DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 17 of 28)

In politics Mr. Bartlett is a Republican, and has been such since the organization of the party. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church of Ross Grove, in which society he has held the the office of Deacon over 30 years.

' vando W. White, a farmer on section 27, Shabbona Township, was born in Preble Co., Ohio., Jan. 24, 1849, and when three years of age his parents, Lemuel and Nancy (Morrow) White, removed with him to Boone Co., Ind. He was brought up to agricultural work and received a common-school education. In November, 1865, he came to Shabbona Township, this county, locating at Shabbona Grove. He purchased his present farm of 100 acres in the spring of 1880.

Mr. White was married at Shabbona Grove, Aug. 15, 1875, to Annie Lockey. She was the daughter of David and Elizabeth Horn, and was the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Lockey, natives of Whitestown, Ind., and they came to Sandwich, De Kalb Co., 111., in 1866. She remained with them until her marriage. She is the mother of three children: May, born March 20, 1879; Gracie, born April 20, 1881 ; and Jennie, Dec. 17, 1882. The mother was born in New York, Nov. 9, 1855.

f,, Aurora in 1853. While on a visit to Waterman, this county, his father was taken ill and died. His mother still survives and is a resident of Aurora. The issue of their' union was eight children, namely: Aimer K., Edwin S., Amitta, Harvey O., Frank H., Newton, Mary A. and Ella M.

He remained under the parental roof-tree, assisting his father on the farm and attending the common schools, until he attained the age of manhood.

Arriving at the age of maturity, Mr. Perry engaged as clerk in a store at Aurora, which position he held .t for seven years. Resigning his position, he opened a general store at Kaneville, Kane Co., this State. He continued in the business at the latter place for five years, meeting with success, and then removed his stock of goods to Waterman, this county, the date of his removal being the fall of 1879. At the v latter place he cond time, carrying a stock approximating does an annual business of about $45,000. Mr. Perry may be said to have spent all his past years in the mercantile business, at least since maturity; and he is perfectly familiar with all its details.

He -was united in marriage to Miss Eunice O. Merrill, Dec. 14, 1874. She is a daughter of Chester L. and Seraph S. (Wiswell) Merrill, natives of New York. Mrs. Perry was born in Troy, N. Y., June 27, 1851.

Mr. Perry is a believer in and supporter of the principles and doctrines of the Democratic party. He was elected Township Treasurer in the fall of 1883 and still holds the office. He is a member of the Masonic Order.

eorge H. Clapsaddle, residing on section 24, Paw Paw Township, and owning 160 v acres thereon, is a son of George A. and Nancy (Bellinger) Clapsaddle, and was born *j in Frankfort, Herkimer Co., N. Y., March 17, * 182 r. His father was a farmer by occupation, and George was brought up on the farm, alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools, until he attained the age of 17 years. On attaining that age, he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for two years, mastered and followed more or less until 1850. During that year he came to Paw Paw Township, this county, and in the fall purchased the farm he at present owns and on which he resides. The land was in its natural condition, and after purchasing it from the Government, Mr. C. at once entered upon f homas Harper, farmer and breeder of' fullblooded Norman horses, is a resident of Wyoming, Lee County, has 112 acres, and lives on section 1 1 ; postoffice, West Paw Paw. He was born in Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., 111., June 28, 1852, and is the son of William and Sarah (Kirk) Harper. He received an academic education and was brought up to agricultural pursuits.

He was married at East Paw Paw, May i, 1876, to Miss Katie Santee, daughter of James and Caroline (May) Santee. Mrs. Harper was born in Grand de Tour, Lee Co.,.Ill., June 23, 1857. Two children were born of their union, a daughter and son : Gracie, born Dec. 29, 1878, and Benjamin, July 30, 1880. Mrs. Harper died Jan. 27, 1885.

J'ohn Houghtby, farmer, section 21, Shabbona Township, was born in Northorsby, Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 19, 1819, a son of William and Susannah (Hadkins) Houghtby. He was by occupation a " gentleman's bailiff." He emigrated to the United States in 1876, reaching Shabbona in June, and purchased his present fine farm, which comprises 240 acres.

Line, Lancashire, Eng., to Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Bessie (Calvert) Gibson, who was born in that shire Sept. 5, 1815. They had eight children, namely: George, born Oct. 5, 1840, is married and lives in Shabbona; Susannah, born July 19, 1843, is the wife of John Lightbown, in England ; Titus C., born June 18, 1845, died July 9, 1874; Charles G., born Aug. 6, 1850, married Ettie Abel and resides in Shabbona Township; Elizabeth C., born Dec. 22, 1852, is the wife of Cornelius Hall, residing in England; Mary A., born March 3, 1855, is the wife of Wesley' C. Nicholson, of Shabbona; John, born March i, 1858, married Elizabeth Stimpson and resides in Shabbona Township ; and Sarah J., born March 27, 1 86 1, is now the wife of George Ray, of Shabbona.

>n. Henry M. Boardman, farmer, residing on section 4, Paw Paw Township, is the owner of 437 acres in that township and 320 in Pocahontas Co., Iowa. He is the son of Charles G. and Submit (Wadkins) Boardman, and was born in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 12, 1831.

When Henry was five years old, his parents moved to Rutland, his native county, and he received his education in the public and high schools of that place. His days of minority were passed on the farm. In 1854 he came to this State and was employed by a marble firm at Joliet for about 15 months. In the spring of 1855 he came to Paw Paw Township, this county, and purchased the farm on which he at present resides.

Mr. Boardman was married Feb. 6, 1855,10 Miss Caroline, daughter of Wait and Mary (Bacon) Chatterton. She was born in Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., Aug. 15, 1833. Two children were born of their union: Francis A., May 23, 1862, married George S. Hyde, a farmer residing in Paw Paw Township; Jennie M., born March 17, 1867, died Oct. 19, 1867. Mrs. Boardman died July 30, 1867, and Mr. B. formed a second matrimonial alliance Nov. 18, 1868, in Paw Paw Township, with Miss Christianna, daughter of Norman H. and Catharine (Hart) Powers. She was born in Earl, La Salle County, this State, Feb.

22, 1846, and came to this county with her parents in 1848. Four children were the issue of their union, namely: Ellen, born July 5, r874; Norman H. and Catharine S. (twins), born Aug. to, 1876 ; and Charles W., born Nov. n, i88t.

Politically Mr. Boardman is a Republican, and has held several important official positions, as well as minor offices. In 1882 he was elected to the State Legislature from the I7th District, on the Republican ticket, and served in the term of 1882-3, with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to his constituents. He has served eight terms as Assessor and five terms as Supervisor of Paw Paw Township.

Mr. Boardman is one of those who have accumulated their possessions through honest industry and fair dealing, and is a respected and esteemed citizen of the county. He and his wife are both members of the Congregational Church at Paw Paw.

obert H. Harper, deceased, an early pioneer of Paw Paw Township, was born in the town of Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y., June n, 1813, and was the son of James and Elizabeth (Black) Harper. He .removed to Cayuga County in early life, and was married March 20, 1840, to Ann Oswald. Mrs. Harper was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., July 10, 1817. They had three children: James, born Jan. 2, 1842, married Elizabeth Nisbet and lives in Paw Paw Township ; George, born Aug. 3, 1845, was a soldier of the late war and subsequently of the U. S. regular army ; he died at the age of 24 years ; Malcom, born April 3, 1848, died in infancy. Mrs. Harper died May 30, 1848, and Mr. Harper was married again Oct. 9, 1852, in the Township of Victor, De Kalb County, to Mrs. Ann Anderson, daughter of Robert and Janet Brown. Her parents were born in Scotland. Mrs. Harper was born in Canada, near Pearth, Oct. z, 1821, and came to Illinois in 1850. Four children were born of their union : Malcom C., Nov. 7, 1859; Anna M., born Feb. 7, 1861, is the wife of John W. Arnold and is a resident of Iowa. Alice M., born Dec. 9, 1862, died Jan. 16, 1864; Robert B., born Feb. 9, 1867.

Mr. Harper came to Paw Paw July 20, 1848, at which time he purchased the farm on which his widow now resides. He had 240 acres of land, and 5%£%JC ©-A was engaged in farming in Paw Paw continuously to the time of his death, which occurred March 28, 1882. Mr. Harper was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, a liberal donor toward the construction of the Ross Grove church, and a generous supporter of the same for many years. In politics he was a Republican.

orge Henry Read, deceased, a former resident of Sycamore, and whose portrait we present on the opposite page, was born April 12, 1826, in the province of New Brunswick. His paternal grandparents were natives of Massachusetts and went to the provinces about the date of the Revolutionary War.

The subject of this sketch was only 12 years of age when his parents came to Kane Co., 111., and located in the township of Virgil, where he was reared on the farm and attended the public schools. In 1852 he went with his brother to Australia, where he spent three years in the gold mines. On his return from there he settled in Kane County, where he was married, in July, r856, to Adeline, daughter of Samuel and Susan (Bannister) Worcester. Her father was born six miles from Boston, Mass., and accompanied his parents to Vermont when he was six years of age. He married a lady of Vermont birth, who descended from ancestors of Massachusetts origin. Mrs. Read was bori\ Aug. 4, 1832, in West Windsor, Vt. When she was nine years of age - in 1841 - her parents removed to Illinois and became pioneers of Virgil Township, Kane County. They | journeyed hither by stage from Windsor to Troy,J thence by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, taking steamer passage from that city to Chicago, whence they were brought by a team to Lily Lake. Her father bought a claim, where he built a house and resided nine years, when he sold out and bought a second farm one and a half miles distant from the first. On this he resided until his death in 1860. Her mother died in January, 1882.

