DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 11 of 28)

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 eorge W. Gurley, of Sandwich, is the fifth lineal descendant from William Gurley, 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 Northampton, 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 marriage 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 termination 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 removed 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 Kendall 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 student 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 Mexico, Mo., where he was employed two years, at a yearly salary of $800, and expenses. On the termination of that engagement he went to Wisconsin and entered the employment of his brother in a general mercantile establishment. The business associate 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, Goodman & 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 salesman, also acting as collector and in the transaction of general business. On the first day of September, 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 removed 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.

farm was purchased, where he has always lived, and where he is engaged in the successful prosecution 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 profitable dairy business. He is a Democrat.

Mr. White was married Jan. 3, 1883, to Cornelia M., daughter of James and Jeannette (Rickey) Marshall, 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, Notary Public and real-estate agent, at Sycamore, was born Nov. 7, 1826, in Washington 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 removed 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 improvement. 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 successively 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.

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 matrimonial 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 Quebec, 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. William 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 massacre of the river Raisin. He was a personal friend and counselor of General Harrison. After the war he married 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., settling 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 < 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 Crawford 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 credentials 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 extensive 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 Attorney 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 Masonic fraternity and the Order of Odd Fellows.

He was united in marriage, in Northville Township, 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 William III, whence they emigrated to Wexford, Ireland. Elizabeth Jacobus, great-grandmother of

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 Benjamin, 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 accomplished. A price was set on his head and he was tracked by Canadian spies, arrested, tried, convicted, 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 instigator 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 movement 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 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 persecutions 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 commemorating the progress of the operations which at last terminated 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 attainments, and is surpassed by none in his knowledge of ancient and modern history.

illiam Converse Phelps, Assistant Secretary of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, was born June 16, 1849, in Kirkland, Oneida Co., N. Y. His father, Alonzo E. Phelps, was born Jan. 17, 1804, in Cazenovia, 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.

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, discharging 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 during 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 member 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, Somonauk 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 business 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 commonschool 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 employment 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 homestead, - a period of more than 40 years. He conducted 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 community to which he belongs, as well as his abilities and qualifications for responsible positions, have won a recognition creditable to himself and his supporters. 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 reelection 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 Somonauk Township six years, and been appointed a Delegate numberless times to the Republican State and County Conventions.

During the war of the Rebellion he was indefatigable in his efforts to aid the Government in its suppression 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 instrumental in raising Co. H, roth 111. Vol. Inf., which he accompanied on its way to the front as far as Cairo.

In 1864 he raised Co. H, iS6th 111. Vol. Inf., and went to the field as its Captain, but was never in actual 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 himself 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 Milwaui 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 (socalled) 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 Herkimer 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 hupband 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 proprietor 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. (Perrigo) 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 interested 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 Sandwich, 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 abilities of Mr. Douglas beyond the enterprise in which he is engaged, are recognized by the Chicago Times, Inter-Ocean, News, and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 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 Sandwich, 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 Township, 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 Auburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Mehitable (Olcott) Johnston.

rastus B. Little, farmer, section n, Kingston 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 connection 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, enlisting 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 returned 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 follows : 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, adjuster for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, resident at St. Louis, Mo.; Rebecca, 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 Somonauk Jan. 16, 1856. Mrs. Dennis came to Somonauk 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 between one and two hundred. He is also conducting a small dairy.

Mr. Dennis was married at the Grand Pacific Hotel 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, Jeremiah L. and Judith (Richardson) Brown, came to De Kalb County, and settled in 1837, in Genoa 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 county. To these men the present generation is greatly

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 cultivation. 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.

The parents of Mrs. Brown came to De Kalb County 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 entered the ministry, becoming a clergyman of the Christian denomination. He labored in that capacity 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 ardent 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 German lineage. She was born in New Jersey, of parents of New England origin. She was in her girlhood when she became a resident of Pennsylvania, and she was married in Columbia County in that State about 1816. She came West and died in } S%»C

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 parental 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 occupation 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 survive 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 operations. He has a fine and valuable farm, on which he has erected a good class of buildings. In political 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,

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 Berkshire Co., Mass., and became a farm laborer, continuing 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 included 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 commission 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 Columbia 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, 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 Washington 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 residents 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 subsequently became the wife of Charles McAllister, and is a resident of Kingston Township.

