DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 15 of 28)

After the Revolution he settled in Herkimer County and passed the remainder of his life in honorable and useful citizenship, serving as a judge to the extreme of the constitutional limit. He was the friend and associate of Washington, Franklin, Knox, Hamilton, Burr, Governor Clinton and others whose names are on the " eternal roll of fame." He died at Little Falls, in April, 1831. His wife, who was greatly his junior in years, was an acknowledged beauty. She was the daughter of Joseph Belknap, of Newburg, one of the intimate friends of General Washington and in whose family circle he was a frequent guest during his residence at Newburg. It is well known that Washington was a great lover of children, and the younger members of the families ^f his friends were the objects of his special attention. Miss Phebe was in comparative childhood, and was a special favorite of the distinguished guest of her father. Of her marriage to Evans Wharry, nine children were born, and she died about 1850, at a great age. The record of Herkimer County states that Judge Wharry had " one or two sons who left the country many years ago," but he failed to discover that one of the individuals of indefinite ultimatum became a pioneer of De Kalb County. Major Evans Wharry married Mrs. Martha Smith. Mrs. Bishop, only daughter of her parents, was born April 2, 1856, at Sycamore, where she was brought up to tha age of 1 5 years, when she was sent to Fairfield Seminary in the State of New York. She was a pupil at that institution three years, and in 1874 entered Wells College at Aurora, N. Y., completing a course of study there in 1877. She possesses superior literary abilities, which were recognized and appreciated during her collegiate course, as she was made President of the " Phoenix Literarum," a literary society : she also conducted the Chronicle, the Wells College journal. She returned to Sycamore in 1878. Mrs. Bishop is acknowledged to be a lady of exceptional brilliancy and attainments, and is a valuable member of the social circles in which she moves.

:lark Nichols, farmer, section 13, Squaw Grove Township, is a citizen of that township of more than 40 years' standing, having accompanied his parents hither in 1844. He was born Nov. 3, 1841, in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is the son of Eli G. and Phebe (Horton) Nichols. His parents were natives of New York and came thence in the fall of 1844 to make a permanent residence in De Kalb County. Their deaths occurred respectively Oct. 2, 1851, and Oct. 24, 1873. Huldah A., Phebe A. and Clark are the names of their children.

Mr. Nichols has been engaged all his life in farming. He is the owner of 78 acres where he residesj and also of 30 acres in Kane County. He has held the office of School Director and politically affiliates with the Republican party.

and Martha (Amerman) Schryver, were born in the State of New York and were of mixed German and English descent. Mrs. Nichols was born Sept. 16, 1844, in the city of New York. William E. and

, enry S. Dickinson, wagon-maker and dealer in carriages at East Paw Paw, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., April 27, 1833, his parents being Oliver H. and Olive (Brooks) Dickinson. He was brought up in his native county and was educated in the public and select schools of the day.

He learned the wagon-maker's trade in the East, came to East Paw Paw, 111., in the fall of 1855, and worked as a journeyman at his trade until Jan. 18, 1856, when he bought out his employer, since which time he has carried on his business continuously and with success.

He was married at East Paw Paw, 111., Dec. 9, 1856, to Miss Nancy S., daughter of Jacob and Mary (McCoy) Wirick. She was born at Far West, Mo., March 5, 1839.

Bernard C. Allbee, retired farmer at Hinckley, is the son of Joseph and Electa (Crippen) Allbee. They were natives of the State of New York, and had a family of 13 children, Mr. Allbee of this sketch being second in order of birth. He was born June 10, r, in Cayuga Co., N. Y. When two years old his parents moved to Ohio, where he lived till 1838. In that year he came to De Kalb County and settled in the township of Squaw Grove. He arrived here previous to the land's coming into market and located on what is now section 15. He has been the owner of several different farms, and has lived in Squaw Grove Township since 1840.

Mr. Allbee was married Jan. 4, 1840, in the township of Sugar Grove, Kane Co., Ill, to Mary E., daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Vanbelger) Jones. \& Her parents were natives of Connecticut and had seven children, of whom Mrs. Allbee is second in order of birth. She was born June 5, 1823, in the city of New York. She has been the mother of 16 children, - Sarah, Catherine, Joseph P., Eleazer and Electa (twins), Emma E., John B., Charles F., Ella M., Ber- i nard C., Anson G., Phebe J., Willie H., Carrie A., Lil- <| lie M. and Edgar.

dam Haish, farmer, section 26, Pierce Township, is a pioneer of that township. He is a native of Bonddish, Germany, where e was born Aug. 12, 1830. Two years after his birth his parents emigrated from "das Faderland " to the United States. They made a short stay in the State of Pennsylvania, where his mother died. After that event his father settled on a tract of land in Crawford Co., Ohio. There were five children in the family, of whom Mr. Haish is the youngest. In 1850 the family came to De Kalb County, and settled on a farm in Pierce Township.

Mr. Haish made his home with his parents until 18156, when he made a purchase of 40 acres of prairie land at $5 per acre. Two years later he sold the same for three times the original price. He then purchased 80 acres of wholly unimproved land on section 35, and has now 40 acres on section 36, which he bought at $15 per acre, and later bought 40 acres additional for which he paid at the rate of $44 per acre. In 1877 he bought the Eberly farm, comprising 160 acres, paying therefor $8,000. In 1883 he bought the place known as the Lintner farm, containing 82 acres, at $50.60 per acre. These farms are all supplied with excellent buildings.

Mr. Haish was married May 17, 1853, to Lydia Kuter, and they ,had five children, - Lucy Ann, Henry, William and Jacob G. Jeremiah died in infancy. Mrs. Haish was born Feb. 9, 1828, and is the daughter of John and Lydia Kuter.

of foreign birth may accomplish in contrast with the possibilities open to him in his own country, where every foot of soil is crowded, and all opportunities of advancement closed long before they reached to the class to which he belonged. In the United States all he needs is energy, perseverance and understanding.

In October, 1884, Mrs. Haish was attacked by a painful disease which proved to be cancer of the stomach, from which she suffered for 24 weeks. Her death occurred Feb. 23, 1885. In calm resignation she arranged the details of her burial, and her funeral sermon was preached from Isaiah, 351)1 chapter, loth verse, which she selected herself.

form Palm, retired farmer, residing at Shabbona, was born in Austin Township, Trumbufl Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1812, and is a son of David and Mary (Shivley) Palm. His father followed the vocation of a farmer, and Mr. Palm grew to manhood on the farm, receiving the advantages afforded by the common schools.

He was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Flick, daughter of George and Margaret (Randolph) Flick, Oct. 13, 1831. She was born in Bald Eagle, Center Co., Pa., Aug. 3r, 1811. Four years after marriage, in 1835, Mr- Palrn moved with his family to Southington, same county, and engaged in farming, which vocation he followed in that county for some years. He then removed to Middlefield, Geauga County, State of Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1845, when he removed to Shabbona Grove, this county, and entered 160 acres of Government land on section 14, township 38 north, of range 3 east. In 1850 he went by the overland route to California, where he was engaged in placer-mining; but, contracting typhoid fever, he was not able to work for about three months, yet afterwards accumulated a moderate amount of means before returning. He came home in a little less than two years and paid for his land and made some substantial improvements on it. In 1862 he leased his farm and moved to Leland, La Salle Cj., this State. He remained seven years at the latter place, and then, in 1869, he returned to his farm, which he «ontinued to cultivate until 1877. At this time he was afflicted with the partial loss of his eye-sight, and again rented his farm and moved into Shabbona, soon after commencing treatment for his eyes, having built a fine residence before moving to the village. Nothing that money could procure or skill accomplish did him any good, and about 1879 he was hopelessly deprived of one of the greatest gifts to man, his power of vision.

At this writing (1885) Mr. Palm is in full possession of all his other faculties. He is cheerful in disposition and vigorous and clear in his mental faculties. He still owns an extensive farm of 236 acres in Shabbona Township, which he rents, besides a comfortable residence and 13 lots in the village of Shabbona.

Mr. and Mrs. Palm are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, only two of whom are living. The eldest, Margaret, was born Aug. 13, 1832, married Alonzo Olmstead and died in her 25th year. The second child, Adam, was born Jan. 7, 1834, lived to maturity, married Miss Almina Fuller, is a farmer by vocation and resides at Shabbona. Mary J., born Sept. 3, 1837, lived to maturity and became the wife of Henry Husk, a farmer of Shabbona Township. Hannah, born July 30, 1839, grew to womanhood, became, the wife of William Husk, Postmaster at Shabbona, and died in August, 1865. David, fifth child, was born May 3, 1842. He grew to manhood under the parental roof-tree, and on the breaking out of the late Civil War, enlisted in Co. E, ic>5th 111. Vol. Inf., and died in November, 1862, in the hospital at Bowling Green, Warren Co., Ky., from disease contracted in the army. John, sixth and youngest child, was born Jan. 21, 1845, and died when five and one-half years of age:

While a resident of Leland, La Salle County, Mr. Palm held the office of Trustee four seasons in succession. On coming to Shabbona he was elected a member of the first Board of Village Trustees, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected and held the office four years. It was largely due to his liberality and public enterprise that the railway station was established at this place. He generously gave the undivided one-half interest in 40 acres of land for a village plat, besides giving the right of way through 1 60 acres to the railroad company. He also gave away quite a number of lots to encourage the teSy^^Ti) growth and settlement of the village. His gift to the railroad company was double that of any single individual, and was the means of inducing others to give. Truly, he is entitled to the honor of being credited as one of the founders of the village of Shabbona, as well as one of her most respected citizens.

