old Mansion House, now the City
Hotel and situated on the corner of State and Main
Streets. He admitted his brother, John C. Water-
man, to an interest in his business, and this relation
existed until 1852, when he became again sole pro-
prietor by purchase of a circuit of branch stores lo-
cated in adjoining settlements, and of the main
enterprise at Sycamore. He continued their man-
agement until 1857, when he sold them to be able
to give his undivided attention to banking, in which
he had embarked in 1855.

As an evidence of the care, wisdom, judgment and
forethought he exercised in his business relations, it
may be remarked in this connection, that he passed
securely through the financial crisis of 1857, with no
other embarrassment than the perplexity unavoidably
incident to business of any character in a period of
general panic and shrinkage of values. In 1864
Mr. Waterman closed active operations as a banker
and devoted the remainder of his life practically to
the promotion of agriculture in De Kalb County.
His familiarity with the localities of the county and
his comprehension of their comparative values had
enabled him to make judicious purchases of real es-
tate. He became the owner of farms variously situ-
ated in De Kalb County, prominent among which
was a tract of 1,000 acres on the southern border of
Sycamore township, which constituted a claim and
which he secured by purchase when it came into
market, and of which he retained possession as long
as he lived. His landed estate extended into other
States, including extensive tracts of pine land in
Wisconsin; and he also owned a considerable amount
of real estate in Chicago, which he improved exten-
sively after the great fire. About the year 1 88 1 he
made an investment in a mine in Southern California,

which yields a large income and promises enormous
increase in value.

Mr. Waterman identified himself with every enter-
prise in which he could discern a promise of perma-
nent advantage to Sycamore. In 1871 he founded
the Sycamore National Bank, and continued its chief
official up to his death. He was the primal factor in
the construction of the Sycamore & Cortland Rail-
road, and was President of the corporation until the
road became the property of the stock-holders of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He was the
leader in the establishment of the Marsh Harvester
Manufactory at Sycamore, and was its heaviest stock-
holder in the beginning of the enterprise. When the
company was re-organized he retained his interest,
and was its Vice- President while he lived. On the
organization of the Ellwood Manufacturing Company,
he became a heavy stock-holder and was its presiding
officer until 1881.

The chief memorial of James S. Waterman is the
church edifice of the Episcopal parish of St. Peter's
at Sycamore, whose superstructure was erected wholly
at his expense. It is built of the beautiful Batavia
stone, and is tastefully modeled, resembling the
private chapels of the English nobility in form. Mr.
Waterman was one of the parish founders, which was
established in 1855, and one of the closing acts of his
life was to provide in part for the perpetuation of its
support. The adorning of the inner walls was
planned by him after he was stricken by fatal dis-
ease, and completed as he had designed, after he had
passed from earth, and for which purpose he had
appropriated the necessary means. In the nave of
the church on the right of the chancel, a beautiful
brass mural tablet, suitably inscribed, has been
placed to his memory.

He had been in the habit, during the winter sea-
sons of the latter years of his life, of traveling in the
Southern States and in New Mexico and California.
In the winter of 1882-3, while in the Golden State,
he decided on a trip to view some mining property
in New Mexico, whither he went, accompanied by
his brother Robert, remaining at Riverside, Cal., until
May following, when he returned to his home. His
disease baffled the best medical skill to be obtained,
and he finally went to Chicago for treatment. All
efforts proved futile, and Thursday, July 19, 1883,
the electric messenger conveyed to Sycamore the

<^vV3ra\/_a~ ^m.-gxB.ny

.iSyAv-EXg 13 * ~ ^iry r

tidings that the weary struggle with the " guest that
goes not forth alone " was ended. On the day fol-
lowing he came back to his beloved people and
home, voiceless and coffined for everlasting rest and
peace. It was the first sorrow he had brought to the
portals of the home which had been his pride and
joy, and where his living presence had been a com-
fort and blessing which words are powerless to char-
acterize. In his journeyings he had made many
friends, and on the Pacific slope, as in the State of
his adoption, a cry of mourning went forth when the
intelligence was borne back that James S. Waterman
had gone forever from the scenes of earth, which had
known him so well.

Mr. Waterman was first married in 1847, on the
5th of January, to Mary A. Person. She died in De-
cember, 1850, having borne a son Douglass Water-
man who died in 1855, aged seven years. Mr.
Waterman was again married Jan. 30, 1854,10 Abbie
L., daughter of Isaac Cushman, M. D., of Sherburne,
N. Y. Mrs. Waterman is a representative of one of
the leading families, in point of culture and refine-
ment, in the East. In the years of her wedded life
she exemplified, in the truest sense, the highest and
best domestic graces. Her home was ever the arena
for the exercise of the noblest womanly traits, and in
it she wields the sway of an exalted nature under
the guidance of a well trained and disciplined spirit.

on. Westel W. Sedgwick, attorney, senior
member of the law firm of Sedgwick & Son
at Sandwich, was born June 7, 1827, in
Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y., at a point
four miles from the city of Rome. His father,
Samuel Sedgwick, was a physician, and was
born in 1803, in Herkimer Co. N. Y., and married
Ruhamah P. Knights. In May, 1844, he removed his
family to Little Rock, Kendall Co., 111., and entered
a claim of 80 acres of land, subsequently increasing
his estate to 163 acres. His death occurred at Little
Rock, March i, 1847. His wife was born in Oswego
Co., N. Y., in 1807, and she is living with her daugh-
ter Elizabeth, Mrs. Oliver S. Hendee, at Sandwich,
who is the eldest daughter. Sarah A. is the wife of
William Brewer, a farmer of Chariton Co., Mo. James

^^^

H. is an attorney and is practicing his profession at
Peoria, 111. Three children are deceased.

Mr. Sedgwick obtained an available education in
youth and utilized his time and abilities in teaching.
He began to prepare for the profession of medicine
under the direction of his uncle, Parker Sedgwick, of
Du Page Co., 111., and subsequently studied in his
father's office, acquiring a substantial preparation for
matriculation at Rush Medical College in Chicago,
where he was graduated in 1848, after studying one
term. The death of his father in the previous year
opened an opportunity for him to enter upon and es-
tablish his profession, and he succeeded to his father's
practice at Little Rock, continuing to operate as a
physician until the autumn of 1857. He also con-
ducted a mercantile enterprise three years.

At the date named he came to Sandwich and be-
came by purchase the possessor of 10 acres of land,
which he platted, and it is now comprised within the
city limits. He bought 80 acres additional soon after,
associated with Hon. S. B. Stinson, and later a por-
tion of the tract was platted and is designated "Sedg-
wick's Addition to Sandwich." On the latter purchase
he erected his residence, the grounds accompanying
now containing one acre, of which he is yet the
owner. On locating at Sandwich, in partnership
with O. S. Hendee, he established a drug trade
which was in operation nearly three years. His
change of locality and business was necessitated by
an attack of inflammatory rheumatism, which com-
pelled him to relinquish the practice of his profes-
sion, the disease incapacitating him for the severe
labors of a widely distributed business An medical
avenues, and he engaged in the sale of drugs, for ob-
vious reasons. In 1860 he was elected Justice of
the Peace and opened an office for the accommoda-
tion of the business pertaining to his official position,
in which he has continued mostly without intermis-
sion. The relations of his office secured for him a
practical knowledge of common and statutory law,
and incidentally he entered upon the study of the
code, which course eventuated in his systematic ap-
plication to the acquirement of a comprehensive
knowledge; and in the spring of 1862 he passed the
prescribed course of examination at Ottawa, and was
admitted to practice in the State Courts.

In the fall of the same year he was elected Repre-
sentative in the Legislature, serving in that capacity

through the sessions of 1862-3 and 1863-4. On be-
ing relieved of the duties incumbent upon his official
position, he opened an office for the practice of law,
and conducted its affairs singly until 1882, when he
admitted his son, S. Park Sedgwick, to a partnership.
The house is managing with success a large and im-
portant practice, and they represent, in addition, 12
prominent fire insurance companies, comprising some
of the most reliable in the United States. They are
also transacting a considerable business as real-estate
and loan agents.

Since the date of his location at Sandwich, now
(1885) covering a period of nearly 30 years, Mr.
Sedgwick has been unremitting in his interest and
zeal for the material well-being of the place and peo-
ple. On the organization of the Sandwich Manufac-
turing Company in 1867 he was one of the earliest
to enter heartily into the enterprise ; he was one of
the Directors from the outset, and was elected Vice-
President, in which capacity he officiated several
years and which was terminated by a sale of his in-
terest. He took an active part in the organization
and' establishment of the Sandwich Enterprise Com-
pany, in which he became a Director and of which
he was subsequently made President. He held the
position three years, and still remains one of the
heaviest stockholders. He identified himself with
the Sandwich Cheese Factory Company, was a stock-
holder therein and became President, holding the
chief position in the organization three years.

He has been interested and prominent in local
political circles, and is at present serving a second
term as City Attorney. He has been Supervisor of
Somonauk Township several years, and was Presi-
dent of the Board of Trustees of Sandwich before it
became a city. When it assumed corporate dignity
Mr. Sedgwick was made its first Mayor, and was re-
elected to that incumbency. He was a member of
the Constitutional Convention of Illinois in the fall
of 1869, and was an important and influential actor
in framing the present Constitution of the State. In
1874 Mr. Sedgwick was appointed by Governor
Beveridge to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees
of the Insane Asylum at Jacksonville, and discharged
the duties of the position nearly two years. He went
abroad in 1881 and traveled through the most inter-
esting portions of Europe, Asia and Africa, visiting
Palestine, and making a trip on the river Nile. Dur-
ing his absence he contributed a series of entert

' * ^ >m^MXar- -S.^"^*^

Vi~) ffiOjF ^SfTiEl-^WVSJ

DE KALB COUNTY.

ing and instructive letters to the Sandwich Free
Press.

His marriage to Sarah A. Toombs occurred June
7, 1848, at Little Rock, Kendall Co., 111. Sire was
born Nov. 22, 1827, near Buffalo, N. Y., and is the
daughter of William and Alta Toombs. To Mr. and
Mrs. Sedgwick 10 children have been born, five only
now surviving, who were born in the following order :
Agnes E.; Caroline Gertrude, wife of Webster Dyas,
a druggist at Arlington Heights, Cook Co., 111.; S.
Park, of Sedgwick & Son ; Charles F., Deputy Post-
master at Sandwich ; and Jennie May.

Mr. Sedgwick is prominent in influence and posi-
tion at Sandwich, from causes which have been
foreshadowed in the record of his career. He pos-
sesses great versatility in point of ability, and has
been equally successful in medicine and law. In
the latter he has won a position second to no other
attorney in De Kalb County and has distinguished
himself in his connection with some of the most
noted cases that have come before the Courts of
Northern Illinois. In probity and integrity and
soundness of opinion and judgment he is second to
none, and is estimated accordingly in the community
where he resides. He is a member of the Presby-
terian Church, and has been largely instrumental in
establishing the permanent interests of the Society.
Sandwich is greatly indebted to him for its rapid and
substantial advancement in all its leading relations.

The portrait of Mr. Sedgwick, which appears on
another page, is a signal addition to the collated
biographical and historical records of De Kalb
County, from his character as a man and citizen and
his position in the community of > which he is a
member.

orm White, farmer, section 9, Genoa Town-
ship, is the son of John and Barbara
(Bamar) White. His parents were natives
J t of Germany, and had a family of eight chil-
^" dren. Mr. White was the fifth in order of birth
and was born in Germany, March 5, 1815. In
846 he emigrated to America from the Kingdom of
varia, and on arrival in the United States first set-
tled in Pennsylvania. He remained there between
two and three years, and in 1849 came to De Kalb

Sdcgaft- s^r: %4

County and bought 80 acres of land in Genoa Town-
ship. He has brought his old-country thrift, energy
and persistency of purpose to bear in his efforts to
secure for himself the privileges of the land of his
adoption, and is now the proprietor of 350 acres of
land in De Kalb County, with 250 acres under cul-
tivation. He is a member of the Republican party
in political connection.

Mr. White was married in the fall of 1846, in
Pennsylvania, to Anna M. Hoffman, a native of
Bavaria, and they have had seven children, Charles,
George, Margaret, Caroline, John, Henry and Mary.
Mrs. White was born Feb. 10, 1820, in Germany.

lorge W. Dunton, City Attorney of Syca-
more, was born Aug. 6, 1854, in Belvidere,
Boone Co., 111. His parents, William S.
and Almira (Baldwin) Dunton, are natives of
Bennington Co., Vt. The bir,th of the former
occurred Aug. 31, 1813. He settled in the
village of Belvidere in 1846, where he is now resid-
ing. The mother of George W. also survives. They
had four children. The first-born died in infancy.
Mary is the wife of Samuel Kerr, an attorney of Chi-
cago. Nellie was born next in order.

Mr. Dunton is the youngest child of his parents,
and passed the years of his boyhood and youth al-
ternately on the farm and at the schools of Belvidere,
until he was 17 years of age, when he matriculated
at the University of the State of Iowa, at Iowa City.
He was a student four years in the Literary Depart-
ment of that institution, and was graduated in June,
1875, with the degree of A. B. In the same year he
entered the Union College of Law in Chicago, where
he was graduated in 1877, after two years of close
application to the study of law.

Coming to Sycamore he formed a business relation
with the late R. L. Divine, which continued to exist
till the fall of 1880. Since that date Mr. Dunton
has conducted the connections of his office singly,
and has built up a fine and popular practice.

Mr. Dunton is a representative of a New England
family of the best type; one that has occupied a
front rank in the circles of culture and refinement for
generations, and whose genuine claims have given it
a prominence second to none. He brings to his life

DE KALB COUNTY.

work his inheritance of self-respect and the capacity
for earnest effort, which is conspicuously the dowry
descending to him from his ancestral stock. To young
and rising men of his calibre the profession looks
hopefully for its redemption from the evils which are
upon it in these latter days.

Mr. Dunton was elected City Attorney of Syca-
more in the spring of 1883.

.ohn P. Smith, farmer on the southwest
quarter of section 36, Cortland Township,
was bom in West Somers, Westchester Co.,
N. Y., Feb. 28, 1809. His father, Samuel
Smith, was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., of
English descent, was a cooper by vocation all
his life, and died in his native county, about 32 years
of age. The mother of John P., Elizabeth, nee
Nichols, also a native of that county and of English
ancestry, died in the same county, aged about 7 9
years. His grandfather first settled on Long Island,
N. Y.

The subject of this biographical sketch lived, after
his father's decease, with a man in Putnam Co., N.Y.,
working for his board and clothing, from the age of
nine until he was 16 years of age. He then served
an apprenticeship of five years at the wagon-maker's
trade, and then never followed it a single day after-
ward. His next career was as a violinist for a travel-
ing circus most of the time for 12 years, and part of
the time as manager, when he made about $14,000.
He then bought a farm of 120 acres in Putnam Co.,
N. Y., and managed it for four years, going then into
the milk business in New York city, four years. Next,
he returned and purchased another farm in Putnam
County, of 1 30 acres, and followed the daily business
Tor six years, making a specialty also of fat cattle
and sheep; sold this place, bought his father-in-law's
farm, and resided upon it two years; sold that to
Daniel Drew, came West, to Pike Co., 111., looked
around a month, and then throughout the State for
a year, when he finally, in 1852, bought the quarter
section where he now resides. To his original pur-
chase he subsequently added until atone time he had
as much as 700 acres. His present place was clean
prairie when he came here, with only a small house
ipon it. Although Mr. Smith had no school educa-

tion with which to begin life, nor even a cent of
money, he has taught himself reading, writing and
arithmetic, as well as those business principles which
have enabled him to accumulate property by the
habits of honest industry ; and he has accordingly
made his home a substantial one, and earned a high
reputation among his fellow citizens. He has been
Supervisor, Highway Commissioner, and School
Director, and in his political principles he acts with
the Republican party.

He was first married Jan. 20, 1836, to Zillah
Haines, who was born Oct. 14, 1814, in Westchester
Co., N. Y., died July 31, 1871, and is buried in the
Maple Park burying ground. Her father, Horace
Haines, died in Putnam Co., N. Y., about 63 years
of age, and her mother, Jane, nee Youmans, also
died in that county, at the age of about 88 years.
Mr. Smith was married a second time Oct. 12, r873,
to Mrs. Eliza Denton, widow of Solomon Denton
and daughter of Harry and Rebecca (Smith) Crosby.
Mr. Smith's children are all by his first wife, namely :
Lemore M., Leonard Y., Eliza J. and Horace ; and his
wife's children by her first husband are, Mary, Re-
becca, Julia, Lavinia, Elizabeth, Gilbert, and one
deceased.

avid W. Hartman, editor and proprietor of
the Genoa Issue, was born Feb. 9, 1854,
in Ccrtland, De Kalb County. His par-
ents, Elias and Almira (Churchill) Hartman.
are natives respectively of Pennsylvania and
the State of New York. In 1837 they came
to De Kalb County and " took up " a homestead
claim in what is now the township of Cortland, set-
tling thereon previous to the Government survey.
They sold the place later and removed to Sycamore,
the father engaging in a mercantile enterprise, in
which he was interested nine years. At the expira-
tion of that period he disposed of his commercial
business by sale and became again a farmer in the
the township of Cortland, prosecuting that business
about four years. His next enterprise was in the
capacity of hotel-keeper in the village of Cortland,
and he conducted affairs in that line seven years.
He again sold out and removed to Rochelle, 111., re-
maining three years, and returning thence to Syca-

JV^'

DE KALB COUNTY.

more, where he has since resided. The other
children belonging to the family are Delos, Philo,
Mary, Rosetta, Wallace and Carrie D.

Mr. Hartman passed the early part of his life in
attendance at school, and at 18 years of age was
apprenticed to learn the trade of a printer in the
office of the True Republican at Sycamore, under the
direction of the editor, H. L. Boies. In 1880 he be-
came associated with the latter in the proprietorship
of the paper, the connection existing until September,
1884, when Mr. Hartman severed his connection
with the journal and established the Issue at Genoa.
His enterprise had a gratifying inception, met with
favor and support, and is rapidly gaining ground and
securing a permanent foothold. Mr. Hartman is a
Republican in political preference, but is conducting
his newspaper on the neutral principle.

His marriage to Mary Robinson took place at
Sycamore, Aug. 7, 187 9, and they have had two chil-
dren, Ethel C., born Jan. 2, 1881, and died Aug. 8
following; and Floyd B., born March 16, 1884. Mrs.
Hartman is the daughter of Horace and Ann E.
Robinson, both natives of Massachusetts, whence
they removed to Illinois. The former died at Saxon,
Henry Co., 111., and the latter resides at Genoa.

bram Ellwood, manufacturer of barbed
wire fence stretchers at Sycamore, is the
son of Hon. Reuben Ellwood, M. C., whose
sketch may be found elsewhere. He is con-
nected with the business interests of the firm
lately known as the R. Ellwood Manufactur-
ing Company, whose affairs have recently been as-
sumed by the senior stock-holder.

Mr. Ellwood was born March 26, 1850, in Scotia,
Schenectady Co., N. Y. He was a pupil at school
until he was 16 years of age, when he engaged as a
railroad contractor, operating at various points in the
management of construction corps of different lines,
among which were the New Orleans, Mobile & Texas
Railroad and a line formerly known as the Milwau-
kee & Northern. On the termination of his transac-
tions in that capacity, he engaged in the duties of a
freight and passenger conductor, following that line
of business on various railroads. He was an attache
of the United States Mail service on the Missouri,

Kansas & Texas, on the Chicago & Northwestern
and on the Chicago, Lafayette & Cincinnati Rail-
roads.

In the fall of 1877 he entered upon the responsi-
bilities of the position of Superintendent of the R.
Ellwood Manufacturing Company, in which he was
engaged until the fall of 1880. At that date he en-
gaged in the manufacture of wire-fence stretchers
and novelties, in December, 1884, consolidating his
interests -with his former business and becoming
manager.

Mr. Ellwood was married Jan. 3, 1876, to Emma
L. Garvin, and they have four children : Mildred
G. was born Feb. 3, 1878; Sallie E., July 18, 1879;
Reuben, Jr., Sept. 25, 1881; Emma E., Aug. 7,
1883. Mrs. Ellwood was born Dec. 6, r848, in
Chichester, N. H.

Mr. Ellwood has officiated one term as Alderman
of Sycamore.

W. C. Joslyn, farmer on the south-
west quarter of the southeast quarter of
section 29,Cortland Township, was born in
Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1824,
and when ten years of age moved with his par-
ents to Erie Co., N. Y. In July, 1844, he came
by steamboat to Chicago, that place having then only
5,000 inhabitants. He came on to Sycamore with
Andrew Lovell and Homer Roberts, and in October
following he went to Wisconsin and spent the n
ensuing winters in the pineries; the summers he
spent on the Mississippi River, sawing and rafting
lumber to St. Louis, Mo., or was at Sycamore. While
in the pineries he learned the Chippewa language of
the Indians. He walked i r times to the pineries,
a distance of 300 miles, and walked from La Salle
and Peru to Sycamore when he saw no other human
being on the whole route except at Paw Paw and Shab-
bona Grove. Once he drove an ox team to the
pineries, and his only stopping places were the hotels
along the way, which were generally 40 miles apart !
In 1856 he quit lumbering and bought 400 acres
of land, of Mr. West, the banker at Geneva; the
next year he sold to his partner, L. F. Dow, but in
1858 he bought back 60 acres, on which he has since
resided and prospered. He has borne a share of the
/. r\ ^j&^.er ro fj@^(a)

DE KALB COUNTY.

public burden by serving as Overseer of the Poor and

Path Master.

Mr. Joslyn was married June 18, 1856, to Mrs.
Philura L. White, widow of George H. White, who
(0)1 died in Calfornia in 1852. They had one child, George
M., born May -8, 1849, who is now a resident of Kan-
sas. Her father, Martin L. Lowel, was born in Lam-
ster, N. H., Dec. 14, 1792, and was in the War of
1812, and was a pensioner. Her mother, Melinda
C. La Porte, was born in New Jersey, June 6, 1798.
^ Both of them died in Sycamore. Her parents came
to this country in 1870, but she herself had come in
1855. Mrs. J. was born in 1825, in Brookfield,
Washington Co., Vt. Mr. Joslyn's father, Orsamus
R., v/as born in 1800 and died in 1864, in Alden,
Erie Co., N. Y.; and his mother, Osia, nee Sprague,
was born in 1806, and died in the above county, in
1844. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Joslyn are:
Colin C., born Dec. 9, 1857, now an attorney at
law in Minneapolis, Minn.; Carlin D., born May i,
1859, now at Deer Lodge, Montana, 600 miles north-
west of Salt Lake City; Dan R., born Oct. 7, 1863,
and died in 1870 ; Minnie O. and Linnie R., twins,
were born April 8, 1870.

Tames M. Dayton, of the firm of Dayton &
Stafford, dealers in live stock at Sycamore,
was born Jan. 16, 1839, in the township of
Cortland, and has been a resident of De Kalb
County all his life. His father, Alvin Dayton,
was born in 1809 in Vermont, and removed
with his family to De Kalb County in its earliest days.
He is the oldest living pioneer settler of Cortland
Township. The mother of James M., Abigail, nee
Wyman, is a native of Massachusetts.

Mr. Dayton is the second in order of birth of six
children born to his parents, four of whom are still
living. He began his struggle with fate on attaining
his majority, and soon found himself the possessor of
90 acres of land, the result of persistent energy and
perseverance in laudable effort. The property was
located in his native township and he continued its
proprietor six years. At the end of that time he
bought a farm in the town of Virgil, in Kane County.
His possessions there now embrace 320 acres, the
property being in charge of a tenant.

In 1871 he came to Sycamore and embarked in

the enterprise in which he is now occupied, and also
engaged in the management of a restaurant in part-
nership with his brother. Four years later he re-
turned to his farm, and after a stay of nearly three
years became again a factor in the business element
of Sycamore. The shipments during the busy season
of Messrs. Dayton & Stafford average about 100 car-
loads. In summer Mr. D. operates a large road-
grader, and among other merchandise they deal in
drain tile and sewer pipe.

The wife of Mr. Dayton was formerly Ann A.
Ewings, and their marriage took place Oct. 7, 1861.
Mrs. Dayton was born in Ohio, and is the daughter
of George and Deborah Ewings. The children born
of their union are five in number. Mary, born Jan.
5, 1863, is the wife of Herbert E. Harmon, agent for
a nursery house, and resident at Morenci, Mich.;
Grant A. was born Dec. 5, 1865, in Cortland Town-
ship; Nora A. was born Sept. 25, 1867 ; Lottie, Oct.
21, 1869, in Virgil Township; Josie, Sept. 17, 1873,
in Sycamore Township.

lexander Crawford, merchant at Genoa,
was born Dec. 22, 1822, in the State of
Pennsylvania, where his parents, Alexan-
der and Rachel (Kidd) Crawford, were also
born. They removed thence with their chil-
dren in the fall of 1839, and settled in the
township of Sycamore, where their mother died, in
185 r. Later, the father went to Iowa and died
there.

Mr. Crawford is the second son of his parents,
who became the parents of eight children. He
passed the earlier years of his life obtaining his edu-
cation and assisting on his father's farm. His first
independent venture in business was on a rented
farm, on which he operated two years, and at the end
of that time pre-empted 160 acres of land in Genoa
Township. On this he prosecuted the interests of a
farmer until 1873, when he bought another farm, of
which he took possession and was engaged in culti-
vating two years. In 1875 he removed to Genoa
village and began to operate in butter and eggs,
gradually extending his relations until he converted
them into those of a general merchant. He is con-
ducting a very extensive business, one of the lea

>"'

enterprises at Genoa, and manages his affairs in a
brick building, which he erected in the summer of
1 88 1. His aggregate of annual sales amounts to
about $18,000. His farm in the township of Genoa
comprises 376 acres of valuable, well-improved land.
Mr. Crawford is in sympathy with the Republican
element in politics, and has held the offices of Justice
of the Peace and Highway Commissioner. He is
also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

His marriage to Laura Shurtliff took place Dec.
25, 1845, in Genoa Township, and they have five
children, Theresa, William H., Milton H., Clark E.
and Carl B. The oldest daughter is the wife of
Charles Smith and resides in Genoa Township.

sratio H. Mason, capitalist, resident at
Sycamore, was born Feb. 19, 1829, in the
township of Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y.
The family genealogy has been preserved, the
record showing that Sampson Mason, the earliest
ancestor who became a citizen of the New
World, was a soldier and officer o/ the army of Crom-
well and probably belonged to the celebrated Iron-
sides Regiment. In 1650, after the Restoration, he
came to America and located at Rehoboth, Mass.
He was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church
in England and was active in establishing the Second
Baptist Church Society at Swansea, in the Bay State.
He married a lady named Russell, and they became
the parents of 12 children. Their son, Pelatiah
Mason, was born in 1669 and was married May 22,
1694, to Hepzibah Brooks. Eleven children were
born to them, of whom Russell was the tenth in order
of birth. He was born April 21, 1714, and married
Rhoda Kingsley June 5, 1736. The children of
whom they became the parents were 12 in number.
Philip was born Jan. 29, 1745, and married Mercy
Scott. They became the parents of 12 children.
Their son, Russell Mason (2d), was born Feb. 25,
1769, and was married on Sunday, Dec. 30, 1792, to
Ruth Lapham. Hiram Mason was the fifth of their
nine children. His birth occurred Sept. 17, 1805, in
Warren* Herkimer Co., N. Y., and he married Fanny
Brown, a native of German Flats, born Aug. 9, 1808.
They were the parents of Mr. Mason of this sketch.
The Mason family continued residents of Massachu-

^^Jts^ff- ^^ <

setts until r794, when Russell Mason (2d) removed
from South Adams to the State of New York. He
was a pioneer settler of Fairfield, Herkimer County,
where he became owner of a large tract of timber
land, which he cleared and converted into a fine and
valuable farm. Later, he removed with his family to
Warren Township in the same county.

Hiram Mason and his wife died when their son
was in his childhood. The latter, thrown on his own
resources at an unusually early period in life, devoted
every energy to the amelioration of the circumstances \
in which he found himself and in establishing his gjx
prosperity on a firm basis. The first important event f
of his life was his marriage, and two years later he
came to Illinois and engaged in agricultural pursuits
at Sycamore, combining therewith extensive traffic in
real estate. He purchased tracts of unimproved
land, which he redeemed from "its original state and
afterwards sold. He became the owner of 200 acres
of land in the western part of Sycamore (including
the Joseph Sixbury farm), which he laid out in lots,
and portions of which he sold. He also platted one
division, now known as Mason's Addition. The
grounds connected with his residence on State Street,
including four acres, five dwellings variously located
and several lots lying in different sections of the cor-
poration, are still in his possession. He owns about
2,500 acres of land in Iowa, still lying uncultivated,
and he is also the proprietor of 1,000 acres of fine
farming land in De Kalb and Ogle Counties, which
is rented. In addition to his transactions in real
estate, Mr. Mason operates in loans. He is a Douglas
Democrat.

In 1871, associated with James S. Waterman, he
formed a stock company and organized the First
National Bank of Sycamore, of which he was elected
Vice-President. His connection with the institution
ceased in 1875, since which he has conducted finan-
ciering in a private capacity. When the Sycamore
& Cortland Railroad was built he became one of its
stock-holders, and has also conducted an abstract
business, the firm style in that avenue being Baily &
Mason.

The marriage of Mr. Mason to Mary E. Tredway > -
occurred Feb. 28, 1850, in the village of Little Lakes & jj
in Warren Township. Mrs. Mason was born in that
township April 18, 1832, and was the daughter of
Belia and Philotheta (Marshall) Tredway. Her

DE KALB COUNTY.

father was an attorney-at-law. Of this union four
daughters were born, two of whom are deceased.
Eliza V. was born in Mohawk, Herkimer Co., N. Y.i
May 29, 1851, and died May [2, 1853, at Sycamore;
Fanny F. was born at Sycamore Jan. 7, 1856, and
was married Oct. 30, 1878, to Walter H. Loomis;
Libbie F., born March 12, 1865, at Sycamore, died
March 7, 1869; Mary Maud was born at Sycamore
Aug. 17, i87r. Their mother died Aug. 25, 1882.

The portraits of Mr. Mason and his deceased wife
may be found on preceding pages.

>hn Patterson, farmer, resident at Genoa,
was born April 5, 1821, in Meadville, Pa.
He is the oldest son of Joseph and Eleanor
(Compton) Patterson. His parents were born
in Pennsylvania and came to McHenry Co.,
111., in 1846. They retained their residence
there until 1864, when they removed to De Kalb
County, settling in the township of Genoa, where the
death of the father occurred, March 1 8, 1865. The
mother died July 3, 1875. Their children were born
in the following order: Rebecca, John, Joseph,
David, William, Henry, Margaret E., James, George
and Robert.

Mr. Patterson is the oldest son and came to Mc-
Henry County when he was 24 years of age, in 1845.
He resided there until the fall of 1862, the date of
his removal to De Kalb County, and purchased 40
acres of land in the township of Genoa. He has in-
creased his landed estate until he is now the pro-
prietor of 200 acres of land in the county of De Kalb.
He located in the village of Genoa on his removal
hither. Mr. Patterson is a Republican in political
sentiment and has held various positions of official
trust in the community to which he belongs.

He was married in Genoa, Nov. 20, 1851, to Mary
J. Gregory. She was born Dec. 24, 1832, and they
have had a family of eight children : Eleanor J., born
Junes, 1853; John R., Sept. 18, 1854; James C.,
Aprils, 1856; Lyman L., Sept. 24, 1857; Caroline,
Dec. 215, 1859; Joseph, Aug. 8, 1862; Fred G., Dec.
17,1872; and Lew E., June 24,. 1878. Lyman L.
died April 2, 1874, when he was 16 years of age.

The parents of Mrs. Patterson, Ezra S. and Jane
(Brown) Gregory, were natives respectively of Con-

necticut and Maine. After their marriage they set-
tled in the State of New York, and were there
resident until 1837, when they settled in Genoa
Township. They have had seven children, three of
whom grew to maturity, Mary J., Starr C. and Wil-
liam G.

rthur J. Thompson, dentist at Sycamore,
was born April 24, 1848, in Utica, Oneida
Co., N. Y. His father, John J. Thompson,
as born April 6, 1813, in Albany, N. Y., and
was by vocation a shoemaker. The latter be-
came a soldier of the Civil War and was
wounded at Chickamauga, the injury being the primal
cause of his death, which occurred April 21, 1883, at
Polo, 111. Barbara B. (Brand) Thompson, the mother,
was born Jan. 6, 1813, at Eichelfechen, Scotland,
and resides with her daughter at Polo, 111. Two of
their six children are living. Mary E. is the widow
of Cornelius Wadsworth, a former harness dealer at
Polo. Charles W. , was killed April 7, 1862, at the
battle of.Shiloh, when he was 20 years of age. Jenitt
C. is deceased. She died at the age of 20 and was a
young lady of superior musical education, being a
fine pianist and vocalist. Arthur and Florence were
twins. The latter died at the age of six years.
James is deceased.

The enlistment of his father in the war for the
Union necessitated the removal of Mr. Thompson
from school when he was 14 years old, and he
learned the trade of a harness-maker. He was after-
wards employed in various mercantile houses until
1871. He had been frugal and managed his affairs
with the purpose of preparing for his profession, and
in that year he became a student in dentistry in the
office of Charles H. Carnaga at Polo, 111. At the
end of four years he established his office indepen-
dently and operated about 18 months. In the fall
of 1874 he founded his business at Sycamore, in
which he has won the reward due to the substantial
merits of his work and has a popular and increasing
business. Dr. Thompson is an active and influential
member of the Odd Fellows Order and belongs to
the Patriarchal Circle.

He was married March 25, 1875, in Polo, to Elsie
*<*X&

COUNTY.

269

M., daughter of Alfred and Mariah Hunter. Their
children were born as follows: Florence J., Dec. 19,
1875; Clara B., Feb. 8, 1879; John A., May 20,
1881. Mrs. Thompson was born April 19, 1847, in
Colchester, N. Y.

Barnes P. Brown, farmer, section 29, Genoa
fc Township, was born Jan. 3r, 1833, in Ben-
son, Hamilton Co., N. Y. He is the son
of Jeremiah L. and Judith (Richardson) Brown,
of whom a more extended account is given in
the sketches of D. S., J. W. and C. A. Brown,
to be found elsewhere in this volume. At the age of
four'years he accompanied his parents to De Kalb
County, and has been since that age a resident of
the township of Genoa, and is a farmer of promi-
nence and a citizen of influence. He owns 429
acres of land, lying principally in Genoa Township,
and is also the proprietor of 504 acres in Storey Co.,
Iowa. In political sentiment and connection he is a
Republican.

His marriage to Susan M., daughter of Peter S.
and Barbara A. Pratt, occurred April 8, 1854, in
Elgin, 111. They have been the parents of 15 chil-
dren, three of whom are not living. The survivors
are James L., Esther E., Annie R., Elva L., Ar-
thur B.,. William J., Lora and Lena (twins), Franklin
B., Susie A., Alta B. and Ethel A. Ida and two
children unnamed are deceased.

dward Hoxsey, a business man of Som-
onauk, was born Jan. u, 1834, in Berk-
shire Co., Mass., and is a son of Alanson
and Nancy (Jones) Hoxsey. The family re-
moved in 1836 to Serena, La Salle Co., 111.,
where the father became an extensive land-
holder, owning at one time 800 acres of land. The
latter was a native of Berkshire County and was a
farmer in the Bay State previous to his removal to
La Salle County.

Mr. Hoxsey is the only child of his parents and
s but two years of age when his parents became
residents of the State of Illinois. He remained on

@)
his father's farm until he was 23 years of age, coming *>j>

in 1856 to Somonauk, where he engaged in buying
grain and stock. Later he became interested in a
steam flouring mill (since burned), which he con-
ducted about eight years. He has also been engaged
in dry-goods business about five years, and afterward
in the sale of hardware sundries, operating in 'those
avenues of business in connection with his grain and
stock interests. His transactions represent about
$200,000 annually. In the fall of 1884 he built the
Somonauk skating-rink, a structure 28x96 feet in
dimensions.

Mr. Hoxsey was married March 3, 1854, in Serena,
La Salle Co., 111., to Sarah Mclnturf, and they have ^
had four children : Isabella, first-born child, is de-
ceased ; Ella, Frank and Florence are the names of
the survivors. Mrs. Hoxsey is the daughter of
Samuel and Sarah (Debolt) Mclnturf, and is a native
of the township of Rutland, La Salle County.

V. Joslyn, farmer, section 33, * Cortland
Township, \vas born in Darien, Genesee
Co., N. Y., June 3, 1825, and was the son
of Phineas and Lorinda (Woodworth) Joslyn,
natives of New York State, the former of whom
was born April 4, 1792, and died in August,
it Sycamore, this county, and the latter was
born April 3, 1797, and died Nov. i, 1881, also in
this county.

Mr. Joslyn was brought up on a farm in his na-
tive county, and in his i4th year came with his par-
ents to this county, where he has ever since resided.
He received a common-school education, and was
married May 21, 1851, to Miss Sabrina, daughter of
Rudolphus and Polly (McKay) Burr. Her father
was born Jan. 20, 1796, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., and
died July n, 1865, of apoplexy, in this county; and
her mother was born Feb. 28, 1796, in Wilkesbarre,
Wyoming Co., Pa'., and died March 6, 1866, also in
this county. Her father was liberally educated and
spent many years of his life as a teacher, keeping
school some 14 months in Canada after the War of
1812. Her grandfather, who was a native of Con-
necticut, cut his way through the woods most of the
distance to Onondaga Co., N. Y., where hewaj after-
ward County Judge for several years. Her parents

were married April 2, r82o. In 1847, with a family
of three children, they emigrated from Erie Co, N.
Y., to this county, arriving March 3, and settling in
Cortland Township. Her father and youngest brother,
however, came here the previous year.

Mr. and Mrs. Joslyn have had four children, all of
whom are living, namely; Ida M., born in Sycamore,
111., May 29, 1856; Mary L., in Pampas, now Cort-
land, Dec. 7, 1863; Phineas H., in Cortland, April
12, 1868; and Rudolphus, V., Feb. 3, 1870, in Cort-
land Township, on the old farm.

Mr. Joslyn has been School Director, but has de-
clined the numerous other offices tendered him. He
votes the Republican ticket. He has 260 acres of
land in his home farm, and owns land also on sec-
tions 34 and 28.

acob Spansail, a farmer situated on section
24, Genoa Township, was born Dec. 16,
1833, in Germany. His parents, Jacob
and Elizabeth D. Spansail, were natives of
Germany and in 1850 emigrated to America,
locating in Ohio. They had a family of seven
children, Jacob, Sebastian, Rosa, George, Dora,
Catherine and Fred. The father died in Michigan
while en route to Illinois to visit his son : the mother
survives.

Mr. Spansail was about 17 years of age when he
accompanied his parents to America, and he lived in
the Buckeye State three years, coming thence to
Kane Co., 111. Two years later, in 1855, he removed
to De Kalb County and became the owner by pur-
chase of 40 acres in the township of Genoa, and has
since maintained his residence thereon. His home
estate now includes 320 acres and nearly the entire
acreage is under improvement. His herd of cattle
includes 50 head on an average and he fattens about
65 hogs yearly.

Mr. Spansail was married March 29, 7857, to
Elizabeth Vote, and they have seven children, Mary
E., George H., John M., Rosa (died when three
months old), Dora J., Katie M. and Frederick W.
Mrs. Spansail was born March 30, 1837, in Craw-
ford Co., Ohio, and is one of ten children born to her
parents, Elizabeth, Mary A., John M., Anna W.,
Susan, William H., Jacob G., Margaret, Charles F.

and Franklin P. The parents, John and Anna M.
(Karn) Vote, are natives of Pennsylvania and Ger-
many.

Mr. Spansail is a Republican in politics and has
been a prominent man in the k-cal offices in his
township, having held the position of Road Com-
missioner rs years and also that of School Director.
He is a man of acknowledged business abilities and
acted as salesman for the patrons of the New Lebanon
cheese factory for three years. In 1882 he was ap-
pointed Postmaster of New Lebanon.

eorge W. Dubrock, retired merchant, res-
ident at Somouauk, was born Feb. i, 1830,
at Rehna, Mechlenberg, in the northern
part of Germany, also, the native place of his
parents, John and Maria Dubrock, who had 10
children. Mr. Dubrock is one of four surviv-
ing children. He was rs years of age when he left
school and began to operate as a salesman in a mer-
cantile establishment in the city of Hamburg, Ger-
many, where he was employed until he emigrated to
New York, arriving in that city in 1852. He spent
a year in the great metropolis engaged as a cigar
packer. At the end of that time he came to Danby,
Du Page Co., 111. In company with his brother,
Charles J. Dubrock, he opened a general store, in
which relation he operated nearly seven years. In
the fall of 1860 he opened his mercantile enterprise
at Somonauk, which he prosecuted with satisfactory
results, until his retirement in January, 1879. Mr.
Dubrock is the owner of his fine residence and
grounds, the latter including one and a half acres ;
also the same quantity south of his residence, which
is situated on the La Salle County line, and the land
in its rear is in that county. He has another town
lot in another part of Somonauk village, and owns
113 acres of farming land one mile east of that
place.

He was married Oct. 20, 1859, in Du Page Co.,
111., to Amelia Anderson, and they have 10 children,
as follows : George E. is a clerk in a wholesale boot
and shoe store ; Helen L. and Zillah are next in order
of birth ; John W. is a clerk in the same establish-
ment in Chicago where his brother is employed.
Jennie, Clara, Frederick F., Mary, Elizabeth and Loe

f 1 are the names of the others. Mrs. Dubrock was
born July 29, 1838, in Rochester, N. Y., and is the
fo daughter of William and Mary (Headley) Anderson.
The former died in Aurora, 111., Sept. 4, 1865. The
latter is living^in Aurora. The father of Mr. Du-
brock died about 1870. His mother is 85 years of
age, and is still living in Germany. His wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

?3l Jli^^rederick B. Townsend, cashier of the
^4 fllllK private banking establishment of Daniel
"" Pierce & Co. at Sycamore, was born July
30, 1858, in Malta Township, De Kalb County.
Amos W. Townsend, his father, is one of the
firm, and is in active business life. Eleanor
(Pierce) Townsend, his mother, is still living, and the
family are residents of Sycamore.

Mr. Townsend was a student in the schools of
^^ Sycamore until he was 17 years of age, when he en-
v? tered the Lombard University at Galesburg, 111.,
~ and spent three and a half years pursuing the studies
of the scientific course in that institution. On com-
pleting his education, he went to Chicago and was
O* employed as a clerk in the wholesale and retail drug
establishment of Gale & Blocki, where he was occu-
) pied one year; after which he entered Eastman's
National Business College at Poughkeepsie, and after
pursuing a full and thorough course of commercial
study, was graduated, in May, 1881. He returned
to Sycamore and assumed the duties of the position
he has since fulfilled with ability and fidelity.
|

Barnes T. Powell, retired merchant, residing
at Somonauk, was born Oct. 17, 1823, in
Boston, Mass. Howell Powell, his father,
was a native of Wales, and was a gardener by
vocation. He emigrated to the United States
in boyhood, and in 1837 he came to Illinois.
He bought 256 acres of land in North ville, La Salle
Co., 111., where he died in 1858. His wife, Mary A.
(Pritchard) Powell, was a native of England, and
died in April, 1862, in La Salle County. Only two
of five children born to them are no>v living. Wil-

-Jl

liam H., only brother of Mr. Powell of this sketch,
is a farmer of Northville.

Mr. Powell was brought up on the homestead of
which he became half owner when he came into pos-
session of his inheritance from his father's estate.
He was one of the first of the California adventurers,
whither he went in 1849. He returned to Northville
in 1851. His share of the homestead was 156 acres,
and he purchased 200 acres additional, the whole
constituting a valuable farm. He came to Somonauk
in 1 86 1, and, associated with E. W. Lewis, engaged
in buying and shipping grain and stock. This rela-
tion continued about 10 years, when it terminated,
and Mr. Powell engaged in the sale of drugs in com-
pany with C. E. Wright. Their joint business was in
existence one year, when Mr. Powell retired, and has
since engaged in nothing of an active nature. He
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs
to the Aurora Commande^y.

He was married in Northville, La Salle Co, III,
March 16, 1852, to Ann Stafford. Their three chil-
dren were born in Northville, as follows : Ida, Feb.
3, 1853; Ella, Jan. 16, 1855; and Carrie, Jan. 6,
1857. Mrs. Powell was born Feb. 26, 1827, in
Fabius, N. Y., and is the daughter of Jacob and
Sarah (Doubleday) Stafford.

alter G. Adams, manufacturer and dealer
in elevator supplies at Sandwich, is the
son of Hon. Augustus Adams, of the
Sandwich Manufacturing Company, and was
born July 12, 1848, in Elgin, 111. (See
sketch of Augustus Adams.) He was nine
years of age when his parents removed their resi-
dence to Sandwich, where his father established the
manufacture of the Adams corn-sheller, under the
firm style of A. Adams & Sons. The business
became merged in the Sandwich Manufacturing
Company in 1869, and Mr. Adams, of this sketch,
entered the shops to acquire a knowledge of the
details of the business. Afterward he went to Mar-
seilles in the interest of A. Adams & Sons, continu-
ing his relations therewith after that branch was
converted into the Marseilles Manufacturing Com-
pany. He was placed in charge of the foundry
department, which he conducted about five years.
_^ gsAvg.^sX/5)

^^^^^^r ^7 , W , --' ,

COUNTY.

Subsequently he returned to the works at Sandwich,
and for a time was variously employed, finally becom-
ing Assistant Superintendent. In January, 1884, he
became proprietor of the elevator supply department,
which he still controls, the Sandwich Manufacturing
Company manufacturing the wares in which he
deals. He employs one or two traveling salesmen,
and ships his goods chiefly to the Western States.
Mr. Adams is a Republican in political connection
and principles, and is a member of the Mutual Aid

f Society.

He was married June 8, 1869, in Sandwich, to
Emma Cox. Their children are Lydia, born Aug. 7,
1870; Walter Vincent, Oct. 20, 1873; and Albert
Henry, Aug. 6, 1876. The oldest child was born in
Marseilles; the births of the sons occurred at Sand-
wich. Mrs. Adams was born Aug. 15, 1850, in Nor-
folk, Va., and is the daughter of Major A. M. and

, Emmeline (Daniels) Cox. Her parents reside at
Sandwich.

|;,apt. William Davis, a retired farmer and
former sea Captain, resident at Sand-
wich, was born Jan. i, 1802, in Westport,
Mass. His father, Joseph Davis, was born in
the same place, in Bristol Co., Mass., Jan. 15,
1782; he was a farmer and died in Dart-
mouth, Bristol County, in 1864. The mother of
Capt. Davis, Judith, nee Brightman, was born Jan. z,
1780, in Westport and died in the same place about
the year 1816.

Captain Davis is the oldest of his parents' seven
children, five of whom are still living. He was
reared on a farm to the age of 17 years, when he
entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the business
of a cooper, serving two years and five months. He
obtained a situation as cooper on a whaler, and went
on a cruise which consumed 1 1 months and 25
days. During seven months of that period the ves-
sel was out of sight of land. The experience of this
whaling voyage was pleasing, and Captain Davis de-
cided to pursue a seafaring life, and spent three years
before the mast. After that time he became chief
mate of a merchant brig, serving in that rank three

years, when he was made Captain and continued his
life on the sea eight years, commanding different ves-
sels. During the first two years he made five voyages
to Pernambuco, South America, whither he carried
cargoes of supplies and returning thence laden with
hides and sugar. He also visited the West Indies,
Amsterdam, Liverpool and most other European
ports. He suffered shipwreck three times, on every
occasion the vessel but no lives being lost.

Captain Davis abandoned his career as a naviga-
tor in 1835, and came to where Sandwich now is,
where he is one of the earliest of the first settlers.
He is of the opinion that there were but three pio-
neer settlers before him who are now living. Others
now living who were here at that time were then- in
childhood. He was accompanied hither by his
brother-in-law, Major Dennis, and they together
bought 100 acres of timber land. They afterwards
divided their joint property and each took up prairie
land. The Captain's estate at one time included
400 acres, a part of which is still in his possession
and forms the location of his residence. He has
platted two additions to Sandwich on the western
side known as Davis' Second and Third Additions.
In company with others, he bought a piece of land
on the north side of the town, which is designated
Davis' First Addition. The time and place was so
primitive when Messrs. Davis and Dennis came
hither that their milling was done at Dayton, La
Salle County. His postoffice was at Holderman's
Grove, 13 miles distant.

Captain Davis sold parts of his farm from time to
time until he had only a residue of no acres, which
he sold to his son, its present owner. His first abode
was a log house which had been erected on the tim-
ber tract previous to his purchase, and in 1837 he
built a small frame house which still stands in its
original position on Church Street, west of his fine
brick residence, which he built about 1869. Captain
Davis has been a stock-holder in the Sandwich En-
terprise Manufacturing Company since its organiza-
tion.

His marriage to Eliza Dennis occurred April 13,
1826, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She was born
Oct. 4, 1801, in Tiverton, R. I., and is the daughter
of Major and Eunice Dennis. The record of the
five children born to Captain and Mrs. Davis is as
follows: William, Jr., was born May 29, 1829, and

A f~% ^hj/PQ^jn^ <s^>V^^>C*)

DE KALB COUNTY.

' died Sept. 27, 1831; Eliza was born March 8, 1834,
] and died Aug. 27, 1881 ; Mary A. was bom June 2,
1836; George W., born July 30, 1838, is a farmer in
Sandwich; Amy, born Dec. 25, 1842, is the wife of
John Armstrong, of Marseilles, La Salle Co., 111.

,li B. Gilbert, attorney, Notary Public and
Justice of the Peace at De Kalb, was born
in Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 12,
1822, and is the son of Abner and Betsey
(Balcom) Gilbert. The former was born in
Massachusetts, the latter in New York. They
had four children, George M., Eli B., Elizabeth E.
and Martin M.

Mr. Gilbert was about eight years old when his
parents removed to Norwich, Chenango County, in
his native State, and he was a resident there until
his removal in 1847 to the county of which he has
since been a citizen. He was an attendant at the
common schools of his native State until he v was 16
years of age, when he became a student at Norwich
Academy, which was then under the management of
Benjamin F. Taylor, who has since won a distin-
guished reputation as a poet. After studying there
about two years he engaged in teaching, which con-
stituted his vocation for six years, pursuing it three
years at Sycamore, where he located on coming to
Illinois. In early life he had acquired a practical
knowledge of the trade of builder. In 1850 he began
its pursuit as a vocation and was occupied as a car-
penter until 1856. Meanwhile he had devoted his
leisure to the study of law. In the year named he
first entered upon the career of an attorney and two
years later secured admission to the Bar of Illinois by
application to the Supreme Court. He has since
prosecuted the practice of his profession in De Kalb
and adjoining counties without intermission.

In April, 1854, he established his business at De
Kalb. Two years afterward he was elected Justice
of the Peace and has officiated continuously in that
position since. In 1866 he was elected President of
the Village Board and became ex-officio Supervisor of
De Kalb Township. He is a Republican in politics,
and is the owner of considerable city property.

A most commendable feature of Mr. Gilbert's labors
as Justice of the Peace is his desire to amicably set-

tie all differences between litigants. He ever lends
his influence to make peace, which he has often done,
and many are the differences he has thus caused to
be settled without suit and sent the parties home
happy.

What a blessing it is to a community to have such
men as public officials and guardians of the public
peace and promoters of good will and harmony be-
tween neighbors ! Thus, when the true character of
Mr. Gilbert 's official life is made known it is easily
understood why he has been continuously elected to
fill the office for almost 30 years.

In the summer and fall of 1860, Mr. Gilbert was
editor of the De Kalb Leader, and advocated the
election of the celebrated Mr. Lincoln to the Presi-
dency.