Phelps Adams, manufacturer and secretary of the Sandwich Manufacturing Coml |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 obtained 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 accountant 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 transferred his business to Sandwich, where he had established 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 meeting 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 Company 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, educational and political interests since he has been a resident there. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and previous to May, 1884, had been Sunday-school Superintendent 12 years. Before Sandwich 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

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. Huntoon, 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 spending 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 Pennsylvania. 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., Clarissa S. and Jane R. are living. Mrs. Tower was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., June 6, 1831. The children 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 Charlotte 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 removed 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 circulation both in Sandwich and the surrounding country. The Free Press is also engaged in a general job and book printing business, for the satisfactory 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 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 Washington County. The mother, Jane. C. (Gilchrist) Gillis, was born in New York, of mixed Scotch and New York parentage. After the death of her husband 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, remaining with her until he was of age. His first independent 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 Washington 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. Considering her accumulation of years, she is in remarkable 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 diversified, and her rare memory, she is an agreeable companion 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 engaged 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 deceased : 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.; G«orge 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 township 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 Seminary at Xenia, Ohio. Maggie, only surviving sister, lives with her brother, Peter.

Washington Co., N. Y. He taught nine terms of school in New York and Iowa, and afterwards became a farmer. He was married in his native township 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 Beveridge.

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 Twenholen 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 traversed by a carriage, and a part of the journey, including 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 Micklenax, Scotland, and came to America with his father'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 living 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 accompanied 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 acquired 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 Republican. He was elected Supervisor of his township 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

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 agricultural 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 business 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 present 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 extensive. His real estate in De Kalb County comprises 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 removal 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 Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1845. His parents, 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.

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 carried 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 Mayfield 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 Director ; politically, he acts with the Republican party ; and religiously, he, as well as Mrs. W., is a member 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 Washington 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 attaining 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 Washington County. Of this union 10 children were born and are all living with a single exception. Anna M. was born Dec. 20, !838; Parmelia, July 31, 1840

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 cattle, 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 Concord, 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 embarked by way of Panama for home, which he reached in September, 1851, with broken health and a shattered 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) Beckley. 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 Captain. 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 Sycamore. He found school matters in a desperate condition, but with a firm hand and resolute will he inaugurated reform. Under his vigorous management, 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 contains eight school-rooms, a large hall and several recitation rooms. In 1867, Mr. Blanchard severed his connection with the schools of Sycamore, and engaged in the same capacity at Litchfield, Montgomery Co., 111., where he remained one year. He next became 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 Galva schools, Henry Co., 111., and at the end of two years was elected Superintendent of the schools of Lyons, Iowa. At the close of the year, he resigned his position and returned to the home of his earlier years, Morris ville,Vt., and again took his old place at the head of the People's Academy. But he soon discovered that he had been West too long to be contented there. He was again invited to take charge of the schools of Sycamore, and in 1877 accepted, where he may be found, an earnest, enthusiastic worker.

Prof. Blanchard is a member of Sycamore Commandery, Knights Templars, and Commander of Potter Post, No. 12, G. A. R., of Sycamore. Frank W. Blanchard, his son, was born June 16, 1861, in Morrisville, Vt., and is now book-keeper in the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company at Sycamore. Fanny M. was born Sept. 8, 1863, at Sycamore. Claribel was born June 14, 1867, and died in Litchfield, 111., October 4, following.

Prof. Blanchard takes foremost rank as a teacher and disciplinarian. Few men possess the power of control to such a degree as he does. Sincerity is his characteristic. He is always guided by a sense of strict justice and impartiality. No sham finds the least favor in his eyes. His long period of service, as well as his natural abilities, has fitted him thoroughly for his place in the profession, in which he has few peers and no superiors. He has devoted many of the best years of his life to the interest of the schools of Sycamore. He has worked physically as well as mentally. Whatever needs doing, he does. He has been mainly instrumental in securing the best High-School library and the finest philosophical apparatus in the county. He has presented the High School with a fine collection of birds and small mammals; the Senior Grammar School with a library of 100 volumes; the Middle Grammar School with a library of 80 volumes. His absorptiion in his work is complete. He has no other interest than that of his school. The present high standing and proficiency of Sycamore's schools are the best evidence of his faithful work.