A lithographic portrait of the venerable subject of the foregoing sketch is given on the page opposite the beginning, and doubtless will be pleasurably appreciated by a very large circle of acquaintances. It was engraved from a photograph taken in 1870.

Toseph Henry Denton, Clerk of Pierce Township, was born Aug. 25, 1837, in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His earliest traceable paternal ancestor, Solomon Denton, was born in Greenwich, Conn., in {$ Y the year 1700, and from him Mr. Denton is the ]E^ fifth in the line of descent. Solomon Denton (^d), ^jft great-grandson of the first Solomon Denton and = grandfather of J. H. Denton, was born Aug. 4, 1754. ^ He entered the Colonial service during the Revolutionary War and was connected with the Federal army until the expiration of the term for which he enlisted. On obtaining his discharge he made an attempt to cross Long Island Sound, was captured by the British soldiery and held prisoner of war about 18 months. On obtaining his liberty he went to Nova Scotia, where he became acquainted with and mar- > ried Clara Anderson. She was born in a town on the JjL banks of the Hudson River, near New York city. ^ After marriage they settled (about 1792), in the town ' of Beekman, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where Fowler Denton, father of J. H., was born, April 10, 1803. The latter was twice married; Sophia Caldwell, his first wife, was the daughter of Joseph and Anna Caldwell and granddaughter of Col. Henry Ludington, who became distinguished in the War of 1776. To them were born four sons and three daughters. The second wife was Amy G., daughter of Oliver and Zilpha (Guild) Arnold, and granddaughter of Nathan Morgan, who lived during the Revolutionary War at Royalton, Vermont. On becoming his "own man," Fowler Denton was employed for a short time as a clerk in a store, and in the .spring of 1824 he entered the Hudson River service and conducted a sailing vessel in the transportation of freight from Cold Spring, Putnam Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1831 he embarked in a mercantile enterprise at Carmel in the same county, which he prosecuted until the winter of 1833, when he sold his business and its appurtenances. In the fall of 1834 he purchased a farm in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he resided until his death, which occurred March 30, 1874. Three of his children are now living: Julia A., wife of J. M. Hardenburg, resides at Brockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Cecilia, widow of Norman Safford, lives at Rockford, Winnebago Co., 111.

Mr. Denton is the youngest surviving child of his parents and is the fifth in order of birth. He was brought up to a knowledge of the methods of farming, and was educated in the common schools. When he was 18 years of age he entered the employment of a seed house in his native county, for whom he traveled five years, and subsequently engaged in farming. In 1864 he came to De Kalb County and settled on section 14, Pierce Township, where he has since operated as a. practical farmer. All his land is well improved and he has built a commodious frame house, with other large and well constructed farm buildings, and has set out an orchard and a number of shade and ornamental trees. The farm is drained by goo rods of tile.

Mr. Denton was married Dec. 9, 1862, to Maria McCoul. She was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Triphena (Arnold) McCoul. Their five surviving children are named Mary, Alta, Frank, Blanche and Solomon. George, oldest child, was born July 13, 1865, and died Dec. 9, 1877.

j hineas Joslyn, deceased, a pioneer of De £ Kalb County, and formerly a resident on section 16, Cortland Township, was born 1791, in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y. * His parents removed in his youth to Genesee County, where they were pioneers of Western New *. York,' and where they improved a farm and estab- £ lished a home. His father died there. ^ after marriage they settled in a portion of Pembroke Township, now included in the township of Darien, buying a form lying within the tract of land in the State of New York, sold by Robert Morris, first Secretary of the Treasurer of the Colonial Government of America to an Amsterdam company and known for a long term of years as the " Holland Purchase." sln 1830 he sold the property and removed to Erie County, locating on a farm in the township of Alden. *In 1838 he severed all his business relations with his native State and set out for De Kalb County with a team of horses and a wagon, accompanied by his wife and nine children. He drove to Buffalo, where he embarked on a steamer for Detroit. Arriving at the City of the Straits, he again set out as originally, and drove to De Kalb County. They carried with them their domestic implements and lived enfamille, as a Frenchman would say, on the route, which was thereby converted into a picnic of some days' duration. On reaching Cortland, Mr. Joslyn secured a claim of land on section

9, in Cortland Township. The land was still unsurveyed and was not yet in market, but the proprietor resided thereon some years and improved a fine farm, which he sold later on and went to Sycamore to pass the last years of his life, and died there in 1868. The mother died Nov. i, 1881.

10, 1816, in the township of Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., and when he was 14 years of age removed thence with his parents to Erie County. He obtained a common-school education, and in the winter of 1837-8 he engaged in teaching in Alden Township. In the spring of 1838 he came to De Kalb County, reaching Chicago by the lake route, and thence on foot to Cortland Township. He secured a claim of land and returned to the State of New York. In the fall of the same year he came back to Cortland, accompanied by the entire family of his parents, as has been stated. He lived at home and engaged alternately in the labors of the farm and in teaching.

He was married May n, 1841,10 Lucy A., daughter of John and Deborah (Aldrich) Waterman, a native of Perry, Genesee Co., N. Y. Her parents were natives of Rhode Island, and located in 1837 in De Kalb County, in what is now Cortland Township. Her father first operated as a renter of land, but later bought a claim on section 4, in the same township. After " entering " the land he built a log house and improved the farm, which he conducted four years. Subsequently he sold his place and bought another on section 3, where he was resident seven years. At the end of that time he moved to Sycamore and there passed three years in trade. At the close of the war in 1865, he bought a farm on section 16, where he was a resident until 1883, when he sold again and bought the farm on which he now resides, on section 5, situated one-fourth of a mile from Cortland village.

Mr. and Mrs. Joslyn have had five children : John c P., second son, was born March 24, 1850, and died Sept. 2, 1878. Louisa A., Frank M., William L. and James C. are the four who survive.

amin F. Atherton, farmer, section 31, Shabbona Township, owning 180 acres of land (postoffice, Paw Paw, Lee County), is a son of Joseph and Phebe (Vosburg) Atherton. The former was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., Feb. 17, 1800. The latter was born in New York about 18 10. They both died in Pennsylvania, she in 1836, and he in 1845.

Mr. Atherton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., Oct. 24, 1828, and was brought up on a farm, alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools. He was married Oct. 26, 1858, in Factoryville, Wyoming Ca, Pa., to Miss Mira, daughter of Thomas J. and Susan (Capwell) Maynard. She was born in Factoryville, Wyoming Co., Pa., Feb. 20, 1835. Her father was born in Marlboro, Mass., March 29, 1802, and moved to Factoryville, Pa. He was married July 16, 1829, to Susan Capwell. They had four sons, all of whom were Union soldiers in the late Civil War. Stephen H. was in the 571)1 Pa. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. James G. was in Co. L, 3d Pa. Heavy Artillery, and was drowned July 7, 1864, in the James River, at Fort Powhat'.an, Va. Thomas was a member of the 57th Pa. Vol. Inf.; and Garrick M. was assistant engineer on the steamer "Baltic." The mother was born at Factoryville, March 12, 1804, and died in the same place Aug. 12, 1876; the father came to Illinois in

Mr. Atherton came to this county in the spring and located with his brother Charles, on the land on which he is at present residing. The brothers have been in partnership in the farm and the cultivation of it ever since coming to the county in 1855.

dwin H. Fay, farmer, section 27, Squaw Grove Township, is the son of Horace W. and Roxana (Eaton) Fay. The latter died in December, 1835, ln New York State, where she was born. About the year 1838 the father came to De Kalb County, and, in company with Wells A. Fay, purchased a farm. Subsequently he went to Will Co., 111.; after a residence there of three years he returned to Squaw Grove. During the course of the war he enlisted in the Union service, and died at Vicksburg, Miss., in the spring of 1863. For several years prior to enlistment he officiated as Surveyor of De Kalb County. His children were,- Edwin H., Mahala P., Mary I, Rhoda H. and Frances C.

Mr. Fay was born Aug. 4, 1826, in Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His mother died when he was nine years old, and he went to Michigan with his uncle, making the route there through Canada with a wagon. He remained there between two and three years, and then came to De Kalb County, where he has since resided with the exception of about 16 months, which he spent in the Mexican war, as a volunteer in the 1 6th Ky. Inf. He owns 160 acres of land, of which [zi acres are tillable. Mr. Fay endorses and supports the principles of the Republican party. He has held the office of School Inspector and other public situations of less importance.

He was married in April, 1855, in Will Co., 111., to Ann W. Haywood, and they had four children, - Arthur H., Herbert W., Oscar H. and Orpha A. The last named child died in infancy. Mr. Fay died in Squaw Grove, Nov. n, 1884. She was born May 21, 1830, in Waterville, Maine, and was the daughter of Timothy and Eleanor Haywood.

eorge Earner, farmer, section 22, Pierce Township, was born April 21, 1844, in Richland Co., Ohio, and came thence with his parents, Henry and Susanna (Troup) Ramer. He was reared on his father's farm, and there made his home until after his marriage. He was educated in the common schools. Jan. 8, 1863, he was married to Anna, daughter of Timothy Haley.

In 187 r he purchased a farm on section 22, Pierce Township, and has erected a good dwelling-house, barn and granary. He 'has also set out. an apple orchard of 180 trees and a variety of small fruits. He is a Republican in political opinion and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association.

.aniel Pierce, banker at Sycamore, was born in the town of Neversink, Sullivan Co., N. Y., July 18, 1814, and is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Corgill) Pierce. Wm. Pierce, the paternal grandsire, lived and died in Westchester Co., N. Y. On his mother's side Mr. Pierce is of Scotch lineage. Joseph Pierce was born in Westchester County and went to Sullivan County when 15 years of age. He died in March, 1819, aged 3r years, leaving a wife and six children - William, Polly, John, Daniel, Nellie and Catherine. In 1822 the widow married Edward Porter. Mr. Pierce senior had owned what was called a "lease farm " in the town of Neversink, and this the family occupied some years.

