DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 23 of 28)

He was married Oct. 10, 1871, to Martha S., daughter of Frederick A. and Martha W. Slack. She was born Oct. 10, 1854, in Ottawa, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have one daughter, Mabel J., born Oct. 12, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are both members of the Congregational Church.

eorge Rompf is a farmer of Victor Township, resident on section 35, and he was born March 20, 1813. His parents, Jacob and Margaret (Stahl) Rompf, was born in Germany, where he was reared at home to the f age of 20 years. He was apprenticed to learn the boot and shoe trade, and was a craftsman about. 2 years in his native country. He was married March 29, 1843, to Henrietta

Thomas, previous to coming to America. He made his way hither in 1853, and proceeded immediately to Northville, La Salle Co., 111. There he bought 10 acres of land, and also worked at his trade. He sold his property there three years later, and became a farmer of De Kalb County, buying 80 acres of land in Victor Township, on which he has since lived and conducted his agricultural labors, with a success that may be inferred from the fact that in 1876 he bought 1 60 acres of land on section 34, for which he paid $8,000. In political views and actions he is a Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which also his wife belongs.

Mr. and Mrs. Rompf have had six children, four of whom are still living : Adolph W., Paulina, Edward and Ferdinand. All are married. Adolph W. married Rebecca Price, March 18, 1873, and they have four children : Eveline B., Ada M., George R. and Frank A. Paulina is the wife of Frederick Schroder, to whom she was married in 1868. Their children are named Amanda C. and Ervin E. Edward married Louisa Hein, Oct. 24, 1879, and they have two children, George W. and Lillie M. Ferdinand was married to Mary J. Smith, Feb. 22, 1882. They have one child, Conrad E.

M. Arnold, liveryman, at Sandwich, was born May 10, 1843, within tne (now) corporation of Sandwich. His father, Dr. Stephen Arnold, was born in Vermont and married Dorcas Loof borrow, of Delaware Co., Ohio, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until 1836, when he came to De Kalb County, and bought 320 acres of land. The northern part of the city of Sandwich is now located on the southern portion of the farm, which was divided among the children on the death of their father. Dr. Arnold died March 22, 1845, while on a professional trip to Big Rock, Kendall Co., 111. The wife of Dr. Arnold died at Sandwich, Feb. 26, 1884. They had nine children, three of whom are living : Wesley W., Hester A., wife of Harrison Robb, of State Center, Iowa, and Mr. Arnold of this sketch.

The latter remained on the place where he was born 25 years, and in 1868 opened a livery stable at Sandwich, which he conducted five years. In 1873 he purchased 112 acres lying a few miles west of Sandwich, where he interested himself in progressive agriculture eight years and converted the place into a fine and valuable farm. He disposed of his property there in September, 1883, and March 19, 1884, he bought the equipments and stand, where he has since conducted a popular and successful business.

He was united in marriage Sept. 9, 1864, to Hattie, daughter of William and Eleanor Ryan. She was born July n, 1842, in Little Rock Township, Kendall Co., 111. One child, John W., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, Feb. 12, 1867.

Following is the record of the deceased brothers and sisters of Mr. Arnold : John L. Arnold, M. D., was a graduate at the Medical College at St. Charles, 111. He went in 1849 to California and died at Marysville. Mary D. married George L. Ismon, of Sandwich, where she died, leaving a daughter - Louise, now the wife of Burr Kennedy, of Deering (Chicago). Elias C. was a farmer of Somonauk Township. Another child died in infancy.

ewis Von Ohlen was formerly a farmer on section 31, Victor Township. He was born in Germany, where his parents) Christian Henry and Johannah (Bruneman) Von Ohlen, were also born. They came to the New World in October, 1855, and on landing at New York proceeded to Illinois and located at Sandwich.

Mr. Von Ohlen lived there with his parents until he was 20 years of age, receiving a fair elementary education. He was occupied in various places for a short time, and in 1865 bought the farm where he lived until his death. He was a Republican and held several official positions in the township where v he was a citizen, the last in which he officiated being that of Road Commissioner. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Alwine (Schulz) Von Ohlen was born in Gerff many and came to America with her parents, who ^ are still living at Somonauk. She was married July '^ 22, 1845, to Lewis Von Ohlen, and they became the parents of five children - Herman E., Emil A., ^^ ^ rs. Elsie C. Van Olinda is a resident on section 15, Somonauk Township. She was born Jan. 3, 1823, in the township of Washington, Morris Co., N. J. Her parents, Jacob and Lenora (Welch) Frace, were natives of the place where they died, and in 1854 she came to Kane Co., 111., to live with her brother, Jacob M. Frace. She was married there Nov. 17, 1857, to John D. Van Olinda, and removed thence to the farm of her husband, where he has since resided, and which became his property in 1854. The place is finely located and valuable and includes 120 acres. Mr. Van Olinda died Dec. 2, 1874, and was buried on his farm. He was born near Waterford in Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 19, 1814.

Three children were born of their marriage : Lenora died in infancy ; Elsie resides at home ; Laura is' the wife of George Hanson, a farmer of Somonauk Township.

Burkhart, furniture dealer at Sandwich, 'f was born Oct. 18, 1820, in Bavaria, GerfY*"* many, and is the son of Adam and Bar- ' bara (Schale) Burkhart. After attending school through the period required by the laws of his native country, he served four years as an apprentice at cabinet-making, after which he worked as journeyman five years, traveling through the principal German cities. He was at one tifine a workman in the palace of the Emperor William at Berlin.

Mr. Burkhart was married in Bavaria in 1847, to Catherine, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Bradey, by whom he has had four children. After the event of his marriage he was in business for himself six months, and in 1852 came to America. He worked at his trade in Utica, N. Y., three years, and in 185 came to Sandwich. After working at his business a year in the interest of an employer, he opened an establishment for himself in the same line. In 1858 his works were destroyed by fire, the disaster causing a total loss, and leaving him with a debt of $700 on his hands, without insurance. His credit was good, and he again started his business, in which he has met with success, and is now associated with his son. In the fall of 1874 he erected his business building, 22 x 60 feet in dimensions, two stories in height above the basement, and built of brick. His stock is generally estimated at about $8,000. He is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 212, and the family belong to the Lutheran Church.

Two of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart were born in Germany. Phillipena (deceased) was married to Gustavus Short, a farmer in Nebraska. Jacob is in business with his father at Sandwich. He was married May 2, 1872, to Augusta Turk, of Sandwich, and they have three children - Jacob, Edward and William. Elizabeth married William Huerke, a harness-maker at Sandwich. Caroline is deceased id G. Carson is a farmer of Victor Township, residing on sections 4 and 9. David Carson, his father, was of Scotch descent, and married Jane Shannon, who was of Gern origin. The son was born in 1830, at Esperance, Sr.hoharie Co., N. Y., and at the age of eight years became a member of the family of Bartholomew Keene, in the village of Esperance. With him he remained six years and attended school five years. He next went to live with Sander Deffendorf, where he was an assistant on the farm six months and went to school. Subsequently he worked three years on the farm of Thomas Curry. He passed alternate summers and winters in farm lalx>r and in attendance at school until he was 2 1 years of age, after which he spent two years working farms on shares. At the expiration of this time he came into possession of his father's farm by will, and he rented the place two years. After giving it his personal attention one year, he sold the place and came to De Kalb Co., 111. He took possession of 80 acres of land on section 4, and there still maintains his residence.

fact that he is now the possessor of 500 acres of finely improved farming land. He is a Republican and has held various town offices. He has been Road Commissioner 15 years. He was once elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to qualify.

He was married Dec. 15, 1857, in Fulton Co., N. Y., to Mary, daughter of John Brewer, and they have had five children, four of whom are still living - John H., George L., Kit C. and George M.

enjamin Wilsey, jeweler at Sandwich, was born Jan. 14, 1831,111 the township of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y. His parents, Archibald M. and Phebe (Manchester) Wilsey, belonged to the farming class, and the former was born in the city of New York, Jan. 18, 1800. In 1844 they removed to Illinois, and the father died in Fox Township, Kendall County, Oct. 4 1882. The mother was born in Rhode Island, and died in December, 1845, in Newark, Kendall County. Five of their nine children are living : James W. is a farmer near Aurora, 111. ; Margaret married W. Hull, of Newark ; Benjamin is the next in order of birth; Mary married Merritt Winchell, of Vallejo, Cal. The youngest living child is Andrew J.

When he was 19 years of age Mr. Wilsey bade farewell to farm labor. During that winter he attended school, and in the spring of 1851 went to Ottawa, 111., and entered upon the business of learning his trade with J. H. Morrill. After an apprenticeship of four years, he engaged in business for himself in Ottawa, but continued only a short time, going thence to Newark, where he remained until December, 1862, the date of his coming to Sandwich. He exhibits a fine stock of watches, clocks, jewelry, silver and plated ware, Johnston's Optical Company's goods, and all goods common to a firstclass establishment, and suited to his patronage. He is also engaged in general repairing, and is doing a prosperous business.