We have the pleasure of presenting portraits of both Mr. Blanchard and his wife in this volume. They are engraved from photographs taken in 1883.

scar Schmoldt, farmer, section 24, Mayfield Township, is a son of John and Wilhelmina (Sturm) Schmoldt, natives of Germany who emigrated to America in 1830, settling in Pennsylvania, where they lived until the death of the former, in Louisville, Ky. Mrs. S. went Kane County in 1845, and came to De Kalb County in 1862, and made her residence in Mayfield Township, where she finally died, Feb. 5, 1870. They had 1 1 children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity, namely, Augusta, Rudolph, Amandus, Amiel, Adolph, Wilhelmina and Oscar.

The youngest above mentioned, who is the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Schuylkill Co., Pa., April 13, 1833, and lived at home until 19 years of age, learning the carpenter's trade. He then went to California, remaining six years. Next he came to Geneva, Kane Co., where he remained about a year, and in the spring of 1862 came to De Kalb County and settled on 100 acres of land in Mayfield Township, which he had purchased the year previous. Here he has since made his home, and is now the owner of 270 acres of land, 200 of which is in cultivation. He keeps about 40 head of cattle, 13 head of horses, and fattens about 75 head of hogs yearly.

In his political views Mr. Schmoldt is a Republican. He was married in Mayfield Township, April n, 1866, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Charles and Phebe (Nichols) Townsend, natives of the State of New York. The father was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Oct. io, 1808, and came to this State in 1837. The mother was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., Aug. 1 1, 1810. They were married Oct. io, 1834. They lived in this county until their deaths. Mr. T. died in May, 1879, and Mrs. T. April 26, 1880. They had 1 1 children, - Mary A., Edwin, Francis, Marinda, Erastus, Harrison, Clarissa, Caroline, Orrissa, Charles fN. and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Schmoldt was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., July n, 1836, and the ^ children now in her family are William A., who was born Oct. 19, 1869; May was born April 26, 1872, and one died when an infant. Mrs. S. is a member of the Advent Church.

iptain Joseph W. Foster, real estate and loan agent, residing in Kingston Township, on section 9, has lived chiefly in that township since the age of eight years. His father, Moses Foster, was born in Adams Co., Ohio, and married Anna B. Robb, a native of Allegany Co., Pa Subsequent to their marriage, they passed three years in Adams County, and removed thence to Fountain Co., Ind. There they resided a similar period of time, when they made another transfer, to Warren County in the same State, and thence removed to De Kalb County, this State, and settled in 1836, in Kingston Township, where they were among the earliest of the first permanent settlers. The mother died in January, 1878, at a greatly advanced age. The father went in 1882 to spend some time with a son in Colorado, arid is now residing there. The children included in their family were Joseph W., Thomas P., Robert R., Rebecca, Esther E., Harriet A. and Mary C. One died in infancy.

Joseph vV. was born Jan. 17, 1828, in Adams Co., Ohio. He was educated in the common schools, and remained at home until he was 22 years of age. In 1850 he became an independent land-holder by the purchase of 100 acres of land in Franklin Township, where he prosecuted his agricultural projects two years previous to his settling thereon. Two years later he removed to Belvidere, Boone County, where he formed a partnership with A. F. Powers, and engaged in the sale of groceries and farm produce, under the style of Powers & Foster. At the end of two years the former withdrew, and the latter continued the purchase and shipment of grain about one year alone. Some time afterward he engaged in trade in general merchandise and operated in that avenue of business about three years. He then returned to Franklin Township and rented his fatherin-law's farm one year. In the fall of 1860 he embarked anew in the grain trade, in which he was