At the age of 12 years Mr. Pierce of this sketch was thrown upon his own resources for maintenance, and he went to work at $3 per month for the first seven months. He continued in the occupation of a farm laborer" until he obtained his title to the homestead and operated agriculturally on his own account.

He was married Dec. 17, 1835, to Phebe J., daughter of Abijah and Sarah (Lane) Brundige. She was born Aug. 17, 1818, in Orange Co., N. Y. They lived on the homestead until 1839, when Mr. Pierce purchased another lease of a farm in a different locality, where he operated five years, buying a third farm under similar circumstances. On this he remained until 1848, when he bought three farms, his purchase including the homestead. He lived in Sullivan County, with the exception of two years, -until 1855. He passed the two years referred to in Ulster County, where he owned and managed a tannery associated with his brother.

In 1855 he sold the major portion of his land in his native county, and came to Sycamore Township, where he rented a farm one year. In 1856 he removed to the city of Sycamore, where he lived until 1865. In that year he took possession of a farm on section 6, Cortland Township, where he is still residing.

On his removal to Sycamore in 1856, he engaged in land speculation, trafficking in real estate, and improving land. In 1867 the banking house of Pierce, Dean & Co. was established, which in 1871 became Pierce & Dean. In 1883 another change instituted the banking firm of Daniel Pierce & Co., the existing style. Mr. Pierce is still dealing in real estate and is the proprietor of several farms.

His family includes two daughters : Eleanor P. married A. W. Townsend. Sarah P. is the wife of G. P. Wild. The first-born child died in infancy. The mother died Oct. 4, 1876.

August Bastian, farmer, section 20, Squaw Grove Township, is a son of Jacob P. and Mary C. (Thomas) Bastian, who were natives of Nassau, Germany. They had a family of six children, of whom August was the fourth in order of birth. He was born in Germany Dec. 22, 1822, and when 29 years of age he came to America, and after a year's residence at Louisville, Ky., he came to this county and first lived two years in Somonauk Township, then a year in Kendall County, and finally he settled upon his present place of residence. At first he bought 120 acres, but he now has double that acreage. He has served the community as Overseer of Highways and as School Director. In his political views he is a Democrat.

He was married in Oswego, Kendall Co., 111., Oct. n, 1855, to Miss Louisa C. Thomas, daughter of Cost H. and Mary C. (Post) Thomas, who were natives of Germany. She also was born in that country Dec. 14, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Bastian have eight children, - Lewis, Peter, Mary C., Gustave W., Bertha, Frank, Anna and Charlie A.

lenjamin Gurler, farmer and stock-raiser, located on section 32, De Kalb Township, was born Oct. 25, 1807, in Nelson, N. H., and is the son of Thomas and Susan (Farwell) Gurler. His father was born in Marblehead, Mass., and married a lady who was a native of New Hampshire, where they settled and where both died. They had 10 children.

Mr. Gurler is their eldest son, and he continued to reside in his native State until 1856. He was there interested in farming, and passed 13 years in the manufacture of cast-steel augers and bits. He settled in De Kalb County in the fall of the year named, purchasing 160 acres of land in De Kalb Township, and eight acres in the township of Afton. He located on the quarter-section which he owned in De Kalb Township, and there established his homestead. He owns 288 acres of improved and valuuable land, stocked with 70 head of cattle, 6 horses and about TOO hogs.

He was married May 9, 1839, in Chesterfield, N. H., to Harriet F. Hopkins, and they became the parents of five children : Henry B. was born May 21, 1840, in Chesterfield. Sarah M. was born Oct. 13, 1841, in Keene, N. H., which was the birthplace of George H., born March 29, 1844. Mary J. was born Sept. 6, 1848, in Chesterfield, and died in De Kalb, Nov. 20, 1859. Lizzie T. was born in De Kalb, Feb. 8, 1861. Mrs. Gurler was born Oct. 29, 1817, in Colerain, Mass., and is the daughter of Richard and Emmeline (Lewis) Hopkins. Her par-

. ents were natives of New Hampshire, where they resided nearly all their lives with the exception of six years, when they lived at Colerain, Mass. They died in the State of their nativity.

As a man eminently worthy a place among the leading men of De Kalb County, we place Mr. Gurler's portrait in this work. It is engraved from a picture taken in 1874.

illiam P. Wheeler, farmer, section 23, Clinton Township, is a son of Nathan and Abigail (King) Wheeler, natives of Vermont. The senior Wheeler died in his native State, and Mrs. W. in Clinton Township, this county. Mr. Wheeler, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Colchester, Vt, Aug. i, 1810; learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; followed it till 1845, then for six years worked in a saw-mill, and then, in 1851, he came to this county and purchased a quarter of section 33, where he has since resided, and 14 acres in Shabbona Township. He now owns 84 acres, most of which is in good cultivation.

In political matters he is identified with the Democratic party. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, Township Clerk, one year, etc.

He was married in Rutland Co., Vtv-Oct. 15, 1834, to Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Lucy (King) Ambler, natives also of the Green Mountain State. She was born in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., Oct. ip, 1810, the youngest of five children. Mr. and Mrs. W. are the parents of Lucy, William, Wallace, Julia F. and Henry K.

" saac Kirkpatrick, manufacturer and miller at Waterman, is a native of the Keystone State. His parents, Jesse and Ruth (Smiley) Kirkpatrick, natives also of Pennsylvania, emigrated to De Kalb County, 111., in the spring of 1855, where they spent the remainder of their lives. He died in the spring of -1858, and she Oct. 8, 1879. They had six children, named Ann, Isaac, Smiley, Hiram, Margaret and Ellen. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born in Perry Co., Pa., Oct.

20, 1822; followed farming and lumbering in his youth till 1855, when he came and settled in Clinton Township, on a farm which he had bought two years previously. Here he followed agricultural pursuits for 17 years, when he sold his place and removed to the village of Waterman, and began the milling business and afterwards the manufacture of bee-hives and water and stock tanks and cisterns. He had formed a partnership with his son-in-law, W. S. Andrews, under the firm name of Kirkpatrick & Andrews, before he began the manufacture of beehives, water and stock tanks, etc., and they are managing a good business. In his political views Mr. K. is a Republican. Officially he has been Overseer of Highways in his township and Street Commissioner in Waterman. Both himself and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.

He was married in Perry Co., Pa., Oct. 28, 1848, to Catherine McCord, who was born in thai county, Oct. 17, 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are the parents of four children - Lizzie, Inda, Ida S. and one who died in infancy. Mrs. K.'s parents, Benj. and Elizabeth (Smiley) McCord, were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they passed their entire lives.

athew W. Olmstead, retired farmer, residing in the village of Shabbona, was one of the very first pioneers of Shabbona Township, being the fourth person to effect a settlement in it. He was born in Wilton, Fairfield Co., Conn., Nov. 22, 1804, and is the ^ son of David and Rebecca (Jackson) Olmstead.

When about 13 years of age he removed with his | parents to Tompkins Co., N. Y. He attended the common schools in that county, learned the blacksmith's trade, and removed to Chemung County, that State, where he worked at his trade until 1837. During this year he, in company with his brothers, Lewis and Nathan, came to La Salle County, this f State ; one year and two months later he came to Shabbona, locating there in September, 1838. On arrival at Shabbona, he found Edmond Towne, Oliver P. Johnson, Nathan Olmstead and David Smith.

Mr. Olmstead selected his claim prior to the Government survey, and after the survey was made he found his land comprised a portion of sections 25 ind 36, his house being located on section 25. His farm comprised 207 acres, which he sold some years later and removed to section 36, same township. In 1878 he removed to the village of Shabbona, where he has a fine residence and three and a half acres inside the village corporation.

Mr. Olmstead was married in Chemung Co., N. Y., June 28, 1828, to Catharine, daughter of Benajah and Agnes Lockerby. She was born in Veteran Township, Chemung Co., N. Y., April 6, 1801, and was the mother, by Mr. Olmstead, of five children, - two boys and three girls. The eldest, Robert L., was married to Louisa Clapsaddle, was a member of an Iowa Inf. Reg., was wounded in the Red River expedition, taken prisoner, and died from the effects of his wound, in Texas. Hannah was the wife of Howell Leyson, and died in June, 1881. Araminta is the wife of Lewis Larkin. a resident of Iowa. Rebecca is the wife of William Van Vlack. William W. married Ellen Walker, was a member of the same regiment as his brother, was taken prisoner, exchanged and died soon after from disease contracted while in service.

Mrs. Olmstead died Jan. 8, 1857, and June 28, 1858, Mr. Olmstead married Mary Walker, at Sycamore, this county. She died in 1863, without issue. Mr. Olmstead was a third time married Jan. 2, 1882, at Northfield, Minn., to Miss Armina, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Lockerby. She was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., March 15, 1836, and accompanied her parents to Northfield in 1855. They were pioneers of that place and she resided there until her marriage.

fhomas B. Kolbrook, a retired farmer at Waterman, is from New England. His parents, Jacob and Dorothy (Blahchard) Holbrook, were natives of Weymouth, Mass., where they also terminated their lives. Their three children were Ruth W., Thomas B. and Jacob, Jr.

The second born, the subject of this sketch, was born also in Weymouth, July 22, 1813, learned the trade of shoemaker of his father, and followed it until he came West in 1856. He bought 88 acres of land in Clinton Township, this county, and lived there until January, 1882; then, after spending nearly a year in Michigan, he settled in the village of Waterman, where he now has his residence. He is the owner of 167 acres of land in this county. Publicly, he has been a School Director, and in his views of national affairs he sympathizes with the Republican party.