Mr. Wilsey was married Feb. 25, 1858, in Fox Township, Kendall County, to Leonora, daughter of Lewis andSabrina Robinson. She was born Dec. 15, 1 840, near Spencer, Tioga Co., N. Y., and died

Sandwich, March 2, 1875. She was the mother of three children: Charles B., born Dec. 7, 1858, is the only one who survives. Leonora and Gracie, twins, were born Feb. 23, 1875. The latter died March 19. following her birth, and 17 days after the decease of her mother. Leonora died Sept. 10, 1875, a little less than six. months old. Mr. Wilsey was again married Feb. 21, 1884, in Princeton, Bureau Co., 111., to Anna L. Stannard. She was born at Dover, 111., and is the daughter of Norman and Almanda Stannard.

dward Lewis, a resident of Sandwich, was born June i, 1815, in Wales, and is the son of Lewis and Ann (Lumley) Lewis. He was three years of age when his parents came to America and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where his father bought a farm in the township of Trenton. He was reared to the age of 14 years on a farm and passed four years subsequent to that in obtaining a knowledge of the tanner's business. In 1833, when he was 18 years of age, he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was connected with a construction corps in building the Buffalo & Black Rock Railroad, the first line of railroad that was built running into that city. He was engaged a short time after the road was completed as a conductor, going next to Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., where he passed a year and a half as a general laborer. His next transfer was to Little Rock, Kendall Co., 111. He there bought 40 acres of land -pK and engaged in farming. To this he added by sub- ^ sequent purchase until he owned upwards of 300 acres, on which he resided until 1864, when he sold the place and removed to Sandwich. On the organization of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company of that place, he invested his means in its relations, and was for years connected with the corporation. He acted as a night watchman nearly 13 years. Since September, 1880, he has not been actively engaged in any variety of business.

Mr. Lewis was married at Little Rock, Dec. 28, 1839, to Maria A. Hadden. She was born May i, 1810, in Westchester Co., N. Y. Four of their five children are living: Noel B. was born Oct. 18, 840 ; Mary E., born Sept. 20, 1842, is the wife of J.

D. Kern, of Sandwich; Caroline was born Sept. 5, 1045, alld is the wife of Thomas E. Culver, of Sandwich. James C., born Sept. n, 1849, is an employee of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company ; Edwin, born May 2, 1852, died six days after birth. The wife and mother died at Sandwich, April 23, 1883. Mr. Lewis was a second time married Sept. 1 1, 1884, at Yorkville, Kendall Co., 111., to Mary E. Humiston. She was born Aug. 3, 1827, near Littlefield, Grayson Co., Ky., and is the daughter of Anthony and Susan (McClure) Litsey, who were married in Kentucky and came to Illinois in 1829, located in Tazewell County, and in 1830 came to Kendall County. The mother died in Kentucky when the daughter was two years old. The father was married again, moved to Iowa, and died in 1859. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

, illiam Fraser, farmer, section 14, Somo- B nauk Township, was born April 29, 1816, S> in the township of Hebron, Washington £4 Co., N. Y. Isaac Fraser, his father, was ^ born in North Adams, Mass., and died in He- J_,' bron, aged 84 years. The mother, Mary (Mun- /- ^ son) Fraser, was a native of Washington Co., and was about the same age as her husband at the time of her death. Seven of their ten children are living. David is a retired farmer of Salem, Washington Co. N. Y. Lyman is a retired farmer and resides at Sandwich. John is a retired merchant at Hebron. Lonson is an attorney at Salem, N. Y. Aurilla A. is the wife of Charles Wilson, a farmer of Salem, N. Y. Mary is the widow of Peter Larkin and resides at Salem.

Mr. Fraser is the fourth of the surviving children of his parents. He was brought up on his father's farm, where he was instructed in agricultural pursuits. In 1843 he came to Illinois and bought a farm of 80 acres near Piano, Kendall County. On this he resided until his removal to his present location, where in 1854 he bought at first 300 acres of * land. He is now the owner of 370 acres, situated on fc'j sections 13, 14 and 15, which is managed by his son- f\ in-law, Pernett Potter. Mr. Fraser has been a num- ^ ber of years in retirement from active life.

He was married in Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., to Mary Faxon. Following is the record of their children : Caroline married John J. Armstrong, a farmer of Somanauk Township. Ira M. is deceased. Horace W. is a farmer in Ford Co., 111. Charles H. resides in Sandwich, and is a teacher by profession. Mary married James Crinklaw. William is a farmer of Somonauk Township. Martha married William Potter, a farmer in Missouri. Edith is the wife of Pernett Potter, and resides on the homestead. Arthur is the youngest. Mrs. Fraser was born Oct. 31, 1819.

uke A. Warren, resident at Sycamore, was born in Andes, Delaware Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1819, son of Luke and Mary (Baird) Warren, natives of " York State." His father moved to Allegany County, that State, in 1832, and settled in Rockford Township. The land on which he settled was timber, and after building a log house he set about to clear and improve his land. In 1850 he disposed of his land and moved to Michigan, where he died shortly after.

Luke A., Jr., was reared on the farm in Allegany Co., N. Y., and alternated his labors thereon with attending the common schools. He was 'married in 1841, to Miss Ursula Foster, born in Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y. Soon after marriage, they located on a farm of 20 acres near Rushford, Allegany Co., which he increased by subsequent purchases. He resided on that farm until 1869, when he sold it and came to this State and settled on a farm in Whiteside County. In 1866 he moved to Monroe Township, Ogle County, where he purchased a farm on which he resided until r87i. In April of that year he removed to this county and two months later (June) he purchased a farm on sections seven and eight, De Kalb Township. In 1882 he sold the farm and removed to Sycamore, where he has since lived. In July, 1883, he purchased a farm located on section 3, Cortland Township, which he still owns and rents.

He has seven children, namely : William, in the Government employ at Grand Forks, Dak.; Mary, vife of J. E. Southworth, resident of Santa Clara, Cal.; Sarah, wife of William Wilber, resident of Clinton,

Iowa ; Alta, wife of William A. Campbell, resident of ^ Mason, Ingham Co., Mich.; M. F., jeweler at De Kalb; <|) John, resident of Galveston, Tex., and George O., *y jeweler at Sycamore. Mr. Warren's grandfather, I Thomas Warren, was one of the very first settlers in \^, Delaware Co., N. Y.; was a shoemaker by trade, a farmer by occupation, and died in Allegany Co., N. Y.

larles E. Bradt, member of the firm of Bradt & Shipman, glove manufacturers at De Kalb, was born near Gloversville, Fulton Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, r852 ; and when he was about two years of age his parents, Andrew and Amy A. (Sweet) Bradt (see sketch), removed with their family to this county, where he grew up to manhood, working on the farm and attending the city schools. Since setting out in life for himself he has employed himself in the manufacture and sale of gloves, in which business he is doing well. The firm of Bradt & Shipman prosecute an extensive jobbing business, their goods being sold by traveling salesman in the Northwest.

Andrew Bradt, farmer, De Kalb Township, was born in the town of Ephratah, Fulton Co., N. Y., May 15, 1824, and was the son of Anthony J. and Hannah (Peek) Bradt, both natives of the State of New York. He was reared on the farm and educated at the district school. At the age of 17 years he commenced teaching, in his native township. This profession, alternating with farming during the summer seasons, he followed, with one or two exceptions, in Fulton County, until 1856, when he came to Illinois. Here he purchased 140 acres of land on sections 23 and 24, De Kalb Township, and settled down to agricultural pursuits. During the winter seasons, however, he was engaged in selling gloves and mittens to dealers in the northern portion of this State, purchasing his stock from the manufactories at Gloversville and Johnstown, N. Y. In 1870, in company with his son, he started the glove factory in De Kalb, which is now conducted by his son and Mr. Shipman. He now devotes his time exclusively to his farming interests.

20, 1828. They have had nine children, - Jennie S., deceased, Luella, Charles E., deceased, Ada F., Hiram A., Abraham L., Samuel E., deceased, and Laura Luella, deceased.

Augustus C. Thompson, general farmer on section 1 1, South Grove Township, was born Feb. 2-, 1830, in Delaware Co., N. Y. Matthew Thompson, his father, was a native of the Empire State, where he pursued farming until 1842, the year of his removal to De Kalb County, where he was one of the earliest of the pio- ) neer settlers of South Grove Township, having been ., preceded by only four other permanent residents. /^ He was born in 1800 and died in 1868, on the homesi stead. Rebecca O. (Schryver) Thompson, the mother, OX was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1805, of E=I German parentage, and resided in her native State f? until her removal with her husband and children to "^ De Kalb County. She is living, at 79 years of age, with her son, is still in possession of her mental and physical faculties to a surprising degree, being able to fulfill a considerable proportion of the duties of the household.