Soon after marriage Mr. Read settled near Maple : Park, Kane County, where he owned a tract of land ; : containing 300 acres. On this he built a frame house c / and other necessary and suitable farm structures.^* In 1865 he bought a similar acreage situated four®, miles from the first and containing a good equipment of buildings. He removed his family thither and it formed his field of operations until December, 1874. At that date he disposed of the estate by sale, bought four acres of city property at Sycamore, with a residence, and moved there. In 1876 he bought a farm on section 34, Sycamore Township, where he resided until his death, April 18, 1883.

In 1870 Mr. Read purchased a considerable tract of land in Hardin Co., Iowa, and in 1882 he bought 300 acres of wild land in Cherokee Co., loWja, where he erected necessary farm buildings. To these he gave considerable personal attention, but never became a resident of the State.

Mr. Read was a man of excellent traits of character, and possessed qualities which received for him general esteem and respect. His leading characteristic was a spirit of boundless charity, and he was frequently mentioned as a philanthropist.

' ohn Dixon, farmer, section 7; Squaw Grove Township, was born in Canada, Nov. 29, 1820, and was a farmer in the Dominion nil the spring of 1865. He then came to e Kalb County and located in the township af Clinton. In the spring of 1874 he removed to Squaw Grove Township, and, associated with his sons, William and John, bought 305 acres, on which the homestead was established. He is an adheren to and supporter of the Republican party.

The first marriage of Mr. Dixon occurred in Canada, when Louisa Perry, a native of the Dominion, ^ became his wife. After becoming the mother of seven children, she died, in Clinton Township, May 12, 1873. Her children were named Robert, Sarah, John, William, Maud, Ida and Cyrus L. The second marriage of Mr. Dixon, to 'Rebecca Owen, took place at Sandwich, Dec. 10, 1874. She was1 born V March 5, 1835, in Perry Co., Pa.

rnest S. Chambers, farmer, residing on the southeast quarter of section 26, Afton Township, was born in Piano, Kendall Co., Ill , April 7, 1859. He is a son of Moses and Sarah (Tyler) Chambers. His father was born in Wayne Co., Pa., Aug. 26, 1821, and resides with his son on section 26. His mother was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., April 8, 1821, and died on the home farm in Afton Township, March 16, 1880.

Ernest S. Chambers, subject of this notice, came to this county with his parents when but six weeks old and has resided here ever since. His education was received in the common schools, and the major portion of his years previous to majority were passed on a farm. He has one brother and two sisters living, namely: Leuverna, born Aug. 29, 1848, married Henry Richmond and resides at DeKalb; Adelia, born Jan. 2, 1850; and Fred S., born July 22, 1864, at present living in Iowa and working at his trade, that of a carpenter.

Mr. Chambers was united in marriage to Miss Phena S., daughter of Lansing E. and Lurena De Forest, Dec. 20, 1882. Her father was born in Southville, HerkimerCo., N. Y., May 10, 1832, and her mother in "German Flats," Herkimer Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1831. Both are living in this county. Her father is a carpenter and worked at his trade after coming to this county. He has a farm which he rents, and he lives in the village of De Kalb. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely: Ella M., born Oct. 24, 1852, in Oneida Co., N. Y.; Elizabeth A., born Dec. 25, 1855, in Oneida County,; Eugene A., born Feb. 17, i854;Tnvena

Politically, Mr. Chambers is a Republican. He f§i has followed the vocation of a farmer all his life, and truly representative and practical gentleman.

f; aul H. Nichols, farmer and tile manufacirer, resident on section 22, Squaw Grove Township, is the son of Cyrus C. and Almira (Avery) Nichols. The former was born in Vermont, the latter in New York, and after their marriage they were resident in the former State five years, subsequently removing to the State of New York. In 1845 they removed to Kane Co., 111. In 1859 they located in Squaw Grove Township, where the father died, July 31, 1872. The mother is yet living. Mr. Nichols had three sisters, all older, - Fanny A., Rhoda D. and Sally H.

He was born July 12, 1834, in Chenango Co., N. Y., where he attended the public schools. He accompanied his parents in their various removals, and, since November, 1859, has been a resident of the township of Squaw Grove. He is the owner of 400 acres of land, and is ranked among the leading farmers and business men of his township. In 1879 he embarked in the manufacture of drain tile, in which he is prosecuting relations of rapidly extending popularity. The clay bed which had been previously utilized in the manufacture of brick to some extent, proved on more extended investigation to be of the most superior character known in the business, a fact entirely unsuspected by Mr. Nichols at the commencement of the venture. It is classed as " timber " clay, which exceeds all other varieties in tenacity or strength, obviously a most desirable quality. The annual product ranges from 350,000 to 950,000 feet, and it is mostly absorbed by local patronage, only a small proportion being shipped to a distance. During the season the working force numbers at times 16 men. Mr. Nichols has several diplomas from local fairs attesting the comparative value of the tile. The manufacturing is under the management of Charles Pratt, and the value of the output is materially increased by the skill exercised in manipulating the material and in the completing

Mr. Nichols built his factory in the winter of 1878-9, and had but opened preparatory operations when, May 10, the building was destroyed by fire, between five and six o'clock in the morning, with no insurance save in the hearts of his neighbors, who, before nightfall of the day of disaster, had purchased in Chicago the material required for building another of similar pattern. The new establishment was ready to be occupied July 6, following. Mr. Nichols made the first successful application of drying clay by means of steam pipes, a method now in general use.

Politically, Mr. Nichols is an endorser and supporter of the issues and principles of the Republican party. He has been Treasurer of his township a little less than 17 years. He has also been Township Clerk one year.

He was married Feb. 3, 1858, in Sugar Grove Township, Kane Co., 111., to Sarah J. Skiff, and of their five children four survive : Edwin C., Obed C., Fanny E. and Jesse J. May died when she was a little child. Mrs. Nichols was born Feb. 27, 1833, in Warren Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Obed and Azubah (Judd) Skiff. Her parents were born in Massachusetts.

homas Harper, Sr., was a pioneer of Paw Paw Township of 1842. He is now a resident of Wichita, Kan. He was born in Ireland in 1811, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Black) Harper, and emigrated from Ireland to America with his parents in infancy in 1812. The family located in Washington Co., N. Y., and moved from there to Sterling, Cayuga County, in 1819.

He emigrated to Peoria, 111., about 1840, and from there to Paw Paw Township, De Kalb County, in 1842. He entered Government land in that town on sections 13 and 14, and was engaged in farming and stock-growing till 1877, when he removed to Shabbona Station. In 1880 he removed to Wichita, Kan., his present home.

^-^ terian Church of Ross Grove, was a liberal supporter of the Church and aided largely in the construction of their house of worship. In politics he was a Republican.

homas Thomason, farmer, section 30, Clinton Township, is a son of Osmon and Bertha (Sawyer) Thomason, natives of Noriray. He was born in that country, March 25, 1825, the third in order of birth in a family of five children, and was about 12 years of age when he came with his parents to America. He followed farming in La Salle County, this State, until the spring of- 1880, when he came and bought the Reuben Pritchard farm, of 180 acres, which he now owns and cultivates. Coming from a nation noted for industry, economy and honesty, and characterized by the same traits, Mr. T. succeeds well in this land of plenty. Politically, he is a Republican, and locally he has been entrusted with the office of School Director.

He was married in La Salle County, July 19, 1851, to Tabitha Aget, a native also of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Thomason have had r2 children, named Sarah A., Francis M., Thomas H., Emily J., Emery J., Martha M., Eunice E., Lottie N., Addie R. and Ella J., and two who died in infancy.

j illitim J. Bushnell, farmer, section 36, Squaw Grove Township, was born April 4, 1828, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and is the son of Amasa and Mila (Frary) Bushnell. His parents were natives of the State of New York, and came to Kendall Co., 111., in 1855. The father died there Sept. 20,1855. The mother died Jan. 9, 1876, in De Kalb County. They had three children - William J., Elmer and Marcus S.

County until 1872, and in the spring of that year took possession of the farm where he is now a resident, in Squaw Grove Township. He owns 120 acres of land, all of which is in a fine state of cultivation and constitutes a valuable farm.

Mr. Bushnell was first married Dec. 17, 1863, in Aurora, Kane Co., 111., to Adaline Hubbell, who was born in Kendall Co., 111. Jennie, only child of this marriage, died when she was one year old. The mother died April 28, 1870, in Kendall County. Mr. Bushnell was a second time married Feb. 2, 1872, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., to Mrs. Maria (Rhoades) Hoard. She is the daughter of Asahel and Permelia (Fair) Rhoades. and was the widow of Nathaniel Hoard. The latter was a soldier in the Ninth N. Y. Cav. and was killed near Fairfax Court-House, Va. Cora A., only issue of that marriage, is the wife of Charles Foster, of Piano. Frank J. is the name of the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell. The latter was born Dec. 18, 1835, in Genesee Co., N. Y.

athew G. Shackelton, dealer in drugs and groceries at Shabbona, was born in Northampton Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1838, and is the son of Samuel and Catharine (Darling) Shackelton. He received a common-school education. When 14 years of age he left his native place and came to Illinois with his parents, the family settling in Clinton Township, this county, in the fall of 1851.

