DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 8 of 28)

Mr. Wright, Feb. 26, 1854, married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Diana (Wager) Wilbur, the latter of whom are deceased. Mrs. W. died in California, March 20, 187 r, leaving one child, Albert, who was bora June 18,1869, in the Golden State, in Sutler County, on the banks of the Sacramento River. Sept 3, 1873, Mr. W. married Harriet L., daughter of Silas and Clarissa (Converse) Whitmore, neither of whom is now living. She was born June 22, i842,in the State of New York.

Mr. Wright s father died in St. Charles, 111., about -Sept. i, 1837, and his mother in January, 1852, on the county poor farm, her second husband, James Cortwright taking possession of the farm in 1840: be died about 1857. Both of Mr. Wright's parents were of English descent.

The subject of this sketch is a .Republican in his political principles. While in California he was a Justice of the Peace. Both himself and wife are; members of the Methodist Church. Although Mr. W. has always been a farmer, in his younger days,' before he became settled, he studied some for the ministry, then began to learn the blacksmith's trade, and then the wagon-maker's, when he finally determined upon farming.

Isey P. Young, a former resident and prominent citizen of De Kalb, now de- ^ ceased, was born July 21, 1819, at Mans- j jj£ field, Ohio. He was the son of John and £ Elizabeth (Logan) Your.g, members of the agri- (- cultural class, and Mr. Young obtained a prac- % tical knowledge of that calling in early life. He (r found the duties and burdens of an agricultural life ^ distasteful, and essayed teaching; but feeling that eminence in that profession could be attained only through the medium of a liberal education, he determined on testing the gist of Bishop Berkeley's famous words, "Westward the course of empire takes its way," and seek advancement in the fields of promise situated in the direction of the setting sun.

He left his early home and associations, and arrived in Sycamore in 1839, where he soon after became associated in a mercantile enterprise with James 5. Waterman. He married Caroline Waterman, the sister of his partner, in 1846. The house which Mr. Young built about that date, at Sycamore, is still in existence, on the premises of Hon. Reuben Ellwood. His wife died in 1852, after becoming the mother of two children, a daughter and a son. The latter died in infancy; the former, when in the bloom of early womanhood, aged 20 years.

In 1847 Mr. Young officiated as Sheriff of De Kalb County. In 1854 he was a merchant at Albion, Ind., associated with Mr. H. Day, his brother-in-law. Early in 1856 he transferred his stock of goods and his business to De Kalb Center., and in the same year he married Alida L. Ellwood. Two daughters formed the issue of the second marriage, the elder of whom died at four years of age, the younger when nine months old.

In 1860, in partnership with Dr. Rufus Hopkins, he established a banking enterprise at De Kalb, in which he was interested to the time of his death. That event transpired at Hot Springs, Ark., March 14, 1874,

The life and character of Mr. Young were such as command general respect, and he left to the citizens of the county where he was a resident over 40 years the record of an honorable and upright career and a stainless name.

Nicholas Lanan, farmer on section 22, Mayfield Township, is a son of John and Margaret Lanan, who were natives of Belgium. In their family were Nicholas, John, Henry Joseph and Catherine. The first mentioned <|> was born in that country, Dec. 21, 1817, and came to ^ America in the fall of 1833; after a perilous voyage £ of three months and three days, he landed in New

York, and remained in that State four years and a half; he then came to Illinois, in a sailing vessel from Buffalo to Chicago. The lakes were very rough' during the entire v.oyage. He then came by wagon to De Kalb County, and purchased a quarter of section 22, Mayfield Township, where he still resides. He is therefore one of the first pioneers now living." At present he owns 190 acres, most of which is in a state of good cultivation. He raises cattle, horses and hogs.

He was married in Chicago, 111., Nov. 13, 1851, to Phifllpine Becker, who was born in Germany, in October, 1818, and came to America with her mother, Mary Ann (Hoffman) Becker, her father Nicholas Becker having died when she was a child. Her mother was a second time married, in Germany. After coming to America she settled in Chicago, where she died, Nov. 28, 1878.