Mr. Foster was one of the first tp rally to the standard of union and loyalty. He enlisted in April, 1 86 1, and in August following, his company was assigned to the 42d 111. Vol. Inf. In July previous he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Co. K, and during the month of November, 1862, he was promoted to the command of his company as a reward for meritorious conduct at Stone River. He continued the chief officer of his company until his capture at the battle of Chickamauga, on the afternoon of Sept. 20, 1863. He had received a terrible gunshot wound in his face, the traces of which he will bear to his dying day ; and he was held prisoner of war on the field 19 days after the action. He was taken thence to Richmond, Va., where he was in close confinement seven months. He was removed thence to Danville, Va., and afterwards to Macon, Ga. While at the latter place, a plot was laid which was intended to result in a wholesale escapade of the Union prisoners ; but, owing to the failure of some of the soldiers in the fulfillment of their assigned duties, the scheme came to naught, and soon afterward they were removed to Charleston, S. C. Two months later a second removal, to Columbia, S. C., took place, where they were held several months. In the spring of 1865, they were paroled at Annapolis, Md., and Captain Foster returned home after an imprisonment of 17 months and n days. Previous to that event he was in charge of the paroled and convalescent soldiers of Johnson's Division at Nashville, Tenn., six months. While en route to Charleston, subsequent to the failure of the plan to escape, Captain Foster and two comrades endeavored to effect an escape by jumping from the train. The success of the venture was only thwarted by bloodhounds, which the Confederate villains let loose after their absence was discovered. At Columbia, Captain Foster made a second attempt to regain his freedom, by endeavoring to pass the lines as a paroled soldier. He passed 16 days in the swamps and marshes, and at the end of that time was again retaken and returned to prison. He was mustered out at St. Louis, Mo. In 1870 he was made United States Census Enumerator, and performed the duties of his office in seven townships in De Kalb County. He has acted as Assessor of his township six years

In the 3ist General Assembly of Illinois in 1879, he acted in the capacity of Under-Policeman. In August, 1879, he was made door-keeper for the State Board of Equalization, and in 1881 he was made assistant in the same position. He acted during the 33d Assembly as a Messenger of the Senate.

Captain Foster was married June 19, 1850, in Sycamore, to Alidah, daughter of Martin and Mary A. (Ives) Barringer. He was born July 19, 1806, and the latter was born in Sand Lake, N. Y., Dec. n, 1810, and removed thence to Genesee N. Y. In 1 845 they came thence to Illinois and settled in Franklin Township, in De Kalb County. After a residence there of six years they went to Belvidere, Boone Co., 111. 'The mother died June 27, 1874. The death of the father occurred at Lake City, Florida, Nov. 15, 1877, where he had gone in quest of health. Edward, Alidah, Mary E., Fidelia and Susan J. are the names of their children. Mrs. Foster was born Aug. 30, 1821, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Three children have been born to her arid her husband: J. Wesley, Charles M . and Thomas P.

Captain Foster is an earnest Republican and is at present the Commander of Barnes Post, No. 395, G. A. R. He has been for four years Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he and his wife belong. Since his return from the army he has engaged principally in farming, but has combined his operations in that line with trade in real estate.

rentiss D. Worthley, farmer, section 28, Kingston Township, was born Nov. 20, 1850, near Bangor, Maine, in Kennebec County. His father, Conrad C. Worthley, was a native of the same State, as was his mother, Esther A. (Bradbury) Worthley. The father was born in October, 1801, and died Sept. 29, 1877. The mother was born Oct. n, 1804, and died May 19, 1884. They had four sons and two daughters, and the son who is the subject of this sketch is the youngest. He came with his parents when five years of age to Michigan City, Ind., removing thence two years later to Porter County, in the same State. The family were resident there about 12 years, and came thence to McHenry Co., 111. The son sought an independent home and career in De Kalb County in the spring of 1870, when he located in Kingston Township. He is now the manager of 140 acres of improved land. In political faith Mr. Worthly is a Republican.

His marriage to Amelia Uplinger occurred Dec. 10, 1878, and they have one child, Ralph, bom Oct. 26, 1879. Mrs. Worthley was born April 18, 1857, in Luzerne Co., Pa., and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wood) Uplinger, residents of Kingston Township, whither Mrs. W. came when she was nine years of age.

orace B. Johnson, mechanic, resident at Fielding, Franklin Township, was born Oct. 20, 1829, in Wilton, Kennebec Co., Maine. John Johnson, his father, was a ship carpenter, and married Mehitable Dacy. Both parents were natives of the Pine-Tree State, and tfiere they died, the former when Horace was in youth, the latter in 1880.