He was married in AVeymouth, Mass., June 28, 1843, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Isaac and Cynthia (Pratt) Reed, who also were natives of Weymouth, where they passed their entire lives. They had a family of eight children - Eliza, Cynthia, Mary A., Asa, Isaac, Frederick and Stephen. One died in infancy. Mrs. H. was born in Weymouth, Jan. 4, 1824, and has become the mother of five children. Ann and Andrew died in infancy, and the surviving children are T. Frank, Ruth W. and Cynthia R. Ruth W. is the wife of George C. Pratt and resides in Jackson, Mich. Cynthia R. is the wife of Humphrey Roberts, Jr., and resides in Waterman. T. Frank is settled near Fergus Falls, Minn.

acob Wirick, deceased, was the second settler of East Paw Paw, coming here in 1842. He was born in Cumberland Valley, Pa., May 22, 1789, and during his life was a farmer by occupation. He was married in 1811, to Mary McCoy, who was born in the same county with him, Dec. 12, 1795.

They first emigrated to Ohio and thence to a Mormon settlement in Missouri called the " Far West ;" but, becoming dissatisfied there, they changed their residence to Adams Co., 111., and later to Nauvoo, 111., where Mr. W. was still identified with the Mormons, but opposed to polygamy. In 1842 he moved to East Paw Paw, this county, and bought out the only white settler at that point, Wm. Rogers, who kept a hotel. Mr. Wirick bought also 80 acres of land of Mr. Rogers, and added to it by subsequent purchases until he had a total of 240 acres. He also increased the capacity of the hotel, which he named the " Paw Paw House," where he dispensed with a liberal hand the substantial fare of the frontier. He was a man of sterling qualities, remarkable for his positive opinions and force of character.

He had 14 children, 1 1 of whom grew up, namely : John, born Dec. 9, 1812, died after he had attained the age of manhood : Harriet, born Feb. 25, 1815, died in California; Cornilla, born Oct. 13, 1816, is now the wife of Justin Merrill, of Utah ; William, born May 13, 1818, married Phebe Potts and lives at Princeton, 111.; George, born Feb. n, 1820, married Juliette Atwood and lives in Aurora, 111.; James, born Aug. 29, 1823, lives in Adrian, Mich.; Edmond, born June 25, 1825, married Mary Leyson and lives at Storm Lake, Iowa ; Rebecca, born March 13, 1827, is now the widow of J. H. Breese and resides at Aurora, 111. ; Mary, born April 23, 1829, is the wife of D. A. Baxter, of Rochelle, 111., Valentine, born March 25, 1831, first married Elizabeth Hildebrand, and afterward Jennet Quothera, and now is a resident of Rochelle, 111. ; and Nancy S., born March 5, 1839, is the wife of H. S. Dickinson of East Paw Paw.

!.A. Schermerhorn, farmer, section 30, Clinton Township, is a son of Henry and Miranda (Mattison) Schermerhorn, natives of New York. They came to this county in 1846 and settled on section 30, Clinton Township, where the son now resides. His mother died on the old homestead Aug. 20, i86r. His father still survives and resides in Clinton Township. Their family comprised eight children, namely: Myron B., Herschel A., Lorenzo, George H., Ossian D., Mary E., William M. and Hannah J.

Herschel A. Schermerhorn, subject of this biographical notice, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1845, and was only two years old when his parents moved to this county. He has lived in this county since 1846, except seven years which he spent in Kane County during the early period of his life. He lived at home assisting on the farm and attending the common school until he attained the age of 16 years. On arriving at this age, he engaged to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he completed, and which trade he has followed in connection with fanning ever since. He is

Mr. Schermerhorn was united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Hall, Dec. 18, 1866, in Somanauk Township. She is a daughter of Wm. and Susan (Simmons) Hall, natives of "York State." TJiey had a family of four children, namely: Mary E., Susan A., Emily A. and George B.

Emily A., wife of Mr. Schermerhorn, was bom in Clinton Township, Jan. 10, 1849. She resided with her parents, assisting in the household duties and embracing the opportunities afforded by the common schools of the county, until her marriage to Mr. S. She has borne him five children, four of whom are yet living, namely : Ettie, Charles H., Estella and Ralph E. Effiie died when three years of age.

sa Bailey, residing with his son Cyrenius, on section 23, Shabbona Township, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., June 19, 1797, the son of Asa and Lucy Bailey, and was reared in the vocations of milling and farming. He has been married twice, - first, in early manhood, to Anna McNeil, by whom he had six C children, four of whom are living. Mrs. B. died in 1852, and Mr. Bailey, in November, 1854, married Mrs. Esther Shauber, who was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 24, 1811.

In 1861 Mr. Bailey came to Illinois, settling in Scott Township, Ogle County, where he was engaged \ in agricultural pursuits until 1876, when he came to Shabbona to make his home with his sen. He is / now 88 years of age, and begins to feel the weight of his many years.

homas Shoop, farmer, section 25, Pierce ' Township, was born Jan. r, 1846, in Holmes Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, and > but one year old when John and Sarah (Schultz) Shoop came to Illinois, and they were among the pioneer settlers of K County. He was brought up to the vocation of his father - that of farming - and attended the pioneer schools. After his marriage he bought a farm in Kane Township, which he conducted until 1882, when he bought his present farm, which is located on section 25 of Pierce Township.

Mr. Shoop was married May 9, 1871,10 Kate Gusler, who died Sept. 31, 1877, aged 33 years, leaving two children, Charles H. and Glen Edward. Her parents were early settlers of Du Page County. The second wife of Mr. Shoop, to whom he was married April 30, 1878, was Emma, daughter of Jacob and Jane Harter. She was born in Center Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Shoop have one child, Jessie. Mr. Shoop's mother died in Pierce Township, Feb. 20, 1885, aged 69 years. She was born in Columbia Co., Pa.

" oseph. Bartlett, deceased, one of the pioneer settlers of Paw Paw, was born in Northampton, Mass., Jan. 27, 1790. His parents were Joseph and Lucy (Post) Bartlett. When 19 years of age he moved from Massachusetts to Geauga Co., Ohio, in which county, in Hampden, March 23, 1810, he married Miss Temperance Pomeroy, daughter of Ichabod Pomeroy. They had five sons and five daughters, viz.: Wealthy, born Dec. 18, 1810, is the wife of Shadrach Bosley and resides in Iowa; Sally (ist), born May 7, 1812, died Dec. 12 following; Sally (2d), born March 15, 1813, is the wife of Lorenzo Fitch, of Ohio ; Marcus A., born Dec. 25, 1816, married Mary A. Fowler and resides in Paw Paw Township ; Roxana, born April 22, 1818, is now the widow of Charles Firkins, and resides in Paw Paw Township; Lucy, born April 9, 1820, became the wife of Cyrus Bosley, and died April 20, 1879; Moses, born Oct. n, 1825, first married Miss Martha Harper and afterwards Mrs. Mary Christy, and now is a resident of Paw Paw Township ; Joseph, born Aug. 17, 1827, married Ann Graves and resides in Colorado ; Lester A., born Oct. 3, 1829, died Aug. 1 1, 1842 ; and Eli O., born March 17, 1831, married Harriet Wales, and is a resident of Paw Paw Township.

Mr. Bartlett maintained positive and strict principles in regard to morality, religion and governmental policy. He was an enthusiastic and practical temperance and anti-slavery man. He " harbored " and 2o assisted many a fugitive slave making his way from ^ Egypt to Canaan, that is, from the land of bondage, ignorance and misery to the land of freedom, Canada, on the " under-ground railway." In his religious his- V tory he, as well as his wife, was in early life a Presbyterian, but after coming to Paw Paw he joined the Congregational Church.

enry Cristman, deceased, formerly a resident on section 8, South Grove Township, was for many years a leading agriculturist and a prominent citizen of De Kalb County. He was born Feb. i, 1830, in Herkimer Co., N. Y. His parents were of German extraction, and are deceased. ^Mr. Cristman grew to manhood in his native county and obtained his education in the common schools. On attaining his majority he began to operate as a common laborer, and soon realized 'the reward of thrift and industry. He was married Dec. 29, 1853, when he was 23 years of age, to Louisa Pooler. She was born Feb. 6, 1837, on the German Flats, an Herkimer County, and is the daughter of Henry Pooler (see sketch), who was a prominent actor in the history of that county. He was extensively interested in agriculture, acquiring considerable property in that business. He came to Illinois and settled on a tract of 300 acres of land, which he purchased in the township of Cortland and where he has since resided, on one of the most valuable farms in the county. The mother of Mrs. Cristman, Margaret (Shoemaker) Pooler, was born in New York, and is still living. Mrs. Cristman is the mother of three children : Emma is the wife of Amos Willis, of Kingston, and has had two children : Ida, who married Fred Goodrich, a farmer in South Grove Township, and has had two children; and Mary (Mrs. Schram) has one child.

About one year subsequent to marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cristman came to Illinois and purchased 128 acres of improved land. The proprietor exercised the same proclivities which had proved efficacious in his early experience, and made additions to his estate until it aggregated 600 acres. He enga general farming and in raising stock, also entering largely into the manufacture of cheese. Later on, he became interested in traffic in horses, and engaged to a considerable extent in buying and shipping to Eastern markets. He had a wide reputation as a judge of horses and stock generally, and his herds on his farm made a good exhibit of cattle, sheep and swine of excellent grades.

