DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 21 of 28)

In the spring of 1836 he visited the part of Kane County, now converted by separation and independent municipal regulations into De Kalb County, and made a claim of sections 8 and 9, in what is now Sycamore Township. This was seven years previvious to the survey, and when the land was placed on the market he entered a claim of 160 acres. In the summer succeeding his locating here he broke a few acres of land and built a log cabin 14 feet square, floored with " puncheons " and roofed with "shakes." He soon became prominent in local affairs, and in 1837 was elected County Recorder. He was. re-elected in 1841 and in 1842, and also in 1845, serving in the same office until 1848. He was one of the first Postmasters at Sycamore, and was one of the founders of the Congregational Church at that place, of which he was the first Deacon and held the position as long as he lived. He was for a long period of years President of the De Kalb County Bible Society, and was held in the highest esteem for his character of uniform Christian consistency. He was elected Trustee of the city on the temperance issue, as he was a strong advocate of the principles of the temperance reform. He was an active Abolitionist and was a powerful adjunct of the " Underground Railroad," one of whose prominent stations was at Sycamore. He was for many years Deputy Clerk, and in all passed 35 official years in the Court-House at Sycamore. In 1841 he took up his residence at Sycamore. A part of the land he entered was included within the corporation, but he never engaged to any great extent in personal effort on the place, operating in the way of renting until his sons were sufficiently grown to work it.

Mr. Kellogg was a man of superior mental and executive abilities. He had a good education, which was found especially valuable in the formative period in which he came to De Kalb County, and he was an interesting contributor to the local press of his native State during those early days. He also wrote much on occasions for the Sycamore papers, by which valuable reminiscences were preserved.

He was born April to, 1806, in Stowe, Vt. His father, Aaron Kellogg, was a native of Connecticut and was a pioneer of Lamoille Co., Vt. He was edu cated at the district schools and at Randolph Acad emy, one of the most thorough educational institu- tions of the State. His father died when he was ? five years of age, and he lived with an older brother, -t who assisted him in obtaining an education. He began his struggle with the world by teaching in the public school at $8 a month, one-half to be paid in cash and one-half in grain ; and he boarded among the patrons of the school. He worked at farming summers and taught winters, and paid his way at the academy with his earnings. While^studying at Randolph he became acquainted with Phebe, daugh- / ter of Zachariah Wood, of Tunbridge, herself a student and teacher. They were married Feb. 5, 1 834, and their subsequent history has already been * told. The wife died in February, 1873, and the husband in March, 1874. Following is the record of their five children: Emily J. was born Jan. 18, 1837, and married C. T. Pierce. She lived many years in De Kalb County, arfd died in March, 1877, in Erie, Whiteside Co., 111.; Hiram J., Heniy W., Heman A. and Homer W. were born in the order named. Henry W. is Auditor of Greene Co., Iowa. Heman A. is a resident of Anderson Co., Kan. The youngest son died at Jefferson, Greene Co., Iowa, July 5, 1883.

ra Vail Randall, attorney at De Kalb, and whose portrait is on the opposite page, was born in Mount Holly, Vt., March 2, 1820. His father, Isaac Randall, a farmer, was a native, of the same county, and died when the subject of this sketch was in his i6th year, leaving him without home or means, and only a moderate common-school education. The grandfather of Ira was Snow Randall, who came from England after the Colonies, had gained their independence. Snow Randall was a Quaker of the Hicksite faith. Isaac Randall married Gallana Chandler, a Methodist lady, and Isaac was thereupon expelled from the Quakers for marrying one not a member of their sect, willfully and against the rules of their society. Gall ana's grandfather was a millionaire and settled in Chester, Vt., and owned at an early day the township. He held many positions of public usefulness, and kept a public house, or, more properly

He married a sea captain's daughter, and tradition states that at the wedding he (the sea captain) measured out half a bushel of gold coin, uncounted, as a present to his wife.

Our subject, with $3 in silver money in his pocket, and his clothing tied up in a cotton frock, on his back, started out on foot, the spring after his father's death, for West Poultney, Vt., to attend the academy there, where he could work by the hour at I2j^ cents to pay for books, tuition and board. At the end of the first quarter he found himself in debt for board $13}^. He hired out to a tanner in the village for one month at $r3, to drive horse in grinding bark and hauling hides from lime vats, and scraping off the hair, etc. After graduating at the tannery at the end of the month he took possession of his $T3 and paid his debts. Working on a farm for a short time, he attended the fall term of the Poultney School. He then taught school during the winter, attended the academy in spring and next fall, teaching again in the winter, and continued to teach, work on farm in summer, and attend school spring and fall. He taught 13 terms, attending the academy alternately until fitted for college, and intending to take a full course; but the state of his health deterred him from matriculating. At the latter part of his career as teacher, which commenced in his i7th year, he commenced the study of the law. He read with the Hon. Sewell Fullam, State's Attorney at Ludlow, Vt., and finished his reading with the Hon. Solomon Foot, of Rutland, and was admitted to the Bar at Rutland, in 1847.

In April of the year before, he married Miss Susan L. Earle, of Mount Holly, daughter of Lawson Earle, an extensive farmer and dairynnn. Mr. Randall practiced his profession for three years at Barnard, Windsor Co., Vt. During that period he visited the West, and on the solicitation of the " Maine Law Alliance," lectured in Illinois for three months in advocacy of the Maine law, - an episode in his life which no doubt he still calls to remembrance with great pleasure.

Dec. 27, 1856, he landed in the embryo village of De Kalb, with his family, consisting of his wife and one daughter, Emma A., his only child.

dall has been in the practice of the Law, doing business in all the State and Federal Courts, and making a success of his profession. He has the reputation of being a well-read lawyer, faithful to his clients, clinging to his client's interests with bull-dog tenacity, thus attaining a success in his profession perhaps greater than most practitioners. Mr. Randall was Postmaster at Mount Holly, his native town, and held the same office at an early day at De Kalb ; but resigned his office on entering the State Legislature in 1865-6, to which he was, against his own wishes, elected, and has held several municipal offices in this city, and was also a member of the School Board. He has always taken a lively interest in the cause of education, and no doubt still regrets that ill health prevented him from going through college.

He was originally a Whig, an unterrified Vermont Whig, and left that State two years after "John Brown's soul " commenced " marching on." Since 1855 he has been an enthusiastic Republican, and an earnest worker in his party, attending Judicial, Congressional and State Conventions as a Delegate from his county, and at times doing manly and effective work on the stump. Also, he was an efficient worker in securing recruits for the war, making war speeches, but poor health prevented hini from taking the field. He is still a zealous advocate of temperance, in behalf of which cause he has pleaded in a half dozen States besides Illinois, including New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York and Michigan. Mr. Randall has also lectured on various other subjects, such as the enfranchisement of women, pre- Adamite man, etc. Being well posted in the Scriptures, he has given an able lecture on "What is Religion ?" and is familiar with the various questions and themes agitating the public mind. He is a fascinating talker, a keen logician and a splendid debater.

His first wife died in 1861, and in 1868 he married Mrs. Mardula D. (Bent) Boynton. They have no children. Mr. Randall has a compact build, is five feet two inches tall, and weighs 185 pounds. His eyes are blue, but his disposition is not! He is rather jovial, laughs easily and heartily, and is a good factor of a social circle. He was educated a Methodist and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ohn P. Van Voorhis, physician an surgeon, resident at Fielding, was born Oct. ^ 16, 1833, in Ulster Co., N. Y. Daniel Van Voorhis, his father, was a native of Ulster County and married Cornelia Nagle. Both parents were of Dutch descent. After their marriage they remained in Ulster Co., N. Y., until the subject of this sketch was about a year old, when they moved to Booneville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where the father died, Aug. 8, 1,842, aged 43 years, f The mother died there, Aug. 31, 1884, being 86 years of age.

The subject of this sketch is the sixth in order of birth of a family of nine children. He was eight years qjd when his father died. He remained a pupil of the district school until he was 15 years of age, ( when he entered Whitestown Seminary, .which school « he attended for the next five years, teaching "win- 4 ters to pay his way. At this time he commenced J reading medicine with Dr. Gardner, of Whitesboro, ^ and graduated three years later, in the Eclectic Medi-J cal Institute, May 17, 1856, at Cincinnati, Ohio. ~ Soon after obtaining his credentials he took the^ practice of Dr. Thomas at Harrison, Ohio, while that doctor took a vacation, coming thence in the spring of 1857 to Rockford, 111., where he .remained only a few months. In the fall of 1857 he located in the Pennsylvania Settlement in the township of Monroe, in Ogle County, where he prosecuted the labors of his chosen profession until 1877, when he moved tov Fielding, DeKalb Co., 111.

At the time of his settlement in Ogle County he was considerably in debt for his last year's schooling,' but when he left there he paid off his' indebtedness and was the owner of 320 acres of land in that county and of 800 acres in Wright and Delaware Counties in Iowa. He became a stock-holder in the Sycamore National Bank at its organization in 1876,^ and is now a Director of the Bank, having had a ® considerable experience in money-lending, on his own account, for the last 20 years. Since his re-* . moval to Fielding he has added 150 acres to hispos-^y sessions in Illinois, and has purchased 320 acres in* the southern part of Dakota. He is also the owner*1, of a fine and valuable location at Fielding.