Mr. Thompson was an inmate of his father's house until his marriage in February, 1852, in Ohio Grove, Kane Co., Ill , to Mary E. Hatch. She was born in *i Delaware Co., Ohio, and came to Illinois when very i 9 young. Her father located in this State previous to * 1840. She died at her home, Dec. 6, 1880, and left two surviving of four children that had been born to her. Her death was the result of sciatic rheumatism, and her sufferings from that terrible disease were severe and were borne with patience and calmness. Mr. Thompson was about 22 years of age when he ^ made his first purchase of land, which included 80 acres on section 16. On this he lived and labored in its improvement some years, when he sold out and bought 176 acres on section i i,of this township, and has since made it his home and expended his efforts and energies in its improvement, and has placed the entire acreage under cultivation. In the early days

Ilium W. Brown, deceased, was a pioneer of Sycamore Township in 1838, and entered his claim of about 200 acres of land on section 14 of Congressional township 41, range 5. On this he settled and began the usual pioneer improvements. When the land n the State of Illinois was put into market he secured a large acreage in addition, a considerable proportion of which he bought for the benefit of his sons. The nearest markets were Chicago, Milwaukee and Sheboygan, and Mr. Brown drove an ox team with his wheat crop to the former place. One fall he sent a load of dressed beef to Sheboygan. He improved quite a considerable portion of his land, and was a resident upon his homestead until his death.

He was born on the North or Hudson River in the State of New York in 1782, and grew to mature life on his father's homestead. He was in early manhood when his parents settled in the township of Rockland, in Sullivan County, where they were pioneers. He was there married to Sally Hall, the first white child born on Mutton Hill in Sullivan County. He became a land-holder there and cleared 104 acres of his farm. He sold the place in 1831 and removed to Cortland County, where he lived until 1835, in which year he bought a farm in La Grange, Lorain Co., Ohio. He sold it in 1838, and set out with his family and household goods in a wagon with an ox team as a means of locomotion. They were on the road four weeks, and during the trip passed but four nights under the shelter of a roof. The remainder of the time they camped.

Mr. Brown died in 1850. His wife survived him 32 years, dying in 1882. Following is the record of their 1 1 children : Mary is deceased ; Sally A. and Obadiah, the youngest son, live on the homestead; Lucinda is dead ; Isaac lives in O'Brien Co., Iowa ; John lives in Lac-qui-parle Co., Minn. ; Betsey J. and Mehitable are deceased ; Amy lives in Bour-

Obadiah Brown was born Nov. 27, 1834, in Ohio, came to Illinois with his parents, and was married in January, 1877, to Lavina Harms, a native of Graham ville, N. Y. He is a Republican in political faith.

rimon Suydam, farmer, section 23, Victitf Township, is a native-born citizen of Illinois, being born Aug. 8, 1839,* in Fulton Co , 111. Simon B. and Johannah (Cortelyou) Suydam were natives of New Jersey (see sketch.) In 1838 they left their native State to make a permanent home in Illinois.

Mr. Suydam was brought up under vthe care and authority of his parents, acquiring a common-school education and laboring on the farm. After attaining his majority he spent two months in farm labor and resumed his former position on his father's farm, where he remained until 1861. He had determined on renting a farm preparatory to entering upon an independent career, but his plans were mixed with desires to take a share of the risks in the soldier's fate, and he enlisted the same fall in which he made his arrangements for a farm, Sept. 18, 1861, in the 8th III. Cav., General Farnsworth. The organization remained but a short time in camp and departed for Washington, where it remained until the next April, when it was sent to Bull Run in skirmish service. Five days afterward it returned to Alexandria, and after a stay there of two weeks, went down the Potomac. The first engagement in which it participated took place at Williamsburg, followed by the fight at Mechanicsville under General McClellan. Mr. Suydam was in 22 battles and skirmishes, and after a continued service of three years was honorably discharged Sept. 28, 1864, at Chicago.

In 1865 he purchased 80 acres of land on section 27, in Victor Township, on which he operated successfully for 20 years. In 1885 he bought his present homestead. He is a business man of good ability, and is justly respected. He is a Republican in politic-al affiliation. He has held the office of School Director 12 years, and been Collector four years. Nov. 7, 1866, he was married to Sarah O. Brown, urton E. Pratt, merchant at Sandwich, was born July 6, 1855, in Deep River. Middlesex Co., Conn., and is the son of Henry H. and Mary J. (Comstock) Pratt. On the removal of the family to De Kalb County from Connecticut, they located three miles northeast of Sandwich, where his father bought a farm of 320 acres. They resided on it and improved it until it was converted into a fine and valuable farm, which was afterwards sold and the family removed to Sandwich, where the father is now living; the mother died in 1871. They had seven children, five of whom survive. Merritt C. is a hardware merchant at North Loup, Neb.; Wilbur and Ashley W. are druggists at West Paw Paw, III; the firm is known as Pratt Bros.; and Burton E. is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Pratt, Sr., was again married in Oswego, 111., to Sylvia C. Collins.

The subject of this sketch was educated in Sandwich, and when he was 17 years of age he entered the store of L. Kent, where he was engaged two years as a salesman. His next employment was obtained at Paw Paw, where he was a clerk in a store eight months. At the end of that time he came to Sandwich and engaged as a clerk with Pratt, Goodman & Gurley, with whom he operated several years. Mr. Goodman having withdrawn in 1868, the firm continued as Pratt & Gurley until 1882, when Mr. Gurley withdrew from the firm. Mr. Pratt, of this sketch, then purchased the interest of Mr. Gurley, since which date the firm style has been known as Pratt Brothers. Their business in Sandwich and vicinity is prosperous and popular, and their stock of general merchandise is valued at $20,000 on an average. Mr. Pratt is a member of the fraternity of Masons.

He was married June 22, 1882, to Anna J., daughter of William and Anna Turkington, and she was born in the city of New York, Nov. 22, 1862. He father is an extensive manufacturer of millinery goods on Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Gertrude, only «|^^) tenry G. Bell, farmer, section 9, Sycamore Township, was born Sept. 13, 1808, in Elizabethtovvn, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and is the son of Ralph R. arid Desire (Reynolds) Bell. His parents were both natives of Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., his father being in the service of the United States in the second war with Great Britain, during which he operated as a pilot on the lakes. He was captured by the British and taken to Montreal, where he was held about six months a prisoner of war. On being exchanged he re-entered the service and continued in the army until the termination of the contest.

In 1816 they went to Michigan, and the son, who was then but eight years of age, was left with friends in Genesee Co., N. Y., where he was brought up on the farm. When he was 16 'years of age he joined his parents in Michigan, and he remained at Redford, Wayne County, until 1837, when he set out westward to seek a location for a home. He started on horseback and proceeded to Michigan City, where he overtook his wife, who had started previously with her brother-in-law. His means of locomotion were there increased by the addition of a yoke of oxen, and they pushed on to Kane Co., 111., consuming about two weeks on the way. Mr. Bell bought a land claim for $170, near Chicken Grove, and built a log house with a puncheon floor. During the first year he broke 60 acres, and in December following he sold the claim and came to Chartres' Grove, De Kalb County, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1838 he bought a claim of land on Coon Creek, located on section 29, Hampshire Township, McHenry County. He built a log house, covered it with shakes and set about the work of improving the place, and as soon as the land came into market he received the claim. He then put the place in the hands of a renter and bought a claim on section 5, Sycamore Township, and engaged a man to break 20 acres. The claim was "jumped," but he succeeded in maintaining his rights. He built a log-house and dug a well 32 feet deep, finding what was known as "float wood " on the bottom. The man who attempted to jump his claim started at early morning for Chicago, and on Mr. Bell's hearing of his intention and action late in the afternoon, he at once started for the land v»i_ office, driving to Chicago in the night, where he succeeded in entering his claim. Soon afterwards he sold his title and returned to Kane County, where he settled on the land he owned there. In 1874 he again rented the place and came to Sycamore, section 9, where he bought the farm on which he has £ since resided and prosecuted his agricultural plans, j? The farm in Kane County which he still owns comprises 320 acres of land, chiefly improved, fenced and with good buildings.

Mr. Bell was married March r6, 1837, to Charlotte DeWitt, and they had ten children, - Martinette, Helen, Prudence, George H., Charlotte, John, Annie D., Frank, Charles and Candace. Annie died when a year old. The mother was born Feb. 28, 1815, at Niagara Falls (Canadian side), and died Nov 1879. Mr. Bell married Annie Kesler, a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

nton E. Rosette, editor and one of the publishers of the De Kalb Chronicle, was born Oct. 24, 1850, in Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., 111. He is the son of William E. and Elizabeth (Breese) Rosette, natives of

New Jersey, the former being of French descent, his parents removing to this county but a short time before his birth. They were among the early settlers of De Kalb County, locating in Paw Paw Township in 1841.