Mr. Gilbert was married Dec. 25, 1851, to Lois A.,
daughter of Benjamin C. Needham. She was born
in Vermont, which was the native State of her par-
ents. Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gil-
bert, only one survives. In 1853 the family resided
about six months in the village of Huntley's Station,
McHenry County, heowning a house and lot there.
During that time Josephine L., eldest child, was born.
Her birth occurred Dec. 29, 1853. She grew to
womanhood and married John S. Orr, a resident of
De Kalb. B. Viola M. was born Sept. 23, 1858, and
married Edward E. Spooner, of Steward, Lee Co.,
111., where she died July 10, 1875. Jessie Luella E.
was born July 9, 1863, and died Sept. 6, 1865, of
diphtheria. |

As Mr. Gilbert, the subject of the foregoing sketch,
is a representative citizen in the legal profession of
De Kalb County, the publishers place a lithographic
likeness of the gentleman in this work, which may
be found in close proximity.

Jijah Stiles, retired farmer at Genoa, was
born Nov. 8, 1829, in Sudbury, Rutland
Co., Vt. His parents, Asahel and Fanny
(Smith) Stiles, were natives of Vermont and
removed to Canada, leaving the Dominion sev-
eral years later to come to De Kali^ County,
where they settled in the fall of 1850, locating in the
township of Genoa. The mother died there Jan. 9,
1881 ; the demise of the father occurred Feb. 7,

DE KALB COUNTY.

Their children were named Elijah, Mary, Aaron,
Margaret, Martha and Araminta.

Mr. Stiles was about two years of age when his
parents removed to Canada, and came with them to
De Kalb County. His education was obtained pre-
vious to the age of 16 years in the public schools of
the Dominion, where he was also engaged on the
farm of his father. His parents were members of his
family through the last year of their lives, as he
owned half the home farm and finally became pro-
prietor of the entire estate, which included 160 acres
located in Genoa Township. He remained there
resident until the fall of 1880, at which time he
rented his farm and became a resident of Genoa. In
politics he is identified with the Republican party
and has been active in local official matters for a long
period of years. From 1863 to 1865 he was resident
of De Kalb and associated in business with his
brother, Aaron K. Stiles, now a resident of Chicago.

His marriage to Mary A. White took place at De
Kalb, March 25, 1865, and they have three children :
Mary D. was born Jan. 15, 1866, Asahel A., March
26, 1868, and Nettie, June 25, 1870. Mrs. Stiles was
born June 8, 1846, in Tioga Co., N. Y., and is the
daughter of Alfred and Ruth (Gould) White! The
former was born in Dutchess County, the latter in
Tioga County, in the State of New York. About the
year 1862 they came to Illinois, locating primarily in
Kane County, and came thence a year later to De
Kalb County, settling in the city of the same name.
In 1877 they removed to Kansas, wher<jj the father
died, Jan. i, 1881. The mother is still resident there.
Their children, seven in number, were named as fol-
lows: Edward D., Mary A., Benjamin S., Perry G.,
Mahala, Melissa and Sarah.

eorge P. Wild, of the firm of G. P. Wild &
Co., merchants at Sycamore, was born at
Valatie, Columbia Co., N. Y. His father,
Nathan Wild, was a native of Manchester,
Eng., and was by vocation a print manufact-
urer, following that calling at Valatie after his
ren.oval to this country. The mother, Sarah (Henry)
Wild, was born in Providence, R. I. They became
the parents of nine children, five of whom are living
(.885).

Mr. Wild was a pupil at school until he was 17

years old, when he became a salesman in the mer-
cantile house of Freeland, Squiers & Co., of New
York, where he continued until the spring of 1857,
the date of his removal to Sycamore. Soon after, the
firm of Rogers, Wild & Smith was formed, which
afterwards became Rogers & Wild, and later was
constituted as at present. The house is prominent
in mercantile circles of De Kalb County, and their
stock represents an average of about $15,000.

Mr. Wild is and has been a leading business man
of Sycamore. He is a member of the banking firm of
Daniel Pierce & Co. In political connection and
movements he is a Republican, and has officiated in
several of the local city offices.

He was married at Sycamore, in December, 1862,
to Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Phebe Pierce, a.
native of Sullivan Co., N. Y. Three children are
now (1885) included in the family, Daniel, Eleaflor
and Elizabeth.

phraim Depue, farmer, section 1 3, Genoa
Township, is the son of Samuel and Eliza-
beth (Ogden) Depue, and is one of a family

" of 10 children. Ose, Sarah, Benjamin, Jesse,
Phebe and Theo C. are the nam3s of his broth-
ers and sisters who reached mature life. Three
children died in infancy.

Mr. Depue was born Oct. IT, 1816, in Sussex Co.,
N. J. At the age of 18 years he was apprenticed to
acquire a knowledge of the wagon-making trade, and
served an indentureship of three years. He em-
barked independently in the business, in which he
operated about 20 years. In 1848 he became a
citizen of Illinois, taking up his residence at Elgin,
Kane County. He passed three years there in the
pursuit of his trade, and about 1851 entered the em-
ployment of the old Galena, Chicago & Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad Company, his route extending from
Chicago to Freeport and from Dubuque to Centralia.

He came to De Ka'.b County in 1861 and bought
90 acres of land in Genoa Township, moving his
family hither in the autumn of the same year. His
homestead farm now comprises 360 acres, with 230
acres under improvement, supplied with suitable and
creditable farm buildings and well stocked. In
political faith and connections Mr. Depue is identi-

COUNTY.

fied with the Republican party ; he has officiated as
School Director and other local offices.

He was married April 21, 1838, in New Jersey, to
Catherine M. Dennis, and they have five surviving
children, Lucy, Elizabeth, Henry C., Allen and
Emma. Anna M., Catherine M., and Caroline A.
and a child unnamed died in infancy. Mrs. Depue
was born Sept. 26, 1813, in New Jersey, and is the
daughter of John and Lucy Dennis. She had two
brothers and two sisters, born in the following order :
Elizabeth, Henry C., Allen and Emma. She is the
oldest of her parents' children, and is a member of
the Congregational Church.

'"ustus Preston, one of the pioneers of De
Kalb County, now deceased, was born Dec.
28, 1793. He married Sina Hall, who was
born Jan. 30, 1802, in Wallingford, Conn.
They settled in Ohio, whence they came in
1836 to De Kalb County, and settled on a
claim on section 29, Genoa Township, where he was
the first permanent resident. His land was part
timber and part prairie. He built a log house on the
border line between the two, and the primitive char-
acter of the locality may be inferred from the fact
that during the first year from the front door the
deer and wolves might be seen wandering at will
over the prairie. After the Government survey, when
in 1843 the land came into market, Mr. Preston went
to the land office in Chicago, where he proved his
claim and received his title. He improved the entire
acreage, built suitable and necessary farm buildings,
and a comfortable frame house, where he resided,
and where his death occurred.

His widow died there Feb. 25, 1869. Their chil-
dren were named Henry, Augustus, Charles, George
L., Norman and Julia E. The homestead is now
owned and occupied by the youngest son.

George L. Preston, son of the above, was born
April 23, 1835, in Ohio, and was a little more than
a year old when his parents removed to the home of
their adoption. He received an elementary educa-
tion in the district schools of Genoa Township, and
he afterward studied at Mt. Morris Seminary, and
spent six months at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial
College at Chicago. After cumpletii g his studies at

the latter place he engaged in farming. In 1854,
associated with a brother, he purchased 200 acres of
land located on sections 17 and 20, in Genoa Town-
ship, for which they paid $4 per acre. After
improving the land considerably they sold it a few
years later. Its present market value is $65 an
acre.

Mr. Preston was married Sept. 19, 1864,10 Lucinda
May Wadley, and they have one child, Effie lona.
She was born near Toronto, Out., and is the daugh-
ter of Samuel B. and Hannah (Caswell) Wadley.
Her father was a native of Vermont, and was a pen-
sioner of the war of 1812. During the latter part
of his life he removed to Lower Canada, where he
was married, and later went to Ontario. After a
short residence there the family removed to Canada
Corners, Kane Co., 111., where the parents died.

After marriage Mr. Preston located on section 32,
Genoa Township, on an improved farm which he had
previously purchased. He erected an excellent class
of frame buildings, where he lived until 1869. In
that year he fixed his abode at Sycamore, where he
owned the fine residence his family now occupy. On
removal hither he engaged in the lumber trade, in
which he operated four years. In 1874 he embarked
in the sale of groceries and provisions, prosecuting
that avenue of business eight years, when he retired.
He still owns and rents his farm in Genoa Township,
also his store at Sycamore.

In his character as farmer, merchant and citizen,
Mr. Preston commands the respect and good will of
the generation of which he is a member. He is
unobtrusive, considerate and hospitable, and in his
retirement from the turmoil of active business life, is
passing the years in the simplicity and quiet that
befits his character.

^=T-L^^^^,^^, =^

assius M. Conrad, County Clerk of De
Kalb County, was born in the town of
North East, Erie Co., Pa., March 27,
1845, and is the son of John M. and Mary
E. (Smedley) Conrad. The former is a native
of Pennsylvania, and the latter was born in
Connecticut. They are living in Erie Co., Pa.

Mr. Conrad passed his youthful days in his na
place, and obtained his elementary education at the

@>*^

DE KALB COUNTY.

)

academy at North East, and subsequently attended
the Erie City Academy, in the State of his nativity.
In 1863 he made his way to De Kalb County, reach-
ing the township of Kingston April 7 of that year.
Six days later he came to Sycamore, and immediately
entered upon the duties of Deputy County Clerk.
He fulfilled the duties of the appointment continu-
ously until Jan. 26, 1872, with the exception of a
few months in 1869. At the former date he was
appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of
Wallace M. More. In April following he was elected
County Clerk, and has since been his own successor.
H-i has also officiated as City Clerk from July, 1870,
to April, 1872. The quality of the service rendered
by Mr. Conrad is fully attested by the length of time
he has retained his relations to the position of deputy
and chief official, at this writing (1885) covering a
period of nearly a fourth of a century ; and the fact
stands as a testimonial to the discretion and wisdom
of the people of De Kalb County as it does to his
integrity and efficiency. Politically, Mr. Conrad is a
Republican of inflexible type.

He was married Dec. 27, 1870, in Chester, N. J.,
to Anna H. Beauers, and they have had two children,
both of whom died in early infancy. Mrs. Conrad
was born at Chester, Morris Co., N. J. Mr. Conrad
and his wife are members of the Congregational
Church, and he is a Trustee of the society

[ athaniel A. Haile, miller, at Lodi, Cortland
4 c!lir/f|i Township, was born March 8, 1840, in
"5 Brooklyn, Vt, and is the son of Charles
^ ~ J ^' and Drexie (Balch) Haile, both of whom are
Jfc natives of the Green Mountain State. His
'[ parents came to Illinois when he was an infant
of six months, making the route hither by way of the
railroad and lakes to Detroit, coming from the latter
place to Kane County with a team. His father pur-
chased a tract of unimproved land in the township
of St. Charles, paying therefor $2.50 an acre. The
family are resident of St. Charles.

Mr. Haile grew to manhood, engaged, as is the
custom with sons of farmers, in farm labor and
attending school. He entered the military service
of the United States when he was 22 years of age,

enlisting in August, 1862, in Co. E, 127111 111. Vol.
Inf. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the
West, and was a portion of the command under
Sherman in the campaign through Georgia and the
Carolinas, marched under the triumphant banners to
the sea, and took part in the final review at Wash-
ington, D. C. Mr. Haile was under fire at Arkansas
Post and at Vicksburg, and in the numerous engage-
ments of the arduous campaign in which his regi-
ment was involved. He obtained his discharge in
July, 1865, and returned to his father's farm, where
he was occupied with its duties until 1882, the date
of his removal to Maple Park. He is pleasantly sit- <i
uated, and lias an elegant residence. /

He was married March 8, 1870, to Jane Morgan,
a native of Indiana.

ohn Betz, dealer in lumber, agricultural
implements and builders' supplies, at
Somonauk, was born Feb. 23, 1831, in the
Duchy of Nassau, Germany. His parents,
Jost Henry and Margaret Betz, died previous to
his removal to the American Continent. Four
of their children are now living. Two sons reside in
Germany. Margaret, only daughter, came to the
United States with her brother and is now the wife
William Heun, a farmer in Clinton Township, De
Kalb County.

They came to the city of New York in 1854 and
two months later proceeded thence to Chicago,
where they remained a like length of time. In Jan-
uary, 1855, Mr. Betz came to De Kalb County and
was occupied one year in farming, after which he
went back to Chicago and passed a year in the dry-
goods house of Bowen Brothers. He went next to
Burlington, Iowa, and was there employed six months
in a lumber yard. He came subsequently to Somon-
auk, where he spent several years in various avenues
of employment. In February, 1876, in company
with P. H. Thomas, he opened a lumber yard, their
joint relation existing one year, and at the end of that
time he bought the interest of his partner and has
since operated alone. In the spring of 1883 he added
a stock of agricultural implements, wagons, plows,
etc., his investment in stock averaging about $i 1,000.

DE KALB COUNTY.

f His trade is in a satisfactory condition and requires
usually several assistants.

Mr. Betz was married July 23, 1857, in Burlington,
Iowa, to Barbara Koetha, a native of Bavaria. They
have one child, Ida, born Nov. 20, 1867. Mr. Betz
is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows. With
his wife, he is a member of the Evangelical Luther-
an Church.

i
s/

)

ohn Ward, a farmer of Cortland Township,
occupying the east half of the northwest
quarter of section 34, and owning 72 acres
on the east half of the east quarter of section
27, and 16% acres on section 14, of Ohio Grove
Township, in all i68*4 acres, was born in
Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1816. His
father, William Ward, was born in Fayette Co., Pa.,
emigrated to Ohio when he was 13 years old, where
his father soon died, and he died in Squaw Grove
Township, this county, Feb. 3, 1870. He was born
Feb. 24, 1790, and participated in the War of 1812.
The mother of the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Phebe
Ward, nee Beem, was born near Hagerstown, Md.,
Dec. 14, 1795, and died Aug. 27, 1883; her father
was of English descent and her mother of Dutch.
Both the latter lived to a great age, father 96 years
and mother 87.

At the age of 20 years Mr. John Ward, the subject
of this sketch, came with "his parents, first locating
in Squaw Grove, in 1837; eight years afterward he
bought 80 acres of land, which he subsequently sold
to his father, and he moved to his present farm of
120 acres in October, 1845, where he has since re-
sided. He has added to his original acreage. Since
his location here, however, he has spent 20 years go-
ing to, operating in and returning from California.
He went over the plains, with a single-horse team, as
far as Salt Lake, where he joined a company from
La Salle Co., 111. After traveling 700 miles with
them, he and 1 1 others separated from them and
co nploted their journey on foot, crossing the Great
Desert and arriving in the gold-mining region Aug.
28. The company whom they had abandoned did
not reach the mines until the isth of September.
They were 12 in number, having a wagon and three
horses, the extra horse to be used in case of emer-

^^-

gency. Mr. Ward operated on Old Soldier's Gulch
and part of the Poor Man and Nelson Creek, and his
success was much better than farmrng. Three of
Mr. W.'s brothers went with him to the land of gold,
and returned with him ; but in four months afterward
went back to California, selling their farms here and
taking their families with them. They have since
lived there and prospered.

Mr. Ward was first married March 25, 1835, to
Parmelia A., daughter of Jacob and Susan (Ayers)
Rolison ; her parents died in Licking Co., Ohio, many
years ago. Mrs. W. was born in that county, Nov.
22, 1816, near Newark, and died, of a spasmodic at-
tack, Dec. 3, 1871, at a neighbor's where she was
visiting. By this marriage there were seven children,
as follows : Elmira, born July 22, 1837 ; William B.,
Dec. 21, 1838; Susan, April 10, 1840; Louisa, Nov.
7,1843; Phebe A., Aug. 27, 1850; Delila J., June
14, 1853; and Elmer C., Sept. 6, 1856. Phebe A. is
not now living. Mr. Ward was married a second
time June 8, 187-, to Mrs. Laura N. Palmer, widow
of Isaac H. Palmer, who died March 25, 1865. By
her first husband she had five children, namely :
Galen E., born Aug. 12, 1849; Alice E., Aug. i,
1850; Clara A., June i, 1853; Frank H., Nov. 4,
1862; and Etta E., Nov. 28, 1864. Mr. Palmer was
born Nov. 3, 1825, in Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y.
Mrs. W. was born at German Flats, Herkimer Co.,
N. Y., Aug. 6, 1828, a daughter of Henry R. and
Clarissa (Tennant) Gay. Her father was born April
4. 1805, in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and is now living in
retirement, in the town of Ripley. Mrs. G., who was
born June 5, 1804, in the town of Warren, Columbia
Co., N. Y., is also still living. Mrs. Ward's maternal
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Mr. Ward is a Republican in his political views,
has been Justice of the Peace, School Director, and
for six years Constable.

eorge M. D. Wright, hardware merchant
at Somonauk, was born July 23, 1845, in
the township of Northville, La Salle Co ,
111., two miles east of the village where he is
now a resident. He is a son of Levi and Es-
i ther (Whitmore) Wright, and his father was
native of New Hampshire. The latter came to LaSalle

DE KALB COUNTY.

., about 1843, and bought 160 acres of land,
] which he converted into an excellent and valuable
farm. He died on the homestead in 1865. The
mother and ten children yet survive.
. Mr. Wright is the ninth in order of birth of 12
children in his parents' family, and was a member of
the household until he was several years past his
majority. His first independent business venture
was in the drug business, associated with C. E.
Wright, in which he engaged in Somonauk two years.
i On the termination of their relation he entered into a
copartnership in the hardware trade with C. R.
Frank. Two years later the latter sold his moiety to
the brother of Mr. Wright, the new relation existing
two years. Afterward the latter became sole propri-
etor, and has since transacted his business singly.
Mr. Wright is conducting a prosperous trade, in
which he has one wagon running on the road in the
country. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and
belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter at Sandwich.
He was united in marriage Jan. 8, 1876, in Som-

onauk, to Hattie H. Bloom, and they have had three

* children: George R. was born Oct. 13, 1876; Helen
y M., Feb. 28, 1878; and Clifton, Sept. 23, 1883. Mrs.
i Wright is the daughter of Charles and Nancy Bloom,
^ and was born in the State of New York Aug. 4, 1854.

rank W. Lott, jeweler, at Sycamore, was
born Aug. 4, 1843, in Sycamore Township.
His parents, Zephaniah and Amanda
(Roberts) Lott, were pioneer residents of -De
Kalb County, and he was reared under the
parental authority until he was 17 years of age,
when he entered upon the prosecution of his career
of independence. He was first employed as a farm-
er, and followed that calling until 1873. Having
decided on the calling of a jeweler as a vocation in
life, he bought a half interest in the jewelry estab-
lishment of M. F. Warren, at Sycamore, where he
acquired a knowledge of the business. This relation
was in existence three years, and in 1876 he suc-
ceeded to the sole proprietorship of the affairs of
their joint business by the purchase of his partner's
interest. He has since been engaged in the prose-
cution of his business, and carries a full stock of
common to similar establishments, includin

watches, clocks, jewelry, plated ware, cutlery, optical
goods, etc. He also combines a repair business with
his other relations.

Mr. Lott was married in February, 1871, to Jennie
Woodworth, a native of Auburn, N. Y., and a daugh-
ter of John and Mary Woodworth. Their two chil-
dren are named L. Warren and Frank W.

rles F. Greenwood, Treasurer of De
Kalb County, and a citizen of Sycamore,
ras born April 6, 1835, in New Berlin, Che-
nango Co., N. Y. His parents, Thomas J.
and Sally (Fairchild) Greenwood, were natives
respectively of Connecticut and New York. In
1844 the family came from the Empire State to Sugar
Grove, Kane Co., 111., removing thence in August,
1847, to the township of Clinton, De Kalb County.
Land was then in comparatively small demand, and
the father secured at first a small claim of 80 acres,
estimating that he could always find pasture land in
close proximity, settlers being exceptions. He
passed his life in the pursuit of agriculture, and died
on his farm May 22, 1852. At the date of his
demise he was the owner of 330 acres of land in
Clinton Township, 80 acres in Kane County, and 20
acres of timbered land in the township of Sugar
Grove. The mother died on the homestead Feb. 23^
1859. They had three sons: Nathan S., since de-
ceased ; George, a retired farmer, resident at Water-
man, in Clinton Township ; and Mr. Greenwood, of
this sketch.

On the division of his father's estate the latter
became the possessor of an amount of personal
property, and the title to real estate in Iowa, which
latter he applied as part payment for 120 acres of
land lying on sections 32 and 33, in Clinton Town-
ship, whereon he resided from 1860 until 1876, when
he removed to the east half of the northeast quarter
of section 33, where his homestead is still main-
tained.

He entered the army of the United States a few
months after the commencement of the struggle
instituted by the South for the dismemberment of
the Union, enlisting Oct. 5, 1861, in Co. G, Second
111. Light Artillery, under Captain Stolbrand. He

-xt

THELBRAHf
tfIKE

COUNTY.

was in action at the siege of Vicksburg and at Union
City, Tenn., and was involved in much skirmish
warfare. He became disabled through hardship,
exposure and illness, and was honorably discharged
Oct. 16, 1863, at Vicksburg. In the township of
Clinton Mr. Greenwood earned the reward of good
citizenship and public spirit, receiving repeated elec-
tions to places of prominence and trust. He served
three years as Supervisor, as Commissioner of High-
ways, and in the various school offices. In the fall
of 1882 he was elected to the position of which he
is now the incumbent, on the Republican ticket.
Mr. Greenwood is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity, and belongs to Potter Post, No. 12, G. A. R.

His marriage to Catherine I. Darland took place
July 4, 1855, in Clinton Township. Mrs. Greenwood
was born Sept. 28, 1838, in Fairview, 111., and is the
daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Darland. Five
children were born of this Union in Clinton Town-
ship. Byron P. was born Sept. 26, 1856, and is resi-
dent manager of a mercantile enterprise at Marble
Rock, Iowa, of which his father is the proprietor.
Alice was born May 16, 1859 ; Jennie J. and Charles,
twins, were born Sept. i, 1870. The latter died
Aug. 21, 1872.

arles Wesley Marsh, whose portrait is
presented on the opposite page, resides on
country place, on section 14, of De Kalb
Township. He was born March 22, 1834,
near Cobourg, Ont., and is the oldest son of
Samuel and Tamar (Richardson) Marsh.
His earliest recorded ancestor was a " Cavalier " and
was killed at Edgehill in the course of the conflicts
that preceded the Protectorate in England, and
whose two sons fled to the American Continent dur-
ing the first half of the i7th century to escape the
vengeance of the Roundheads. The two branches,
designated respectively as the Vermont and Con-
necticut lines of descent of the Marshes, trace their
origin to these brothers.

Samuel Marsh was borti Feb. 7, 1804, in Canada,
i> and died in De Kalb Township, in April, 1884. He
belonged to the Vermont line, his immediate ances-

tors having originated in the Green Mountain State.
With all the male members of his family, including
his father, uncles and brothers, he was an active par-
ticipant in the rebellion in the Dominion in 1837,
known to history as the Patriots' or McKenzie's War,
and with the others narrowly escaping the fruits of
the vengeance of the English Government. All who
were not arrested and placed in confinement escaped
only by precipitate flight. Samuel Marsh was among
the former, and was captured at Kingston, where he
was held in jail five months. His trial was long and
severe, and he barely escaped conviction and execu-
tion. His wife was born March 22, 1807, in Canada,
and is a descendant of the Mohawk Dutch, belonging
in the maternal line to the Schermerhorn family. Her
marriage occurred in Consecon, Can., and she became
the mother of three children, two sons and a daugh-
ter. The latter was born March 10, 1838, while her
father was a state prisoner in the jail at Kingston.
She died at Chicago March 13, 1881. The mother
of Mr. Marsh is still living.

The father was a farmer, and, after his release, re-
sumed that occupation. In 1844 he sold his prop-
erty in Canada and started for the part of the United
States then known as the " West," to locate a home.
He encountered a Millerite camp-meeting at the
head of the Bay of Quinte, known as the " Carrying
Place," which he attended and became a convert to
the tenets of that sect. Firmly convinced that the
coming of the Lord was at hand, he returned to his
family to await the crisis. The mother, trained and
disciplined by the trials she had already experienced,
exercised the practical view of Abraham Davenport,
and wisely judging that, in any event, the prospects
of her sons would be likely to be improved by
mental cultivation, while her husband waited, placed
them at St. Andrews School at Cobourg. At 1 2
years of age the older son entered Victoria College
at Cobourg, having become exceptionally well fitted
under the inflexible regime of the school, in which he
entered at 10 years of age upon a classical course of
study. In 1847, the practical, provident mother col-
lected a sum of money and, by proxy, purchased a
quarter of section 18, situated near Shabbona Grove,
Clinton Township, in De Kalb County, whither the
family removed in 1849. Mr. Marsh of this sketch
was then 15 years old and within one year of receiv-
ing his degree at Victoria College, having accom-

& ^%f^ -4*l&>.

DE KALB COUNTY.

plished the curriculum of three of the four years'
course prescribed at his Alma Mater. The failure of
the Millerite prognostics had wrought sad havoc
with the little fortune of the family ; and upon the
5>i sons, after their removal to the farm in Illinois, rested
the responsibility of its management, and they de-
voted themselves to the labor of reducing the un-
broken prairie to a condition of improvement and
cultivation. Mr. Marsh taught two winter terms of
school, and in 1858, in accordance with his strong
^ predilection for a life devoted to mental endeavor,
entered the law office of Hon. Charles Kellum as a
student. He was obliged by failing health to relin-
quish the project and returned to agricultural em-
ploy. The details of his efforts in subsequent years
are presented in the sketch of his business career
which appears in full on another page.

Mr. Marsh is an adherent to the principles of the
\ Republican party and a supporter of its issues, which
he adopted on entering upon the privileges of Amer-
ican citizenship. In 1868 he was elected to the
Jsi House of the Illinois Legislature, where he did ex-
1S cellent service on several committees, as he did in a
^-3 succeeding term in the Senate, to which he was
?7^ elected on the expiration of his period as Representa-
^ live. His labors in those positions won a subsequent
recognition at the hands of Governor Beveridge, who
) in 1873 appointed him to a Trusteeship of the Insane
Asylum at Elgin, which he has since held continu-
ously and of which body he has been for many years
President. The existing condition of the institution
is the best possible testimonial to the efforts and
abilities of Mr. Marsh, it being acknowledged as
among the best managed of the long catalogue of
,5_J> similar institutions in this country.

The character of Mr. Marsh from the celebrity he
has achieved in his connection with the machine
which revolutionized the system of harvestingthrough-
out the civilized world, deserves something more
than a passing notice. His predominating trait, and
one which renders him conspicuous, is versatility,
and has been manifested in every enterprise to which
he has lent his attention. The scholarship to which
he attained in childhood was phenomenal, and he
has retained in all their freshness and strength the
^ tastes and proclivities which are his nature. Had he
*) devoted himself to a literary life he would with-
out doubt have attained distinction. Still another

leading characteristic of his mind is the simplicity
of his predilections. Although in his prosperous
days he was the possessor of a generous fortune, he
had no aspirations beyond those of a country gentle-
man. His residence displays no ostentation either
in style or equipment, although planned and con-
structed in his palmy days. But its apartments con-
tain the evidences of a cultivated taste in rare and
valuable books and pictures. Among the former are
two ponderous and magnificent volumes of Hogarth's
and Gillray's engravings from the original plates. The
oldest and most curious volume is a copy of the
Decretals of the Catholic Church, written by a monk.
The work occupied 15 years and was finished in
1409. It was done wholly with a pen, and is from
first to last a wonderful and beautiful sample of the
perfection attained by the scribes before the days of
printing. The work is concluded by the copyist's
fervent " Laus Deo." A detached papal bull issued
by Gregory XI to a Minorite order in Spain, exhibits
six varieties of penmanship. These are but samples
of a most valuable collection. Mr. Marsh is the
possessor of an interesting collection of pictures and
photographs, gathered during a four months' tour on
the continent, whither he went for the purpose of
recreation and in response to an invitation from the
Government to make trial of the Marsh Harvester in
Hungary, where he spent six weeks.

Mr. Marsh is an ardent admirer of nature, and his
home and its belongings bear the evidences of the
direction of his predilections. The park adjacent to
the house is stocked with deer and wild fowl, and his
library contains an assortment of hunting equipments
and trophies of sport, both valuable and curious.

The general estimate of the character of Mr.
Marsh is manifest from the fact that when disaster
overwhelmed the splendid business in which he was
the prime fac.tor, he was the unanimous choice of the
creditors for the position of assignee, this tribute of
confidence being the outgrowth of the disinterested-
ness, integrity and solicitude for the general welfare
which he has displayed unfalteringly throughout his
entire business career., He can receive no better
testimonial than the unquestioning trust of the peo-
ple among whom he has lived from boyhood, in his
inflexible probity and unselfishness.

He was married Jan. i, 1860, to Frances Wait, of
North Adams, Mass., and they became the pare

DE KALB COUNTY.

of three children, George C., Mary F. and Fanny
S. The mother died May 12, 1869. The second
marriage of Mr. Marsh, to Sue Rogers, occurred Jan.
10, 1 88 1. Mrs. Marsh was born in November, 1841,
i at Mariposa, near Lindsay, Ont., and is the daughter
of Joel and Mary Rogers.

itames Harrington, M. D., retired physi-
cian, resident at Sycamore, has been a citi-
zen of De Kalb County since 1844, when
he came here and settled about four miles
north of the present city of Sycamore. He
was born Sept. 20, 1806, in the Province of
Ontario, and is the son of Lot and Sarah (Sage) Har-
rington. His paternal grandsire was a native of
Rhode Island, whence he removed to Vermont. He
was a surveyor by profession and pursued that busi-
ness in the vicinity of Rutland. Lot Harrington
was born in Vermont, and in the days of his early
_ manhood went to the State of New York, where he
*} was married. His wife's parents were from Connecti-
cut. Not long after marriage they went to Canada,
$} where the mother died, in 1809, leaving five children.
Of these, Dr. Harrington is the youngest of the
) sons.

After his mother's death he was taken to the State
of New York, and was taken care of by her relatives
in New Berlin, in Chenango County. He was edu-
cated primarily in the public schools, and at the age
of 17 years commmenced teaching, continuing in
that vocation, and at the same time studied medi-
cine, until 1829, when he opened the practice of his
profession at Eagle, Allegany Co., N. Y. Two years
later he returned to New Berlin, and was a practi-
tioner there until 1844, when he decided to come to
Illinois, and test the value of the promises that
offered unparalleled inducements to such as desired
to advance their fortunes. He made the trip via the
Erie Canal from Utica to Buffalo, and came thence
to Chicago by the lake route. He obtained private
conveyance from Chicago to De Kalb County. He
bought a claim of 120 acres of land, situated on sec-
tions 8 and 9 of town 41, range 5, now Sycamore.
The log house which had been erected on the place,
served for a tenement until 1846. when Dr. Harring-
ton built a frame house. In the same year in which

he took possession he erected a commodious frame
barn. In 1864 he sold the place and removed to
Ann Arbor, Mich., for the purpose of educating his
children. He returned at the end of a year to Syca-
more, where he bought a block of land with a brick
house.

He was married in January, 1831, in Allegany Co.,
N. Y., to Charlotte, daughter of Peter and Mary
(Wait) Walrod. Six of their nine children are living:
Diana was born Oct. 27, 1832, and died Sept. 10,
1856; Joseph was born April 27, 1837, and died
Dec. 23, 1874; Susan was born Sept. 4, 1841, and
died in May, 1883; William S. resides in Oregon,
and is the Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church in
the Portland District ; George L. resides at Sycamore ;
Nelson R. is City Marshal of Sycamore ; James F. is
a farmer in Jewell Co., Kan.; Mark W. is Professor
of Astronomy in the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor; Mary married P. K. Jones, druggist at Syca-
more. The mother died in April, 1871.

Dr. Harrington was elected School Commissioner
in 1845, and was re-elected School Commissioner for
1856-7. In the Legislative sessions of Illinois of
1846-7 he was a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives. He was one of the Supervisors of Syca-
more during nine years, and served the entire period
as President of that Board.

iram Palmer, farmer on the east half of
the northwest quarter of section 35, Cort-
land Township, was born in Charlotte
Township, Chittenden Co., Vt, May 16, 1809,
and in 1819 was taken by his parents in emi-
gration to Chautauqua" Co., N. Y., into the wild
woods,' moving with a horse team and taking the first
wagon that was ever driven into the town of Ripley.
In 1835 Mr. Palmer went to Ashtabula Co., Ohio,
where he rented a farm, remaining there until 1836.
In September of that year, he located in this county,
when the prairies here were still unoccupied. He
rented a farm near Sycamore a year and then pur-
chased the quarter-section where he now resides.
At that time his nearest neighbor was three or four
miles distant and there was no house where Syca-
more now stands. The contrast between that time
and the present, in the appearance and enhanced
value of the land, as well as the experiences of life,
sets the imagination almost wild.

COUNTY.

Mr. Palmer was married May i, 1831, to Julia
Hill, daughter of Wyman and Elizabeth (McFarland)
Hill, of Scotch ancestry. Her father, a native of
Vermont, died in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, about 1859,
aged about 70 years, and her mother, a native of
Connecticut, died in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1832,
about 54 years of age. Mrs. P. was born April 17,
1807. The immediate descendants of Mr. and Mrs.
Palmer are : Chauncey S., born March 3, 1832, in
Chautauqua Co., N. Y.; J. Sidney, Feb. 20, 1836, in

^ Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; Harriet L., July 12, 1842, in
this county; and Emeline M., Nov. 9, 1844, also in

this county. His father, Israel Palmer, of English
descent, came from the old country to Rhode Island
before the Revolutionary War, and thence to Vermont,
and finally died in the town of Ripley, Chautauqua
Co., N. Y., about 77 years of age ; and Hiram's mother,
Sally, nee Champlain, was born in Charlotte Town-
ship, Chittenden Co., Vt, and died in 1813, in
her native State.

Mr. Palmer is a Republican in his political prin-
ciples, and has held the offices of School Director
and Road Commissioner.

On his first settlement in this county, Mr. Palmer
built a log house at the confluence of De Kalb Creek
with the Kishwaukee River, and lived there two years,
during which time he suffered a great deal from the
usual ague, bilious fever, etc. He built his second
log house at Coltonville, lived there one year; then a
year on Phineas Stevens' farm; and finally a third
log cabin, on his present place of residence, where
he has now lived for 40 years. After a few years in
the first cabin here, he moved to the place a frame

house from a distance of seven miles, and occupied
that as a dwelling until he erected his present fine

[ residence.

I eorge W. Nesbitt, M. D., practicing phy-
sician and surgeon at Sycamore, was born
Aug. 20, 1837, in Attica, N. Y. He is a
representative of the sturdy and vigorous race
known as the Scotch-Irish, his paternal grand-
parents having belonged originally to the
former nationality, which they left at the time of the
Irish rebellion and settled in County Cavan, Ulster,
Ireland. Henry Nesbitt, his father, was born in that

-^C^

county, in 1803, and became a resident of the United
States in 1819. George W.'s mother, Eleanor
(Smyth) Nesbitt, was born in 1802, in Argyle, Wash-
ington Co., N. Y. Her father was of Scottish birth ;
her mother was born in Connecticut and represented
a family of ancient origin and of probable German
lineage. Henry Nesbitt settled in Attica after his
marriage, pursued agriculture as a vocation, and died
there in June, 1883. His wife died in Wyoming Co.,
N. Y., in 1862. Their eight children survive them.
The oldest, Susannah, is the wife of A. Prentice, a
farmer. David is a farmer in the township of Attica,
N. Y. Henry is a farmer in Saratoga Co., N. Y. Dr.
Nesbitt is the fourth in order of birth. Samuel S. is
a physician by profession and is passing his life in
retirement on a large farm in Adams Co., 111. Jane
resides in Attica, N. Y. James O. and John W.
(twins) are farmers on the homestead in Orangeville,
Wyoming Co., N. Y.

Dr. Nesbitt received the training and primary edu-
cation of a farmer's son, obtaining the latter by
attendance at winter terms of school, afterwards
completing the curriculum of study at the Genesee
and Wyoming Seminary at Alexander, Genesee Co.,
N. Y., then a popular institution of learning and one
which has maintained its prestige. He studied ad-
vanced mathematics, classical and modern languages,
and was graduated with honors. Imbued with the
sentiment in which the youth of his generation was
reared, the obligation to engage actively in the
world's work, he came to Genoa, De Kalb Co., 111.,
and spent a winter here, engaged in teaching. He
turned his face westward in the following spring and
passed some weeks in travel and prospecting. Dur-
ing the summer ensuing he was an attache of the
Government surveying party on the Red River of the
North, operating principally in Minnesota. In the
winter following, he taught school in Boone Co., 111.,
and on the expiration of his engagement he went to
Arkansas, and to other States, and pursued the same
vocation. Meanwhile he had devoted his leisure
and opportunities to the study of medicine and of
law. He commenced his legal reading ander the
instructions of the Hon. Charles Kellum, of Syca-
more, and during the years of 1860-1 he devoted
nearly a twelvemonth to the study of medicine in
the office of Dr. H. H. Rice, of Randolph Co., 111. His
labors as a pedagogue terminated in 1861, when he
returned to his native State, and read medicine under

DE KALB COUNTY.

the supervision of Dr. H. B. Miller, of Alexander.
Later, he attended lectures at the Buffalo Medical
College, and was graduated there Feb. 21, 1865.

He entered into an association with Dr. G. W.
McCray, of Buffalo, in the wholesale and retail sale
of drugs, and also engaged in the practice of medi-
cine. He sold his interest in the fall of 1866, and
after an extended tour of prospective observation
through the States of the South he located, in the
winter of the same year, at Sycamore, where he at
once established himself as a physician and surgeon
and entered upon a career in his profession second
to none in popularity in this section of Northern
Illinois.

Dr. Nesbitt has not limited his efforts and energies
to the scope of his medical practice, nor confined his
interests to the section where he is resident. He is
an agriculturist of no mean proportions, and is exten-
sively engaged as a breeder of valuable stock. He is
the proprietor of 1,200 acres of farming land in
Mitchell and Ottawa Counties, Kan., devoted to the
rearing of horses, cattle and swine. He has bred
some fine trotting animals, and is at present the
owner of four horses of acknowledged speed. He
also raises the English draft horses.

The intellectual attainments and proclivities of Dr.
Nesbitt are far beyond the common order. He is
thoroughly read in medical literature, and has a well
earned reputation as a lecturer and contributor to the
medical press. He has, on occasion, presented valu-
able papers before the Illinois State Medical Society,
and before the American Medical Association, and
has made discoveries in the application of drugs that
are of acknowledged benefit to the fraternity. In
1 88 1 he officiated as Vice-President of the Illinois
State Medical Society, and in 1883 was elected to the
same position. He has not been able to apply his
abilities to the administration of local affairs, the
duties and responsibilities of his extensive practice
monopolizing his time and energies. He is promi-
nent in the Order of Masonry, and is a member of
the Royal Arch Chapter.

Dr. Nesbitt was married June 23, 1864, at Buffalo,
N. V., to Mrs. Mary H. Davis, a native of Chippewa,
Can. She had two children by her former marriage.
The youngest, Lydia, is deceased. Cora married
Frank Whitney, and they are residents on the farm
of Dr. Nesbitt, in Ottawa Co., Kan. One child born

to Dr. and Mrs. Nesbitt died in infancy. George W.
was born March T3, 1869; John B. was born Jan.
31, 1873. The marriage of Dr. Nesbitt is made
memorable by the fact that the ceremony was per-
formed by the Rev. George H. Ball, made a char-
acter of history through his intrepid denunciation of
the immoral element in the Presidential campaign
of 1884.

illiam Raymond, farmer, section 21,
Cortland Township, came to De Kalb
County in the spring of 1855. He spent
the summer ensuing in Genoa, and in the
fall of the same year located in the village
of Cortland. In company with his brother, he
afterward bought a farm on section 16, in Cortland
Township, on which he settled in the spring of 1856.
On this property he spent some years. In 1883 he
bought a farm on section 21, where he established his
residence permanently, enlarging and improving his
house and building a large barn. The place is under
excellent improvements, and is increased in value
by the improvements he has made.

Mr. Raymond was born in Otsego, N. Y., Aug 19,
1834, and is the son of Oliver P. and Sarah (Wilbur)
Raymond. The former was born in Pawling,
Dutchess Co., N. Y., and the latter was a native of
Taunton, Mass. When Mr. Raymond was six years
of age his father died, while engaged in the manage-
ment of a hotel at Ashland, Greene Co., N. Y. Soon
after that event the family removed to Davenport,
Delaware County, in the same State, where the son
obtained a common-school education and was reared
on a farm, remaining with his mother until his re-
moval to Illinois.

He was first married in 1856, to Minerva Burr.
She was born in 1832, in Erie Co., N. Y., and died
July 7, 1880, having become the mother of eight
children, Frank B., Fred W., Nathan, Rodolphus
J., Henry O., Wilbur P., Minnie and Charles. Frank
died Sept. 12, 1879; the youngest son died July 17,
1880. Mr. Raymond was again married July n,
1883,10 Mrs. W. R. Patrick, daughter of J. C. and
Hannah (Judd) Hoag. She was born in South Do-
ver, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and was married Oct. 29,
1867, to W. R. Patrick, by whom she had five chil-
dren Jennie C., George W. (died 14 months, old),

DE KALB COUNTY.

' Walton R. (died when two years and ten months
old), Flora B. and Willimina. One child has been
born of her second marriage, Leonard Light. Mr.
Patrick died Sept. 13, 1881.

illiam Wallace Marsh, Superintendent of
the Turk Motor Works at Sycamore and
member of the firm of C. W. & W. W.
Marsh, was born April 15, 1836, near Co-
bourg, Ont. He is the second son of Samuel
and Tamar (Richardson) Marsh, and passed
the years of his early boyhood on the farm of his
father in the Dominion of Canada. He was an infant
in his mother's arms when his father became inter-
ested and involved in the rebellion in Canada which
opened in 1837, and in which the members of the
families to which his father and mother belonged
were participants. (See sketch of C. W. Marsh.) In
1844, the parents resolved to seek the advantages of
the (then) western portion of the United States ; and
the homestead in Canada was sold, the father setting
out for a prospecting tour, but was suddenly arrested
in his purpose by his acceptance of the tenets of the
Millerites, who had fixed upon that year as the date
of the termination of all earthly things ; and, aban-
doning all projects dependent upon the future, the
father settled with his family at Cobourg, where the
sons had the advantages of the excellent Canadian
schools.

Mr. Marsh was but eight years old when he was
placed at St. Andrews School, and two years later
entered Victoria College, where he was a student
three years. In 1849 the family circumstances ne-
cessitated immediate activity ; and its members, con-
sisting of the father, mother, two sons and a daughter,
born in 1838, came to De Kalb County and settled
on no acres of land, which had been purchased for
them in 1847 by an uncle. It was situated on sec-
tion 18, and soon after taking possession of the place
another tract of similar acreage was purchased on
another section. The entire quantity of land in both
purchases consisted of unbroken prarie, and was the
scene of unremitting labors of the father and sons for
nearly eight years.

In 1857 began the experiments from which resulted
the machine which will be the medium of transmit-

ting the name of Marsh to posterity as it merits, and
in his connection with that invention Mr. Marsh at-
tained all the distinction he craved, and found in its
ultimate success the satisfaction of achieving a pur-
pose worth the devotion of a life-time of effort. The
idea upon which the Marsh Harvester was founded
grew from the observation that a man could bind a
bundle of grain while another was being cut; and
the idea that followed was the necessity of moving
with the cutting apparatus in order to receive the
sundered grain at the opportune moment. The years
of experiment and struggle that followed and their
results are given elsewhere, and form one of the most
interesting reminiscences possible.

One incident, which was a memorable one to Mr.
Marsh of this sketch, is worthy of special note, as it
was a momentous occasion for De Kalb County, as
well as to the central figure therein. The test of the
Marsh Harvester took place on the farm of Clark
Barber, north of the village of De Kalb, in the pres-
ence of hundreds of spectators. Numberless reaping
machines were in the contest, among which were the
pioneer wire and cord binders, both of which proved
failures. But the Marsh machine asserted the value
of the principles upon which it is based and achieved
a complete triumph. Mr. Marsh of this sketch occu-
pied the platform, and in 50 minutes bound the grain
cut on an acre, accomplishing the work with the
utmost ease.

The Marsh Harvester was thenceforward a recog-
nized fact. On the establishment of their business
as manufacturers, the financial interests and all re-
lations specially pertaining to that branch of the busi-
ness naturally fell under the supervision of C. W.
Marsh, the mechanical portion becoming the charge
of W. W. Marsh. The latter has been deeply in-
terested for a long term of years in the invention
of farm machinery, .and with his brother and others
has been the patentee of numberless principles and
applications pertaining to agricultural implements.
He has invented about a score of harvester appli-
ances, and nearly as many more in other directions,
including binders, windmills, plows, cultivators, wire-
stretchers, paint-mill, corn-cutters, corn-huskers, etc.
He has also constructed several mechanical ap-
purtenances which have remained unpatented and
are now in common use, among which is the bal
loon harvester wheel.

On the establishment of the Marsh Harvester

rauwun

OF TEE

DE KALB COUNTY.

f shops at Syr a more, Mn Marsh fixed his residence

j in the city. In 1873 he purchased the grounds
where he built his residence, which include about
12 acres and constitute an attractive and valuable
homestead. With the spacious and beautiful family
mansion, they are valued at 15,000. His marriage
to Mrs. M. J. Smith occurred Jan. 8, 1871, in Chi-
cago, and of their union two children have been
born William W. and Sarah Alma. Mrs. Marsh is
the daughter of Rufus and Sarah D. Brown. They

i are among the pioneer settlers of Chicago.

Mr. Marsh is a Republican in political opinions
and connections. In 1873 he was elected Alderman

* of Sycamore and continued to serve in that capacity
five years. He did much effective business in ob-
taining high license, which was afterward adopted
and is at present (1885) operative in Sycamore.

eorge F. Schoonmaker, farmer and dairy-
man, section 32, Franklin Township, was
born on the same section, in the same
township, Feb. 3, 1856. An account of his
parents is included in the sketch of his father,
1 J. M. Schoonmaker, which may be found on
another page of this work. He was brought up as a
farmer's son under the direction of his father, acquir-
ing a practical knowledge of the details of agriculture,
and obtaining a common-school education. At the
age of 16 years he entered the High School at Syca-
more, where he completed full course of study and
was graduated in June, 1875, being one of the first to
pursue and finish the prescribed course in that insti-
tution. 'He was thenceforward engaged in teaching
winters and farming summers for some years.

He finally determined on a permanent settlement
in life and was married March 4, 1878, to Florence
Amelia Ellis, at Fielding. Her parents, Gilbert and
Caroline (Cbilds) Ellis, were of Eastern origin and
her mother is yet living. Her father died at Field-
ing, Dec. 26, 1883. He was a cabinet-maker by
trade. The daughter was born Nov. 6, 1853, in
Virgfl.Townsbip, Kane Co., 111. She was a resident
in her native county until she was ii years old, when
lier parents removed to Sycamore, where she entered
school and completed her education when 16 years
of age. She then became a membtr of the family of

a sister at Fielding, whare she continued to reside
chiefly until her marriage. The family of Mr. and
Mrs. Schoonmaker includes two children : Flora B.,
boru Dec. 23, 1878; and Blanche M., bom Oct. 5,
1880. They are residents on the paternal home-
stead, and Mr. Schoonmaker is the owner of no
acres situated in" South Grove Township. He is, a
Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is
also Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
He is a decided Republican in political faith and
action. ' - ' -

ohn Heath, farmer, section 34, Genoa Town-
ship, has been a resident of De Kalb
County since 1846, and a landholder in the,
township of which he is now a citizen since
1848. He first secured a claim of 80 acres,
and has 'since increased his estate by the later
purchase of 92 acres additional. Of the entire tract,
160 acres have been placed under an excellent type
of culture.

In political creed and action he'adopts the princi-
ples and issues of the Republican party. He has
discharged the duties of Supervisor, of Genoa Town-
ship five years and acted as the incumbent of several
other official positions.

He was born Feb. 19, 1817, in Argyle, Washington
Co., N. Y. His parents, Isaac and Elizabeth (Alger)
Heath, were natives respectively of New Jersey and
Vermont They had nine children, of whom Mr.
Heath is fifth in order of birth. At the age of 20 <
years he engaged as a deck-hand on a sloop plying ,
on the North, or Hudson River, and was occupied in (
that vocation two years. His next venture took him '
to New Orleans, where he passed two years tending
bar, returning thence to his native State, where he
remained two years and came thence in June, 1846,
to De Kalb County.

The first marriage of Mr. Heath, to Elizabeth
McQuarie, took place in Chatham, Ont., May 24,
1846. She was a native of New York, and became
the mother of three children, Webster, Eliza and
Diana. The youngest child died when two months
old. The mother died July 24, 1859. Mr. Heath
was a second time married Jan. 24, 1860, in Genoa
Township, to Hannah ShurtliflT, a native of Canada. '
-er: vs.>

The five children born of this union are named
Libby, Mabel, Lillian, Emily and John. The latter
died when he was 16 years of age.

A fine lithographic portrait of Mr. Heath is given

on a preceding page. He is one of the old residents

of his township, and justly entitled to be classed

among his representative citizens. The picture from

"which the portrait is engraved was taken in 1883.

Tames C. Wright, farmer on the southwest
quarter of section 30, Cortland Township,
was born near Manchester, Lincolnshire,
England, July 2, 1826. Two years afterward
his parents, William and Elizabeth (Credland)
Wright, emigrated with their three children to
America and located in Vernon Township, Oneida
Co., N. Y., on a farm of 50 acres, land once owned
by the Oneida Indians. Mr. W. failed to pay for this
farm, and leaving his family there for a time, he came
to St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., in 1834. Being a first-
class mechanic, he worked as a wheelwright and in
other capacities of a similar nature, and in a year
and a half he brought his family to St. Charles, the
whole distance from New York State in a one-horse
wagon! On this were stowed a wife, three children,
two beds, cooking utensils, etc. They were nine
weeks on the road. Father and two eldest sons
walked the entire distance! Only two nights did the
family sleep in a house, and all their meals were
cooked by the roadside. They landed at St Charles
about the first of November.

The following fall the father died, and James C.
and his brother, who had gone out to work for their
living, returned to aid in sustaining the family ; but,
their mother marrying again, the subject of this sketch
started out into the world to take care of himself,
being then only 13 years of age. First he was a farm
laborer for two years, receiving $6 a month and board,
then for two years $9 a month, by which time he had
saved from his earnings $50; then for a year $12 a
month, three years 11 a month, working for Henry
Wager, then for Jerry Brown two years at $11 a
month, when he purchased 52 acres of land, going
$600 in debt. Subsequently he bought 40 acres
more of I. R. Hamlin, running again in debt $600,
then 40 acres of Mr. Royce, incurrring another debt

of $600, then 23 acres of E. S. Root, incurring a debt
of $1,400, and finally, in 1867, sold out and went
with the family to California, by the water route,
where he resided four years. He bought 1,450 acres
of land there of the Government, and raised grain
and live stock, having of the latter 107 head -of cat-
tle, 400 hogs and a few horses ; but he finally ex-
changed that farm for his old -one here in Illinois.
In his travels he has crossed the. Atlantic Ocean
twice, and the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Central
America and the Isthmus of Panama each once,
the latter requiring eight days.

Mr. Wright, Feb. 26, 1854, married Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Nicholas and Diana (Wager) Wilbur,
the latter of whom are deceased. Mrs. W. died in
California, March 20, 187 r, leaving one child, Albert,
who was bora June 18,1869, in the Golden State,
in Sutler County, on the banks of the Sacramento
River. Sept 3, 1873, Mr. W. married Harriet L.,
daughter of Silas and Clarissa (Converse) Whitmore,
neither of whom is now living. She was born June
22, i842,in the State of New York.