The Doctor's skill as a medical practitioner has <?met with constant and ready recognition, and he con- ^trols a large practice. He is a temperance advocate of an inflexible type. While politically a Republican, he is always ready to support prohibition principles.

He married Miss J.. Ann Miller, Oct. 3, 1860. Her father, John Miller, was born at Canajoharie, N. Y. Her mother, Mary Grill, was born at Starks, N. Y. Both parents were of German descent. After their marriage they moved to Steuben, Oneida - Go., N. Y., where Mrs. Van Voorhis was born, Dec. 31, 1833. When she was 12 years of age, she came <£|>West with her parents, who settled in Ogle Co., 111. \Five children have been born of her marriage to the Doctor, as follows : Miss Viola V., their eldest, is a music teacher and has an enviable reputation in hej profession. Miss Carrie C., their second daughte^ is a successful school-teacher ; J. Frank, their oldest son, is a graduate of the business college at Dixon,

^getic lad of 14 summers, full of business and energy ; ttie M., their youngest, is a bright, active little girl ^nine years of age; is very fond of her books and a -^ great reader.

= Thus we see the Doctor has a good home, a pleas- ^Jant family, a competence of this world's goods, and .something to help his children, of whom he is very fond. / artin Pabst, formerly of Sycamore, was born in Unterlauderbach, Bavaria, in October, 1824. He attended school until he was 14 years of age, as required by the laws of his native country, after which he was engaged in farming. He came to the United States in 1 848 and located at first in Chicago, where he learned the cooper's trade. He removed from there to Elgin and was there married to Margaretta Wetzel. He remained in Elgin working at his trade until 1854, when he went to Dundee, and there opened a cooper's shop. He soon after bought a hotel and continued to operate in both capacities until 1863, in *jj* which year he transferred his residence to Chicago. His wife died July 30, 1864. He was again married ^ Dec. 25, 1864, to Mary Bar, a native of Baden, Germany removal to Sycamore in 1866. He bought a frame house, and its location on the corner of State and Maple streets, and opened a boarding-house and restaurant and continued the management of these branches of business until he built the Pabst House in 1873. He died Jan. 13, 1875, at Sycamore. In 1883 his wife sold his hotel property and bought a site for a dwelling where she erected a fine residence. Mr. Pabst was one of the solid men of Sycamore and has done a prosperous business throughout his life of activity.

eorge I. Talbot. County Superintendent of Schools, residing at De Kalb, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., April '19, 1854. He is a son of Alfred and Celia (nee Hunt) Talbot, the former a native of England and the latter of New York. His parents moved to Barry Co., Mich., when the subject of this notice was but four years of age, where they remained two years and'then came to this State, locating in Leland, La Salle County.

Mr. Talbot received his early education in the graded schools at Leland, and previous to his i8th year taught a term of winter school in Northville, La Salle County. After teaching several terms he concluded to prepare himself more thoroughly for professional work ; and, possessing a strong desire for a higher education, he matriculated at the State Normal University at Normal, 111., and followed the curriculum of that institution two years.

After leaving the latter place, Mr. Talbot sojourned for one summer in Kentucky, when he returned to this State and engaged in teaching. In the fall of 1877 he returned to the State Normal University and completed the entire curriculum of that institution, including three terms, teaching in the preparatory department, graduating in the spring of 1878.

After graduating he taught one year in Victor Township, and was then invited to take charge of the graded schools of Shabbona, which invitation he accepted. In 1881 he was appointed, and in elected, County Superintendent of Schools, which position he now holds. When he first accepted the appointment of County Superintendent, the time allotted to that officer in which to perform his duties was so short (65 days in each year) and the salary so small, he was compelled to teach also. But the increasing duties of the office obliged him to resign his position as teacher at the close of the year 1882. At this time the Board of Supervisors increased the number of days allowed for official duties. Since that time he has devoted his entire time to the interests of the schools of this county.

Previous to Mr. Talbot's appointment, for several years, the district schools had been entirely without supervision, without any definite plan of work and with but few trained teachers. Under his judicious management, a course of study and system of examination for district schools has been prepared and introduced; a series of institutes and teachers' meetings held ; the grade of scholarship of the teachers raised at lea.st 40 per cent. A lively interest is awakened and De Kalb County is rapidly taking a a prominent place among the counties of the State in educational matters. At the institute held in 1 884, the teachers of this county testified their appreciation of the ability of Mr. Talbot as a school manager, as well as of his genial and gentlemanly social qualities, by presenting him a fine gold watch.

Mr. Talbot was united in marriage to Miss Lucy E. Maxwell, Oct. 4, 1879. She was born in Johnsonburg, N. J., June 16, 1856. They are the parents of two children, namely : Ray Maxwell, born Dec. 4, 1880, and Edna J., born Dec. 4, 1882.

i illiarn H. Wise, deceased, a former resident of section 9, Sycamore Township, was born in Minden, West Prussia, Feb. 2, 1827. He obtained a good education in his native country, and in 1847 sailed for the United States. When he landed at Boston, he was the possessor of five dollars in cash. His first employment was with a hotel-keeper, where he was engaged until winter, when he attended school. In the ensuing spring he went to Wisconsin. He engaged in farming, and saved his earnings to pay his educational expenses at a seminary. He became competent to teach, and passed four years in that vocation. He went next to Massachusetts, where he passed four years, after which he resumed the labors of his former vocation in Wisconsin, coming subsequently to Illinois, where he was similarly employed until 1859. In that year he made an overland journey to California, walking most of the way, and spending four months on the journey. He bought 300 acres of land in Yuba County, four miles from Marysville. He sold his California property in 1863 and came to Sycamore, where he arrived in December.

He was married March 12, 18615, to Caroline M. V Calkins, daughter of Asa M. Calkins, one of the early settlers of Sycamore. After their marriage, Mr. j and Mrs. Wise settled on a farm on section 9 of Sycamore Township, where his death occurred Jan. -15, 1884. The farm contains 467 acres, all under improvement, well stocked and having commodious buildings. Two sons survive the father - William C., a student at Evanston, and Charles H.

Mr. Wise was a Republican in political sentiment, v '} and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal . Church, to which Mrs. Wise also belongs.

amen A. McDole, foreman in the shops of ^ the Superior Barbed-Wire Works, located , at De Kalb, is a native of New York State. He was born in Deering, Chemung County, that State, Oct. 18, 1848, and is a son of John and Catherine (Swasey) McDole. When five years of age his parents moved to this State and located in Kane County. They resided in v the latter county for about three years, and then moved to this county, settling in Pierce Township. g Remaining in that township two or three years, they then removed to Afton Township, where his father purchased a farm and devoted his time and energies to its improvement and cultivation.

Mr. McDole remained on his father's farm, in Afton Township, assisting in its cultivation and attending the common schools, until he attained his majority. In 1872 he started on life's journey singlehanded and alone. For two years he cultivated a > farm which he rented, and then purchased one of his own, which he conducted until 1875. During^ that year he sold his farm and moved to the village ® of De Kalb, and for a year worked in a grocery and ^^(^ restaurant. He then engaged in the wire works and followed that vocation for three years, after which he returned to Afton Township and resumed farming. He continued in the latter vocation until 1882, when he again returned to De Kalb, and on the sth of April of that year accepted the position as foreman in the shops of the Superior Barbed- Wire-Fence Factory, and has continuously filled the position ^ntil the present time.

ouis Connart, one of the substantial business men of Sycamore, was born Aug. 4, 1833, in the city of Krotochin, in the province of Posen, in Prussian Poland. He is the son of Simon and Bertha Warschauer. His father was a merchant in the city where the son was born. The latter went to England, where, on account of the orthographical difficulty with the family name, and the fact that its proper pronunciation was almost impossible to untrained tongues, induced him to change his name to its present form.

Mr. Connart passed the period required by the laws of his native land in attendance at school and in compliance with the law that the children should go to school until 13 years of age ; but he was taken from school for the purpose of learning a trade at the age of 12 years and was apprenticed to a tailor. At the end of the prescribed three years he had acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, and on the expiration of his indentures he set out for Hamburg on foot with ten cents cash capital to begin the world with. He spent six months in Hamburg, and went thence to England, where he worked at his trade in London two years. In the year 1850 he returned to his home, where he passed a brief period among his friends, after which he sailed for America. After a voyage of six weeks he landed at the port of New York. He went thence to Boston, where he operated as a tailor a few months and proceeded to Eastport, Maine. He was there one year, working at his trade and as a salesman in a clothing house. He went next to Calais and became the manager of a clothing establishment, officiating in that capacity two years, when his employer failed, without having ^ paid his salary for the time he had operated in his < interests. Attorneys advised him to take no legal measures to secure the amount due him, but he watched his opportunity, and on one occasion, when he found his employer making a temporary stay in New Brunswick, he procured his pay by forcing him to a settlement. Mr. Connart went next to Dover, N. H., and after a short time proceeded to Farmington, where, with an associate, he opened a tailor shop. This venture proved a failure and V closed at the end of a year, Mr. Connart finding G ^ himself the possessor of $20, with which he set out for the West. After a brief stay in Chicago, he came to Sycamore, the owner of $5 in money. He arrived here in 1858. He obtained a situation in the store of Isaac Marks, at a salary of $30 a month, with which he paid his own expenses and contributed to the support of his father in his native land. His in- ,. dustry and frugality wrought substantial results, and in 1861 he found himself the possessor of $600, and friends (Mr, J. S. Waterman and E. Hunt) in circumstances to afford him assistance in obtaining from the latter the necessary guaranty for $5,000 worth of goods in New York, and entered upon the prosecution of a prosperous business. He carries on a gentlemen's furnishing store, dealing in all the arti-* cles common to such establishments. A custom department is attached to the establishment.