Young Shackelton was brought up on a farm. In 1861 he went to Durand, Pepin Co., Wis., where he spent about two years as clerk in a drug and grocery store. He was next engaged in the hardware business till 1864. He then returned to Clinton and went from there to Chicago, where he spent the winter of 1865-6. During the following spring he went to Cairo, III., where he spent a few months, and returned to De Kalb County, where he was engaged in farming till the fall of 1875. He then went to De Kalb city and engaged in the grocery, restaurant and bakery business. He was doing well till he was burned out, June 29, 1876, by which he lost about $3,000. He then bought an interest in a hotel at De Kalb, which he operated two years. He was next engaged in farming in Afton Township. In the spring of 1880 he erected a building in Shabbona and opened a restaurant. He sold out to Mr. Lucas and spent some time in traveling in Iowa. He next bought a stock of general merchandise at Hinckley, 111., and carried on business there one year. He sold out, went to Kansas, and from there to Missouri. Returning to Shabbona, he bought back his old stand, which he operated till March i, 1883, when he sold out to Mr. E. M. Card, and opened at his present stand, in the drug and grocery business. He carries an average stock of $3,000.

He was married in De Kalb, Dec. 31, 1868, to Miss Annie Goodrich, (laugher of Erastus and Annie (Taylor) Goodrich. Mrs. Shackelton was born in Oswego, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1 85 1 . They have one child, a daughter, named Kittie, born Sept. 2, 1872.

ram Ellwood, Secretary and General Manager of the Superior Barbed-Wire Company, resident at De Kalb, is one of the Ellwood rothers, whose names are prominent in the history of De Kalb County. The portrait of the gentleman who forms the subject of this sketch appears on the page opposite, and is a valuable addition to the gallery of portraits given in this volume.

Mr. Ellwood was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., in the town of Canajoharie, on the ipth day of September, 1828. He is the son of Abraham"and Sarah (Delong) Ellwood. (See sketch of Hon. C. Ellwood for further mention of parents.) When he was about ten years of age his father became a contractor on the Erie Canal, entering into an agreement to build a mile of that water course lying within the town of Minden, Montgomery County. The contractor boarded the men whom he employed, and every member of the family who was still under the parental authority contributed their share of assistance in the scheme. Girls in the Ellwood household were not numerous enough or large enough to afford the necessary amount of assistance that is generally supposed per se to fall to the feminine lot, and the boys who were plenty and available were pressed into domestic dirty. Hiram was one of the most useful adjuncts of the household and did valiant service in the intervals of school, his principal business at home being washing dishes, and, like Billy Gray, the Boston millionaire, who was wont to boast of the quality of his work when he sawed wood for his living, chiefly remembers that he did it well, and moreover is not ashamed of it. Later, Abraham Ellwood went with his family to Ilion, in Herkimer County, N. Y. Hiram engaged as a salesman in the employ of a Mr. Dygert in the city of Utica. He was then about 15 years of age, and remained in that employment about two years. Subsequently he was employed by a Mr. Folts as a clerk in a drygoods and grocery store, where he continued three years. He had saved his earnings, and, being desirous of embarking independently in business, he purchased a half interest in a canal boat, which he sold after one season. He returned to the mercantile establishment where last employed and resumed the ocupation of a clerk.

His next business venture was in an enterprise in company with William Frank in raising broom-corn and manufacturing brooms, carrying on their operations on the " Flats " in the town of Mohawk, adjacent to the river of the same name.

Mr. Ellwood made his home with the household of his associate in business, and the family circle was increased by the addition of a young lady, a cousin of Mrs. Frank - Miss Sarah Dygert by name. The young people were mutually attracted from the first. Their first meeting occurred between 30 and 40 years ago, and their first favorable opinions strengthened into appreciative friendship and soon into substantial affection which resulted in their marriage in March, 1850. No finer touch of manliness appears on these pages than the tribute paid by Mr. Ellwood more than 35 years afterward to the strength of the sentiment which held him in indissoluble bonds. " I thought her the handsomest and most lady-like girl I' had ever seen, and I still think so." The marriage took place at Fort Plain, N. Y., and to the wedded pair one child was born - Alice - who was married in the spring of 1871 to D. D. Brown, of Sycamore.

Chauncey Ellwood, the oldest brother of Hiram Ellwood, was a widower, and in 1852 the latter and his wife entered the employ of the former - the wife as general housekeeper, the husband as assistant in a grocery and provision store at a point on the Erie Canal in Frankfort, Herkimer County. There was no business save during the season of navigation, and the intervening seasons were spent in methods that combined muoh amusement and little exertion, as there was literally nothing to do. The relation between the brothers was in existence two years. At the end of that time the elder was appointed to the position of Superintendent of a section of the canal, and the traffic of the store passed into the hands of Messrs. J. E. and Hiram Ellwood. They conducted their affairs jointly one year, when the former sold his interest to the latter and it continued under his management two years.

In the spring of 1856 Hiram Ellwood sold out and came West. On the ninth day of August in that year, the mercantile firm of Ellwood & Delong opened business at De Kalb, then a village with little promise of the prosperity and development of to-day, and they continued the sale of drugs and groceries until 1866, when the junior member of the firm withdrew and Mr. Ellwood conducted the business until 1877 in his own name. He then sold out to J. H. Lewis, who still continues its successful prosecution. Meanwhile the business of I. L. Ellwood & Co. had assumed mammoth proportions and Mr. Ellwood went to Kansas City, Mo., in the interests of that firm and operated as Western agent, shipping barbed wire West and South from Kansas City. He returned to De Kalb at the expiration of three years. In August, 1881, the Superior Barbed-Wire Company of De Kalb went into operation. The charter members included I. L. Ellwood, J. F. Glidden, J. D. Lott, Reuben Ellwood and Hiram Ellwood, and the latter was elected Treasurer, Secretary and General Manager, and still holds the same position.

Mr. Ellwood, in addition to his business relations with De Kalb city and county, has discharged the duties and responsibilities of several official jaositions. In 1857 and 1858 he was elected Supervisor of the township of De Kalb and has served three terms as member of the Board of Trustees of the village before its corporation as a city. He has served a term as School Director, officiating as Clerk of the Board. He acted two years as Deputy Postmaster under I. V. Randall, and on the resignation of his chief, two years after, he was appointed Postmaster and served four years. During the years 1859, '60, '61, '62, he officiated as Treasurer of De Kalb County and executed all the trusts which fell to him in his duties in a characteristic way, one of which was the signing of the soldiers' orders. With A. K. Stiles, County Clerk, he was appointed by the Board of County Supervisors to act as County Agent in the sale of the county bonds, which labor was accomplished and resulted in the payment of the claims of the soldiers of the io5th Regiment 111. Vol. Inf., the soldiers receiving one-half cash and onehalf the amount due them in county orders.

Mr. Ellwood located at De Kalb nearly 30 years ago, when it was a village. He has watched its development and the increase of its business resources with much gratification. At the date he made the acquaintance of the place its population was about 500, and it is now six times as great, and is second in business to no town of its capacity between Chicago and the Mississippi. The interest of Mr. Ellwood in his adopted home and his identification with its general welfare will expire only with his life. One notable event, which has heretofore failed to receive deserved notice in the sketches, of the Ellwood brothers, and which should find place, is the last act of filial affection performed by them in connection with the death and burial of their venerable mother. It was her dying request that " her boys " should act as her pall-bearers, which they did, the six bearing her remains to their last resting place in Elmwood Cemetery.

sahel Firkins, deceased, was an early pioneer of Paw Paw Township. He was born near Oswego, N. Y., in 1819, and was the son of George and Lydia (Chappel) Firkins, of English descent. He emigrated to inois in 1838 and made his home in Henderson, Knox County, where he was married, Jan. 10, 1841, to Miss Harriet Miller, daughter of Tames and Hannah (Preston) Miller. Mrs. Firkins was born in Monroe Co., Mich., Jan. 25, 182 3, and came to Illinois in 1838. Seven children were born to them, three boys and four girls: Mariette, born Dec. 25, 1841, wife of George D. Heldebrant, of Kansas ; William, born Jan. 7, 1844, married Laura Haskell and lives in P

Paw; John, born Jan. 26, 1846, died in infancy; Harriet A., born May 19, 1837, wife of William Rust, of East Paw Paw; Emma F., born July 22, 1849, was killed by the cars while in a carriage crossing the track near Maiden, 111., Feb. 5, 1874; Josephine, born Sept. 21, 185 1, wife of Seneca Duncan, of Kansas; George A., born Jan. 16, 1854, single, at home.

Mr. Firkins made his home in Knox County till 1842, when he removed to Warren Co., 111.; spent three years in that county, and in March, -1845, removed to Paw Paw Township, De Kalb County, and entered land on section 7. He had 204 acres. He made his home in this township, and was engaged in farming till his death, which occurred June 17, 1856.

^dmond Towne, the first white settler of Shabbona Township, and now deceased, was a native of Waterbury, Vt., became a brick-maker by trade, moved to Ohio, where he resided several years, and returned to his native State. He married Mrs. Sally Smith, widow of James Smith and daughter of David Straw. He then returned to Marion Co., Ohio, where he engaged in brick-making until 1834, when he came to this State and settled in what was afterward surveyed as Shabbona Township, De Kalb County. He subsequently -removed to Marble Rock, Iowa, selling out here to Frank Frost. He died in the fall of 1881. Before his removal to Iowa his wife died, in Shabbona, and jx none of their family are now left in this county. ^ y Their children were Mary J., Electa, Cynthia, Sarah, I Ralph, Chester, Russell and Daniel.

- illiam Cone, resident on section 4, Squaw Grove Township, has been a citizen there since he arrived at the estate of manhood. His parents, Archibald and Rosetta (Cunningham) Cone, were natives of Scotland and came to the United States in 1815. They fixed their first residence in the State of New York, whence they removed in 1843 to Squaw Grove Township, De Kalb County. The mother died there May

9, 1873, and tlle father Aug. 6, 1877. Their family of 1 1 children were born in the following order : Jane, Jeannette, Mary, William, Isabella, Margaret, John (ist), Elizabeth, John (2d), Archibald and Rosetta.