Mr. Wright s father died in St. Charles, 111., about
Sept. i, 1837, and his mother in January, 1852, on
the county poor farm, her second husband, James
Cortwright taking possession of the farm in 1840:
be died about 1857. Both of Mr. Wright's parents
were of English descent.

The subject of this sketch is a .Republican in his
political principles. While in California he was a
Justice of the Peace. Both himself and wife are;
members of the Methodist Church. Although Mr.
W. has always been a farmer, in his younger days,'
before he became settled, he studied some for the
ministry, then began to learn the blacksmith's trade,
and then the wagon-maker's, when he finally deter-
mined upon farming.

Isey P. Young, a former resident and
prominent citizen of De Kalb, now de- ^
ceased, was born July 21, 1819, at Mans- j
jj field, Ohio. He was the son of John and
Elizabeth (Logan) Your.g, members of the agri- (
cultural class, and Mr. Young obtained a prac- %
tical knowledge of that calling in early life. He (r
found the duties and burdens of an agricultural life ^

distasteful, and essayed teaching; but feeling that
eminence in that profession could be attained only
through the medium of a liberal education, he de-
termined on testing the gist of Bishop Berkeley's
famous words, "Westward the course of empire
takes its way," and seek advancement in the fields of
promise situated in the direction of the setting sun.

He left his early home and associations, and
arrived in Sycamore in 1839, where he soon after be-
came associated in a mercantile enterprise with
James 5. Waterman. He married Caroline Water-
man, the sister of his partner, in 1846. The house
which Mr. Young built about that date, at Sycamore,
is still in existence, on the premises of Hon. Reuben
Ellwood. His wife died in 1852, after becoming the
mother of two children, a daughter and a son. The
latter died in infancy; the former, when in the
bloom of early womanhood, aged 20 years.

In 1847 Mr. Young officiated as Sheriff of De Kalb
County. In 1854 he was a merchant at Albion, Ind.,
associated with Mr. H. Day, his brother-in-law.
Early in 1856 he transferred his stock of goods and
his business to De Kalb Center., and in the same
year he married Alida L. Ellwood. Two daughters
formed the issue of the second marriage, the elder of
whom died at four years of age, the younger when
nine months old.

In 1860, in partnership with Dr. Rufus Hopkins,
he established a banking enterprise at De Kalb, in
which he was interested to the time of his death.
That event transpired at Hot Springs, Ark., March
14, 1874,

The life and character of Mr. Young were such as
command general respect, and he left to the citizens
of the county where he was a resident over 40 years
the record of an honorable and upright career and a
stainless name.

Nicholas Lanan, farmer on section 22, May-
field Township, is a son of John and Mar-
garet Lanan, who were natives of Belgium.
In their family were Nicholas, John, Henry
Joseph and Catherine. The first mentioned
<|> was born in that country, Dec. 21, 1817, and came to
^ America in the fall of 1833; after a perilous voyage
of three months and three days, he landed in New

York, and remained in that State four years and a
half; he then came to Illinois, in a sailing vessel
from Buffalo to Chicago. The lakes were very rough'
during the entire v.oyage. He then came by wagon
to De Kalb County, and purchased a quarter of sec-
tion 22, Mayfield Township, where he still resides.
He is therefore one of the first pioneers now living."
At present he owns 190 acres, most of which is in a
state of good cultivation. He raises cattle, horses
and hogs.

He was married in Chicago, 111., Nov. 13, 1851, to
Phifllpine Becker, who was born in Germany, in
October, 1818, and came to America with her mother,
Mary Ann (Hoffman) Becker, her father Nicholas
Becker having died when she was a child. Her
mother was a second time married, in Germany.
After coming to America she settled in Chicago,
where she died, Nov. 28, 1878.

Mr. and Mrs. Lanan are the parents of seven chil-
dren: Mary was born June 29, 1852, and was mar-
ried in April, 1872, to John Delles; Elizabeth was
born Nov. 7, 1854, and married William Gregory in
November, 1882; Margaret was born Feb. 18, 1856,
and married John Witte, in May, 1877 ; Catherine
was born July 15, 1857, and was married in May,
1876, to August Ullrich; John was born Jan. 24,
1858.

-i| < oC>S * I

athan Lattin, senior member of the firm of
N. & D. B. Lattin, dealers in coal, Batavia
stone, etc., at Sycamore, was born May 2,
1834, in the township of Veteran, Chemung
Co., N. Y. His father, Ransom Lattin, was
born March 19, 1797, in Fairfield Co., Conn.,
and was married in 1828, to Almy C. Crawford. She
was a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., and died in
Veteran, at the age of 82 years. The senior Lattin
died in the same township Feb. 14, 1883. They be-
came the parents of eight children. Daniel B. is a
farmer in Afton Township. Mary W. is the wife of
M. L. Egbert, of Horseheads, N. Y. Parthenia died
n infancy. Melissa E. married Peter A. Miller and
died in 1859. Clarissa died in 1867. Canni held
the homestead and was the custodian of the comfort
of his parent's closing years. Sydney is a farmer of
Shabbona Grove.

Mr. Lattin is the fourth child of his parents, and
-*^_

was reared at home on the far.m. His elder brother
had come to De Kalb County about 1854, and he
came to Sycamore in April, 1857. He engaged in
the purchase and sale of stock and grain, in which
he has passed the intervening years of his life to this
date (1885). In the fall of i88a he admitted his
brother, D. B. Lattin, to a partnership. The coal
trade of the firm is about 3,000 tons annually, and
their traffic in grain is proportionally heavy. Their
warehouses are situated on De Kalb Avenue, opposite
the depot, and are conveniently located on each
side of the railroad track.

Mr. Lattin has been prominent and efficient in
local positions of trust and responsibility in the
municipal affairs of Sycamore. He officiated as
Alderman several years, and held the office of Mayor
of the city four years, from 1877 to 1881. From
1874 to 1878 he was Supervisor of Sycamore Town-
ship.

The marriage of Mr. Lattin to Mary H., daughter
of Stephen and Miriam T. Bemis, took place in De
Kalb Township, Dec. 24, 1857. Of this union three
children have been born: Judson, now a student in
the mechanical and military departments of the In-
dustrial University at Champaign; Clara L., a teacher
in the graded school at Sycamore; and Fred, acting
as assistant in the business of N. & D. B. Lattin.

'hilip King, a farmer on section 9, Mayfield
Township, is- a son of William and Mary
(Fy) King, natives of Germany, who emi-
grated to America in an early day and settled
Crawford Co., Ohio, where they died. They
had ten children, Lana, Abraham, Philip,
Jacob, Margaret, Susan, Barbara, William, Mary and
Henry.

Mr. King was born in Germany April 26. 1826,
and was six years Old when his parents came with
him to America. He served an apprenticeship of
three years to learn the trade of shoemaking, which
he followed till 1848, when he came to this county
and pre-empted 80 acres in Mayfield Township, on
the section where he still resides. At present he
owns 208 acres, with about 190 in a fine state of cul-
tivation. He has held the offices of Overseer of

Highways and School Director, and in his political
principles he is a Democrat.

. He was first married in Kingston Township, this
county, Feb. 2, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Daniel and Elizabeth (Dawalt) Coonfair, who were
natives of Pennsylvania. She had two children
William and Mary E. and died Sept. 15, 1856, in
Mayfield Township; 2nd Mr. King was again mar-
ried, Oct. 15, 1858, in Crawford Co., Ohio, to Miss
Maria, daughter of Solomon and Rosa A. (Lutz)
Scott, who also were natives of the Keystone State.
The latter had 1 1 children, Maria, Jane, Amelia,
William, Laura, Ellen, Harriet, John, Ann, Chris-
topher and Amanda. Mrs. King was bom in Craw-
ford Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1841, and the children of
Mr. and Mrs. K. are Rosa A., Henry D., Margaret
J., Frank P., Orilla L., Laura D. and Amelia, seven
in number.

Brown removed his familv to Illinois and settled in

Dillon S. Brown, member of the banking
house of Brown & Brown at Genoa, was born
May 12, 1852, in the township of Genoa.
Jeremiah L. Brown, his father, was a native
of Scarborough! Maine, and was twice mar-
ried. His first wife, Judith (Richardson)
Brown, bore seven children, two of whom are de-
ceased. The survivors are James P., Jeremiah W.
(see sketch), Judith. Esther E. and Abigail J. The
mother died in Genoa Township, and the father
married Eliza A. Jackman. Four children were bom
of the second marriage, Emma R., Dillon S., 1
Charles A. (see sketch) and Lizzie M. The senior t

Genoa Township in the fall of 1837, engaging in
farming. He died Tan. 5. 1882.

D. S. Brown attended school until the age of 25
years, residing on :he home farm during his vaca-
tions: graduated a: the Illinois Industrial University
in the spring of 1875 and from the Montreal Veter- ^
inary College at Montreal, Canada, in 1877, from '
which time he practiced his profession at Sycamore ;
until the spring of iSSo. when he became interested p
in a mercantile enterprise at Genoa, associated with f/
H. H. Slater. The relation was terminated^ the '."
end of a year by t'.ie withdrawal of Mr. Brown. In ^.
May, 1882, he inaugurated his present business en- V

terprise, forming a partnership with his brother,
Charles A. Brown. The venture has proved satisfac-
tory, and the firm have gained a substantial reputa-
tion in the management of financial matters.

Mr. Brown was married May 16, 1878, to Emily
E. Pond. Their children were born as follows:
Claude, Earl and a child who died in infancy. Mrs.
Brown is the daughter of A. H. and Amy N.
(Hollembeak) Pond, who were natives of Pennsylva-
nia, where she also was born.

Mr. Brown is a Republican in political faith and
action. He has served as Village Trustee and as
President of the Board.

eorge Klernsmid, hardware merchant at
Sandwich, was born June 26, 1831, in the
Prussian province of Westphalia. .Bern-
hard Kleinsmid, his father, died when he was
a child of three years, leaving the family to
the care of the mother, Mary Kleinsmid, who
brought her children to the American continent in
1848, when her son George was 17 years of age.
They located in Cincinnati, where he learned the
business of a shoemaker, and was occupied in the
prosecution of the trade at that point until 1851, in
which year he removed to Chicago. He was simi-
larly employed in that city for some time, but, find-
ing Kis health affected by confinement, he engaged
as a salesman in a hardware store, and acquired a
thorough knowledge of the details and specialties of
that vocation. He came to Sandwich in 1856 and
established a hardware enterprise, associated with
George L. Ismon. Their relations were suddenly
and disastrously terminated a little less than three
years later by the simultaneous disappearance of Mr.
Ismon and all available resources in the way of
cash. Mr. Kleinsmid collected his courage and suf-
ficient means to again establish his business, which
he opened in 1859, and has since conducted with
satisfactory results. His stock represents an average
estimate of $12,000, and he transacts annually a large
amount of business in all the branches connected
with his establishment. He employs several tinners
and one general assistant. Two sons act as sales-

men when occasion demands. The business block
in which he operates was built by him in 1864, and
is 24 x 105 feet in dimensions. It is constructed of
brick and is three stories in height above the base-
ment. Mf. Kleinsmid is a pioneer in his business,
which is of nearly 30 years' standing, and was one of
the earliest established in De Kalb County. He is
the owner of a handsome brick residence, two stories
in height, having a tin mansard roof and containing
20 rooms. The adjoining grounds contain nearly
three acres of land, and the place is among the most
attractive at Sandwich. Mr. Kleinsmid owns also
two acres in the north part of the city devoted to
nursery purposes, and a tenement house and lot.

He was united in marriage in Chicago, Oct. 18,
1855, to Louisa, daughter of Gotleib Simon, of
Waldo, Wis. (Her father is still living and is a nona-
genarian.) Of their union 13 children have been
born. Louisa and Frank, the two oldest, are de-
ceased. The survivors are George, Bertha, Raymond,
Lucretia, Lilly, Walter, Austin, Rufus, James, Maud
and Mabel.

imuel Stephens, retired farmer, residing
at Genoa, is the son of Benjamin and Eliz-
abeth Stephens, and was born Sept 6,
1809, in Pennsylvania, his father being a na-.
live of the same State. His mother was born
in Ireland. Mr. Stephens is one of a family of
seven children, and when he was three years of age
his parents removed to Ohio, where they resided
about five years, going thence to Indiana. They
came to DeKalb County in 1837 and located in the
township of Kingston. He has been a resident in
various parts of De Kalb County and has owned
land in different localities, which he has disposed of
with the exception of 80 acres, which he still holds.
In 1882 rie retired from active farming life, his resi-
dence being in Genoa village, where he has lived
since 1837.

His first marriage occurred in Woodstock, Me-
Henry Co., 111., where he formed a matrimonial

alliance with Rebecca Patterson, a native of Penn-
sylvania. Of their union one son was born, Joseph
B. Stephens, who is a resident of Sycamore and
officiating in the capacity of State's Attorney of De
Kalb County. The mother died at Genoa. Mr.
Stephens was a second time married, in Genoa Town-
ship, Dec. 14, 1852, to Philena, daughter of Allen
and Sophronia Crocker. The latter was born in the
State of New York, the former in Massachusetts.
They were among the pioneer settlers of Genoa
Township, and died at the home of Mr. Stephens in
the village of Genoa. Mrs. Stephens is second in
order of birth of six children born to her parents, and
her birth occurred April i, 1830, in Genesee Co., N.
Y. She has been the mother of two children. Her-
bert, the oldest, died when he was nearly four years
of age. The second child died in infancy. Mr. and
Mrs. Stephens are members of the Advent Church.
He is a Prohibitionist in political principle. He has
acted eight years as Justice of the Peace, and has
been a member of the Village Board of Trustees of
Genoa.

md W. Stark, farmer, section 3, Mayfield
Township, is the son of William and Ruth
(McClara) Stark, natives of Pennsylvania,
who had five children, Lewis G., Peter F.,
David W., John K., Calista and Amelia. The
subject of this sketch was born in Wyoming Co.,
Pa., April 15, 1826, lived in his native county until
s i years of age arid then sought a home in the West.
Coming to Illinois in 1847, he lived most of the
time until 1852 in Sycamore, engaged in different oc-
cupations. In the spring of that year he went to
California for the purpose of mining, and was thus
engaged for six months. After that he worked out
by the month, until May, 1857, when he returned to
De Kalb County and settled on 40 acres of section
3, Mayfield Township, which he had bought when he
first came to Illinois and where he now resides. He
has added to his estate until he now has almost 300
acres. Mr. Stark has served as Deputy Sheriff two
years (1849-50). In political matters he votes with
the Republicans.

. He was married in Mayfield Township, Oct. 28,
1859, to Amanda Judd, daughter of Ariel and Eliz-
abeth (Headly) Judd, the former of whom was a

native of the State of New York and the latter of In-
diana. They came to De Kalb County in 1837 and
settled in Kmgston Township, where Mrs. J. died, in
May, 1847; Mr. J. afterward came to Mayfield Town-
ship, and died Feb. 23, 1869. They had a family of ^
nine children, Mrs. S. being the only one who lived
to grow up. Mr. and Mrs. S. are th; parents of five
children, William A., Lizzie J., Frank W., Clara C.
and Perry J.

eorge E. and Irving W. Miller, general
merchants and dealers in hardware .and
agricultural machinery at Fielding, Frank-
lin Township, started their business in Feb-
ruary, 1884. The building where they manage
their affairs is a brick structure, 50 X5o feet in
dimensions, and they have a finely assorted stock
suited to the local trade.

Their parents, Daniel and Catherine M. (Bouk)
Miller, were natives of New York and farmers in
Herkimer County. They removed thence to Frai.k-
lin Township in 1846, and were among the early set-
tlers. They purchased 280 acres of land, and later
became the proprietors of additional tracts until, at the
date of the father's decease, Oct. 4, 1874, the estate
included 560 acres, to which there were five heirs,
William O., George E., Emma J., Irving W. and Frank.
Frank died Oct. 21, 1874, soon after the death of his
father. William O. moved to Kansas, where he and
his wife both died after being in that State about a
year; he died Dec. 23, 1879, and his wife about two
weeks afterward. One daughter of the senior Miller,
Emma J., resides on the homestead with her mother.
George E. Miller was born in Franklin Township,
Aug. 12, 1854. He was educated in the district
school of his native township, and was married June
4, 1876, at Rockford, 111., to Mary A. McClellan.
She was bom in De Kalb County, Jan. 26, 1852, and
was educated in the common schools, later going to
Rockford to complete a more extended course of
study. Her mother died soon after her birth, and
her father went not long afterward to California,
where all traces of him were lost. She was brought
up and educated by her aunt. She is the mother of
two children, Frank D. and Lee W.

Irving E. Miller was born Jan. 28, 1857. The

..; ..

brothers both lived at home until the opening of their
present business enterprise. They retain their claims
lo which they succeeded through inheritance, the
elder brother holding 190 acres; the tract received
by the younger includes 160 acres. In political be-
lief and connections they are Republicans.

E-'rson W. Hice, engineer in charge of the
stationary pump of the Chicago, Milwaukee
ftjSSr & St Paul Railroad Company at Kirkland,
QF was born Jan. n, 1837, in Lorain Co., Ohio.

He is the son of Nahum and Betsey E.

(Elaine) Rice, who were natives of Ohio.
They came from the Buckeye State to Boone Co.,
111., in the spring of 1837, when the son was but a
few months old, and located on a tract of Govern-
ment land. In 1845 tncv returned to Lorain Co.,
Ohio. In 1848 the father died, and later the mother
remarried and removed with her husband to Van
Buren Co., Mich., where she is still living, at the age
of 7 2 years.

Mr. Rice accompanied his parents in their several
removals, and obtained his education in the town-
ship of Eaton. Lorain Co., Ohio. He was the fourth
of seven children, and after the death of his father
was dependent on his own exertions for self-main-
tenance. He engaged in farm labor in his native
State, and was occupied in that avenue of labor un-
til he entered the Army of the United States as a
defender of the National integrity. He enrolled as
a soldier April 16, 1861, at Cleveland, in the Eighth
Ohio VoL Inf., in Co. H, under Captain Starr, enlist-
ing under the first call for troops. The regiment was
attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and was
in the service three months. On his discharge he
immediately re-enlisted for three years' service in the
I5oth Battalion, under Captain Spears, and was
assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. Mr. Rice
was in action at Corinth, Coldwater and Vicksburg,
at which last place he was under fire through the
entire siege. The regiment went thence to Jackson,
Miss., and there encountered Johnson's army, going
next to Lookout Mountain, where they fought under
Sherman. After repulsing the enemy they crossed
the Tallahassee and pushed on to Atlanta, Ga.,
where the command was transferred to the corps of

General McPherson After the loss of the command-
er at Decatur, Ala., July 22, 1863, he served under
Logan until after the siege of Atlanta, when he was
transferred to the command of' Gen. Francis P.
Blair, under' whom he fought at Jonesville. After
this action he was made Orderly at headquarters,
and continued in that rank until the close of the war,
and under it was detailed frequently for special ser-
vice. On one occasion he was sent with a special
dispatch to General Thomas, directing him to make
a certain movement. This was a duty that required
speed and sagacity, and he executed its obligations
in a manner that won for him much commendation.
Mr. Rice was mustered out of the United States ser-
vice at Washington, D. C., June 2, 1865, after the
close of the war. He was in the army of the North
during the entire period of the war, his service last-
ing four years, four months and ten days.

Mr. Rice came to Illinois, to the township of Frank-
lin, while on a furlough.and was married Sept. 19, 1862,
to Ruth Penwell. She was born Aug. 13, 1843, in
Boone Co., 111., and is the daughter of Luke and
Elizabeth (Middleton) Penwell. Mr. P. was born in
Fayelte Co., Ind., in 1817, and Mrs. P. in Ohio, in
1818, and went to Indiana when she was very young.
They moved to Boone Co., 111., in 1836, and to De
Kalb County in 1883, where they now live.. - '

On receiving his discharge from the army he joined
his wife in Franklin Township and engaged in farm-
ing, following that vocation until 1870. In that year
he went to Belvidere, and there established a boot
and shoe store. He disposed of his business rela-
tions in'i879, and came to Kirkland, where he pur-
chased a house and lot, and has since resided.
In 1882 he entered upon his present employment.
He is a Republican in political connection, and is
serving as a member of the Village Council, to which
he was re-elected in 1884.

ohn Cristman, deceased, formerly a farmer f t
and blacksmith, on the southeast quarter I
of section iS.Cortland Township, was born s>
in Jordan ville, N. Y., May 28, 1825. His Jt
father, John J. Cristman, was born April 15, ^
1799, a descendant of the Mohawk Dutch, and ("
died about 1874, in South Grove Township, this ^

-e^<?iini!H$>

county. His mother, Rachel, nee Eggbroad, was
born July 20, 1803, and died about 1833.

Mr. Cristman, the subject of this sketch, learned
the trade of blacksmith when a young man, and fol-
lowed that occupation more or less during life, having
a shop on his farm. He worked several years at his
trade at Jordanville, N. Y. On coming to this county
in 1 8,4, he worked about a year at the business at
Sycamore; the meanwhile purchasing a farm of H.
H. Mason, on which he lived and labored until his
death, which occurred on October 9, 1863. He was
injured by a threshing-machine, and died from the
effects three days afterward. When he bought his
farm it comprised 240 acres, and had some small
improvements. These he supplanted with better,
and subsequently sold about 53 acres to Mr. Bing-
ham. At his death he left 180 acres as his real
estate.' He was a Republican, and served for a time
as Highway Commissioner.'

Mr. Cristman was married Sept. 10, 1852, to
Almira Pooler, daughter of Henry Pooler. She was
born March 22, 1829, and died Sept. 16, following
her marriage. He was again married Oct. 4, 1857,
to Miss Philany Pooler, at German Flats, Heikimer
Co., N. Y. She was born July 9, 1835, at that place,
and was a daughter of Henry Pooler, whose biogra-
phy appears in this book. His portrait is also given
'in this ALBUM, on page 232. Mrs. Cristman is the
mother of two children, namely: Lorena A., born
May 22, 1859, and John M., Aug. 25, 1863.

As one of De Kalb County's representative self-
made men, we place the portrait of Mr. Cristman in
this ALBUM. He was well known, highly respected,
and a most worthy citizen. He left a large and
esteemed family connection in this county.

illiam W. Wylde, farmer, section 18,
Genoa Township, has been a resident of
the State of Illinois since the age of two
years, when his parents, William and Maria
(Webb) Wylde, emigrated with their family
m England to America and settled in Boone
Co., HI. The father died in 1854, in Belvidere.

Mr. Wylde was born Feb. 28, 1840, in England.
He went from home when he was 13 years of age, to
become a .farm laborer, and he operated in that

capacity until he was 21 years old, remaining la the
employment of Daniel Ball, of Genoa. On coming
of age he bought 94 acres of land in the township
where he had labored eight years and where he has
been a resident most of the time since 1853. Polit-
ically he is a Republican.

His marriage to Mary Leonard took place in Octo-
ber, 1862, in Belvidere, and they had three children,
Jennie, Ida and another who died in early infancy.
Ida died at the age of two years. The mother is a
native of Illinois. Mr. Wylde was a second time
married Oct. i, 1879, to Mrs. Martha J. Olinstead,
daughter of Clark C. and Mary (Everson) Thomp-
son and widow of Chester H. Olmstead. Her
first husband died in 1876, leaving a daughter,
Mabel G. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born re-
spectively in Vermont and New York. Mrs. Wylde
was born in Coral, McHenry Co., Ill, Nov. 23, 1846.
Her father was a Union soldier, enlisting in the 95th
III. Vol. Inf., Co. E, in 1860, and died at Baton.
Rouge, La., April 13, 1861, from over-exertion caused
by a forced march through Tennessee.

obert Craig, merchant at Fielding, Frank-
lin Township, was born Aug. 1 6, 1853, in
the city of Philadelphia. His father, George
Craig, came in 1855 to Flora Township,
Boone Co., 111., and located on a farm, where
the son was reared to manhood, attending
school and working on the farm until he was 22
years of age For some months previous to that age
he was at school at Cherry Valley, Winnebago Co.,
111., and on leaving there entered the general mer- I
candle establishment of Keith & Blake at that place. /
He remained in that employment but a short time,
entering the service of the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad Company as baggage agent at Dixon, III.
After nine months he accepted a similar position at
Fielding, in which he officiated but a short time, and
engaged in a mercantile enterprise with his former
employer, Mr. Keith. Later he attended school at
Cherry Valley, going thence to Chicago, where he *
spent two years as a street-car conductor. In 1879
he came to Fielding and, associated with Frank
Romney, established a general mercantile establish-
ment, beginning trade with' a stock of less than

DE KALB COUNTY.

30,

$r,ooo value. From that small beginning the rela-
tions of the firm have steadily and uniformly in-
creased and grown in popularity until they carry
stock averaging $10,000 in value, and transact a
yearly business aggregating $25,000. Mr. Craig is
the possessor of a valuable and attractive home in
Fielding.

He was married Sept. 30, 1879, at Cherry Valley,
Winnebago Co., 111., to Libbie Reid, and they have
two children, Edna M., born Sept. 29, 1880, and
Arthur, born Nov. 13, 1883. Mrs. Craig was born in
July, 1856, in the State of New York. She came to
Illinois in childhood, and at the age of 1 1 years be-
came a member of the family of a merchant named
John McKee, with whom she made her home until
her marriage.

Mr. Craig is a Republican and is at present a
School Director of the village of Fielding.

Toseph Sixbury, deceased, farmer, was a
native of Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N.
Y., born Nov. 17, 1810. Malinda (Ell-
wood) Sixbury, his widow, is a native of Min-
den, Montgomery Co., N. Y., born March 2,
1815. Joseph Sixbury and Malinda Ellwood
were united in marriage in their native county Jan.
15, 1834, and in July, 1837, removed to Sycamore,
De Kalb Co., 111., where they continued to reside.
The fruits of their union were two children, Chaun-
cey E. and Mary Eliza. The former was born in
Sycamore, May 30, 1838 ; the latter, May 28, 1845.

Chauncey E. Sixbury was married to Jennie
Ainley, also of Sycamore, April n, 1866, and now
resides in Boone Co., Iowa. Mary E. Sixbury was
united in marriage to James H. Schuyler, a resident
of Sycamore, May 9, 1866, and settled in Nunica,
Mich. Two children were born to them, and are
named Colfax Schuyler and James C. Schuyler. Col-
fax was born in Nunica, Mich., Feb. 23, 1868. James
C. was born in the same town, March i, 1874. Mary
E. Schuyler died in Nunica, Feb. 17, 1876. Her re-
mains were brought to Sycamore and repose in Elm-
wood Cemetery. The two children thus early left
motherless have since continued under the watchful
and affectionate oversight and care of their grand-

>,&&& ^^ &*"'

mother, Malinda (Ellwood) Sixbury. Joseph Sixbury
departed this life Dec. 28, 1879.

It has already been remarked that Joseph Sixbury
and his wife came to De Kalb County as early as
July, 1837, the pioneer days of this section. Those
who removed here from the midst of the older civili-
zation of the East, were obliged to encounter more
or less in the way of deprivation so far as the com-
forts of life were concerned, both socially and other-
wise ; and Mr. and Mrs. Sixbury were called upon to
bear their share of the privations and^trials of pioneer
life. Outside of the discomforts tha" naturally and
inevitably beset the white people, were the disagree-
able, not to say dangerous, proclivities of the Indians,
who at that period occupied in part this particular
section. The surrounding groves were their rendez-
vous, from which they made frequent incursions into
the settlements to beg for food and other favors. Al-
though not particularly hostile, they sometimes were
troublesome. In relating to the writer some of the
ways of the aborigines, Mrs. Sixbury said sometimes
they would appear at the cabin door of the settlers
and cast their blankets inside. If the occupants of
the cabin allowed the blankets to remain, the Indians
considered it an invitation to come in and take their
repose, but if the blankets were taken up and placed
outside, the Indians accepted the act as a refusal to
allow them to tarry, and, picking them up, passed
along. Soon after the period indicated, the Indians
were removed by the Government to Council Bluffs,
Iowa.

Joseph Sixbury, besides taking an active part in
helping to improve the Western wilderness, to which v
he had removed previous to the Government land
sale, was public-spirited as well, and was one of the
few men who assisted in the location of the county
seat of De Kalb County at Sycamore. His land
patent covered a portion of the site of what is now
the beautiful and thriving city of Sycamore. Him-
self and wife were devoted members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in the upbuilding of which in
those primitive days they both bore an important
part. Each abounded in works of benevolence and
chanty. Those were the days in which the grand
and rugged eloquence of Father Cartwright and other
able and eloquent pioneer Methodist preachers were
heard in the cabins of the settlers and in the groves
and forests. It almost seems strange, but those early

^ *Q*

302

DE KALB COUNTY.

comers often speak of the days of old, and associate
with them some of the pleasantest and most enjoya-
ble episodes of their lives. Their necessary depend-
ence one upon another made closer and stronger the
bond of friendship and sympathy between them, and
though few in numbers and deprived of much that
happily surrounds them in these later days, they yet
were happy and contented. All honor to the cour-
ageous and hardy pioneer of the West.

Mr. Sixbury was a Steward and Class-leader in his
Church up to the time of his death. He also occu-
pied positions of responsibility and trust in the civil
affairs of the town and county, having been chosen
assessor of his town many years, and was also elected
to the important office of County Treasurer two suc-
cessive terms.

,,enry P. Grout, dealer in agricultural in-
struments at Kirkland, was born July 16,
1836, in Windsor Co., Vt. He is a de-
scendant from a prominent family in that part
of. the Green Mountain State, his grandfather
Grout being an early settler there, and was one
of the Government surveyors of New Hampshire
and Vermont. His grandmother figures in the his-
tory of Vermont as an Indian captive, but her early
release was secured. John Grout, father of Mr.
Grout of this sketch, was born in Windsor County,
where he maintained his home all his life. He was
a soldier of the War of 1812, and after the close of
that conflict lived on a land, grant conferred in con-
sequence of his services. He became prominent in
general affairs and occupied high position in the pub-
lic esteem. He died in 1857, aged about 60 years.
His wife Polly, (McAllister) Grout, was born in Wind-
sor County, and there lived all her life. She died in
1855, and was the mother of nine children. Her
father was a. pioneer isettler of Windsor County.

Mr. Grout was the youngest child and attended
district school until he was 17 years old, when he
came West and located at Sycamore. Within a year
both his parents died and he determined upon a per-
manent residence in Illinois. He accordingly en-
gaged in labor to sustain himself among strangers, and
continued to operate in De Kalb County until 1860,
when he joined a party of gold hunters and went to

Pike's Peak, where he remained 18 months. He re-
turned to this county without accumulated possessions,
and determined on entering the Army of the United
States, the Civil War being then in progress. He en-
listed in September, 1861, in Co. C, S2dlll. Vol. Inf.,
and went to the front under Capt. J. S. Brown, of
Sycamore. The regiment was attached to the West-
ern Army, and he continued to experience the vari-
eties of military conflict until the battle of Shiloh,
Tenn., where he received a gunshot wound, the bul-
let entering the stomach two inches above the
periphery of the diaphragm. Twenty-one days after-
ward the leaden missile was dislodged and passed
through the intestines. This is one of the most remark-
able incidents in the surgical history of the war, and
is the only one on record of its kind. Mr. Grout was
discharged July 21, 1862, at Chicago, for disability.
He returned to Sycamore and was married March 19,
1863, in Franklin Township, to Mrs. Mary A. Foster,
daughter of William H. and Betsy (Gorham) Rowen.
She was born Jan. 12, 1835, in Genesee Co., N. Y.
When she was nine years of age her parents settled
in the township where she was married to Thomas
Foster, a native of Indiana, who died in the town-
ship of Kingston, in 1860. She became the mother
of three children by her first marriage, Wallace T.,
Betsy A. and Joseph W., all of whom are married.
Hattie is the name of the only child born of her
second marriage.

A year after his marriage, Mr. Grout purchased 80
acres of land in Kingston Township, whereon the
family resided until 1880, the date of their removal
to Kirkland. Mr. Grout is the owner of an addition
to Kirkland, which contains ten acres. Since his res-
idence there, he has been engaged in the sale of
agricultural implements. He is a zealous Republi-
can, and is the present Township Treasurer.

oses Dean, farmer and dealer in real
estate, resident at Sycamore, has been
identified with the history and develop-
ment of De Kalb County since 1856. He =
was born Jan. 27, 1815, in the town of Never- tf
sink, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and is the son of Reu-
ben and Elizabeth (Divine) Dean. Moses Dean, his
great-grandfather, is his earliest known ancestor, who

4^^

DE KALB COUNTY.

emigrated from England when a young man, and
settled near Hartford, Conn. He was a preacher and
spent his life at Hartford, where he died at the age
of 1 04 years. Solomon Dean, his son, grandfather of
Mr. Dean of this sketch, was born at Hartford, and
was a soldier of the Revolution. He was a member
of an engineer corps known in those days as " Sap-
pers and Miners," and was with the command of
Washington at Newbufg, Valley Forge and Brandy-
wine, and was a witness of the surrender of Lord
Cornwallis at Yorktown, in 1781. He settled at New-
burg after the termination of the Colonial struggle,
and died there in 1786. His remains were buried in
the cemetery near Washington's headquarters. His
widow became the wife of a Revolutionary soldier,
named Samuel Johnson, and in 1804 the family
settled in Sullivan County.

Reuben Dean, son of Solomon Dean and father
of the subject of this sketch, was born near Newburg,
Orange Co., N. Y., and settled with his stepfather's
family in Sullivan County.

He married Elizabeth Divine, who was born near
Newburg. He was a soldier in the second struggle
with Great Britain, and was stationed at Brooklyn
Heights. He died in January, 1846. The grandparents
of Mr. Dean on the mother's side, Eleazer and
Lydia Divine, were early pioneers of Sullivan County,
and remained residents there until their decease, that
of the grandmother occurring when she was 98 years
old.

Mr. De.an was reared on his father's farm and ob-
tained a good and available education in the public
schools. Previous to his marriage he passed the
summer seasons in farming, and engaged in teach-
ing winters. He was married June 16, 1840, to
Rachel Evans. She was born Jan. 26, 1816, at
Fallsburg, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and was the daughter
of George and Mary (Eller) Evans. In 1841 Mr.
Dean became proprietor of a farm and a hotel at
Grahamville, in his native county, and managed them
jointly two years, then selling his property, and buy-
ing a grist and saw mill and a farm at Hasbrouck,
Sullivan County, N. Y. In 1845 he sold out again
and engaged in mercantile business, combining
therewith farming and trade in lumber at Hasbrouck.
He continued his operations there until 1854, when
he again sold out and bought an interest in a tan-
ery at Liberty in Sullivan County, where he car-

ried on that business connected with farming until
1856, the year of his removal to Sycamore, whither
he came in May. He first embarked as a landholder
at Charter Grove in Sycamore Township, where he
located and engaged in farming and rearing stock
until 1869. In the latter he took great pride and in-
terest and made great exertions with the purpose of
improving the stock in the county, engaging in rais-
ing thoroughbred cattle and sheep, the latter in-
cluding Leicesters and Southdowns, and making a
specialty of Devonshire cattle. During his agricul-
tural operations he owned and improved about 1,400 "
acres of land in De Kalb County, and was instru-
mental in the construction of ten barns and six '
dwellings.

In 1867, associated with Daniel Pierce and R. L.
Divine, he established a private banking house at
Sycamore. Mr. Divine withdrew in 187 r, and the
business was prosecuted by the remaining partners
until March 1883. Since that date Mr. Dean has
engaged in the improvement of land in De Kalb *
County and in Iowa, owning 500 acres in the latter, .vj'.
all under improvement, fenced, stocked and managed J
by tenants.

The early political opinions of Mr. Dean were in *
consonance with the Jeffersonian school, and he cast
his first Presidential vote in 1836 for Martin Van "
Buren. He is a conservative Democrat, and has (
been a counselor in the ranks of his party, but never
an aggressive politician. During the war he aided
materially in the vigorous prosecution of the struggle
to preserve the Union. While engaged in his farm-
ing operations he was a member of the Agricultural
Society of the county and officiated several years as 1
its President. He has been a member of the State \ ]\
Board of Agriculture, and while officiating in that j
capacity deVoted much time and attention to the
necessary preparations for the expositions at Quincy
and elsewhere, where he was active in personal
superintendence during the exhibitions. Since his
residence at Sycamore he has been its Mayor, and a
member of the Council. In 1871 he was in charge {")
of the erection of the county buildings, and of placin
them in complete order for occupation. He has also ^
been a member of the Board of Education.

In December, 1874, he went with his wife and two
youngest children to California, where he spent a
year and visited most of the noted places of interest.

304

DE KALB COUNTY.

He wrote from there a series of descriptive letters,
which were published in the Sycamore papers.

In 1876 Mr. Dean purchased about 20 acres,
formerly a portion of the estate of Dr. Page, and in-
cluded within the city limits. This tract he sub-
divided and platted, and it is now known as " Dean's
Addition." His present residence is included in it,
and comprises a square containing nearly two and a
half acres of land. It is an attractive and valuable
location.

Mr. Dean is liberal and tolerant in religious opin-
ion. He attends the services of the Upiversalist
Church, but contributes generously to the mainten-
ance of other denominational bodies.

Mr. Dean and his wife became the parents of five
children, four of whom are now living: Delia mar-
ried Joshua Siglin ; Ann B. is the wife of A. R. Court ;
Mary A. married B. F. Whipple; Arthur married
Fannie Beckler, Feb. 3, 1879. To each child Mr.
Dean gave a fine farm, on which he built handsome,
spacious houses ; and they are settled near him.
There are six grandchildren, the son and two
daughters having each two sons. Ira Dean, the old-
est son of Mr. Dean, was born in August, 1844. He
enlisted Feb. i, 1864, in Co. L, i7th 111. Cav. He
was stationed for a time at Fort Riley, Kansas, dur-
ing the Indian disturbances. His last communica-
tion to his friends was dated in August, 1865, and he
was heard from through his comrades about the date
of the expiration of the period of his enlistment in
November, 1865, since which his parents have no def-
inite information concerning him, and it is supposed
that he is dead. Mrs. Dean died April 26, 1883,
after an illlness of nearly a year's duration of cancer-
ous tumor of the stomach.

mrles Miner, hardware merchant at Kirk-
land, was born Feb. 8, 1854, in the town-
ship of Franklin, and is the son of Daniel and
Eliza J. (Ives) Miner, for an extended ac-
count of whom see sketch of I. N. Miner.
Previous to the age of 1 8 years he remained
at home, attending the district school and working on
the farm. In 1872 he began his career of independ-
ent manhood and became a farm laborer, spending
two winters in school, securing a good business edu-

cation. In 1880 he established his mercantile enter-
prise at Kirkland and obtained a stock of hardware
sundries worth $2,500. His relations in his trade are
increasing, and he is gradually placing his business
on a par with similar establishments in De Kalb
County.

He was married Oct. 20, 1877, to Mary E. Allison,
and they are the parents of one child, Eva. Mrs.
Miner is the daughter of James and Margaret (Wood)
Allison. Her parents are resident on a farm in
Franklin Township, where they were among the
earliest of the pioneer settlers of that portion of De
Kalb County. She was reared at home until she was
14 years of age, and previous to that time was a pupil
in the district school. She was then sent to the col-
lege at Belvidere.

Mr. Miner is a Republican in political opinion and
has served as a member of the Village Council.

,,on. Hiram Loucks, retired farmer and ex-
Representative of the Seventeenth District
of Illinois, was born April 26, 1823, in
Sharon Township, Schoharie Co., N. Y., and is
the son of Abram and Elizabeth (Ten Eyck)
Loucks. He was reared on a farm and com-
pleted his education in the Oneida Academy. He
was married in May, 1848, to Amanda Vosburg, a
native of the State of New York. Of their union
seven children were born. Abram is deceased. Imo-
gene is the wife of William Ray, editor of the Shab-
bona (De Kalb County) Express. Nelson is a farmer
in Champagne Co., 111. Ann is the wife of Henry A.
Severy, a farmer and stockman of Somonauk Town-
ship. James is a farmer of Victor Township in De
Kalb County. Henry is a hardware merchant in
Erie, Whiteside Co., 111. Josephine is deceased.
Their mother died Jan. 15, 1868, in Victor Township.
Mr. Loucks was a second time married June 29,
1876, in Geneseo, Henry Co., 111., to Mrs. Anna M.
(Shailer) Smith. She was born June 28, 1835, in
Richfield, Ohio.

In the fall of 1857 the family settled in Victor
Township, De Kalb County, where Mr. Loucks
bought a farm comprising 200 acres of land. The
proprietor continued the personal management of the
property until the fall of 1879, when he placed the

-.avg^yxva)
B f*5337Vv>

DE KALB COUNTY.

farm under the management of his son James, who
is making a specialty of dairying thereon and has a
fine herd of thoroughbred and graded Holstein cat-
tle. The place also maintains and fattens for market
about 80 hogs yearly. Mr. Loucks and his sons own
also 320 acres of land in O'Brien Co., Iowa, and 200
acres in Champagne Co., 111., and under excellent
improvement. While a resident of Victor Township
he was prominent in local affairs, and officiated in
all the local positions of trust and responsibility.

Mr. Loucks was nominated at the Republican
Convention held in the fall of 1879, at Yorkville,
Kendall County, to represent the Seventeenth Dis-
trict in the Legislature of Illinois. He received the
election and soon after removed to the village of
Somonauk, where he resided until the spring of 1884,
the date of his removal to Sandwich. He was an
able and efficient member of the State Assembly and
served on the following Committees : Public Char-
ities, Highways, County Organizations, and Fish and
Game. Since the expiration of his term as Repre-
sentative he has devoted his attention to the im-
provement of his lands in Iowa.

rofessor David M. Gibbs, resident at Ge-
noa, was born May 8, 1839, in Otsego Co.,
N. Y. His father, Alanson Gibbs, was a
native of Massachusetts and married Sophronia
Main, a lady born in the State of New York.
They remained in Otsego County until 1845,
when they settled in Franklin Township in De Kalb
County, and are still residing there. Their children
are named, Eustacia V., Alanson D., Benjamin S.,
David M., Parker T., Mercy M. and Ammi.

Professor Gibbs is the third son of his parents and
was a lad of six years when they transferred their
family and interests to De Kalb County. In boy-
hood and youth he was a pupil in the common
schools, and in 1867 entered the State Normal
School at Normal, 111., and was a student at that in-
stitution more than two years. On completing his
course of preparation, he entered upon the business
which he has made the vocation of his life, having
charge of the schools at Rosamond, Christian Co., 111.,
retaining the position seven years. In 1877 he came
to Genoa, and assumed the management of the

Genoa graded school and has since conducted its
affairs. It comprises four departments and 120
pupils constitute the average attendance.

Professor Gibbs is an avowed prohibitionist, though
he is otherwise a Republican. In the fall of 1864
he was drafted into the Union Army and was
assigned to the 3oth 111. Vol. Inf., serving until the
termination of hostilities,. His command was in the
March to the Sea, through Georgia and the Carolinas,
and Professor Gibbs encountered all the varied ex-
periences of that famous campaign. After obtaining
his discharge at Springfield, 111., he returned to Boone
Co., 111., and resumed his former occupation.

His marriage to Julia A. Slatar occurred Jan. i,
1 86 r, at Belvidere, Boone County. She was born
June 5, 1842, in Chenango County, N. Y., and is the
daughter of Joseph and Sally (Silvius) Slatar, the
former of whom was a native of Chenango County,
and the latter of Northampton Co., Pa. The father
died in Chenango County, when the daughter was a
child of five years, and the mother afterwards married
U. S. Hollenbeck, and settled in the township of
Spring, in Boone County. She died Oct. 13, 1880, at
Genoa, having resided with her daughter, Mrs.
Gibbs, for three years. Mr. Hollenbeck died April
8, 1877. Mrs. Gibbs is the youngest (living) of six
children, the other five being Lydia, Almon, Louisa
and Oscar J.; one child died in infancy. Mrs. Gibbs
was carefully educated in the common schools of
Boone County, and became a student in the Normal
School at the same time as her husband, with whom
she has been associated 15 years as teacher.

Among the truly typical men of the county, one
who is worthy to appear among the list of prominent
and representative men, is Prof. Gibbs; and we take
pleasure in presenting his portrait in this ALBUM as
a companion to the portraits of the leading citizens
represented in this manner. The portrait is engraved
from a photograph taken in 1877.

^idney P. Harrington, resident at Kirkland, *y
was formerly a farmer of prominence in
the township of Franklin, of which he has
been a citizen since 1840. In that year he
purchased 40 acres of land on section 20, and ^^
immediately interested himself with vigorous
energy in its improvement, with the ultimate purpose

DE KALB COUNTY

of constructing a home and establishing a perma-
nent citizenship. He was one of the first settlers in
the township, and steadily but surely advanced in
prosperity, and. added to his possessions until he was
the owner of 310 acres of valuable land, which he
redeemed from its natural condition. He realized
all the hardships and perplexities to which the set-
tlers of that period were subjected, hauling his grain
to Chicago, the nearest market, and selling it at three
shillings a bushel, and encountering (and overcom-
ing) other obstacles thrown in his way by existing
circumstances.

Politically he was a Whig in the days of his early
manhood, and since the inception and organization of
the Republican party he has been a steady adherent
to its principles and issues. He passed many years
of his active life in local official positions, servirjg in
minor offices, three terms as Justice of the Peace,
and three terms each as Township Trustee and
Treasurer. He also served 14 years as Postmaster.
Mr. Harrington is living in retirement at Kirkland, in
the enjoyment of the comfort earned by a life of
effort and usefulness.

He was born July 20, 1809, in Shaftsbury, Ben-
nington Co., Vt. His father, Phineas Harrington,
was a native of Connecticut, and went in early life
to Vermont, where he married. His wife was born
in Rhode Island. She was the mother of three chil-
dren at the time of her death, and 10 children were
born of his second marriage, while the family resided
in Vermont. Four of his children still survive.
Mrs. Phebe Green lives in Iowa, and is 7 1 years
old. Whipple Harrington is a bachelor, aged 73
years,* and lives in Erie Co., N. Y. Mrs. Aurilla
Wait is also a resident of that county, and is 79 years
old. Five children, who are now deceased, died in
infancy, besides one who attained to advanced age.
The father died in February, 1844, in Erie Co., N. Y.,
whither he removed from Vermont in 1827, and was
84 years old. The mother died in 1848, at the resi-
dence of her son in Franklin Township, at the age
of 71 years.

Mr. Harrington was ig years of age when he
accompanied his parents to Erie Co., N. Y., where he
was a resident 13 years, and came thence to the
township of which he has since been a citizen. He
was married in the State of New York, June 28,
1833, to Polly Hicks. She was born April 6, 1806,

in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and was brought up and ^ f
educated principally in Massachusetts. She became '

the mother of eight children. Hiram, the oldest, i
died from disease contracted in the army while a
soldier in the civil war. Henry H. and Mary I. died
in Franklin Township. Mercy L., Mary, Whipple
A. (see sketch), Sidney P., Jr., and Samuel H. are
the names of the survivors. The mother died Dec.
20, 1880, universally lamented in the community of
which she had been so lo'ng a leading and honored
member.

eorge W. L. Brown, farmer, section 26,
Genoa Township, is a native of Cook Co.,
111., where he was born April 19, 1848.
His father, Schuyler Brown, was a native of
New York, and married Mary A. Youngs, a
native of Canada. The family settled in Cook
County about 1830, where the parents resided until
the fall of 1868, the date of their removal to Iowa,
where the father is still living. The mother died in
Iowa in March, 1869. They had nine children, all
of whom survived infancy with one exception. Wil-
liam, Horace, Lewis and Peter are dead. They
were named Charles, William S., George W. L.,
Horace, Lewis, Peter W. and Alexander.

Mr. Brown obtained a good common-school edu-
cation, and at 16 years of age entered the Army of
the United States, enrolling in the 391)1 111. Vol. Inf.,
and was in the service until July 29, 1865. In the
siege of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, he sustained
a gunshot wound in the left thigh, which kept him
from active military life during the remainder of the
war.

In 1866 he came to De Kalb County, and in 1876
became the owner by purchase of 1 2 1 acres of land
in Genoa Township/which has all been placed under
improvement. Mr. Brown has been continuously a
resident of this township, with the exception of three
years, when he was a resident of Iowa.

He was married in the township of Genoa, Oct.
14, 1869, to Margaret J. Vote, and they have been
the parents of five children, Charles E., Clara P.,
Maggie M., George W. L., Jr., and Charles F. The
oldest born child died when four months old. Mrs.
Brown was born Feb. 7, 1849, in Seneca Co., Ohio,

*^-

DE KALB COUNTY.

TJjf and is the daughter of John and Mary A. (Karn)
Vote. The children born to her parents were 10 in
number, Elizabeth, Mary A., John, Anna M., Susan,
William, Jacob, Margaret J., Charles and Franklin.
The parents were of German nationality.

Mr. Brown is a believer in and an adherent of the
principles of the Republican party. He is interested
in school matters, and has officiated as School Di-
rector.

elson Delavergne, farmer, section 20,
Franklin Township, is the son of William
and Catherine (Overacker) Delavergne,
and was born in Brownville Township, Jeffer-
son Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1836. His parents
were natives of Herkimer Co., N. Y., and were
respectively of French and German parentage. They
belonged to the agricultural class in their native
State, and resumed that occupation after their re-
moval to Illinois in 1868. They located in the town-
ship of Flora, in Boone County, where the father still
resides, aged 88 years. The mother died on the
homestead in 1869, when 63 years of age. Their
family included four sons and four daughters, all yet
surviving save two of the latter.

The subject of this sketch was a pupil in the com-
mon schools of his native county until he was 19
years of age, when he embarked in his struggle with
the world, becoming a farm laborer. In 1855 he
came to Franklin Township, where his skill and
energy obtained for him plenty of employment, and
where he operated in the same capacity until he
entered the army of the United States. He enlisted
Sept. 9, 1861, from Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., in Co.
I, 37th 111. Vol. Inf., which was under the command
of Ranson Kennicutt, of Chicago. After some ser-
vice in Missouri the regiment was ordered to Arkan-
sas, where it took part in the battle of Pea Ridge. It
was next involved in the siege of Vicksburg, where it
was in daily action for four weeks. In the summer
of 1863, while the regiment was stationed at New
Orleans, Mr. Delavergne had a long and severe
attack of intermittent fever, after which he obtained
a furlough of 60 days. On rejoining his regiment he
was sent to New Orleans and went thence to Browns-'
ville, Texas, where he was assigned to duty in heavy

artillery, and while there his period of enlistment ex-
pired. He obtained honorable discharge at Chicago,
Oct. 6, 1864. He returned to Franklin Township,
where he resumed his former work as a farm assistant.
He was married March 4, 1869, to Hannah E.
Losee. She was born in the township of Wilton,
Niagara Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Morgan
and Hannah M. (Forbes) Losee. (See sketch of M.
Losee.) Her mother died at her birth Dec. 22, 1837,
and the daughter was brought up by her grandpar-
ents- until the second marriage of her father. She
came to Franklin Township in 1842, with her par-
ents. For three years after their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Delavergne resided on section 28, of Franklin
Township, but in 1872 they removed to the home-
stead of Mr. Losee, which they have since managed.
Mr. D. is a Republican in political sentiment and has
held the minor local offices of his township.

larles D. Patch, of the grocery and pro-
vision house of Rowe, Norris & Patch, at
Sycamore, was born Dec. 25, 1855, in
Northumberland Co., Pa. He is the son of Sa-
lathiel C. and Margaret A. (Watson) Patch.
The former was born Aug. 17, 1812, in New-
ark, N. J. The latter is a native of Pennsylvania,
and was born March 7, 1831. Both are still living
at Sycamore.