Mr. Connart was married in 1865, to Miss Herbert, a native of the same city in Prussia, of whifch he is himself a native. They have four children - Bertha, Benjamin, Isaac and Dora. The family residence on State Street was purchased in 1876.

R. Thompson, one of the oldest and most prominent and worthy pioneers of De Kalb County, and residing at De Kalb, as a venerable patriarch, surrounded by a large circle^, of relatives and friends, is a native of Ohio. His parents, Samuel and Hannah (Roberts) Thompson, were natives of the State of New York. His grandfather Thompson, a native of Connecticut, was one of the early settlers of the Holland Purchase, in Western New York. He and three sons,®^ as also Samuel Thompson's father-in-law, served in

'the War of i8r2, between the United States and ? Great Britain, and were stationed at Buffalo, N. Y., J^at the time that city was captured and burned. Mr. Samuel Thompson, being well acquainted with the topography of the country in the vicinity of Buffalo, if was selected to act as guide to a portion of the retreating army.

After the restoration of peace, the latter settled in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he was a pioneer, and made three farms in the primitive wilderness, in the /town of Geneva. In the meantime, as foreman, he ^superintended the construction of the Government .works at the wharves at the mouth of Ashtabula ^Creek; but while thus engaged he contracted a pulmonary disease, which became the occasion of his moving Westward. Accordingly, on the I5th day of April, 1835, he started West, with two yoke of oxen and two wagons, loaded with household goods, and accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife, eight children and a son-in-law. At that early day, *when the roads were poor and the bridges few and *' far between, they had a tedious journey. They were = five and a half days crossing the Maumee swamp > alone - a distance of 31 miles. They arrived at ajoliet on the 22d of May, stopping first at the Black- Tavern. Mr. T. bought city property, and, '"with "his family, remained a resident there until No- ) vember, 1836. Then pushing on still further into the frontier, he first located, before the land was surveyed, in that part of Kane County which is now included in De Kalb County. He purchased a claim on what was afterward surveyed as section i of De Kalb Township, on which was only a log house. (Here he commenced the protracted task of making a X J comfortable home; but, his health already impaired, i he continued gradually to fail until Aug. 2, 1840, when death put an end to his sufferings. He had to cease from manual labor entirely in the fall of 1838. Three years afterward his widow married Valentine Randall and moved to Kane County. She finally died in Hampshire Township, that county, in July7

The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, a ^native of Connecticut, was a pioneer of Western New ^York, and afterward a resident of Ashtabula Co., /p\ Ohio. In 1836 he visited his son in Illinois, making he journey from Ohio and return with a team. His Shme CL^

Mr. Thompson, whose name heads this biography, was born in the town of Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Aug. 23, 1818, came to Illinois with his parents and made his home with them until the death of his father. He continued to occupy and improve the claim, which he entered after it came into market. He equipped the place with a good- collection of farm buildings, residing there until 1872, when he sold it and moved to De Kalb, purchasing the residence he now occupies.

He was married Dec. ro, 1843, to Miss Eliza A. Parker, who was born in Castile, Genesee Co., N. Y. They had eight children, namely: Alvira, now the wife of Daniel Klock ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles Foreman ; William W. ; George S., farmer and broom manufacturer in Ogle County; Ira Andrew, who is a resident of Texas; James S., a resident of De Kalb ; Ida, who is the wife of Dr. C. D. Carter; and Emma, the youngest, who resides at home with her parents.

ev. L. A. R. Erhard, Priest in charge of the Catholic Church at Somonauk, was born in Joliet, Will Co., 111., April 16, 1856. Sept. i, 1870, he entered the College and Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, an institution beautifully situated, two miles north of Suspension Bridge, on the New York bank of Niagara River. By a special act of the Legislature it enjoys all the privileges of a university.

It was there that Mr. Erhard completed his classical and theological studies, and June 7, 1879, was ordained priest for his native diocese of Chicago by Rt. Rev. S. V. Ryan, Bishop of Buffalo. At that time he was appointed by the deceased Bishop Mc- Mullen, then administrator of the diocese, to take charge of one of the most important curacies in the city. He remained there for five years, under the learned and zealous priest, Father P. Riordan, who, Sept. 16, 1883, was consecrated coadjutor, now Archbishop of San Francisco. Under the administration of this learned and zealous ecclesiastic, was built St. James" Catholic Church, a structure erected at a cost of $150,000. Its location is 2,924 Wabash Avenue. Whilst discharging his duties as a curate in this church, Father Erhard made for himself numerous friends by his zeal, which he particularly evinced whilst in charge with Father Henneberry, his fellow-curate, over the Sunday-school department, which had an attendance of 1,000 children. It was from this Church, Father Erhard was first appointed to take charge of a parish by His Grace, Archbishop Feehan, of Chicago. He was appointed to succeed Father Huth, of Somonauk, May i, 1884. ' His parents are the oldest residents of Will County. They emigrated from Europe in 1833 and arrived that same year in Chicago; assisted in erecting its first Catholic church, old "St. Mary's;" were there united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and two years later settled in Joliet, enjoying at an advanced age the society of numerous friends. Mr. Erhard's father, George Erhard, was born in the town of Middlestreih, in the kingdom of Bavaria, and his mother, Louisa (Periolat) Erhard, is a native of Hochfelden, in the province of Alsace.

Rev. L. A. R. Erhard, their son, though hardly a year in his new fieM, has added improvements to the amount of a thousand dollars to the parochial residence. A new Catholic Church, at a cost of $3,000, will be dedicated during the autumn of 1885, in Bristol, a mission attached to Somonauk. The contract for building a Catholic church at the same cost will be let this spring in Piano, where a mission has recently been opened, and in Sandwich $600 has been paid in the purchase of a lot and in the laying of a foundation for a Catholic school. Four Sundayschools have been organized, with an average attendance of 200 children. Father Erhard is doing a grand work for his people.

orenzo Dow Evans, resident on section 2, Sycamore Township, was born Feb. 9, 1834, in Ash County, N. C. He is the son of Benjamin and Frances (Perry) Evans, and was an infant in his mother's arms when his parents set out to seek a home in the then far away- West. They made the journey overland, but he has no remembrance of the slow, toilsome and tedious progress they made toward the setting sun. When he was four years old - in 1838 - they located at Sycamore. He has, therefore, so to speak, " grown up " with the county, and witnessed its increasing prosperity. As soon as he reached a suitable size he aided his father in his labors on the farm, arid he received his education in the pioneer schools ; to use his own language, he " graduated at the log schoolhouse."

He was married April 26, 1857, to Mary.daughter of Eli and Deborah (Rockwood) Jewell, who were among the earliest settlers in De Kalb County. After marriage he settled on section 2, Sycamore Township, which he still occupies. It had been entered by his father, and is now a valuable farm with a complement of good buildings.

dward P. White, deceased, was one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers of De Kalb County, where he came in 1836. He was ( born Jan. 31, 1795, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y and is the son of James and Mary White. His ^ parents were both natives of New England, and when he was an infant they moved to Brandon, Vt., where he was reared to adult age on a farm. During the War of 1812 he was a volunteer, and went to Plattsburg. After the battle he returned to Vermont. «! Two years later he went to the State of New York ( and located near Plattsburg. He was married Aug. 25, 1822, to Mary, daughter of Seth and Sarah (Stone) White. He owned a farm in Chazy, 12 miles from Plattsburg, on which he resided until 1835. In that year he started for Illinois. He went with two span of horses and two wagons to Ogdensburg, and thence by boat on the St. Lawrence River and Lake<b Ontario to Lewiston, on the Niagara River. From^ there the teams were in requisition to Buffalo, where they re-embarked for Detroit. They drove thence to Chicago, which was then but a village, and went to Plainfield, where they remained until the spring of 1836.

In the previous winter, Mr. White prospected in De Kalb County, and bought a claim in what is now Sycamore Township, where he built a log house, of which the family took possession in May. When the survey was made and the land came into market, seven years later, he paid $228 for the claim, which' he entered in the land office at Chicago. He made the usual improvements on the farm, which he occu-' pied until 1859. In that year he removed to Sycamore, where he died, Sept. 23, 1867. He was one of -; ~f the organizers of the First Methodist society at Sycamore.