Mr. Cristman died Jan. 4, 1883, in the prime of his manhood and at the height of his success and popularity as a man and citizen of De Kalb County. He was a Republican in politics and had held the most responsible local official positions. His estate is managed by his heirs, who conduct its affairs on the same basis as formerly.

Among the many valuable portraits of prominent citizens of De Kalb County included in this valuable volume, will be found those of Mr. and Mrs. Cristman, made from photographs taken in 1874.

_than A. Pritchard, deceased, was formerly a lawyer, and a farmer on section 29, in Clinton Township. His parents, Reuben and Maria (Mason) Pritchard, natives of New York State, had four children, who in order of birth were Reuben M., Ethan A., Ira and Maria. He was born in Malone, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1832, and came in 1845 to this county with his parents, who settled in Clinton Township. In the fall of 1857 Ethan A. moved to Aurora, 111. In April, 1861, he enlisted for the war in defense of his country, in the i3th 111. Vol. Inf., and served three years, participating in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., , and other heavy engagements, as well as in many § skirmishes, etc. He was promoted from the private * ranks to the position of First Lieutenant. After his term of enlistment expired he returned to Aurora, and in March, 1865, to Clinton Township, and died the following 291)1 of July, of consumption. When about 24 years of age he took up the study of law, and practiced that profession with marked success. At the time of his death he owned 353 acres of land in Clinton Township. In religion he was a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics a Republican, and at the date of his death he was a nominee for County Treasurer.

Locena (Hodges) Wilkins. Her parents were natives of the State of New York, had a family of 1 3 children : Elizabeth, Anson T.,Dayton, Alfred T., Josiah, Sarah E., Afaminta, Ursula, Newton J., Mary A., Hannah J., and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Pritchard was bom in Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1833, and is the mother of three children, - Ethan A., who was drowned when about seven years old at Aurora on Fox River, Elotia A. and Elliott A. Mrs. Pritchard is a member of the Congregational Church.

ra Park, retired farmer, residing at Earlville, La Salle Co., 111., was a pioneer of Shabbona Township, De Kalb Co., having located herein 1838. He was born in Massachusetts, in 1812, and is a son of Jonathan and Patience (Fox) Park. His parents moved to Ohio when the son was four years of age, where he grew to manhood. He followed the vocation of a farmer while in that State. He was married in Marion Co., Ohio, to Matilda McNeal, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Finley) McNeal. She was born March 2, 1815, in Ireland, and came to America with her parents when she was two years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Park were the parents of six children, as follows : Elizabeth was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 1832, and died Dec. 18, 1876 ; John B. was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1834; Sarah A. was born at Holderman Grove, 111., Feb. 10, 1838, and died Dec. 15, 1865 ; Levi W. was born in Shabbona Township, June 12, i84r, and died May 7, 1869; George F. was born June 17, 1849, in Shabbona Township ; and one child died in infancy.

^umphrey Roberts, a prominent pioneer of Clinton Township, is a native of Wales. His parents, Humphrey and Mary (Owens) Roberts, natives also of that county, emigrated t f to America in 1832 and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where his father died, in June, 1854; his mother died in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Dec. 28, 1867. ($)] They had a family of eight children, namely, Mary,

The youngest above mentioned, the subject of this brief biographical outline, was born Dec. 22, 1823, and was ten years old when he came with his parents to America. Remaining at the paternal home until 23 years of age, he married, and a year afterward he came to Kane County, this State, where he followed farming for ten years. In 1857 he came to De Kalb County and settled upon a quarter-section of land in Clinton Township, which he had bought some six years previously. After successfully prosecuting agricultural pursuits there about 25 years, he built a fine residence in Waterman, into which he moved in 1882. He is the possessor of 340 acres of land in Clinton Township, besides 100 acres in Lee County. The village of Waterman, which he platted, is located upon what was once his land. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner two terms, and has had minor official trusts. In his political views he is a Republican, and in religion a Baptist.

Mr. Roberts was married in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1846, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Wm. G. and Grace (Williams) Jones. Her parents were natives of Wales, and emigrated (before marriage) to the above mentioned county, where her parents died. Her mother died June 6, 1830. Their two children were - Catherine and Wm. G., Jr. Mrs. Roberts was born in that county, July 23, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. R. have had six children, namely: William W., born Oct. 16, 1846; John Q., March 12, 1849; J. Delos, July 7, jSsi ; Helena W., Jan. 28, 1853; Grace A., Nov. 30, 1855 ; Humphrey, Jr., April 28, 1858. John Q. died Aug. 31, 1851, and Helena W., Aug. 21, le A. Hommersand, of the firm of Eide & Hommersand, dealers in general merchandise, at Lee, was born near the city of Stavanger, Norway, Aug. 16, 1858, and is the son of Andreas and Lena (Irubs) Hommersand. He emigrated from Norway to the ^ United States in the spring of 1871, and until De- >j> cember, 1874, made his home on a farm near Lee, [® in De Kalb County. Returning then to his native country, he was employed as a merchant's clerk until

1 88 1, when he came again to the land of greater opportunity, engaging the next year as a clerk in the general store of Berlizheimer & Stensland at Lee, this county. On the i6th of October, 1883, he formed the present partnership with T. Eide, and V, their business is in a prosperous condition.

bijah Little, Jr., retired farmer, residing at Waterman, Clinton Township, is a son of Abijah, Sr., and Elizabeth (Bean) Little, natives of New Hampshire. His father's family comprised 10 children, of which Abijah, Jr., is the fifth in order of birth. He was born in Canada June 9, 1809. His early years were spent on his father's farm, assisting in its cultivation and attending the common schools in Canada. June 20, 1848, he came to this State and purchased an entire section of land (section 8) in Clinton Township, this county. He subsequently disposed of a part of the land, and continued to reside an the remainder until the spring of 1875. At that date he retired from the farm and erected a fine residence at Waterman, where he is at present residing. He learned the carpenter and joiner's trade in his younger days, and did the larger portion of the work on his residence at Waterman himself. His present arable possessions comprise about 170 acres in Clinton and Shabbona Townships, most of which is in a tillable condition. Mr. Little has been twice married. He was first united in marriage Sept. 20, 1830, in Canada, to Miss Eleanor McNorton, who was a native of New Hampshire, of Scotch parentage. The union was blessed with seven children, namely : William, born Aug. 20, 1831; John, born in September, 1832; Elizabeth, born in November, 1834; Edwin, born July 7, 1835 Jennette, born in August, 1838; Edgar and Ellen, twins, born in April, 1841.

The wife and mother died in Clinton Township, in August, 1860. His second marriage occurred April 27, 1867, at De Kalb. Mrs. Lucy Fearon, widow of Alfred Fearon, was the bride. Her husband died in Canada Nov. 29, 1857. Her maiden name was Eastman and she is a daughter of Peter and Thankful (Powley) Eastman, and was eighth in order of birth ot

_ _ children born to them. She was born in Canada ij May 24, 1829, and is the mother by Mr. Fearon of two children, namely: Ida A., born Nov. 9, 1852, and Alfred J., born April 21, 1854.

: awling A. Morey, farmer, section 30, Paw |! Paw Township, was born in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1829, and was brought up on the farm. His parents were Jesse and Amanda (Pawling) Morey. On coming to Illinois in 1853, he spent a short time in prospecting in La Salle and De Kalb Counties, and returned East.

In the spring of 1855 he came to De Kalb County and located in Shabbona Township, where he purchased a quarter of section 33, in partnership with Cyreniiis Bailey. After a residence of four years there he purchased a place on section 3, Paw Paw _ Township. In 1869 he bought his present farm of $ 1 60 acres, on section 30, where he prosperously manages a comfortable home. In his political views he ) is independent.

He was married in Paw Paw Township Feb. 22, 1859, to Miss Sallie A., daughter of Peter and Maria (Wilkison) Hagadorn. She was born in Albany, N. Y., Aug. i, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Morey have two children, namely: David C., born in Shabbona Township, Dec. r8, 1860; and Jessie A., in Paw Paw Township, Dec. 20, 1865.

Joseph Dyas, proprietor of the Sandwich House at Sandwich, is the son of Joseph and Abigail (Abbey) Dyas, and was born Jan. i, 1825, in Albany, N. Y. In early life he passed some years as a saw-mill assistant, and later went to Wisconsin, buying 160 acres of land in the township of Harris, Marquette County, where he was engaged eight years in farming. He went thence to Green, Lake County, in the same State, where he passed two years on 80 acres of prairie farm land. He went in 1861 to Minnesota, where he had previously purchased a farm about 30 miles southeast of St. Peter's, and not long after went to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and in company with a brotherin-law, G. N. Miner, entered into the manufacture of lumber and also of flour barrels, heading and staves, in which line of business he was interested two years. He exchanged his property for 160 acres of land in De Kalb County, township of Shabbona, which he managed three years. In the fall of 1865 he came Sandwich and bought the hotel which he has since conducted. The house is the leading place of public entertainment at Sandwich, and can accommodate about 40 guests.

Mr. Dyas was married in Peru, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 9, r847, to Mary Ann Miner, and they have three sons: Joseph P., born June 4, 1848. He married Carmina, daughter of Carmi and Mercy (Phelps) Wells. Webster M. was born Sept. 28, 1852, and married Caroline Gertrude Sedgwick, daughter of Hon. W. W. Sedgwick. He is a druggist at Arlington Heights, 111. Charles De Witt Clinton, born Dec. r4, 1857, is a traveling salesman.

miley Kirkpatrick, farmer, section 22, Clinton Township, is a son of Jesse and Ruth (Smiley) Kirkpatrick, natives of Pennsylvania, who in 1855 settled in the above mentioned township, where they spent the remainder of their life : he died Dec. ig, 1857, and she Oct. 8, 1880. They had six children, namely, Ann, Isaac, Smiley, Hiram, Margaret and Eleanor.