Mr. Patch is the only child of his parents. He
passed the years of his minority on the homestead
farm. After he was 21 years old he taught school
during two winters in his native State, and in the
spring of 1877 came to Sycamore. He entered the
store of which he is now one of the proprietors and
acted two years in the capacity of clerk.

In September, 1879, he entered the Law Depart-
ment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
where he studied one term. Returning to Sycamore,
he assumed editorial charge of the Daily Free Press
during the Presidential campaign of 1880, continu-
ing in that avenue of business until November. In
April, 1881, he again entered employment in the
provision house of which he is a member, as a sales-
man, and operated in that capacity until April, 1883,
when he bought a third interest in the stock. It is
valued at an average of $6,000.
Mr. Patch was married June i, i88i,in McGregor,

-^yy HMMt

DE KALB COUNTY.

Iowa, to Rosa B., daughter of Seymour and Laurinda
Chilson. She was born east of Cortland, in De Kalb
County, and died Dec. 23, 1881, six months after
marriage.

Mr. Patch has been for some time the regular cor-
respondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and has a
decided taste and ability for newspaper work.

dward H. Wilcox, farmer, resident at Ge-
noa, was born May n, 1860, in Dade Co.,
Mo. He is the son of E. S. and Sarah
(Clark) Wilcox, and his parents were natives
respectively of New York and Vermont. After
j their marriage they settled in Geneva, 111., and
subsequently removed to the State of Missouri. On
the advent of the rebellion they were obliged to re-
turn North, and they settled at Elgin, Kane Co., 111.,
where the mother died in 1861. Mr. Wilcox, senior,
afterwards located at Genoa, where he remained
until 1 88 1, the date of his removal to his present
residence at Springfield, Mo. They had three chil-
dren, Eva, Sarah and Edward H.

The death of the mother occurred when the latter
was about a year old, and he was adopted by his
aunt, Mrs, Cornelia A. Hill, who filled a mother's
place until her death, when he was nine years of
age, and he became again an inmate of his father's
home. His earlier education was obtained at the
common school, and at the age of 13 years he was
sent to the academy at Sugar Grove, Kane Co., 111.,
where he was a student during the terms of one year.
He passed the next two years in travel, and entered
Lombard University at Galesburg. After nearly
three years of study at that institution, he was
obliged to suspend his intellectual labors because of
failing health. Change of scene and employment
were imperative, and he went to Colorado and passed
two years on the plains herding cattle, receiving from
the rude mode of life necessarily entailed the benefit
he sought. Returning to Genoa, he was married
Aug. 10, 1881, to Virginia M. Crocker. She was
born March 24, 1860, in the township of Genoa, and
is the daughter of Alvero A. and Susannah Crocker.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have one child, Ellery V., born
Dec. 16, 1883.

Immediately after their marriage they went to

t&*^-

Waco, Texas, where Mr. Wilcox became interested
in a machine shop and foundry, in which he operated
about 1 8 months. In 1883 he was compelled to sus-
pend his relations in that direction on account of his
health. He owned there a sheep ranch, with a herd
numbering about 1,000 head, which he sold. He
still retains his ownership in the machine shop. He
owns 172 acres of well improved land in Genoa and
Kingston Townships. In political opinions and ac-
tion Mr. Wilcox is fully committed to the interests of
the Republican party. He is still a very young man,
but unusually well qualified to conduct his relations
with the world in the most creditable manner, pos-
sessing fine powers of perception and observation,
and a knowledge of the world at large, which he has
obtained in his extensive travels, including nearly
every State and Territory of the Union.

ames B. Kirk, dealer in stock and general
farmer, resident on section 25, Franklin
Township, was born Dec. 8, 1853, on sec-
tion 22 of the township of which he has been
a resident all his life. He is the son of Wil-
liam T. and Louisa (Riddle) Kirk, whose sketch
is on other pages of this volume. Until he was 17
years of age he was engaged in alternate labor on
the home farm and in acquiring an elementary edu-
cation, and at that age he entered the college at Be-
loit, Wis., where he studied two years, and went
thence to the academy at Evanston, where, in 1874,
he completed a course of collegiate study. On his
return to his native township he became an inde-
pendent farmer on 240 acres of land, living one year
with a tenant on the place. He was married Feb.
28, 1877, to Mary E. Chamberlain. She was born
Dec. 19, 1854, and is the daughter of Henry and
Sarah (Hart) Chamberlain. Her parents belonged
to the farming class in the State of New York, and
were of New England origin. They settled in Boone
Co., 111., where the father died, in 1875. The mother
is still living, at Belvidere. Mrs. Kirk obtained a
good common-school education, and afterwards be-
came a student in the schools of higher grade in
Selvidere. Later she entered the college at Mt.
Carroll, where she was graduated in 1875. She was

.engaged a short time previous to her marriage in
teaching.

Mr. Kirk is a most decided Republican, and is a
prominent farmer and trader in stock in his native
township. He is rated as one of the substantial citi-
zens of the county, and is prominent and popular.

Rector H. Coleman, a farmer on section i,
May field Township, was born in Orange
Co., N. Y., March n, 1837. His parents,
John and Phebe (Ketcham) Coleman, were na-
tives of the same county; the former_was born
Nov. 8, 1791, and the latter Aug. 25, 1805.
His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died
in Orange County, Nov. 9, 1859. Mrs. Coleman re-
sides with her son Hector. There were 15 children
in his father's family, 13 of whom grew up, namely:
Sarah A., Abigail, Mary, Nathan, Horton, George,
John, Martha, Harrison, Hiram, Charles, Hector H.
and Eugene. Antoinette and Josephine died in
infancy.

Mr. H. H. Coleman, of this sketch, lived in Orange
County till 1875, engaged in agricultural pursuits.
In October of that year he emigrated West and set-
tled in Mayfield Township, where he is now a
resident. He has held the offices of Overseer of
Highways and School Director. In politics he is
independent.

He was married in Mayfield Township, Nqv. 30,
1861, to Miss Mary R., daughter of Harrison and
Mary (Hall) Mackey. (See sketch of H. Mackey.)
She was born in Orange Co., N. Y., May 19, 1836
and is the mother of one child, H. Mackey, born
Feb. 19, 1863.

ileb Olmstead, a retired farmer, residing
at Genua, is a pioneer settler in De Kalb
County, whither he came in 1846, and
bought 80 acres of land on section 16, in the
township of Genoa. He was born Oct. 3,
3, in Davenport, Delaware Co., N. Y., his
parents, Anson and Charity (Wilbur) Olmstead, being
also natives of the same State, in which they mar-
ried and settled. John, Hiram, Caleb, William,
^Jf^tr- r*,

Drias, Walter, Catherine, Thene, Melinda, Lydia A.
and Electa are the names of their children.

Mr. Olmstead was a resident of his native county
until his removal to Genoa Township, where he has
been the proprietor of various tracts of land variously
located. He removed to the village of Genoa in
February, 1877, and has since participated very little
in the cares of active business life. Politically he is
a Republican.

His marriage to Samantha Wager occurred Oct. 9,
1831, in Delaware Co., N. Y., and they have been
the parents of n children, Andrew H., Albert A.,
Sophronia, Chester, Lester S., Caroline, Mary H.,
Henry N., Emmeline, Ella and Emmer. Chester
and Ella are deceased. Mrs. Olmstead was born
May 2, 1 8 14, in Delaware Co., N. Y.,and is a daugh-
ter of Cornelius and Mehitable (Bates) Wager. The
biographical notes of Andrew H., Albert A. and
Henry N. Olmstead may be found elsewhere in this
volume.

I ;

arry Martin, a pioneer of De Kalb County,
resident at Sycamore, was born Aug. 17,
1807, in Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt. His par-
ents, John and Rachel (Bliss) Martin, were born
in Lebanon, N. H. They became pioneers in
Chelsea in early life, removing there during the
closing years of the i8th century. The father bought
a farm which was still in its primeval condition and
covered with timber. He made a clearing, erected a
log house and underwent the privations and privileges
of the life of a first settler in an uninhabited region,
dying there in 1823. The homestead was under the
personal management of Mr. Martin and his brother
John during the three years subsequent to their
father's demise. In 1826 the former went to Dans-
ville, N. Y., and was there occupied about twelve
months in a tannery. Returning to his native town,
he found employment in the same line of business,
and acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade. In
1833 ne formed a partnership with his former employ-
er at Dansville, which proved a disastrous venture, as
the latter was heavily involved in debt. Their joint
operations continued until 1838, when Mr. Martin
decided to abandon a manifestly hopeless struggle,

} &it5*z -4^@>

COUNTY.

and came West. His net capital amounted to $20,
and he made his way by stage to the city of Albany,
where he took the cars, a memorable incident, as he
had never before seen the modus operandi of railroad
transit. From Schenectady he traveled to Buffalo by
the Erie Canal, and came thence to Detroit by the
lake. He arrived in the City of the Straits and set
out for Ypsilanti on foot, and took passage from that
place to St. Joseph, Mich. From there he made his
way to Chicago on a steamboat. The remainder of
his journey was made on foot, and he arrived in De
Kalb County wholly without means. He went to
Union Grove, where he found a friend in Captain
Eli Barnes, through whose instrumentality he readily
obtained employment.

In September, 1839, Mr. Martin's wife joined him
and they took up their abode in the building now
known as the City Hotel, which was their residence
until February, 1840, when they moved into the house
of Captain Barnes at Union Grove. In 1841 he
moved to his brother's claim in that township, where
he started the first tannery established in the county
of De Kalb. The preliminary operations were, for
obvious reasons, on a limited scale. He moved into
the village of Sycamore in the following year, and
continued the prosecution of his business a few years
singly, when, in company with C. M. Brown, he em-
barked in a nursery enterprise, in which he was inter-
ested until the attempt by the South to destroy the
National Government. Since 1861 he has been
variously engaged. He is occupying his original
house at Sycamore, a brick house that he built on a
tract of five acres, which he bought in 1843, paying
$20 for the claim and $1.25 per acre to the Govern-
ment on receiving his deed. This is now included
within the limits of Sycamore. He is one of the
original members of the Congregational Church at
Sycamore and has been a Deacon many years.

Mr. Martin was married Jan. u, 1836,10 Jane
Ann Slack. She was born Oct. 4, i8io,in Plainfield,
N. H. She died Sept. 12, 1879, and of five children
of which she became the mother two still survive,
Amelia, wife of Capt. H. C. Whittemore, and Charles
F., present Postmaster at Sycamore.

The latter was born at Sycamore, on his father's
homestead, where he grew to man's estate and ob-
tained a good education in the public schools. He
was a clerk in the employment of the late John

Waterman, and afterwards operated in the same
capacity in the interests of M. Relyea. In 1864 he
was appointed Assistant Postmaster by Chauncey $
Ellwood, and remained in the position of Deputy until
his appointment as chief. In 1878 he was re-appointed ^
Postmaster of Sycamore. The affairs of the office
are conducted systematically and in a way that gives
general satisfaction, and wins for the chief official
universal commendation.

illiam H. Garland, farmer, section 14,
Franklin Township, is engaged in gen-
eral agriculture and dairying. He was
born Feb. 8, 1840, in the township of Ma-
lone, Franklin Co., N. Y. His parents,
Gilman and Emmeline (Lewis) Garland, were
natives of Vermont and New York respectively, and
descended from Welsh and English ancestry, of New
England birth. The father was a farmer in the
State of New York, and in 1855 came to Illinois,
where he was similarly occupied for some years. In
April, 1867, he removed to Seward Co., Neb., where
the mother died, April 22, 1884, at the age of 68
years. The father is 78 years old.

Mr. Garland is the fourth child in order of birth of
14 born to his parents. He was a pupil in the com-
mon schools of his native county, whence he came
with his parents to Illinois when 15 years of age;
and he completed his education in the public schools
of De Kalb County. Afterward he was occupied as
a farm assistant in various places until he enlisted
in the army of the United States to aid in the sup-
pression of the Rebellion. He enrolled at Belvidere,
Aug. 8, 1862, in Co. G, gsth 111. Vol. Inf. His com-
pany went to the field under the management of
Capt. E. M. Bush, of Belvidere. The command was
attached to the Army of the West. Mr. Garland
was detailed by special order from General Blair,
corps cammander, for services as Orderly on duty at
headquarters, and he continued to act in that ca-
pacity until the termination of hostilities between the
Government and the insurgents. He received an
honorable discharge May 25, 1865, and at once re-
turned home and resumed farming.

He was married July 2, 1865, in Franklin Town-
ship, to Emily Penwell. She was born Nov. 10,

< A_>_^ .&VS,

DE KALB COUNTY.

1846, in Flora Township, Boone Co., 111., and is the
daughter of Luke and Elizabeth (Middleton) Pen-
well. (For a satisfactory and more extended account
of her parents, see sketch of O. W. Rice.) Mrs. Gar-
land vvas but five years of age when she came to De
Kalb County, and has since resided in the townships
of Kingston and Franklin. Of her marriage to Mr.
Garland three children have been born. Alice died
Jan. 30, 1 88 1, at the age of 15 years. Lizzie was
born Oct. 9, 1868; Walter, Nov. 25, 1871; and
Loa Lu Ella, born Feb. 8, 1885.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Garland fixed their
residence on a farm in Kingston Township, and a
year later came thence to the township of Franklin.
Later they went to Flora Township in Boone County,
where they were engaged in farming three years.
Subsequently they returned to Franklin Township
and bought 70 acres of land situated in a grove on
section 14. The entire acreage is practically under
cultivation, and is supplied with good farm buildings
constructed by the proprietor.

He is a Republican and is present School Trustee.
He has officiated in other local township offices.

'"ohn C. Waterman, deceased, was a busi-
ness man of prominence at Sycamore for a
period of nearly 40 years. He was born in
Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1814,
and is the son of John D. and Mary Water-
man. (See sketch of J. S. Waterman.) He
went to Geneva, N. Y., when he was 16 years old, to
avail himself of a proffered opportunity to occupy a
clerkship in the mercantile establishment of Abel
Whitney. On the removal of the latter with his busi-
ness interests to Northampton, Mass., Mr. Waterman
accompanied him and remained in his service until
he came to man's estate. In 1835 he came West,
and, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, he obtained a situ-
ation in the jewlery store known as " Crittenden's."
In 1839 he came thence to Newburg, Winnebago Co.,
111., and embarked in a mercantile enterprise with his
brother, Charles Waterman. This relation continued
operative until November, 1845, when he came to
Sycamore, and, associated with his brother James,
established the sale of dry goods. The brothers
Waterman conducted their commercial enterprise

g)Vp*3)(g:io ^iy oy

jointly a few years, and afterward operated singly,
becoming leaders in mercantile affairs at Sycamore.

John C. Waterman died at Sycamore Oct. 19, 1883.
In the early days of his political bias he was an ar-
dent Whig, and on the re-establishment of the prin-
ciples on which that party was founded he became a
zealous Republican. While in business at Newburg,
he officiated as Postmaster a number of years, and
after his removal to Sycamore filled the same posi-
tion. He was popular among his fellow citizens and
identified himself with the public spirit that prevailed
in the most active business period of the place, aid-
ing substantially in the formation and permanency of
its general interests. In his domestic relations he
sustained the character of true and innate manliness,
and ever preserved the tenderest and most consid-
erate attitude toward his household.

He was twice married. Caroline E. Hoyt, daugh-
ter of B. F. and Arna Hoyt, became his wife Sept.
20, 1841, at Newburg, 111. She was born in Stamford,
Conn., and the five children of this union are all liv-
ing. Kate D. is the wife of William Moulton, of Cal-
ifornia, a dealer in real estate. Sarah J. Moulton re-
sides at Sycamore. Albert H. lives at the same place.
Caroline W. became the wife of John Syme, of Syca-
more. James D. is a commercial traveler in Chicago.
Their mother died Feb. 9, 1 866, in Sycamore, and
Mr. Waterman married Caroline M. Rogers, at Ball-
ston Springs, N. Y. She was born March 20, 1834, in
Auburn, N. Y. Her parents, Elam and Caroline
Rogers, were natives of Worcester, Mass. Mr. and
Mrs. Waterman became the parents of three children,
all of whom were born at Sycamore, as follows :
Mary W., Dec. 26, 1869; Emily A., Dec. n, 1870;
John C., Jan. 7, 1874.

Mr. Waterman was a member of the Order of
Masonry at Sycamore and belonged to Blue Lodge,
No. 315. He was one of a family of six sons and
three daughters. Two of the former and one of the
latter are now living. Charlotte J. Waterman, re-
siding with the widow of John C. Waterman, came to
De Kalb County in October, 1840. Charles is a
retired merchant and resides at Freeport, 111. Robert
W., of the firm of Waterman & Porter, proprietors of
silver mines in California, is a resident of San Ber-
nardino, in the Golden State.

One of the unique events of the life of John C. Wa-
terman was his attendance at the funeral services of

-$@J*@.

316

DE KALB COUNTY.

f' President Lincoln, when he was an attache of the staff
of Gov. Oglesby. The sash and rosette which he
ij^f wore on the occasion are still preserved by his family.
The portrait of Mr. Waterman on another page
will be appreciated by the generation to which he
belonged, and by those of future years, as a pioneer
in the development of De Kalb County, and as a
substantial citizen of Sycamore.

ev. David N. Kinne, farmer, sec. 35, Som-
onauk Tp., also minister of the Baptist
'Church, in whose service he was ordained at
Lisbon, Kendall Co., 111., is the son of ^Esop
and Lydia (Beebe) Kinne. His father was
born July 12, 1806, in Onondaga Co., N. Y.,
where he was a pioneer settler on a farm, a portion
of which is now within the incorporated limits of the
city of Syracuse. He died Nov. 5, 1871, in the city
which had grown within his knowledge until it had
absorbed a part of the land which he had reclaimed
from a wild state. The mother of Rev. Mr. Kinne,
was born in the State of New York March 13, 1809,
and died in Syracuse, March 22, 1864. Six of their
ten children are now living.

Mr. Kinne is the second in order of birth, born
May 19, 1831, in Syracuse, N. Y. He was brought
up on the homestead and received a good elementary
education, which he rendered more complete by two
years' study at Madison University, after which he
taught school and also worked as a farm assistant.
He entered upon a licentiate in the interests of the
Baptist Church in r853, and in March, 1855, he
came West, settling, with only $8.50 as his cash capi-
tal, near Morris, Grundy Co., 111., where he engaged
in farming. After his ordination at Lisbon in 1858,
he assumed the charge of the Baptist societies at
Piano and Big Rock, where he officiated nearly three
years. In 1861 he bought 160 acres of land in sec-
tion 1 8, Somonauk Township, where he spent more
than three years, and during a portion of the time
was Pastor of the Somonauk Baptist Church. In
1867 he was called to take charge of the Baptist
Society, at Kaneville, Kane Co., 111., and discharged
the duties of that position nearly three years. In
1869 he came to Sandwich, where he bought a part
of the farm he now owns, and, in connection with its

management occasionally supplied the pulpits of the
Baptist churches in Sandwich and Somonauk. His
farm now includes 110 acres, with 90 acres under
excellent cultivation and improvements. He owns
20 acres of timber land. He has a fine herd of
Alderney cattle, which comprises nine thoroughbreds,
and a number of excellent grades.

Mr. Kinne was first married March 15, 1855, near
Syracuse, N. V., to Huldah Pierce, and after the
birth of one child Mary E., deceased in infancy
the mother died, in Grundy Co., 111., Sept. 8, 1857.
Mr. Kinne was united in marriage July 22, 1858, to
Sarah P. Kirkland, a daughter of Andrew Kirkland,
a pioneer settler of Big Grove Township, Kendall
Co., 111. Mrs. Kinne was 13 years old when she
came with her parents to Illinois. The entire route
from Rome, N. Y., was made with a two-horse team,
and the journey consumed six weeks. They had
four children, of whom there is but one survivor,
Belle E. Two children died in infancy. One son,
Arthur, died in his i5th year. The mother died on
the farm where the family now reside, Sept. 17, 1881.
Mr. Kinne formed a third matrimonial alliance, with
Caroline Wokersine, Aug. 27, 1882, at Somonauk.
Mrs. Kinne was born in Germany, and is the mother
of two children, Earl Kinne, born June 17, 1883, on
the farm; also an unnamed daughter, born March 7,
1885.

In addition to the pastoral duty performed by Mr.
Kinne in the fields named, he operated in his minis-
terial capacity six months in Linn Co., Iowa, whither
he went in September, 1855. In the spring of 1856,
he went with an emigrant party to the western part
of Iowa, and preached in Sac County until Novem-
ber, 1856, when he returned to Grundy Co., 111.

H. Hinds, of the firm of Hinds & Holmes,
liverymen at De Kalb, was born in the
town of Stanstead, Canada, June 18, 1826,
and since 1856 he has lived here, except the
three years he was in the hotel business at
Watertown, N. Y. Before coming West he fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits. He returned from New
York to Clinton Township, this county, where he fol-
lowed farming, excepting the eight years (1875-83)
he was engaged in the livery business at Waterman,
^^^. -fj@gj^

this county. While there he was Collector. On
coming to De Kalb in October, 1883, he formed his
present partnership with Mr. Holmes. In politics
he is a Republican. He has never been married.

His father, Jonas Hinds, was born Feb. 25, 1785,
in the town of Barre, Worcester Co., Mass., of Eng-
lish and Irish descent, and died June 26, 1864, in
Clinton Township, this county. The mother of the
subject of this sketch, Trypheha, nee Holden, was
born in Charlestown, N. H., Jan. 19, 1791, and died
April 7, 1868, also in Clinton Township. They had
six. children, of whom T. H. was the fourth. The
latter was four years old when the family emigrated
from Canada to the township of Derby, Orleans Co.,
N.Y., in 1830. In 1839 they removed to Jefferson Co.,
N. Y., and lived there until 1854, when they emi-
grated West, settling in Clinton Township, this
county.

: saac N. Miner, of Kirkland, is Township
Clerk, a Justice of the Peace, and by calling
a harness-maker. He was born March 29,
1842, in Oswego Co., N. Y. His parents,
Daniel and Eliza (Ives) Miner, were respect-
ively of Yankee and German extraction. They
were married in the State of New York, where they
remained a few years and were occupied in farming.
They came in 1844 to Lake County, 111., where they
were residents until 1859, the date of their removal
to De Kalb County, when they purchased a farm in
Franklin Township.

Mr. Miner was two years of age when he came to
the State where he has since lived. He was 19
years of age when civil war startled the nation, and
he enlisted in Co. A, 39th 111. Inf., and went to the
front under the captaincy of G. D. Sherman, of
Elgin. The regiment was assigned to the Army of
the Cumberland. Mr. Miner was in the actions at
Pea Ridge, where he fought "mit Sigel," at Pittsburg
Landing, Corinth, Chaplain Hills, Stone River and
all the principal battles of the campaign, including
that at Mission Ridge. Starting with his command
for Knoxville, Tenn.,the regiment veteranized Jan. i,
1864, and hastened on to take part in the siege of
Atlanta, moving on to Jonesboro. After the division
^of the army and movement of Sherman toward the

sea, the "Old Fourth Army Corps " returned to Fort
Pulaski under General Thomas. The Division
pushed on to Nashville in pursuit of General Hood,
and thence to New Orleans, where Mr. Miner ob-
tained his discharge, Nov. 25, 1865, the war being at
an end. He suffered the fate of war in being
wounded in the elbow and hand, in the fight at Stone
River, and a few moments later he was in the hands
of the Rebels, who sent him into the horrible cap-
tivity of Libby prison at Richmond, where he was in
bondage six months, and was then sent to City Point
for exchange.

After obtaining his discharge he returned to Rich-
mond Township in McHenry County, where he en-
gaged in farming, combining therewith a traffic in
Texan ponies, in which he was interested about one
year. He went thence to Fulton, Whiteside Co., 111.,,
and, associated with his father-in-law, was engaged
more than two years in the management of a hotel.
He was subsequently interested several years in a
billiard hall, and suffered heavy loss from fire.

In the spring of i88~i he came to Kirkland and
embarked in the business of a harness-maker, and
has since operated successfully in that line.

His marriage to Sarah Gilgore took place March
14, 1866, in the township of Richmond. She was
born at London, Ont., in 1846. She was reared as a
farmer's daughter, and in girlhood accompanied her
parents to Illinois and was educated in McHenry
County. One child Arthur D. L. was born of this
union, and died when he was eight years of age.

Mr. Miner is a zealous and ardent Republican.

Eddy, retired farmer, resident at De
Kalb, was born Oct. 17, 1825, in a portion
of Genesee Co., N. Y., which was formerly
included within the municipality of the county
of Wyoming. His father, Harry Eddy, was born
in Otsego Co., N. Y.; his mother, Anna (Whit-
ney) Eddy, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1837
the family removed to Kane Co., 111., and were among
its early pioneer settlers. TRe mother died July 26,
1854. The demise of the father -occurred Jan. 26,
1883. Eight children were included within their
family, named as follows : Maria, Henry, Hiram,
Asenath, Phebe, Edmund P., Asahel and Henry (2d).

318

DE KALB COUNTY.

The two oldest and the youngest are not living.

Mr. Eddy obtained such education as the unde-
veloped condition of the country permitted, and as-
sisted his father on the farm until the period of his
legal freedom arrived ; and he continued in the same
avenue of operation until he was 26 years of age. In
1851 he joined the army of agriculturists in Illinois
by the purchase of a farm in McHenry County, on
which he settled. He there pursued the vocation to
which he had been bred until 1866, when he sold his
farm and purchased a small tract cf land in the town-
ship of De Kalb, fixing his residence in the village of
the same name. He is identified with the Dem-
ocratic element in politics. In 1875 he was elected
Assessor of the township, and has since officiated in
that position.

He was married March 9, 1852, in Kane Co., 111.,
to Mary H.. daughter of Joseph and Olive Lindsay.
The latter died in Kane County ; the former died at
the residence of his son in Sycamore. Mrs. Eddy
was born June 20, 1826, in Canada. Olive A., only
child, was born Aug. rz, 1853.

arles L. Misick, physician and surgeon,
at Sandwich, was born Nov. 2, 1823, at
East Troy, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Henry
Misick, his father, was born Jan. 7, 1789, in
Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y., and was a
tanner and currier by profession in Howard Town-
( ship, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he died Sept. 10,
j> 1851. The mother, Louisa (Rose) Misick, was born
Jan. 14, 1796, at Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., and died
at Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 8, 1864. Fol-
lowing is the record of their nine children: Nellie
E., born July 27, i8r5,died Jan. 8, 1840. Emily
M. was born Jan. 10, 1817, and died Oct. 20, 1834.
William H., born Nov. 25, 1819, is a medical practi-
tioner at Marengo, 111.; Abraham W., born -Nov. 3,
1821, is a dentist at Donovan, Ripley County, in
Southern Missouri. Dr. Misick of this sketch is fifth
in order. Sidney S. was born Jan. 14, 1826, and is
engaged in farming in Steuben Co., N. Y. Rachel
C., born March 16, 1829, married R. Collier, a me-
chanic at Hornellsville, N. Y. George W., born
arch 24, i83T, died in Nora, 111., Nov. 19, 1878.

Ann M., born Nov. 3r, 1833, died in November,
1858.

Dr. Misick attended the common school during
the years of his early youth, and completed his pre-
paratory studies at the Howard Academy. He ob-
tained a good education, which he made available in
teaching several terms of school, and interspersed
that method of employment by working as a carpen-
ter and joiner. Meanwhile he read for his profes-
sion, and in 1856 entered the Eclectic Medical Col-
lege at Cincinnati, attending the chief part of two
terms of lectures at that institution, and going thence
to the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he
was graduated in 1857. He had become a resident
of McHenry County, in Illinois, in 1855, and after
he obtained his credentials he opened the career of
a medical practitioner at Marengo, pursuing his pro-
fession there and at Byron about 12 years. In the
winter of r 868-9 ne attended the Hahnemann Med-
ical College at Chicago, and took his degree from
that body in 1869. He established his business at
Rockford, 111., where he practiced nearly a year; and
in the fall of 1870 he opened an office at Sandwich,
and has since conducted a prosperous business. He
is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the
State Medical Society.

Dr. Misick's marriage to Susan Collier took place
at Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1848. She
was born Feb. 20, i83r, and is the daughter of John
D. and Tabitha Collier. Of her marriage four chil-
dren have been born. Louisa, born June 20, 1849', is
the wife of Ernst Mix. Viola and lona, twins, were
born Sept. 20, 1852. The former, now Mrs. W. H.
Palmer, resides in Florida. The latter is Mrs. E. W.
Trout, and resides at Grand Rapids, Mich. Addie
Mae was born Jan. 15, 1865.

^olaski Hix, editor, and senior member of the
firm of Hix & Van Galder, proprietors of
the Sycamore City Weekly, was born April
2 5> |8 37> in Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y., and
is the son of Ephraim and Laura W. (Williams)
Hix. He is one of nine children, eight of whom,
seven sons and one daughter, lived to maturity. The
father was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born
December 9, 1803, and was the son of Ephraim

DE KALB COUNTY.

and Lucy Hix. Ephraim Hix, Sr., was born Novem-
ber 6, 1768, and died July 22, 1834. His wife,
Lucy, was born February 9, 1772, and her death
transpired Nov. 12, 1824. The mother was a native
of Colchester, Conn., born Sept. 2, 1804. She was a
daughter of Barnabas and Amy (Perkins) Williams.
Barnabas Williams was born in Groton, Conn., Dec.
25, 1772. His wife was born in the same town and
State, June 5, 1775.

The Hix (or Hicks) family came originally from
England, and the generations of to-day are the de-
scendants of three brothers, two of whom settled in
the North, the other taking up his abode in the South.
Ephraim Hix, Jr., married Laura W. Williams, May
i, 1825, in Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y., removing from
there to the adjoining town of Clarendon, and from
thence to Alabama, Genesee County, that State. In
September, 1848, they, with their seven sons, came
to Kingston, De Kalb Co., 111., and there located 130
acres of land, which by later purchase was increased
to 337 acres. Mr. Hix also located 80 acres of land
in McHenry Co., 111. Upon becoming a citizen of
Kingston he identified himself with the general in-
terest and welfare of the community. His intelligence
and integrity received due recognition, and for years
he held the office of Highway Commissioner and
Justice of the Peace. He died in Kingston, Jan. 13,
1863, while the death of his widow occurred June 14,
1875, in the city of Sycamore, the place of her later
residence.

The subject of this sketch was brought up on his
father's farm and obtained a fair common-school
education, afterwards attending school one year at
Mount Morris Seminary and Wheaton College. He
taught two terms of district school and passed sev-
eral succeeding years in the occupation of a farmer.
In 1871 he carried out a long cherished desire to
establish a newspaper. His first venture was in Sep-
tember of that year, when he issued the first number
of the De Kalb County Farmer, published at Syca-
more, a small monthly agricultural journal, which in
September, 1872, was succeeded by the Sycamore
City Weekly. The latter was conducted on an inde-
pendent basis, politically, until the Presidential elec-
tion of 1876, when it supported the Republican
National and State tickets, and has since continued
a Republican paper. Never much of a partisan, Mr.
Hix was originally a Democrat, and cast his first

Presidential ballot in 1860 for the 'Hon. Stephen A.
Douglas, a strong Union man and before his death
a strong war Democrat. It was his first and last
ballot for a Democratic candidate for President.
When a young man just attaining his majority an
opportunity was offered him of seeing a portion of the
South, as it was in the days of slavery. His obser-
vations during a somewhat protracted stay in Ten-
nessee, the trip leading him into Kentucky, Alabama
and Georgia, as well as Tennessee, supplemented by
the events of the War of the Rebellion, and by the
attitude of the two chief political parties following the
war, both in relation to measures of reconstruction
and other matters of national import, caused him to
identify himself with the Republican party, when, at
the time indicated, he made his paper an exponent
of party principles and party policy. The success
and popularity which signalized the journalistic en-
terprise of Mr. Hix was the result of his own energy,
ability and perseverance under the weight of ob-
stacles which would have prevented like effort on the
part of most men. He had the disadvantages of small
capital, obscurity, and influence which at best was
but nominal. He had, moreover, to encounter the
active and determined opposition of a rival paper
long established. The first number of the City
Weekly was received with manifest favor, and it has
attained to an enviable position in the ranks of
country journals. In September, 1878, F. O. Van
Galder acquired a half-interest in the paper, and has
since continued to be associated with its management.

On Nov. 17, 1864, Mr. Hix was united in marriage
to Louisa Parker, of Kingston, where her parents
removed in 1854 and still reside. She is a native of
Hammond, Spencer Co., Ind., born May 9, 1843, an d
is the daughter of Henry N. and Mary A. (Stillwell)
Parker. Her father is a native of Ontario Co., N. Y.,
while her mother is a native of Campbell Co., Ky.
The father of the latter was a member of a slave-
holding family of position and influence, but refused
to own property in his fellow man, being opposed
theoretically and practically to the institution. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Hix are five in number,
named May, Lewis P., Eva L., Floyd and Arthur W.

Naturally unpretending in his ways and unambitious
politically, Mr. Hix has never put himself forward as
a seeker after political preferment, but has been con-
tent to devote his whole time and energies to the

DE KALB COUNTY.

upbuilding of the paper which he successfully
founded. He was made the last Secretary of the
De Kalb County Farmer's Association in 1873-4,
and is now Secretary of the Farmers' Picnic Asso-
ciation. In 1875 he was chosen to fill a vacancy in
the office of City Clerk of the city of Sycamore.

red S. Mosher, banker at Sandwich, was
born July 18, 1841, in Ballston Spa, Sara-
toga Co., N. Y. His father, Silas B.
Mosher, was a native of the same county and
passed his whole life within its borders, follow-
ing his business as a builder and dying at
Ballston Springs. The mother, Caroline E. (Castle)
Mosher, was born in the city of Albany and died at
Ballston. Their six children are all living. Sarah
is the wife of a capitalist at Alexandria, Minn. ; Eliz-
abeth married William Garrett, foreman of the Axe
Works at Ballston Springs ; Cynthia C. is the wife of
Samuel Gould, Jr., a merchant at the same place;
Caroline S. is Mrs. John W. Allison (the latter is a
stockman near Denver, Col.); Mary J. is unmarried.
Mr. Mosher is the only son and is third in birth
of his parents' children. He was a pupil at the ex-
cellent schools of his native place, and completed
his preparatory education at the well known Gilmore's
Academy at Ballston, where he closed his studies in
1861, and he read law thenceforward until the ad-
vent of civil war with its terrors and disasters. Pre-
ceptor and pupil alike rose to the emergency and a
recognition of the responsibilities inherited from- the
founders of the nation. Associated with Hon. Geo.
S. Batchelor, with whom he was studying for a pro-
fession, Mr. Mosher raised a company of volunteers,
which was attached to the iisth N. Y. Vol. Inf., and
of which he was made First Lieutenant on its organ-
ization. Among the first engagements in which he
took part was that at Harper's Ferry, where 1 1 ,000
men were captured. Mr. Mosher was among the
number, and was, with the rest, paroled. The com-
mand was soon in the field again and participated in
the siege at Sumter, and in the actions at Olustee,
Fla., the battle of the Mine, Cold Harbor, the siege
and capture of Fort Fisher, at Fort Gilmore and
throughout the Potomac campaign. Early in 1864
he was promoted to a Captaincy, and when he re-

ceived his discharge and was mustered out of the
army at Raleigh N. C., he was operating as Judge
Advocate of the Second Division, loth Army Corps,
under Gen. A. Ames, Division Commander, and Gen.
A. H. Terry, Corps Commander.

On being relieved from army service, Mr. Mosher
came to Sandwich and entered upon the duties
of cashier of the Sandwich Bank, and also be-
came interested financially in the lumber and coal
trade at Sandwich in company with his uncle, Hon.
M. B. Castle. He is now one of the banking firm
and continues to act in the capacity of business
manager. Mr. Mosher has served one term as
Mayor of Sandwich, and has performed efficient ser-
vice in school affairs, having officiated several terms
as member of the Board of Education. He is one of
the Grand Trustees of the I. O. M. A. of Illinois,
and belongs to the Congregational Church at Sand-
wich.

He was united in marriage at Litchfield, Mich.,
Jan. 12, 1869, to Libbie V. N. Smith, and they have
four children, Caroline P., Edward Castle, Nellie
Wing and Mary Louise. Mrs. Mosher is the daugh-
ter of William and Pamelia Smith, and was born in
Hillsdale Co., Mich. She is a graduate of Hillsdale
College.

"w *,;'

'ohn N. Culver, Supervisor of Somonauk
Township and dealer in general merchan-
dise at Sandwich, was born Feb. 18, 1840,
in Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., and is
the son of Nathan and Eliza (Gilmore) Culver.
He was reared on a farm until he reached his
majority, attending school winters. He finished his
educational course in the academy at Cambridge, the
place of his nativity. He came to Sandwich in the
fall of 1860 and entered the employment of his
brothers James and George, who were then mer-
chants and located at the stand where his own busi-
ness is now situated.

Mr. Culver became a soldier in the military service
of the United States during the War for the Union,
enlisting at Sandwich in Co. H, Tenth 111. Vol. Inf.,
and went to the field under Captain Carr. His
period of service terminated with the end of the
war, lasting three years and three months ; and he
was under fire at Shiloh, Corinth, Kenesaw Moun-

A^ SH^K: $)&$<.

tain, siege of Atlanta and in numberless engage-
ments of minor importance during the several cam-
paigns in which his regiment was involved. On
obtaining his discharge he returned to Sandwich and
passed four months in his former employment. In
1870 he embarked in the sale of general merchan-
dise, in which he met with satisfactory results from
the outset. In 1875 he became the owner of the
stock and business relations of his brothers, since
which date he has prosecuted a substantial and pop-
ular business. Mr. Culver is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity. He is serving his second term as
Supervisor of Somonauk Township, in which he has
proved the wisdom of his selection for the position
and his integrity and ability in official relations.

He was united in marriage Sept. 21, 1866, in Go-
shen, Ind., to Imogene Miller, and they have four
children: Harvey M. and Maud M. (twins) were
born March 22, 1868; George W. was born June i,
1870; Bessie L. was born March 16, 1872. Mrs.
Culver is a native of New York, and is the daughter
of George and Margaret Miller.

3ter H. Helmer, farmer, section 12, De
Kalb Township, was born April 15, 1810,
in Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y. He was a
farmer in his native State until 1862, the year
in which he removed to the township where he
has since been a resident. He first made a
purchase of 125 acres of land, to which he added 10
acres by a later purchase, and the entire tract is un-
der a good quality of cultivation. His stock com-
monly includes 20 head of cattle and several head of
horses, besides other varieties.

In political views and actions he is a Republican,
and has held the office of Path Master. Mr. Helmer
was married March 25, 1841, in his native county,
in the township of Columbia, to Rosanna House, and
they have had five children, Celinda, Elizabeth,
Frances, Clarissa A. and Florence L. Mrs. Helmer
was born Sept. 3, 1822, and is the daughter of John
and Fanny (Welch) House, and were natives of Con-
necticut. The parents of Mr. Helmer, Adam F. and
Margaret (Harter) Helmer, were of German descent
and passed their entire lives in the Empire State,

where they were born. Mr. and Mrs. Helmer are
members of the Congregational Church, of which 'j
Church Mr. H. has been a Deacon for 20 years.

ra Douglass, farmer, section 12, Mayfield
Township, is from New York State. His
parents, Joseph and Hannah (Symonds)
Douglass, natives of Vermont, settled in Gene-
see Co., N. Y., and afterward in Cayuga Coun-
ty, that State. The senior Douglass died in
Canada, Dec. 6, 1839, and his widow came to Illi-
nois and finally died in Winnebago County, July 23,
1839. They had ro children, Mary, Joseph, Sarah,
Joel, Abigail, Hannah, Patience, Warner, Lucy and
Ira.

The youngest in the above family, the subject of
this biographical outline, was born in Caledonia,
Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1814, and made his
home with his parents until the fall of 1835, when he
came to Ottawa, 111., and in the fall of 1836 to this
county, settling in the township of Mayfield, where
he built a log house, near where his present fine
residence is located. Here the venerable pioneer
has lived ever since his first location on the place,
excepting four years which he spent in Rockford, 111.
He now owns about 450 acres in this county, keeping
.about 50 head of cattle, 20 horses and fattening 50
to 100 hogs and 50 to 100 sheep annually. He has
held the office of Overseer of Highways and School
Director. In his political views he is a Republican,
and in religion he belongs to the Methodist Church.
He was first married in the township of Sycamore,
in May, 1845, to Miss Cyrena, daughter of David and
Robey (Campbell) Goodrich, who were natives of the
State of New York. By that marriage there were
four children, Sarah, Ariadna C., Dilana L. and
Carrie. Sarah died in infancy ; Ariadna is now the
wife of Henry Townsend, and resides in Cortland
Township; Dilana is now Mrs. Charles Nichols and
resides in the township of Kingston, this county; and
Carrie, the wife of O. S. Young, resides in Bureau
Co., 111. Mrs. Douglass died in Rockford, 111., Oct.
30, 1856, and Mr. Douglass was again married, in
Pecatonica, Winnebago Co., 111., Feb. 27, 1857, to
Hannah J. Powell, daughter of David and Joanna
(Parry) Powell, natives of Wales who emigrated

DE KALB COUNTY.

America in an early day, settling in Pennsylvania,
where they passed the remainder of their life. They
had a family of six children, Llewellyn, David, Wil-
liam, Samuel, Mary A. and Hannah J. The last
mentioned (Mrs. D.) was born in Clearfield Co., Pa.,
March 13, 1825, and has had by her present mar-
riage, four children, namely: Cyrus A., who was
born March 18, 1860; Ella V., Jan. 30, 1862; Wil-
liam H., Nov. 27, 1863; and Ira W., Jan. 16, 1866.
Ella V. died at the age of two and a half years.

Among the portraits of pioneers of De Kalb Coun-
ty presented in this volume may be found that of Mr.
Douglass. None are more worthy a place in this
record of the county's representative men than he.
He has not only witnessed the transformation of the
wilderness into a fruitful and prosperous country, but
took an active part in the arduous and self-sacrificing
work necessary to achieve such great results. Pos-
terity will long to see likenesses of the faces of these
grand old pioneers, who did so much for it, and we
are glad to be able to present so many of them as
we do.

'rlando Carter, liveryman at De Kalb, was
born Jan. 29, 1830, in Chenango Co., N. Y.
When he was 1 1 years of age his parents,
Jared and Lydia (Ames) Carter, removed to
Ohio, where they continued to reside two years,
at the end of that time making another trans-
fer to Iowa. In 1848 they came thence to Illinois
and settled in what is now the township of De Kalb,
engaging in farming. The father died in July, 1855;
the demise of the mother took place in November,
1872. Their children were, Evaline, Ellen, Orlando,
Clark, David, Lydia, Jared and Joseph.

Mr. Carter accompanied his parents to De Kalb
County, which has been his home and field of busi-
ness operation for nearly 40 years. He has led a life
of activity and is one of the solid men of the town-
ship, owning a fine farm of 320 acres, all under ex-
cellent improvements. Besides, he is proprietor of
valuable property in the city where he is a resident.
In 1881 he became the owner of the livery property
and its relations, and has continued its management
since.

Politically, Mr. Carter is a Democrat. He is a

^^fr. ^^ Q/^iiii3

leader in the local branch of the Odd Fellows at De
Kalb, of which he was a charter member. He was
first married July 4, 1852, to Elizabeth Campbell, a
native of the State of New York. She was the
daughter of William and Sally Campbell, formerly
residents of Afton Township, De Kalb County. In
1879 they removed to Nebraska. Mrs. Carter died
April 6, 1853, and her husband was again married in
De Kalb, Dec. 25, 1855, to Huldah White. Their
children were born as follows : William, Charles D.,
Jessie, Ernest, Eva, Mabel and Cleo.

Augustus Adams, Mechanical Super-
intendent of the Sandwich Manufacturing
Company, was born in Pine Valley, N. Y.,
Jan. 21, 1837, and is the third son of Hon.
Augustus and Lydia A. (Phelps) Adams. An
extended account of the career of his father
may be found on other pages of this volume. He
obtained such education as the schools of Elgin af-
forded at the time his father was engaged in busi-
ness at that place, whither the family had removed
in 1840, and he obtained a practical knowledge of
the details of the machine shop under the direction
of his father in the foundry at Elgin, becoming a
competent iron-molder. On the establishment of the
business of A. Adams & Sons at Sandwich in 1857,
he accompanied the family hither and engaged in
the manufacture of the corn-sheller of which his
father is the inventor, taking charge of the foundry
department, which he conducted about ten years.
At the expiration of that time he assumed control of
the entire mechanical department as Superintendent,
and has since continued to discharge the duties of
the position. The working force includes from 100
to 250 men, and the products comprise the Adams
Corn-Sheller and the Reliance Harvester and Binder.
Every variety and capacity of sheller is constructed,
from 60 to 3,000 bushels per day (capacity), also
power machines ; and they are in demand for hand,
mill and warehouse work.

Mr. Adams is a Republican in political faith and
relations, and has served several terms as an Alder-
man of the city. He is a member of the Mutual Aid
Society, and, with his wife, is connected with the
Congregational Church.

He was married Sept. 29, 1859, in Sandwich,

DE KALB COUNTY.

Augusta Carpenter; and they have four children, all
of whom were born in Sandwich, as follows: Min-
nie G.. Dec. 31, 1862; H. 'May, March 19, 1867;
Charles, July 28, 1869; and Jessie, July 13, 1872.

The residence of Mr. Adams is on Main Street,
and the grounds include two lots. He also owns
two acres in the north part of Sandwich.

Charles A. Brown, banker, member of the
firm of Brown & Brown at Genoa, was
born Jan. 12, 1858, in Genoa Township,
where he obtained his elementary education
in the common schools, and at 19 years of
age entered the High School at Genoa, where
he was a student four years, and was graduated in
1881. He went thence to Bryant's Business College
at Chicago, where he studied one term. Returning
to Genoa, he spent several months in farming. On
the first of May, 1882, he formed a partnership with
his brother, D. S. Brown, and they established the
banking enterprise in which they have since operated.
(See sketch of D. S. Brown.)

In political connection Mr. Brown is identified
with the Republican party, and is Treasurer of Genoa
Township, to which position he was elected in the
winter of 1883-4. He is the proprietor of an im-
proved farm in Genoa Township, containing 240
acres.

>mes H. Beveridge, ex-Treasurer of the
State of Illinois, is a farmer on section 4,
Somonauk Township. His father, George
ieveridge, was born March 16, 1785, in Hebron
Township, Washington Co., N. Y., and married
Ann Hoy, by whom he became the father of
nine children. She was born in Jackson Township,
Washington Co., N. Y., June 17, 1788, and died in
Somonauk, May 18, 1865. The senior Beveridge
removed to Illinois in 1838, and in 1839 settled in
Somonauk Township. He bought a large tract of
land, including both prairie and timber, the latter
comprising over 100 acres. He brought his family
here in 1842 and fixed his location on section 4,
irhere he died, May 10, 1870. He was a man of

radical views and an active Abolitionist. His 85
years of life covered the most momentous and inter-
esting period of the history of the American people,
and he lived to note the splendid development of this
country. He fixed his abode in De Kalb County in
its pioneer period, and was a prominent member of
his generation. His home was the first white man's
house in De Kalb County, and was located on the
east bank of Somonauk Creek. It was on the claim
when it became his property, and it was for many
years a haven of rest and refreshment, both physical
and spiritual. All new-comers found a hospitable
welcome at the " Five-room Tavern." It was the
scene of the first meeting of the local branch of the
United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Beveridge
and his wife were the first members and aided in its
organization. A small church was built in 1849, on
the site of the present elegant jedifice, one of the
finest country churches in the State. While Mr.
Beveridge was yet alive, he was gratified by being a
personal observer of the increase of the society from
a membership of about a score to one of the largest
and wealthiest and most useful and influential relig-
ious organizations in the ecclesiastical body of which
it forms a part. The character of George Beveridge,
as a man, pioneer, philanthropist and Christian,
merits perpetual remembrance. Six of his children
are living. Jeannette is the wife of James Henry, a
prominent citizen and agriculturist of Somonauk
Township. Isabella is the widow of William French,
formerly a wealthy and influential citizen of Somo-
nauk Township. James H. is next in order of birth.
Andrew M. is a clergyman of the Presbyterian
Church and resides in Lansingburg, near the city of
Troy, N. Y. Thomas G. is deceased. He was a
farmer, and his widow is still a resident of Somonauk
Township. John L., ex-Governor of Illinois, is a
resident at Evanston, 111., and is a general broker and
real-estate dealer, having his office in Chicago. Agnes
is the widow of Alexander Patten, and resides in
Chicago. The youngest child died in infancy.

Mr. Beveridge was reared on his father's farm, and
received a liberal education, attending school in
Cambridge, N. Y., in Grandville, and at Mt. Morris,
111. In the institution at the latter place he studied
two years preparatory to entering college, but he was
needed on the farm at home. He came to Somonauk
in 184* and took part of the claim of his father and

brother Thomas, where he pushed forward his agri
cultural interests until 1852.

Mr. Beveridge was, from the beginning of hi
political career, outspoken in his preference in favo
of the Liberty party, and he was an influential facto
in achieving for De Kalb County its proud prerogativ
as one of the foremost Republican counties of th
State of Illinois, a distinction approached only by its
splendid resources and development. In 1849 Mr.
Beveridge was elected one of the Associate Justices
of the county, and in 1852 was elected Assessor. In
1854 he was instrumental in calling the Anti-Ne-
braska Convention which was held at Sycamore and
which developed the true sentiments in the hearts of
the majority of the voters, and the movement resulted
in giving strength to the Republican party. Mr.
Beveridge was made, a Delegate to the first Repub-
lican State Convention of Illinois, which was held at
Bloomington in 1856.

In the fall of 1852 he was elected Circuit Clerk
and Recorder of De Kalb County, and in January
following removed to Sycamore to enter upon the
transaction of the duties of the position at the county
seat. In 1856 he was re-elected and served another
term of four years, and he resided at Sycamore until
his selection to fill a State office.

In the fall of 1864 he was elected Treasurer of
Illinois, and removed in the spring following, for ob-
vious reasons, to Springfield. He officiated as custo-
dian of the finances of Illinois two years. In 1867
he was made State House Commissioner and acted
in that position until the office was abolished in 1878,
when he returned to his farm in Somonauk. During
the period of his last appointment the present United
Presbyterian house of worship was erected near his
father's early home, and he supplied the plans and
specifications for the structure. He has been promi-
nent in the county from the outset of his career as
one of its citizens. He took a decided position in
religion and morality, and has continued in the pros-
ecution of a consistent and upright course of life.
He has been known as an inflexible temperance man
and has been connected with several organizations
devoted to the cause. He is a member of the Pres-
byterian Church at Sandwich.

He was united in marriage, in Somonauk Town-
ship, Dec. 24, 1849, to Elizabeth A. Disbrow, and
they became the parents of five children, only two of

whom survive. Gertrude, born Aug. 18, 1850, r, the
wife of Rufus E. Thompson, a mining speculator in
the Black Hills. The second child died in infancy.
James H., born July 6, 1852, died Sept. 16 following.
Lois A., born Feb. 10, 1854, died March 5, 1864.
Merritt Hoy, born June 16, 1869, resides with his
parents. Mrs. Beveridge was born Aug. 26, 1826, in
Fairfield Co., Conn., and is the daughter of Levi and
Lois Disbrow.

The farm of Mr. Beveridge contains 376 acres, is
in admirable condition and the family residence and
farm buildings are of an excellent and creditable
class. The proprietor is giving intelligent attention
to raising Jersey cattle, and owns a herd comprising
1 1 thoroughbreds and a considerable number of ex-
cellent grades. The dairy products of the farm are
in demand, and are shipped to Chicago.

dwin Townsend, a farmer on section 14
of Mayfield Township, was born Nov. n,
1838, in the same township, and is there-
fore probably the oldest native-born resident in
the county. His parents, Charles and Phebe
(Nichols) Townsend, were natives of the State
of New York, who settled in this township in 1837,
where they both finally died, he May n, 1879, and
she April 26, 1880. They had n children, Mary
A., Edwin, Francis, Marinda, Orrissa, Erastus, Clar-
issa, Caroline, Harrison, Charles. N. and one who
died in infancy.