Mrs. White still survives her husband. Five children are also living - Eveline, Phebe, Caroline, Almira and Mary. Oliver White, the only son, died when 42 years of age.

ichael Walsh, formerly a resident on section n, Pierce Township, was a pioneer of De Kalb County. He was born in 1796, in County Mayo, Ireland, and was bred to the vocation of farming in his native land. Hrs wife, Ellen (Philbein) Walsh, was also born :in" ) County Mayo, and to them were bom four chil-

* United States in a sailing vessel, and were on the J Atlantic Ocean five weeks. On arrival at the port of i New York they started for Albany on the Hudson £ River, and proceeded thence by the Erie Canal to fc Buffalo. From that place they came to Chicago on > a lake steamer. Their journey thence to St. Charles,

Kane Co., Ill , was made with a team, where they arrived in June, 1848. In July following they came to De Kalb County, where the father entered a claim of land on section n,of township 39, range 5, now the township of Pierce. The family lived for a time y in a shanty made of boards, which was later replaced by a comfortable house. The first crops raised on the place were marketed at St. Charles, 17 miles distant. Mr. Walsh improved his entire property, setting out shade and fruit trees and erecting good buildings. He lived to see his property well developed, and died March 4, 1871. His wife died May 18, 1884. Three of their children survive them.

Mark Walsh was born May 10, 1837, in County Mayo, Ireland. He came when 1 1 years old with his parents to the United States, and grew to man-

- hood in the township of Pierce, assisting in the im- 'f provement of the home farm and attending the ^ pioneer schools. He was married Sept. 28, 1869, to ing one child - Richard. The second wife, to whom Mr. Walsh was married Jan. i, 1877, was named Margaret Bartley. She died Oct. 15, 1880, leaving two children. - Ellen and John. Mr. Walsh contracted a third matrimonial alliance, Oct. 19, 1882, with Mary Coffey, and they have one child, named Mark. Mrs. Walsh is the daughter of Jeremiah and Bridget Coffey, and was born in County Kerry, Ireland,

In 1869 Mr. Walsh located on his homestead, comprising 240 acres of land located on sections 2 and 1 1 , all of which is at present under good improvements. In 1876 he rented his farm and removed to Sycamore, whence he went in 1880 to Maple Park and engaged in the lumber business, in which he is still interested.

mos Story, whose name is as much a part of the local history of the county of De Kalb and the township of Sycamore as that of any other individual within their borders, has been identified with the progress and development of both since 1837, six years before the land came into market, and some time before Sycamore assumed the dignity of its present name. He has been a resident on section 9 from the date of making his location. The claim contained a log shanty roofed with shakes, and constituted the entire improvements. Mr. Storey moved the structure to a new location, bought a yoke of oxen and entered resolutely into the work of improvement. He was then a single man, and boarded in' the neighborhood while improving his property.

He was born Dec. 8, 1813, in the town of Stowe, Washington Co., Vt., and is the son of William and Rebecca (Hicks) Story. His parents were natives of Vermont, and his paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He died and was buried at St. Alban's, Vt. The father died in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., whither he had removed many years before.

Mr. Story grew to manhood in his native town. In the fall of 1835, he went to Allegany Co., N. Y., with a team, and there spent the winter as a saw-mill assistant in the town of Cuba. In the spring of 1836 he started for Pittsburg with a raft of lumber on the

Allegheny, and at the junction boarded a similar river cr.ift for Cincinnati, and proceeded to the junction of the Ohio with the Great Father of Rivers. He went up the Mississippi to the mouth of the Illinois, and went on the latter river to Ottawa, La Salle County, on board a steamer, whence he went to Plainfield, Will County. He there engaged as a farm laborer with James Matthews. In the spring of 1837) in company with another man, he went to Iowa to seek a place for a home, but was not pleased with the outlook and came to De Kalb County as stated.

He was married Jan. 28, 1860, to Mrs. Abbie (Cronk) Hunt, and they have had five children - Jane, Alma, Amos, Arthur and Lottie. Mrs. Story was born Aug. 14, 1838, in Chenango, Broome Co., N. Y. She was married May 13, 1857, at St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., to Augustus Hunt, who died Nov. 23, 1858, leaving one child - Kendall A.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Story began to keep house in their pioneer log cabin, where they lived until 1861;, when the fine brick residence they no.v occupy was erected. Mr. Story has built a good class of farm structures, and has a valuable place with good stock. He is engaged in other avenues of business besides farming, and has been prominent in official life. In 1872 he met with an accident from which he has since been a constant sufferer.

D. London, farmer on the northeast quarter of sec. 1 6, Cortland Township, was born in Clearfield Co., Pa., Aug. 10, 1842. His father, Richard London, was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., Jan. 20, 1818, was reared in his native State, followed farming, and after coming to De Kalb County, dealt considerably in stock, and died Feb. 2, 1880. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Sarah A., nee Estes, was born Jan. 15, 1818, in Luzerne Co., Pa., and is now living in Sycamore. When he was 1 3 years of age, the subject of this sketch came with his parents to this county, in 1855, first settling in Mayfield Township. Two years afterward they sold out and purchased a farm in Sycamore Township, where they lived about ten years; then they located upon the farm now occupied by Mr. L. D. London. Five or six years afterward his father moved back to Sycamore. He has since lived on this place, except a year and a half in Iowa.

Mr. London was married Sept. 8, 1867, to Miss Mary M. Schoonover, who was born April 6, 1842, in Bradford Co., Pa. Her father, James Schoonover, was born Nov. 23, 1808, was a farmer, moved to this county in 1855, settling in De Kalb Township for 17 years, then moved to Boone Co., Iowa, and finally died in Dallas County, that State, Feb. 16, 1880. Her mother, Palmila E., nee Lattimore, is living in Ogden, Boone Co., Iowa, with her danghter, Mrs. Sarah Smith.

eorge E. Hobbs, retired farmer, living at Hinckley, was born May 12, 1823, in Delaware Co., N. Y. His father, Samuel Hobbs, was born in New York State and married Catherine Williams, a native of England. His parents settled after marriage in Delaware Co., N. Y., where his father died Sept. 4, 1829. His mother died in January, 1830, in Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. Hobbs is the second of five children born to his parents. Joseph W., Olive E., Jonas and Catherine are the names of his brothers and sisters.

He received a common-school education, and afterwards attended the academy at Delhi in his native county, where he resided until 1865, with the exception of three years which he spent in California, and along the Pacific Coast, spending some time in each of those small republics from New Granada or Colombia (as it is now called) up to California, and also spending some months in Mexico. In In February of that year he came to De Kalb County and bought 320 acres of land in Squaw Grove Township, located on section 8. On this he pursued his agricultural interests, and was resident there until his removal to Hinckley in the spring of 1883, and has not since participated in active business life. He is and has been prominent and active in the Democratic element of De Kalb County, and is one of the leaders in the local organization. He is also prominent in the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and has held the highest offices in both.

He was united in marriage Oct. 9, 1848, in Delhi, Delaware Co., N. Y., to Jannett P. Aitken. She was born May 3, 1828, in the city of New Yoik, and j was the daughter of David and Agnes (Gordon) j Ailken. By her mother she was distantly connected with General Gordon, recently (1885) killed at Khartoum, Afric.i. David A., Mary A., Hattie A. and j Nettie M. are the names of the children of Mr. and j Mrs. Hobbs. Mary A. died when nine years and six months old. Hattie A. married William T. Blagg and resides at Sandwich. Nettie M. is the wife of George Mewhirter, of Bristol Station, Kendall Co., 111. The mother died at Hinckley, April 16, 1883.

For nearly 20 years Mr. Hobbs was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county, becoming one of the leading and most prominent farmers in the county. He is a gentleman highly esteemed by the many who know him and has a most excellent reputation throughout the county. As a man, therefore, worthy of the place, we insert his portrait in this volume.

Daniel Waite, farmer, resident on section 34, Sycamore Township, was born Oct. 2, 1798, in Braintree, Orange Co., Vt., and is the son of Daniel and Sally (Kidder) Waite. His parents were both natives of Massachusetts, and accompanied their parents to Orange Co., Vt., when extremely young. The families of both became prominent in social and public life, and were remarkable, even in that land of steady habits, for correct, well ordered lives.

The history of Braintree, Vt., in the Gazetteer of Miss Abbie Hemenway, says that Daniel Waite came to Braintree in 1788 or '9. " Uncle Daniel," as he was familiarly called, was thorough and successful, and wholly devoted to his calling. In this particular he demonstrated the fact that intelligent farming pays. He early imbibed the principle that no farmer can afford to raise corn, oats or hay to sell. He should sell horses, not oats ; sheep and cattle, not corn. In common with other pioneers, he endured many hardships. Once he was obliged to bring his seed wheat from Middlebury on horseback, with only marked trees to guide him across the mountains. All the Waites were strictly temperate, not one of them having ever been known to be intemperate or to use tobacco in any form. The death of the father of Daniel Waite occurred Sept. 6, 1862. Mrs. Waite, the mother, died Oct. 4, 1849.

Mr. Waite grew to man's estate on the farm in Braintree, and was educated in the common schools. He was married Jan. i, 1827, to Mary, daughter of Elias and Mary (Willmarth) Cobb. He settled on one of his father's farms, where he continued to reside until 1839, the year in which he moved to Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he became the possessor of an improved farm. He decided to locate in the West on account of his growing sons, and accordingly, in 1854, he sold his farm and came to De Kalb County, where he bought an improved farm on section 34, on which he pursued his agricultural projects until 1869. His wife died on the 3d of February of that year, and soon afterward he sold the place and has since resided with his sons, who are farmers on the same section (34).