Clinton was born on a farm and received his education at the academy in East Paw Paw, at which institution he graduated, and in which he subse- _^ quently was a member of the faculty for two years. ( With a view of becoming a physician, he studied medicine for five years as the opportunity was offered, '- but becoming dissatisfied with it he abandoned the study before receiving a degree. In the fall of 1875 he moved to De Kalb and for one year and a few months was engaged as a teacher in the public

£ schools. In connection with his wife, he then opened a private school, which they continued four years with good success, having 125 pupils enrolled at the time of its suspension. The school was closed that ^j he might give his undivided attention to the publication of the De Kalb Chronicle, the publication of which was commenced in 1879 with Mr. Rosette as editor, which position he still occupies. A history of the paper may be found elsewhere in this volume ; suffice it to say, in this connection, that under his management it has been an unqualified success. On the 25 th day of December, 1874, Mr. Rosette was j united in marriage with Alpha C. La Clair, daughter of John and Ann La Clair, of Paw Paw. Mr. Rosette is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is a Democrat, the principles of that party being instilled in him in his youth ; and he never has forsaken the way of his fathers.

^ilas D. Wesson, farmer, section 17, Victor Township, was born Aug. 22, 1839, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His parents, James W. and Sybil (Hatch) Wesson, were natives of Vermont. Until he was 2 1 years of age Mr. Wesson was at home with his parents and accompanied them to Illinois in 1844, when they located on section 17, Victor Township. They remained there until their deaths. That of his father occurred Aug. 26, 1880; that of his mother, March 26, 1884.

Mr. Wesson enlisted Sept. 18, 1861, for three years in the 8th 111. Cav., and at the expiration of two years veteranized, receiving a discharge on condition of re-enlisting, which he did, and served three years and eleven months longer. He received a wound June 9, 1863. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac except that at Gettysburg. He obtained his release from military service Aug. i, 1866. In 1872 he went to Kansas, and there entered a claim of 160 acres of land on a soldier's warrant. He was a resident upon it eight years. In 1880 he returned to Illinois and effected a purchase of his father's farm by complying with the terms of the will. He is a Republican, and has been Supervisor two years. He was elected Justice of the Peace but refused to qualify.

Mr. Wesson was married Oct. r5, 1866, to Magdalen Suydam. She is the daughter of S. B. and Johannah Suydam. (See sketch.) Ten children have been born to them, - Sybil J., Elvie M., Mason D., Alpha G., Minerva M., Sarah M., Jaques W., Harry W., Floyd F. and Elon W.

.imon B. Suydam, a farmer of Victor Township, resident on section 22, was born Jan. 4, 1803, in Somerset Co., N. J., and is a son of John and Ann (French) Suydam, who were natives of Holland. Mr. Suydam passed the years of his minority in attending school and in labor on his father's farm. When he was 22 years of age he went to Millstone, N. J., and was there for a period of ten years engaged in farmin He went thence to Butler Co., Ohio, where he bought 80 acres of land. Three years later he sold the place and located in Fairview, Fulton Co., 111., where he became by purchase the proprietor of 1 60 acres of land. He managed his agricultural affairs there 13 years when he sold, preparatory to a removal to Victor Township. He bought a farm of 160 acres at first and later purchased a similar amount. His home and field of operation has since been on the same place. At the date at which he became a resident in Victor Township, he drew his crops to Chicago and brought back with him lumber and provisions.

He is a Democrat and has served several terms in official life in his township. He has been liberal in his support of local religious movements, and when the Methodist church was built he contributed an acre of ground for the site of the edifice. He has exerted a broad influence in the community to which he belongs, and in 1877 was the chief instrument in the organization of a chartered fire-insurance association in the township of Victor, having a capital of $60,000. It has been in operation eight years, and its capital stock now nets $140,000. It has been called on to pay but $35 in losses by fire since its organization.

Mr. Suydam was married Feb. 16, 1825, to Johannah Cortelyou. Six of ten children born to them are living: Anna M., Sarah, Matilda D., John H., Si- mon, Jaques C. and Magdalen. Cornelius R. died in the military service of the United States Jan. 20, 1862. John and Simon <fcre also soldiers for the Union. The former was wounded in his ankle and has always been lame. Their beloved mother died July 7, 1881.

4avid Alexander Syme, grain dealer at Sycamore, was born Sept. 15, 1841, in Ballymena, Antrim Co., Ireland, and is the son of James and Ann Young Syme. His parents were natives of Perthshire, Scotland, belonging to families long established in that place.

At 15 years of age Mr. Syme entered a wholesale mercantile house in the city of Belfast, where he remained till he was 20 years of age. He then joined some friends going to Australia and New Zealand, where he spent a few years engaged in mercantile and oilier pursuits. On March 28, 1868, he arrived in Sycamore, and formed a partnership with his brother, as dealers in grain and seeds and agricultural machinery. In 1876 he dissolved this partnership, confining his attention to the grain business, which he extended to Kirkland and other towns in the vicinity.

ristian Hager, farmer, section 29, Victor Township, was born Feb. 26, 1839, in La Salle Co., 111. His parents, Oley and Martha (Anderson) Hager, were born in Germany and emigrated thence to America in 1830. Previous to his igth year Mr. H. was subject to the authority of his parents, and was instructed by his father in the details of a farmer's vocation, which he has pursued all his life. He was married Feb. 28, 1875, to the widow of Herman Suydam, and is her third husband. She was married Nov. 28, 1857, to Enoch Talbot. The latter enlisted Oct. 20, i86r, and was shot and instantly killed July 12, 1863, in a forced battle at Jackson, Miss. At the same time three brothers and two brothers-in-law were in the military service of the United States, but all returned in safely. Herman Suydam, the second husband of Mrs. Hager, was born in Fairview, this State, and settled in 1848 on section 29, Victor Township, where he died, March 7, 1872. At the date of his making a permanent settlement he could ride miles without passing a house. The nearest place of supply for provisions and lumber was Aurora. Chicago was the nearest grain market. He was an enterprising citizen and public-spirited and interested in all projects for the general well-being. In political views he was a Republican and held various town offices. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Their only child, Hattie M. Suydam, was born Nov. 12, 1871. At the date of his death Mr. Suydam owned 320 acres of land.

athsheba A. Hummel, residing on section i, Somonauk Township, accompanied her husband, Peter F. Hummel, to Illinois in 58, since which date she has been a resident of De Kalb County. They located first at Freeland, where they kept a hotel some years. In 1849 Mr. Hummel went to California, and died in the year following on his way home. He was born in 1805, and his death occurred Oct. 20, 1850. He was a carriage-maker by vocation, and after he came to De Kalb County he entered the claim of land on a portion of which his widow has since resided. The original tract included 640 acres, all of which was sold excepting the 80 on which she has since resided and conducted her farming interests.

Mrs. Hummel was born in Woodstock, Windham Co., Conn., Aug. 23, 1811, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Estabrooks. Her parents went when she was a little -more than a month old to Orwell, Bradford Co., Pa. Her father had previously been a shoe dealer in Providence, R.

"" I. He lost his property during the second Colonial struggle with Great Britain. He beca.ne a farmer in V« Pennsylvania, where he continued to operate until f 1835, when he removed with his family to Squaw \j Grove Township, where he purchased land. He was the second Postmaster at Somonauk, and for a time was Justice of the Peace. He was one of the earliest pioneers of De Kalb County, and died in Squaw Grove in 1850. Mrs. Hummel was married March 25, 1830, in Orwell, Pa. Three of the chil- { dren born to them are living : John H. resides at j Hyde Park, 111.; Miriam is the wife of James H. Harmon, a farmer on section 32, Somo-iauk Township; Julius M. is a merchant at Sandwich, 111.

^alentine Ebinger, of the firm of Dieterich & Ebinger, manufacturers of drain-tile and brick, in Somonauk Township, one mile west of Sandwich, was born April 24, 1847, in Baden, Germany. He is the son of George and Margaret Ebinger, and is a half-brother of his partner, Lewis Dieterich. He came in 1856 with his parents to this country, and his father was engaged in brick-making in Ottawa, La Salle County, and afterward at a place one a half miles north of Sandwich. The son was employed a number of years in the yard. In 1871 he assumed charge of the shipping department of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, and was occupied in the duties of the position until August, 1882, when he resigned and formed his present business association. In that year they erected their buildings and entered upon the prosecution of their business, in which they have met with gratifying success. Their works demand a working force of 20 men all the year, and they manfacture tile from three to twelve inches in diameter. The brick which they supply to the trade is of a fine quality, and their business transactions amount annually to about $20,000. The firm are the owners of the Sandwich Fair Grounds and buildings, and besides their own occupancy they have four families as tenants.

on! Edward L. Mayo, deceased, a former resident of Sycamore, was born April 7 , 1807, in Moretown, Washington Co., Vt. He was the son of Leonard and Thyrza (Marcey) Mayo. His father died when he was a child of six years, and he was placed in charge of a farmer in Moretown Township named Ebenezer Johnson, and he was brought up on the farm, attending common school in the intervals of labor. He was studious by nature, and while his hands performed the required duties, his mind was eager to explore the realms of knowledge, and even in youth he was accustomed to take his book to the field with him to study while he worked. He taught winters after he reached a suitable age and degree of acquisition, and devoted his earnings to fitting himself for college by attending an academy at Montpelier.