Mr. Townsend, whose name heads this sketch, has
resided here all his life, but was nine months in the
army. He enlisted in March, 1865, in the Ninth 111.
Vol. Cav. In his politics he is a Republican, and in
his township he has been honored with the offices
of Overseer of Highways, Highway Commissioner,
School Trustee, etc. He is at present the owner of
222 acres of land in this township, with about 200
acres in cultivation.

He was married at Cedar Falls, Iowa, Jan. 20,
1869, to Miss Lorinda M., daughter of Sumner and
Sarah (Kelsey) French, the former of whom was a
native of New Hampshire and the latter of New
Jersey. They came to De Kalb County about 1840,
settling in Genoa Township, but removed to Iowa in
1869, where he died Oct. 20, 1873; she is still liv-
-|J@5DC@/

)

ing. They had seven children, Simmer, Lorinda
M., Whitcomb, J.erusha, Stillman, Rolla and Mary.
Mrs. Townsend was born in Genoa Township, June
16, 1850. The children of Mr. and Mrs. T. are
Charles S., Orrissa S., Leona C. and Olive A., four
in number.

eorge S. Treat, farmer, section 5, Somo-
nauk Township, is the son of Thomas R.
and Nancy (Seymour) Treat, and was born
June 23, 1823, in Mayville, the county seat of
Chautauqua Co.,N. Y. His father was born
in that State Aug. 26, 1795. In early life the
latter was a hatter by trade, and later a miller. In
1838 the family came to Illinois, and not long after
settled near Piano, where the father bought a large
farm and was resident there until 1872, when he
went to Oakland, Cal. He is still living and is 90
years of age. His wife was a native of New York
State, and of their five children four survive. Royal
C. is a merchant at Meadow Valley, Wis. Henry
B. is a farmer and nurseryman at Atchison, Kansas.
Julia is deceased. Emily W. is the wife of Edwin
Brayton, a ranchman of California.

Mr. Treat is the second child of his parents, and
has lived in Illinois since he was 15 years old. He
became his "own man" when he was 19 years of
age, and until his marriage was occupied as a farm
assistant. He was united in marriage to Cordelia S.
Culver, Oct. 13, 1846, at Westfield, N. Y., and they
have had four children : George M. was born Dec.
6, 1847, in the township of Little Rock, Kendall Co.,
111.; Julius J. was born in Westfield, Dec. 13, 1851,
and is engaged in fruit culture at Sunny Side, Spauld-
ing Co., Ga. ; Milton A., born Aug. 29, 1853, is a
farmer near Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa ; Nora L. was
born Dec. 2, 1872, and died the same day.

The farm on which Mr. Treat is at present resi-
dent has been his property since July, 1860, when
he made his first purchase of 120 acres. He now owns
140 acres on sections 5 and 8, and ten acres of tim-
ber land in Squaw Grove Township ; also 40 acres
in Emmett Co., Mich., and 160 acres in Clay Co.,
Iowa. He is extensively interested in bee culture,
and has an apiary of about 50 colonies. He obtains

and also conducts a small dairy business. During
six years his farm was rented, and he was for that
period chiefly a resident of Sandwich. He has
officiated 12 consecutive years as Commissioner of
Highways.

His first wife died on the farm in Somonauk, May
19, 1878, and Mr. Treat was again married Dec. 25,
1879, to Eliza D. Olds, who was born May 6, 1837,
in the State of New York. The paternal grandpar-
ents of Mr. Treat, Charles and Hope Treat, were of
pure Yankee extraction. The grandfather was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary struggle.

Iva Clark, farmer and stockman on section
32, Franklin Township, is the son of Gilbert
and Miranda (Stevens) Clark, who were
natives of Ontario, Can. They were farmers
in the Dominion, where the mother died when
45 years of age. The father died in Michigan
at the age of 60 years. Mr. Clark was thrown upon
his own resources when he was 13 years of age. He
supported himself by work as a farm laborer, and at
17 years of age he went to Jefferson Co., N. Y., re-
maining there three years, and going thence to Os-
wego County in the same State, where he passed
some time engaged in teaming. From that time
until 1866 he was variously employed in different
places, and in that year came to Illinois. He first
made a permanent location in the township of Mon-
roe in Ogle County, where he continued to live until
1879, the date of his becoming a land-holder in De
Kalb County, where he purchased 120 acres on sec-
tion 32 of Franklin Township. Of this he took pos-
session in the same year. In his political preferences
Mr. Clark is a Republican.

His marriage to Electa Van Voorhis took place
Feb. 25, 1880, at Fielding. She is the daughter of
George and Amy (Ferguson) Van Voorhis, natives of
the State of New York. The daughter was born
Dec. 10, 1854, in Booneville, Oneida Co., N. Y. Her
father was a farmer, and both her parents were of
German origin and ancestors, who were born in
Dutchess Co., N. Y. Her mother died in Oneida
County May 9, 1863, where her father still lives and
where the daughter was a resident until she was 15
irs of age. She was a good scholar, and at that

<!
V

DE KALB COUNTY.

age began teaching, which she pursued in her native
county until 1877, when she came to Fielding. She
was a teacher there and in Ogle County two years
previous to her marriage. Gilbert V., the only child
of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, was born June 16, 1883.

|; hilip G. Young, a coal and lumber mer-
chant at De Kalb, was born in the town of
Stark, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 19, 1828.
The first 30 years of his life were passed in
his native county, and he came to Illinois
about 1858, first settling on a farm in Ogle
County, which he conducted three years. In 1861
he bought 80 acres of land in the township of De
Kalb, which he managed with shrewdness and in-
dustry, adding to its extent until he was the proprie-
tor of 320 acres, and of which he held the ownership
until the spring of 1884, the date of his removal to
his present place of abode, when he sold his estate.
In April, 1883, Mr. Young formed his present busi-
ness relation with David D. Brown, for the purpose
of trade in coal and lumber, the firm taking the style
of Brown & Young.

Mr. Young is a Democrat in political faith and ac-
tion. He has been active in local school matters
and has officiated as Alderman of De Kalb four
years, he having been a resident of the city from
r873 to 1878; he then returned to the farm.

He was married Oct. 20, 1856, in Herkimer Co.,
N. Y., to Elmira Chrissman, a native of the Empire
State. They have two children, Wolstine D., born
March 21, 1860, and Phila E., born Dec. 13, 1862.

i illiam G. Beveridge, fanner on section 5,
Somonauk Township, was born in the
place where he is a resident, July 30,
1853. His father, Thomas G. Beveridge,
was born April 9, 1822, in Greenwich, Wash-
ington Co., N. Y., and was the son of George
and Ann (Hoy) Beveridge, who were pioneer settlers
of Somonauk. (See sketch of Hon. J. H. Beveridge.)
Thomas G. Beveridge married Elizabeth Irwin, who
_was born Dec. 1 8, 1827, in Washington ,Co., N. Y.,

%&*& ^g^ &

and they became the parents of three children.
James H. was born May 2, 1856, and died April 2,
1857. Anna M. is the wife of R. R. Brown, of Clin-
ton Township, De Kalb County. She was born May
27, 1858. The father received 160 acres of land
originally included in the vast tract that was pur-
chased by George Beveridge. He died April 24,
1859, and his widow is an inmate of the family of
the son who inherited the estate of his father.

Mr. Beveridge is the oldest child. He was mar-
ried in Pana, Christian Co., 111.. Dec. 15, 1880, to
Ella M. Finley. Their children were bom as fol-
lows: Maggie, Dec. 18, i88r ; and Thomas, March
20, 1884. The latter died six days after birth. Mrs.
Beveridge was born May 3r, 1855, in New Athens,
Harrison Co., Ohio, and ; s the daughter of Thomas
and Ellen Finley.

Mr. Beveridge has added by later purchase to his
ancestral estate and is now the proprietor of 295
acres of excellent land. He has a valuable herd of
graded Short-Horn cattle, which comprises 40 head.

evi P. Welty, a farmer on section 30, South
Grove Township, was born in Oswego,
Kendall Co., 111., Nov. 30, 1848. His par-
ents, Daniel and Diana (Ernest) Welty, were
natives of Parry Co., Pa , and were of German
lineage. Soon after their marriage, they came
to Illinois and located primarily in Kendall County,
removing thence to De Kalb County. Their stay in
the latter was temporary, and they proceeded to
Winnebago County. In r868 they took up their per-
manent abode in De Kalb County, where they
bought a half section of land, established their
homestead and passed the remainder of their lives
there. The father died in March, 1882; the latter
in October, 1881. They were aged 65 and 56 years
respectively. The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Welty
belonged to a representative class in De Kalb County
who constitute its best type of citizenship, and they
have left to their children the heritage of lives of
worthy effort and a stainless, honorable name. They
had nine children, born in the following order : Wil-
liam H., Lev! F., George W., Emma J., Lauretta,
Charles D. and Samuel A. Those deceased were
named Jeremiah E. and Alice.

DE KALB COUNTY.

In 1878 Mr. Welty formed a partnership with his
brother George W. in the pursuit of agriculture, and
they have operated successfully since that date in
general farming and raising stock. They own 160
acres, all of which is under the best order of culti-
vation, and forms a valuable piece of property. They
are Republicans in political opinions.

Mr. Welty was married Dec. 27, 1883, at Hinckley,
De Kalb County, to Mary A., daughter of J. K. and
Rebecca (Eberly) Kuter. Her father is an insur-
ance agent, and officiated six years as County Coro-
ner. Mrs. Welty was born Dec. 28, 1859, in Pierce
Township, and was reared and educated in the place
of her birth.

jlonzo Ellwood, merchant at Sycamore, is
one of the pioneer business men of De
Kalb County. He was born June 17, 1823, in
the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., N.
Y., and is the son of Abraham and Sarah (De-
long) Ellwood. (See sketch of Hon. Chaun-
cey Ellwood, page 241, for further notice of parents.)
At the age of 15 years Mr. Ellwood went to Mo-
hawk, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and served three years
acquiring a knowledge of the manufacture of car-
riages and sleighs, remaining several years as an
employee in the establishment, where he was after-
ward foreman for a number of years.

Mr. Ellwood went to California in the spring of
1852 and prosecuted placer-mining on the Middle
Fork of the American River until 1854, when he re-
turned home. In the spring of 1855 he came to
Sycamore and commenced his business career by
engaging as a clerk in the establishment of George
Walrod. Six months later, associated with Willis
Lott, he founded a hardware business. They con-
ducted its affairs jointly about three years. In 1858
he purchased his partner's interest, and not long after
admitted his brother Reuben to a partnership. In
1867 he sold his interest to the latter, and, in com-
pany with Chauncey Ellwood and O. M. Bryan, he
built a flax-mill, which is still in existence at Syca-
more. Previous to the establishment of this enter-
prise he had been appointed Assessor of United
States Revenue ; and, the duties of the position be-
coming pressing, he sold his interest in the flax-

mill to Mr. Leonard Orendorf. In 1870, asso-
ciated with Mr. N. C. Warren and Mr. James S.
Waterman, he opened a hardware store at Syca- |
more, which was in existence four years. The estab-
lishment with stock and fixtures was consumed by
fire, involving a loss of $ir,ooo, partly covered by an
insurance of $8,000. Messrs. Ellwood and Warren
became sole proprietors by purchase of the business
relations and re-established the trade. A year later
they sold out. Meanwhile, Mr. Ellwood had relieved
himself of the burdens of the position of Assessor,
which he had held eight years, and in company with
his brothers, Chauncey and James E., erected two j
stores of the Central Block at Sycamore, which is
two stories high above the basement, is 46 x 90 feet
in size. The basement is utilized for business pur-
poses and the upper story as offices.

Messrs. A. and J. E. Ellwood in 1857 embarked
in the sale of drugs and groceries, which relation
existed until 1881, when J. E. EUwood sold his in-
terest to George M. Sivwright, since which date the
business and its connections have been conducted as
at present. The stock is estimated at a cash value
of $10,000, and includes staple and fancy groceries,
drugs, crockery, paints, oils and other articles com-
mon to similar establishments.

The local business relations of Mr. Ellwood have
been commensurate with, and in the same public
spirit which has pushed the general enterprises con-
nected with Sycamore into prominence and success.
He was one of the projectors and original stock-
holders of the Sycamore & Cortland Railroad, and
was Director of its affairs until it was transferred by
sale to the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Com-
pany. He was a stock-holder in the Marsh Har- jj
vester Company and is now a stock-holder in the I
Marsh Binder Company. At the time of the
organization of the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Com-
pany, he became a stock-holder, and still remains
one of its Directors. He is the owner of a consider-
able interest in the Wisconsin & San Juan Min-
ing Company, whose claims are situated on Henson f
Creek, Colorado, and is President of the corporation.
The mines are advancing in development with flat-
tering prospects of substantial results.

Mr. Ellwood is Vice-President of the Covenant
Mutual Benefit Association of Illinois, which position
he has occupied since 1879. The organization was
established in 1877, and has more than 18,000 mem-

A O ^^^f ...avs^V/V:^

^^- ml ^^\<^.

DE KALB COUNTY.

*' "

bers at this date (1885). He is a heavy land-holder
at various points, owning 360 acres in Hancock Co.,
Iowa, a valuable improved farm in Dallas Co., Iowa,
and five acres of platted land in South Lawn, in the
suburbs of Chicago.

He has been active and prominent in local polit-
ical and official positions in the several places where
he has resided. He served three years as Postmaster
of Columbia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was Chairman
of the Board of Village Trustees of Sycamore three
years. By virtue of that office he became a Super-
visor of his town. After the latter place was incor-
porated as a city he was elected Alderman of the
First Ward, and now occupies the position.

He became a member of the Odd Fellows Order
on attaining his majority, and has reached unusual
prominence. In 1880 he was elected Deputy Grand
Master of the State of Illinois, and was a candidate
for Grand Master in the year following. His defeat
was nominal, James S. Ticknor, of Rockford, receiv-
ing the election by a majority of 45 votes. He was
a candidate again in 1882, and was elected at the
annual session in Springfield by a majority of 1,100.
The order included at that date about 32,000 mem-
bers, and during the year of Mr. Ell wood's incum-
bency its membership increased nearly 3,000. He
declined a proffered nomination in 1884 as Grand
Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, a body
whose scope includes the organizations of the world.
Mr. Ellwood is also an active member of the Masonic
fraternity and belongs to the Knights Templar.
While a resident of Herkimer County he was Captain
of a company of Light Guards, which were ordered
to report for duty in the war with Mexico, but the
declaration of peace precluded the necessity of taking
up arms, and the organization did not leave the State.

Mr. Ellwood's present wife was Mary M. Baker, to
whom he was married Dec. 27, 1865. Three chil-
dren were born to them, Leana Maud, Glenn Baker
and Ella Baker, of whom only the first named sur-
vives: she was born March 17, 1868. Mrs. Ellwood
was born in Plato, Kane Co., 111., and is the daugh-
ter of L. M. and Sarah A. Baker. Her father was a
pioneer farmer of that county.

The active business career of Mr. Ellwood is
marked by the same industry, enterprise and persist-
ent energy which characterize the brotherhood of
which he is a member, and he is regarded as one of

nd principal allies of the substantial ^
:sts of Sycamore. The quality of his 'i

the founders an

business interes.- __ __, ^ _, _. .

public spirit is unquestioned, and the advantage of ^
his judgment and efforts in furthering and sustaining !
the permanent welfare of the city is generally recog- (
nized and acknowledged. His portrait appears in
this volume, with those of his five brothers, and is no
less important in value to the community with whose
general interest and well being he is identified.

saac Crill, farmer, resident at Fielding,
Franklin Township, was born in Stark
Township, Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 26,
1820. James Crill, his father, was a farmer of
Herkimer Co., N. Y., and came West in 1844
settling in the township of Monroe, Ogle Co.,
111. Mr. Crill of this sketch accompanied his parents
to Ogle County, being then 24 years of age, and he
was married there March 20, 1856, to Eleanor Cole.
They had two sons, James E. and Joseph, both
of whom died in infancy. The household includes
a foster child, Mary Houdeshell, born Dec. 25, 1860,
in Perry Co., Pa. Mrs. Crill is the daughter of Joseph
and Mary (Davis) Cole. Her parents were natives
of Pennsylvania, of Welsh and German ancestry.
The daughter was born Aug. 10, r822, in the Key-
stone State, where her mother died, in 1831. She
lived with her father until 1854, when she came to
Lee Co., 111., with two married cousins. She went
later to Ogle County, where she resided two years
previous to her marriage. After that event, Mr. and
Mrs. Crill settled on a farm and entered into a part-
nership with his brother, John I. Crill, in agricultural
operations. Mr. Crill is owner of 440 acres of land,
situated principally in Monroe Township, Ogle
County.

Mr. Crill of this sketch is the owner of a hand-
some residence in the village of Fielding, where he is
also the proprietor of an elevator having a capacity
of 13,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Crill is an active
Republican, and exerts his influence in the interests
of that element in politics. With his wife, he is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The grandparents of Mr. Crill were natives of

Germany, and his parents settled primarily among
the class of people in Herkimer County known to
tradition and history as " Mohawk Dutch."

illiam C. Tuttle, an extensive dealer in
lumber and all builders' materials, at Kirk-
land, was born Dec. 6, 1818, in Berkshire
Co., Mass. David Tuttle, his father, was
born in Massachusetts, and in 1822 emi-
grated to Genesee Co., N. Y., where he died in
1831, aged about 65 years. He was of New England
lineage arid became the owner of considerable prop-
erty. The mother, Sally A. (Bowen) Tuttle, was also
a native of /the Bay State and died in Genesee Co.,
N. Y., in r853. They had nine children.

Mr. Tuttle was the seventh child and was four
years old when his parents removed with their family
to Genesee County in the Empire State, and there he
attended school until he was 15 years old. At that
age he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, which
he followed until 1852. In the spring of 1843 he
came to the township and county where he is now
resident, and where he was occupied at his business
as a builder. In 1852 he went to Belvidere and es-
tablished a mercantile enterprise, in which he was
interested two years. At the end of that time he be-
came engaged in a planing mill, terminating his rela-
tions therewith in 1858. In 185^ he was elected
County Treasurer on the Republican ticket, holding
the incumbency two years. On the expiration of his
term of office he followed his trade until 1868,
operating as a contractor and builder, and in that
year he went to Chicago and established himself in
the same business, operating successfully until 1879.
He returned thence to Kirkland, and there followed
his trade two years. In 1882 he founded his present
line of business interests. He owns a house and two
lots in the village, and his transactions annually
amount to $12,000.

Mr. Tuttle was married Jan. i, 1840, in Genesee
Co., N. Y , to Margaret De Mott. She was born Nov.
25, 1825, in that county, and there grew to woman-
hood, when she came West with her husband. She
died in Belvidere, Dec. 31, 1865, and was the mother
of six children, two of whom are deceased. Rufus

was drowned Dec. 24, 1864, in the river at Belvidere
while skating on the ice, by falling through an air-
hole. Sarah married Mr. Chamberlain, a locomotive
engineer residing at Memphis, Tenn., where she died.
Those who are living are Daniel L., Harriet A., Addie
and Huldah. Mr. Tuttle was married a second time
Jan. 14, 1868, to Hattie Washburn, of Dixon, Lee
Co., 111. Mrs. Tuttle is a descendant of the cele-
brated family named Washburn from Maine. She
was born Oct. 16, 1837, in Paris, Oxford Co., Maine,
and is the daughter of Luther and Abigail Washburn.
Her parents came to De Kalb County before her
arrival, and she lived with them until her marriage.
Lena, first issue of the second marriage, died when a
little more than 15 months old. Another child died
in early infancy.

arren Gilchrist, farmer, resident on sec-
tion 20, Franklin Township, was born
Dec. 19, r839, at Hicks' Mills in the same
township where he now lives. David M.,
his father, was born in Washington Co., N.
Y., of Scotch parentage, and married Elizabeth
Schoonmaker,.a native of Long Island. The family
carne West in 1837, after spending ten years of mar-
ried life in the State of New York and Canada.
Franklin Township was in its earliest days of pioneer
life and history, and they were among its element of
development and progress. The former died at his
home in 1873, aged 73 years. The motTier died in
March, 1882, while visitingason at Strawberry Point,
Clayton Co., Iowa, at 77 years of age. Their chil-
dren included five sons and a daughter.

Mr. Gilchrist is the third son and fourth child of
his parents. He passed the years of his youth and
early manhood on the farm of his father, which he
helped to develop, meanwhile obtaining an education
at the common schools. He was married May 30,
1877, to Henrietta, daughter of Silas B. and Elizabeth
(Taylor) Roach. Her parents were born in Noble
Co., Ohio, where also her birth occurred Oct. 20, 1853,
and they settled on a farm on section 4 in Franklin
Township, whither they removed in 1862. They are
now members of the family of Mr. Gilchrist, and are
aged respectively 54 and 56 years. Mrs. Gilchrist is
the only surviving child of her parents. (An older

child died in infancy.) She is the mother of two
children, Leafie, born Dec. 18, 1878, and Charles
E., born May, 23, 1881.

After his marriage Mr. Gilchrist, associated with
his brother, Charles H. Gilchrist, assumed the man-
agement of his father's homestead, and is a partial
owner of 445 acres of land connected therewith. He
is a consistent and straightforward Republican and
has held several prominent local offices. He has
been Supervisor two years and is present Justice of
the Peace.

i illiain Decker, farmer, section 1 6, South
Grove Township, was born Nov. 30, 1835,
in Crawford Co., Ohio. James Decker,
his father, was born in New Jersey, in 1810,
of New England parentage, and early in life
went to Ohio, where he engaged in farming.
In 185 2 he removed to Ogle Co., 111., whence he came
after a stay of two years, to De Kalb County, and
settled on section nine of South Grove Township.
He died in September, 1859, aged 49 years. He be-
came prominent in his township as a citizen and a
farmer and lived an honored and useful life. The
mother, Margaret Vanderhoff, was of similar birth
and parentage, and resides still on the homestead,
retaining at the age of 73, Nov. 28, 1884, her activity
of mind and body to an uncommon degree.

Mr. Decker is next to the oldest of nine children
in order of birth, and he passed the years of his
minority in the acquisition of an education and in
farm labor. At the age of 23 years he began to
operate as an independent farmer on 40 acres of
land deeded to him by his father, belonging originally
to the family homestead. He pursued the duties of
an agriculturist thereon until the second year of the
Civil War. Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C.
losth 111. Vol. Inf. The regiment was assigned to
the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the mili-
tary service of the United States until the close of
the war, experiencing all the varieties, vicissitudes
and triumphs of Sherman's campaign through Geor-
gia and the Carolinas. Soon after taking the field,
Mr. Decker was detailed for service in the quarter-
master's department, and passed the entire period of

his enlistment there, receiving an honorable dis-
charge June, 7, 1865.

On his return to civil life Mr. Decker resumed his
agricultural relations, and has added 80 acres to his
original ownership, making an aggregate of 120 acres.
He is a prosperous farmer, engaged in the success-
ful culture of the crops common to this section and in
raising cattle of valuable grades. Mr. Decker is a
Republican of decided type and has officiated in
various township offices.

He was married Feb. 21, 1861, in South Grove
Township, to Lizzie Shorey, and they have had five
children, two of whom are deceased. Win. Henry
was born Sept. 2, 1864; Elnora, Oct 27, 1866; and
Harvey E., Aug. 5, 1869. They have also raised one
other child, Ursula Decker, who was the daughter of
William and Margaret Decker, a cousin of Mr.
Decker of this sketch. Her father died in New
Jersey when she was two years old, and her mother
was a second time married, and she was taken by
Mr. Decker to bring up. She was born March 22,
1863, in New Jersey, and died Jan. 30, 1885, in Iowa,
where she had gone six weeks before her death.
Her remains were brought to South Grove for burial.

Mis. Decker was born Sept. 7, i844,inOneidaCo.,
N. Y., and is the daughter of Washington and Maria
(Vanderwalker) Shorey. The former was born in
Vermont and was by calling a farmer until his death,
May 30, 1880. Her mother resides in Guthrie Co.,
Iowa.

ichard B. Spiers, M. D., physician and
surgeon, resident at Kirkland, was born
May 26, 1845, in Halton Co., Ont. He is
the son of George A. and Isabella (Spiers)
Spiers, both of whom were born in Ireland,
\ and who came soon after their marriage to
the Dominion of Canada. The former died not long
after he settled in Halton County, where he was a
pioneer. The mother is still living in that county.

Dr. Spiers, after the death of his father, became
the charge of his uncle, Alexander Brown, whose
wife was his maternal aunt. Mr. Brown was a
Scotchman and lived in Halton County, engaged in
farming. His foster-parents discharged their duty
creditably and well, sending him to the grammar
school, where he acquired an excellent fundamental

^^^ *f*t^

KALB COUNTY.

*f education of the type which underlies the training of
every man who pursues a course of professional

i study in Canada, and where he was a pupil until 21
years old. In 1866, Dr. Spiers matriculated at the

^Toronto University, where he completed the pre-
scribed curriculum of study under the stringent regu-
lations of that celebrated institution, noted for the
inflexible regimen exercised in preparing its students
for their profession. The course of medical reading
is extended over a period of four years, and Dr.
( Spiers devoted the vacational interims to office study
and desultory practice.

His marriage to Sarah E. Tremain took place Oct.
5, 1870, in Halton County. She was born April 20,
1852, in the Province of Ontario, and is the daughter
of James and Jane (Biggar) Tremain. Her father
was a merchant and died in February, 1865. Her
mother's death occurred about 1858. Mrs. Spiers
was a child of tender years when her mother died,
and lived with her father until his demise, then enter-
ing the household of her maternal aunt, the wife of

Vj? George Marlatt, a farmer and a native of Ontario.

= She was carefully educated in the grammar schools

<$o{ her native province. Of her union with Dr. Spiers

a she has become the mother of four children. One
child died in infancy. Susan M. died when she was
^two years and nine months old. Rebecca M. and
) Bessie G., twins, were born Aug. 12, 1879.

After marriage, Dr. Spiers removed to Watervliet (
Berrien Co., Mich., and there established his business
as a medical practioner, in which he was engaged at
that point three years. He came thence to Wheaton,
Du Page Co., 111., and after practicing there two
(years came, in June, 1875,10 Kirkland, and at once
began his practice, in which he has met with un-
qualified success and popularity. He is the owner
of an elegant home at Kirkland. In political pref-
erences he is a Republican and has officiated one
term as Village Trustee.

Miles Beach Castle, a leading and
prominent citizen of Sandwich, was born
Aug. 13, 1826, in Albany, N. Y. He is a
member of the third generation from Xiideon
Castle, one of three brothers who came from
England about the year 1700. The two elder
1 settled respectively in Geneva, N. Y., and in Pennsyl-

vania, while the third located in Amenia, Dutchess
Co., N. Y., where he became an extensive landholder,
owning at one time vast tracts of land, including
10,000 acres in New York State. His son Gideon
became prominent in the colonial history of the
United States, and was a staff officer with General
Washington, filling the position of Commissary with
the rank of Captain, when the Commander-in-chief
was in New York and vicinity, during the progress of
the struggle for independence. He died at 98 years
of age, after becoming the father of five sons. Elijah,
the third in order of birth, was the father of Mr.
Castle of this sketch. He inherited from the estate
of his father a farm valued at $10,000, located in
Dutchess County, N. Y., which he afterward sold,
removing to the city of Albany, N. Y., investing his
capital in a general business. He married Deborah
Beach, of Dutchess County, and to them five chil-
dren were born, three of whom, with the parents, in-
habit the mystic realms of the land of the hereafter.
One daughter, Cynthia, widow of James W. Bishop,
resides at Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y.

Mr. Castle passed the years of his minority in
attendance at school, in the varied duties of the farm
and in other avenues of labor, finally entering the
excellent educational institution at Jonesville, in
Northern New York, then an academy of celebrity,
where he was graduated about the time of attaining
his majority. He soon became a salesman in a dry-
goods store at Glens Falls, N. Y., where he remained
in the capacity of clerk and afterwards as general
manager, until the autumn of 1855, except a brief
term when he was at Warrensburg, N. Y. He then
fulfilled a determination to come West and proceeded
to Chicago. He passed the ensuing winter in that
city, and in the spring of 1856 opened a lumber yard
at Sandwich, 111. During the same year he organized
the Sandwich Bank, and he has retained his interest
in and connection with both enterprises without in-
termission. In the latter he is associated with his
nephew, Capt. F.'S. Mosher. About 1870 Mr. Castle
founded the Kendall County Bank, at Yorkville,
Kendall County, and is still its chief official, his as-
sociate and the cashier of the institution being Mr.
M. E. Cornell. In r878, in connection with his son,
J. B. Castle, he established the Sandwich Argus, a.
journalistic enterprise which has met with unquali-
fied success. In the various business ventu
which Mr. Castle has e.nbarked, he has met with

unvarying prosperity, and his success in his under-
takings has come to be considered phenomenal in
results, a condition which has arisen from the exer-
cise of judgment and forethought, and the effort at
the outset to embark only in such undertakings as
promised to meet universal need. As a banker Mr.
Castle has operated nearly 30 years, and is one of
the oldest in the State in length of service in that
business. During the financial crises of 1855, '57,
"60, "6 1, '73 and later his bank has in no instance -re-
fused a check or closed its doors.

He is a Republican of decided type, and his sa-
gacity, intelligence and discrimination have received
due recognition at the hands of the local political
element which he has served long and well. In 1872
he was elected to the Senate of Illinois and served
through the short term, and in 1874 was re-elected
to the long term, serving a period of six consecutive
years. In 1878 he declined a proffered re-election to
give his private business the attention demanded by
his interests. While a member of the Legislature'
he was conspicuous in his exertions for and advocacy
of what is designated " radical legislation," and the
passage of " the Married Woman's Bill," which pro-
vided for the protection of the property rights of
women, was mainly due to his instrumentality. He
officiated as Chairman of the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, having charge, on the part of
the Senate, of the Executive Mansion and the new
State House at Springfield. Among many other
measures for the public interests, Mr. Castle intro-
duced and effected the passage of the first bill for
protecting fish interests in the State of Illinois. He
has been a member of the Republican State Central
Committee, and a member of the two last Republican
State Conventions, in each of which he acted on the
Platform Committees and proved an efficient factor
in the specific business of those bodies. He has
been for several years and still is Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Illinois State Equal
Suffrage Association. He belongs to the State Press
Association and the Press Club of Chicago. Mr.
Castle is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the
Chapter at Sandwich. His literary abilities are of a
versatile and acceptable character, and he gained
wide-spread and appreciative commendation through
the merits of a poem he delivered at Springfield on
the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of the
new State House in 1868. The private library of

J^x^t* 8 ^jgf O

Mr. Castle comprises a large and valuable selection
of publications of the best quality.

Mr. Castle was united in marriage to Freelove
Kinney Hubbard, at Sandwich, 111., by Rev. L. P.
Crawford, in January, 1859. She was a daughter of ii
Hon. Asa Kinney, formerly State Senator in Califor-
nia, and an adopted daughter of her uncle, John
Hubbard. Mrs. Castle was a descendant of the
branch of the same family of Grinells as those of
New York city, her ancestors being English Knights.
She was educated at Knox College, Galesburg, 111., v
and is a woman of rare mental powers, one of those
whose judgments is rarely at fault upon any question.
Three children have been born to them, as follows :
John B., Aug. 13, 1859; Louisa R., Jan. 21, 1861;
Grace Frederika, July, 1868. John B. is assistant
cashier in the bank and owns one-half of the busi-
ness of the Argus, of which he is local editor.

illiam B. McDowell, attorney-at-law, res-
ident at Kirkland, Franklin Township, was
born Oct. 15, 1842, on section i in the
township where he has since lived. He is
the son of John and Martha (Riddle) Mc-
Dowell, of whom a detailed account is given on
another page. Mr. McDowell was brought up on the
farm of his father and attended the common school
in the vicinity of his parents' home. When he was
15 years of age he entered the college at Wheaton,
Du Page Co., 111.,' where he pursued a course of study
three years. He has all his life possessed extraordi-
nary skill in penmanship and drawing, and while at
Wheaton was engaged in teaching both branches.
At 19 years of age he -became the arbitrator of his
own fortunes, and after leaving school worked on a
farm summers and taught penmanship winters. He
met with much success in the latter occupation, and
passed several years in alternate teaching and farm
labor. Afterward he devoted his time wholly to farm
labor for a few years, and finally became general
agent for the sale of the machines manufactured by
McCormick & Co. He operated in their interests
one year and then entered the law office of J. L.
Pratt, of Sycamore. In 1879 he was admitted to the
Bar of Illinois, and practiced in company with Mr.
Pratt for a short time. Subsequently he went to

***,,,

DE KALB COUNTY.

Leadville, Col., where he entered into an association
with Hon. Mr. Hemmingway, and continued the
practice of his profession nearly two years. The
death of his brother caused his return to his native
State, and he located for a brief season at Sycamore,
but eventually fixed his residence and business at
Kirkland. One of the earliest pieces of work which
he was called on to perform was the drafting of the
ordinances of Kirkland, which was a superb speci-
men of chirography and elicited much admiration.
The law business of Mr. McDowell has continued
to increase until he is now in the enjoyment of a
solid reputation as an attorney in the various Courts
in which he is called to practice.

On the admission of the ordinances of Kirkland
in 1883 he was made President of the village. He
has always been interested in fine and valuable
horses, and has made exhibits of fine animals at the
county fairs. He is the owner of an interest in four
mining claims at Leadville, Col.

Mr. McDowell is a decided Democrat in political
opinion, and has officiated as Township Clerk. He
is present Village Attorney (1885). In addition to
his extensive legal business he represents several
home and foreign insurance companies. In 1872 he
was made a member of the Masonic Order, and be-
longs to Dement Lodge, No. 515, at Kirkland.

Dn. Stephen B. Stinson, attorney at Sand-
wich, was born Oct. 3, 1825, in Boston,
'Mass., and he is the youngest of four children
of his parents, Maj. Andrew H. and Mary Stin-
son. The death of the father when he was but
four years old, followed by that of his mother
seven years later, brought into activity the traits of
character which have distinguished his progenitors,
the Scotch-Irish, from whom he descended in both
lines.

In the lapse of years and in the conversions of
terms which arise in succeeding generations, there is
danger of the race style of " Scotch-Irish " losing its
distinctive signification, and it is not even now
clearly understood that the combination only indi-
cates the fact that the people referred to were es-
sentially Scotch, and Ireland had been but a
VVJN_ ^.axa.^ n f

temporary abiding place, as the assimilation was so
slight as to be but nominal. In 1619 an emigration
of people from Scotland to the North of Ireland took
place for the purpose of escape from the persecution
of the Scottish " kirk " under King James, only to
find themselves subjected to regulations more bur-
densome, which they endured with growing discon-
tent for an exact century. In 1719, a colony of 16
families emigrated to New Hampshire and formed
the nucleus of Londonderry, who were followed by
others of the same ancestral origin. To the intoler-
ance of the ruling religious element of Scotland and Sjcj
the North of Ireland in the I7th and i8th centuries, I
is our own nationality indebted for one of its most
inflexible and unswerving elements of probity and
uprightness, enhanced beyond estimate in value to a
composite nationality like ours, by sturdy, physical
strength and hardihood, and inborn and inbred fru-
gality, thrift and industry ; and though the natural
limitation of family continuance is a trait of the
Scotch-Irish, in their characteristics they are still the
types of their indomitable ancestors. The men pre-
serve their splendid physique, their courage and per-
severance, and the women their piety, native wit and ^
strength of character, which, transmitted to their 5,.
sons, has re-appeared in radiant luster, polished and
refined under the influences artd privileges afforded
by our form of government. To the colonization of (
Londonderry the United States is indebted for the in-
troduction of the cultivation of flax and the use of
the linen spinning wheel, and also the cultivation of
the Irish potato, which Sir Walter Raleigh had taken
from South America to Europe 150 years before.
Archibald Stark, from whom Starkstown was named 1
and the father of " Molly Stark V husband, General \
John Stark, the hero of Bennington, and the grand-
parents of Horace Greeley, were members of the same
company. General Stark was the cousin of Mary
Stinson, the mother of Judge Stinson.

Ten years after the first settlement at London-
derry, John Stinson and his wife Mary, and a consid-
erable number of his friends and relatives, emigrated O
to that place from Londonderry, Ireland. From two
of their sons William and Samuel descended the
line represented by Judge Stinson, the latter being (
his great-grandfather in the paternal line of descent.
William Stinson was his grandfather in his mother's t
line. The brothers removed, on attaining independ
ent manhood, to a point farther north know

f*^*<

DE KALB COUNTY.

" Masonian Grant of the Province of New Hamp-
shire." To fulfill the .provisions of the " grant," it was
necessary to occupy the allotments of land, and Will-
iam Stinson was, in 1751-2, one of the three found-
(c^ers of Starkstown, now Dunbarton, N. H., where he
lived for a time alone in a log cabin while making
his "clearing." While living thus he had a clergyman
for a guest, and in lieu of a table set forth the hospi-
talities of his house on an inverted basket. The cler-
ical visitor solicited the divine interposition in behalf
(of the " basket " and store of his host. The petition
Xijwas amply fulfilled, as Mr. S. reached competency.
> He was born in Ireland March 15, 1725, and died
Aug. 21, 1803. His wife, Agnes, nee Caldwell, was
born in June, 1734, and their marriage took place
.March 26, 1754. Mary, wife of Andrew H. Stinson,
was the youngest of their 12 children, and was born
Jan. 25, 1782. Captain William Stinson was a de-
)cided character. He became an extensive land-
holder and the annual productions of his estate
Xcomprised large crops of corn, wheat and rye. His
^observation had led him to a discovery of the fact
Jthat the average prices of these grains were about 50
nts for corn, 75 cents for rye and a dollar for wheat,
n accordance with his idea of equity, which he
accorded with the same rigidity with which he en-
forced his own claims, he held h

-'ruling rates fell below his average, building addi-
tional storehouses if necessary. When the prices
went above his standard he would accept no more
than the rate he himself fixed, and he would only
sell to the poor for their own use. He came to be
styled in all the region where he lived as the " poor
man's friend."* Samuel Stinson, son of Samuel Stin-
son above mentioned, removed in early manhood to
Nova Scotia, where he was married, and where his
son Andrew H. was born, Dec. 25, 1789. During the
boyhood of the latter the family removed to' Dun-
barton, where Samuel Stinson died. . After his mar-
riage, Maj. A. H. Stinson resided for a time at Hop-
kinton, N. H., and than went to Boston, Mass.,'
he was extensively engaged in the manufac-
ture of carriages for several years, and later he be-
came interested in the manufacture of lumber in the
State of Maine. He died March 22, 1829, at Hop-

fkinton, N. H. Mary Stinson, his wife, died May 21,

Stephen B. Stinson inherited from his parents only
opportunity and a disposition to struggle to place
himself at least above mediocrity. The necessities
which he found upon him were twofold. His appe-
tite for knowledge was as insatiate and impelling as
the needs of his physical nature. Between the ages
of ii and 16 years he had only the advantages of
the public schools of the winter seasons, and he
passed the remainders of those years in farm labor.
But he mastered the entire curriculum of English
study in those studious winter terms of common
school, and was fitted for teaching. He entered
upon the duties of a pedagogue as a stepping stone
to a collegiate course, and his earnings, coupled with
temporary assistance (afterward fully repaid), enabled
him to pursue a classical course of two years at the
academy at Hopkinton, N. H. In 1844 he matricu-
lated at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., where
several members of his family of the generation which
preceded him had been educated, and was graduated
with honor in July, 1848, in a class of 50 members,
among whom were Hon. J. W. Patterson, afterward
United States Senator from New Hampshire, and
Rev. James C. Beecher, the youngest son of Dr.
Lyman Beecher.

Judge Stinson was hardly 22 years of age when he
finished his educational career, and he availed him-
self of the first- opportunity which presented for
activity and became a teacher in an academy at
Thetford, Vt., whence he went after a brief time to
the office of Hon. J. D. Willard, of Troy, N. Y., with
whom as a preceptor and in whose office relations he
enjoyed exceptional advantages. He was admitted
to the Bar at Albany, N. Y., in December, 1850.

In 1851 he came to Kendall Co., 111., where he
operated about five years as a farmer, removing in
1856 to Sandwich, in De Kalb County, where he has
since practiced his profession.

His marriage to Mary C. Bull took place June 7,
1 85 2, in the city of New York, and they are the par-
ents of one son and three daughters. Mary A., born
July 26, 1855, is the wife of Charles H. Adams, M.
D., of Marseilles, 111.; Hester B., born April 14, 1857,
and Frances J., born Oct. 8, 1860, are next in order
of birth. Charles L., born Aug. 22, 1862, married
Mary E. Jones and is in business at Marseilles
Lizzie, born March 2r, 1853, died April 19, 1858
Mrs. Stinson was born at Easton, Washington Co.,

DE KALB COUNTY.

N. Y., Feb. 17, 1833, and is the daughter of Isaac
and Hester (Kittell) Bull. She is of mixed descent,
being of English lineage on the father's side, and
Holland Dutch in the maternal line.

In his profession Judge Stinson is a judicious and
safe counselor, is thoroughly read in jurisprudence,
and since his establishment of his business in De
Kalb County his prosperous practice is sufficient
evidence of the general estimate in which he is held.
As a citizen he is favorably known in the interest and
consideration he never fails to bestow on matters per-
taining to the well-being of the people of whom he is
one, and he has discharged all his obligations in local
official, educational and religious matters in the
method which has characterized his career. He has
officiated several years as President of the Board of
Education, and as City Attorney of Sandwich, and in
1861 represented Kane and De Kalb Counties in the
State Constitutional Convention at Springfield, in
which capacity he performed efficient service. He
served about three years as Assistant United States
Revenue^Assessor for the same counties. In July,
1882, he was appointed by the Governor to fill the
residue of an unexpired term as County Judge of
De Kalb County, a vacancy having occurred by the
resignation of Hon. G. S. Robinson. In November
following he was elected to the same office for a full
term of four years. He was compelled by ill health
to resign the Judge'ship in February, 1883, to the
great regret of the people who had an abiding belief
in his fitness and competency for the position. He
has acted undeviatingly with the Republican party
from the outset of his political career, and is an
earnest adherent of the principles and issues of that
party. Judge Stinson is one of the original mem-
bers of the Congregational Church at Sandwich, and
has been for many years a Deacon and Trustee in
the Society. Pie has cherished his interest in edu-
cational matters from the days of his early strug-
gles to obtain what he considered a degree of
knowledge sufficient to enable him to undertake his
share of the world's work understandingly. The
cost and effort necessary to the accomplishment of
his collegiate course, with the gratification conse-
quent upon a comprehensive, classical and scientific
education, has kept alive his tastes in those direc-
tions, and he has maintained his reading of Greek
and Latin far beyond the custom of busy profes-
sional men who have not passed their lives in

teaching. He has also acquired a considerable ac-^i 1
quaintance with several modern languages. In
addition, he has kept pace with the world of lit-
erature, and, from his powers of criticism and as-
similation, has a fund of useful and profitable
information, which renders him a valuable accessory
to social circles.

The portrait of Judge Stinson is given on a pre-
ceding page. His inflexibility in the conduct of his
professional business, his spotless private life, the
character of the services he has rendered in his
several official capacities, will secure for the picture
a hearty welcome from the entire patronage of the ,
DE KALB COUNTY ALBUM, which would be signally *
incomplete without it. The photograph from which
it was copied was taken in 1882.

ohn M. Schoonmaker, resident at Field-
ng, is a farmer by vocation and an extens-
ve buyer and shipper of stock. He was i=i
born in Hannibal Township, Oswego Co., N. 5x
Y., Aug. 16, 1827. John Schoonmaker, his En
father, was born in Flatbush, Kings Co., on -jv
Long Island. He went thence to Oswego County,
where he was married to Julia Farnham, and was a
resident of-that county until his removal to De Kalb
County in 1845. He then located at Hicks Mills in
the township of Franklin, where he resided principally
until his death, which took place in October, 1874,
when he was 77 years of age. He was a blacksmith
by occupation. The mother was a native of Shafts-
bury, Bennington Co., Vt., and was of pure English
extraction, tracing her lineage to the earliest settle-
ment of the colonies. She was born about 1797 and '
died about 1849, in Franklin Township. The chil-
dren were four in number and included three daugh-
ters and a son.

Mr. Schoonmaker came to Illinois with his parents
when he was 18 years of age. He was married
Sept. 6, 1848, in Monroe Township, Ogle Co., 111., to
Nancy, daughter of John and Mary (Grill) Miller.
They became the parents of five children. Alice is
the wife of C. F. Meyer, a farmer of Franklin Town-
ship. Elnora married B. A. Patten' and resides at
Silver Lake, Kan. George married Florence Ellis
and lives on the Schoonmaker homestead, section 32,

^^ -I

ind is completing a course of study at Aurora, 111.
J^ Sylvester was born Sept. 27, 1859, and died March
10, 1862. Mrs. Schoonmaker was born Jan. 23,
1828, in Steuben Township, Oneida Co., N. Y., and
when 1 8 years of age came with her parents to Ogle
Co., 111. She is the ninth of twelve children.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker
settled on a farm of 160 acres located on section 32,
which they purchased from the Government. They
wrere remote from the other settlers of the township,
ind the broad acres of their farm had never known
the plow. The homestead now contains 250 acres,
* is in the best possible condition for successful farm-
ing and is increased in value and appearance by
most excellent farm buildings and a splendid resi-
dence.

In 1879, Mr. Schoonmaker purchased a pleasant
home in Fielding, whither he removed and has since
engaged in the business stated.

He entered the army of the United States during
^ the Rebellion, enlisting Aug. 7, 1862, in the io5th
= Reg. 111. Vol. Inf., and went to the field under the
;y| command of Col. Dustin, of Sycamore. He was in
i=* action in the engagements at Resaca, Ringgold,
'^ Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta and in many others of
^greater or less importance. Thirty days after his
enrollment he was made Sergeant of his Company,
and acted in that capacity until his transfer at Ma-
rietta, Ga., to an official position in the logth U. S.
Regiment of colored troops. He brought the organ-
ization to Louisville, Ky., where he was commis-
sioned First Lieutenant, and the command was con-
f nected with the Army of the James. In October,
864, Lieutenant Schoonmaker received orders from
I General Sheridan to put his men in line of battle, as
the rebel General Early was threatening to occupy
Martinsburg, which movement was succeeded Oct.
19 by " Sheridan's Ride " from Westchester to Cedar
Creek, resulting in the destruction of the army of
General Early. He was also in the engagements at
1 Petersburg, which terminated in the surrender of
General Lee, his troops doing effective service in the
the skirmish line. After the collapse of the Rebellion
his regiment was sent to Texas in the corps of Gen-
eral Sheridan, where it was in service until the year
following/ Mr. Schoonmaker was discharged March
12, 1866, at Louisville, Ky. During his absence

from home his efficient wife conducted the affairs of
the farm, to which she gave her personal oversight
and aid. They are zealous and effective members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. S.
has been Steward and Class-leader eight years.

He is a Republican and has been Trustee of his
township several years and Assessor two terms.

arrison Mackey, farmer, section n, May-
field Township, is a native of the Empire
State. His parents, Levi and Rebecca
(Scott) Mackey, natives also of that State,
passed their entire lives there. He was of
German ancestry, and died about 1858, and
she, of American parentage, died in June, 1838.
They had eight children, John, Julia A., Griffin,
Gilman, Harriet, Harrison, Thorn M. and Mary J.

The subject of this sketch was born in Ulster Co.,
N. Y., April 22, 1813, and when 15 years of age he
left home and proceeded to Orange Co., N. Y., for
the purpose of learning the blacksmith trade, in
which he was apprenticed for nearly four years.
Next he followed his trade nearly a year in New
Jersey, then, in succession, he spent several months
in his native county, in business for himself in
Orange County again for six years, and in the spring
of 1839 he emigrated to this county and settled in
Mayfield Township, where he has ever since resided,
spending portions of three years, however, in Orange
County. He is now the possessor of more than 500
acres of land in Mayfield and Sycamore Townships.
He is now occupying part of his land, keeping 30 to
40 head of cattle, 12 head of horses, and fattens
yearly 25 to 50 head of hogs.

Mr. Mackey has held many local offices and is one
of the leading pioneers of De Kalb County, coming
here before the land was surveyed. About the year
1855 an effort was made to establish in Mayfield
Township a postoffice to be known as " Mayfield,"
with Mr. M. as Postmaster ; but within a year the
office was discontinued, as the circumstances were
found not to justify its establishment. Politically,
Mr. Mackey is identified with the Democratic party.
He was first married in Orange Co., N. Y., about
1834, to Mary Hall, a native of Sullivan Co., N. Y.
By this marriage there were three children, Mary

DE KALB COUNTY.

343

R., Eliza J. and Julia A. The last mentioned died
April 8, 1869. Mrs. M. died in Mayfield Township,
Jan. 22, 1856, and Mr. Mackey was again married,
in York State, June 18, 1857, to Mrs. Eliza (Bond)
Westlake, widow of Benjamin Westlake, who died
in Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1853. By her former
marriage there have b.een seven children, David B.,
Milton G., Hannah E., Mary A., Charlotte W., John
O. and Morris H. Milton G. died when nearly 21
years of age. Mrs. Mackey was born in Orange Co.,
N. Y., Dec. i, 1811. By the present marriage there
are no children.

organ Losee, retired farmer, resident on
section 20, Franklin Township, was born
Dec. 14, 1811, in the township of Ghent,
Columbia Co., N. Y. His father, David
Losee, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., was a
farmer in Columbia Co., N. Y., for a time, and
married Mariam Griffin, who was born in Dutchess
County. They settled in Saratoga County in 1820,.
locating about seven miles from the celebrated min-
eral springs. There the mother died when she was
80 years of age. David Losee came later in life to
reside with his son, but returned to Saratoga County
and died there at 88 years of age.

Morgan was about eight years of age when he ac-
companied his parents to Saratoga County, and he was
there educated in the elementary English branches.
He was also married there to Hannah E. Forbes,
who was born Oct. 15, t8ii, and died in Niagara
County Dec. 22, 1837, leaving an infant daughter,
Hannah E., who is now the wife of Nelson Dela-
vergne. (See sketch.) Mr. Losee was a second time
married in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 4,
1841, to Phebe A. Buck. She was born Oct. 10,
1820, and is the daughter of Ransom D. and Betsey
(Baker) Buck, who were natives of Vermont. The
former was born May 15, 1795, and died Jan. 16,
1830. The latter was born Nov. 22, 1800, and died
Nov. 22,1845. They settled in Oxford, Ont., after
their marriage. Later they went to Allegany Co.,
N. Y., where the father died when the daughter was
10 years old, and on that event transpiring she went
to Vermont and was cared for by her maternal grand-
parents until the second marriage of her mother to

J. B. Noble, with whom she resided until her own
marriage. The mother died in Wyoming Co., N. Y.,
in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Losee came West in 1842,
and first located in Rockford, remaining there but a
few months and removing thence to sections 19 and
20 in the township of Franklin, De Kalb County.
They secured 160 acres of land, half of , which was
located on each of the sections named, and the fam-
ily residence was erected on section 20. At the time
Mr. Losee made the claim the land was all in an
unimproved condition. It has all been placed under ^

the best improvements, and is a valuable and desira-
ble place. Mr. Losee and his wife have retired from
active life, and are enjoying the fruits of years of ex-
ertion and frugality in the society of their daughter
and her family. Mr. L. is a Republican, and holds
to decided religious sentiments, although not a mem-
ber of any denominational body. He and his wife
are the parents of three children. Ransom B., born
June 14, 1842, is an engineer on the Illinois Central
Railroad and resides in Amboy, Lee County. Lyons
E. was born July i, 1845. He is a farmer in Doug-
lass Township, Bremer Co., Iowa. Ophelia E. mar-
ried Frank Sharp, a farmer in Gove Co., Kan. She
was born Nov. 18, 1849.

ohn Lloyd, farmer, section 27, South Grove
Township, was born May 9, 1827, in Pem-
broke'shire, South Wales, and is the son of
John Lloyd. His father was superintendent
in a colliery, and died in his native country,
about 1868. His mother, Theodocia (Davis)
Lloyd, died in Wales, leaving two children. Thomas,
the elder son, was a farmer and died in his native
land in 1876.