Mr. Cone was born Sept. 13, 1822, near Albany, N. Y. He passed his early years on a farm and at school. On coming to De Kalb County at the age of 21 years, he became a farmer. In 1848 he entered the Army of the United States, enlisting in the First Mo. Vol. Inf., which was engaged in the Mexican War about ten months. On receiving his discharge, he returned to the township of Squaw Grove. In 1862 he went to California, reaching there by the overland route across the plains, and spent three years in mining and farming in the Golden State. He is the owner of 323 acres of fine fanning land, on which he has erected excellent farm buildings. He is a Democrat in political opinions.

Jan. 19, 1856, Mr. Cone was married, in Oneida Co., N. Y., to Margaret McFar.land, and they have had five children, - Isabella, Jeannette, John, Jane and Margaret. The latter died Dec. 18, 1882, when 17 years of age. Mrs. Cone died May 3, 1881. Isabella is the wife of Henry Schmidt, of Squaw Grove. Jeannette married Elihu Ramer, of Pierce Township. Jane is Mrs. Louis Hohn, and resides in Nebraska. The only son, John, resides on the homestead.

eorge F. Park, a retired farmer residing in the village of Shabbona, has a farm of 138 acres on section 27, Shabbona Township. He is a native of this township, his birth dating June 17, 1849, and his parents being Ira and Matilda (McNeal) Park. He passed his boyhood upon his father's farm, and when 15 years of age he removed with his parents to Leland, La Salle County, where he lived six years. The family then removed to a farm near Leland for two years, and finally returned to the old homestead in Shabbona Township. Mr. Park removed to his present residence in Shabbona village in December, 1883.

"ohnson Low, farmer, sections 19 and 20, Clinton Township, is a son of Charles and Lanor (Richardson) Low, natives of Canada. They were married in that country and came to this country in 1856, settling in Clinton Township, where the father died Nov. 5, 1863. He was of Scotch extraction, and held an officer's position in the British Army. His wife still survives, and is still a resident of Clinton Township. They were the parents often children, namely: William R., John S., Tameran, Mary J., Charles, Caroline, James, Johnson, George and Wolford. Of the ten children, John S., Mary J., Caroline, James and George are deceased. James was a soldier in the late Civil War, doing duty in the io5th 111. Vol. Inf., and died at Gallatin, Sumner Co., Tenn., in 1863.

Johnson Low, the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Canada, May 16, 1842. He received his education in the common schools of Canada and Illinois, coming to this State when 14 years of age with his parents. He lived with them in Clinton Township, assisting on the farm until his father's death, when he purchased the homestead of 120 acres and on which he is at present residing.

Mr. Low enlisted in the Second Illinois Light Artillery, Sept. 16, i86r, and was in his country's service for 18^ months. He was in the battle of Fort Donelson, Tenn., Feb. 16, 1862, in which the Union forces, commanded by Gen. Grant and Com. Foote, had 446 killed, 1,735 wounded and 150 taken prisoners, but captured six forts, 65 guns, and 17,500 small arms. He was also in other battles and skirmishes of less import, and was honorably discharged at Memphis, Tenn. On receiving his discharge he immediately returned home.

Mr. Low was married Dec. 25, 1866, in McDonough Co., 111., to Miss Kate, daughter of Joseph and Delia (Overton) Long, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in McDonough County at an early day.

Politically, Mr. Low affiliates with the Republican party. Three of his brothers, William R., James and Wolford, were soldiers in the late Civil War.

tarles V. Weddell, farmer, residence section 20, Paw _Paw Township, has 160 acres of land. He was born in the township of Paw Paw, Aug 8, 1853, and is the son of William B. and Agnes G. (Vail) Weddell. He received an academic education at the Teachers' Institute and Classical Seminary of East Paw Paw, and at the Presbyterian academy of Naperville, 111. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and was married in Paw Paw Township, March 29, 1877, to Miss Mary Nisbet, daughter of Mathew and Agnes (Harper) Nisbet. Mrs. Weddell was born in Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., 111., Nov. 28, 1855. They have two children, namely : Nellie V., born Jan. 9, 1878; and Christina L., born June 29, 1879.

tes W. McAllister, farmer, section 36, jf Clinton Township, is a son of James and Jennie (Dobbins) McAllister, natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively. They were married and emigrated to the United States about the year 1822, and settled in Washington Co., N. Y. From there they moved to Ohio, and thence, in 1849, came to this county and settled in Clinton Township, where they died. They were the parents of 12 children, namely : Margaret, Mary, Eliza, Martha, William, James W., Sarah, Ellen, Esther, Anna, Bell and Samuel. Samuel and William are deceased.

James W. McAllister, the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., July i, 1834, went with his parents to Ohio, and when 15 years of age accompanied them to this county. He lived at home, assisting on the farm and attending the common schools, in Ohio and this county, until he was 25 years of age. On arriving at the age <?% stated, Mr. McAllister purchased 80 acres of land on section 36, Clinton Township, where he at present resides. His present landed possessions consist of 1 60 acres, all of which is in a good tillable condition.

Mr. McAllister was married Dec. 18, 1864, to Miss Mary A. Graham, in Victor Township, this county. She is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Williamson) Graham, and a sister of Mrs. James McCleery, whose biography appears in this ALBUM. She was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Dec. 5, 1841, and is the mother of seven children by Mr. McAllister, namely : Ward, born Dec. 4, 1866 ; Hellen, Nov. 9, 1868 ; Robert J., Nov. 4, 1871; Margaret, Dec. 25, 1873; Russell, June n, 1876; Mary B., Dec. 15, 1878; and Sarah J., Dec. 24, 1 88 1.

innaeus C. Burke, farmer, owning 315 acres located on section 20 and 21, Shabbona Township, and residing thereon, was born in Bridgewater, Windsor Co., Vt, Sept. 5, 1814. His parents, Erastus and Lydia (Ward) Burke, moved to Plymouth, Windsor Co., Vt, when their son was an infant, and to Orwell, Rutland (now Addison) County, that State, when he was two years of age. Nine years later they removed to Benson, same county. His father, Erastus Burke, was born Sept. 8, 1783, in Westhampton, Mass. He was a practicing physician for several years. He died Nov. 23, 18158, at the house of his son. Lydia (Ward) Burke, his mother, was born July 7, 1787, and died in Vermont, Oct. 16, 1849.

Benson and assisted his father on the farm, and early in life engaged in teaching. He taught during winters, and occupied his time summers by labor on the farm. In all, he taught about 20 terms of school.

Mr. Burke was married in Rutland Co., Vt, Oct. 29, 1839, to Miss Abigail, daughter of Rufus Long. She was born at Rutland, Vt, March 21, 1814. Two children were born of their union, namely : Sylvanus O. (ist), Aug. 10, 1840, died Oct. 16, 1843, and Sylvanus O. (2d), born Oct. 19, 1843, and died May 31, 1844. Mrs. Burke died Aug. 27, 1844, and Sept. 6, 1848, Mr. Burke was married a second time; Miss Mary E., daughter of Horace and Aurelia (Bush) Higgins, was the lady whom he selected. She was born in Orwell, Addison Co., Vt, Nov. 2, 1828, and became the mother of four children, the issue of their union, namely: Horace H., born Dec. 18, 1849, died Feb. 28, 1861 ; Mary E., born Dec. 12, 1853, and is the wife of James W. Shanks, a resident at Simpson, Kan.; Elizabeth A. was born April 4, 1856, and is the wife of Samuel T. Thompson, residing in Shabbona Township; Linnaeus C., Jr., was born Dec. 26, 1857, married Maria E. Plant, and resides in Shabbona Township. Mrs. Burke died Jan. 30, 1861.

Mr. Burke contracted a third matrimonial alliance July 20, 1862, at Shabbona, with Mrs. Martha Sherwood. She was a daughter of Thomas Reese and widow of Salmon Sherwood, and was born in Hampshire Co., Va., March 24, 1816, and departed this life Feb. 24, 1882.

Mr. Burke came to this county from Vermont in 1852, and located on his present farm on section 21, Shabbona Township. He had traded a stony farm in the Green Mountain State, for the one he now owns (at that time consisting of 160 acres) and moved on it when he first came here. He has continued to reside on the place ever since, and by subsequent purchase has increased his acreage to the amount stated.

Politically, Mr. Burke is a Democrat. He has served four years as Town Clerk, and the same number of years as Town Treasurer. He joined the Congregational Church while a resident of Benson, Vt, and is at present a member of the same Church at Shabbona. He has always been a worker in the Church.

to be classed with the best citizens of the county and State, we place a portrait of Mr. Burke in this volume. It was engraved from a photograph taken in eorge G. Congdon, farmer, section 15, Clinton Township, is a son of James H. and Lydia E. (Brock) Congdon, natives of Rhode Island and Vermont. They were married and settled in Rutland Co., Vt., where they died, the father Nov. 22, 1854 and the mother March 10, 1837. They were the parents of ii children, named as follows: Lansford W., James, John, Charles, OrvTlle, Harvey, Lydia E., George G., William M., Hannah S. and Phillip P.

George G. Congdon was born in Wallingford, Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 29, 1828. He attended the common schools of his native county, matriculated at the academy at Ludlow, Windsor County, known as "Black River Academy," in which institution he remained four terms and then attended the Leland Seminary at East Townsend one term.

After leaving the latter school Mr. Congdon engaged in teaching, which profession he followed during winter months for 10 years, meeting with success. His summers he devoted to farming.

In 1854 Mr. Congdon came to Kane Co., this State, where he resided, variously engaged, for two years and then, in 1856, came to this county. He purchased 160 acres of land in Clinton Township, on which he located and where he has since resided, with the exception of the time he served in the late civil war. He enlisted in the summer of 1862 in the io5th 111. Vol. Inf., and received his discharge at Gallatin, Sumner Co., Tenn.