He studied law with Hon. E. Prentice (afterward United States Senator) at Montpelier, and was there admitted to the Bar in 1835, and initiated his professional career at Morrisville, Vt. He came to De Kalb County in 1841, and opened his office at Sycamore. He entered at once upon a popular and successful practice. His genuine traits of character and method of conducting his business recommended him to the confidence and trust of the people of whom he was one, and in 1849 he was elected County Judge. On the expiration of his first term he was re-elected, and served two terms successively. Subsequently he was again elected for another four years. In 1854 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress, and if the question had rested solely on merit he would have been elected; but the district is one of the most strongly Republican in the State. He was at one time connected with the press of De Kalb County, and for some years edited the Sentinel, at Sycamore, Illinois.

)- wife, and they had ten children. Four are now living: Edward L., M. D., practicing his profession at De Kalb (see sketch) ; Lettice A., wife of Captain J. W. Burst, of Sycamore; Emily Matilda, and Kate A.

>dward L. Mayo, practicing physician, resident at De Kalb, was born in Sycamore, this county, June 16, 1843. He lived.with his parents and attended the public schools of Sycamore until 21 years of age. On attaining his majority he entered upon the study of medicine, first under the instruction of Dr. Bryant, and ££ later with Dr. Garvin.

= In 1864 he matriculated at Rush Medical College, ^ Chicago, and followed the curriculum of that institution for four years, when, in 1868, he graduated and received his diploma. He at once entered on the practice of his profession at Malta, this county, and continued in practice at that place for seven years, meeting with success.

In 1875 Dr. Mayo changed his residence to De Kalb, where he has since followed the practice of his profession, and where he is meeting with success in the increase of his business and the treatment of his cases.

Dr. Mayo was married to Miss Alice L. Ballou, Jan. i, 1872. She was born at Springville, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1853. She possessed in an eminent degree those qualities of mind and heart so requisite to make a woman what she was - a most kind and loving wife and mother, a true friend, having many friends and no enemies. They lived most happily until her death, Sept. 27, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Mayo were the parents of two children - Ross E. and Alice L. The former was born May 10, 1875, arid the latter Sept. 6, 1880.

Introductory

jlME is ever moving on. A half century has passed away since the first settlement was effected by the white men in what is now the county of De Kalb - a period of time in which more important events have transpired than in any five hundred years of the world's history. In the record of events De Kalb County has performed no inconsiderable part, as the pages of this history will testify. Within that time a wilderness has been transformed into a cultivated region of thrift and prosperity by the untiring zeal and energy of an enterprising people. The trails of hunters and the wily red men have given place to railroads and thoroughfares for vehicles of every description ; the cabins and garden patches of the pioneers have been succeeded by comfortable houses and broad fields of waving grain, with school-houses, churches, mills, postoffices, manufactories, and every convenience that could be asked for by civilized man. The record of this marvelous change is history, and the most important that can be written. For one half century the people of De Kalb County have been making a history that for thrilling interest, grand practical results, and lessons that may be perused -ith profit by citizens of other regions, will compare favorably with the history of any county in the great Northwest. Take, for instance, the record of the county in the great war of the rebellion. Where were braver men than those forming the quota of De Kalb ? There were few only of the battle-fields of the South but what were moistened by the life-blood of her sons. .In the matter of useful inventions, few counties can boast of labor- saving articles more universally adopted than those that came from the brains of the men of De Kalb. The names of Marsh, Glidden, Whitney, Ellwood, Adams and others will always be classed among the world's benefactors.

The question is often asked why men leave the comforts and pleasures of civilized lands and strike out into a new and almost unknown country bearing the toils and privations which are unavoidable. Not more from choice than from necessity, did the old pioneers bid farewell to the play-grounds of their childhood and the graves of their fathers. One generation after another had worn themselves out in the service of avaricious landlords, or to eke out a miserable existence upon barren or worn out land which they called their own. From the first flashes of the morning light until the last glimmer of the setting sun, they had toiled unceasingly on from father to son, carrying home each day upon their aching shoulders the precious proceeds of their daily labor. Money, pride and power were handed down in the line of succession from the rich father to his son, while unceasing work, continuous poverty and everlasting obscurity were the heritage of the working man and his children. For the sons and daughters of the poor man to remain there was to follow and never to lead - to be poor forever.

Without money, prestige or friends the old pioneer drifted along seeking the garden spot, the place where he might establish a home, where he might educate his sons and daughters, giving them privileges never enjoyed by himself. The broad prairies and the beautiful groves of De Kalb County in that early day were indeed inviting to those seeking a home in a more favored land, and here planted their stakes, many of whom the present generation have reason to rise up and call them blessed. To secure and adorn the homes desired by the pioneers, more than ordinary ambition was required, greater than ordinary endurance demanded. How well they have succeeded let the broad cultivated fields and fruit-bearing orchards, the flocks and the herds, the palatial residences, the places of business, the spacious halls, the clattering car-wheels and ponderous engines all testify. There was a time when pioneers waded through deep snows, across bridgeless rivers and through bottomless sloughs, more than a score of miles to mill or market, and when more time was required to reach and return from market, than is now required to cross the continent or the Atlantic Ocean. These were the times when their palaces were constructed of logs and covered with " shakes " riven from the forest trees. These were the times when children ' were stowed away in the night in the low, dark attics, amongst the horns of the elk and the deer, and where through the chinks in the" shakes "they could count the twinkling stars. These were the times when chairs and bedsteads were hewn from the forest trees, and tables and bureaus constructed from the boxes in which goods were brought. These were the days when all were required to work six days in the week and all the hours in a day from sunrise to sunset. Now all is changed. In viewing the blessings which now surround us, we should reverence those that made them possible, and ever fondly cherish in memory the sturdy old pioneer and his log cabin.

HE great dread of man from remote ages has been to be forgotten. The means employed to prevent this and to perpetuate his memory has been in proportion to the amount of intelligence he possessed. It has been conceded now by scientists that the principal object of the Egyptians in building their pyramids was to perpetuate the name and deeds of their great leaders and rulers. The walls in the extensive apartments beneath those huge stone monuments are covered with paintings illustrating the deeds, both in peace and war, of her illustrious princes, and in chronological order. These colors are as bright, apparently, as when they were first laid on, and the work shows great skill and artistic design. The exhumations made by the archeologist of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of these people to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. The walls of the palaces found buried here are decorated with historical emblems representing the lives and deeds of these people. In Memphis they displayed a higher art. They carved out in marble elegant and life-like statues of their distinguished princes, accompanied with hieroglyphics, illustrating their deeds. The erection of those great obelisks were for the same purpose. Coming down to a later period we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements, and carry them down the ages. It is evident that the' mound-builders, in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea, to leave something to show that they had lived. All these works, these representations, though many of them costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and character of those whose memory they were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely nothing of the masses of the people that then lived. The great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain, objects only for scientists or curiosity seekers ; the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crumbling into dust. The monuments, statues and other relics are being gradually conveyed to the different museums of the world, and soon there will nothing remain in these countries to illustrate the lives of the people who once dwelt in them.

Generation after generation come and go like the leaves of autumn. Nations have been born, have had their rise and fall, and then passed away, leaving scarcely a riffle on the great ocean of time to show that they ever existed, sj imperfect and mutable has been their means to perpetuate their achievements. It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating this history; immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent, and perpetual in its action; and this is through the art of printing. Nations may become disintegrated and pass away, monuments and statues may crumble into dust, but books will live, j This art has been rapidly advancing from its first in- ! ception until now it would seem that there were no i longer any further ground for improvement. This is pre-eminently an age of printing, an age of books.

To the present generation, however, are we indebted for the introduction of the admirable system of local history and local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history through the coming ages; so alike has every community.

We come now to the work before us : To our patrons, we say, that the scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the physical man is left ; the monument which his children or friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by this book through coming ages. Shakspeare has said :

Our aim in this work has been only to preserve the good. We sought to gather from the best sources of information obtainable, the conditions and incidents of the early pioneer life, and to present that, together with the present development of the county. Many of the pioneers came into this beautiful country without a dollar in their pockets, but with the unflinching determination to carve out their fortunes and build up a community. With undaunted hearts, and a courage equal to that of the great heroes of our history, they began life.

rIONEER life at the present time is not to be compared with that of fifty years ago. In this day the great railway corporations build railroads into and through such country as they may think in time will become profitable to the settlers and themselves, and the pioneers enter palace cars and are conveyed to their destination at the rate of thirty miles an hour, and from the beginning have a market for their produce at their very door. All this was different in the early days of De Kalb County. Then, when one desired to remove from the far East, it required long and extensive preparations, their conveyance generally being an ox team hitched to a heavy lumber wagon. The route lay through a wild and rough country ; swamps and marshes were crossed with great exertion and fatigue ; rivers were forded with difficulty and danger, nights were passed in the dense forests, with mothet earth for a couch and the trees and foliage for a shelter; long weary days and weeks of travel were endured, but finally their eyes were gladdened and their hearts beat faster when a vision of their future home burst upon them.