Mr. Lloyd is the only living representative of his
family, and remained in Wales until 1852. He ob-
tained a good education, and at the age of 17 years
he began to work as a carpenter under a manager,
spending three years in his apprenticeship, and work-
ing as a builder at home until his emigration to the
United States. He landed at the port of New York,
and soon after came West, making his first stop in
Kane Co., 111., where he followed his trade six yes
In 1858 he came to De Kalb County and purchased
80 acres of land on section 22, in the same township,
^^^. D^^@.

& ,

DE KALB COUNTY.

.2)

where he has since been a resident. He sold his
first purchase, and bought 330 acres on which he has
since resided. His farm is of great value, supplied
with buildings of superior character, and well stocked.
Mr. Lloyd is a Republican in political opinion, and
has held the minor offices of the township.

He was married July 24, 1850, in Wales, to Cath-
erine Jones, a native of that country. Her father
was a man of ability and integrity, and held a re-
sponsible position as cashier in a colliery. Of the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, ten children have been
born, six of whom are living. Anna was married
Sept. 20, 1872, to Stephen Worden, a farmer of South
Grove. Henrietta was married in 1881, to William
Adee, also a farmer in South Grove Township.
Bertha is the wife of Benjamin Worden. Edith
Phina and Myrta are the names of the younger chil-
dren. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are communicants in the
Established Church of England.

i|f^ffi|iipple A. Harrington, member of the mer-
Jlpyi^lL cantile firm of Gardner & Harrington,
? Ijij^ir) doing business at Kirkland, was born
O* *E&&. Noy ^ 1844, in Franklin Township, and is
the son of Sidney P. and Polly (Hicks) Har-
rington, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this
volume. Mr. Harrington obtained his primary edu-
cation in the district schools and studied afterwards
at Beloit College, Wis. Later on he went to Rock-
ford, where he was graduated in the commercial de-
j partment of the schools of that city.

On completing his education, associated with his
brother-in-law, E. Gardner, now of Rochelle, III., he
established a trade in agricultural implements at
Cherry Valley, Boone Co., 111. After operating one
year they exchanged their relations in that enterprise
for wild land in Chickasaw Co., Iowa.

Mr. Harrington was married Jan 20, 1871, in Bel-
videre, Boone Co., 111., to Lucy L. Griggs. She was
born March 22, 1852, in the township of Flora, Boone
County, and is the daughter of Calvin and Hannah
Griggs. Her parents were farmers in New England
and removed thence to Boone County, where they
were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers, lo-
cating there in 1836. The father died in Flora
Township, Dec. 21, 1883, aged 68 years. The

(c!\

mother resides with her daughter in Floyd Co., Iowa. -*
Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have had four children, v ?
Emery E., May W., Clarence E. and George. The i. ',
latter died in infancy.

Soon after the event of his marriage, Mr. Harring-
ton removed to his farm in Iowa and devoted him-
self to its improvement, placing 240 acres under
cultivation, and remaining thereon resident until
1881. In the fall of that year he returned to Illinois
and again embarked in business at Kirkland, with E.
H. Gardner. In 1883 he sold one-half his farm in
Iowa, and purchased property in the village of Kirk-
land. With his wife, he belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward. Politic-
ally he is a Republican.

illiam T. Adee, general farmer, section 15,
South Grove Township, was born July 27,
1824, in Delaware Co., N. Y. His par-
ents, Jonathan and Jane (Thompson) Adee,
were farmers all their lives and trained their
children to the same calling. Their son was
reared at home until he was 18 years of age, and ac-
quired a good education at the common schools. His
parents removed to the State of Illinois in the fall of
1843, and his father bought a claim of 160 acres of
land on section 1 4 of the township of De Kalb. The
death of the father occurred on the homestead in the
fall of 1873, when he was 75 years of age. The
mother's demise took place seven weeks later. She
was 7 1 years old. Mr. Adee, senior, was one of the
most respected and honorable citizens of the county
where he was a pioneer citizen and resided more
than 30 years. Of their 12 children, eight are now
living. All were residents of De Kalb County until
recently, when one of them removed to Winnebago
County, same State.

Mr. Adee of this sketch is the oldest child, and
when he was 22 years of age purchased 40 acres in
an unbroken portion of the township, with the inten-
tion of carving out an independent career. He soon
increased his possessions on section 15 to 184 acres,
and also owns 160 acres on section 1 6, besides 10
acres of timber land belonging originally to the
homestead place. His entire acreage is under the
best type of modern improvements, his buildings are
^ ^Si^^

^5<X^ :. '\ *

of excellent and suitable character and the proprietor
is justly ranked among the leading and solid farmers
of this section of the State. He conducts general
farming and ships a considerable number of fatted
stock annually.

He was married Jan. 5, 1854, to Margaret, daugh-
ter of Richard and Hannah (Cronk) Becker. Their
children were born in the following order : William
R. (a farmer in South Grove Township), John, George
and Frank. They are well educated and promising
young men. 'Mrs. Adee was born Aug. 7, 1835, in
Delaware Co., N. Y., and was for a time a teacher in
her native State. She came with her parents, who
were pioneers of Illinois, when she was 17 years of
age, to De Kalb County, where she again engaged in
teaching until her marriage. Her father died in 1881,
leaving a good record as an upright citizen and hon-.
orable man. The mother resides with her son, John
T. Becker.

Mr. Adee is a Republican of the most decided and
reliable character. He has been and still is Town-
ship Treasurer, and has also been Supervisor and
Collector, and officiated. in other local official posi-
tions. Mr. and Mrs. Adee are both professors of
religion.

^amuel H. Stiles, retired farmer, resident at
Genoa, was born Jan. 5, 1829, in Ontario
Co., N. Y., and is the son of Epaphroditus
and Roxanna (Lincoln) Stiles. After their
marriage his parents settled in Onondaga Co.,
N. Y., removing thence to Ontario County in
the same State, where the father died about 1834.
The mother became a resident of De Kalb County,
and died in Michigan while on a visit to her daugh-
ter in that State. They had seven children, Har-
riet, John W., Maria, Eliza, Mary J., Emmeline and
Samuel H.

Mr. Stiles obtained a common-school education,
and continued under the authority of his parents
until he was of age. On arriving at the period of
his independent manhood he went to California, via
Cuba, New Orleans and Texas, through New Mexi-
co, and across the Rocky Mountains, reaching San
Francisco after ten months and five days' travel. He

arrived in the "City of the Golden Gate" Feb. 14,
1 85 1 , and had spent 40 days on the ocean on board
an old Italian brig. His first meal in California
consisted of a loaf of bread, for which he gave one
dollar, and it was the most acceptable food he ever
ate. He returned to the State of New York after an
experience of six months' duration in the mines of
California, making his journey back via the isthmus
of Panama. On finding himself once more on his
native soil, he engaged in farming in Ontario County,
and continued in that occupation there until his re-
moval to Illinois, when he located in Kingston, De
Kalb County. In the spring following he obtained
possession of four yoke of oxen and went to Iowa
for the purpose of taking up land and establishing a
permanent home. He and his wife made their
journey all the way in a " prairie schooner," camping
out nights and sleeping in their wagon. Mr. Stiles
located a claim of about 300 acres of land in Wright
Co., Iowa. In the summer following he returned to
the State of New York, and while passing through
Grundy Co., Iowa, on his return eastward, he bought
another tract of choice land, containing 300 acres.
In the next autumn he went back to Iowa, traveling
to Chicago on the lakes. He exchanged the prop-
erty he had purchased in Grundy County for a farm
in Ontario Co., N. Y., and through the succeeding
winter resided in Delaware County in the Hawk-Eye
State, passing the time in hunting, and making there-
by five dollars a day. During the spring ensuing he
decided to return to the State of his birth, but was
there only a few months when he was summoned to
Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., by the death of his brother.
He determined to settle in De Kalb Co., and became
by purchase the proprietor of 275 acres of land in
the township of Kingston. He was its occupant 15
years, when he sold the property and bought another
in the same township, comprising half a section of
land. On this he settled and resided until Decem-
ber, 1 884, at which time he removed to the village of
Genoa, where he had erected a fine house for a resi-
dence for his years of retirement from active life.
He is the proprietor of 340 acres of finely improved
land.

The marriage of Mr. Stiles to Charlotte Sherratt
occurred Nov. 19, 1849, in Ontario Co., N. Y. Mrs.
Stiles is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Scant-
ling) Sherratt, and was born Dec. 2, 1822, in Yates
Co., N. Y. Her parents were natives respectively of
r~^ Xn.-dMXfflr' ^ia,;

England and America, and died in Yates County.
They had five children, Mary A., Sarah E., Joel F.,

1" Charlotte and William R. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles have
no children.

(SJ Mr. Stiles is a Republican in political views and
connections, and he has held numerous official posi-
tions, and enjoys largely the esteem and respect of
the generation and community of which he has been
a part. He and his estimable wife are very appro-
priately selected as representatives of the highest
9 class of citizens whose portraits should appear in this
volume ; and they are accordingly given, accompany-
^ ing the above sketch.

^Ltephen G. Rowen, retired farmer, resident
at Kirkland, Franklin Township, was born
Sept. 24, 1820, in Batavia, Genesee Co.,
N. Y. He is the son of William H. and Betsy
(Gorham) Rowen, and the biographical notice
of their lives appears elsewhere in this volume.
He was the oldest of their children, nine in number,
comprising eight sons and a daughter. He was
brought up at home to the age of 17 years, attending
school and working on his father's farm. At that age
he was apprenticed to his uncle, James Rowen, to
learn the trade of blacksmith. He remained under
his charge a year, and during the year following
worked with another uncle, John Rowen, after which
he spent a year in receiving instructions from a third
uncle, Robert Rowen, all three being in the same
^ line of business. After acquiring a thorough knowl-
A edge of the trade he purchased a stand in his native
township and did an extensive business for some time.
In 1842 he came West with his father, the family
coming through the entire distance with teams. His
father located at Janesville, while he settled at Ra-
cine, Wis., where he worked a year at his trade and
came then to De Kalb Co., 111., whither his father
had preceded him a few months earlier, and had
made a purchase of land in Franklin Township.

Mr. Rowen found employment as a blacksmith and
also became a farmer. He continued his joint oper-
ations until 1857, when he exchanged his property
for his father's homestead, which he still retains. He
has engaged to a considerable extent in traffic in real
.estate, and now owns 310 acres of land, all under

svVgai&B zstoff 1 ^ ^k

C^X^V^vg^

good improvement, which is managed by his son.
About the date of the transfer of his property, he re-
linquished his business as a blacksmith and devoted
his attention to farming exclusively.

Mr. Rowen has taken a sincere interest in political
affairs, local as well as general. He cast his first
Presidential vote for Harrison, and except in 1844,
when he voted for Polk, he has supported a straight
Republican ticket. He has officiated two years as
Supervisor, two as Road Commissioner, and the ex-
tent of his services as Assessor covers a period of 20 ^
years, the longest term served by any man in that
position in De Kalb County. He has discharged the }
obligations of other minor offices, and has been Post-
master at Kirkland 10 years.

Mr. Rowen was married July n, 1847, in Alabama
Township, Genesee Co., N. Y., to Emmeline Baker.
She was born Jan. 21, 1821, in Pompey Township,
Onondaga Co., N. Y., and was the daughter of
Nathan and Mahala (Shattuck) Baker. The mother
died a few years after her marriage, and the father,
after this second matrimonial alliance, came to Mich-
igan and settled near Battle Creek, where he died in
advanced age. Mrs. Rowen was brought up and edu-
cated in the State of which she was a native and
she was a teacher for some time previous to her mar-
riage. She died June 1 1, 1883, leaving five children.
Frank S. is a resident of Van Horn, Iowa, where he
is conducting a hotel in the interests of the St. Paul
Railroad Company. Fred B. is a resident on section
36, of Franklin Township. Fremont resides on his
father's homestead. Harley is a general merchant
in Kirkland. Emma is officiating as her father's
housekeeper.

.lisha A. Kirk, Supervisor of Franklin Town-
ship (1885), is a resident at Kirkland and
engaged in the sale of drugs. He is the
son of W. T. and Loisa (Riddle) Kirk (see ^
sketch), and was born in Franklin Township,
Feb. 3, 1845. He passed the years of his
minority on his father's farm, and obtained a fair
common-school education, completing his course of
study at Wheaton College in Du Page County, in
1866. Returning from school, he engaged in farm-
ing in Franklin Township, in which he was occupied
A

DE KALB COUNTY.

until the fall of 1876, the date of his removal to
Kirkland, and of his embarking in his present busi-
ness enterprise. He retains the ownership of his
farm in Franklin Township, which is under excellent
improvements and supplied with a fair type of farm
buildings.

He was married Dec. 22, 1873, in Wheaton, Du
Page County, to Lovina M. Howard, and three chil-
dren have been born to them, Gracie M., Alien H.
and William C. Mrs. Kirk was born March 5, 1849,
in Du Page Co., 111., and is the daughter of C. K.
W. and Mary (Stowe) Howard. Her father was born
in the State of Vermont and came thence to Du Page
County, where he is yet a resident. The mother
died some years ago in Wheaton. Mrs. Kirk was
educated at the collegiate institute in her native
place. Mr. Kirk is a radical Republican, and is a
member of the Board of Trustees of Kirkland.

eorge H. Hill, farmer, section 21, Kingston
Township, was born May 20, 1810, in
Rensselaer Co , N. Y. He received a fair
English education in the place of his nativity
and obtained a thorough knowledge of saddlery
and harness-making. He worked with his
father until he was 21 years old, and subsequently
was employed in various places in the same business
until 1835, passing the last two years in Oneida Co.,
N. Y. In the early spring of the year named he
came to Illinois and located a claim in what is now
Kingston Township, De Kalb County, which included
1 60 acres of land. Mr. Hill is one of the earliest
settlers of the county, coming prior to the survey,
completed in 1837. Mr. Hill came from Chicago to
Du Page County with a team, and, leaving his horses
and family there, he walked to the point where he
located his claim, and erected a shanty for shelter
for his family and household appurtenances. Hav-
ing made ready*, he went with an ox team to Chicago,
where he had left his effects, and on his return
through Du Page County stopped for his family. In-
dians were abundant but seldom troublesome, al-
though they were addicted to petty thieving, and on
one occasion stole Mrs. Hill's thimble.

Mr. Hill's land included both prairie and timber,
and Mr. Hill, whose pioneer life was brightened by

the society of his wife and one child, began the task
of constructing a home, placing his house on the
edge of the timber tract. Within the first year the
little house was destroyed by fire, and the inmates
lost everything but the clothing they wore at the
time. The cabin was rebuilt upon the former site,
and the family resided there three years. The home
was removed at the end of that period to the site
now occupied by the modern residence, which re-
placed the pioneer log cabin in 1848. The latter
house is entirely the work of his own hands, as his
means and opportunities precluded his hiring assist-
ance at that time.

He has been one of the foremost in the official
affairs of De Kalb County since he has been one of
its citizens. He was appointed in 1835 one of a
committee of five to settle disputed titles to claims,
De Kalb County being at that date a part of La Salle
County. He was made Justice of the Peace at an
early date and held the office many years. He was
first Treasurer and Assessor of De Kalb County after
its separation from Kane County, and he held the
position of County Commissioner four years. In
1848 he was a member of the Second Constitutional
Convention, which assembled at Springfield that
year. At that time the office of County Commissioner
was abolished and a township organization adopted.
Mr. Hill was appointed one of the Associate County
Judges and discharged the responsibilities of the
office four years. In 1854 he was elected County
Judge to succeed Hon. E. L. Mayo, of Sycamore, and
was the incumbent of the position eight years, being
succeeded therein by Daniel B. James, of Sycamore.
He has officiated five years as Supervisor of Kings-
ton and as Treasurer of that municipality exactly 30
years. He has been and still is one of the promi-
nent and leading citizens of the county, and has
always been an important factor in its general devel-
opment and well-being.

Joseph and Mercy (Mortimer) Hill, the parents of
Mr. Hill, were natives of Connecticut and were pio-
neer settlers of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., where they
passed most of their lives, and where the mother
died. The father came late in life to Kingston, and
died at the home of his son.

Mr. Hill was married Sept 15, 1833, in Columbia
Co., N. Y., to Sarah B. Wallace. The record of the
children born of this union is as follows : Ophelia
was bom Oct. 18, 1834, in Oneida Co., N. Y., and

KALB COUNTY.

J f the wife of W. P. L. Russell, of Lee Co., 111. Will-
iam W. was born Oct. 23, 1836, in De Kalb County,
and lives on the homestead where he was born.
Anna E., wife of L. J. Bliss, of Kansas, was born

(&j Aug. 22, 1838. Mary A., born Nov. 18, 1840, mar-
ried John Heckman, of Kansas. Sarah J., born Aug.
22, 1842, is the wife of A. H. Clark, of Kingston
Township. James J. was born March 14, 1844, and
died June r, 1861. Geo. H., Jr., was born Dec. 25,
1846, and died March 12, 1853. Mrs. Hill is the
fifth child of James and Betsey B. (Stacey) Wallace,
and was born April 13, 1812, in New Lebanon, Co-
lumbia Co., N. Y. Her parents were natives of Con-
necticut and located after marriage in the last
mentioned place, where the death of her father oc-
curred in 1834. Several years subsequent to that
event his widow came to De Kalb County with her
children and died in Genoa.

;braham D. Graves, farmer and stockman,
section 30, Franklin Township, was born in
the town of Guilford, Piscataquis Co., Maine,
April 25, 1826! His father, Nathaniel Graves,
was born in i8or, near Scituate, Mass., and is
still living, in Green Co., Iowa. He is of
mixed Scotch and English extraction, and of New
England parentage. He was a farmer and came
West in 1845, making a location in De Kalb County,
before its township organization. About 1874 he be-
came a resident of Iowa. Anna J. (Young) Graves,
the mother, was born Dec. i, 1803, in Lewiston,
Maine. She was the child of a clergyman, who fol-
lowed that calling during the last 20 years of his life
in his native State. The mother of Mr. Graves died
at Wall Lake, Iowa, Aug. 10, 1882, being nearly 79
years of age. She was the mother of four sons and
five daughters. One of the former and two of the
latter are deceased (1885). Mr. Graves is the oldest
child; Andrew died at Guilford, Me.; Julia- L. lives
in Green Co., Iowa; J. H. resides at Wall Lake,
Iowa.; Augusta A. is a resident at Marysville, Kan.;
Elvira J. died in infancy, at Parkman, Me.; Vesta
A. lives at Creston, Ogle Co,, 111.; Hannah died at
Wall Lake, Iowa; N. Frank is a resident at West-
moreland, Kan.

Mr. Graves was under the supervision of his par-
^g^ Q.

ents in his native State, where he attended the public
schools until 18 years of age, when he entered the
village academy at Foxcroft, Me. The next year his
father came West and settled in a section now in-
cluded in Ogle County, and situated contiguous to
De Kalb County, before the organization of the latter
into townships. He became a teacher during the
winter seasons, having charge of schools in De Kalb
and Boone Counties 13 successive winters. During
the summers intervening he engaged vigorously in
breaking up prairie, several hundred acres lying
within Ogle and De Kalb Counties being first placed
in tillable condition by him.

Mr. Graves was married April 13, 1850, in Frank-
lin Township to Salina L. Churchill. The parents
of Mrs. Graves, Oliver and Pantha L. (Andrews)
Churchill, were natives of Vermont and of New
England ancestry. They removed to Cattaraugus
County in the State of New York, where the daughter
was born, May 3, r83r. She was 12 years of age
when, in 1844, she accompanied her parents to De
Kalb County, where they were among the earliest of
the pioneer settlers in Franklin Township. Her
father became an extensive land-holder, and re-
mained a resident of the township during the re-
mainder pf his life, a period of nearly 40 years, and
died in September, 1882. Her mother was killed
July 4, 1850, by a stroke of lightning. Mr. and Mrs.
Graves have been the parents of eight children. Eva
S. was born Jan. 7, 1852, and was married April 6,
1870, to Milton D. Patten, a farmer of South Grove
Township. Pantha L. was born Oct. T2, 1854, and
died Sept. 6, 1855. Fred was born July 7, 1856, and
was married Feb. 21, 1883, to Jennie Wallace. He
is a practicing physician at Rockford, 111. He was
graduated at Bennett Medical College in Chicago, in
1881. Charles S. was born Jan. 18, 1862, and is a
student at Evanston College, where he is pursuing a
course of classical study preparatory to the study of
law. He was a graduate of ihe High School at
Sycamore in 1882. Nathaniel A., born July 5, 1864,
is a student at Bennett Medical College. Amos
C. was born Feb. 10, 1867 ; Bertie E. was born Aug.
27, 1872; John, born Jan. 12, 1875, died March 13,

Mr. and Mrs. Graves have been residents of
Franklin Township during their entire married lives
with the exception of a single year. The homestead
includes 160 acres of excellent land in a high state]

~ "^ -4m@/

DE KALB COUNTY.

of cultivation. Mr. Graves is a Republican of a de-
cided type, and has officiated in the several local
positions of importance in his township. He has
been Assessor, and has served seven years as Town-
ship Clerk, and has discharged the duties of Treas-
urer 15 years. He is a Steward of the Methodist
Church society, of which he and his wife have long
been members.

["ames R. Graham, farmer, residing on sec-
tion 1 1 , Mayfield Township, is a son of
Robert and Louisa (Parker) Graham, the
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter
of New York. They were married and settled
in Kentucky, whence they moved to this State
in 1835. They remained at Ottawa, La Salle Coun-
ty, this State, during the winter of that year, and in
the spring of 1836 came to this county and settled
in Mayfield Township. His father followed farming
as a vocation in the township mentioned until his
death, which event occurred March 7, 1860. Two
children were born of their union, namely, Sarah
Elizabeth and James R. The former died in 1860,
aged 30 years.

James R. Graham is the only surviving child of
his father's family, and was born in Campbell Co.,
Ky., Dec. i, 1832. He was but three years of age
when his parents came to this county, and resided
with them in Mayfield Township until his father's
death. His years of minority were passed on the
farm and attending the common schools. On the
death of his father he became owner of the old
homestead by inheritance. It consists of 200 acres
of land on sections n and 14, Mayfield Township,
most of which is in a good tillable condition. Mr.
Graham is considered one of the progressive fanners
of his township. He keeps about 45 head of cattle
and six horses, and fattens from 30 to 50 head of
hogs yearly.

Politically he is a Republican, and has held the
office of Highway Commissioner and School Di-
rector.

Mr. Graham has been twice married. His first
wife was a Miss Mary E. Loossey, and their union
occurred in Campbell Co., Ky., Jan. 24, 1856. She
was a daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Richardson)

Loossey, parents of six children, namely : Mary E.,
Lucinda, Nancy, William, James and Lydia. Mary
E.', wife of Mr. Graham, was born in Kentucky in
1839, and was the mother of one child, Mary E.,
only issue of their union. She is now the wife of
Winfield Divine, resident of Sycamore. Mrs. Gra-
ham died in Mayfield Township, Feb. 28, 1857, and
Mr. Graham was again married, in Kingston Town-
ship, Jan. 12, 1858, to Miss Nancy Stilwell. She
was a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Barrackman)
Stilwell, natives of Kentucky, in which State they
r.esided until their death. They were the parents of
eight children, namely : Mary A., John W., William,
Eliza, Catherine J., Nancy, Robert and James.

Nancy Graham was born in Campbell Co., Ky.,
Nov. 23, 1830, and is the mother of six children by
Mr. G. They were born as follows : Lorenzo, Rob-
ert, Charles W., Carrie B., Jennie A. and William H.,
and are all living except Lorenzo, who died in in-
fancy.

.ugh McQueen, farmer, section 29, South (@>
Grove Township, was born July 29, 1829, =rt
in the Scottish Lowlands, at a place about ^
12 miles from Ayr, where Robert Burns was
born. His father died when he was between

I three and four years old, and when 10 years old
he was thrown upon his own resources for self-main-
tenance. He received a fair education through the
aid of his friends and the energetic application of his
own energies, and he operated as a farm laborer in
his own country, being thus engaged until his mar-
riage.

He was married June 7, 1847, in Ayrshire, to Jane
McKenzie. She was born June 25, 1827, and is the
daughter of John and Ellen (Key) McKenzie. Mr.
and Mrs. McQueen have had 10 children, three of
whom are deceased. Those who are living are John,
Hugh, Jr., Mary, Ellen (2d), Frank, Jane and Will-
iam A. Ellen is the wife of Fred Vodden, a farmer
of South Grove Township. Jane, Elizabeth and
Ellen are the names of those who are not living.

After his marriage Mr. McQueen engaged in the
brick and tile trade in his native country, and was
interested in that business about 20 years. In
August, 1867, he came to America with his family
and landed at the port of New York. After a very

\--\.A

DE KALB COUNTY.

brief delay they proceeded to De Kalb County, where
r^ the parents of Mrs. McQueen had settled some years

JH bef re -

In 1871 Mr. McQueen purchased 160 acres of
land, and he has increased his estate by later addi-
tions until he is now the proprietor of 480 acres of
land, situated at three different points. He is specially
engaged in raising Short-Horn and Durham cattle,
and is ranked among the leading operators in that
line in the county. Formerly he, bred the Berkshire

. swine to a considerable extent, but is now giving his'
-ttention to. raising swine of the Poland variety.
Mr. McQueen is an ardent Republican in politics,

\ and with his wife is a member of the Scotch Presby-
terian Church. The parents of Mrs. McQueen are
deceased.

'ohn N. McDowell, farmer, section 25,
Franklin Township, was born in the same
township in De Kalb County, on section
12, Oct. 1 8, 1840. His parents, John and
Martha (Biddle) McDowell, were born respect-
ively in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Both
came to De Kalb County in early life and were mar-
ried here. They have since resided on a farm in
Franklin Township, where the son was born. Both
are still living, at the ages of 72 and 66 years.

Mr.. McDowell was brought up at home, attended
the common schools in boyhood and in youth went
to the seminary at Wheaton, Du Page Co., 111. At
the age of 21 years he began his independent ex-
istence as a farmer on a piece of land deeded to him
by his father. This he afterwards sold, and in 1864
purchased 90 acres in another part of the same
township, on which he had a brief residence, and
went thence to South Grove Township, settling on
160 acres of land on section n, on which he resided
eight years. He returned afterward to his native
township, and later proceeded to Missouri, whence he
came back two years afterward to his former home.
He has since resided on 180 acres of land situated
near Kirkland village, owned by his mother and aunt.
He is a Democrat in political principles.

He was married in Flora Township, Boone Co.,
111., to Evaline Newton, who became his wife Marcli
28, 1861. She was born June 20, 1844, in the State

of New York, and is the daughter of William and
Margaret (Tuttle) Newton. Her parents were farm-
ers and natives of New York. She came with her
parents to Boone Co., 111., when a child of four years,
and there acquired a district-school education. Mr.
and Mrs. McDowell have had nine children, Adel-
bert, William, Clayton, Fred, Porter, Paul, Edgar
and Ivan (twins) and John.

heodore D. Driscoll, farmer, section n,
South Grove Township, was born April 5,
1 838, on the farm on which he now resides.
His parents, William and Margaret (Losier)
Driscoll, were the first settlers in South Grove
Township. They were born respectively in
Ohio and Pennsylvania. They made a homestead
claim of 150 acres of land in 1836, previous to the
Government survey, and it was the first claim made
in the township by permanent settlers. Their expe-
riences were the same as those so often repeated,
no neighbors, supplies obtainable only from remote
points, the nearest mill being at Ottawa, 50 miles
distant, where they were obliged to make their way
with an ox team. The family included eight chil-
dren.

Mr. Driscoll was the seventh child, and was only
three years of age when the death of his father oc-
curred. He continued to live with his mother until
he was of age, and obtained a practical common-
school education. In 1859 he became the proprietor
of the homestead, and has had charge of the com-
fort and welfare of his mother since he was qualified
by age and circumstances foi> the duty. ' He is the
owner at present of 430 acres, all under cultivation,
supplied with a good residence and one of the larg-
est and most convenient barns in De Kalb County.
Mr. Driscoll is skilled in the rearing of stock and
annually fattens a large number of cattle and hogs
for market. He is a loyal and zealous Republican,
any has held various local township offices.

He was married Jan. 6, 1876, to Harriet A. Tin-
dall, and they have four children, Jesse, Elizabeth
J., Harriet L. and Arthur. Jesse and Mary (Barber)
Tindall, the parents of Mrs. Driscoll, were natives of
New Jersey and New York, and came to this county
about 1842. She was born in South Grove Town-

DE KALB COUNTY.

ship Jan. 21, 1843. She was reared in this county
and was well educated, becoming a teacher and fol-
lowing that profession until her marriage.

Mr. Driscoll was the first white child born in the
township ; his wife was born at an early period in its
history.

\ ilham Carpenter, farmer, section 16, May-
field Township, is a son of John and
Joanna Carpenter, natives of New York
and Massachusetts. They were the parents
of 1 1 children, namely: John, Elizabeth,

f ' Delinda, Harriet, Ira, Mary, William, Elias,
Charles, Joanna and Alexander.

William Carpenter, subject of this biographical
notice, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., March 26,
1813. His father was a blacksmith, which trade
William learned and followed, contributing his earn-
ings toward the support of the family until 23 years
of age. On account of his father's limited means and
large family to support, William was unable to take
advantage of the opportunities afforded by the com-
mon schools, and received only such education as a
determined mind could acquire from home study and
parental assistance.

He worked at his trade, after leaving home, for
about a year and a half in his native State, and then
went to Portage Co., Ohio, where he continued to
follow his trade until 1848.

In the fall of the latter year, Mr. C. came to this
county, traveling the entire distance with a team of
horses and occupying 17 days. He was accom-
panied by his wife and two children, and on his ar-
rival here purchased 80 acres of school lands on
section 16, Mayffeld Township, on which he settled
and at present resides. He now has 86 acres, all of
which is in a good tillable condition.

Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage, Feb. 12,
1835, in Delaware Co., N. Y., to Miss Clarissa C.
Whitely. Four years later, in 1839, his wife died,
and Jan. 12, 1840, in Portage Co., Ohio, he was a
second time married to Miss Mary S. Frost. She is
a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Slocum) Frost,
natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut respect-
ively. They came to this county in 1851, and after
residing here about three years removed to Iowa,
irhere, in Floyd County, July 21, 1865, her fa

\&fc **^ @

died. Her mother then returned to this county and
died in Mayfield Township, Feb. 23, 1870. They
were the parents of 10 children, namely, John S.,
Eliza W., Mary S., Levi, Jr., Laura G., Amos B., Delia
P., Oliver D., James M. and Edmond E.

Mrs. Carpenter was born in St. Lawrence Co., N.
Y., March 26, 1814. She was the mother of two
children by Mr. Carpenter, namely, Mary C., born
Nov. 2, 1840, and William D., born Nov. 3, 1843.
Mrs. C. died in Portage Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1843, and
Mr. Carpenter was a third time married Jan. i, 1844,
in Portage County. The lady of his choice was Miss
Laura G. Frost, a sister of his former wife. She was
born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., April 12, 1818.

Politically, Mr. Carpenter is a Republican. He
has held the office of School Director and Commis-
sioner of Highways.

"ohn Hatch, farmer, section 21, De Kalb
Township, was born May 15, 1817, in Ot-
sego Co., N. Y., and is the son of Sylvanus
id Edith (Gardner) Hatch, who were also
born in the Empire State. They removed to
Jefferson County when their son was two years
of age, and he passed his life in that county, chiefly
engaged in teaming, until his removal to Aurora, 111.,
in 1855. He continued to reside in Aurora and in
that vicinity until 1862, where he was engaged in
farming, when he purchased 90 acres of land in De
Kalb County, where he has since resided and con-
ducted his agricultural projects. He keeps 20 milch
cows and raises a very fine grade of horses. His
entire acreage is under advanced cultivation.

Mr. Hatch is a Republican in political preference
and has held several local official positions. His
marriage to Irena Willey took place in Jefferson Co.,
N. Y., Dec. 17, 1838; and-one child, Mary P., was
born to them Sept. 17, 1850. He has also raised five
children, which he has taken from various poor farms.
Mrs. Hatch was born Aug. 24, 1815, in Jefferson
County, and she is the daughter of Eleazer and
Wealthy (Marsh) Willey, who were both natives of
Oneida Co., N. Y.

Among the numerous portraits given in this ALBUM
way be found that of Mr. Hatch. This portrait was
defrpm a photQgrajjh taken in i!

I ,

DE KALB COUNTY.

}

eneral Everell Fletcher Dutton, Presi-
dent of the Sycamore National Bank, was
born Jan. 4, 1838, in Charlestown, N. H.,
and is the second child of William P. and
Lucinda J. (Blood) Dutton. The former was
born Oct. i, 1817, and was reared under the
New England regime for the training of farmers'
sons, common-school education and agricultural
labor. He was married in 1835 and was a farmer in
the Granite State until 1844, the date of his removal
with his family to St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., whence
he went to Dupage County, and subsequently, in
1846, to Sycamore, De Kalb County, where he was
a resident until the spring of 1857. He conducted
the affairs of the Sycamore House several years, after
which he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Morris
Walrod, and succeeded to the same incumbency
under E. P. Young and Joseph F. Glidden, during
which periods he was practically chief official. In
1854 he established a commercial business at Syca-
more, and later admitted E. H. Barnes as a partner.
Political events and national affairs generally at
the time when he reached manhood were of a charac-
ter which tended to awaken every latent principle of
patriotism and sense of justice and right that might
be slumbering within a man's consciousness. He was
a born and bred Democrat of the Jackson school,
and, true to the element with which he had drifted
up to 1856, he had accepted the issues of the party
without question. Always fearless in the expression
of his sentiments, his ardor was rewarded by his
appointment as Postmaster at Sycamore. Early in
1856 he went to Kansas, rooted and grounded in the
belief that the free-State element was the very head
and front of anarchy and treason, and confidently
anticipating that the results of his investigation of
existing conditions would redound materially to the
prestige of the Democratic party. To a man of his
temperament, the outrages he witnessed could bear
but one significance, and he returned to Sycamore a
declared free-State man. His intrepid denunciations
of the operations of the border ruffians cost him his
political head, and in consonance with his instincts he
removed his interests to Kansas, in February, 1857.
He located at Stanton (then Lykins) County, and
engaged in farming. Within a year he was elected

JL. 2a%0 o/-

the first Treasurer of his county, and served two
years. In 1859 he was a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention at Wyandotte, and was a factor in
framing the Constitution of the State. In 1861 he
was elected Sheriff of the county, the name of which
had been changed to Miami, and he removed to
Paola, where he resided until 1873. He was re-
elected Sheriff in 1863. He was conspicuous in
Kansas history during the war, was the leader of
the citizens whose determined attitude averted the
fate of Lawrence from Paola in 1863, and he acted
as aid to the Governor.

In 1873 he returned to Illinois and again engaged
in farming. He moved again to Paola in 1876,
where he operated for a time as a business man and
is now retired from active life. The mother of Gen.
Dutton was born Jan. 18, 1818, and died at Syca-
more June 15, 1875. Emma, the oldest child of
William P. Dutton and his wife, married Aaron K.
Stiles, now of Chicago, President of the Van De-
poele Electric Light Company, and who is extensively
interested in the manufacture of barbed wire. Charles
E. is a printer in San Franciscp, Cal. Joel W. died
at Sycamore Feb. 3, 1855, when he was n years old.

General Dutton was a lad of eight years when his
parents located at Sycamore, and during the 1 1 years
that intervened before their removal to Kansas, he
passed the time as an assistant in his father's store
and in the postoffice, meanwhile attending the com-
mon school, finishing his education by a year of study
at Mt. Morris Seminary and a similar period at Beloit
College, Wis. He went with his parents in Febru-
ary, 1857, to Kansas, where he passed nearly two
years in unremitting toil on an unbroken prairie farm,
varying his days of labor in driving four yoke of oxen
breaking the soil, by splitting rails and other work
requiring proportionate outlay of physical effort. In
the fall of 1858 he returned to Sycamore to enter
upon the duties of Deputy County Clerk, under A.
K. Stiles, and held that incumbency until April,
1861.

The seed sown in De Kalb County during the
portentious period that preceded the tangible expres-
sion of the culmination of Southern hate and fury in
Charleston Harbor, yielded spontaneous harvest
when the reverberations from the attacking guns at
Sumter swept over the prairies, freshening under the
vernal sun, and imparting hope to those who gloried
in their possibilities, and to whom the beautiful acres

K y^y^

^ -

DE KALB COUNTY.

within their ken typified their country, their whole
country. Its threatened dismemberment roused a
desire for immediate action in the breasts of hun-
dreds, and in less than a week the streets of Syca-
more were patroled by crowds of volunteers with
but a single thought, the Nation's danger, and the
necessity of intelligent preparation for duty in the
exigency that seemed imminent. It is ludicrous, but
no less true, that these self-constituted recruits for
the military service of the United States, organized
for preparation, and, in the lack of regulation arma-
ment, pressed broom-sticks and hoe-handles into ser-
vice as auxiliary to their purpose, and with these
harmless representatives of legitimate weapons they
engaged in the practice of mimic warfare. Presi-
dent Lincoln made his first call for troops April 16,
and two days later young Dutton enrolled his name,
constituting himself a member of one of the two
companies of volunteers from De Kalb County, who
anticipated the action of the Governor and held
themselves in readiness to answer a possible sum-
mons. While red tape was adjusting its kinks, the
volunteers proceeded with their preparations. One
of the chiefest honors which rests upon the members
of the two organizations that moved heaven and
earth to obtain an opportunity to lay their lives on
the shrine of a united government, is the singleness
of purpose that constituted their motive. The or-
organization to which private Dutton belonged was
designated " Company F," and was assigned to the
1 3th Illinois Regiment, going to Dixon, 111., under
the leadership of Capt. Z. B. Mayo. The comple-
tion of the organization of the company resulted in
the election of Mr. Dutton as First Lieutenant, and
he was mustered into the service of the State as the
incumbent of that position May 10, 1861. The reg-
iment was mustered into the United States service
May 24 of the same year. June 16 it was sent to
Caseyville, 111., a town near St. Louis, Mo., where it
was detailed for the surveillance of the rebel ele-
ment of that city, moving forward to Rolla, Mo.,
July 6, following.

The " 1 3th Illinois" was the first Union regiment
that crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri,
where their presence accomplished much good in
many directions. At Rolla, Aug. 13, Captain Mayo
resigned his position, and was succeeded by Lieuten-
ant Dutton. The regiment remained at Rolla until

Oct. 2g, and, in addition to the routine of military
duty, performed cavalry service, chasing guerrillas
and bushwhackers. On the day named above the
command joined the army of General Fremont at
Springfield, having marched 120 miles in four days
and doing heavy skirmish work on the way. Gen-
eral Fremont, noting the valor and discipline dis-
played, assigned the regiment to an honorable posi-
tion ; but, being removed, his command was scattered
to various points, the i3th returning to Rolla. The
influence through which Fremont was subjected to
such humiliation, or the purposes served thereby,
will ever remain an unsatisfactory mystery to the
members of his command. March 6, 1862, the reg-
iment was ordered from Rolla to support General
Curtis, and marched again to Springfield almost at
the speed of " double quick," and thence to North-
western Arkansas, joining the army of Curtis at Pea
Ridge, averaging more than 25 miles' march daily.
The command moved through Northern Arkansas,
made a feint of attacking Little Rock, and accom-
plished some lively skirmishing. It encountered the
severer hardships of war in supplies being cut off,
the men being compelled to live on parched corn
and green whortleberries for several days. The
forced march previous to and down the White River
was one of the most terrible in the history of the
the regiment. At first cold, insufficient food, inces-
sant rain and dangers from the marauders who
infested that region, made it a most dismal experi-
ence, which became misery during the close of the
march, the cold having changed to intense heat, and
there being no water save in the cypress swamps,
abounding in reptiles and filth, the wells being poi-
soned or otherwise rendered unfit for use by the
citizens as the troops approached. This expe-
rience lasted more than three months ; the regi-
ment reached Helena, Ark., July 14, with half its
numbers sick from the effects of hardship and
privation. Captain Dutton was sent home on sick
leave in August, and on the second of September,
1862, was made Major of the 105111 111. Vol. 'Inf.,
which was raised in De Kalb and Du Page Counties,
under the call " for 300,000 more." He was trans-
ferred by special order of the Secretafy of War to the
latter command Sept. 22, and, eight days after, pro-
ceeded to Louisville, Ky. Thenceforward, until the
regiment joined the army of General Rosecrans near

s! ) Bowling Green, the raw troops encountered the reali-
5^ ties of soldier life. Forced marches, guard and
(? V picket duty, skirmishes of greater or less importance,
'" * disease and privations made up the catalogue of pain-
ful variety. Nov. n, the brigade was ordered to
Q Scottsville, Ky., and on the 25th of of the same
month proceeded to Gallatin, Tenn., where it went
into winter quarters, Dec. 10, all but the " rosth,"
which moved on the nth to South Tunnel, where
the main body remained until Feb. i, 1863, and
suffered greatly from sickness. At that date it rejoined
i the brigade, which remained at Gallatin until the
close of spring. The services of Major Button dur-
ing the six months of arduous labors performed by
his regiment are specially mentioned. He had
charge of the scouts from the brigade, 250 in num-
ber, and spent days and nights in the saddle for
weeks, capturing prisoners, cotton bales, horses and
mules. June i, 1863, the regiment proceeded to
) Lavergne, and a month later to Murfreesboro, whence
> it returned to Lavergne, and on the igth of August
J\ entered -Fort Negley at Nashville, where it remained
j=i until February, 1864. Many of its officers and men
5* were detailed for special duty. Major Button was
a made a member of the Board of Examination, consti-
tuted by the Bepartment at Washington for the pur-
[ pose of assigning officers to the colored regiments,
and he discharged the duties of the position until
May, 1864. On the first day of that month the regi-
ment received marching orders for the immediate
front, and on the day following the command moved
forward to become ah actor in one of the most splen-
did movements recorded in the history of modern
warfare, and which resulted in a decisive triumph of
( the Union forces. The first time the io5th was in
active service as a regiment, was at the battle of
Resaca, when -the conduct of its members won
special mention from its superior officer, one of the
most intrepid and competent in the history of the
war ; and throughout the campaign through Georgia
and the Carolinas, their achievements were the sub-
ject of general comment. In the subsequent history
of his regiment, the several special mentions of Gen-
eral Button particularize his " gallantry and dash."
*| July 13, 1864, Colonel Bustin returned to Sycamore
on a furlough, and Major Button succeeded to the
j vacancy, remaining in command till Aug. 4. Buring
this time occurred the battle of Peach-Tree Creek
(July 20), in which the rosth was heavily engaged,

capturing the flag of the i2th Louisana regiment.
On return of the Colonel, the Major was mustered
in as Lieutenant Colonel. Soon afterward Colonel
Bustin acceded to the command of the Bivision,
and that of the io5th devolved upon his junior
officer, who discharged the duties of the position
until the close of the war.

From Atlanta the regiment marched " to the sea,"
to Savannah, thence through South Carolina and
North Carolina to Goldsboro and Raleigh, and
thence through Richmond to Washington, partici-
pating in the battles of Lawtonville, Feb. 2, 1865;
Smith's Farm, March 15, and Bentonville the igth.
At Smith's Farm, or Averysboro, the 105 th drove
the enemy from his works, capturing two 1 2-pounder
guns, which Col. Button and some of his men turned
and fired on the retreating enemy; and in token of
the regiment's gallantry at this point and in the At-
lanta campaign, Col. Button, its commander, received
from the President the appointment of Brigadier
General by brevet, his promotion dating from March
15, 1865, for "gallantry and meritorious service in
the campaign in Georgia and the Carolinas, and for
distinguished services at the battle of Smith's Farm,
N. C."

At Raleigh the army was made sad by hearing of
President Lincoln's assassination, and later joyous
by Lee's and Johnston's surrender, and then the
homeward march to Washington, where the regiment
took part in the Grand Review. General Button
was mustered out at the Capital, June 7, 1865, after
a continuous period of service of over four years and
two months.

On leaving the army, General Button returned to
Sycamore. In 1868 he was elected Clerk of the
Circuit Court, in which capacity he officiated eight
years.

In the winter of 1877, during the 3oth General
Assembly of Illinois, he served as Clerk of the House
of Representatives. He was elected Clerk of the
Supreme Court of the Northern Grand Bivision of
Illinois in 1878, and held the position until Bee. i,
1884.

In June, 1883, Gen. Button secured a large pro-
portion of the stock of the Sycamore National Bank,
and on the death of J. S. Waterman became its
President. He is also President of the Beadle
County (Bak.) National Bank. He is an extensive

DE KALB COUNTY.

operator in real estate in Iowa and Illinois, and he
owns 400 acres of improved land near Genoa, de-
voted to dairy purposes. With his father-in-law;
Harmon Paine, he owns 250 acres near Cortland,
which is also a dairy farm. In Iowa and Minnesota
he is the proprietor of about 4,000 acres of chiefly
wild land.

General Dutton was married Dec. 31, 1863, at
Sycamore, to Rosa A. Paine. She was born in
Herkimer Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Harmon
and Clarinda (Van Horn) Paine. The children of
this marriage are George E., born May 8, 1866, and
William P., born April 25. 1872. Harmon Paine
was born July 25, 1822, at German Flats, Herkimer
Co., N. Y. His wife was born in Springfield, N. Y.,
Feb. 26, 1824. Their marriage occurred Jan. 13,
1842, and they have three children living, Rosa A.
Button, Ida D. Boynton and W. Burt Paine. The
family removed to Sycamore in 1853, where the
father became proprietor of the hotel property now
known as " Ward's Hotel." It passed from Mr.
Paine's ownership in 1869, since which date he has
engaged in farming, associated with his son.

fames H. Woods, a farmer of Franklin
Township, located on section 29, was born
in Frederick Township, Washington Co.,
Pa., May 19, 1847. William Woods, his father,
was a farmer and a native of Pennsylvania,
and was of English descent. His mother,
Amelia C. Gapen, was a native of the same State and
of English lineage. They had five children, of
whom James is the third in order of birth. He was
eight years of age when his parents became residents
of Franklin Township. His father died there, on
the home farm, Jan. 15, 1859. The death of his
mother occurred Aug. i, 1863. The home estate was
divided among the children after the deaths of the
parents, and James finally purchased the whole es-
tate, which included 160 acres. He had lived at
home without intermission until the demise of both
father and mother. The farm is now in an advanced
condition of improvement, with good farm buildings.
Mr. Woods was married Jan. i, 1868, in Belvidere,
Boone Co., 111., to Marilla Shannon. She was born
Dec. 4, 1847, > n tne township of Spring in Boone Co.,
111., and is the daughter of Robert and Jane A.

(Main) Shannon. Her parents were natives of the
State of New York and were of New England an-
cestry. Her father was a farmer by birth and in-
heritance, and came to Boone Co., 111., in 1845, where
he was a pioneer settler in the township of Spring.
They are now living in Flora Township in the same
county.

Mr. and Mrs. Woods have two children Clarence
H., born Aug. 26, 1876, and Bertha A., born June
23, 1884.

Mr. Woods is a supporter of the principles of the
Republican element in politics.

arcus W. Cole, of the hardware firm of
Heckman & Cole, Kingston, was born
Feb. 8, 1836, in Lockport, Niagara Co.,
N. Y. His parents, Washington and Har-
riet (Stiles) Cole, were natives of the State of
New York, and located in 1858 in Kingston
Township, on section 4, where they have since lived.
Alma B., Maria M., John A. and Walter L. are the
names of the brothers and sisters of Mr. Cole, who
are all younger than he. His father came with his
family to Clark Co., 111., in 1837, and he continued
a resident at home until he was 20 years old, when
he came to Kingston Township and became a farm
laborer, and worked two years by the month. He
next took a farm to work on shares, and operated in
that method one year. He came to Kingston Town-
ship in 1858 and engaged in farming, in which he
continued until January, 1882. In that month he
bought the hardware interest of W. Shaub, and be-
came an associate in business with Philip Heckman.
The firm have since operated with success and
profit. Mr. Cole is the owner of 180 acres of land in
Kingston Township, of which 160 is under improve-
ments.

He was united in marriage Sept. 12, 1858, at the
residence of H. H. Little, in Kingston Township, to
Anna Eliza Little. She was born in Erie Co., N. Y.,
July 24, 1840, and is the daughter of Henry and Eva
(Bingham) Little. (See sketch of H. Little.) Alice
E., born April 21, 1861, is the only child of Mr. and
Mrs. Cole. She was graduated at the High School
at Genoa, June TO, 1881.

Mr. Cole has been Constable five years. He has
officiated seven years as Tax Collector and eight

}

years as Treasurer, of which latter position he is the
present incumbent (1885). In his political faith and
connections he is a Republican. He is a member of
the Free-Will Baptist Church, and has been Clerk of
the society to which he belongs for 20 years. He
has acted six years in the capacity of Clerk of the
Fox River Quarterly Meeting. He has been an in-
fluential member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 288, at
Genoa, for 19 years. Mr. Cole is a practical printer
by trade, having obtained a complete and thorough
knowledge of the details of that business while a
residenfc of Marshall, Clark Co., 111., but has never
pursued it as a vocation. He is the local corre-
spondent of the Genoa Issue.

oyd D. Bowan, banker and real-estate
broker, resident at Kirkland, was born
March 9, 1824, in Genesee Co., N. Y.,
and is the third son of W. H. and Betsy
(Gorham) Rowan. His great- grand parents
on his father's side came from Ireland to
America, and settled in the eastern part of the State
of New York, where they reared their family and
passed their lives among the farming community, to
which they belonged. The father of Mr. Rowan left
his native State and went to Racine, Wis., where his
residence was brief, and he came to De Kalb County,
where he pre-empted a farm, and was among the
earliest of the pioneer settlers of Franklin Township.
Mr. Rowan, senior, died April 4, 1880, aged 80 years
and four months. The mother was a native of Ver-
mont, of English ancestry, and died in Franklin
Township, in 1860, aged 54 years. After her death,
her husband contracted a second marriage. She was
survived by her nine children, all of whom are still
living excepting Perry, the youngest, who was killed
at the battle of Murfreesboro, in 1862.