To him and his wife nine children were born, as follows: Daniel P., Tyler K., Orlando, Edwin and Ellen (twins), John E., Charles, Jasper H. and Mary E. Daniel P. Waite was born Feb. 22, 1828, in Braintree, Vt. He was, for nearly a quarter of a century, secretary of the Minnesota Copper Mining Company, and in March, 1871, he settled in Springfield, Mo., and engaged in mercantile business. He died there Nov. 3, 1871. Tyler K. Waite was born July i, 1829, and was engaged as a teacher after the removal of his parents to Western New York. He came to Sycamore in 1854 and started the pioneer cheese factory in De Kalb County, and continued its manager and proprietor until his death, March 13, 1871. Charles and Jasper Waite entered the military service of the United States, an,d both distinguished themselves and honored the stainless name they represented, as well as the generation and community to which they belong.

The former enlisted as a private in Co. C, 271)1 Michigan Regiment Vol. Inf. Soon after the organization of his company he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and he passed the several grades of promotion for meritorious conduct, leaving the army at the close of the war with the rank of Brigadier General, by brevet. He is living at Lena, Stephenson Co., 111., and is engaged in the banking business. He was wounded in the battle of the

Wilderness. Jasper enlisted in 1863, in Co. C, i?th 111. Cav. He went to the front as Lieutenant of his command, and was promoted to a Captaincy. He served until the close of the war, and during the closing months was a member of the staff of Gen. Curtis. Orlando, Edwin and John are farmers on section 34. The former has traveled extensively on his native continent, has been to California twice, and on the second occasion extended his trip to British Columbia, where he passed three years. Edwin Waite is an enterprising and prominent citizen of his township, and has devoted much time and attention to the interests of the general public. He is a voracious reader, and has a well stored and disciplined mind. He was formerly engaged in the sale of McCormick's farm machinery. The brothers Waite have a valuable and well improved farm, with good buildings and orchard. The sisters Waite reside with their brothers.

ackson Hiland, farmer, section 25, De I? Kalb Township, was born in Licking Co., Ohio, in September, 1832, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (McKillup) Hiland. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and settled in Ohio a few years after his marriage, where he resided until about 1846. During that year he started with five horses and two wagons for an overland trip to Illinois, accompanied by his family. He arrived in De Kalb Township and purchased a farm from the widow of one Jacob Cox, located on sections 13 and 14. There was a double log house and a stable covered with straw on the place, but he soon erected a comfortable frame house and fenced the land. He then sold the farm and moved to De Kalb, where he died. There were eight children in his family, seven of whom grew up and six of whom are yet living.

Jackson Hiland, the subject of this notice, soon after coming to this county, engaged with Dr. Ruby in the sale of drugs, groceries and dry goods. The relation existed for five years, when Mr. Hiland, in company with J. W. Stone, opened a jewelry, drug and grocery store and continued to operate it jointly until 1861. During the latter year he enlisted in the 42d Regt., Douglas Brigade, and served nine months, in the late Civil War.

On receiving his discharge, Mr. Hiland returned to De Kalb and worked at the jewelry trade until 1867. He then purchased an improved farm on section 25, De Kalb Township. He has since erected thereon a good frame barn and otherwise improved the place.

Mr. Hiland was married June 8, 1857, to Juliet, daughter of David and Juliet (Smith) Price, and a native of Otsego Co., N. Y. They have one child, Carrie, wife of Luzerne Hopkins, a farmer of De Kalb Township.

illiam J. Bates, dealer in agricultural machinery at Cortland, was born Oct. 15, 1830, in Chenango Co., N. Y. He came n 1844 to De Kalb County with his parents and located in what is now Cortland Township. In 1848 the family went to what is now Pierce Township and settled on the northeast corner of section 5, where the senior Bates bought 40 acres of land. His mother, Cynthia Bates, died there. His father, J. J. Bates, continued to reside on the farm some years and was occupied in its improvement. Later on he took up his residence with his son William in Cortland, where he passed his last days.

Soon after coming to De Kalb County, Mr. Bates bought his time of his father, paying him $50 therefor, and in the winter of 1850-1 he taught the first school in the township of Pierce. He chopped the wood and furnished the stove in which it was burned. He was to receive $15 per month for his services as pedagogue and waited two years for his pay. He continued to operate as a teacher 24 years, pursuing that vocation winters and farming summers. He taught 20 terms in District No. 3, Pierce Township.

Mr. Bates was married Marches, 1851, to Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Polly Hunt. She was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., and came to Illinois with her parents in 1844. Mr. Bates bought a farm on section 5, Pierce Township, where he built a house, after a primitive fashion, - driving posts in the ground and boarding outside, while the inside was plastered. He is the owner of 160 acres of fenced and well improved land. In 1856 he began the sale of farm machinery, and in 1860 he established his present

^.f business at the village of Cortland, where he has f s? built a commodious warehouse for the storage of ag- ' ricultural implements. Mr. Bates was the first Clerk of Pierce Township, and offidated six years successively as Assessor in Cortland. To him and his wife ^fJ six children have been born, only one of whom, Walter H., survives. Three children died in infancy. Charles A. died when 13 years of age, and Sarah J. when she was three years old.

ylvester Pasley, deceased, formerly a farmer on sections 13 and 14, De Kalb Township, was born in July, 1842. in the township in which he lived until his death. His father, James Pasley, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Kentucky, April n, 1807. When seven years of age, his parents moved to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he lived and grew to manhood. He married Sarah Carney, a native of that State, born Jan. 30, 1808, and about 1834 they moved to Indiana and located on the Wabash River, near the mouth of the Shawnee. He was a carpenter by trade, and was engaged in making flat-boats in the latter State until the spring of 1836. At that time he, with his family, started on an overland trip to Illinois and arrived in that part of Kane County now known as De Kalb. He immediately entered a claim on sections 13 and 14 of what is now De Kalb Township, this county. He at once set about to build him a log house, split shakes to cover the roof, and in lieu of nails used heavy poles to keep the roof in place, and for a floor used puncheons split from basswood logs.. Having faith in the future development of the country, and desiring to establish a home for his family, he entered vigorously upon the laborious task of improving his land, and continued to reside thereon and labor until his death in 1851. Ten years later, in 1861, his wife joined him in the unknown world. They were the parents of six children. Henry died in Indiana, and William Hamilton died in this county ; May married Arthur Pasley and died in De Kalb Township. William and Benjamin are the only survivors, and the latter is a resdent of Story Co., Iowa.

He was a recipient of the advantages afforded by the common schools and remained on the homestead until he attained his majority. When the late Civil War broke out, Mr. Pasley was among the many who responded to the call for troops and enlisted December, 1861, in Co. G, 58th 111. Vol. Inf. He veteranized in 1863 and continued in the service until April, 1866. Among the more important battles in which he participated, were Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Nashville, Fort Blakely, and Spanish Fort, besides numerous minor battles and skirmishes. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh and thereby incapacited from service for about four months, excepting which time he was continuously in active service. He was mustered out with the regiment in 1866, and was the only one of 17 from this county in his company who had not previously received his discharge.

In the spring of 1867 Mr. Pasley went to Colorado, where he engaged in teaming between Denver and the mines. After three years' sojourn in that State he returned to this county, remained a year and then went back to Colorado. He remained at the latter place six years, variously engaged, and then r-iturned and settled on the old homestead on which he resided until his death, which occurred March 30, 1885.

Mr. Pasley was married Feb. n, 1878,10 Miss Sarah Kessler, a daughter of Michael and Mary A. Kessler, pioneer settlers of Pierce Township, in which township she was born. They have four children, - Ida M., Henry C. and Alonzo A. The oldest child, Eliza D., died when one year and one month old.

osea W. Willard, contractor and builder at Sycamore, was born July 17, 1826, in Windsor Co., Vt. His father, Oliver Willard, was born Aug. 5, 1789, at Windsor, Vt., and died Jan. 2, 1854. His mother, Lucy (Weeden) Willard, was born Oct. 24, 1796, at Hartland, Vt., and died Dec. 9, 1849. They removed from the Green Mountain State to Sycamore, 111., in 1846. Five of their n children are living. Mr. Willard is the eldest who survives, and is the © fifth in the order of birth. Charles is a mason

Boone Co., Iowa. Marcia is the wife of Spafford Smith, a retired farmer of Sycamore. Helen married Robert Rowe, a merchant in Story Co., Iowa. Curtis is a mason and pursues his trade in Boone Co., Iowa.

Mr. Willard was reared to the age of 1 6 on a farm. In the fall of 1843, an elder brother, Oliver, now deceased, came to Sycamore and engaged in the business of a mason. Hosea accompanied him and obtained employment as a carpenter. After working ( at his trade for a time he began to operate as contractor, which method of business he has since pursued. He has erected a number of fine residences and prominent buildings in Sycamore.

He was married in Derby, Orleans Co., Vt., to Martha A. W., daughter of Thomas and Susan Weeden and a native of Hartland, Windsor Co., Vt. They have two children : Clarence H., now followiiig the business of photography, was born Feb. 19, 1856; and Oliver T., born July i, 1868, is a telegraph operator.

dwin L. Mosher, retired farmer, De Kalb, was born in Providence, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan 2, 1834, and was 12 years of age when his parents, Levi and Caroline L. (Smith) Mosher, natives of the same county, removed to the town of Yates in Orleans County, same State, where he was reared to manhood on the farm and at the district school.