Mr. Congdon was united in marriage to Miss Augusta A. York, at Wallingford, Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 14, 1867. She is a daughter of Levi and Laura (Allen) York, natives of Vermont. Her mother died in Vermont, Feb. 9, 1875. Her father, after the death of his wife, came to this county, and is at present living with his daughter. The parents had a family of seven children, four of whom are living, namely, Lura A., Rufus A. Augusta A. and Ella E.

of her father's family, assisting the mother in the household duties, and for four years previous to her marriage she was engaged in teaching. She is the mother, by Mr. Congdon, of five children, one of whom, Lillian, died in infancy. The surviving are George E., born Feb. 25, 1869; William A., Nov. 24, 1870; John S., Feb. 12, 1873; Carrie P., April 14, 1876.

Politically Mr. Congdon is a supporter of and believer in the principles and doctrines advocated by the Republican party. He has held the offices of School Trustee, Township Collector and Constable for about four years, Township Clerk a number of years and at present is a Justice of the Peace.

enjamin Lobdell, merchant and Postmaster at East Paw Paw, was born in Putnam Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1844, and is the son of Harry and Mary (Davenport) Lobdell. He moved to Lee Co., 111., with his ' parents in 1856; learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was engaged several years. In December, 1883, he. engaged in merchandising at East Paw Paw, and Jan. 14, 1884, was appointed Postmaster of East Paw Paw.

chard P. Rowley, retired farmer, Waterman, is from the Empire State. His parents, Asahel and Betsey (Roberts) Rowley, natives also of that State, came to Kane County, this State, in 1856, and spent the remainder of their lives there. He died Nov. 17, 1864, and she in February, 1863. They had eight children, - Amanda, Phebe, Richard P., Enoch, William, Albert, Elizabeth and Mary.

Mr. Rowley was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1824. From the age of 15 to 20 years he worked by the month in farming pursuits. He then learned the carpenter's trade and followed that until 1853, when he came to Kane Co., 111., and followed agriculture on a rented farm for 17 years. In 1872 4_Q ^$&Z ^^£@ he came to this county and settled upon 104 acres in Clinton Township, which he had bought three years previously. He resided on this place until 1883, when he sold it and moved to the village of Waterman, where he now resides, and is one of the Village Trustees. In his views of national interest he is a Republican, and locally he has held the office of Overseer of Highways in the township.

He was married in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Sept. 10, 1846, to Hannah M. Cole, also a native of that county. She became the mother of five children, - Mary L., Phebe A., Elliot D., William H., and Charles, who died in infancy. Mrs. R. died May 24, 1855, in Kane County, and Mr. R. again married, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Feb. 2, 1857, Mrs. Mary A., nee Finckle, widow of Jacob Pitcher, who died in the last named county, Oct. 28, 1855. By her first marriage she had one child, Sarah E., who is the wife of Thomas Cummings and resides in Iowa. Mrs. Rowley was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1825. By the present marriage there is one child, Erwin N. Mrs. R.'s parents, Nicholas and Harriet (Silvernale) Finckle, were natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y.

ran Evans, farmer, section 2, Squaw Grove Township, was born May 31, 1823, in Wales. His father and mother, John and Anna (Thomas) Evans, were natives of the South of Wales, and of their family of ten children the son who is the subject of this notice was the fifth in order of birth. He was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in his native country until 1851, and in the fall of that year he came to the United States. After landing he proceeded to Chicago and remained there until Feburary, 1852, when he came to Kane County and conducted a rented farm at Big Rock for three years. In 1855 he bought the farm he has since owned in Squaw Grove Township, purchasing 160 acres originally, which he has since doubled in extent. His farm includes 260 acres of land under tillage, and he has built handsome and valuable buildings.

He was married in Chicago, Feb. 16, 1852, to Ann Davis, and they have had five children : David, Ann, John E., Dean and Willie E. The latter died when jearly three years old. Mrs. Evans was born Feb.

6, 1823, in Wales. Her father and mother, Benjamin and Catherine Davis, were natives of Wales, and the former died in his native country. The latter came subsequently to America, and died at Big Rock, in September, 1872. Mrs. Evans had one brother, Benjamin.

I* eter V. Quilhot, farmer, section 13, Shabbona Township, has a well improved farm of 170 acres. As a settler at that place he s a pioneer. He was born in the town of Victory, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1822. His irents were Henry and Hannah (Van Allen) Quilhot. He lost his father in early youth, and circumstances rendered it necessary for him to aid his mother in the care of the family ; so that his educational advantages were limited to a few weeks at school in the winter. After he became of legal age he succeeded in securing one term at the Red Creek Academy.

He learned the painter's trade, and in June, 1845, came to this county and purchased a tract of 120 acres in Shabbona Township, and made his home with his brother-in-law, Peter Miller. Not finding the West a profitable field in which to work at his trade, he returned in 1847 to New York. In the fall of the following year he came again to Shabbona, improved his land and engaged in farming. Aug. 8t 1850, he was married in Somonauk, this county, to Miss Frances Bacon, daughter of Lyman and Sarah (Rood) Bacon, which family were among early pioneers of this county, having emigrated from Syracuse, N. Y., to De Kalb County in the fall of 1846. Mrs. Q. was born at Salina, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 28, 1827. She has had seven children, all of whom are living except one. The eldest, John J., was born Sept. i, 185 i ; married Fannie Burchard and lives at the old homestead. His wife was adopted in childhood by her step-father, S. M. Corey, and she was married under the name of Corey. Henry B., born March 20, 1853, married Alice Prescott, and lives in Morris Co., Kan. Helen E., born Jan. i, 1856, is the wife of Richard K. Anderson, of Atchison, Kan. Josephine, born Nov. 30, 1859, is the wife of John A,

Mr. Quilhot has been prominently identified with public affairs in his town and county. He has served seven years as Supervisor of Shabbona, and represented his township as many terms in the County Board, besides having held various minor offices. During the late war he was active in aiding and encouraging enlistments, and contributed liberally to the volunteer bounty fund. In his views of national policy he is a Republican, and has voted with that party every since its organization. He has been con- I nected with the Masonic Order for many years, beng now a member of Shabbona Lodge, No. 374.

obert Humphrey, retired farmer, residing at Waterman, Clinton Township, is a son of John and Ann (Price) Humphrey. His parents were natives of Wales and emigrated to this country about 1831, his father dying soon thereafter. They were father and mother * to five children, namely, John, Thomas, Mary, Rob- -* ert and Edward.

/I* Robert Humphrey, subject of this biographical J notice, is a native of Wales, in which country he was born Nov. 22, 1827. He was about four years of age when his parents emigrated to America, and passed his early life on a farm in Oneida Co., N. Y. He alternated working on the farm and attending the common schools until he attained the age of 25 years. 9 At that age he engaged in the hotel business, at ^ North Western, Oneida Co., N. Y., in which he remained for six months, then sold and engaged in the lumber business. He remained in the latter business for about three years, when he sold out and came to this county.

On arriving in this county, in the fall of 1853, Mr. Humphrey located on a farm on section 4, Clinton (q\ Township, which he purchased. He continued to reside on the farm until 1872. During his residence there he was for a year engaged in the coal and lumber business, and had charge of the station at Water- ^ man for about 20 months. He has subsequently been engaged in the lumber and coal business at Waterman, which he disposed of in 1875. He then moved to Chicago, and was engaged in the grain and commission business two years and a half. He then returned to Waterman and built his present fine residence. Since he returned to Waterman, he has not been actively engrged in any business.

Mr. Humphrey was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Barnes, in Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 22, 1851. She is a daughter of Amos Barnes, a native of York State. She was born in Martinsburg, Lewis Co.,N. Y., in 1827.

Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey are the parents of one child, Emma L. She was born March 12, 1857, and is the wife of J. J. A. Zeller, resident of Rochelle, 111. Mr. Humphrey affiliates with the Republican party. He has been honored with all the offices in the gift of the people of his township except Assessor; was Supervisor three years, Collector about three years, and at present holds the offices of Road Commissioner, Street Commissioner and Notary Public. He is a member of the Masonic Order.

Mrs. Humphrey has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years, and is still a believer in the faith of that denomination.

ipt. Thomas B. Lucas, dealer in agricultural implements and live stock, residing at Shabbona village, was born in Boone Co., Ind., July 2, 1843, and is a son of Henry and Jane (Montgomery) Lucas. He lived with his parents, assisting his father in the support of the family and attending the common schools, until he was 18 years of age. At this period in his life's history, the rebel shot on Sumter awoke a patriot's desire on his part to join the North in defense of the Union. He enlisted May 10, 1861, in Co. E, 55th Ind. Inf., and served as a private until September, 1862. He was then transferred to the n6th Ind. Inf., and Sept. 8, 1862, commissioned Second Lieutenant of Co. G, and Dec. i, 1863, was commissioned First Lieutenant. In May, 1864, he was transferred to the 1 35th Ind. Inf., and on the roth of that month received his commission as Captain, in which capacity he served until the expiration of his term of enlistment, Nov. 28, 1864. Captain Lucas served in the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Thomas, and was in all the engagements in which his comrades participated, and escaped without any' serious wound. Considering the age at which he entered the army, and his steady promotion from private to Lieutenant and from Lieutenant to Captain, his record is most certainly an honorable one.

After his discharge from the army, Capt. Lucas came to this county, in December, 1864, and located in Shabbona Township, where he engaged in farming until 1870. During that year he moved to Shabbona village, and was engaged with William Jackson in general merchandise until 1873. He then engaged in the business in which he is at present employed and has continued in the same ever since, except a portion of the year 1878, which he spent in Colorado to recover his health.