The first thing upon their arrival was to set about building a cabin. While this was being done the family slept in the wagons or upon the grass, while the horses or mules, tethered to prevent escape, grazed on the grass around them. Trees of a suitable and uniform size were selected, felled and prepared for their places. The day for the raising was announced and from far and near came other pioneers to assist in the labor. The structure went up, a log at a time, those engaged in the work stopping now and then to " wet their whistles," and soon it was ready for the clapboard roof, which was held on by huge weight-poles. A door and a window were cut where the good wife directed, a chimney built, and the building was ready for its occupants. The space between the logs was filled with split sticks of wood, called " chinks," and then daubed over, both inside and out, with mortar made of clay. The floor was sometimes nothing more than earth tramped hard and smooth, but was commonly made of " puncheons," or split logs, with the split side turned upwards. The roof was made by gradually drawing in the top to the ridge-pole and on cross-pieces laying the clapbsards, which, being several feet in length, instead of being nailed were held in place by weight-poles, reaching the entire length of the cabin.

For a fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs on one side of the roDm, usually about six 'feet in length, and three sides were built up of logs, making an offset in the wall. This was lined with stone, if convenient; if not, then earth was used. The flue, or upper part of the chimney, was built of small split sticks, two and a half or three feet in length, carried a little space above the roof, and plastered over with clay, and when finished was called a " col

' and clay " chimney. The door space was also made by cutting an aperture in one side of the room of the - required size, the door itself being made of clapboards secured by wooden pins to two cross-pieces. (§. The hinges were also of wood, while the fastenings consisted of a wooden latch catching on a hook of the same material. To open the door from the outside, a strip of buckskin was tied to the latch and drawn through a hole a few inches above the latch bar, so that on pulling the string the latch was lifted from / the catch or hook, and the door was opened without further trouble. To lock the door it was only necessary to pull the string through the hole on the inside. Here the family lived, and here the guest and wayfarer were made welcome. The living-room was of good size, but to a large extent it was also kitchen, bed-room, parlor and arsenal, with flitches of bacon and rings of dried pumpkins suspended from the rafters. These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler seeking lodgings '*- for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in =* the community, if willing to accept the rude offer- ^ ings, was always welcome, although how they were disposed of at night the reader may not easily imagine.

'HE character of the pioneers of De Kalb County falls properly within the range of the historian. They lived in a region of exuberance and fertility, where Nature had scattered her blessings with a liberal hand. I The forest supply, the fertile, prairie, and the many improvements constantly going forward, with the bright prospect for a glorious future in everything that renders life pleasant, combined to deeply impress their character, to give them a spirit of enterprise, an independence of feeling, and a joyousness of hope. They were a thorough admixture of many nations, characters, languages, conditions and opinions. There was scarcely a State in the Union that was not represented among the early settlers. All the various religious sects had their advocates. All now form one society.

HE clothing of the early pioneers was as plain and simple as their houses. Necessity compelled it to be in conformity to the strictest economy. The clothing taken to the new country was made to render a vast deal of service. In summer, nearly all persons, both male and female, went barefooted. Buckskin moccasins were worn considerably. Boys twelve and fifteen years of age never thought of wearing anything on their feet except during three or four months of the coldest weather in winter. Boots were unknown until a later generation.

N early days more mischief was done by wolves than by any other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief consisted in their almost constant barking at night, which always seemed menacing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitoes, the noise they made appeared about as dreadful as the real depredations they committed. The most effectual, as well as the most exciting method of ridding the country of these hateful pests, was that known as the circular wolf hunt, by which all the men and boys would turn out on an appointed day, in a kind of circle comprising many square miles of territory, with horses and dogs, and then close up toward the center field of operation, gathering, not only wolves, but also deer and many smaller " varmint." Five, ten or more wolves, by this means, would be killed in a single day. The men would be organized with as much system as a small army, every one being posted in the meaning of every signal and the application of every rule. Guns were scarcely ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their use would be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended upon for the final slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the final signal was given to let them loose, when away they would all go to the center of battle, and a more exciting scene would follow than can easily be described.

N pioneer times snakes were numerous, such as the rattlesnake, adder, milk-snakes, garter and water snakes, and others. If, on meeting one of these, you would retreat, they would chase you very fiercely ; but if you would turn and give them battle, they would immediately turn and crawl away with all possible speed, hide in the grass and weeds and wait for a " greener " customer. These harmless snakes served to put people on their guard against the more dangerous and venomous kind.

'ECREATIONof this sort was a peculiar one, and many sturdy backwoodsmen gloried in excelling in this art. He would carefully watch a bee as it filled itself with the product of some sweet flower or leaf bud, and notice particularly the direction taken by it as it struck a " bee-line" for its home, which, when found, would generally be high up in the hollow of some tree. The tree would be marked, and in the fall a party would go and cut down the tree and capture the honey as quick as they could before it wasted away through the broken walls in which it had been so carefully stowed by the busy little bee. Several gallons would often be taken from a single tree, and by a very little work, and pleasant at that, the early settlers could keep themselves in honey the year round. By the time the honey was a year old it would turn white and granulate, yet be as good and healthful as when fresh. This was called by some " candied " honey.

HE religious element in the life of the pioneer was such as to attract the attention of those living in more favored places. The pioneer was no hypocrite. If he believed in horse-racing, whisky-drinking, card-playing, or anything of like character, he practiced them openly and above board. If he was of a religious, turn of mind he was not ashamed to own it. He could truthfully sing

But the pioneer clung to the faith of his fathers, for a time at least. If he was a Presbyterian he was not ashamed of it, but rather prided himself on being one of the elect. If a Methodist, he was one to the fullest extent. He prayed long and loud if the spirit moved him, and cared nothing for the empty form of religion.

5N the pioneers of De Kalb County came here to seek a home they found the country inhabited by the once powerful tribe of Pottowatomie Indians, though the country had some years before been ceded to the whites. This tribe came originally from Canada, and as civilization advanced they were rerequired to take up their line of march toward the setting sun. While there has been much maudlin sentiment written of the " noble red men," yet one cannot help expressing pity as they witness how loth they were to leave the home of their fathers. Some writer thus speaks of them : " Like most Indians, they were in person rather above than below the average height of Europeans. The usual expression of their countenance, when in repose, was grave, even to sadness. They had high cheek-bones, faces uncommonly wide below the eyes, retiring foreheads, long, sleek, black hair, finer than a horse's mane, but much resembling it, but no beards, for a beard was considered disgraceful, and untold tortures were endured in plucking out the first faint symptoms of one that sometimes appeared. They were of rugged health, straight and well limbed, and with a stoical indifference to pain that was either a wonderful exhibition of fortitude, or more probably the result of physical insensibility. They were generally sullen, seldom impatient, or hurried into intemperate warmth, except in hatred of - ^^ *^Z £ their enemies ; generally feigning a proud indifference to their families, yet often giving evidence of strong attachment to them, and always indolent except in the chase or on the war path." To this general description a local writer added : " This was rather the natural character of the Indians than that which most of them bore at the period of the settlement of this county. The use of intoxicating liquors had at this time demoralized them and destroyed their nobility of character. They had become more puerile and purposeless, and their most conspicuous traits were their indolence and their disgusting personal habits."

The art of hunting not only supplied the Indian with food, but, like that of war, was a means of gratifying his love of distinction. The male children, as soon as they acquired sufficient age and strength, were furnished with a bow and arrow, and taught to shoot birds and other small game. Success in killing large animals required years of careful study and practice, and the art was as sedulously inculcated in the minds of the rising generation as are the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic in the common schools of civilized communities. The mazes of the forest and the dense tall grass of the prairies were the objects of the most searching scrutiny, and revealed at a glance the animal that made any visible traces, the direction it was pursuing, and the time that had elapsed since it had passed. In a forest country he selected the valleys, because they were most frequently the resort of game. The most easily taken, perhaps, of all the animals of the chase was the deer. It is en- dovved with a curiosity which prompts it to stop in its flight and look back at the approaching hunter, who always avails himself of this opportunity to let fly the fatal arrow.

Their general councils were composed of the chiefs and old men. When in council they usually sat in concentric circles around the speaker, and each individual, notwithstanding the fiery passions that burned -within, preserved an exterior as immovable as though cast in bronze. Before commencing business a person appeared with the sacred pipe, and another with fire to kindle it. After being lighted it was first presented to heaven, then to the earth, then to the presiding spirit, and lastly to the several councilors, each of whom took a whiff. These formalities were observed with as close exactness as state etiquette in civilized courts.