Mr. and Mrs. Lanan are the parents of seven children: Mary was born June 29, 1852, and was married in April, 1872, to John Delles; Elizabeth was born Nov. 7, 1854, and married William Gregory in November, 1882; Margaret was born Feb. 18, 1856, and married John Witte, in May, 1877 ; Catherine was born July 15, 1857, and was married in May, 1876, to August Ullrich; John was born Jan. 24, 1858.

athan Lattin, senior member of the firm of N. & D. B. Lattin, dealers in coal, Batavia stone, etc., at Sycamore, was born May 2, 1834, in the township of Veteran, Chemung Co., N. Y. His father, Ransom Lattin, was born March 19, 1797, in Fairfield Co., Conn., and was married in 1828, to Almy C. Crawford. She was a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., and died in Veteran, at the age of 82 years. The senior Lattin died in the same township Feb. 14, 1883. They became the parents of eight children. Daniel B. is a farmer in Afton Township. Mary W. is the wife of M. L. Egbert, of Horseheads, N. Y. Parthenia died n infancy. Melissa E. married Peter A. Miller and died in 1859. Clarissa died in 1867. Canni held the homestead and was the custodian of the comfort of his parent's closing years. Sydney is a farmer of Shabbona Grove.

was reared at home on the far.m. His elder brother had come to De Kalb County about 1854, and he came to Sycamore in April, 1857. He engaged in the purchase and sale of stock and grain, in which he has passed the intervening years of his life to this date (1885). In the fall of i88a he admitted his brother, D. B. Lattin, to a partnership. The coal trade of the firm is about 3,000 tons annually, and their traffic in grain is proportionally heavy. Their warehouses are situated on De Kalb Avenue, opposite the depot, and are conveniently located on each side of the railroad track.

Mr. Lattin has been prominent and efficient in local positions of trust and responsibility in the municipal affairs of Sycamore. He officiated as Alderman several years, and held the office of Mayor of the city four years, - from 1877 to 1881. From 1874 to 1878 he was Supervisor of Sycamore Township.

The marriage of Mr. Lattin to Mary H., daughter of Stephen and Miriam T. Bemis, took place in De Kalb Township, Dec. 24, 1857. Of this union three children have been born: Judson, now a student in the mechanical and military departments of the Industrial University at Champaign; Clara L., a teacher in the graded school at Sycamore; and Fred, acting as assistant in the business of N. & D. B. Lattin.

'hilip King, a farmer on section 9, Mayfield Township, is- a son of William and Mary (Fy) King, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in an early day and settled Crawford Co., Ohio, where they died. They had ten children, - Lana, Abraham, Philip, Jacob, Margaret, Susan, Barbara, William, Mary and Henry.

Mr. King was born in Germany April 26. 1826, and was six years Old when his parents came with him to America. He served an apprenticeship of three years to learn the trade of shoemaking, which he followed till 1848, when he came to this county and pre-empted 80 acres in Mayfield Township, on the section where he still resides. At present he owns 208 acres, with about 190 in a fine state of cultivation. He has held the offices of Overseer of

. He was first married in Kingston Township, this county, Feb. 2, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Dawalt) Coonfair, who were natives of Pennsylvania. She had two children - - William and Mary E. - and died Sept. 15, 1856, in Mayfield Township; 2nd Mr. King was again married, Oct. 15, 1858, in Crawford Co., Ohio, to Miss Maria, daughter of Solomon and Rosa A. (Lutz) Scott, who also were natives of the Keystone State. The latter had 1 1 children, - Maria, Jane, Amelia, William, Laura, Ellen, Harriet, John, Ann, Christopher and Amanda. Mrs. King was bom in Crawford Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1841, and the children of Mr. and Mrs. K. are Rosa A., Henry D., Margaret J., Frank P., Orilla L., Laura D. and Amelia, - seven in number.

Dillon S. Brown, member of the banking house of Brown & Brown at Genoa, was born May 12, 1852, in the township of Genoa. Jeremiah L. Brown, his father, was a native of Scarborough! Maine, and was twice married. His first wife, Judith (Richardson) Brown, bore seven children, two of whom are deceased. The survivors are James P., Jeremiah W. (see sketch), Judith. Esther E. and Abigail J. The mother died in Genoa Township, and the father married Eliza A. Jackman. Four children were bom of the second marriage, - Emma R., Dillon S., 1 Charles A. (see sketch) and Lizzie M. The senior t

D. S. Brown attended school until the age of 25 years, residing on :he home farm during his vacations: graduated a: the Illinois Industrial University in the spring of 1875 and from the Montreal Veter- ^ inary College at Montreal, Canada, in 1877, from ' which time he practiced his profession at Sycamore ; until the spring of iSSo. when he became interested p in a mercantile enterprise at Genoa, associated with f/ H. H. Slater. The relation was terminated^ the '.-" end of a year by t'.ie withdrawal of Mr. Brown. In ^. May, 1882, he inaugurated his present business en- V terprise, forming a partnership with his brother, Charles A. Brown. The venture has proved satisfactory, and the firm have gained a substantial reputation in the management of financial matters.