In 1854 he was married to Miss Mercy A. Waterbury, who was born in the town of Yates above mentioned. They then resided in the town of Ridgeway, same county, for a period of three years, and then, in 1857, removed to Clinton, this county; but within two years returned to New York State and worked his father-in-law's farm in Ridgeway for three years. Coming again to this county, Mr. Mosher bought a quarter of section 16, De Kalb Township, of his brother, Charles D., who now resides in Chicago. He managed that farm until 1882, when he left his son in charge of it -and moved to the city of De Kalb, occupying his present residence on Fourth Street.

settled on a farm in Carroll Co., Iowa; Grant E., now living on the home farm; and Frank, now a clerk in De Kalb. George W., the first child, was born Sept. 14, 1858, and died Dec. 9, 1877.

orter Swift Coolidge, farmer, resident on sections 9,5 and 4, Cortland Township, was born Sept. 28, 1829, in the town of Frankfort, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and is the son of Warren and Rachel (Swift) Coolidge. Both his parents were natives of Massachusetts, and when a young man his father went to the State of New York, to seek a home. After a stay of a year at Frankfort Hill, he returned and was married. At the date of his settlement in Herkimer County, there was but one log house on the present site of Utica. He bought a tract of land, which was all covered with timber. He was in a position to secure the choice of land in the Mohawk Valley, but he had been cautioned against it as a fever-and-ague district, and made his selection on the hills instead. He went on foot from Albany, and on arrival at the place where he had determined to locate, with the necessary and trusty ax, he took up his lodgings in a hollow log. In this he slept, and a few mornings after taking possession he found a bear in the other end of the log! He made a clearing, built a house and started various plans in the way of pushing his work for establishing a home. To this place he brought his wife. The first stove he owned he bought with 40 cords of split body maple wood and drew it four miles.

Twelve children were born to Warren and Rachel Coolidge, all of whom attained maturity, Porter being the youngest. .The mother died in 1837, and the father in 1842.

After the demise of the latter, Porter took charge of the farm and_ conducted its affairs, in company with his three sisters. He obtained a good commonschool education, and afterwards attended Sauquoite Academy three years. On leaving school he set out for Illinois, and in the winter of 1850-1 taught school at Naperville. In the spring following he went to California, making the route there via Nicaragua. He spent six months there on the Middle Fork of the American River, after which he proceeded to the Santa Clara Valley, near San Jose Mission, where he spent 1 8 months as a farmer. He then returned

Illinois, coming thither by Panama and New York to De Kalb County. In company with Stephen A. Bemis, he leased the stock farm of John R. Hamlins, which contained 1,000 acres. He went to Ohio and Kentucky, and purchased horses, and they interested themselves in breeding horses, mules and cattle, having about 100 head of each. They continued their joint operations five years, after which Mr. Coolidge sold his interest to Mr. Bemis and Nathan Lattin, and the stock was taken across the plains to California.

Mr. Coolidge was married July 26, 1858, to Mary M. McLagan. In the fall of that year he bought his farm, which was one of the first settled in that part of De Kalb County, having been improved by Phineas Joslyn (see sketch). It had a small frame house and a small barn. The house in which he now resides was built in 1875. In 1874 he purchased the Churchill farm, which contained 212 acres, located on sections 4 and 5. He now owns nearly 400 acres, all of which is under improvement. On the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad, he returned to California, of whose climate he had always held a favorable opinion, and had cherished a plan to establish his home there. But the soil had deteriorated to such an extent that the yield of grain was less than one-half of that at the date of his earlier visit, and he did not continue there. In 1881 he made a third trip to California, going there by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and making a tour of the State from north to scuth. He still had the purpose of establishing a home in a milder climate, but was again disappointed in the Golden State and returned to Illinois, not deeming it wise to risk the certainties of a farm in the Prairie State for the uncertainties of the lands of California.

'homas A. Luney, cashier of the De Kalb National Bank, was born in the city of Rockford, Winnebago Co., 111., July 2, 1853, and when a year old his parents, Edmund and Catherine (Hogan) Luney, moved with their family to De Kalb, where he grew to years of maturity and received a thorough education at the district school. When 16 years of age he entered the bank of R. Hopkins & Co., as clerk, and since that time he has been closely identified with that bank, till its dissolution in 1874, and with its successors through all the changes of proprietorship, policy and name. Before it was made a National bank it was conducted as a private institution for several years. At the time it was organized as a National bank, Mr. Luney was appointed to his present position as cashier. Mr. Luney is an independent Democrat in politics, and has held the office of Township Treasurer since 1877.

Mr. Luney was married in 1878, to Miss Anna A. Solon, who was born in De Kalb County, and from infancy to the time of her marriage lived in Malta. She is the daughter of Timothy and Mary Solon. Mr. and Mrs. L. have two children, - Ella Agnes and Francis Solon.

ylvanus Holcomb, of Sycamore, was born " March 23, 1803, at Sangerfield, Oneida Co., $£ N. Y. He is the son of Orator and Hannah J: (Perry) Holcomb. His father was born in Mas- &> sachusetts and went'in early manhood to the * State of New York, where he met and married his wife, who was a native of Connecticut, and had moved from that State to New York with her parents. They lived in Sangerfield until 1805, when they moved to Ontario .Co., N. Y., and after a residence of four years they removed to that part of the Holland Purchase included in Genesee County, where he ^ bought land and improved a large farm.

When Mr. Holcomb was 17 years of age his parents went to the township of Darien. He was married there Oct. 4, 1826, to Julia B. Joslyn. He bought a farm in the same township, which he retained in his possession until 1839, when he started for a home in the West. He drove with his own team to Buffalo, where he embarked for Toledo. He drove thence to De Kalb Co., 111., and bought a claim on section 34, in what is now the township of Sycamore. The tract consisted of unbroken prairie, and Mr. Holcomb built a log house, 18 x 24 feet in dimensions. There was but one house in sight, and the neighbors were the deer and wolves, which then were in abundance. One night the fire went out, ~^t^f «*>§fr^)£@ and as they were without matches, Mr. Holcomb was obliged to go more than a mile to obtain fire. Ifi the year in which he made his location, he broke 10 acres and tried to raise a crop on it in 1840, but it was almost a failure. He rented land the same year on which he raised a crop of oats. Soon afterward he began to raise wheat, which he marketed at Chicago, then and for some years subsequently the nearest available point. He improved 175 acres of land, and built two dwellings besides other farm buildings. He sold his farm in 1863 and moved to Sycamore.

oses W. Jordan, farmer, resident on section 1 6, Cortland Township, was born Dec. 5, 1819, in the town of Moriah, Essex Co., N. Y. He was the fifth child of Rufus and Rebecca (Bacon) Jordan. His father was born Sept. 21, 1783, in the town of South Brimfield, Mass. His mother was born March 22, 1788. The parents of his mother, Thaddeus and Polly (Daly) Bacon, were natives of the State of New York. John Jordan, father of Rufus Jordan and grandfather of Moses, was born Dec. 19, 1752, in Massachusetts, and was born of English ancestry. He settled in Moriah in the early part of the i8th century, where he was engaged in farming. He, in connection with his son Rufus, bought timber land, from which he cleared two good farms. He was prominent in town and county affairs, acting some years as Justice of the Peace. His records as a Magistrate (dating back to 1809) are now in the possession of Mr. Jordan of this sketch. He died March 19, 1813, and the demise of his wife occurred Oct. 30, 1810. His son Rufus was manied Feb. 4, 1808, and settled on a farm adjoining his father. In 1830 he removed to Gainesville, Genesee Co., N. Y., which is now included in Wyoming County, buying a farm where he spent many years, afterwards retiring from active life and buying a residence near his daughter. He died Nov. i, 1862, and his wife died in Cortland, April 29, 1865. Four of their children are still living: Hiram is a fanner at Gainesville but much of his time has been spent in teaching; Lucina is the wife of F. H. Jennison, of Gainesville; Moses W. and Lydia, wife of C. F. Ely, live in Cortland.

Mr. Jordan of this sketch was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. He continued to live with his parents until 1843, when he went to Warsaw, the county seat of Wyoming County, and operated there as a carpenter and joiner and also as a farmer, having bought a small farm. He lived in Warsaw until 1852, in which year he settled on his farm in Cortland Township. In the spring of 1853 he bought land on sections 9 and 16, containing 69 acres, of which 15 acres were broken prairie, with a small log house and an orchard of limited extent. The place is now in advanced cultivation, with valuable buildings, fruit, shade and ornamental trees. While a resident at Warsaw he studied medicine with C. A. Dake, M. D., after which he operated to some extent as a practitioner while yet in his native State, and also has been similarly occupied since coming West.

In December, 1839, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gainesville, and immediately devoted himself to the study of the Bible with a view of preparing for the ministry. While living in the State of New York he was an active member of the Church, a Class-leader and Steward. In 1869 he was ordained at Freeport as a local preacher. He has always been warmly interested in educational affairs and an earnest and decided anti-slavery, anti- tobacco and anti-liquor advocate.