The dwellings of the Indians were of the simplest and rudest character. On some pleasant spot by the bank of a stream, or near an ever-running spring, they raised their groups of wigwams, constructed of the bark of trees, and easily taken down and removed to another spot. The dwelling-places of the chiefs were sometimes more spacious, and constructed with greater care, but of the same materials. Skins taken in the chase served then for repose.

Though principally dependent upon hunting and fishing, the uncertain supply from these sources led them to cultivate small patches of corn. Every family did everything necessary within itself, commerce", or an exchange of articles, being almost unknown to them. In case of dispute and dissension, each Indian relied upon himself for retaliation ; blood for blood was the rule, and the relatives of the slain man were bound to obtain bloody revenge for his death. This principle gave rise, as a matter of course, to innumerable and bitter feuds, and wars of extermination, when such were possible. War, indeed, rather than peace, was the Indian's glory and delight - war, not conducted as in civilization, but where individual skill, endurance, gallantry and cruelty were prime requisites. For such a purpose as revenge the Indian would make great sacrifices, and display a patience and perseverance truly heroic ; but when the excitement was over he sank back into a listless, unoccupied, well-nigh useless savage. During the intervals of his more exciting pursuits, the Indian employed his time in decorating his person with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the manufacture of his arms and canoes. These were constructed of bark, and so light that they could easily be carried on the shoulder from stream to stream. His amusements were the war dance, athletic games, the narration of his exploits and listening to the oratory of the chiefs ; but during long periods of such existence he remained in a state of torpor, gazing listlessly upon the trees of the forest and the clouds that sailed above them ; and this vacancy imprinted habitual gravity, and even melancholy, upon his general deportment.

The main labor and drudgery of Indian communities fell upon the women. The planting, tending and gathering of the crops, making mats and baskets, carrying burdens, - in fact, all things of the kind were performed by them, thus making their condition but little better than slaves. Marriage was merely a matter of bargain and sale, the husband giving presents to the father of the bride. In general they had but few children. They were subjected to many and severe attacks of sickness, and at times famine and pestilence swept away whole tribes.

The Indians had not only their '* manitous" but also their evil spirits ; and the wild features of the lake scenery appears to have impressed their savage minds with superstition. They believed that all the prominent points of this wide region were created and guarded by monsters ; and the images of these they sculptured on stone, painted upon the rocks, or carved upon the trees. Those who " obeyed " these supernatural beings they thought would after death range among flowery fields filled with the choicest game, while those who neglected their counsels would wander amid dreary solitudes, stung by gnats as large as pigeons.

The principal Indian settlements in this county were at Shabbona Grove, where for many years the noted chief, Shabbona, resided; at Squaw Grove, in what is now Squaw Grove Township ; at the point in De Kalb Township, where the village of Coltonville was subsequently located, but which has since been vacated; and in Kingston. The early settlers have many interesting incidents to relate of the habits of the Indians when the settlements were first made in this county. It was a custom of an Indian when passing and desiring a rest in the middle of the day to unceremoniously open a door of a cabin and throw in his blanket. If it were suffered to remain, he would walk in, lie down upon it and take a nap; if it was immediately thrown out, he would pick it up and go on his way. No Indian was ever known to knock at a door. While engaged in their household duties, the women would often be frightened on looking up to find one who had noiselessly entered, and who usually went in only for the purpose of obtaining something to eat. When their wants were supplied

In September, 1835, the last payment was made to the Indians at Shabbona Grove, and those who were then here, with the exception of Shabbona and his family, were removed across the Mississippi River to their new reservations. Shabbona remained for some years, and is well remembered by many who came in even at a later day. The reader is referred to page 533 for a lengthy sketch of Shabbona.

HE first permanent settlement in De Kalb County was doubtless made by William Sebree in the fall of r 834, at Squaw Grove. By some it is thought that Peter Lamois located north of the present city of Sycamore in the summer of the same year. The evidence, we think, is not sufficient to substantiate the claim, Lamois' settlement being made early in 1835. A house for some years occupied by Reuben Root in Somo- I nauk Township is thought by some to be the first one erected in the county, its erection being claimed for the summer of 1834. A Mr. Robinson is said to have occupied this house in the winter of 1834-5. No one seems to have any personal knowledge of the man ; and should it be true that he was there at the time stated, his settlement here could not be said to have been a permanent one.

Early in 1835 settlements were made at Paw Paw by David A. Towne, Benoni Harris, Edward Butterfield ; in Somonauk, by Reuben Root, William Poplin, Joseph and William Sly, Thomas and William Brook, (Capt. William Davis and others; in Sycamore, by

Peter Lamois, Lysander Darling and others ; in De Kalb, by John B. Collins, N. C. Moore and others. There were also settlements made in Kingston, Clinton and Mayfield Townships. For a full history of each of the settlements the reader's attention is directed to the various township histories, where the settlement of each is treated in detail. Suffice it to say, in this connection, that when it became known that the Indians were removed settlements were rapidly formed, and in 1837 a county was organized. The first settlers of De Kalb County, like those of every other section of the country, located in the groves, or in the timbers along the streams. The Government survey had not then been made, and each man made claim to a tract of timber, covering, as he supposed, about 80 acres, and generally about 1 60 acres of prairie land. In order to protect themselves in their claims when the land came into market, claim associations were formed in which the members pledged themselves to defend one another in their rights, and to deed to each other free of cost any part of the claim made which might be part of the purchase made from the Government. There were two associations formed in this county, one in the northern and the other in the southern part. That in the northern part was formed in 1836, while that in the southern was formed shortly after.

)UNDING De Kalb County, we find on the east Kendall and Kane Counties ; on the west Lee and Ogle, on the north Boone and McHenry, and on the south La Salle County. It is in the second tier of counties south from the Wisconsin line. The county comprises 18 Congressional townships, and is 18 miles across from east to west and 36 miles from north to south. The surface of the county is a rich, rolling prairie, with here and there a small natural grove, and watered by a few small streams, the largest of which is the Kishwaukee River. The county occupies the elevated ground between the Fox and the Rock Rivers, whicli are noted for their purity and beauty.

The central portion of the county contains but little timber, and only a few running streams. There is more timber and water in the northern and southern parts of the county. The largest stream in the county is the Kishwaukee River. This stream heads in the town of Shabbona, and flows through the towns of Milan, Afton, De Kalb, Mayfleld, Sycamore, Genoa, Kingston and Franklin; and empties into the Rock River, in Winnebago County. It has several branches, one of which heads in the town of Virgil, Kane County, and flows through Cortland and Sycamore Townships, and enters the main branch in the town of Mayfield. There are several small creeks that flow through the northern part of the county, which are valuable to the farms which they water. Along the banks of the Kishwaukee, in the northern half of the county, stretches one continuous forest composed principally of white, red and burr oak trees, and some maple, butternut, black walnut and hickory. This grove furnished at an early day the north half of the county with fuel and fencing timber. The rolling prairies occupy almost the entire surface of the central portion of the county. The early settlers of the county made their claims in close proximity to the timber and water, and could hardly believe that the distant prairies would ever serve any other purpose than that of a large range, for stock. They felt sure that no farmer could live there, so far away from the timber. They little thought that many of them would live to see it all settled and occupied by man. Some of the wealthiest farmers and the most productive farms of the county, are now found on the prairies. The central portion of the county has but little water. The southern portions of the county, like the northern, are better watered and timbered than those towns which occupy the center. The townships of Paw Paw and Shabbona are watered by the Big Indian Creek, while Shabbona Grove and Ross Grove furnish its timber. The Little Indian Creek waters the townships of Victor, Paw Paw and Clinton; while Somonauk and Squaw Grove Townships are watered by Somonauk Creek; and along this stream will be found timber enough to supply the wants of the surrounding country. Some limestone is found in Kingston, Franklin and Afton Townships.

EGULAR steps were taken shortly after the settlement of the county for its organization. Therefore, on the first Monday in May, 1837, in accordance I with an act of the Legislature, the election was held to determine whether the county of De Kalb should be set off from the county of Kane, of which it then formed a part. The result was a majority in favor of the division. By the same act calling this election the boundaries of the new county to be created were defined as follows : " All that tract of country beginning at the southeast corner of township 37 north, range 2 east of the third principal meridian, thence north to the northeast corner of township 42 north, range 2 east of the third principal meridian, and thence along the northern boundary of township 42, in ranges 3, 4 and 5 east of the third principal meridian, thence south on the southeast corner of township 37 north, range 5 east, thence west on said township line, to the place of beginning." By section 8 of the act determining the boundaries of the county, for the purpose of fixing the per- manent seat of justice of the county, Benjamin Thruston, of La Salle County, James Walker, of Cook County, and Germanicus Kent, of Winnebago County, were appointed Commissioners, and required to meet at the house of Frederick Love, on the first Monday in June, or as soon thereafter as may be, for the performance of their duty.