Mr. Brown was married May 16, 1878, to Emily E. Pond. Their children were born as follows: Claude, Earl and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. Brown is the daughter of A. H. and Amy N. (Hollembeak) Pond, who were natives of Pennsylvania, where she also was born.

eorge Klernsmid, hardware merchant at Sandwich, was born June 26, 1831, in the Prussian province of Westphalia. .Bernhard Kleinsmid, his father, died when he was a child of three years, leaving the family to the care of the mother, Mary Kleinsmid, who brought her children to the American continent in 1848, when her son George was 17 years of age. They located in Cincinnati, where he learned the business of a shoemaker, and was occupied in the prosecution of the trade at that point until 1851, in which year he removed to Chicago. He was similarly employed in that city for some time, but, finding Kis health affected by confinement, he engaged as a salesman in a hardware store, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the details and specialties of that vocation. He came to Sandwich in 1856 and established a hardware enterprise, associated with George L. Ismon. Their relations were suddenly and disastrously terminated a little less than three years later by the simultaneous disappearance of Mr. Ismon and all available resources in the way of cash. Mr. Kleinsmid collected his courage and sufficient means to again establish his business, which he opened in 1859, and has since conducted with satisfactory results. His stock represents an average estimate of $12,000, and he transacts annually a large amount of business in all the branches connected - with his establishment. He employs several tinners and one general assistant. Two sons act as salesmen when occasion demands. The business block in which he operates was built by him in 1864, and is 24 x 105 feet in dimensions. It is constructed of brick and is three stories in height above the basement. Mf. Kleinsmid is a pioneer in his business, which is of nearly 30 years' standing, and was one of the earliest established in De Kalb County. He is the owner of a handsome brick residence, two stories in height, having a tin mansard roof and containing 20 rooms. The adjoining grounds contain nearly three acres of land, and the place is among the most attractive at Sandwich. Mr. Kleinsmid owns also two acres in the north part of the city devoted to nursery purposes, and a tenement house and lot.

He was united in marriage in Chicago, Oct. 18, 1855, to Louisa, daughter of Gotleib Simon, of Waldo, Wis. (Her father is still living and is a nonagenarian.) Of their union 13 children have been born. Louisa and Frank, the two oldest, are deceased. The survivors are George, Bertha, Raymond, Lucretia, Lilly, Walter, Austin, Rufus, James, Maud and Mabel.

imuel Stephens, retired farmer, residing at Genoa, is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Stephens, and was born Sept 6, 1809, in Pennsylvania, his father being a na-. live of the same State. His mother was born in Ireland. Mr. Stephens is one of a family of seven children, and when he was three years of age his parents removed to Ohio, where they resided about five years, going thence to Indiana. They came to DeKalb County in 1837 and located in the township of Kingston. He has been a resident in various parts of De Kalb County and has owned land in different localities, which he has disposed of with the exception of 80 acres, which he still holds. In 1882 rie retired from active farming life, his residence being in Genoa village, where he has lived since 1837.

alliance with Rebecca Patterson, a native of Pennsylvania. Of their union one son was born, Joseph B. Stephens, who is a resident of Sycamore and officiating in the capacity of State's Attorney of De Kalb County. The mother died at Genoa. Mr. Stephens was a second time married, in Genoa Township, Dec. 14, 1852, to Philena, daughter of Allen and Sophronia Crocker. The latter was born in the State of New York, the former in Massachusetts. They were among the pioneer settlers of Genoa Township, and died at the home of Mr. Stephens in the village of Genoa. Mrs. Stephens is second in order of birth of six children born to her parents, and her birth occurred April i, 1830, in Genesee Co., N. Y. She has been the mother of two children. Herbert, the oldest, died when he was nearly four years of age. The second child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are members of the Advent Church. He is a Prohibitionist in political principle. He has acted eight years as Justice of the Peace, and has been a member of the Village Board of Trustees of Genoa.

md W. Stark, farmer, section 3, Mayfield Township, is the son of William and Ruth (McClara) Stark, natives of Pennsylvania, who had five children, - Lewis G., Peter F., David W., John K., Calista and Amelia. The subject of this sketch was born in Wyoming Co., Pa., April 15, 1826, lived in his native county until s° i years of age arid then sought a home in the West. Coming to Illinois in 1847, he lived most of the time until 1852 in Sycamore, engaged in different occupations. In the spring of that year he went to California for the purpose of mining, and was thus engaged for six months. After that he worked out by the month, until May, 1857, when he returned to De Kalb County and settled on 40 acres of section 3, Mayfield Township, which he had bought when he first came to Illinois and where he now resides. He has added to his estate until he now has almost 300 acres. Mr. Stark has served as Deputy Sheriff two years (1849-50). In political matters he votes with the Republicans.