When Mr. Johnson was 13 years of age, he was apprenticed to a man named Cyrus Dunn, to acquire a knowledge of brick-laying, and remained under his instructions until he reached his majority. He began his independent career by the practice of his trade in Oxford Co., Maine, going thence to Lewiston in the same State. He was married while there to Nancy Nash, who died in 1855, leaving one child, Walter E., who is a resident at Lewiston. After the death of his wife, Mr. Johnson came to Illinois and settled in Franklin Township. He passed some years in working at his trade and in farming, removing eventually to the village of Fielding, where, in 1876, he purchased a sight for his home, consisting of two and a half village lots, on which he erected a pleasant residence. Since his removal hither he has followed his trade.

His marriage to Sarah J. Van Dresser occurred in Franklin Township, Jan. i, 1856, and they had three children. Liona R. is the single survivor. Nancy A. died when four years old. Charles W. died at the the age of four months. Mrs. Johnson is the daughter of Gilbert and Nancy Van Dresser. Her parents were natives of Allegany Co., N. Y., and came West in 1845, first locating in Erie Co., Ohic After a residence there of seven years they removed to Lake County, in the same State, where the father died. The mother removed with her children in 1853 to Illinois and now resides at St. Charles.

eonard Aurner, a retired farmer and merchant, resident at Kingston, was born July 6, 1811, in Sugar Loaf, Armstrong Co., Ohio. His parents, Henry and Betsey (Billick) Aurner, were natives of Pennsylvania, and when their son was in his early childhood they returned to Lycoming County, in that State, removing thence to De Kalb County, this State, where they were among the pioneer settlers. His father died at 90 years of age ; his mother was 88 years old when she died. On attaining his majority he became .his " own man," and he went to Livingston Co., N. Y., where he spent two years as a farm assistant, working by the month. In 1832 he came to St. Joseph, Mich., for the purpose of enlisting to aid in expelling the Indians; but the difficulties there were at an end before his arrival. He obtained employment on the " turnpike," which was then being built through that country, ajid he spent three years in that vicinity, operating a part of the time as a lumberman. At the end of that time he bought a farm in the township of Sherman, St. Joseph County, where he operated as a farmer two years. The location did not agree with his health and he sold his farm, coming thence to De Kalb County. He purchased a large tract of land of a man who had made a claim, and he was at one time the possessor of 406 acres of land in the county. He is the present owner of nearly 200 acres of land and also of quite an amount of village property.

Mr. Aurner was first married Feb. 4, 1836, in St. Joseph Co., Mich., to Margaret Dibble, a native of Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y. They became t^ie parents of nine children, - Orlando J., Eliza C., William R., Jane M., Harriet L., Charles L., Joseph F., Emma and Marcus D. The death of their mothet occurred in 1864, in Kingston Township, and Mr. Aurner was a second time married Aug. 3, 1874, at De Kalb, to Ellen (Carter) Burkhardt, daughter of

Jared and Lydia (Ames) Carter, and widow of John ^f Burkhardt. Her first husband died Dec. 25, 1865, $ leaving nine children, - Caroline, Mary E., Josephine $ J. A., Robert O., John S., Jared H., George H., Carrie !!

V. and Claude A. Four of the latter are deceased. Mrs. Aurner was born Nov. 16, 1827, in Vermont. Mr. Aurner is a Democrat, and has officiated in several positions of responsibility and trust in his township.

rancis Rote, farmer, section 35, Franklin Township, vyas born June 9, 1820, in Lycoming Co., Pa., and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Kitchen) Rote. His father, Daniel Rote, was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, May i 27, 1792, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age, but for honest difference of views he left it, and in 1831 or '32 he joined the Christian Church, and was baptized by Elder John Case in 1832. He soon after began to exhort, and was ordained at Fairfield, Lycoming Co., Pa., March 9, 1833, by Milliard Marvin and others. Within one year afterward he organized four Churches in his own neighborhood, of 143 members in the aggregate. He continued his labors in Pennsylvania for many years, and was one of the leading men in the organization of the Pennsylvania Christian Conference, of which he became a member. In 1846, he left his home and work in Pennsylvania, and moved to De Kalb County. In his new locality in the West, he entered heartily into the work of the ministry, and was very useful in the cause. About 1860 disease and old age came upon him, so that he was not able to do much labor ; but his heart was in the work to the last.' In 1862 he received a stroke of paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered. He died May 24, 1864, aged 72 years, leaving an aged companion in a dying state with the same disease. He had been 'a successful man in his day. He married Mary Kitchen, Nov. r, 1814, who was born in New Jersey, July 4, 1787, and died Feb. 26, 1865. Mr. R. was the son of David Rote, a native of Holland, who was born in that country April 12, 1740, and came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he was a successful farmer.

family of nine children born to his parents ; they were named as follows : Henry, Sarah, Francis, Hannah, Rachel, Mary and Martha (twins), Amos H. and Margaret.