He was united in marriage Feb. 27, 1843, to Miss Betsey Perkins. She was born in Hampton, Washington Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1817, and is the daughter of. Sylvester and Ruth (Hooker) Perkins The family consisted of three sons and six daughters, she being the youngest daughter. Mr. Perkins was born in Connecticut, and his wife in Poultney, Rutland Co., Vt. Only one child was born to Moses and Betsey Jordan, Edward Franklin, whose birth occurred Sept. 21, 1847, in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., and he married Lucy J. Gale. She was born May 2, 1875, in Pierce, De Kalb Co., 111., and is the mother of two children, - Ethel and Carmi. E. F. Jordan is the manager of his father's farm. He is apt with the use of tools, and his readiness in mechanical arts is of special value in his business as a farmer and to his neighbors.

Hooker, who came from England with his Church and settled at Hartford, Conn., in 1600, and her father was a local preacher in the Methodist Church. David Star Jordan, son of Hiram Jordan, is a graduate from Cornell University at Ithaca, N. Y., the author of several modern, standard text-books on natural science, and is at present residing at Bloomington, Ind., where he is President of the State University.

{.on. A. W. Lloyd, of Sycamore, was born Dec. 14, 1800, in the town of Blandford, Hampden Co., Mass. His father, James Lloyd, was born in Massachusetts, of Scotch parentage, and married Sally White, of English descent, and belonging to the posterity of Peregrine White, the first white child born in Massachusetts.

Mr. Lloyd was educated in the public schools of his native county, and was taught the details of farming on his father's estate. In 1825 he married Parthenia, daughter of Roger and Mary (Webster) Haskell, both of Massachusetts. She was born in Peru, Berkshire County. Her father was of French descent, and was a patriot of the Revolution. After marriage, Mr. Lloyd and his wife occupied the homestead until 1854, when they sold their interest and came to De Kalb County, where they bought a tract of unimproved land in South Grove Township. During the first year he broke 100 acres on his own land, and built a house ; this he did in addition to managing the affairs of a farm he rented. In 1855 the family took possession of the place. Mr. Lloyd improved and operated nearly the entire acreage of the farm - 240 acres - erected a large frame house and barn, a granary and other farm buildings, and converted the place into one of the best and most valuable farms in De Kalb County. In 1872 he placed his son in charge of the estate and removed to Sycamore, where he bought a residence. In April, 1884, he removed to another location on the same street. Mr. Lloyd became a distinguished citizen of Berkshire County, and held important township offices. He also represented his district two terms in the State Legislature. He also became prominent in local military affairs. He was commissioned Ensign of the State militia Feb. 10, 1823, and assigned to the Fourth Regiment of Infantry in the First Brigade and Fourth Division. He afterwards received the following commissions : Jan. 7, 1828, Captain of the same company; Major of the "Fourth" March 13, 1829; Lieut-Colonel, June 9, 1830; and Colonel, Feb. 21, 1831.

His wife died July 2, 1867, and left seven children : Paulina resides with her father at Sycamore ; William is a Congregational clergyman at Ravenswood, 111. ; Mary is the wife of A. J. Vanderen, who is engaged in mining at Boulder, Col. ; Sergius is the manager of the homestead in South Grove Township ; Louis is in business in Chicago ; Alice married William M. Rule and lives at Boulder, Col.; and Eli W. is a farmer in Malta Township.

Lawrence Curts, Principal of the De Kalb Schools, was born in Benton Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1852, and is a son of John and Elmira (Leist) Curts, natives of 'Ohio. His father is a Methodist Episcopal preacher, though formerly connected with the United Brethren Church.

The parents of Mr. Curts moved from Crawford County when lie was an infant, and settled in Henry County. They lived there 1 1 years and removed to Linn Co., Iowa. Remaining there five years, they removed to Sterling, this State, then to Manteno, then to Mendota. Between the ages of 13 and 18, three years of his life were spent working at the shoemaker's trade, and one year on a farm.

In 1870, his father purchased a farm in Dickinson Co., Kan., and moved his family upon it. He was absent from the farm a greater portion of the time, attending to his professional duties, and the management of the place and necessary work required to successfully cultivate it in a great degree devolved on the son. He. nevertheless was ambitious to acquire an education, and managed to alternate his labors on the farm with attendance at the common schools and study at home. His energy soon advanced him sufficiently to teach. He taught his first term of school near Abilene, Dickinson County, and then returned to Henry Co., Ohio, and taught in the first school-house in which he had received instruction, His object in teaching at this time was to A ^ procure means in which more thoroughly to prepare himself for the calling of teacher, and he was successful. He taught two winter terms at the place last mentioned, and during the remainder of the time attended the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, 111. In 1876 he returned to Kansas and engaged in teaching at Ellis, in Ellis County, that State. He taught there two years, and from his savings was enabled to matriculate at Cornell College, Iowa. He completed the curriculum of that institution and graduated in June, 1881. He then came to De Kalb and accepted the position which he at present occupies. He is one of those who believe " a person never gets too old to learn," and devotes considerable time to study. That his efforts at De Kalb have proven a success, the present flourishing condition of the schools will testify ; and that they are appreciated by the citizens, is demonstrated by the length of time he has served and the terms of praise connected with his name when he is spoken of as an educator and gentleman.

Mr. Curts was married in June, 1881, to Miss Clara Holroyd. She was born in Wyanet, Bureau Co., 111., and is a daughter of Mark and Cordelia Holroyd. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curts: Boyd G., Oct. 2, 1882, and Paul H., July 3, 1884.

ichard Dee, manufacturer of bottled sodawater and ginger ale, bottled beer, ale and porter, and dealer in ice in any quantities, at De Kalb, was born in Lincolnshire, England, Oct. 31, 1829, was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and in 1851 left his native land and came to America, locating first in Racine, Wis., where his employment for a few months was in a pork-packing establishment. He next engaged at chopping wood at three shillings per cord, walking twice a day the four miles which lay between his boarding place and the woods ! This was not the kind of life he had dreamed of enjoying in America, and he felt like returning to his native land ; and he probably would have done so had he sufficient means in his possession.

was three years in McDonough County, managing a saloon at Colchester two years of that time; then he continued the same line of business in Chicago until 1863, when he came to the village of De Kalb. For the first year here he kept a saloon ; the succeeding three years he conducted a meat market; selling out the latter, he built a brewery at Dixon ; but during the following winter he again crossed the ocean and for a couple of months visited friends in his native land. Returning in the spring, he sold his interest in the brewery, came again to De Kalb and re-purchased the meat market, which he operated for some years. In 1878 he established his present business as above stated.

He was married March 3, 1851, to Miss Augusta Trower, who died May 4, 1855. Mr. Dee was again married Feb. 25, 1865, to Miss L. S. Bennett, and by the present marriage there are two sons, - Richard D. and William H.

arshall Stark, deceased, a pioneer of De Kalb County, first came to Illinois in 1834, and spent the summer of that year. He returned to his native State to engage in teaching during the winter, and in 1834 lo-

| cated a claim of land near Rockford, Winneb:igo County, but made no permanent settlement there. He came soon after to De Kalb County and located a claim on sections 20 and 21 in what is now Sycamore Township. He built a log house near the timber and began to make improvements, and as soon as the land came into market took the necessary steps to secure the claim.

In 1841 he returned to Pennsylvania and was married Oct.. 5, of the same year, to Louisa S. Tyler, daughter of Royal and Mary Tyler. She was born DSC. r6, 1820, in Dimock, Susquehauna Co., Pa. Her parents were born in Connecticut and settled in Pennsylvania in the fall of the year in which the daughter w.n born. Two weeks after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stark started for their new home in the West, and drove through with a pair of horses. They occupied the log house three years, when they removed to a frame house that had been built on section 2r. Mr. Stark has been School Director. In 1848 he was elected Sheriff and removed to Sycalj more. He served in that office three years, and during the time he built a hotel at Sycamore. He conducted it as a house of public entertainment six years, after which he returned to the farm. During the period of his business career he became extensively interested in the lumber business in Michigan and spent two winters there. He also owned and managed a lumber yard in the city of Sycamore. His connection with official matters in the township began at an early date, and he fulfilled the obligations of many offices of trust. His homestead farm included 800 acres of land, all of which was improved, and he owned 360 acres of land in the township of Kingston, which was all under tillage.

Mr. Stark was born Aug. 12, 1813, in Luzerne Co., Pa. His parents, Oliver and Betsey (Dixon) Stark, were both natives of that State, and gave their son a good education, which at as eavly a date as possible he utilized in teaching winters, spending the remainder of the years in agricultural pursuits. He died Dec. 26, 1882, leaving 10 children,- Harmon M., Martha S., Mary E., Jefferson O., Henry J., Theron M., Adah Louisa, Ella A., Emma J. and Hattie M.