. He was married in Mayfield Township, Oct. 28, 1859, to Amanda Judd, daughter of Ariel and Elizabeth (Headly) Judd, the former of whom was a native of the State of New York and the latter of Indiana. They came to De Kalb County in 1837 and settled in Kmgston Township, where Mrs. J. died, in May, 1847; Mr. J. afterward came to Mayfield Township, and died Feb. 23, 1869. They had a family of ^ nine children, Mrs. S. being the only one who lived to grow up. Mr. and Mrs. S. are th; parents of five children, - William A., Lizzie J., Frank W., Clara C. and Perry J.

eorge E. and Irving W. Miller, general merchants and dealers in hardware .and agricultural machinery at Fielding, Franklin Township, started their business in February, 1884. The building where they manage their affairs is a brick structure, 50 X5o feet in dimensions, and they have a finely assorted stock suited to the local trade.

Their parents, Daniel and Catherine M. (Bouk) Miller, were natives of New York and farmers in Herkimer County. They removed thence to Frai.klin Township in 1846, and were among the early settlers. They purchased 280 acres of land, and later became the proprietors of additional tracts until, at the date of the father's decease, Oct. 4, 1874, the estate included 560 acres, to which there were five heirs, - William O., George E., Emma J., Irving W. and Frank. Frank died Oct. 21, 1874, soon after the death of his father. William O. moved to Kansas, where he and his wife both died after being in that State about a year; he died Dec. 23, 1879, and his wife about two weeks afterward. One daughter of the senior Miller, Emma J., resides on the homestead with her mother. George E. Miller was born in Franklin Township, Aug. 12, 1854. He was educated in the district school of his native township, and was married June 4, 1876, at Rockford, 111., to Mary A. McClellan. She was bom in De Kalb County, Jan. 26, 1852, and was educated in the common schools, later going to Rockford to complete a more extended course of study. Her mother died soon after her birth, and her father went not long afterward to California, where all traces of him were lost. She was brought up and educated by her aunt. She is the mother of two children, - Frank D. and Lee W.

brothers both lived at home until the opening of their present business enterprise. They retain their claims lo which they succeeded through inheritance, the elder brother holding 190 acres; the tract received by the younger includes 160 acres. In political belief and connections they are Republicans.

E-'rson W. Hice, engineer in charge of the stationary pump of the Chicago, Milwaukee ftjSSr & St Paul Railroad Company at Kirkland, Q£F was born Jan. n, 1837, in Lorain Co., Ohio.

(Elaine) Rice, who were natives of Ohio. They came from the Buckeye State to Boone Co., 111., in the spring of 1837, when the son was but a few months old, and located on a tract of Government land. In 1845 tncv returned to Lorain Co., Ohio. In 1848 the father died, and later the mother remarried and removed with her husband to Van Buren Co., Mich., where she is still living, at the age of 7 2 years.

Mr. Rice accompanied his parents in their several removals, and obtained his education in the township of Eaton. Lorain Co., Ohio. He was the fourth of seven children, and after the death of his father was dependent on his own exertions for self-maintenance. He engaged in farm labor in his native State, and was occupied in that avenue of labor until he entered the Army of the United States as a defender of the National integrity. He enrolled as a soldier April 16, 1861, at Cleveland, in the Eighth Ohio VoL Inf., in Co. H, under Captain Starr, enlisting under the first call for troops. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the service three months. On his discharge he immediately re-enlisted for three years' service in the I5oth Battalion, under Captain Spears, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. Mr. Rice was in action at Corinth, Coldwater and Vicksburg, at which last place he was under fire through the entire siege. The regiment went thence to Jackson, Miss., and there encountered Johnson's army, going next to Lookout Mountain, where they fought under Sherman. After repulsing the enemy they crossed the Tallahassee and pushed on to Atlanta, Ga., where the command was transferred to the corps of

General McPherson After the loss of the commander at Decatur, Ala., July 22, 1863, he served under Logan until after the siege of Atlanta, when he was transferred to the command of' Gen. Francis P. Blair, under' whom he fought at Jonesville. After this action he was made Orderly at headquarters, and continued in that rank until the close of the war, and under it was detailed frequently for special service. On one occasion he was sent with a special dispatch to General Thomas, directing him to make a certain movement. This was a duty that required speed and sagacity, and he executed its obligations in a manner that won for him much commendation. Mr. Rice was mustered out of the United States service at Washington, D. C., June 2, 1865, after the close of the war. He was in the army of the North during the entire period of the war, his service lasting four years, four months and ten days.