Capt. Lucas was married Sept. 4, 1865, at Shabbona Grove, to Miss Melissa E., daughter of Lemuel White. She died May 3, 1877, and Capt. Lucas was again married Sept. 4, 1879, at Shabbona village, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Dominicus and Catharine (Rennick) Mitchell. She was born in Comanche, Iowa, June 14, 1856.

Politically, Capt. Lucas is a Republican. He has been Collector of his township on two occasions. Socially, he is a member of T. S. Terry Post, No. 463, G. A. R.

eneral Daniel Dustin, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder ex officio of De Kalb County, resident at Sycamore, was born Oct. 5, 1820, in Topsham, Orange Co., Vt. John K. Dustin, his father, was a farmer, born Jan. 24, 1784, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, near the border line between that State and Massachusetts. He died in Topsham, Vt., in August, 1858. His wife, Sally (Thompson) Dustin, was born in Newbury, Vt., Jan. 15, 1788, her death transpiring in Topsham, Vt, Dec. 14, 1829. The immediate ancestors of John K. Dustin were Nathaniel Dustin and Judith (Knight) Dustin. The former was born Sept. 8, 1756, and died March 3, 1815. The latter was born May 2, 1756, and departed this life June 3, 1842.

The Dustin family is of Scotch and English descent, and the first authentic record of them in this country was of Thomas and Hannah Dustin, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1677, which was at the time of their marriage. " Hannah Dustin," says the historical record, "became the mother of 13 children. She was taken prisoner by the Indians in the attack on Haverhill March 15, 1698, her nurse and infant one year old being also taken, but the child was soon afterward killed. She was placed in an Indian family of 12 persons on an island (Dustin's Island), in the Merrimack River, near the mouth of the Contocook, in New Hampshire, and with the aid of the nurse and a white captive boy she killed all the Indians in their sleep except a squaw and a boy who escaped. She returned to Haverhill with their scalps."

General Dustin is the seventh of a family of 13 children, and remained with his parents on the farm until attaining his majority. He received a good common-school and academical education, and after studying medicine at Topsham and Corinth, attended three full courses of medical lectures at Dartmouth College, at Hanover, N. H., graduating therefrom in 1846. His labor upon the farm had been interspersed with the duties of a teacher in the district school. Thrown mainly upon his own resources, he continued teaching at intervals while a medical student at Dartmouth. After being graduated he first established himself in the practice of medicine at East Corinth, his native county, remaining there for a period of three years. In March, 1850, like many other adventurous and ambitious young men, he was pursuaded by the glowing reports of gold discoveries in California to try his fortunes in the new Eldorado, whither he went and engaged in mining operations until 1853, when, in connection with mercantile pursuits in which he had become engaged, he resumed the practice of his profession. The political abilities which have always distinguished the General soon attracted favorable attention, and in 1855-6 he was chosen to represent Nevada County in the Legislature of that State.

In 1858 he was induced by the representations of friends to come to Sycamore, where he became associated with J. E. Ellwood in the sale of drugs and medicines. He continued in business until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when in response to the call of the Government for troops he disposed of his interest to Mr. Ellwood and assisted in raising the 8th Regt. 111. Cav. The regiment was organized at St. Charles, 111., September, 1861, was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and General Dustin went to the front in command of Co. L. In January, 1862, he was made a Major of the 8th Cav. In March, r862, his regiment joined in the general advance on Manassas, in General Summer's Division. In the early part of the spring of that year, at four different times it drove the enemy across the Rappahannock. His regiment did important service at Gaines' Hill and Malvern Hill, and was on picket duty while the army laid at Harrison's Landing; it led the advance on the second occupation of Malvern Hill, and with Benson's Battery, United States Artillery, bore the brunt of the fight, and brought up the rear of our retreating forces at Barrett's Ford and Chickahominy. At the opening of the " Seven Days' Fight " General Dustin was in command of a squadron !of the 8th on the extreme right of our lines, and where the rebel troops first encountered the Union army ; and the first volley of musketry on the first day of that memorable succession of engagements was fired at Major Dustin, his orderly and a captain of his command, by the advance guard of the enemy at close range, the captain being shot down by the Major's side.

In July, 1862, under the call for more men, the rosth Regt. of III. Inf. was raised. It was mustered into the service Sept. 2, 1862, at Dixon, 111., and the General became its commanding officer. The regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland, with which it remained through the war. In the spring of 1864 the regiment was brigaded with the io2d and i2glh Illinois, the 7oth Indiana and the 79th Ohio, the same being in the ist brigade, 3d division of the 2oth Army Corps. After the Atlanta campaign Col. Dustin was placed in command of the 2d brigade of the same division and corps and remained in command of that brigade during the war. He accompanied Gen. Sherman in his grand march to the sea. After the ba~ttle of Averysboro, N. C., he was brevetted Brigadier General, a promotion which his coolness, dash and bravery in that engagement had well merited. It may be said here that he has a spotless military record, and was one of the most gallant officers sent from De Kalb County. Upon being mustered out of the service June 7, 1865, at Washington, where he took a proud part in the Grand Review of the armies, Gen. Dustin returned home, and in the fall of that year was elected to the office of County Clerk, without opposition, which position he held for four years. He was subsequently elected

County Treasurer for one term, and in the fall of 1880 was elected Circuit Clerk and Recorder. He was re-elected in 1884, and with the expiration of his present term will have completed sixteen years of official service in the Court-House at Sycamore. It is needless to say that he has performed the several important trusts reposed to his keeping by the people of the county with signal fidelity and ability. As a Republican none have been more active and influential in local politics. The General has twice been the choice of Republicans in De Kalb County for Congress, and in both instances has he withdrawn in favor of personal friends, preferring in his modesty and humility to remain in comparative obscurity, although second to none in influence and fitted in every sense to confer honor upon any position to which he might be called. He has been a stanch Republican from the first, and in every political campaign sincejiis return from military to civil life he has done yeoman service for his party. Intellectually gifted, he is fluent of speech and possesses that rare grace and power of oratory which is at once most pleasing and effective on the stump. He is a man of warm and generous impulses and never fails in his appeals to the patriotic feelings of those whom he addresses. In this respect he is exceptional. His fine presence and courtly manners, added to his unswerving integrity and his utter unselfishness, have won for him a host of friends and enthusiastic admirers. De Kalb County is proud of him, and loves him for the gallant soldier that he was, for the faithful and able part he has borne in the administration of its civil affairs and for his manly and devoted spirit in all things pertaining to their interests. As a neighbor he is conspicuous for his kindly ways and his ready response to every appeal in behalf of charity and benevolence. He is one of those worthy sons of New England who have left the impress of their character and good deeds upon the institutions and people of the West.

He has been twice married. His first wife being Isabel, daughter of Colonel Gouldsbun Taplin, of Corinth, Vt. Their marriage took place at Topsham Vt., in 1846, and of their union three children were born. Emma A. married William B. Myers, a woolen manufacturerof Carthage, Mo. Electa J. is the wife of Walter Waterman, a merchant at Sycamore. William G. is connected with a prominent journal published at Rockford, 111. The mother died at East I s-^ ^nij.ggtyir' jj&ygKX^X/g)

Corinth, Vt., which was also the place of her nativity. The second marriage of General Dustin, to Elmira Et Pauly, occurred Oct. r5, 1854, and they have one daughter, Zada Belle. Mrs. Dustin was born in Warren Co., Ohio.

In 1859 the General became especially interested in the Masonic Order and is now a Mason of the 3ad degree. He is a member of Sycamore Lodge, No. 134; Sycamore Chapter, No. 49; Sycamore Council, No. 36, and Sycamore Commandery, No. 15. In 1872 the Knights Templar of Illinois elected = him to the highest office within their gift, that of i$ Right Eminent Commander of the Grand Com- \ mandery of the State.

Mr. and Mrs. Dustin, together with their daughters, are members of the First Congregational Church of Sycamore, in which society the General has held important offices, being at present Clerk of the Church.

The portrait of General Dustin on a preceding page is presented by the publishers with a satisfaction which will meet with a corresponding degree of appreciation wherever the subject is known.

eorge C. Cooper, deceased, for many years a resident of Paw Paw Township, was born in the town of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1808, and is the son of William and Sarah (Crage) Cooper. His parents were born in Washington Co.,N. Y., of Irish descent. He moved to Cayuga County, with his parents, in 1810, became a farmer and was married in Sterling, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth Moore, daughter of James and Letitia Moore. Mrs. Cooper was born in Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., of English and Irish descent, April 20, 1810. They had two children, both born in Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y., a son and a daughter : James C., born Feb. 2, 1833, married Margaret Newton, Feb. 21, 1856, and died Oct. 22, 1869; Mary C., born May 30, 1835, wife of Joseph L. Holmes, married Feb. 28, 1858, and resides in Leland, 111.

Mr. Cooper emigrated with his family to Illinois, in 1848, and arrived in Paw Paw Township, De Kalb County, July 24. He purchased 320 acres of Government land, and subsequently bought an 8o-acre tract at private sale, making 400 in all. He was engaged in farming and stock-growing to the time of his death, which occurred July 20, 1862. In politics he was an earnest Republican, with Abolition sympathies. He always took a warm interest in political affairs, and was a zealous advocate of temperance principles. He was a man who aimed to advance the best interests of society, and was highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. His wife survives him, and still resides at the old homestead, on section 23, where she is held in high esteem by neighbors and friends.

ames McCleery, Supervisor of Clinton Township, residing and farming on section 34, is a son of James and Jane (Thompson) McCleery, natives of New York and Scotland respectively. They were married and settled in Canada, and eight years later moved to Wayne Co., Ohio. From Ohio they came to this county in 1851, and settled in Somonauk Township, and afterward removed to Victor Township, where, May 29, 1859, his mother died. His father then removed to Washington Co., Iowa, where he is at present residing, at the advanced age of 81 years. Nine children constituted the issue of their marriage. Six survive, namely, John, James, Mary A., Margaret, Elizabeth, and William D. The deceased are Hugh, Robert and Jane C.