Mr. Rote was married Sept. 4, 1861, in Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., to Catherine E. McCarty, who is the daughter of Edward and Mary A. (Sherman) Mc- Carty. Her father was born in Illinois and went in early life to Ontario, Can., where he married. His wife is a native of New Brunswick, and after their marriage they located in Franklin Township, and are still residing there, aged respectively 77 and 7 2 years. They had 14 children, of whom Mrs. Rote was born sixth in order. Ten of her brothers and sisters survive. She was born in Ontario, April 28, 1843, and was ten years of age when she accompanied her parents to Boone Co., 111., where they settled in Caledonia Township. She is the mother of 10 children, who were born as follows: Albert D., March 17, 1862; Mary E., June 30, 1863, and died Sept. 20, 1863; Sarah A., born May 26, 1865; Libbie J., Dec. 2, 1867; Frank, Feb. 13, 1870; Hattie, Jan. 13, 1872; Charles, Sept. 14, 1874; Eddie, Aug. i, 1876: Freddie A., Jan. 8, 1878; and Jessie E., June 13. 1880.

After his marriage, Mr. Rote succeeded to the proprietorship of the homestead, which comprised 80 acres and a piece of timber land 15 acres in extent and located on section 35. The place is under excellent tillage.

^amuel Knight, farmer, section 9, Mayfield Township, is a son of Peter and Anna (Dell) Knight, who were natives of Maryland, where they lived until their, demise. They had eight children, - Susanna, Samuel, Jacob, Lydia, John N., Michael, Matilda P. and Lilly A. The second-born, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Frederick Co., Md., June 28, 1816, and lived at home until of age, learning the blacksmith's trade of his father, which he followed for many years. In 1837 he emigrated to Adams County, this State, where he continued to work at his trade for eight years, and then, in 1845, he came this county and pre-empted a quarter of section

9, where he settled and has since resided, one of the oldest and most honored pioneers of the county. He is now the owner of 175 acres in the township, most of which is in cultivation. He has been Road Commissioner, Overseer of Highways, etc., is Democratic in his political principles, and is a member of the Christian Church, as is also Mrs. Knight.

Mr. K. was married in Columbus, Adams Co., III., March 20, 1839, to Miss Mary, daughter of Abel and Mary (Moore) Tower, who were natives of Vermont and the parents of George, John, Charles, Mary (Mrs. K.) and David. Mrs. K. was born in Wilmington, Windham Co., Vl., Feb. 21, 1815. The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Knight are, - Harriet, wife of Nicholas Weber, and resides in Kingston Township ; Mary, who married H. G. Vandeburgh, .and resides in Kingston Township; Amanda, who was married to H. G. Campbell ; Laura married Oliver Low, of Kingston ; Augusta L., the wife of F. G. Menter, of Mayfield Township; Sarah, the wife of James Snell; and Charles, who married Martha Swanson. Alice, George W. and John H. are deceased.

Ibert N. Freeland, farmer, located on section 36, De Kalb Township, was born Sept. 22, 1827, in Tioga Co., N. Y. Joseph and Lydia (Perry) Freeland, his parents, were natives of Massachusetts, and went thence to Tioga County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their five children reached mature life. They were named Melissa, Betsey, Lyman, Squire and Albert N.