As a representative pioneer of De Kalb County, as well as of this section of Illinois, and a gentleman who was honored with public office and esteemed by his fellow-citizens and worthy to be classed with the representative men of the county, we place the portrait of Mr. Stark in this volume.

eorge Spickerman, farmer, section 34, Malta Township, was born Oct. 14, i833) in Columbia Co., N. Y., and is the son of Andrew A. Spickerman, a farmer and native of the State in which his son w;is born, and where he married Catherine E. Budd, a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y. The father is of German extraction; the mother also, with a slight admixture of French. She former died in Columbia County, March 16, 1883, and in June of the same year the mother died. Mr. Spickerman, Sr., was a man of influence and position, and possessed a fine estate. He was 85 years of age when he died, which was also the age of his wife. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

parents, seven of whom are living. He was educated in the public schools of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., adjoining that of his nativity. He remained at home, assisting on his father's farm until 1859, the year of his removal to Illinois and of his locating in Malta Township, where he operated as a farmer on his own account, making frequent visits to his native county.

He was married there March 27, 1880, to Annie M. Pulver. She was born March 6, 1842, in Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Sarah (Stupplebeem) Pulver, farmers, and of ^ German descent. Mrs. Spickerman is one of six children, and was but nine years of age when her father died. Her mother died April 26, 1877. She has one child - Harry, born May 13, 1881.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. S. took possession of their home in Malta Township, where the former has an undivided interest in his father's estate and also 160 acres of land in Iowa. He is a Republican, and has served a term as Tax Collector. Mrs. S. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Charles S. Hunt, retired farmer, De Kalb, was born in the town of Murray, Orleans Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1811. His parents, Joseph L. and Lydia (Davenport) Hunt, natives of Vermont, moved to Western New York in , making the journey with a one-horse n, containing all their worldly possessions. They were early settlers in what is now the town of Murray. The senior Mr. Hunt soon made a contract with the Holland Company for a tract of timber land. Being too poor to pay cash, he followed the plan of purchasing, clearing and improving a few acres and selling what he had thus reduced from the wild forest, proceeding to contract for and clear a few more acres, and so on. Residing there until 1836, he moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and after a few years to Fulton Co., 111., and after several years more to Mason County, this State, where he spent the remainder of his days, passing from earthly scenes in 185 i.

In his family were 1 1 children, nine of whom grew up to years of maturity, namely, Charles S., Betsy P., Harvey, Hiram, Abel, Warren, Joseph L., Sarah, Curtis, Sophia and Louisa J. Abel died in Ohio, at

The first above mentioned, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents until 16 years of age, when he foand employment in a hotel at Holly, Orleans Co., N. Y., continuing there five years. In 1836 his father proposed to him to go to Ashtabula, Co , Ohio, and select a tract of land, for which he (the father) was about to trade. Accordingly, in the month of February, in company with five others, he started on foot and walked all the way to his destina- ML tion, a distance of 200 miles. He soon selected a <4 3 tract of land, in R)ma Township, near the turnpike I leading from Ashtabula to Warren, and fell to work clearing the same. In the meantime he had to do, two days' work each week at Rogers' Hotel, to pay for his board there. The following May his father and family moved to the place, when they all commenced work together.

Here Charles S. lived with his parents until 1838, when he sold the 50 acres of land which his father A£ had given him, and with the proceeds, $300, started 3 out to seek a home farther West, accompanied by his 5§ wife and child, and his brother-in-law, wife and two pa children. Coming by way of Lake Erie to Detroit $> and thence by wagon to Fulton County, this State, they, in company with seven others, started a village which they named Bernadotte, building a hotel, distillery, etc. : they also bought two farms. Mr. Hunt soon sold his interest in the village and purchased 80 acres of farming land in the vicinity ; but this he sold rn 1847 and he moved to a point on the Illinois River in the same county, and conducted a " tavern" / a year in a rented building. In the spring of 1849 he moved to Havana, Mason County, purchasing a J\ farm on the banks of the Illinois River ; but he leased the land and kept .a hotel in the village, in a building he rented for the purpose. In 1854 he sold the farm and moved to this county, and, in company with Israel Nichols, engaged in the business of buying and shipping grain. In 1857 he bought a farm on section 19 of De Kalb Township, where he resided from 1860 to 1882, when he bought his present residence in De Kalb, which he has since occupied.

Mr. Hunt was married May 4, 1837, to May A. Woodard, who was born Feb. 5, 1815. They had ^ eight children, namely: Horace D., Mortimer A., Amanda M., Harriet A., Charles M., William Artluir,

Darwin ]. and Carrie Edna. Mortimer A. and Harriet A. died in infancy, and Arthur died in Colorado, at the age of 66. Mr. Hunt's second wife was Mary Cooper, A native of Summit Co., Ohio, whom he married July 10, 1865.

rthur Mozley Stark, of Sycamore, was born Jan. 31, 1849, in the city of London, England, and is the son of John M. and Harriet Jane (Guy) Stark. He attended school until he was 15 years of age, when he became a clerk in the store of' his father, who was a stationer, continuing in the situation two years, when he accepted a position as assistant in the publishing house of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., in London, where he remained until he was 21 years of age.

In 1870 he came to the United States and fixed his first residence' at Beloit, Wis., whence he came four months later to Sycamore and became' bookkeeper in the employment of the Marsh Harvester Company. Subsequently he was made secretary and treasurer in the same business, and is still officiating in that capacity.

He was married May 20, 1873, to Ellen, daughter of Fleming and Louisa (Stone) Holcomb, of Sycamore. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have two children, - Guy and Emily.

eorge W. Savory, farmer, resident at Cortland, was born Aug. 20, 1818, at Orford, Grafton Co., N. H., and is the son of John and Abiah Sa.vory. His father was born in Plymouth, Mass., and descended from English ancestors. His mother was born in Vermont. The senior Savory served an apprenticeship with a shoemaker when a youth, with whom he- removed to New Hampshire, and he became a soldier of the War of 18 1 2. He died at Orford in 1820, and his wife died there in 1827. Mr. Savory was taken in charge by the authorities, who bound him to a farmer named Willard Jaquith, who lived in Orford and with whom he resided until 15 years of age, when he became the charge of a man named Webster Hall, who was his guardian three years. At 18 years of age he bought his time for $(oo. He remained in Orford variously employed until 1844, when he came to Perry Co., 111. After spending a few months there he went to Chicago. He obtained employment at the lime kilns in the vicinity of that city, where he remained until the spring of 1847, when he enlisted in the Third United. States Infantry and went to Mexico. He was a participant in the battle at Contreras and at Churubusco, where he. was wounded Aug. 20, 1847, l)y a gunshot in the .right thigh. (He has a bamboo cane, which was cut on the battle-field of the last named engagement.) After the capfure of the city of Mexico he was conveyed to the hospital there, and was honorably discharged Jan. 13, 1848. He returned to Chicago, where he remained until 1857, variously employed. In that year he came to Cortland, where, in company with James Burbank, he bought the Cortland Hotel property. He sold his interest in thai about two years later to his partner, and in 1860 bought two lots at the east end of the village and built a house. He .has since purchased additional land, and has now a valuable farm. He was engaged for a time in market gardening, but for Ihe past few years he has been interested in the dairy business.

In 1856 Mr. Savory was married to Joan C., daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Kelly) Wood. They have four children, - George W., May, Virginia and Lulu.

ewis M. McEwen, one of the self-made men of the county, residing at De Kalb, was born in Crawford, Orange Co., N. Y., Sept. 28, 827. He is a son of Henry and Ann Eliza (Terwilliger) McEwen, natives. of " York State " and of Scotch and Holland descent, respectively. At the age of 13 years, Mr. McEwen became an orphan by the death of his father, and continued to reside with, his mother until he was 18 years old. At this age in his life's history, he set forth to fight the battles of his future unaided except by his own indomitable determination to succeed. He made his way to New York city, and succeeded in obtaining employment in a morocco manufactory. He continued in that vocation, laboriously endeavoring to learn the trade, and succeeded.

York of the discovery of gold in California, than Mr. McEwen determined to cast his fortunes with thousands of others and visit the " Land of Gold." He accordingly, in 1849, started for that distant region. He sailed Jan. 30, on board the good ship " Orpheus,'' which took him round Cape Horn, and in July followiiTg, over five months after starting, landed him in the country for which he set out. While there he engaged in mining, and was thus occupied for about three years, until the spring of 1852. He then started on his return to New .York, and went by way of the Isthmus, arriving at the metropolis in May of that year.

Afte: returning to Ne.v York city, Mr. McEwen spent several weeks visiting friends, and then came to this State and located in what is now Milan Township, this county. He entered 320 acres of land, the first land that was entered in the township. On this land he erected a small frame house, or as it might more properly be called, " shan'y," in which he kept " bach " and energetically entered on the laborious though pleasant task of improving the land. The same year he replaced his " shanty " with a good and comfortable frame house, bringing his lumber from Aurora, 30 miles distant.

Mr. McEwen was married O>:t. 4, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Ward. She was born in Highgate, Fianklin Co., Vt., Oct. 25, 1833, and is the mother of six children by Mr. M., namely: Frances, Flora, Annie, Willard, Earnest and Harry.

After marriage, he continued to reside on his farm, and, having great faith in the future development of the country and the consequent enhanced price of the land, he added 80 acres to his 320 and is at present the owner of 400 acres, accumulated through his own endeavors. In 1869 Mr. McEwen rented his farm and moved into the village of Di Kalb. In 1871 he, in company with George Terwilliger, engaged in the coal and lumber business, and has been continuously occupied in that line ever since.