The subject of this sketch was born in Perry Co,, Pa., March 31, 1825. He received his education at the common school and at New Bloomfield Academy in his native county, attending the latter about two years. His father had a saw-mill, and he assisted in the operation of the mill and also of the farm, until 20 years of age, when for seven months he taught school. He followed clerking in a store for a time and traveled a period. In 1855, when 30 years of age, he came to this county, settling upon 80 acres of land in Clinton Township, which he had bought in 1853. At the same time he purchased a quartersection of Government land in Milan Township. Since that date he has resided in Clinton Township, and is now the owner of 320 acres, all in good tillable condition. At the present time he has his two sons, Marvin H. and I. Frank, associated with him in the management of his farm. He keeps about 135 head of live stock.

Mr. Kirkpatrick has held the office of Justice of the Peace one term, that of Township Clerk two terms, and other offices. He is a Republican in his political views, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also Mrs. K.

He was married in his native county, Sept. 15, 1853, to Anna M. Hippie, daughter of Lawrence and Sarah (Heafy) Hippie, who were also natives of the Keystone State, of Holland ancestry. They had a family of 1 1 children. Mrs. K. was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., March 27, 1831, and she has had 10 children : Marvin H., Elmer H., I. Frank, Emma S., Mary E., Jesse L., William L., Albert O. and a pair of twins who died in infancy.

^pafford Smith, whose portrait appears on the page opposite, is a retired farmer, and is resident at Sycamore. He was born May 18, 1809, in Windsor, Vt. He is the son of Asahel and Elizabeth (Kendall) Smith, and his father was the son of one of the pioneer settlers of Windsor, who died therein 1810. The family originated in Connecticut, and Asahel Smith was born in Farmington in that State, Oct. 15, 1756. He was nine years of age when his parents joined the pioneers of the Green Mountain State, then known as the New Hampshire Grants. He became a soldier of the Revolution and saw much active service in the course of that struggle. He was present at the surrender of Burgoyne at the battle of Saratoga. He died in Windsor, in 1848.

The father of Mr. Smith was a farmer and reared the son to habits of thrift and industry, giving him what was then considered a fair education. He was apprenticed at 17 years of age to learn the business of a carpenter, and after obtaining a thorough knowledge of all its details he pursued it as a vocation summers and taught school winters. Later, he operated as a contractor and builder, and managed a considerable business until 1839, when he came to De Kalb County. He became the proprietor of 300 acres of land in Mayfield Township, and fora period of seven years worked as a carpenter and managed his farm. At the expiration of that time he found the twofold duties inconvenient and injurious, and he relinquished the pursuit of his trade as a builder. At the time of his arrival in De Kalb County the homes of the few settlers were built of logs; there were no roads, and the nearest market place was Chicago. When he built a house a pound of nails was worth a pound of butter. There was one hotel at Sycamore and three small houses, and he has been the witness of the entire growth and progress of the place. There was no school at Sycamore for several years, and for nearly two years after he came here there was no meeting held, the community being too small in number to form a respectably sized congregation.

Mr. Smith has been a resident of the city of Sycamore since 1870, and has been actively interested in whatever enterprises have promised permanent benefit to the place. He is a sincere friend of morality in every phase and has been a substantial promoter of religious interests, aiding with his means in the building of the various church edifices, and has been a stockholder in the different manufacturing interests of the place. He is a member of the Baptist Church in which he is an official, and has also done effective service in the temperance ranks. He has served his generation in official capacities, has been Assessor several .times, and has taken an active interest in school matters, discharging the duties of the several official positions.

Mr. Smith has traveled considerably in his own country, visited the Centennial Exposition and spent ten days in the City of Brotherly Love. He has journeyed through New England and in the West, particularly in Nebraska. He has suffered from accident more than most men in the ordinary walks of life, sustaining at one time a fracture of four ribs. At another he had a shoulder broken, and afterwards the other shoulder, and is still in unbroken health, and sound in constitution.

He was married June 9, 1835, to Eliza Sholes, and they had three children, - Louisa, Eliza Ann and Edwin P. They also had an adopted daughter, Ar-^ -^nJSilLiir' _*A^vX acob F. Plapp, deceased, was one of the earliest of the permanent pioneer settlers of the township of Pierce, where he located 1848. He was a native of Wurtemburg,

According to the law of that country he was placed at school at the age of six years and continued there until he was 14 years old. He was then employed in a vineyard where he spent two years, after which he engaged in the management of a dairy, which he conducted 18 months. He next passed six months at home, and then re-entered the service of his first employer, with whom he continued about one year and was subsequently engaged in agricultural labor until he decided to cross the ocean and cast his fate in another land and among another people. In 1838 he set out for the Western Continent on a sailing vessel, and after a passage of 42 days' duration landed at Baltimore. He found himself in the beautiful Monumental City without money, but his readiness to work soon obtained employment, and a month later he had sufficient means to set out for Pennsylvania. He left Baltimore on foot, and 14 miles from the city he obtained employment on a farm at $6 a month. He worked at that point five months, and then made his way to his uncle's in Erie Co., Pa. He remained there engaged in farming and chopping wood until 1844, when he located in Kane Co., 111. He was there employed by the Howard Mill Company and assisted in erecting the mills at Geneva, after which he engaged in farming. When he came to De Kalb County, in 1848, he settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 24, township No. 39, range 5 east, now included in Pierce Township. He had saved his earnings, and at once proceeded to the land office at Chicago, and had a sufficient sum to pay the required amount in full. He worked the first year for a Mr. Churchill in Kane County, and in 1849 built a small frame house on his land and began the improvement of his property. He owned at the time of his death 80 acres, all under good improvement, with a fine frame house and fruit and shade trees. He was also the owner of 50 acres of land in Kane County, situated across the road from his homestead. This is devoted to the growth of grain and stockraising.

Mr. Plapp was married in 1850, to Elizabeth Lipp, She was born Sept. 25, 1820, in Wurtemburg, Germany. Nine of their children are living, - Mary, Rebecca, Jacob, David, Philip, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Catherine and Aaron. The father and mother are members of the Evangelical Association.

When he first fixed his residence in Pierce Township, Mr. Plapp was obliged to go to Geneva, 16 miles distant, for mill privileges, and he took his first crops to Chicago, - 60 miles, - with an ox team. The condition of the roads, sloughs not being bridged, retarded progress to such extent that four days were commonly consumed in going there.

Hoot, farmer, section 7, Clinton Township, is a son of Lawrence and Rocksa (Pratt) Root, natives of New York. They came 'to this county in 1856 and settled in De Kalb Township, where they resided until their death. Of 14 children born of their union n survive, namely, Icy, Fanny, Jerome, Rocksa, Caroline, Horace (2d), Cynthia, Philo J., Lewis A., Germain (2d), and James M. Germain (ist), Horace D. (ist) and an infant are deceased.

Horace Root was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 24, 1833. He resided on his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation of the same, and attending the common schools during his early years, until he was 28 years old. At that age he accompanied his father to this county, in 1856, and located. Soon thereafter, Mr. Root rented a farm in Sycamore Township, which he cultivated one year, and then ranted a farm in De Kalb Township. He cultivated the latter farm two years, then moved to Muskegon, Mich., and engaged in carpentering, which trade he had mastered in York State. He followed his trade at the latter place for two and one-half years, then returned to this county and from his savings pur- chased 99 acres of land situated on section 7, Clinton Township, on which he moved and is at present residing. His land is all in a tillable condition.

Mr. Root was married in De Kalb, Dec. 20, 1860, to Miss Mary A. De Long. She is a daughter of Hiram and Eliza (Post) De Long, natives of New York. They came to this county in 1855 and settled in the village of De Kalb. To them were born six children, namely : Mary A., Elizabeth, James, Matilda A., Elinor and Hiram A.

eorge R. Holmes, farmer, section 25, Paw Paw Township, is a son of Richard and Lucretia (Smith) Holmes, and was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., June n, 1840. His father was a farmer by occupation and during the infancy of his son George, moved his family to Jefferson Co., N. Y. He left that county in 1846 and came with his family to this county, settling in Paw Paw Township.

George Holmes consequently came to this county with his parents when in his sixth year, and has resided here ever since. He was brought up on his father's farm, in Paw Paw Township, and received an academic education.

Mr. Holmes was married at Leland, La Salle County, this State, Dec. 24, 1861, to Miss Frances M., daughter of Dr. Darwin and Martha C. (Smith) Hinckley, of Leland. She was born in Mercer, Somerset Co., Me., July 24, 1844, and came to Hardin, this State, with her parents when four years of age. Seven children constituted the issue of their union, namely: Ella M., born Oct. 6, 1863, in Leland. Mary C., Oct. 23, 1865. S. Wright, July 17, 1868. George H ., Aug. i r , 1 87 i . Frances L. (called " Tot "), Oct. 31, 1877. Bert D, Feb. 8, 1881. Clyde R., July 13, 1883.

ohn Kuter, deceased, a former resident of Pierce Township, was born in 1792 in Brooks Co., Pa. His parents were both $ T natives of Pennsylvania, and his father was a Revolutionary patriot. He died at the age of 91 years. In early life, John Kuter bought a farm in Schuykill Co., Pa. Previous to that he had learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed but a few years. He married Lydia Kahler, also a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1850 sold his farm in the Keystone State, and, accompanied by his son, Israel, came to De Kalb County and bought 400 acres of land on section 25, of township 39, range 5. He secured his claim by payment of part of the Government demand and stipulated for the payment of the remainder in the spring of the year to follow. He returned to Pennsylvania and spent the winter, and set out for his farm in Illinois in the spring, carrying with him $4,000 in gold and silver coin. It was too heavy to be carried like any other baggage, and was placed in a wooden box and strapped with iron and wooden hoops. It was missent from Harrisburg, and he was delayed at Detroit while awaiting its return from St. Louis. He wished to take the box with him in the car in which he traveled Westward, but the railroad officials decided against him, and it was placed in a freight car, from which it was stolen. Through an attorney of Chicago he brought suit against the railroad company for the recovery of the value of his property, and won the case, which was sent to the Appellate Court and the judgment sustained. He recovered a portion of his loss. After remaining a year on the land for which he had bargained, he relinquished his claim, and purchased the southeast quarter of section 24 in the same township, where he resided until death. He became the father of 12 children, nine of whom are living.