Mr. Freeland obtained a good common-school education and operated as a farmer in New York. In the fall of 1854 he came to De Kalb County and became a landholder of the township of Pierce. He continued to carry on his farming operations there uTitil 1860. In that year he disposed of his farm by sale and passed the next three years in farming and in other occupations in Sycamore. In 1863 he assumed charge of the county poor farm and continued the management of its affairs about seven years. On the termination of his connection therewith he went to Aurora, 111., and spent three years engaged in various pursuits, which required little activity, as he was in poor health. In the winter of 1875 he removed his family to Fredericksburg, Va., to procure a change of climate for his daughter, who was in a precarious state of health. He remained there until the next October, when the family went to Tompkins Co., N. Y., and a few months later returned to Illinois, settling in De Kalb Township. His farm contains 160 acres of valuable land, all under improvements, and fairly stocked. Mr. Freeland is a Republican of decidedly zealous spirit.

He was married Dec. 24, 1852, in Tioga Co., N. Y., to Jane Bunnell. One child was born to them, Jan. 18, '864, - Jennie D., - who died of consumption in the township of De Kalb, May 2, 1882. Mrs. Freeland was born Nov. 14, 1829, in Tioga County, and is the daughter of Isaac and Rachel (Brink) Bunnell. The latter died in New York, her native State. The former removed thence to De Kalb County, where he afterwards died.

fabez W. Ward, farmer residing on the northeast quarter of section 21, Afton Township, was born in West Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 6, 1829. The Ward family are of the old " Puritan Stock." Four of five brothers came to this country in the, Mayflower, and Luke Ward, father of Jabez W.," had directly descended from one of those brothers. The fifth brother came over the next year after the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. The father of Jabez W. was born in 1795, and died at West Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., April 23, 1876. He was a farmer by vocation. His mother, Fanny (Watkins) Ward, was born May 10, 1804, and is still living in West Rutland, Vt. They are the parents of five children, namely: Charles E., George H., Jabez W., Henry M. and Fanny E.

Jabez W. Ward, subject of this notice, was raised on a farm in Rutland Co., Vt. He spent his early years in farm labor and attending the common schools, and remained on the home farm until he attained the age of 25 years, with the exception of one year which he spent at Castleton, his native county. At that age in life he went forth upon the i road of adversity alone, with a firm determination to overcome the trials of life and procure a competency. Following the promptings of his conscience, and relying on his faith in the future development of the " Great West," he came to this State and located at Joliet, Will County. He arrived there in November,

1855, he came to this county and purchased the northwest quarter of section 32, Afton Township, the date of his purchase being May i. The land had a frame house on it and 65 acres under the plow. He lived on this farm for nine years, meanwhile cultivating and improving it, and then, in 1864 sold it to John Sturtevant. Soon thereafter he purchased 152^ acres on section 21, same township, of the "Tyler estate," on which he moved and has resided ever since. It contained a small frame house, with a locust grove, where his present residence now stands, and a fence (which was a perfect failure) of locust trees. He has now a good frame house, warm and comfortable barn, 26x36 feet, good fences, and the farm is under good cultivation.

Mr. Ward was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1850, to Miss Susan, daughter of Chester and Hannah (Peak) Ward. Both parents are deceased. Her father was born in West Rutlarfd, April 10, 1797, and was found dead in his bed Oct. 10, 1884. Her mother was born in Vermont, Jan. 2, 1800, and died at Highgate, Franklin County, same State, Oct. 2, 1842. Mrs. Susan Ward was born Oct. 31, 1828, in Highgate, Franklin County, Vt., and was one of a family of five children, three boys and two girls, namely: Luther H., Erastus W., Susan, Elizabeth and Benjamin. There was also a half sister, Jane.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward are the parents of four children : Lucy E. was born Dec. 25, 1852, married John Rice, April 28, 1875, and is residing in Forreston, Ogle County, this State. Fannie A. was born April 25, 1856, married N. H. Givens, March 14, 1876, and resides on section 7, Afton Township, this county. George L. was born April 4, 1859, and resides in Sanborn Co., Dak. Rollin W. was born Nov. 24, 1863, and resides on the home farm.

Politically, Mr. Ward is a Republican. He has been Highway Commissioner two years, Justice of Peace nine years, and School Trustee 1 2 years, and is at present Township Treasurer, which latter office he has held for three years.

Township. He moved into it before it was organized and was one of the prime factors in its organization. Prominent among those entitled to be classified as self-made men in this county, men who achieved a competency through honest, energetic effort and good judgment, is Mr. Ward, and while we cannot place the likeness of all of them in this work, we are pleased to be able to give that of the gentleman whose name heads this notice.