Jaines McCleery, Jr., was born in Canada, near Gault, Waterloo County, June 18, 1835. He was seven years of age when his parents moved to Ohio, and remained on his father's farm, assisting in its cultivation and attending the common schools until he attained the age of 22 years. Arriving at that age, he set out to fight life's battles alone. He at first engaged in farming, which vocation he followed in Ohio until 1851, when he came to this county.

In 1855 Mr. McCleery came into possession of 120 acres of land situated in Victor Township. He at once settled on his land and lived thereon for two years, when he traded it for 187 acres in Clinton Township. He moved on the latter farm in 1861, and is still a resident thereon. He is at present the owner of 292 acres of land, all situated in De Kalb

Mr. McCleery was united in marriage to Margaret Graham, in Victor Township, Feb. i, 1858. She is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Williamson) Graham, natives of Washington Co., N. Y. They came to this county in 1850 and lived for one year in Somonauk Township, then removed to Victor Township, where they at present reside. They are the parents of six children, five of whom survive, namely, Margaret, ^ary A., Andrew, Russell and James. One died in nfancy.

Margaret McCleery, wife of the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., June 15, 1837. She remained an inmate of her father's family, assisting in the household duties and attending the common schools until her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. McCleery are the parentsof ten children. The living are Sarah J., Mary, Fanny E., Adeline I., William R., Raymond and Jeannett. The deceased are John, Andrew and Margaret.

Mr. McCleery was appointed Supervisor of Clinton Township in the spring of 1883, and in the spring of 1884 was elected to the office, and now holds the same. He has also held other minor offices in his township. Politically, he is a Republican. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. McCleery are members of the Presbyterian Church.

i homas Wright, farmer and stockman, resident on section 34, De Kalb Township, is one of the leading agriculturists of his county. On attaining his majority he settled on the farm on which he has since resided and carried on his successful operations. His estate includes 226 acres of land, all under a high order of cultivation and devoted largely to the rearing of stock of excellent grades, comprising 44 head of cattle, 1 20 swine and eight horses. He is a Republican in political connection.

Mr. Wright was born March n, 1833, in Oneida Co., N. Y. He acquired a fair degree of education in the common schools, and after the death of his father, which occurred when he was three years of age, was brought up by his mother, who supported her family of four sons and two daughters and reared them to a period when they could make their own way in the world. From the age of 12 years until is manhood, he was a farm laborer. He was seven years of age when the family came to De Kalb County. Before coming of age, in company with his brother Jabez, he bought 160 acres of land, of which he afterwards became by purchase sole proprietor and which is now included in his homestead.

The marriage of Mr. Wright to Amanda Richardson took place Dec. 21, 1854, in De Kalb Township. Her parents, Abiel and Sophia Richardson, were natives of Vermont, and removed from that State to Illinois in 1837, becoming pioneer settlers of De Kalb County. The former died April 14, 1869; the decease of the latter occurred March 12, 1871. Mrs. Wright was born Aug. 18, 1836, in Addison Co., Vt. Frank E., only child of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, was born March 19, 1857.

ivi Hurst, a retired farmer, residing in the village of Shabbona, was born at Eaton, Nottinghamshire, England, Nov. 23, 1823, and is the son of James and Mary (Bowskill) Hurst. In youth he was employed in farming and other service, and, May 15, 1849, he was married, at Troxford, England, to Miss Sarah Burdin, daughter of John and Ann Burdin, who was born in Bothamsall, England, Feb. 7, 1828.

Mr. Hurst and family emigrated to America in 1851, and after spending two years in Seneca Co., N. Y., removed, in 1853, to Batavia, Kane Co., 111., where they resided one year. Then they were residents of Victor, De Kalb County, three years ; then again in Seneca, N. Y., three years; next, in 1859, they returned to Victor; and finally in 1864, Mr. Hurst purchased a farm of 160 acres in the township of Shabbona, being the southeast quarter of section i. He carried on his farm successfully till 1881, when he sold, and Feb. 20, 1882, removed to the village of Shabbona, where he has a pleasant and commodious residence.

The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are seven in number, besides two deceased, and all born in America except the oldest, as follows: John, born April 14, 1850, married Eva Wigton and lives Hamilton Co., Iowa; Mary A., born June 20, 1852, died July i, 1852; George, born Aug. 10, 1853, married Franc Bronson and lives in Hamilton Co.. Iowa; James H., born Sept. 12, 1855, married Sarah Wescott and resides also in Hamilton Co., Iowa; Sarah E., born May 29, 1858, is the wife of William Launsbury and lives in Hamilton Co., Neb. ; Eliza J., born Nov. i r, 1860, is the wifeof Charles R. Dodd and is a resident of Humboldt, Iowa; Ann M. was born Feb. 4, 1863; Lillie M., July 22, 1865; and Joseph, born Oct. 23, 1868, died June 2, 1873.

ames McFarland, deceased, was a respected pioneer of Paw Paw Township of 1845. He was born in the town of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., Sept. 24, 1797, and was the son of John and Janet McFarland. His parents were of Scotish birth, and had emigrated to the State of New York in an early day. He moved with his parents to Cayuga County in boyhood, where he was engaged in farming and lumbering.

He came to Illinois in 1845 and settled on section 23, Paw Paw Township, De Kalb County. He purchased his land of the Government (160 acres), and made this his home continuously till the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 27, 1876. He was married in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 6, 1832, to Miss Mary Harper, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Black) Harper. Mrs. McFarland was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, April 10, 1809. She emigrated with her parents to America during the War of 1812. The family settled in Washington Co., N. Y., and subsequently removed to Cayuga County, same State, where she was married. Three children were born of this union, one boy and two girls : Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 1833, became the wife of Charles S. Hubbell, and died Feb. 24, 1875, leaving three children, all girls; the next younger than Elizabeth was Janet, who was born Nov. 14, 1835, and died June 24, 1848; Thomas, born in 1837, died in infancy.

Mr. McFarland was an earnest member of the United Presbyterian Church from boyhood. He took an active part in building the church at Ross Grove, and was one of the most liberal in its support.

He was a man of the strictest integrity, and commanded the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His wife, a lady justly held in high esteem, survives him and still occupies the old homestead. She is a consistent Christian and has a membership in the United Presbyterian Church of Freeland, De vj Kalb County.

ewis H. Crego, farmer, residing on section 36, De Kalb Township, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. i, 1841. He Is the son of Daniel Crego, a native of New York, and was born in Herkimer County, that State, April 30, i8ot. He followed the business of a farmer in that county until his .removal to this State in 1852, when he settled in Kane County. In 1857, he came to De Kalb County, which is now their place of residence. His father was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1750, of Holland parentage. His wife, Polly (Stanehan) Crego, was born in Chatham, N. Y., and they moved to Chenango Co., N. Y., where she died, in 1829, aged 69 years; and his death occurred in 1836. They were the parents of nine children, - two daughters and seven sons. Daniel Crego, their eighth son, was married to Ann Kelley, who is the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Stall) Kelley, natives of New York, both of whom died the same year, the father in February and the mother in July, 1837. There were seven children in the family of Daniel and Ann Crego, namely, Sarah, George M., Polly J., Owen C., Lewis H., Nancy E. and Ellen.

Mr. Crego, the subject of this sketch, is a prominent agriculturist of De Kalb County, of which he has been a continuous resident since 1857. He has a valuable farm, which comprises 480 acres of land, devoted to the raising of stock and general farming of an advanced character. Mr. Crego 's political views are in harmony with those of the Democratic party. The marriage of Mr. Crego to Millie Souders took place in Kane Co., 111., March i, 1873, and they became the parents of four children : John S. and Dan S., twins, were born June 28, 1875 ; Floyd O., Aug. 14, 1876; Mabel M., July 14, 1879. Mrs. Crego died Oct. 28, 1879, in the township of De Kalb. She was born in Kane County, Nov. 27, 1842, and was the daughter of John and Polly Souders, natives of &*ag*e@)

As one of the prominent and representative agriculturists of De Kalb County, we take pleasure in presenting Mr. Crego's portrait in this work among other leading and representative men; and as a fit and worthy companion picture of Mr. Crego, we place by it that of his estimable wife. The photographs from which the engravings were made were taken in 1878.

iathaniel Smith, deceased, formerly of Sandwich, came in 1858 to that place from Little Rock, 111., where he had located in 1849. He was born in Providence, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1822. After completing a course in the State Normal School of New York, he was appointed Public School Inspector in his native State. Mr. Smith was a man of artistic tastes and was one of the best photographers in the west. He was the instructor of C. D. Mosher, of Chicago, who has a national reputation. Nathaniel Smith died at his home in Sandwich, Jan. 24, 1878.

^rastus Dean, proprietor of a drug store and meat-market at Waterman, is from the Empire State. His parents, Smith and Delilah (Wright) Dean, also natives of that State, came to Kane Co., 111., in 1846, where | where they resided the remainder of their lives. Tlieir seven children were Erastus, Althea, John, Robert, Lewis, Miriam and Nathaniel.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Putn am Co., N. Y.,July 18, 1831, came to this State with his father in 1846, lived at home till 1855, and came and purchased a farm of 146 acres "in Afton Township, this county, where he lived about 14 years, and then rented his farm and removed to Shabbona, where he engaged in the meat business about five years ; he then removed to Waterman, wher,e he has since been employed in the same vocation, adding to his business a stock of drugs in 1884. In his political views Mr. Dean is a Democrat.