When the result of the election to determine whether De Kalb County should be set off from the county of Kane was officially announced, the County Clerk of Kane County issued a call for an election to be held at the house of Frederick Love, at which there should be chosen three County Commissioners, one Sheriff, Recorder and Coroner. The election was held July 3, 1837, resulting in the election of the following named : Rufus Colton, Robert Sterrett, Levi Lee, County Commissioners; Joseph C. Lander, Sheriff; Jesse C. Kellogg, Recorder; Eli Barnes, Surveyor; Lysander Darling, Treasurer. . De Kalb County was named in honor of the renowned Baron De Kalb, who, on the outbreak of the American Revolution, offered his services to the Colonies, was accepted, and after nearly four years' fighting, bravely fell in battle, thus giving his life, as he so aptly expressed it, for the rights of man. He was born in a German province, which, at the time of his birth, was in possession of France.

'HE commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate the county seat met at the Chouse ot Fred. Love sometime during the month of October, 1837. There were three competing points, and citizens representing each of the three met with the commissioners and proceeded with them to view each separate one. After three days spent in riding about and listening to the pleas of the interested persons, the commissioners decided upon the present site of Sycamore, and drove their stake where the court-house now stands. A local writer thus describes this scene: " In the presence of quite a crowd of interested observers, they set a long pole upon the green prairie, placed on it a streaming flag, and declared it to be the location of the county seat of the new county of De Kalb. Captain Eli Barnes now advanced and christened the new town by the name of Orange. No objection was raised to this, and for some time thereafter the point was known by that name. Some objection had been made to the exact spot selected by parties who thought the land a half mile south more favorable. This was admitted; but it was decided that this spot was as far out on the broad prairie as the center of the town ought to be placed, and here it was put. It did indeed seem to be, in the phrase of the country, clear out of sight of land, a lonely, windy, grassy, desolate spot. The inhabitants of the rival locations, disappointed at the result, ridiculed and denounced the selection, chiefly for this reason. It was argued, however, that the great State road from Vandalia, the capital of the State, north to Lake Superior, passed through this place, that the State road from Chicago to Galena would cross here, and that consequently it would be more accessible than the Coltonville and Brush Point settlements, which were further to the west. It was also held that there was a great deal more timber on the eastern side of the county than on the western side ; and as, of course, the settlements must always be near the timbered lands, the center of population would rather be at the east than at the west. The gfr&fa *®^ % location was made north of the center of the county, partly because it was thought that the southern end, divided from the north by a broad stretch of bare prairie, would ultimately be set off into some other county."

HE selection by the commissioners of the present site of Sycamore for the location of the county seat, did not end the matter. The question was not to be decided so easily. The hopes raised in the breast of the citizens of Brush Point and of Coltonville were not to be thus rudely quenched by the dictum of any three men.

During the session of the Legislature of 1837-8, Henry Madden, a citizen of Brush Point in the present township of Mayfield, and a member of the Legislature, procured the passage of an act providing that a vote should be taken for or against the removal of the county seat from Orange. The design was that the friends of Brush Point and Coltonville should combine to carry the measure through, then have the question submitted as to which of the two should be the county seat. Boies, in his History of De Kalb County, thus speaks of this attempt to procure the removal of the county seat: " Madden returned and made no public mention of the passage of this act, but it was strongly suspected by the Orange men that something of the kind had been done and was to be put through on the sly. It was finally discovered in this way : A certain bachelor of Genoa, Gleason by name, who was attached to the Orange party, invaded the Brush Point settlement one Sunday night in search of a wife. From his fair Dulcina, he learned to his surprise that on the next Monday week an election was to be held in that settlement to remove the county seat. Gleason informed his friends of what he had learned, and it was agreed that the Orange men should meet them at the polls and vote the removal project down. J. C. Kellogg and E. G. Jewell were dispatched south in the night to rouse their friends in Somonauk. In due time the polls were opened, and, to the surprise of the Brush Pointers, were opened in those precincts opposed to the change as well as in those favorable to it. The unfairness of the secret conspiracy was so apparent that in Somonauk precinct, which then included six townships, 45 of the 47 votes cast were against removal. The project was voted down by 17 majority in the whole county."

An election was subsequently held, at which but few votes were cast, but a majority in favor of the removal of the county seat to Coltonville. On the 3d of January, 1840, an act was passed by the Legislature to " permanently locate the seat of justice for the county of De Kalb." On the third Monday in

August following, an election was held in pursuance of the act. There were given at this election 240 votes in favor of the removal of the county seat from Coltonville, and 143 votes against the removal. At -the same time there were cast 207 votes in favor of Sycamore to be the permanent county seat and 137 votes in favor of Brush Point, showing a majority of 70 votes in favor of Sycamore.

HE first meeting of the County Commissioners' Court was held at the house of Rufus Colton, July 3, 1837. There were present Rufus Colton, Levi Lee and Robert Sterrett. fter administering the oath of office to each other they appointed Jesse C. Kellogg Clerk of the Court. Mr. Kellogg at once entered into bonds with Eli Barnes as security in the sum of $1,000 to faithfully perform the duties of the office. On the nth of July a special term of the Court was held at the house of Rufus Colton and the county was divided into five election precints, each precinct being made a justice's district. The first precinct was called Kingston, its boundary being as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of the county, from thence south 1 2 miles, on the county line, from thence northeast, crossing the Sycamore River, including Benjamin Stephens in the precinct, from

The second precinct was called Sycamore and was bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of Kingston precinct, from thence westerly to the line of Kingston precinct to the southwest corner of the same, thence south so far that an east line will cross Sycamore stream between James and Isaac McCollum's, thence easterly so as to include Charires' Grove to the east line of the county, thence north to the place of beginning.

The third election precinct was called Orange, with the following boundary line: Commencing at the northeast corner of Sycamore precinct, from thence westerly on the line of Sycamore precinct, to the southwest corner of the same; thence south so far that an east line will include Lost Grove; from thence east to the county line ; from thence north to the place of beginning.

Somonauk was the name given the fourth precinct, with boundary lines as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of Orange precinct, from thence westerly ten miles, from thence south to the south line of the county, from thence east to the southeast corner of the county, from thence north to the place of beginning.

bounded as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of Somonauk precinct, thence west to the west line of the county, from thence south to the southwest corner of the same, from thence east on the county line to the southwest corner of Somonauk precinct, from thence north to the place of beginning.

Sycamore precinct, at the school-house near Lysander Darling's, with William A. Miller, James A. Armstrong, and Samuel Cory, judges of election.

No election was appointed for the Paw Paw precinct, and there probably was none held, for on the nth day of August the Commissioners allowed the sum of one dollar each to the judges of election for each of the foregoing districts, without reference to Paw Paw.

At this term of court it was ordered that Levi Lee, Benjamin Harris and Richard Hogeboom obtain a writ of ad quod damnum for the purpose of damming the Sycamore River for the erection of mills.

At this session the clerk prepared three tickets, on the first of which was written, " one year," the second, " two years," and the third, "three years." The Commissioners then proceeded to draw, the ticket drawn representing the term of years each was to serve. Levi Lee drew one year, Rufus Colton two years, and Robert Sterrett three years.

In August, 1838, another election was held for three county commissioners, made necessary by a change in the law. E. G. Jewell, Burrage Hough and Henry Hicks were elected. They issued an order that the October term of the Circuit Court should be held at the house of Eli Barnes at the proposed county seat. The house not being erected at the time mentioned, court was held at Coltonville.

Three tavern licenses were granted this year - one to Russell Huntly, at which is now the town of De Kalb ; one to John Eastabrooks, at Squaw Grove, and one to H. N. Perkins, at Genoa.

In 1839 the county was divided into three assessment districts - the election precincts of Franklin, Kingston and Kishwaukee constiluting one, with H. F. Page as assessor. Sycamore, Orange and Ohio precincts were made the second district, with Austin Hayden, assessor. Somonauk and Paw Paw was the third, Stephen Arnold being appointed assessor.

In 1840 the principal duty was to devise ways and means to run the county without money. The license for grocery-keepers was raised to $25 per year.

For some years about all that was done by the County Commissioners was to lay out and locate new roads. In 1848 the increasing population demanded the division of the county into more election precincts. Squaw Grove precinct was formed out of what is now Squaw Grove Township and the south half of Pierce. Somonauk precinct was changed so as to include Somonauk Township and part of Victor. The name of Wooster precinct was changed to Genoa.

In March, 1849, commissioners were appointed to provide for the building of a new court-house. At the same time an order was passed authorizing the erection of a jail.

At the December term, 1849, William A. Miller, William J. Hunt and Robert Sterrett were appointed to divide the county into townships for a new organization under the township organization law. They divided the county into thirteen townships, to which were given the following names : Genoa, Kingston, Franklin, Vernon, Liberty, Sycamore, Richland, Orange, Shabbona, Clinton, Squaw Grove, Somonauk and Paw Paw.