Mr. Rowan was 18 years -old when his parents
came with their nine children to Illinois. They were
in straitened circumstances, and the children were
early made familiar with the labors of a farm in a
new county. Mr. Rowan assisted his father in bear-
ing the burdens of his large family and reduced
means until he was 22 years of age, meanwhile pre-
empting 1 60 acres of land in Franklin Township.
He borrowed money at 20 per cent to secure his
claim, and at the end of five years, by his energies,

thrift and untiring industry, he was cleared from
debt. The difficulties in the case may be understood
from the fact that Chicago was 65 miles distant, and
was their nearest market for produce, a fact made
interesting and memorable by the lack of railroad
facilities as well as by the beauties and attraction's of
a prairie highway, which are not yet by any means
traditional. Mr. Rowan pressed his plans in agri-
cultural venture and engaged extensively in traffic in
stock, adding to his estate until he is the proprietor
of 240 acres of land, all but 40 of which lies in De
Kalb County. The remainder is situated in Ogle
County, and the entire acreage is under cultivation.
Mr. Rowan owns, besides, 480 acres in Iowa and
1 60 acres in Nebraska, also several town lots in
Kirkland. In 1882 he erected a building for the
transaction of his business as a banker, which is
characterized as the best for the purpose in De Kalb
County, being entirely fire-proof. In August, 1883,
he established the enterprise in which he became
associated with B. N. Deane, and has been conduct-
ing operations in that line with gratifying results.
He has been connected with the Republican . party
since its organization. In his religious belief he is,
in the Bible sense, an " infidel." Mr. Rowan's mar-
riage to Mary L. Thomas took place March 4, 1847.
She was born May i, 1826, in Genesee Co., N. Y.,
and is the daughter of R. B. and Eliza Thomas.
Her parents came to Illinois when she was 12 years
of age, first settling in Winnebago County. She was
20 years old when they removed to De Kalb County,
where, soon after, she was married. The father died
in Boone Co., 111. A brother of Mrs. Rowan died in
Kingston Township, of consumption. Henry, an-
other brother, is married and a resident on the family
homestead. Mrs. Rowan is the second child of her
parents. Mr. Rowan and wife have made nine trips
to California to spend the winter, and his wife is there
this (the tenth) winter.

eorge J. Dettmer, farmer, section 1 9, South
Grove Township, was born Feb. 26, 1847,
in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and is the
i of William and Willmina (Alberding) Dett-
mer. When he was between three and four
years old his parents emigrated to America
d settled for a time in the State of New York,

^3^

DE KALB COUNTY.

coming thence to De Kalb County in 1858 and set-
tled on section 20, South Grove Township. The
mother died in 1872, aged about 62 years. The
father resides with his son and is 77 years of age.
They became the parents of six children, five of
whom are now living, and are residents of South
Grove Township.

Mr. Dettmer is the fourth child in order of birth,
and in 1870 became a land-holder by the purchase
of 240 acres of land. He is an agriculturist of some-
what extensive relations, all his own tract of land
being under improvement, and being also the man-
ager of the homestead property, still owned by his
father. He is also dealing largely in stock. Mr.
Dettmer is a Republican of the true ring, and has
been active in several local offices.

He was married March 8, 1880, in Fielding, Ogle
Co., 111., to Amanda Koch. She was born Sept. 4.
1855, in Ogle County, of German parentage, descen-
dants from some of the early settlers of Pennsylvania,
and now living in Ogle County. Mr. and Mrs.
Dettmer have one child, William E., born March

arvey A. Jones, attorney, senior member of
the law firm of Jones & Bishop, at Syca-
more, was born on Grand Prairie, near La-
fayette, Ind., Oct. 17, 1837, where his parents
had settled among the first of the early pioneers
of the Wabash Valley. His father, David Jones,
who was an energetic man and prominent farmer,
was born near Morganstown, Monongahela County,
West Virginia, Feb. 18, 1798. His mother, Mary
(Owens) Jones, of Welsh and Scotch-Irish extraction,
was born July 19, 1802, near the city of Savannah, Ga.
Amanda (Mrs. Morehouse), their first-born child, is
now deceased. John M. C. went to California in
1848 during the first days of the mining excitement
in the Golden State, arriving at Yreka, where he
made a permanent location, became Sheriff of Siski-
you County, and died Aug. 12, 1882, aged 52 years.
Abel is a mine operator in Oregon. James O. was
graduated in the Law Department of the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and is a farmer of Grand
Prairie, Ind., engaging semi-occasionally in the prac-
tice of his profession. Deborah (Mrs. Hill) is de-
ceased. Lewis is a farmer in the vicinity of Chilli-

cothe, Mo. Levi M. is a prominent citizen and at-
torney of Fort Wayne, Ind., and is also engaged in real-
estate brokerage, and has platted and built a valuable
addition to the city. David C., deceased, was a
graduate in the Law Department of the University
of Michigan, and figured prominently in local poli-
tics in Tippecanoe Co., Ind.; Asa F. is a popular
physician and a resident on the family homestead on
Grand Prairie, Ind.

Mr. Jones of this sketch is the seventh child of
his parents. He followed the labors of the farm dur-
ing the summer and attended school winters until he
was 17 years of age, when he became a student at
Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind., and pursued
his studies at that institution in 1854-5. He was
then lame from necrosis affecting the knee. He was
often compelled to climb to the fifth floor on one leg
and cane. He went thence to Lombard University,
Galesburg, 111., continuing his educational course
there until February 1861. In the .spring following
he went to Missouri and engaged in teaching, in
which he was occupied through the summer and fall,
when the contingencies of civil war necessitated a
change of base.

Coming North to Illinois, he became a student of
law in the office of Hon. A. M. Harrington, of Ge-
neva, under whose supervision he read for his pro-
fession two years. In 1863 he entered the Law De-
partment of the University of Michigan, where he was
graduated in the spring of 1865.

Coming to Sycamore soon after, he formed a part-
nership with Hon. Daniel B. James, County Judge.
Their business relations terminated in 1869. Mr.
Jones conducted the affairs of his office singly until
1880, when he entered into his present connection
with Charles A. Bishop, who had prepared for his
profession as attorney under his senior's instructions.
They are conducting a business which places them
in the foremost rank in the legal fraternity of De
Kalb County, a condition which is largely the out-
growth of the repute earned by Mr. Jones in his un-
remitting attention to the responsibilities and func-
tions of his profession for nearly a score of years,
during which he has maintained his office at the
same location in Sycamore, No. i, George's Block, on
State Street. Mr. Jones is a practitioner in the
State and Federal Courts and has been and is con-
nected with some of the most important cases asso-
ciated with the history of the section of which De

DE KALB COUNTY.

Kalb County forms a part, and it can be truly said
that he is equally at home in the office and as an
advocate at the Bar. In political affiliation he has
been an ardent and active Republican, and aided
materially in the formation and organization of the
party in Indiana and Iowa, where he operated as a
stump speaker, and did valiant service, although
laboring under the disadvantage of youth, being but
1 8 years of age. He has been prominent in the
ranks of temperance and has striven to accomplish
all possible things in that direction by connecting
himself with and laboring in the furtherance of the
Order of Good Templars, and latterly has favored
the advancement of the prohibition element. He
has also aided as he might by occasional contribu-
tions to the press. He is a student as well as a law-
yer, and his studies have by no means been confined
to the narrow limits of the law, but have taken a
comparatively wide range in theology and general
literature, in which last he has been greatly assisted
and encouraged by his wife, whose natural love for
literature has made her home a place of study.

The family patronymic is of Welsh origin, and the
lineage is distinct from three brothers, James, David
and Enoch Jones, who came to this country just pre-
vious to the War of the Revolution. James was a phy-
sician and surgeon in the Colonial Army during the
struggle for independence. The second was a Cal-
vinistic Methodist clergyman, a graduate of theTra-
vena College, founded by Lady Huntingdon. It
is supposed that the third was a farmer. They
located on the Welsh tract near Wilmington,
Del. Daniel Jones, the grandfather of Mr. Jones of
this sketch, was born on that tract April 10, 1754,
and married Mary Alston, who was born Nov. n,
1770, in Philadelphia. Her parents were Joseph and
Mary (Berry) Alston, and her father was a merchant
in Philadelphia. He conducted extensive com-
mercial interests and was the owner of several mer-
chantmen in the trade between the Continental
ports and those of this country. He was English
by birth, and had brothers in the British Army; yet,
sympathizing with the colonies and still being loyal to
his native land, he determined to take no part in the
then impending conflict, and accordingly 'sought a
residence in the West Indies, where he died. Daniel
and Mary Jones became the parents of 13 children,
Enoch, Susan, James A., John, Lewis, David, James
jd), Abel, Levi, Mary, Alston, Margaret and Isaiah

David Jones died Nov. u, 1849, near Lafayette,
Ind. His wife, a most estimable wife and mother,
died June 28, 1865.

Harvey A. Jones was married Feb. 28, 1861, to
Sarah Dudley Perkins, who was born Oct. 14, 1838, in
Charleston, now St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., and is
the daughter of Otho W. and Nancy K. Perkins. Her
father was born June 16, 1807, in Grafton Co., N.
H., and died in Kane Co., 111., Sept. 13, 1870. He
was a settler in that county in 1835, in its early
period of development, and became prominently
identified with its progress. His wife, Nancy (Kelley)
Perkins, was born July 3, 1808, in Belknap Co., N.
H., and died June 30, 1863. Two sons were born to
them, Jonathan D., May 21, 1840, and Otho W.,
Jr., April 21, 1842: both are deceased. Mrs. Jones
is the oldest and only surviving child. She was edu-
cated at the convent of St. Agatha of the Lake, in
Chicago, and completed her studies at Lombard
University at Galesburg, 111., where she was a student
four years. She is a lady of superior attainments, is
well versed in current and classical literature, and
has written considerably for the press.

Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, but
two survive. Dudley Kelley, born May 5, 1862, died
on the day of birth. Mary Fuller was born May 10,
1863; Owen Dudley, born .Nov. 21, 1865, died Jan.
22, 1867 ; Anna K. was born Feb. 10, 1869 ; Harvey
Alston, Jr., born October 28, 1871, died April n,
1880. Sarah Dudley, born June 24, 1873, died July
15 following. David Dudley, born July 24, 1874, died
April 5, 1880. The deaths of two promising and
beautiful sons occurred within the same week, of
malignant diphtheria. The oldest surviving daugh-
ter, Mary Fuller, was married on Thanksgiving Day,
Nov. 28, 1884, to Elmer Jerome Baker, of the pub-
lishing house of Baker, Collings & Co., Chicago, and
editor and publisher of the Farm Implement. She
is a graduate of the High School at Sycamore, was
a pupil one year at the Musical Conservatory at Fort
Wayne, Ind., and was a student two years at Vassar
College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Since Mr. Jones came to Sycamore and identified
himself with its Bar and with its society, he has been
a prominent factor in both. When some of the traits
of his mind are studied, and notice is taken of the
persistence, energy and care with which he prose-
cutes his profession, coupled with the added power
:-x^_Ti^ ^Ai/syXj

>E KALB COUNTY.

given by his well-stored mind, both of legal and
general knowledge, and his ability to present his
arguments in a forcible manner, we have the solution
of his unusual success at the Bar. Unlike most col-
lege graduates, he -has continued his studies, with
even a growing interest, since he left the college hall.
The hour of midnight often finds him poring over
some valuable book, more with the desire to inform
his mind than for entertainment. As a gentleman,
worthy as a representative of his profession, as well
as a citizen of De Kalb County, we place Mr. Jones
portrait in this volume. It is engraved from a pho-
tograph taken in 1884.

illiam H. Townsend, a farmer on section
n, of May field Township, is a native of
the same township. His father, Stephen
Townsend, was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y.,
June 30, 1807, and his mother, Ann (Den-
man) Townsend, was born in the same county
15, 1809. They came to this county in 1840,
settling in Mayfield Township, where he died March
25, 1883. She is still living on the old homestead.
They had six children, Amos W., Nancy D., Ellen,
Kate A., William H. and Hattie E.

Mr. Townsend, of this sketch, was born March 16,
1847, and was married in Mayfield Township Oct.
12, 1871, to Lorena Sherwood. Her father, C. W.
Sherwood, was born Feb. 9, 1830, in the State of
New York, whence he moved to Whiteside Co., 111.,
when he was 15 years of age. He was married to
Mary Landis, Nov. n, 1849, who was a native of
Union Co., Ind., and was born Jan. 9, 1828. They
moved to De Kalb County from Carroll County,
where they had been residents for about two years.
He was a minister of the Christian Church, which
calling he followed for 22 years. He died in Cerro
GordoCo., Iowa, July 7, 1878, where he had been
living about one week. They were the parents of
seven children. Lorena, Henry M., Fanny E., Sarah
J., William F., Emma and Edward. Mrs. Townsend
was born in Whiteside Co., 111., Aug. 10, 1850. The
children in her family now are Hattie B., born July
17, 1872; R. Clyde, born Aug. 10, 1873, and died
vhen three months old; Winnifred, born March 12,
1875 ; Floyd S., born July 28, 1882, and an infant.

Mr. Townsend has held the office of Township
Treasurer ten years, and is the present incumbent of
that office. He has also been Township Clerk eight
years, Road Commissioner, School Director, etc. He
is a Republican in political matters, and in religion \t.
both himself and wife belong to the Christian Church.

S. Joiner is a farmer on section 26,
Mayfield Township. His parents, Syl-
vanus and Beulah (Smith) Joiner, natives
of Vermont, first settled in Wolcott, Wayne
Co., N. Y., then in Pike, Allegany Co., same
State. In 1842 they came and settled in
Mayfield Township, this county, where they spent
the remainder of their days. She died Sept. 16,
1863, and he Dec. 30, 1866. They had nine chil-
dren, Alta, Andrew, Cyrus S., Osgood C., Corinna,
Henry J., Daniel P., Floretta and Hudson H.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wolcott,
Wayne Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1813, and when 16
years old he went to Pike, Allegany Co., N. Y. In
1837 he came to De Kalb Co., 111., with his wife,
and settled where he still lives, one of the oldest
pioneers in the county. His landed estate he has
increased from 107 to 147 acres, 130 of which is in
good cultivation. In politics he is a Republican,
and has held the office of Road Commissioner.

Mr. Joiner was married in Chautauqua Co., N. Y.,
April 24, 1836, to Miss Eltnina, daughter of Jonathan
and Lois (Battles) Lyon, who were natives of Ver-
mont and came to De Kalb County in 1837, settling
in De Kalb Township, where they resided until their
death; she died in February, 1839, and he in April,
1860. Their children were Elmina, George W. and
Alta. Mrs. J. was born in Naples, Ontario Co., N.
Y., Oct. 3, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Joiner are the par-
ents of six children, Oscar F., Francisco H., Helen
L., Orlando A., Flora M. and Alta E. Oscar F. was
born in De Kalb Township, April 2, 1838, and mar-
ried Sylvia Patridge. She was born in Allegany Co.,
N. Y. They are the parents of two children,^Carrie
E. and Burt, who now reside at Independence, Kan.
Francisco H. was born Jan. 23, 1840, and died Sept.
1 6, 1847. Helen L. was born Oct. 27, 1843, and
died Feb. 8, 1848. Orlando A. was born July 27,
1849, in Mayfield Township. He married Miss
Laura Esther Camp. She is the daughter of Frank-

m t JSIS\jy A;

COUNTY.

lin and Eliza B. (Dow) Camp, natives of New Hamp-
shire. She was bom June 4, 1851, in Mayfield
Township. They are the parents of three children,
Arthur D., born Oct. 22, 1873 ; Leon A., born
June 24, 1876; and Elmer F., born June 29, 1881.
They are residing on the homestead with the parents
of Mr. J. Flora M. was born Feb. 27, 1849, and is
the wife of E. P. Smith. She. was married Jan. 6,
1870. They have one child, Albert P., and re-
side in Mayfield Township. Alta E. was born
March 19, 1852, and died May 30, 1858.

dward Barringer, farmer, section 25,
Franklin Township, was born March 30,
1828, six miles from the city of Troy, N.
Y., in Rensselaer County, and is the son of
Martin and Mary A. (Ives) Barringer, born and
J bred farmers in the Empire State. When the
son was six years old his parents removed to Genesee
County, in the State of New York, coming thence in
1844 to Franklin Township, where they resumed
their accustomed vocation, becoming landholders.
The mother died at Belvidere June 27, 1877; th-i
father died in Florida, in November, 1880.

Mr. Barringer was married at Belvidere, June 5,
1856, to Maryette Rote. She was born Jan. 12,
1831, in Lycoming Co., Pa. Her father, Rev. Daniel
Rote (see sketch of Francis Rote on another page of
this work), descended from Holland ancestry, was a
minister in the Keystone State for many yea'rs and
followed the same calling after his removal to De
Kalb County in 1846. He died in Franklin Town-
ship in 1864. The mother, Mary (Kitchen) Rote,
was born in Vermont and died in 1865, aged 77
years. The father was 73 years old when his de-
mise occurred. Mrs. Barringer was 15 years of age
when she accompanied her parents to the State of
Illinois. Her children are three in number. Carrie
is a medical practitioner at Alden, McHenry Co.,
III.; Emma is the wife of S. P. Crosby, who is manag-
ing the Barringer homestead ; and Carrie A., who
died when 18 years old.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Barringer set-
tled on 80 acres located on section 25 of Franklin
Township. The homestead property includes 240
acres, all under good cultivation, with fine farm

buildings. The place is a good sample of the rapid
development possible in a prairie State under the
impetus of energy and judgment.

Mr. Barringer is a staunch and active Republican.
He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife
belongs to the denomination known as "Christians."

enry M. Thomas, farmer, section 30, Kings-
ton Township, was born Sept. 8, 1830, in
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and is the son of
R. B. and Eliza C. (Tuttle) Thomas, the former
a native of New York, the latter of Massachu-
setts. They had three children, of whom Mr.
Thomas is the youngest. He was about nine years
of age when his parents removed their family to
Ogle Co., 111., and they removed thence to De Kalb
County six years later, settling in Kingston Town-
ship. Mr. Thomas engaged in farming, which he
has since pursued, and he is the owner of 200 acres
of land, nearly all of which is, improved. During
the course of the Civil War he was drafted, but sup-
plied a substitute, to whom he paid $808.

Mr. Thomas was married Dec. 23, 1855, in Chi-
sago Co., Minn., to Mary Ring, and their four chil-
dren were born as follows: R. B., Aug. 7, 1864;
Eliza B., Aug. 23, 1866; Cornelius T., born May 2,
1858, died Sept. 5 of the same year; and Minnie L.,
born April 21, 1863, died May 26, 1879. Mrs.
Thomas is the daughter of Cornelius and Ellen
Ring, and was born March 22, 1837, in Erie Co.,
Pa. Her parents were born in Ireland. They re-
moved in her childhood to Peru, 111., where her
father died, and later her widowed mother went to
Minnesota. Mr. Thomas is an uncompromising Re-
publican.

artin L. Ives, resident of Kirkland, was
born -n Troy, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1834. His
parents, Jacob and Louisa (Quacken-
bush) Ives, belonged to the farming com-
munity in the State of New York, and were 1 f
residents of Genesee County, where the mother ^
died in 1838. In 1848, the father came to Franklin )
Township with two young children, Martin and
daughter. They settled on 40 acres of land pur-

DE KALB COUNTY.

chased by the father. His death in March, 1849,
deprived the little ones of a father's care and left
them wholly orphaned. They were therefore placed
in charge of a sister, who had removed to the same
township two years previous. Mr. Ives remained
with her some time and obtained a fair degree of
schooling. When he was old enough he became a
farm laborer, and was employed at various points
until his marriage, Dec. i, 1861, to Eliza C., daugh-
ter of Leonard and Margaret W. (Dibble) Aurner.

{ Her parents were natives respectively of Pennsylva-
nia and New York, and were of German and Scotch

descent. Their marriage took place in Michigan,
and they settled in Illinois in 1837. Mrs. Ives was
born July 12, 1839, on her father's homestead, and
was reared and educated in the same township.
When she was 17 years of age she became a teach-
er, and pursued that calling as a vocation until her

\ marriage. She is the mother of two childreh. Ada
M. was married Feb. 7, 1882, to John G. McKee, a

. native of Pennsylvania. They have one child,

i Roy I. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Ives is

J named William G.

* Mr. Ives purchased 120 acres of land in Kingston

? Township, situated on section 30, on which the fam-
ily lived and were engaged in the pursuits common
/I to agriculture until 1884. In that year they removed
to Kirkland and purchased village property, on
which they established their home for their declining
years. Mr. Ives is the proprietor of a valuable farm,
comprising 280 acres in Kingston Township. In his
political faith he is an uncompromising Republican,
and has held the position of School Director 21
JF years, besides occupying the incumbency of nearly
& \ every other township office. Mrs. Ives has been an
active and useful member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church since she was 14 years of age, and has
officiated as Superintendent of the .Sunday-school in
the village of Kirkland for the last three years.

*--

-S 5-<

fames L. Clark, clergyman and farmer, sec-
tion 10, Mayfield Township, is a son of
Nathaniel and Mary A. (Flemming) Clark,
natives of the North of Ireland. They were
married and resided in that country until the
spring of 1838, when they emigrated to the
United States, locating at Pittsburg, Pa. In the fall

of 1842 they came to this State and for 21 years,
until 1863, they were residents of La Salle County.
In the spring of the latter year they removed to
Somonauk, this county, and after a residence there
of 14 years, until 1877, they removed to Mayfield
Township, where they are at present residing. Their
family comprised seven children, three of whom are
yet living, namely: James I., William and John D.;
Margaret and Eva died at the age of 10 years each;
two died in infancy.

James L., the eldest son, and subject of this no-
tice, was born in Ireland, Jan. i, 1837. The follow-
ing spring his parents emigrated to the United
States, and James remained under the parental roof-
tree, assisting his father and attending the com-
mon schools until he had attained the age of 16
years. On arriving at that age he entered Wheaton
College, at Wheaton, Du Page County, this State,
and was there engaged in prosecuting his studies,
a portion of five years, assisting his father during
the summer seasons on the farm.

After leaving Wheaton College, Mr. Clark engaged
in teaching, which profession he followed for a period
of nine years, meeting with unqualified success.

Abandoning the profession of a teacher, he assist-
ed an Elder of the Wesleyan Methodist Church
on his circuit, and in the fall of 1867 came to May-
field Township, this county, and engaged in preach-
ing the faith of that Church, being ordained in
the fall of 1868. He was attached to the Rock
River Circuit, of the Illinois Conference, and for
three years followed his profession on that circuit.
He was President of the Conference six years, and
Secretary three years. From there he went to Boone
County, this State, at which place he was engaged
in the ministry for anothen three years, converting
many to the faith he preached.

From Boone County he returned to Sycamore,
this county, and was in charge of the Wesleyan
Methodist Church of that city for three years. He
then moved on his farm of 160 acres, on section 10,
Mayfield Township, where he is at present residing.
Rev. Clark has not abandoned the ministry, although
he follows the vocation of a farmer, and preaches in
the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Mayfield and
also ^t Sycamore. His farm of 160 acres has about
100 acres under cultivation.

Rev. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Martha

I*
/

j i

~yv ^17 >iw

DE KALB COUNTY.

Henderson, in Harding, La Salle Co., this State, April
5, 1860. She is a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth
E. (Powell) Henderson, natives of Kentucky and
North Carolina respectively. They were married
and settled in Brownsville, Haywood Co., Tenn.
Her father was so strongly an advocate and lecturer
on anti-slavery that he concluded the climate of
Tennessee was "unhealthy" for one entertaining those
views, and especially one who had the courage to
proclaim them, and concluded to move North. He
accordingly came to La Salle County, this State, with
his family and located on Indian Creek, that county,
in June, 1829. They were driven from that county
on account of Indian troubles, and for three years
Mr. Henderson taught school in Sangamon County,
this State, whence he had moved his family. He
then returned to his home in La Salle County, where
he resided until his death, which event occurred in
1848. They were the parents of seven children,
namely : Mary, George W., Francis, Erastus F.>
Martha, Sarah and Annetta. . ..

Mrs. Clark was born in Freedom, La Salle Co.,
this State, Sept. 17, 1841. .She is the mother of
seven children by Mr. Clark. Five of them are
living, namely: Victor I., born March 22, 1862 >
James M., born Dec. 20, 1866; John, born July 16'
1869; Mary E., born Dec. 28, 1871 ; and Arthur J.
F., born June 30, 1880. Evangeline, born Dec. 28 ;
1864, died March 4, r875 ; and one died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Clark affiliates with the Republican
party ,but is a strong temperance man, and last Novem-
ber voted with the Prohibition party. He has held
the office of Town Trustee for about two terms, and
is a respected and esteemed citizen of the county.

^amuel H. Harrington, farmer, section 32,
Franklin Township, is the son of S. P. and
Polly (Hicks) Harrington, and was born on
section 20, April 24, 1849. He passed the
years of his minority in alternate labor on his
father's farm and in attendance at the public
school. When he became of age he assumed the
management of the homestead estate. He was mar-
ried Jan. i, 1873, in Belvidere, Boone Co., IH., to
Sarah B. Blanchard. She was born in Flora Town-
ship, Boone Co., 111., and is the oldest of four chil-

dren. Her parents, Roswell and Elizabeth (Whiting)
Blanchard, were natives respectively of New York
and Maine, and came in early life to Boone County,
where they met and were married. They became
farmers in that county, and a few years later sold
their property in Flora Township, removing thence to
Genoa Township in De Kalb County, purchasing a
large farm, which they continued to conduct until
1880, the date of their settlement in the village of
Genoa. They are still resident there and aged 63
and 58 years. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have three
children Ina E., Ralph E. and Oldis I.

Mr. Harrington became proprietor of his father's
farm by purchase after his marriage. The homestead
included 160 acres, which he has increased by later
purchase to 200 acres, and the entire acreage is under
improvement. He has recently become interested in
raising Durham cattle. Politically he is a Repub-
lican, and is active and influential in the local ranks
of that element.

.iram G. Vandeburgh, farmer, section 32,
Kingston Township, has been a resident of
De Kalb County since 1847. His parents,
Cornelius and Nancy (Swartwood) Vandeburgh,
were born respectively in New Jersey and New
York. After their marriage they located in the
latter State and subsequently removed to Pennsylva-
nia, going thence to Ohio. The mother died in that
State, and the senior Vandeburgh came with his
family to De Kalb County, dying in Kingston Town-
ship, Jan. 15, 1870.

Mr. Vandeburgh is the youngest of 10 children,
and was born Aug. 4 , 1827. He obtained the limited
common-school education possible at the time when
his parents resided in Ohio, whither they removed
when he was two years of age, and he lived with
them in the Buckeye State during their residence
there, and came in 1847 with the father to De Kalb
County. He has lived since continuously in Kings-
ton Township, with the exception of four years which
he spent at Kalamazoo, Mich., engaged in carpen-
tering. In 1849 he became the proprietor of 80
acres, and now owns 180^ acres of land, which in-
cludes 20 y 2 acres in timber.

Mr. Vandeburgh was married Oct. i, 1854, in the

^\Vpr^zJ5

J* ><^ : '>.--

THE LIBRARY
3FT8E

township of Mayfield, to Caroline E. Fairclo, a native
of Illinois. She died in Kingston, Mays, 1 86 Cleav-
ing two children : Isaiah, born Aug. 28,1855; an< ^
Orilla, Sept. 14, 1860. The daughter is the wife of
C. W. Parker, of Kingston Township. Mr. V. was
again married March 4, 1865, in Mayfield Town-
ship, to Mary E., daughter of Samuel and Mary
(Tower) Knight. Her parents were born respect-
ively in the States of Maryland and Vermont. After
their marriage they settled in Illinois, and in 1845
located in De Kalb County, where they are among
the useful and substantial citizens, and among the
first settlers. They have had 10 children, and Mrs.
V. is the second in order of birth. She was born in
Columbus, Adams Co., 111., May 24, 1842. She is
the mother of one child, Lydia A., born in Kings-
ton, July 6, 1868.

Mr. V. is a Republican in political belief and con-
nections.

-* **&'*--!

form M. Severy, stockman and farmer, sec-
tion 27, Somonauk Township, was born
Nov. 4, 1829, in Oxford Co., Maine, in the
town of Dixfield. His father, Jacob Sever}',
was born Feb. 3, 1795, in Sutton, Mass., which
was also the birthplace of John's mother, Re-
becca (Stevens) Severy. She was born Feb. 1 1, 1787,
and died in Dixfield, on her birthday in 1832. Jacob
Severy was born Feb. 3, 1795, and died in Jay,
Maine, Aug. 15, 1877. They were members of the
agricultural class and had four children. One is de-
ceased. Dexter is a breeder of and dealer in Hol-
stein stock in Victor Township. Satira is not living.
Hiram is a Holstein stock-raiser in Adams Town-
ship, La Salle Co., 111.

Mr. Severy is the youngest child and is a farmer
by training and inheritance, having been brought up
to that calling. He also learned the details and art
of house and sign painting, which he pursued seven
years. In 1853 he bought 80 acres of land in Som-
onauk Township, on which he has since resided and
prosecuted his business. He has 132 acres in his
present estate. For more than a score of years he
was extensively interested in raising fine Poland-
China swine, and in 1882 he inaugurated his busi-
ness in Holstein cattle by the purchase of six thor-
oughbreds. His herd includes 14 thoroughbreds
/f>2,/ft >nU?xXi^' /"> A.

(fifteen-sixteenths) and 1 8 high grades (seven-eighths).
He has one fine registered animal, Prince of Keno-
sha, numbered 1,728 in the H. H. B. His drove ot
swine contains commonly about 125 head, and his
place has all the modern facilities for cattle breeding.
Mr. Severy was united in marriage Jan. 17, 1855,
in Lowell, Mass., by Rev. A. Brewster, to Sarah
Hubbard, and they have two children, Francis E.,
born Feb. 9, 1859, wife of Edward Martin, and resi-
dent on her father's farm; John M. was born Oct. I,
1867; two children Sarah J. and John M. (ist)
are deceased. Mrs. Severy is the daughter of Jeremiah
and Jemima (Stewart) Hubbard, and was born Oct.
23, 1829, in Wells, Maine.

ames Richards, farmer, section 19, South
Grove Township, was born Sept. 3, 1818,
at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Jacob Rich-
ards, his father, was of Welsh lineage and
New England parentage, his ancestors having
removed from that section of the United States
to the neighboring State of New York, in its pioneer
period. He married Nancy wood, who was born in
Greenfield, Saratoga County, and was a resident of
that county throughout her entire life. Her death
occurred in 1859, when she was 73 years old. The
father died in May, 1842. Their family included 10
children, of whom two are deceased.

Mr. Richards was the seventh child of his parents,
and continued under the parental roof until of age.
He was educated at the academy at Stillwater, N. Y.,
and in the year following that in which he attained
his majority he began teaching in Saratoga County,
which he made his vocation until his marriage, Sept.
20, 1849, to Lucretia Ward. The ancestral stock
from which Mrs. Richards descended was originally
Scotch. Six generations of Wards who preceded her
father were descended from three families bearing
the family name who came to this country from
Scotland, and from them the name is diffused through-
out the New World. William and Harriet (Ross)
Ward, the parents of Mrs. Richards, trace their im-
mediate descent from New England branches, some
of whose members were soldiers of the war for inde-
pendence. The father died in Worcester Co., Mass.;
the mother died in Saratoga County, in 1884, at the
age of 86 years. Mrs. Richards was born April 10,

*<& ^^^

DE KALB COUNTY.

20, in Petersham, Worcester Co., Mass. Her
father died when she was five years of age, and she
remained under the control of her mother until she
was 13 years old; when she began to fit herself for a
(c>; teacher. She commenced her labors in that line
when 1 6 years old, passing alternate seasons between
school and teaching, and afterwards in study at the
State Normal School at Albany, where she was
graduated in 1845, in the first class that graduated
at that school. Of her marriage, four children have
( been born, and three are living. Harriet W. mar-
j> ried Harry Wadey, a farmer of Lynnville Township,
i Ogle Co., 111. Their marriage occurred in 1870.
Martha A. is the wife of George Tindall, of South
Grove Township. Jessie L. married Solomon M.
Hollis, of Kane County, who is engaged in the wind-
mill business. The deceased child was a daughter
and was named Carrie C.

Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs.
Richards settled in Winnebago Co., 111., and soon
-. afterward bought a farm in Creston, which he sold
jSj later and became, in 1868, by purchase, the pro-
Jr? prietor of 93 acres, on which he has since resided, in
*2- De Kalb County. The tract is all under cultivation,
= and has excellent farm buildings.
Vr Mr. Richards is an enthusiast in politics and has
^ contributed for a number of years to the local press,
) being a candid and forcible writer. He has been
Postmaster of Deerfield Prairie since 1868, and has
other important local positions, among which are
those of Assessor and Trustee.

Among the prominent and representative citizens
of the county whose portraits we present in this book,
i we take pleasure in giving that of Mr. Richards,
x* J which was engraved from a photograph taken in 1884.

.enry T. Merrill, farmer, section 25, Frank-
lin Township, is an apiarist and manufac-
turer of cider and butter. He was born
Sept. 26, 1814, in Delaware Co., N. Y. His
father, William Merrill, was born in Connecti-
cut, and was a shoemaker by trade, and also a
tanner and currier. His marriage to Catherine Wil-
ber took place in Delaware County, where she was
born and passed her entire life, dying July 8, 1850,
it the age of 62 years. She became the mother of
S^ g-

it children. In 1838 the father came West and
died Oct. 7, of the same year, at the residence of his
daughter, Mrs. Mary Olmstead. He was 53 years
of age.

Mr. Merrill was the sixth child of his parents, and
was one of the four who survived their earliest
youth. He was brought up and educated in his native
county, obtaining a good common-school education,
which he supplemented by a course of commercial
study at the business college at Albany, N. Y.

He was married Feb. n, 1839, in Oswego Co., N.
Y., to Mrs. Catherine Merrill, daughter of John I.
and Sarah (Lucky) Burst. Her parents were mem-
bers of the agricultural class of the State of New
York, and in the maternal line were descendants
from the French Huguenots. They passed the clos-
ing years of their lives with their children at Frank-
linville, McHenry Co., 111. Mrs. Merrill was born
Oct. 9, 1815, in Schoharie Co., N. Y. She was a
pupil at school in her native county, where she lived
until her marriage to her first husband, John W.
Merrill, by whom she had two children. Sarah is
the wife of David Johnson, of Marengo, McHenry
Co., 111. She died April 6, 1867. Lewis is a farmer
and resides in Kingston Township. Of her second
marriage, five children have been born : John, Jan.
29, 1849; Sanford, Jan. 13, 1852; Maria E., March
4, 1855 ; Mary was born Dec. 6, 1842, and married
March 4, 1874, to Hiram Burchfield, and resides in
Kingston Township; Clara was born Aug. 14, 1856,
and was married Nov. 26, 1881, to Byron G. Bur-
bank, an attorney and now a professional teacher,
which is also the vocation of his wife. They are
perfecting their knowledge of the German language
at Hamburg.

In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. Merrill located in Franklin
Township, where the former established himself in
the business of a merchant, in which he had been
engaged in the State of his nativity. He erected the
first building for the exclusive purpose of mercantile
business in the township, and he was the means of
the establishment of one of the first postoffices in
the county, which was designated Lacy. He con-
tinued its official for a period of nearly 20 years, and
is the senior Postmaster in the county, as well as the
longest in office. He is the owner of 101 acres of
land, and attends to the several varieties of business
specified at the beginning of this sketch. In politi-
5? ^Sgsjsr -^f^S^v^

KALB COUNTY.

cal faith and connections he is a Republican, and
has discharged the duties of nearly every local posi-
tion in his township. The family attend -the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, of which the mother is an
earnest and active member.

hilander Murdock Alden, cashier of the
Sycamore National Bank, was born Jan. 27,
1835, in Lyme, Grafton Co., N. H. He is a
lineal descendant of the historic pair at Plym-
outh, John Alden and Priscilla Molines or
Mullens, who discussed the claims of Miles
Standish to the lady's favor, which resulted in her
question, "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?"
Joseph Alden, the second son of John and Priscilla,
was born in 1624 and became the father of six chil-
dren. His son John was born about 1669. David,
oldest son of the latter, was born in 1702, and by his
marriage eight children were born. David, second
son, was born in 1730, and became the father
of four sons and two daughters. Andrew, young-
est son, was born about 1765, and his second
son, Philander, was born in 1799, on the loth
day of November. Of the marriage of the latter
to Polly L. Murdock, six sons and a daughter were
born. P. M. Alden, of this sketch, who is the young-
est of the sons, represents the present generation, and
is the sixth in direct line of descent from his illustri-
ous ancestor, who was the last male survivor of the
Mayflower emigrants, and who signed the compact
in her cabin before landing at Plymouth Rock. We
have no record of his ancestry in England previous to
the emigration. Philander Alden died March 8,
1835, at Lyme. His wife was born Aug. 20, 1801,
and is still living at Sycamore, at the advanced age
of 83 years. Calvin Murdock, maternal grandsire of
P. M. Alden, was born Oct. 10, 1775, and died Oct.
9, 1807. His wife, Polly (nee Leonard) Murdock,
was born in 1780 and died in 1859. They were
Scotch by descent. Of the family of Philander and
Polly Alden, four children survive; George L., mer-
chant at Middleboro, Mass.; Thomas J., freight agent
at Campello, Mass.; Mary L., wife of Hon. Samuel
Alden, of Sycamore ; and Philander M., the subject
of this sketch. Martha Jane, wife of A. W. Sawyer,
of Sycamore, is a half sister.

Mr. Alden obtained a good common-school educa-

tion, and completed his studies at the High School in
his native place, coming West at the age of 20 years.
During the first year of his stay in De Kalb County,
he was occupied as a farm assistant in the township
of Mayfield. He taught school the following winter,
and in 1856 came to Sycamore, where he followed
the bent of inclination and acquired a complete
knowledge of the art of making daguerreotypes and
ambrotypes. He made a success of that line of busi-
ness until the crisis of 1857, when the stringencies of
the times wrought such a change in the faces of his
patrons as precluded their reproduction on plates or
in ordinary cameras (unless in sections) from in-
ordinate length (!), and Mr. Alden disposed of his
business. Within the sarne year he obtained the
position of Clerk in the Recorder's office at Sycamore,
under James H. Beveridge, where he officiated until
1859. In that year he entered the banking house of
the late J. -S. Waterman. He discharged the duties
of cashier and confidential clerk in that institution
until 1864, with no intermission save a period of
three months in 1861, which he passed m the mili-
tary service of the United States, as leader of the
1 3th Illinois regimental band (recruited and organized
by his efforts), with the rank of Lieutenant. In 1864
he accepted an appointment in the State Savings
Bank of Chicago, where he was employed two years.
In 1866 he became a traveling agent in the interests
of various fire insurance companies, as a general ad-
juster of losses and supervisor of agencies. In 1870 he
became assistant and acting secretary of the Lamar
Insurance Company of Chicago, a corporation of
which the Hon. Leonard Swett was President. His
connection with that body was terminated by the
great fire of October, 1871. At the earnest solicita-
tion of J. S. Waterman and others, he returned to
Sycamore and was elected to the responsible position
which he has since held in the National Bank, and
in which he is now a heavy stock-holder. Since
the death of James S. Waterman in July, 1883, Mr.
Alden, having been named in the will as one of the
executors of the estate, has borne the chief responsi-
bility in the settlement of the extensive connections
of the property, which is estimated at a value of more
than half a million dollars. He is also executor and
administrator of the estates of John S. Hunt and
John C. Waterman, deceased. The manner in which
Mr. Alden has executed the responsibilities of the
trusts devolving upon him, proves the genuineness of

DE KALB COUNTY.

his integrity and the justice of the reputation he has
earned for energy and executive ability, as well as
probity and unswerving rectitude.

Mr. Alden's general relations with the interests of
Sycamore are as extensive as those of any of its citi-
zens, and he gives considerate attention and substan-
tial aid to all schemes, religious, educational, or in
any sense conducive to the general welfare. He has
been identified with many of the manufacturing en-
terprises established at various periods at Sycamore.

On the organization of the Board of Education he
was elected a member thereof and made its Secre-
tary. He officiated in that office six years, taking a
special interest in and giving much personal attention
to matters pertaining to educational affairs. He is at
present (1885) Township Treasurer of Sycamore,
having be^n appointed his own successor in that re-
sponsible office. As a member of the Board of Mana-
gers, and as Secretary and Treasurer of the Elmwood
Cemetery Company, in which positions he has offici-
ated a number of years, he has accomplished much in
the way of improving and beautifying the grounds
connected according to the purpose for which they
are set apart. Together with other business interests
at Sycamore, he established an insurance agency,
and has since conducted extensive and successful
relations in that avenue, being at the date of this
writing assisted by his son, Fred H. Alden. He rep-
resents 14 leading home and foreign fire insurance
companies, with an aggregate capital of nearly
$100,000,000.

Mr. Alden is a member of the Congregational
Church, an officerof the society, and an active worker
in the Sunday-school. He has been Superintendent
for several years, also a prominent member of the choir,
and characteristically interested and alert in discern-
ing and promoting the welfare of the Church. The
entire family of Mr. Alden are members of the same
Church; a fact worthy of note.

The marriage of Mr. Alden to Laura J. Sawyer, of
Sycamore, took place Feb. 29, 1860. SJie is the
daughter of Alfred and Margaret Sawyer, and was
born in Massachusetts, March 13, 1843. The union
of Mr. and Mrs. Alden has been blessed by the birth
of four children. The first Henry L. died in in-
fancy. The others Susie E., Abbie W. and Frjd
H. are still joyous members of a model household,
md bless and brighten the home circle. The family
residence is on Somonauk Street. It is known as the

highest of earth's treasures, a happy home enshrin-
ing happy parents and happy children.

Mr. Alden, in his character and daily walk, is a fine
representative of the stock from which he springs.
He inherits all the traits of the best elements of
New England, which has supplied the material for
men who ha-ve constructed the West. Like his an-
cestors, he is a self-made man. He is not only tem-
perate in his habits, but he also is and has always
been a total abstainer from the use of tobacco or
liquor in any form.

orton McKeague, farmer, section 32, King-
ston Township, was born July 15, 1830, in
the county of Durham, Ont., and is the
son of William and Charlotte (McDonald)
McKeague, both of whom were born in Canada,
of Scotch ancestry. They continued to reside
in Canada after their marriage, and there passed
their entire lives, where they reared their six chil-
dren, named Norton, Diana, William, George, Helen
and Mary.

Mr. McKeague was educated in the excellent
schools of the Dominion, remaining until he was 18
years of age, receiving a thorough course of instruc-
tion in agricultural pursuits. At the age mentioned
he went to the State of New York and passed three
years in Livingston County, and subsequently re-
turned to Canada. He remained there about 18
months, and in October, 1853, he came to Kane Co.,
111. He operated there four years, and in 1857 re-
moved to De Kalb County. He purchased 85 acres
in Kingston Township, which has since been his
homestead. Five acres of his estate are in timber.
He has spent six years in Grand Traverse Co.,
Mich., where he was employed between two and
three years in a saw-mill, and at the end of that time-
he built a grist-mill, and he continued its manage-
ment more than two years.

In political faith and principles Mr. McKeague is
a Republican. He has officiated two terms as
School Director, and the same length of time as
Overseer of Highways.

He was married March 5, 1854, in Kane Co., 111.,
to Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Catherine Ault.
Her parents were born in Pennsylvania, and came

DE KALB COUNTY.

to Kane County in 1 85 1 . Two years after, they set-
tled in the township of Kingston. The mother died
March 28, 1866; the father's death occurred Nov.
17, 1868. Mrs. McKeague was born March 9, 1826,
in Lycoming Co., Pa. Of her marriage six children
have been born: William B., Dec. 27, 1854; Sam-
uel F., Aug. 24, 1856; Catherine, May 16, 1858;
Addison A., March 19, 1860; Clara, Aug. 23, 1861 ;
Myron, Dec. 23, 1864.

eorge W. Gurley, of Sandwich, is the
fifth lineal descendant from William Gur-
ley, a younger son of a Scotch earl who
ras born in Scotland in 1665, and surrepti-
:iously brought thence to America when he was
4 years of age. He was reared at Northamp-
ton, Mass., was married there and lost his life by
drowning when 22 years old. He left a son, Samuel
Gurley, who was born May 17, 1687, and died Feb.
23, 1760. He became the father of two sons and
eight daughters. Samuel (2d), the third child and
youngest son, was born June 30, 1717, married Sarah
Ward, and after her death became the husband of
Hannah Walker. Five children were born to him,
Nahum, Hannah, Lois, Zenas and Margaret. Zenas,
the youngest son, was married to L. Dimock and
afterward to E. Hovey, becoming by the second mar-
riage the father of four children, Henry, Eunice,
Lovinia and Zenas H. The last named was born in
1 80 1 and married Margaret Hickey, Sept. 18, 1825.
He died Aug. 28, 1872. To him and his wife u
children were born, four dying in infancy. Of those
who attained mature age, Samuel, Louisa and Julia
M. were married and are now deceased ; the two latter
left families. Col. John E. Gurley is also deceased.
Zenas is a resident at Pleasanton, Decatur Co.,
Iowa, and has a wife and five children. Mr. Gurley
is next in order. Edwin H., a resident of Lamoni,
Decatur Co., Iowa, has a wife and two sons,
Zenas and Edwin. The two brothers last named are
ministers. John E. was a practicing attorney at
Shullsburg, Lafayette Co., Wis., and became a
soldier for the Union. He raised and organized a
company of volunteers and was made its Captain. It
rent to the field as Co. E, 33d Wis. Vol. Inf., and
ras in active military service throughout the entire

war. He was a brave soldier and a competent
officer, and returned to Wisconsin after the termina-
tion of the conflict, with the rank of Colonel. His
long and arduous service was the cause of his death,
in April, 1868. Zenas H. Gurley, the father, was
for a number of years a clergyman, and at the
time of his death was a minister in the denomination
known as the Latter-Day Saints. He died on Buffalo
Prairie, 111.

Mr. Gurley of this- sketch was born Dec. i, 1847,
at Elizabeth, Jo Daviess Co., 111. His parents re-
moved soon after to Lafayette Co., Wis., remaining
there about ten years and locating next on a farm
near Galesburg, 111. In 1864 they settled in Ken-
dall County, two miles east of Sandwich. When he
was 15 years old, Mr. Gurley entered the High
School at Mount Carroll, 111., where he was a stu-
dent through four successive winters, passing his
spare time in working for his board and tuition and
he also sawed wood to pay for his books. When he
was 17 years of age he bought his time and engaged
in teaching, two miles east of Sandwich, in what was
then Tollman's district, where he engaged in that
profession winters, at $40 dollars per month. In the
summer of 1866 he finished his course of study at
the High School at Mount Carroll.

In the spring of 1867 he engaged as a salesman in
the store of A. B. Crofoot at Sandwich, receving for
his services $15 per month. He continued in the
position nearly two years, when he took charge of a
branch store at Piano, in the interest of the same
employer, being there six months. He went to Mex-
ico, Mo., where he was employed two years, at a
yearly salary of $800, and expenses. On the ter-
mination of that engagement he went to Wisconsin
and entered the employment of his brother in a
general mercantile establishment. The business asso-
ciate of his brother died, and Mr. Gurley settled the
estate, after which he returned to Sandwich (1873).
He engaged as a salesman in a store, and two years
later formed a co-partnership in the sale of general
merchandise, under the firm style of Pratt, Good-
man & Gurley. After operating three years the house
became Pratt & Gurley, the new firm prosecuting
their affairs jointly about four years. Mr. Gurley
sold out in 1882 and entered the employment of the
Sandwich Manufacturing Company, operating at first
as an expert in the machine department and

/-> ^^Myr- cc&V->J&a)

1 ' ) ^p s >4flp K - ^ ^^^^" **^rTiiJcj/V\S-'

COUNTY.

Llf

salesman, also acting as collector and in the transac-
tion of general business. On the first day of Sep-
tember, 1884, he was placed in the office and the
department of collection entrusted to his charge,
which he has since conducted, its duties requiring
the aid of two assistants. Mr. Gurley officiated as
City Clerk nearly two years. He is a member of the
fraternity of Odd Fellows and belongs to Sandwich
Lodge, No. 212. He- is also a member of Meteor
Lodge, No. 283, F. & A. M., of Sandwich Chapter,
No. 107, and of No. 22, Aurora Commandery.

He was united in marriage in Sheridan, La Salle
Co., 111., June 10, 1875, to Jennie Griswold. Their
two children were born in Sandwich, as follows :
Mabel, Feb. 28, 1876, and died Feb. 6, 1877 ; Edna
May, March 27, 1879. Mrs. Gurley is the daughter
of Norman R. and Dora A. (David) Griswold, and
was born Aug. 28, 1856, in Honesdale, Pa. Mr.
and Mrs. Gurley are members of the Congregational
Church.

Mr. Gurley has a photograph of the coat-of-arms
which constituted the insignia of rank of his noble
ancestors, an original being in the possession of
other members of the family.

[. White, farmer, section 29,
Dnauk Township, was born on the
farm where he now resides, July 2, 1859.
His father, Thomas White, was a shoemaker
in early life and was a native of Washington
Co., N. Y., where he was born Feb. 15, 1815.
The mother, Ann E. (Tucker) White, was born in
Washington Co., N. Y., June 2, 1815. The family
removed to Somonauk Township in the spring of
1856, and took up their residence on section 9 on
a rented farm 160 acres in extent. Later they re-
moved to a rented farm in Squaw Grove Township,
where the parents lived until 1859. In that year
the farm on section 29 was purchased, and there the
father died, Feb. 18, 1882. The demise of the
mother occurred on the homestead, Sept. 4, 1883.
The family included 10 children, of whom but three
are living. Emily A. is the wife of William J.
Randies, a farmer of Clinton Township.

Mr. White is the only surviving son, and his birth
was the event that marked the year in which the

^^^ ^H>

farm was purchased, where he has always lived,
and where he is engaged in the successful prosecu-
tion of the business in which his father passed the
the greater part of his life. He has a fine herd of
15 Short-Horn Durham cows, and conducts a profit-
able dairy business. He is a Democrat.

Mr. White was married Jan. 3, 1883, to Cornelia
M., daughter of James and Jeannette (Rickey) Mar-
shall, of Henderson Co., 111., where she was born,
Aug. 17, 1861. With her husband, she belongs to
the United Presbyterian Church.

tacy P. Kenyon, Justice of the Peace, No-
tary Public and real-estate agent, at Syca-
more, was born Nov. 7, 1826, in Washing-
ton Co., N. Y. His father, John Kenyon, was
born July 14, 1800, in the State of New York,
and married Betsey Potter, who was born May
7, 1803, in Washington Co., N. Y. The family re-
moved in 1840 to Elgin Township, Kane Co., 111.,
where the father purchased 220 acres of land and
made additions to his possessions until he was the
owner of nearly 400 acres of land, all under fine im-
provement. In 1846 he bought 240 acres of land in
the township of Virgil, Kane Co., 111., and became a
resident there, remaining until the fall of 1875, the
date of his removal to Sycamore. " In the spring of
the following year he was elected to the position of
Justice of the Peace and has been re-elected suc-
cessively since. In 1880 he became a Notary Public.
He is also agent for the fire insurance companies
known as the German of Freeport, the Agricultural
of Boston, the Watertown of New York, and the
Mutual Life of New York City ; he also deals in real
estate. Mr. Kenyon is a member of the Order of
Odd Fellows, subordinate Lodge and Encampment.
He was married Feb. 14, 1850, in New York, to
Betsey Lee, and they had four children. David L.
is a practicing physician in Worthington, Noble Co.,
Minn. ; John C. is an attorney at Sycamore ; Mary
H. married John Janes, a farmer of Dakota ; Charles
W. is a barber at Sycamore. Their mother died May
7, 1860, and Mr. Kenyon was again married, Feb.
24, 1 86 1, in Kane County, to Clara Walker. The
issue of this union was three children. Nettie is
teacher in Mayfield Township. William C.

^3^

DE KALB COUNTY.

farmer in Dakota. Morris is a printer in Sycamore.
Mr. Kenyon's second wife died in Virgil Township,
March 26, 1868, and he contracted a third matri-
monial alliance, in Sycamore , Nov. 18, 1868, with
Elmira White, a native of Sycamore. They have
four children, Parries F., Nellie, Glenn and Lewis.

Ivor Montgomery, attorney at Sandwich,
whose portrait appears on the preceding
page, was born March 13, 1847, in the
township of Dayton, La Salle County, 111.
John N. Montgomery, his father, was the fourth
in the line of descent from the generation to
which Gen. Richard Montgomery, the hero of Que-
bec, belonged, and to whom he bore the relation of
nephew in the third remove, his great-grandfather
having been the brother of him who fell in the siege
of Quebec.