Israel Kuter, eldest son, was born June 23, 1824, in Schuykill Co., Pa. He was reared on the farm and taught in the public schools. At the age of 15 years he connected himself with the Evangelical Association, and as soonjas practicable began to pre- pare for the ministry. He entered upon the duties of a preacher in the Naperville circuit of the Evangelical Church, and continued his efforts in ministerial labors until 1878, preaching at Chicago, Milwaukee, Racine, Winona, and other places. He was stationed at the place last named seven years ; in all, he officiated as Presiding Elder eight years. Some years previous he had purchased the family homestead in Pierce Township, and of this he took possession in 1878. Since that date he has put the place in excellent condition, erected good farm buildings and set out fruit, shade and ornamental trees.

He has been twice married. Elizabeth Loutermich, to whom he was married May 6, 1849, was born June 4, 1830, and died Dec. 20, 1861. Of this union three children were born named Henry, George and Sarah. The last named was born Dec. !?> 1859, and died July 25, 1881. Mr. Kuter was married again Oct. 16, 1862, to Margaretta Schweitzer, a native of Freeport, Stephenson Co., III. She is the daughter of John and Barbara (Kaercher) Schweitzer, and her parents were pioneers of Freeport. Her father went to California, and her mother, during his absence, settled at Preston, Fillmore Co., Minn., where she bought a claim of land. ' On this land now stands the beautiful village of Preston, the present county seat of Fillmore County. Mrs. Schweitzer proved to be a better financier than her husband, for, during his absence she made more money in Minnesota than he did in California! Mr. and Mrs. Kuter have six children, - Albert H., Luella I., Charles E., Daniel M., Ida M. and Rutherford L.

;ichael J. O'Connor, farmer, section 7, Clinton Township, is from the State of New York. His parents, John and Mary (Joyce) O'Connor, natives of Ireland, emigrated to America in 1825, settling in the State of New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

The subject of this sketch, the youngest of a family of 10 children, was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1844. Lived at home till about 17 years old, when he entered service on the lakes, which he followed for 1 1 summer seasons, in different relations. He first came to De Kalb County in the summer of 1865, but did not settle permanently in the county until 1872. In 1874 he purchased 160 acres of land in Clinton Township, on section 7, where he has since lived. He is now the owner of 240 acres, 200 of which is in a good state of cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. O'Connor was married in Chicago, 111., July 5, 1873, to Maria Lynch, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Feeney) Lynch, natives of Ireland, and came to La Salle Co., 111., about 1856; in r866 they removed to this county, settling in the township of Paw Paw. Mrs. O'Connor, the second child in a family of seven children, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., March r7, 1851. She has become the mother of four children, named Minnie, Thomas, John and Margaret P. Thomas died when two and a half years of age.

ames B. Harper, farmer, section 35, Paw Paw Township, was born in Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y., June 19, 1819. His father, James Harper, was of Irish descent, and his mother, nee Elizabeth Black, of Scotch. He came to Paw Paw Township Dec. 3, 1853, locating at Ross Grove, where he engaged in farming until 1860, when he removed to his present farm, which comprises 240 acres.

Politically Mr. H. is an earnest Democrat. He was married in Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Mary (Brown) Smiley. She was born at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1826. By this marriage there were five children, namely : Mary E., born Sept. 26, 1845, died aged eight years; Andrew G., born March 25, 1847, married Emma Wallace and resides in Aurora, 111.; Dewitt C., born Dec. r8, 1848, married Cora Rice and is a resident of Sedgwick Co., Kan.; Thomas A., born Dec. 18, 1850, married Carrie Gorton and lives also in Sedgwick Co., Kan.; and Alanson C., born Oct. 14, 1852, died at the age of five years.

rank O. Van Galder, associate editor and junior member of the firm of Hix & Van Galder, publishers of the City Weekly, Sycamore, 111., was born in La Prairie Towrt- *f?* "ff$~* sn'P> near Janesville, Wis., on the 6th day of ica { January, 1855, andis theson of Truman W. and Mary (Phelps) Van Galder. The father was a native of Niagara Co., N. Y., and was born July 3, 1822. ££ The mother is a native ofMt. Morris, Livingston Co., ^ N. Y., and was born March 9, 1822. The parents of the former were natives of Vermont, and those of the latter of Pennsylvania. The Van Galders came originally from Holland.

Truman W. Van Galder and Mary Phelps 'were united in marriage at Montville, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1843, and were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom survive with the exception of the youngest daughter. From Ohio, they removed to Michigan at quite an early day, and from the latter State to Wisconsin in 185 1. Mr. Van Galder was a cooper by trade and carried on the business extensively in the city of Janesville. His establishment, in fact, was the first of the kind in the place. While a citizen of Wisconsin, during a large portion of which time he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, he held several offices of trust, having served as a Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of his town. In 1868 the family removed to Sycamore, where he became a manufacturer of brick on a large scale, a business which he followed until his death, Jan. 24, 1882, and is continued by his sons, Philo H. and FredW. While a resident of New York, Mr.

Van Galder was engaged in operating a number of salt wells. He was a man of great industry and energy, and a citizen of sterling worth. He was a member of Lodge No. 105, I. O. O. F., and of the Patriarchal Circle, No. 2. Truman Temple was organized in 1882, and was named in honor of Mr. Van Galder. The subject of this sketch is also a member of Lodge No. 105, I. O. O. F., and of the Good Templar!' Lodge.

The educational advantages enjoyed by him were those of the common school. In 1874 he entered the office of the Free Methodist, with a view of learning the printing trade. He also worked for a time in the office of the News, at De Kalb, and the True Republican, at Sycamore. As local editor of the Daily News he was employed a few months. On the i4th of January, 1878, the firm of Van Galder & Davis commenced the publication of the Daily Free Press, Mr. Van Galder retiring in August following. In September, 1878, he became associated with V. Hix in the publication of the Sycamore City Weekly, the partnership then formed continuing to the present time. From 1881 to 1883 the firm also was engaged in the publication of the Daily Recorder. ' He is at present the Sycamore representative of the Chicago Times. Frank O. Van Galder and Florence M. Talbot, daughter of Charles and Harriet Talbot, of Cortland, early settlers of this county, were united in marriage March 17. 1881. She was born in Cortland, Jan. 17, 1861. They have two children, - Annie Claire and Cora May.

eptimus Storey, farmer, owning 400 acres of prairie land and four and one-half acres of timber in Shabbona Grove, and residing on section 17, Shabbona Township, was born in the parish of Harthill, Yorkshire, England, Feb. 10, 1829. He is a son of Barnabas and Sarah Storey, natives of England. He was reared under the parental rooftree and attended the schools of his native country, alternating his study therein by learning the trade of a wrought-nail maker until he attained his majority. His forefathers were wrought-nail makers, and after learning the trade he continued to follow it until 16 years of age. He emigrated to the United States in

^ p He was one of the four emigrants from England 1! who in the fall of 1851 selected the western parts of /£> Shabbona Township for their future homes, while the land was in its original natural -condition, and thus established the foundation for what has since been known as the " English Settlement." His companions were George Glossup, Thomas Wright, Joseph Billam and William Cutts. Mr. Storey located on j the land oa which he is at present residing, in the , fall of 1851. He procured it from the Government in its wild state, and entered vigorously upon the laborious, task of cultivating and improving it. How well he has succeeded, the splendid condition of his farm will testify.

Mr. Storey was married in Shabbona Township Dec. 23, 1856, to Miss Mary, daughter of Robert and Sarah Mullins. She was born in Sheffield, England, ) June 10, 1839, and came to the United States with her parents in 1852. Nine children, six sons and ^ three daughters, have been born of their union: a Robert M., Jan. i, 1857, died Jan. 5, 1861 ; Sarah S. § Aug. 3, 1860, is the wife of Harvey Greene, a resident 3 of Victor Township, this county ; Annie M., born '$ Sept. 14, 1862, died April 24, 1865; John L., born April 3, 1865; Charles E., May 14, 1867; William ") H., Aug. 3, 1869; George T., Aug. r4, 1871; Lillian -M., Nov. 22, 1873 ; De Forrest L. C., April 19, 1876. Mr. Storey, politically, is a Republican. He has held the office of Overseer of Highways, School Director and Trustee, and Supervisor, which latter office he is at present holding. Religiously, he and ( his wife, together with his two oldest children, are J a members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

;saac Potter, farmer, section 17, Clinton '- Township, is a son of James and Margaret (Thome) Potter, who were natives of New York State. They came to Illinois in i8s3j settling in Kane County, and a year afterward in the above named township, where they . spent the remainder of their days. In their family

The subject of this sketch was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., May 7, 1831. When about 15 years of age he moved to Wyoming County, that State, where he lived until the spring of 1867. He then came to Kane Co., 111., and in 1876 to this county, purchasing r6g acres of land, on which he now resides. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, and other official positions. In his political views he prefers the principles of the Republican party.