He was married in Afton Township, this county, Oct. 12, 1859, to Miss Charlotte L., daughter of Orson and Betsey (Brainard) Pearl, natives of New ^ York State, who came to this county in 1854, settling in Afton Township, where Mrs. Pearl died. Mr. P. afterward married and moved to Waterman, where he at present resides, at the advanced age of 81 years. His children are Julius, Mary A., Charlotte L., Sarah, Ellen and Charles. Mrs. Dean was born in the State of New York, July TO, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. D. have 12 children, namely: Alice, Smith A., Charles O., Amzy, William E., Bertie P., Cornelius, Jennie, Lulu, John W., Fred and one who died when an infant.

zra M. Ames, farmer, section 33, Clinton Township is a son of Elijah and Cynthia Ames, natives of Vermont, and is the youngest of 15 children who constituted the issue of their marriage.

He was born in Potsdam, St Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 5, r822. He was a resident of "York State " for 25 years, until 1847, when he came to Du Page County, this State. He lived in the latter county three years, until June 1850, when he came to this county and purchased 80 acres of land in Clinton Township, on which he located and where he is at present residing. He is the owner of 204 acres of land, 180 of which are in a good tillable condition.

Mr. Ames was united in marriage to Miss Orpha M. Ames, Jan. 9, 1846, in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. She is a daughter of Elijah and Mable (Pierce) Ames, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts respectively, and are the parents of 1 2 children.

fames Harper, farmer, residence East Paw Paw, on section 18, has 628^ acres of land, 158 acres of which lies in Lee f County, the balance being in De Kalb County ; was born in Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., 111., Dec. 2, 1854, and is the son of William and Sarah (Kirk) Harper. He received a commonschool education and was reared on his father's farm. He has always made this township his home. He was married at East Paw Paw, April 10, 1878, to Bertha Patrick, daughter of William and Mary (Congrave) Patrick. Mrs. Harper was born in Du Page Co., 111., April 7, 1858. They have three children, all boys: Floyd E., born March 9, 1879; Frank W., born Nov. 23, 1881 ; and Jesse C., born Dec. 10, 1883.

Mr. Harper made his home on section 14 of this township immediately after his marriage, where he still has a farm, and continued to reside there till 1883, when he removed to East Paw Paw, his present home. Politically, he is a Republican.

illiam Howison, farmer, section 33, Clinton Township, is a son of George and Margaret (Brown) Howison, natives of Scotland, who emigrated to America in 1834 and settled in New York in 1844 and came to Somonauk Township, this county, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

Mr. Howison, of this sketch, was born also in Scotland, Oct. 18, 1821, and in 1843 he emigrated to this country, coming direct to De Kalb County. He first resided about four years in Somonauk Township, and then, in 1847, he moved to Clinton Township, where he purchased a quarter of section 33, settled upon it and has since resided there. He is now the owner of 500 acres of land in Clinton Township, most of which is in a state of good cultivation or pasture. He keeps about 250 head of hogs, 60 of cattle and 14 horses.

In his political principles he is identified with the Republicans. He has been entrusted with the offices of Highway Commissioner, School Director, etc. He and Mrs. H. are both members of the United Presbyterian Church.

He was married in Clinton Township, Oct. 18, 1855, to Catherine Walls, who was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1824, and they are the parents of James A., William J., Robert W., George W., Albert and Mary M. The first-born, James A., died March 15, 1882.

ranklin O. Stevens, farmer, owning 120 acres on section 30, Shabbona Township, was born in West Haven, Rutland Co., Vt., Sept. 14, 1832. His parents, Amma and Polly (Talmadge) Stevens, moved from Vermont tj Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y , in which vicinity his father soon after engaged in farming.

Franklin O. was raised on his father's farm, alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools. In 1840 he came, with his parents, from New York and located in Cook County, this State. They resided in the latter county for about three years, then moved to Du Page County, and in 1848 came to this county and located on a farm.

Mr. Stevens was married Feb. 15, 1855, to Loticia M. Erwin, who died Dec. 8, same year, leaving a son, Terry G. He was bom Nov. 14, 1855, married Cora Allen and resides in Montana. Mr. Stevens was a second time married Sept. T3, 1857, at Shabbona, to Miss Ann, daughter of Lyman and Hannah (Gates) Norton. She was born in Parkham, Geauga Co., Ohio, July 22, 1835, and came to this State with her parents in 1845. The issue of their union was two children : Murray L., born Oct. 6, 1868, married E. Hattie Ray and resides on a farm in Shabbona Township; Curtis E. was born Feb. 13, 1874, and is living with her parents.

Soon after the breaking out of the late Civil War, Nov. 2, 1861, Mr. Stevens enlisted in Co. C, soth 111. Vol. Inf., was a Sergeant and served in the Army of the Tennessee. He received an honorable -<* ^ -^reup*- *^^^@,

Mr. Stevens settled on his present farm and has constantly resided thereon except two years he spent in Oregon and the time he was in the army. In May, 1871, he, with his family, went to Oregon via the Union Pacific Railroad. He traveled by stage about 300 miles and located in Jacksonville, Jackson County. He spent two years there, and then returned to his farm, which he had rented during his absence, arriving in the fall of 1872.

eorge Harrington, farmer, section 13, Squaw Grove Township, was born Sept. 26, 1835, in New Berlin, Chenango Co., N. Y., and is the son of Rufus and Eliza (Welch) Harrington. (See sketch of Rufus Harrington). He obtained his education in the public schools of his native State and of Illinois, having been about 13 years of age when he came to De Kalb County. His first act of unusual importance was his enrollment in the Union army. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862. in the rosth 111. Vol. Inf., as a private in Co. H. He served until the close of the war, and obtaining his discharge returned to Squaw Grove. He is the owner of 120 acres of land, which is under advanced cultivation and forms a valuable property. He is a Republican and is a member of Aurora Post, No. 20, G. A. R. He has held several local offices, of different degrees of responsibility.

Nov. 25, 1858, he was married at Sandwich, to Elvira A. Ward. She was born Dec. 24, 1835, in Ohio, and they have three children, - Jessie A., Ruth E. and Stella M. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are members of the Baptist Church.

^artman Schule, farmer on section 21, Pierce Township, was born April 24, 1803, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. He grew to manhood in his native State, and was married May 20, 1830, to Elizabeth Roth. In 1847 the family, including the parents and five children, set out for America, landing at the port of New York.

Mr. Schule found employment there and saved sufficient of his earnings to come to Illinois after a year and a half, and in the fall of 1849 settled in Du Page County, where he was engaged in farm labor until 1853, when he settled in Pierce Township, to which place he had come a year before and purchased 240 acres of wild land situated on section 21, at the rate of $3 per acre. They first built a shanty with a shed-roof, which served a few months for a shelter and was then replaced with a more commodicus frame house. Their children are named Catherine, John, Henry, Elizabeth and George. The latter is the only one living in the township of Pierce. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and was married Dec. 2, 1862, to Mary A. Shoop, a native of Crawford Co., Ohio, and daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Eberly) Shoop. They have five children, - Adelia Jane, William Henry, Emma Ellen, Nelson George (Postmaster at Pierceville) and John Harvey. On coming West from New York, they came by the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence to Chicago by steamer. From the last place they came to Du Page County on foot. The family homestead is in fine and valuable condition, with good farm buildings, orchard and shade trees.

el M. Swift, retired farmer, residing at Waterman and owning land on section n, Clinton Township, is a son of Samuel and Betsey M. (Woodworth) Swift, natives of New York. They moved to Calhoun Co., Mich., where they located and resided until their death. Seven children were the issue of their union, namely : Samuel M., Elizabeth M., Nathaniel, Charles, David, Harriet, Woodworth and Kent.

Samuel M. Swift, the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., March 27, 1820. He lived at home, aiding in the support of the family, working on the farnj and attending the common schools until manhood. On attaining that age, he set forth to meet life's obstacles with a determination to accumulate a competency. He came to Kendall County, this State, where he remained until the spring of 1854, and then came to this county. On his arrival, he purchased 160 acres of land on section n, Clinton Township, on which he at once located and resided until the spring of 1885, when A ^ lie moved to Waterman. All of his land is in good tillable, condition. Politically, Mr. Swift is identified with the Republican party, and has held the offices of School Director and Highway Commissioner. . Mr. Swift was united in marriage to Miss Harriet M. Shonts, April 7, 1846, in Little Rock Township, Kendall Co., 111. She is the daughter of Andrew M. and Mariam (Buck) Shonts, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively, and of German and American extraction. They moved about the year 1840 to Kendall Co., this State, where they died. Their family comprised 12 children, namely : Eber,, Anthony, David, Eliza, Angeline, John, Mariam Harriet M., Mary, Andrew, Edwin and Jeremiah.

Harriet M. Swift was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 1 6, 1819. She was an inmate of her father's family until the date of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Swift are the parents of seven children, namely: Drew C.,: Emma M, Eber M., R. K., Earnest, Ellsworth and Elizabeth. Emma M. and Elizabeth are deceased.

tenry Corson, farmer, section 28, Genoa Township, whose portrait is given on the opposite page, was born July 8, 1825, in Lycoming Co., Pa. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Buck) Corson, were born in the Keystone State. The former was born Feb. 5, 1788, and died in Pennsylvania April 16, 1842. The mother came to De Kalb County after becoming a widow. She was born Oct. 15, 1795, and died in January, 1882, in McHenry County. They were the parents of 1 1 children, - Hannah, Catherine, Peter, Sarah, Susan, Henry, Lovinia, Daniel B., Alfred, Harriet and Lucretia.