The lineage runs in this wise : Thomas, brother of
General Montgomery, was born in 1739, in Ireland,
and emigrated in 1768 to the northern; part of the
State of New York, and during the Revolutionary
contest was an officer in the Colonial army. Wil-
liam Montgomery, son of Thomas, was born in 1770,
in the State of New York, where he died, in 1825.
John Harper Montgomery, son of William, was born
in New York, in 1793, and in early life removed to
the western part of Pennsylvania. He inherited the
loyalty of his progenitors, became a soldier of 1812,
and participated in that war throughout its entire
course. He was a Captain in Kimball's Ohio Militia
Volunteers, and was one of 33 refugees from the mas-
sacre of the river Raisin. He was a personal friend and
counselor of General Harrison. After the war he mar-
ried Melinda Platt, in Northeastern Ohio, where her
relatives still reside. He located at Dayton, La
Salle Co., III., in 1847, where he became prominent
in local affairs and officiated in several positions of
trust and importance. His death occurred in 1864,
and his widow survived him seven years. John N.
Montgomery, son of the latter, was born May 30,
1825, in Crawford Co., Pa., and married Luceva
Ward. They came in 1846 to La Salle Co., 111., set-
tling at Dayton, where their only child was born.
The mother was born in Crawford Co., Pa., May 30,
1824, and died June 7, 1850. She was thedaughter
Aga^JL. ^^ff <

^yx^v^^s

of William Ward, whose wife was a direct descendant
from a French Huguenot family. Their children
were Jacob and Abram, Hannah Lewis, Eleanor
Tracy, Eliza Phillips, and Polly Goldfinch, of Craw-
ford Co., Pa. After the death of his wife, J. N.
Montgomery married Amanda Springstead, and they
have the following children : Luceva, Florilla,
Minnie, William, Lee and Annie E. The entire
family reside at or near Iowa Falls, Iowa, whither
the parents moved in 1867.

Mr. Montgomery of this sketch was occupied in
the duties incumbent on a farmer's son in his native
county until he was 16 years of age, and in obtaining
his preliminary education. He engaged at that age
in teaching in La Salle County, and spent about nine
years in that capacity. During the time he filled the
position of Deputy School Superintendent of La
Salle County four years, meanwhile, also, reading
law. He was admitted to the Bar on examination
at Ottawa, in October, 1869. On receiving his cre-
dentials he opened an office at Leland, in his native
county, where he practiced until 1875. In the year
last named he located his business at Sandwich,
where he has since prosecuted its relations. He is
at present in the enjoyment of a popular and exten-
sive legal practice in the State and Federal Courts,
and is a prominent and competent member of his
profession. He has officiated two years as City At-
torney of Sandwich, and four years as Justice of the
Peace.

Mr: Montgomery is one of the most industrious,
thoroughgoing lawyers of De Kalb County, and has
attained a position as an attorney second to none
in point of reliability. He is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity and the Order of Odd Fellows.

He was united in marriage, in Northville Town-
ship, La Salle Co., 111., May 2r, i87r,to Mary A.
Lett. Three children are now members of the
household, Jessie, born March 30,1872; Florian,
Sept. 3, 1877; and Ward, Oct. 24, 1879. Mrs.
Montgomery was born in Northville Township, Dec.
1,1853, and is the daughter of Thomas Lett and
Merrilla (Pease) Lett. The family to which Mrs.
Montgomery belongs has been made prominent
through circumstances which render it essentially the
property of the historian. The Lett family were
originally Hollanders who went to England with Wil-
liam III, whence they emigrated to Wexford, Ire-
land. Elizabeth Jacobus, great-grandmother of

DE KALB COUNTY.

Mrs. Montgomery in the paternal line, was born in
Holland. Her father's mother, Elizabeth Warren ;
was a member of an English family named Warren,
and a French family named Pileaux. Elizabeth
Warren was n years of age when, in 1798, the Irish
Rebellion broke out, and she was imprisoned twice
to be burned. She was saved both times by the
British soldiery, but her only brother was murdered.
In June, 1819, Samuel Lett and his wife, Elizabeth
Warren, came from Ireland to Chatham, Montreal
District, with their sons Robert, Thomas and Benja-
min, and daughters, Elizabeth and Ann. At that
time there was but one abode of civilization between
the Lett homestead and the North Pole. Samuel
Lett died by accident, in September, 1824. The
widow and her children removed nine years later to
Darlington, Ont. In 1837 the Patriot's Rebellion
agitated Canada and convulsed all Britannia. The
brothers Thomas and Benjamin Lett were among
the rebellious element, the latter being perhaps the
most- dangerous of all the individuals concerned in
the attempt to overthrow the British authority in
Canada. He was made the object of a persecution
which terminated only when his death had been ac-
complished. A price was set on his head and he
was tracked by Canadian spies, arrested, tried, con-
victed, sentenced and imprisoned, for a crime which,
it was proven, had never been committed by any
one. He was confined in the State prison at Auburn,
N. Y., from 1840 to 1845, when he was pardoned
through the certificate of his physician. He was
the destroyer of Brock's monument and the instiga-
tor of the scheme for the destruction of the locks in
Welland Canal, and was the main reliance of the
rebels in the accomplishment of any special purpose
requiring an unusual degree of courage and daring.
His exploits were never forgotten nor forgiven ; and
although McKenzie, the chief element in the move-
ment was pardoned, Benjamin Lett was considered
and dealt with as an outlaw.

The Lett family, with the exception of Benjamin,
went from Canada to Texas, in order to put as great
a distance as possible between themselves and the
scenes of their difficulties. The mother died in
Texas and the remaining members of the family
came in 1840 to Northville, La Salle Co., 111., and
Benjamin Lett repaired there on being released from
prison, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In
October, 1858, he went to Chicago to aid in the

(yyV^g^sa ^t5&l Q

^jy^sr^^

prosecution of a scheme for trading between the lake
ports, and failed to return at the appointed time to
his home. Preparations were making for a search
for him, when a telegram announced his impending
death. The message was withheld until after his
death, which took place at Milwaukee Dec. 9, 1858.
The post-mortem examination showed that he had
been poisoned with strychnine, the result of the per-
secutions which -pursued him relentlessly for 21
years. Thomas Lett has erected two monuments to
his memory in the family burial lot in Northville, La
Salle County. The foot-stone is nine feet in height
from its base, and the main column is 1 1 feet above
the pedestal, which is four feet square. They are of
marble and are covered with inscriptions commemor-
ating the progress of the operations which at last ter-
minated in his cowardly murder. The entire affair
outstrips the vagaries of romance.

Thomas Lett entered Government land .in La Salle
County in 1840, and is still its owner. In 1842 he
broke the prairie sod of 20 acres where Sandwich
now stands, and he is now (1885) a resident of the
place. He is a man of superior intellectual attain-
ments, and is surpassed by none in his knowledge of
ancient and modern history.

illiam Converse Phelps, Assistant Secre-
tary of the Sandwich Manufacturing Com-
pany, was born June 16, 1849, in Kirkland,
Oneida Co., N. Y. His father, Alonzo E.
Phelps, was born Jan. 17, 1804, in Caze-
novia, N. Y., and married Juliet Bradley, who
was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. Dr. Phelps removed
to Sandwich in October, 1 869, and after practicing
his profession a short time, he retired. He died at
Sandwich, Nov. 14, 1882. The mother of Wm. C.
died at Sandwich, only a short time subsequent to
removal hither, her demise occurring Dec. 25, 1869.
They had seven children : Mary B. and Juliet B.
were twins. The former is the wife of J. P. Adams,
of Sandwich, and the latter married William Barnes,
a farmer in Kirkland, Oneida Co., N. Y. Francis B.
is a machinist in the employment of the Sandwich
manufacturing Company.

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of th
four surviving children. When he was 15 years of

DE KALB COUNTY.

age he entered a variety store in Clinton, N. Y.,
where he was employed two years, after which he
became assistant book-keeper in Clark's cotton mills
in New York State, and operated in that capacity two
years. He next obtained a situation in the office of
a wholesale hardware manufacturing company in the
city of New York, where he remained four years, dis-
charging the duties of order clerk and managing the
entire routine of affairs pertaining to that department.
He entered upon the work of book-keeper of the
corporation in whose interests he is now engaged, in
February, 1871. Two years subsequently he was
elected to the position he now fills and operated in
the local office until the fall of 1880. At that date
he went to Lincoln, Neb., in order to conduct a
branch house of the company and continued in that
avenue of business until November, 1881, and dur-
ing that time opened up a large business for his
company in that particular field. On his return to
Sandwich he was again elected to his former position,
in which he has since officiated. Mr. Phelps is the
present City Treasurer of Sandwnch. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the
order of Mutual Aid of Illinois.

His marriage to Frances J. Root occurred Nov. 8,
1871, at Sandwich. Three children have been bom
to them as follows; Clara A., Aug. 19, 1872; Mary
B., Aug. 26, 1875 ; Ethel J., Oct. 18, 1877. Mrs.
Phelps was born Sept. 26, 1850, in Utica, N. Y., and
is the daughter of George W. and Salina A. Root.

i illiam Patten, farmer, section 13, Somo-
nauk Township, was borri Jan. 21, 1817,
in -Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y.
His father, James Patten, was a native of
Ireland and was brought to the United States
by his parents when an infant 1 1 months old,
in June, 1794. He learned the trade and busi-
ness of harness-making, and later in life engaged in
farming. He died at Salem, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1827.
The mother, Mary (Robertson) Patten, was born in
Argyle, N. Y., and is still living, in her g2d year.

Mr. Patten is the only survivor of five children.
He received the training of a farmer and a common-
school education. When he reached the age of 14
years, he entered the store of his uncle, Moses

Robertson," where he operated as a salesman four
years, resuming his occupation of farmer at the end
of that time in his native place. May 17, 1843, he
came to De Kalb County and entered the employ-
ment of George Beveridge, of Somonauk Township,
as a farm assistant and continued in that situation
through one summer. In the fall he went back to
the county where he was born, and was married Oct.
1 1, to Elizabeth Pratt. Immediately after that event
he returned to De Kalb County and entered a claim
of 80 acres of land, which has since been his home-
stead, a period of more than 40 years. He con-
ducted his farming operations with success and
profit, and added to his estate until he owned 440
acres of land. He managed his agricultural affairs
with judgment and wisdom, and greatly added to the
value and appearance of the place by his method of
conducting his farm and by the excellent class of
buildings which he erected. In March, 1884, he
sold his place to his son Charles, who, in addition to
his general farming operations, is making a specialty
of raising fine grades of Durham cattle, of which he
owns a herd numbering 165 head. He also exhibits
some fine Norman Percheron and English draft
horses.

In usefulness to his generation and as a factor in
the permanent welfare of the general public, Mr.
Patten is a prominent and trusted citizen, and his
disinterested devotion to the interests of the com-
munity to which he belongs, as well as his abilities
and qualifications for responsible positions, have won
a recognition creditable to himself and his suppor-
ters. He has been an adherent of the Republican
element in political affairs, and in the fall of 1854
he was elected Representative to the Legislature of
Illinois from De Kalb County, and received a re-
election in 1858. In 1866 he was elected to the
State Senate for the long term and served four years.
He has discharged the duties of Supervisor of Somo-
nauk Township six years, and been appointed a Del-
egate numberless times to the Republican State and
County Conventions.

During the war of the Rebellion he was indefatig-
able in his efforts to aid the Government in its sup-
pression of the colossal mischief, and was one of the
earliest to comprehend the extent of the danger that
menaced the Union. In April, 1861, he was instru-
mental in raising Co. H, roth 111. Vol. Inf., which he
accompanied on its way to the front as far as Cairo.

DE KALB COUNTY.

In 1864 he raised Co. H, i S 6th 111. Vol. Inf., and
went to the field as its Captain, but was never in ac-
tual military service. In religious matters he is
equally zealous and efficient, and is a prominent
member of the United Presbyterian Church. He
was one of the first Elders after the organization of
the society to which he belongs, and interested him-
self actively in the construction of the church edifice.
He has represented the society twice as a Delegate
to the General Assembly held at Philadelphia. Mr.
Patten is the owner of 500 acres of farming land in
Story Co., Iowa, situated on the line of the Milwau-
i kee Railroad, which is managed by his son and
where he spent the greater part of several summers.
He has been twice married, and had five children
by his first wife, three of whom are living. Edward
is a farmer in Collins, Story Co., Iowa; Simon N.
and Jennie are at home. James and Simon (ist)
are deceased. The mother died in Somonauk, Jan.
8, 1856, and Mr. Patten was again married in August,
1856, to Jane Somes, a native of Greenwich, Wash-
ington Co., N. Y. They became the parents of five
Fj? children, Charles, Anna, Alexander, William and
|g Fred.

3nry Miller, general farmer, located on
section 31, Franklin Township, was born
March 9, 1830, in Oneida Co., N. Y. John
Miller, his father, was a farmer in the State of
New York and married Mary Grill. Their
| children included six sons and six daughters.
In 1845 they located in Monroe Township, in Ogle
Co., 111.

Mr. Miller is of mixed German and Yankee (so-
called) descent and is the third child of his parents.
He was a member of the paternal household until
he was 26 years of age, when he took steps to enter
upon an independent career. He was married Feb.
14, 1836, in Franklin Township, to Matilda Patten,
and they have had three children. Julia C. is the
wife of Peter Hyser, a native of Schenectady, N. Y.,
and a farmer on section i, South Grove Township.
Holt D. married Edna Taylor, Dec. 1 9, 1 884, who is
the daughter of C. S. and Hannah (Reder) Taylor,
natives of Genesee Co., N. Y. Lillie M. is a pupil
at Aurora, 111., where she is preparing for the profes-
3n of a teacher. The mother was born in Herki-

mer Co., N. Y., and came in youth with her parents
to Ogle Co., 111. She acquired a good education,
which she made available in teaching, previous to
her marriage. After that event she and her hup-
band located on a farm in Lynnville Township, in
Ogle County, where they were residents until 1870,
the date of their removal to the farm in Franklin
Township. The place comprises 160 acres of land,
all under excellent improvement, on which the propri-
etor has erected farm buildings of modern style and
a fine residence. The estate of Mr. Miller in Ogle
and De Kalb Counties contains 565 acres of land.
He is a Republican of unwavering principles, and
with Mrs. Miller attend the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in whose interest both are actively occupied.

red. S. Douglas, of the firm of Barnes &
Douglas, editors and proprietors of the
Sandwich Free Press, was born May 26,
1859, in East Chazy, Clinton Co., N. Y., and
is the son of John F. and Elizabeth E. (Per-
rigo) Douglas. His parents are residents of
Sandwich, his father having retired from business.

Mr. Douglas is an only child, and accompanied his
parents from his native place to Sandwich in 1871.
He attended school until 1873, when he entered the
office of the Gazette to learn the printer's craft, and
while serving a period of apprenticeship he published
two juvenile papers, Sandwich Boys and Rising
Generation. In 1877 he went to Marseilles, 111., and,
associated with Charles E. Baldwin, became inter-
ested in the publication of the Herald, under the
firm style of Baldwin & Douglas. Eight months later
he returned to Sandwich and started the Evening
Herald. This enterprise existed about eight months,
when Mr. Douglas accepted a position on the Gazette,
and assisted its proprietor to some extent in the
duties of the postofnce. In the spring of 1883 he
went to Huron, Dakota, and became city editor of the
Huron Daily Leader, operating in that capacity until
the fall of the same year, when he returned to Sand-
wich, and, in company with W. B. Barnes, bought
the Free Press printing establishment, and has since
prosecuted all its business relations, journalistic and
jobbing, with satisfactory results. The literary abil-
ities of Mr. Douglas beyond the enterprise in which

DE KALB COUNTY.

he is engaged, are recognized by the Chicago Times,
Inter-Ocean, News, and the St. Louis Globe-Dem-
ocrat. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is
Secretary of Meteor Lodge, No. 283, at Sandwich,
and is a member of the Illinois Press Association
and of the Presbyterian Church.

He was united in marriage Jan. 2, 1884, in Sand-
wich, to Ella J., daughter of Thomas E. and Sarah
(Green) Culver. Mrs. Douglas was born June 9,
1859, in Washington Co., N. Y.

tephen D. Wright, farmer, section 27,
Somonauk Township, was born May 12,
1823, in Genesee Co., N. Y. His father,
Levi Wright, was born in New Hampshire
and was a farmer there and in Northville
Township, Lasalle Co., 111., whither he removed
in 1843, and where he died Nov. 2, 1865. The
mother, Arathusa (Brigham) Wright, was born in
Worcester, Mass., and died when her son was a child
of tender years.

Mr. Wright is the second of six children born to
' his parents, and he was reared to the calling of a
farmer. He was 20 years of age when his father
transferred his family and interests to the State of
Illinois, and he was employed for a time on the home
estate, which at first consisted of 80 acres, and was
extended by later purchase until it included about
230 acres, a part of which lay in Somonauk Town-
ship, on section 33.

In 1850 Mr. Wright went to California, where he
spent a year prospecting for gold. On his return to
Illinois in 1854 he bought a farm of 98 acres, on
which he has since resided. He now owns 240
acres, all under the best cultivation and devoted
largely to dairy purposes. His cattle are fine graded
Holsteins, and his herd includes about 30 head.

Mr. Wright was married in Webster, Monroe Co.,
N. Y., Dec. 23, 1855, to Ruby M. Johnston, and they
have one son Edgar O. who was born Sept. 7,
1856. Mrs. Wright was born May n, 1833, in Au-
burn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of
James and Mehitable (Olcott) Johnston.

rastus B. Little, farmer, section n, Kings-
ton Township, was born Jan. 20, 1845, in
Erie Co., N. Y., and is the son of Henry
and Amy (Bingham) Little. (A biographical
account of his parents may be found in con-
nection with that of Henry H. Little.) He was
still in early childhood when his parents located in
De Kalb County, and his home has since been in the
township of Kingston. He entered the army of the
United States in the last part of the Civil War, en-
listing Jan. 5, 1864, in the Ninth 111. Vol. Cav. He
was in the service during the remainder of the
struggle, participating in the battles of Nashville,
Franklin Pike, Hurricane Creek, Guntown, Miss., and
Grenada, Miss. On obtaining his discharge he re-
turned to his home.

He is the proprietor of 370 acres of land, in a fine
and valuable condition and favorably located in the
townships of Kingston and Genoa, 240 acres of
which is tillable. In his political faith and relations
Mr. Little is a Republican and has discharged the
obligations of several official positions.

He was married Jan. i, 1875, in Belvidere, 111., to
Laura Strong. Their two children were born as fol-
lows : William H., Sept. 2, 1882, and Frank A., Dec.
1 3, 1 883. Their mother was born in Genoa Township,
Aug. 27, 1851, and is the daughter of William and
Sabrina Strong.

illiam A. Dennis, farmer, section 28,
Somonauk Township, was born on the
farm where he now resides, Sept. 26, 1852.
His father, Major Dennis, was born June
to, 1813, in New Bedford, Mass., and was
married Feb. 10, 1842, to Mary A. Harmon, a ^)
native of North Carolina. She was born March 25,
1817, and is still living, as are three of four children
of whom she became the mother : Waitstill O.,
born Jan. 27, 1843, is the wife of J. E. Baker, ad-
juster for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of
New York, resident at St. Louis, Mo.; Rebecca,

DE KALB COUNTY

born June 22, 1849, married C. S. Lewis, dealer in
agricultural implements at Aurora, 111. ; Shepherd,
born Oct. 7, 1847, was the second child in order of
birth and was a business mau of Somonauk, where
he died June i, 1870.

Mr. Dennis is the youngest child of his parents
and was brought up on the home farm. His father
was one of the pioneer settlers in Somonauk, whither
he came in company with Capt. William Davis in
1834. (See sketch of Captain Davis.) He became
a heavy land-holder, and died on his farm in Somo-
nauk Jan. 16, 1856. Mrs. Dennis came to Somo-
nauk in 1833, and was married there.

In 1879 Mr. Dennis became the owner of the
homestead by purchase from the other heirs. His
estate includes 121 acres of valuable farm land, and
he raises for market purposes a great number of
swine every year, his drove sometimes numbering be-
tween one and two hundred. He is also conducting
a small dairy.

Mr. Dennis was married at the Grand Pacific Ho-
tel in Chicago, 111., March 29, 1882, to Maggie M.
Wallace. She was born in St. Lawrence, Jefferson
Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Hamilton and
Mary Ann Wallace. Two children are now included
in the family of Mr. Dennis: Millie Mabel, born
Dec. 25, 1882; and Carrie H., born Dec. 25, 1884.
This is a rare coincidence, and is certainly without a
parallel in De Kalb County.

The farm on which Mr. Dennis resides is situated
on sections 27, 28, 33, and 34, and he is one of the
few who yet hold the original land patents.

1'eremiah W. Brown, farmer, section 32,
Genoa Township, was born Aug. 7, 1845,
in the same township. His parents, Jere-
miah L. and Judith (Richardson) Brown, came
to De Kalb County, and settled in 1837, in Gen-
oa Township, where the former died, Jan. 5,
1882. The mother died in the same township.
Their family included seven children, five of whom
are yet living. The senior Brown was one of those
worthy, determined pioneers who camg here among
the first settlers and did so much toward developing
this now beautiful, prosperous and populous coun-
ty. To these men the present generation is greatly

indebted for the many comforts and luxuries it now
enjoys.

Mr. J. W. Brown was a pupil at school until he
was 1 8 years old, and he has since been exclusively
interested in farming. His estate includes 180 acres
of land, of which 160 acres are in advanced cultiva-
tion. His stock comprises about 30 head of cattle,
80 hogs and 12 horses. Mr. B. is a Republican and
has officiated in several local township offices.

His marriage took place in Whiteside Co., 111.
May 14, 1866, when he formed a matrimonial con-
nection with Mary M., daughter of Ebenezer and
Electa (Peevy) Wright, and they have had eight
children : Millie, born Nov. 18, 1867; J. Harvey, Dec.
28, 1868; J. Depue, Feb. 25, 1869; Clayton L., July
3, 1871; Dell, April 25, 1873; Edna R., May 24,
1875; Estella A., March 22, 1878; Mary L, Sept.
8, 1879. Millie died Dec. 29, 1868, in Genoa.

The parents of Mrs. Brown came to De Kalb Coun-
ty and settled at Sycamore, where the father is still
living. Her mother died at that place, Feb. 19
18^6.

mos H. Rote, farmer, resident on section
36, Franklin Township, was born June 20,
1829, in Lycoming Co., Pa. His father,
Daniel Rote, was a native of the same State
and of direct German descent, his parents
having been born in the old country. He
was a farmer in early life, and at 40 years of age en-
tered the ministry, becoming a clergyman of the
Christian denomination. He labored in that capac-
ity in Pennsylvania until 1847, when he settled in
Kane Co., 111., and there followed his vocation as a
minister two years. In 1849 he became a resident
of De Kalb County. He died May 24, 1864, in
Franklin Township, aged 7 2 years, and was an ar-
dent and enthusiastic worker in his sacred calling
until a short time before his demise. The mother of
Mr. Rote, Mrs. Mary (Kitchen) Rote, was of Ger-
man lineage. She was born in New Jersey, of
parents of New England origin. She was in her
girlhood when she became a resident of Pennsyl-
vania, and she was married in Columbia County in
that State about 1816. She came West and died in
} S%C

Franklin Township, Feb. 13, 1865, at 81 years of
age.

Mr. Rote is the second youngest of nine children :
six daughters and three sons. His brothers were
older than he, and he was brought up at home and
was fairly educated in the common schools of his
native county. He was 18 years of age when his
parents removed West, and he was under the paren-
tal roof until he was married, April 17, 1856, in
Franklin Township,, to Anna W. Ault. She was
born in Muncie Township, Lycoming Co., Pa., Nov.
14, 1832, where she was a resident until 18 years of
age, when she came to De Kalb County with her
parents, Samuel and Catherine (Page) Ault. They
were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a
miller in his native State and followed that occupa-
tion after his removal in 1850 to Kingston Township,
De Kalb County. Mr. and Mrs. Ault both died in
that township, the former Nov. 17, 1868, aged 75 ;
the mother Feb. 27, 1865, aged 72. They were the
parents of 14 children. Mr. and Mrs. Rote have
had nine children, four of whom are yet living,
Ida J., Effie M., Harry A. and Fred B. Pearson
Llewellyn, Alice E., Lettie and Walter did not sur-
vive their childhood.

Mr. Rote commenced farming independently on
section 35 of Franklin Township, on a farm which
he had purchased previous to his marriage. He
owned and operated the place four years, when he
sold it and bought 120 acres of improved land on
which he has since prosecuted his agricultural opera-
tions. He has a fine and valuable farm, on which
he has erected a good class of buildings. In politi-
cal views he is a Republican of an uncompromising
type-

^oratio N. Perkins, retired farmer at Genoa,
is the son of James and Deborah (Davis)
Perkins, and was born Nov. 6, 1808, in
Groton, Conn., the native place of his parents,
where their marriage took place, and where
they were resident a number of years thereafter.
They removed thence to Rensselaer Co., N. Y.,
where their deaths occurred. Noyes, Sarah, Eliza,

Horatio N., Caroline, Calvin, Sylvester and Charlotte
were the names of their children.

The family of Mr. Perkins removed to Rensselaer
County when he was four years old. He lived there
until he was 15 years of age, when he went to Berk-
shire Co., Mass., and became a farm laborer, contin-
uing to operate in that occupation three years, when
he returned to the Empire State. In the fall of 1837
he came to Illinois and bought a claim, consisting of
a half section of land, in Genoa Township, then in-
cluded in the municipality of Orange, the township
of Genoa not having been organized. He settled
in what is now the village of Genoa, and built the
hotel now known to the traveling public as the Pacific
House, which he conducted about 20 years. Selling
out, he devoted his time and energies to farming,
residing on his farm on section 20, 16 consecutive
years. In the fall of 1872 he became a permanent
resident of Genoa village. He is still the owner of
420 acres of land in De Kalb County, under partial
improvement. During his earlier residence at Genoa
he received the appointment of Postmaster from
President Van Buren, and discharged the duties of
the position about 20 years, when he resigned. Five
years later he was re-appointed, and held his com-
mission until Dec. i, 1884, .when he again resigned.
He is a member of the fraternity of Masons. Mr.
Perkins is a staunch and decided Republican, and
although he has been a Village Trustee for two years
he is not an aspirant for official honors.

He was married in Columbia Co., N. Y., in the
township of New Lebanon, Nov. 4, 1830, to Eliza
Wallace. Her parents, James and Betsey (Stacy)
Wallace, were natives of Townsend, Mass., and early
in life removed to Columbia Co., N. Y., where their
lives terrhinated. Their family included 12 children,
of whom Mrs. Perkins is the third daughter. She
was born April 23, 1808, in Columbia County. Three
children have been born to her and her husband.
Eliza Jane was born Aug. n, 1831, in Columbia
County, and married Henry C. Graves, of Sandwich,
Nov. 20, 1856. Her health failed and she went to
Chicago for medical treatment, where she died, July
6, 1874. Henry N. was born Aug. 15, 1833, in Co-
lumbia County, and is a resident of Genoa. Mary
M. was born May 2, 1840, in Genoa, where she died
Aug. 23, 1864. Henry N. was married Feb. 28,

@ ^3^

DE KALB COUNTY.

1856, to Margaret M. Stiles, of Genoa, who died in
March, 1880.

The portrait of Mr. Perkins appears on a page just
preceding, as an appropriate addition to the galaxy
illustrating this ALBUM.

alter L. Cole, farmer, section 9, Kingston
Township, became a resident of De Kalb
County in 1859, when- he removed hither
with his parents. He was born Oct. 18,
1850, in Clark Co., 111., and is the youngest
of five children included in the family of Wash-
ington and Harriet E. (Stiles) Cole. His father is
a native of Washington County, and his mother was
born in Ontario Co., N. Y. They have been resi-
dents of Kingston Township continuously since their
removal hither.

Mr. Cole was united in marriage in Kingston
Township, March 8, 1877, to Ella J. Crosby, and
they have one child, Charles W., who was born Sept.
14, . 1883. Mrs. Cole was born in the township
where she has lived all her life, June 25, 1856, and
is the daughter of Leonard and Rebecca (Cameron)
Crosby, pioneer settlers of De Kalb County, where
her father died about 1857. Her mother subse-
quently became the wife of Charles McAllister, and
is a resident of Kingston Township.

Phelps Adams, manufacturer and secre-
tary of the Sandwich Manufacturing Com-
l |fe^ pany, was born Sept. 18, 1835, in Pine
i T Valley, Chemung Co., N. Y., and is the son of
Hon. Augustus Adams, of Sandwich, of whom
a detailed account may be found elsewhere in
this volume.

He has been a resident of Illinois since his fifth
year, his parents having removed in 1840 to Elgin,
r* 111. He received all the 'educational advantages
possible from the common schools at Elgin and ob-
tained a good training for business at Bell's Business
College in Chicago, completing his course there when
20 years of age. He obtained a situation as account-
ant at Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich., where he was
also engaged in mercantile relations and later entered

the employment of the American Express Company
as messenger. He operated at that place- until
January, 1861. Meanwhile his father had trans-
ferred his business to Sandwich, where he had estab-
lished a small manufacturing business, which was in
a prosperous condition. At the date named Mr.
Adams came to Sandwich and assumed the position
of office manager. The dimensions of the business
of A. Adams & Sons took on added proportions every
year, its products becoming widely known and meet-
ing a popular necessity, and in' 1867 the present
company was organized and incorporated. J. Phelps
Adams was made its secretary and treasurer and has
since officiated in both responsible and laborious
positions, a period of nearly 25 years of continuous
service. The nature and character of the duties may
be inferred from the fact that the manufactures of
the Sandwich company are in popular use not only
in this country but in the Black Sea region of Russia
and all along the course of the Danube River on the
European continent, and in all the corn-growing
countries of the world. Within the past few years a
large trade in their machines has been established in
the Argentine Republic. (The merits of the business
connections of the Sandwich Manufacturing Com-
pany are fully treated in another part of this work.)
Mr. Adams is a leading citizen of Sandwich, and
has been closely identified with its religious, educa-
tional and political interests since he has been a resi-
dent there. He is a member of the Congregational
Church, and previous to May, 1884, had been Sun-
day-school Superintendent 12 years. Before Sand-
wich was organized as a city, he served several terms
as President of the village. He has been for years a
member of the Agricultural Society, and acted one
year as President of the Board, and is President ot
the Sandwich Literary Association. He has officiated
nine years as a member of the School Board, and has
filled the position of chief official of that body several
terms. He is a Republican in political preference,
and has been delegate on several different occasions
to the County and Congressional Conventions. In
September, 1884, he left Sandwich for an extended
tour through South America in the interests of the
business in which he is a prominent factor. He went
to all the coast cities of Brazil, and made an extended
visit to Buenos Ayres, traveling through the Argentine
Republic, making an exhaustive examination of the

4^^C^>

. -

;i , :-

DE KALB COUNTY.

39 1

country and its institutions. He reached his home
Jan. 30, 1885.

Mr. Adams was married June 26, i86i,to Mary
B. Phelps, and of their union five children were born.
Following is their record : Eleanor Louise was born
March 24, 1863, and died Dec. 31 of the same year.
Fred Augustus, born June 24, 1865, died Sept. 2,
1866. Henry Ethelbert was born May 29, 1868, and
is attending school at Evanston, 111. William Morse
was born Aug. 8, 1870, and died March 22, 1884.
Florence Bradley was born Jan. 27, 1877. Mrs.
Adams was born Feb. 26, 1839, and is the daughter
of Dr. A. E. and Juliet B. Phelps, of Kirkland,
Oneida Co., N. Y.

Darius, the oldest brother of Mr. Adams of this
sketch, and his wife both died, leaving two daughters
and a son wholly orphaned. The daughters, Hattie
L. and Lue O., were, brought up by their uncle, and
are married. The former is the wife of J. F. Hun-
toon, an employee in the office of the Sandwich
Manufacturing Company ; the latter married Frank
L. Waite, secretary of the Pictorial Printing Company,
of Chicago.

vid Tower, farmer, section u, Mayfield
Township, is a son of Abel and Mary
(Moore) Tower, natives of New England
nd of English and Welsh descent, who were
the parents of six children, George, John,
Mark, Charles, Mary and David. The former
was born in 1770, and died Aug. 29, 1846 ; the latter
died in September, 1839.

The subject whose name heads this sketch was
born in Wilmington, Windham Co., Vt., Feb. 13,
1818, lived at home until 20 years of age, engaged in
farming, and in 1838 came to Illinois. After spend-
ing a year in the southern part of the State, he came
to this county and settled in Mayfield Township,
where he has since lived. He is now the owner of
480 acres of land, half of which is in cultivation.
Politically he is a Democrat, and locally he has held
the offices of Overseer of the Poor and Highway
Overseer.

He was married in Beloit, Wis., June 6, 1847, to
Miss Mary A. Daily, daughter of Jonathan and
Betsey (Fitch) Daily, who were natives of Pennsyl-
vania. Jonathan Daily was born April 24, 1802,

and died Feb. 8, 1842. Betsey (Fitch) Daily was
born May 23, 1803, and died Oct. 5, 1877. They
were married May 9, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Daily
had a family of 1 1 children, Lydia, William J.,
Elmira C., Francis, Andrew J., Mary A., Mahala D., V^
Joseph E., Elizabeth A., Clarissa S. and Jane R.
Elmira C., Mary A., Joseph E., Elizabeth A., Clar-
issa S. and Jane R. are living. Mrs. Tower was
born in Luzerne Co., Pa., June 6, 1831. The chil-
dren in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Tower now are:
George W., who was born Sept. 22, 1853, and was )
married April n, 1876, to Miss Caroline Lanan; jjy
Harriet B., who was born April 2, 1856, is the I
wife of Joseph Lanan ; David J., who was born Dec.
30, 1868.

illiam Bennet Barnes, senior member of
the firm of Barnes & Douglas, proprietors
of the Sandwich Free Press, was born
Feb. 27, 1855, in Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N.
Y., and-is the son of Gen. M. S. and Char-
lotte A. Barnes. He entered first upon the
duties of a journalist in 1869, in the office of the
Dubuque Daily Times, at Dubuque, Iowa, where he
learned the printer's trade. From Dubuque he re-
moved to Aurora, 111., and was associated with his
father in the publication of the Aurora Herald. He
next went to Galesburg, 111., and published the Daily
and Weekly Press in that city for a period of about
10 years. Disposing of the establishment in March,
1883, he accepted a position on the Peoria Daily
National Democrat, as assistant business manager,
which he relinquished to come to Sandwich. In
the month of October, 1883, he came to Sandwich
and purchased a half interest in the Free Press.
The paper is a popular and well conducted journal,
and has attained a position of high rank among the
local papers of De Kalb County, having a large cir-
culation both in Sandwich and the surrounding
country. The Free Press is also engaged in a gen-
eral job and book printing business, for the satis-
factory prosecution of which the office is fitted with
steam presses and all modern appliances.

Mr. Barnes was united in marriage, at Galesburg,
Sept. 13, 1882, to Fannie G. Rearick. Mrs. Barnes
was born in Beardstown, 111., Aug. 16, 1859, and is

DE KALB COUNTY.

the daughter of Judge Francis H. and Helen M.
Rearick. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have one daughter,
Florence A., born at Sandwich, Oct. i, 1884. They
are members of the Congregational Church.

Mr. Barnes comes of journalistic stock dating back
several generations. His father has been actively
engaged in the newspaper business for the past 40
years, but is now living in retirement at Galesburg,
111., his health having been broken down by arduous
literary work and the exposure and results of being
engaged in two wars, the Mexican War and that
of the late Rebellion.

eorge A. Gillis, farmer, section 32, South
Grove Township, was born June 7, 1824,
in Argyle Township, Washington Co., N.
Y. Alexander A. Gillis, his father, is a native
of the State of New York and was born in the
same county, of Scotch descent. He was a
farmer by calling and died in April, 1832, in Wash-
ington County. The mother, Jane. C. (Gilchrist)
Gillis, was born in New York, of mixed Scotch and
New York parentage. After the death of her hus-
band she came to South Grove, where she died in
1864.

Mr. Gillis is the second child of his parents, and
lived with his mother after the death of his father,
which occurred when he was eight years old, remain-
ing with her until he was of age. His first inde-
pendent employment was in a grist-mill, where he
labored some years, and in 1851 came to De Kalb
County and purchased a farm in Franklin Township,
his mother living with him four years. Nov. 13,
1855, he was married to Amy T. Irvin, in Washing-
ton Co., N. Y. Her parents, David and Nancy
(Histcox) Irvin, were born respectively in Ireland
and New York. They were married in Washington
County, where they resided until the death of the
former, Sept. 29, 1858, at the age of 58 years. The
mother joined her daughter in Illinois after becoming
a widow, and is still living, aged 85 years. Consid-
ering her accumulation of years, she is in remark-
able possession of her faculties of body and mind,
particularly the latter, as she takes a keen interest in
the current moral questions of the day; and from her
reading, which is, even now, extensive and diversi-

fied, and her rare memory, she is an agreeable com-
panion and a zealous advocate of temperance and
religion. Mrs. Gillis was born June 7, 1831, in
Washington Co., N. Y., where she was reared and
educated. Previous to her marriage she was en-
gaged some time as a teacher. She is the mother of
six children, to whose mental, moral and spiritual
interests she is wholly devoted. One child is de-
ceased : David, the eldest child, was married Dec.
22, 1880, to Maud Karr, a native of McLean Co.,
111.; Elizabeth was married April 7, 1 88 1, to Chester
Swan, a dentist of Walworth Co., Wis. ; Jennie was
married May 9, 1877, taAdelbert J. Cobb, a farmer
of Sac Co., Iowa; Amy was married Sept. 13, 1883,
to Clarence Culver, a dentist in Lancaster, Grant
Co., Wis.; Gorge was born June 30, 1863; Irvin
was born March 31, 1870.

Mr. and Mrs. Gillis lived on the farm in Franklin
Township three years subsequent to their marriage.
In 1858 Mr. Gillis bought 240 acres of land in the
township of South Grove, and later became the
owner of 40 acres additional situated on section 6,
in Malta Township. The farm of Mr. Gillis is a
model of good management, and he is rated as one
of the progressive agriculturists of his township. He
is a Republican in political opinion. Mrs. Gillis is
a member of the Congregational Church.

eter C. McClellan, a farmer of Somonauk
Township, is the owner of the northwest
quarter of section 29. He was born Oct.
26, 1829, in the township of Hebron, Wash- ^
ington Co., N. Y., and is the son of Robert G. 5 J>
and Nancy (Cruikshank) McClellan. The
former was born Sept. 17, 1799, in the same town-
ship The latter was born in Salem, in the same
county, Aug. 12, 1804. Mr. McClellan of this sketch
is their first-born child. Rev. David M., third son,
is a graduate of Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania,
and has been for 20 years an ordained minister of
the United Presbyterian Church, and for the past 10
years has been a settled Pastor at Kansas City. He
prepared for the ministry at the Theological Semina-
ry at Xenia, Ohio. Maggie, only surviving sister,
lives with her brother, Peter.

The latter received a substantial education, finish-
ing his course of study at Cambridge Academy,

-*-

COUNTY.

Washington Co., N. Y. He taught nine terms of
school in New York and Iowa, and afterwards be-
came a farmer. He was married in his native town-
ship Sept. 7, 1864, to Isabella Beveridge. They
have one child, Mary E., who was born on the farm
in Somonauk Township, Nov. 7, 1869. Mrs. Mc-
Clellan was born in Hebron Township, Oct. 5, r83o,
and is the daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Bev-
eridge.

In June, 1866, Mr. McClellan came to DeKalb
County and bought the farm which he now owns, and
of which he took possession in 1867. He has been
Assistant Supervisor of Somonauk two years.

Robert McClellan, from whom Mr. McClellan is a
descendant in the fourth generation, was a citizen of
Micklenax, in the parish of Buttle, Scotland. In
1769 he went to Newtown in the parish of Twenho-
len in the stewartry of Galloway, on the River Dee
near Kirkcudbright, where the family lived five years
on the estates of Lord Selkirk. In June, 1774, with
his wife, Nicolas (Gordon) McClellan, and children,
William, John, Grise, Robert, Mary and Nancy,
set sail from the Mass at the mouth of the river Dee,
for America. The ship "Golden Rule," on which
they took passage, proved unseaworthy and put into
Dublin Bay for repairs, where she was detained three
days. Three guineas was paid for the passage of
each member of the family. They landed at New
York and proceeded up the Hudson River to Albany
and thence to Manchester, Vt. From there they
went across the Green Mountains to Springfield on
the Connecticut River. The route they pursued
across the mountains had never before been trav-
ersed by a carriage, and a part of the journey, in-
cluding a distance of T4 miles, consumed 14 hours.
They resided at Springfield 10 years, and on account
of religious considerations they removed to Hebron,
Washington Co., N. Y., then called Black Creek.
The parents afterwards removed to Salem in the
same county. The father died there in 1789, aged
73 years. He was .also buried there. The mother
died in Cambridge in T799, at the age of 69 years,
and was burred in the place where she died.

Robert McClellan (2d) was born in 1766, in Mick-
lenax, Scotland, and came to America with his fath-
er's family, as stated. He was married Dec. 5, 1793,
to Mary Thompson, who was born in 1768, in Salem.
Their children were named Sarah, William, Robert
Gordon, Nancy, John and Phebe. Sarah is still liv-

ing and is over 90 years of age. She is the widow
of Alexander Beveridge, of Hebron. Phebe is the
widow of William Armstrong, of Somonauk. Four
of them died on the farm where they were born and
reared. Robert McClellan died in Hebron Jan. 6,
1829. His wife died there also, June 20, 1839. The
paternal ancestors of Mr. McClellan were born,
reared and died in the Associate Presbyterian
Church and its outgrowth, the United Presbyterian
Church.

enry H. Little, farmer, section 10, Kingston
Township, has been a resident of De Kalb
County since 1845, in which year he ac-
companied his parents hither. He was born
May i, 1824, in Erie Co., N. Y., and is the son
of Henry and Amy (Bingham) Little. The
former was born in the State of New York, April 22,
1799; the latter in Vermont, July 23, 1804. They
were married in Erie Co., N. Y., May n, 1823, which
was their place of abode until 1845, when they set
out for Wisconsin with the purpose of establishing a
home; but with little delay proceeded to De Kalb
County, and located in Kingston Township, where
the father died, Aug. 18, 1858. The mother survives
and has reached advanced age.

Mr. Little is the oldest of nine children. He ac-
quired as good an education as the common schools
of his native county afforded, and was trained in
farm labor. He was 21 years of age when he came
to Illinois, and he entered a land claim of 80 acres of
prairie, afterwards buying 40 acres of timber land,
all situated in Kingston Township, and which has
since been his field of operation. He has made a
later purchase of land, which increased his real estate
to 169 acres, of which 120 acres are tillable. The
place is stocked with 41 head of cattle and to horses.

Mr. Little is a member of Kishwaukee Lodge,
No. 402, F. & A. M., and in political faith is a Re-
publican. He was elected Supervisor of his town-
ship in 1882, and has been successively re-elected
since to the same position, in which he is serving his
third term.

He was first united in marriage in Erie Co., N. Y.,
to Elvira Boies. She was born Jan. 22, 1831, in
Erie Co., N. Y., and was the daughter of Eber and

DE KALB COUNTY.

gi
\

Esther (Henshaw) Boies. She died in Kingston
Township Sept. 28, 1872. The second marriage of
Mr. Little, to Esther Heckman, occurred Oct. i, 1873.
The parents of Mrs. Little, Jacob and Catherine
(Kepple) Heckman, were natives of Westmoreland
Co., Pa. They came thence to De Kalb County in
1855, where they located and were among the agri-
cultural class the remainder of their lives. Tire
father died July 23, 1872, the mother April 17, 1884.
Mrs. Little is the third of five children and was born
/ in Morgan Co., Ohio, July 13, 1831. Mr. L. is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

'ohn Uplinger, a citizen of the village of
Kingston, has been for nearly a score of
years a prominent agriculturist and busi-
ness man of De Kalb County, whither he came
in 1866, settling in the spring of that year in
the township of Kingston on a fine farm of 240
acres of land. He pursued there his agricultural
operations until 1882, when he removed to his pres-
ent place of abode and where he has been engaged
some time in the grain, coal, lumber and furniture
business, in which his relations are important and ex-
tensive. His real estate in De Kalb County com-
prises 245 acres, all of which is in tillable condition
except 45 acres.

Mr. Uplinger was born Nov. 12, 1819, in Luzerne
Co., Pa., and he is the son of Henry and Elizabeth
Uplinger. He lived in his native State until his re-
moval to De Kalb County in 1866. He was married
in the county where he was born, July 31, 1840, to
Elizabeth, also a Pennsylvanian by birth. Their
children are Mary, Jacob, Susan, Charles, Sarah,
John, Elmina, Amelia, Frank, Margaret, Lizzie,
Amanda and Martha.

; orris H. Westlake, a farmer on section
12, Mayfield Township, was born in Or-
ange Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1845. His par-
ents, Benjamin and Eliza (Bond) Westlake,
e also natives of the Empire State. His
icr died in Orange County, and his mother
afterward married Mr. H. Mackey (see sketch), and
now resides in Mayfield Township.

^^1^ ^^^ @

Morris H. lived in his native county until the fall
of 1860, when he came to De Kalb County, and at
the age of 21 he married and settled upon his farm
in Mayfield Township, on section i, which he car-
ried on for eight years. He then exchanged this for
a farm in Orange Co., N. Y., but did not return
there. Instead, he followed railroading four years in
Indiana, and in the spring of 1879 returned to May-
field Township and settled upon section 12, where he
now resides and owns 166 acres, having 146 acres in
cultivation.

Officially, Mr. Westlake has served as School Di-
rector ; politically, he acts with the Republican par-
ty ; and religiously, he, as well as Mrs. W., is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

He was married in Sycamore, Dec. r3, 1866, to
Emma E., daughter of Norman and Rosette (Wills)
Beckley, natives of Vermont, who came and settled
in Sycamore Township, this county, in 1861 ; he is a
resident of Elkhart, Ind. Their three children are,
Emma E., Edgar H. and Edward E. Mrs. W.
was born in Littleton, Mass., July 26, 1849. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Westlake are, Lulu M.,
who was born Nov. 29, 1867, in Mayfield; Norman
B., born May 21, 1869, in Mayfield; and Rosette,
Nov. it, 1878, in Elkhart, Ind. The brothers and
sisters of Mr. Westlake all elder than he are
David B., Hannah E., Milton, Charlotte and John.

ames Henry, farmer, section 28, Somonauk
Township, was born Jan. 22, 1812, in Wash-
ington Co., N. Y. John Henry, his father,
was a native of Scotland and married Pamelia
Johnson, by whom he had 12 children : seven
of these, four sons and three daughters, are
now living. The mother was a native of Vermont.
Mr. Henry was brought up on a farm, and on at-
taining to the estate of manhood he became a farmer
on 140 acres of land in his native State. He was
married in Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., Oct.
26, 1837, to Jeannette, sister of ex-Governor John L.
Beveridge, and daughter of George and Ann (Hoy)
Beveridge. She was born May 5, 1813, in Washing-
ton County. Of this union 10 children were born
and are all living with a single exception. Anna M.
was born Dec. 20, !8 3 8; Parmelia, July 31, 1840

i >u?*5yr- cojU~>5&?)

^^^- "frsssvvv^

DE KALB COUNTY.

ijx (died May 30, 1841); Isabella B., May 10, 1842 ;
John V., July 27, 1844; George B., Sept. 26, 1846;
Sarah T. L., Sept. 15, 1848; Philomelia, Nov. 13,
1850; Agnes R., Jan. 25, 1853 ; Margaret E., April
n, 1857; Minnie J., Aug. 17, 1859. John V. Henry,
the oldest son, enlisted in the service of the United
States in 1862 and served in various capacities until
the close of the war. He is a resident of Quincy,
111., and is chief clerk in the postal service at the
headquarters of the mail agency in that place.

Mr. Henry removed to Somonauk Township in
, 1854, where he purchased upwards of 300 acres of
land. His farm now includes 210 acres, and he is
the owner of a fine herd of graded Durham cat-
tle, and is conducting a valuable dairy business.

rof. Andrew J. Blanchard, Principal of the
Public Schools of Sycamore, from April,
1862, to July, 1867, and Superintendent
from 1877 to the current year (1885), was born
Aug. n, 1827, in Cabot, Washington Co., Vt.
His father, James Blanchard, was born in Con-
cord, N. H., May 9, 1793; and his mother, Abigail
(Hoyt) Blanchard, was born in Cabot, Vt., Sept. 2,
1799. The latter died March 5, 1837; the former,
Nov. 24, 1869.

Mr. Blanchard left the home farm at the age of 20
years and entered upon a course of study preparatory
for college. In the winter of 1848-9 he taught his
first school in Plkinfield, Vt., " boarding round," as
that was considered the correct thing to do at that
time. In the spring of 1849, he resumed his studies
at the People's Academy, Morrisville, Vt. During
the summer of 1849, he caught the gold fever that
was sweeping over the land and carrying all before
it, and in September engaged passage for California
by way of Cape Horn, on the good ship " Argonaut,"
Capt. William Knott, commander. The " Argonaut"
sailed from Boston Harbor on the igth of October, in
company with two other ships, the " Henry Ware '"
and the " Richmond." On the 8gth day out, having
successfully braved the perilous storms of Cape
Horn, the " Argonaut " dropped anchor in the harbor
of Valparaiso, Chili, and on the I34th day, after a

voyage of 18,000 miles, she was safely moored in San
Francisco Bay. In California Mr. Blanchard was
soon stricken down by disease and brought near
death's door; but an iron constitution carried him
through. After long sickness, and still suffering from
a complication of diseases, and, leaving his gold in the
" banks " of the Yuba and Feather Rivers, he em-
barked by way of Panama for home, which he reached
in September, 1851, with broken health and a shat-
tered constitution. Having partially regained his
former health and vigor, he again assumed the
pedagogical baton, at the same time resuming his
studies.

March 30, 1853, he married. Abbie A. Beckley,
daughter of Horace and Abigail (Wellington) Beck-
ley. His wife was a fine singer and an excellent
performer on the piano and organ, and for many
years after her marriage, taught instrumental and
vocal music with marked success. In March, 1855,
Mr. Blanchard became Assistant Principal of the
People's Academy, which institution he, as a student,
had attended years before. He was invited to take
charge of the school in 1858, and did so, his wife
having charge of the musical department, which she
had assumed in 1855. He remained here till April,
1861.

The echoes from the assaulting guns in Charleston
harbor reverberated among the Green Mountains and
awoke the spirit of the " Boys of "76 " in the breasts
of their descendants, and Mr. Blanchard, yielding to
the influence of the hour, relinquished his position to
take active part in the work of preparing to defend
the standard of the Union. He raised a company of
volunteers in Lamoille Co., Vt., which was assigned
to the Third Vt. Inf. as Co. E, with himself as Cap-
tain. The command was assigned to the Army of
the Potomac. In November, 1861, Capt. Blanchard,
on account of disability, was honorably discharged
from the army.

Returning to Vermont, he remained there until
April, 1862, the date of his removal to De Kalb
County, to take charge of the public schools of Syca-
more. He found school matters in a desperate con-
dition, but with a firm hand and resolute will he
inaugurated reform. Under his vigorous manage-
ment, educational affairs soon assumed a prosperous
aspect. In January, 1863, the school edifice was
burned. The fine building now devoted to the same

)

purpose was erected the summer following. It con-
tains eight school-rooms, a large hall and several
recitation rooms. In 1867, Mr. Blanchard severed his
connection with the schools of Sycamore, and en-
gaged in the same capacity at Litchfield, Montgomery
Co., 111., where he remained one year. He next be-
came Principal of the Rochelle schools in Ogle Co.,
Ill , where he taught four years with decided success.
He then succeeded to the management of the Galv