He was married in Allegany Co., N. Y., May 30, 1855, to Miss Mary, daughter of Moses and Polly (Lebrett) Robinson, natives of Massachusetts, who passed the latter portion of their lives in the Empire State. Mr. R. died April 2, 1852, and Mrs. R. Dec. 27, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have had ten children, namely, Sally, Rufus, Joseph, Hubbard, Philena, Hosea, Harvey, Matilda, Cordelia and Mary. Mrs. Potter was born in Hume, Allegany Co., N. Y., Feb. 18, 1834. She is the mother of one child, Florence E., who was born July 3, 1858. She became the wife of Henry B. Bridge, Feb. 6, 1884. He is a farmer residing in Clinton Township.

sher Downer, farmer, in section 32, Milan Township, is the son of Abel and Lucinda (Loonier) Downer, and was born in the village of Naperville, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 30, 1832. His mother was born July 4, 1799, on Grand Isle, in Lake Champlain, belonging to Vermont. His father was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in February, 1789. Their ancestral lineage originated in Connecticut. The family came to Illinois in 1840 and located in Aurora, then a small village having but two stores, and there the parents passed the remainder of their lives. The father died in June, 1864, when 73 years of age. The demise of the mother occurred May 27, 1884, she being at the time nearly 85 years of age. They had nine children, seven of whom were born previous to their removal to Illinois. Six of the number are yet living. With one exception they are residents of the State of Illinois. One son is a farmer in Nebraska.

Batavia, Kane Co., 111., to Elizabeth Curtis. Mrs. Downer was born Dec. 9, 1828, in Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y. When she was 22 years of age she accompanied her father, Ephraim Curtis, to Illinois. He was born in Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 3, 1802. He came to Aurora, 111., in 1852, where he remained until 1857, when he moved to Clinton Co., Iowa, where he died, Jan. 29, 1866. His first marriage was to Miss Sybil M. Brooks, by whom he had three children. She died in New York, in 1836. Mr. Curtis was again married, his second wife being Miss Sarah Wickwire. Mrs. Downer continued the occupation of teaching, in which she had previously engaged in her' native State. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Downer are Fred C., born July 21, 1859; H. Curtis, Aug. 22, 1860, and Mary S., June 27, 1862.

Mr. Downer removed to Milan Township in August, 1858, and located on a piece of property of which he became proprietor through inheritance from his father. To this he has added until he owns 360 acres of fine land, all of which is situated in the same township. The improvements, buildings and stock are all of creditable character, and the owner is considered one of the leading farmers of Milan Township. He is a Republican, and is actively engaged in promoting educational interests, and has for a long time been connected therewith in an official capacity. Mrs. Downer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

. acob Kunes, an early settler in Pierce Township was born Dec. 18, 1825, in Lebanon Co., Pa., and is the son of Lawrence and Eve (Meyer) Kunes. He grew to manhood in the Keystone State and learned the trade of carpenter, besides passing one year as a coal miner. He was married Nov. 14, 1 849, to Eve, daughter of John and Lydia (Keler) Kuter, and in 1851 they accompanied her parents to the township of Pierce. The two families lived together one year after their arrival, when Mr. Kunes bought 80 acres of prairie land on section 25 and began the career of an independent farmer. He has reaped the reward common to industry and good judgment, and his fine farm of 240 acres is all under excellent improvements and devoted to the cultivation of grain and raising of stock. When he bought ~\ the place, Mr. Kunes paid $3 per acre for it and d borrowed the money to buy the claim, at 10 per cent; * * but, being delayed in his plans by sickness and heavy expenses, by the time the place was paid for it had ^ cost $70 an acre.

Mr. and Mrs. Kunes have six children living - John, William, Wilhelmina (Mrs. Alfred Phillips, of Aurora), George, Adam and Ella. Mr. Kunes is a Republican in political belief, and belongs to the Evangelical Church, of which his wife is also a member.

illiam Bowers, farmer, section 5, Clinton Township, is a son of John and Ursula (Brooks) Bowers, natives of New Hampshire. They removed, from that State to Vermont and thence to " York State," where they resided until their death. They were the parents of 12 children, namely, Elizabeth, John, Abigail, William, Isaac, Ursula A., George", Loren, Mary, Charles, Sanford and Charlotte.

William Bowers, the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., N. H., Jan. 18, 1814. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Field, Feb. 6, 1836, in Jefferson Co., N. N. She bore him two children, namely : Helen and Corinne. Helen is the wife of Albert Dickey and resides near Columbus, Ohio. Corinne is deceased.

Mr. Bowers came to this county in 1848, bringing his wife and two children. He purchased 1 08 acres of land in Clinton Township, on which he moved and resided three years, until 1851, when, Nov. 1 6 of that year, his wife died. He then sold his land and returned on a visit to " York State." While in this county, for about two years, he followed " trafficking in produce."

Mr. Bowers purchased two farms, and in the spring of 1865 purchased 220 acres of land on section 5, where he at present resides. He is at present the owner of 225 acres, nearly all of which is in a first-class state of cultivation.

On his return from New York, Dec. 7, 1853, Mr. Bowers was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Laura E. Allen, daughter of Reuben and Nancy (Andrews) Allen, natives of New England.

They moved to this county in 1845 and located in Shabbona, where they resided until their death. They were the parents of six children, namely: B. F., Henry E., Elmira M., Hiram P., Laura E. and Martin V.

Laura E. Bowers was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., April u, 1830. She lived at home with her parents, assisting the mother in the household duties and attending the common schools, and accompanied her parents to this county in 1845 and continued to reside with them until her marriage. She is the mother of seven children by Mr. Bowers, namely : Lillian A., Ada L., Herbert W., Nancy C., Albert A., Mina E. and Grant H. Ada L. died in Clinton Township, Nov. 16, 1869, when 13 years of age.

Mr. Bowers, is a believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party, has held the office of Assessor of his township and other minor positions of public trust.

javid Hughes, baker and grocer at Sandwich, was born Oct. 24, 1839, in Ayrshire Scotland, the cottage of his parents being situated on the road where the home of Robert Burns was located, and about one-fourth of a mile from the birth-place of the poet. His father, James Hughes, after his birth went to Glasgow, the capital city, where he was employed on the municipal detective force, and he died in his native country. The mother, Margaret (Hendry) Hughes, is also deceased.

Mr. Hughes learned the business of pastry baker and confectioner in the city of Glasgow, and in 1866 he came to the city of New York. After a brief tarry there, he came to Chicago, where he lingered a short time, going thence to Elgin. He next proceeded to Aurora, 111., and conducted a steam bakery there until June, 1874, the date of his coming to Sandwich. He became possessor of the bakery and confectionery business already established, and has since continued its management with the exception of one year. He is conducting a prosperous and profitable business. He is interested in local politics, and is a member of the fraternities of Masons and Odd Fellows.

land, to Isabella M. Shaw, and they have had seven children, born in the following order: James (deceased), Margaret, David, Samuel (deceased), Alexander (deceased), Maude and Raymond. Mrs. Hughes is the daughterof James and Margaret Shaw, ^ and was born in Scotland.

,vid Gerlach, deceased, was a pioneei of De Kalb County. He was born March 27, 1796, in Wurtemburg, Germany, where he was brought up under the personal supervision of his parents. He was married there to Wilhelmina Oover, a native of the same State. They left their native country in 1830 and came to the United States, landing at the port of New York, after a passage of 57 days on a sail vessel. They made their way to Erie Co., Pa., where Mr. Gerlach bought 80 acres of timber land ; but owing to the hard times and advanced price, he was obliged to surrender his claim from inability to pay for it. After a struggle of nine years, the family came to Naperville, 111., traveling with their own teams and camping nights in their wagons. On arrival at the latter place the father rented land about one and a half years, subsequently going to Geneva, Kane County, where he rented farms until 1849. In that year he came to De Kalb County and entered a claim on the northwest quarter of section 24, in township 39, range 5, now Pierce Township. On this he established his homestead and vigorously prosecuted the improvements until his death, Feb. 8, 1873. Mrs. Gerlach died April 27, 1883. Their children, eight in number, are all living, and are recorded as follows : Henrietta is the widow of Gotlieb Buerer, of Pierce Township. Amanda is the widow of Nathaniel Lintner, of Naperville. Elizabeth married Peter Ramer (see sketch). Sarah survives her husband, Jacob Eberly, and resides at Hinckley. Caroline is the wife of James Boston, of Pawnee Co., Neb. Samuel is the manager of the homestead. Regina married John Lintner, of Sibley, Osceola Co., Iowa. Andrew is the youngest child.

Samuel Gerlach was born April 9, 1836, in Erie Co., Pa., and accompanied his parents to Illinois. He was married in 1857 to Catherine, daughter of John and Sarah (Shultz) Shoop, and they have six

Andrew Gerlach was born in Erie Co., Pa., July 7, 1841. He was less than two years of age when his parents came to Naperville, 111., and but eight years of age when they came to Pierce Township, where he has since resided. His marriage to Mary J. Harter took place Oct. 5, 1862. She was born in Center Co., Pa., and her parents afterward removed to Naperville, Du Page County, where they are now resident. When he was married he located for life on the farm on which he now resides, situated on the southeast quarter of section 14. He owns 240 acres of land, a large proportion of which is under improvements, with excellent farm buildings. He is chiefly engaged in raising grain and stock. Franklin E. and Harrison G. are the names of his children. He is a Republican, and, with his wife, belongs to the Evangelical Association.