Mr. Rice came to Illinois, to the township of Franklin, while on a furlough.and was married Sept. 19, 1862, to Ruth Penwell. She was born Aug. 13, 1843, in Boone Co., 111., and is the daughter of Luke and Elizabeth (Middleton) Penwell. Mr. P. was born in Fayelte Co., Ind., in 1817, and Mrs. P. in Ohio, in 1818, and went to Indiana when she was very young. They moved to Boone Co., 111., in 1836, and to De Kalb County in 1883, where they now live.. - '

On receiving his discharge from the army he joined his wife in Franklin Township and engaged in farming, following that vocation until 1870. In that year he went to Belvidere, and there established a boot and shoe store. He disposed of his business relations in'i879, and came to Kirkland, where he purchased a house and lot, and has since resided. In 1882 he entered upon his present employment. He is a Republican in political connection, and is serving as a member of the Village Council, to which he was re-elected in 1884.

-ohn Cristman, deceased, formerly a farmer ft and blacksmith, on the southeast quarter I of section iS.Cortland Township, was born «s> in Jordan ville, N. Y., May 28, 1825. His Jt father, John J. Cristman, was born April 15, £^ 1799, a descendant of the Mohawk Dutch, and (£" died about 1874, in South Grove Township, this ^

Mr. Cristman, the subject of this sketch, learned the trade of blacksmith when a young man, and followed that occupation more or less during life, having a shop on his farm. He worked several years at his trade at Jordanville, N. Y. On coming to this county in 1 8,4, he worked about a year at the business at Sycamore; the meanwhile purchasing a farm of H. H. Mason, on which he lived and labored until his death, which occurred on October 9, 1863. He was injured by a threshing-machine, and died from the effects three days afterward. When he bought his farm it comprised 240 acres, and had some small improvements. These he supplanted with better, and subsequently sold about 53 acres to Mr. Bingham. At his death he left 180 acres as his real estate.' He was a Republican, and served for a time as Highway Commissioner.'

Mr. Cristman was married Sept. 10, 1852, to Almira Pooler, daughter of Henry Pooler. She was born March 22, 1829, and died Sept. 16, following her marriage. He was again married Oct. 4, 1857, to Miss Philany Pooler, at German Flats, Heikimer Co., N. Y. She was born July 9, 1835, at that place, and was a daughter of Henry Pooler, whose biography appears in this book. His portrait is also given 'in this ALBUM, on page 232. Mrs. Cristman is the mother of two children, namely: Lorena A., born May 22, 1859, and John M., Aug. 25, 1863.

As one of De Kalb County's representative selfmade men, we place the portrait of Mr. Cristman in this ALBUM. He was well known, highly respected, and a most worthy citizen. He left a large and esteemed family connection in this county.

illiam W. Wylde, farmer, section 18, Genoa Township, has been a resident of the State of Illinois since the age of two years, when his parents, William and Maria (Webb) Wylde, emigrated with their family m England to America and settled in Boone Co., HI. The father died in 1854, in Belvidere.

Mr. Wylde was born Feb. 28, 1840, in England. He went from home when he was 13 years of age, to become a .farm laborer, and he operated in that capacity until he was 21 years old, remaining la the employment of Daniel Ball, of Genoa. On coming of age he bought 94 acres of land in the township where he had labored eight years and where he has been a resident most of the time since 1853. Politically he is a Republican.

His marriage to Mary Leonard took place in October, 1862, in Belvidere, and they had three children, Jennie, Ida and another who died in early infancy. Ida died at the age of two years. The mother is a native of Illinois. Mr. Wylde was a second time married Oct. i, 1879, to Mrs. Martha J. Olinstead, daughter of Clark C. and Mary (Everson) Thompson and widow of Chester H. Olmstead. Her first husband died in 1876, leaving a daughter, - Mabel G. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born respectively in Vermont and New York. Mrs. Wylde was born in Coral, McHenry Co., Ill, Nov. 23, 1846. Her father was a Union soldier, enlisting in the 95th III. Vol. Inf., Co. E, in 1860, and died at Baton. Rouge, La., April 13, 1861, from over-exertion caused by a forced march through Tennessee.

obert Craig, merchant at Fielding, Franklin Township, was born Aug. 1 6, 1853, in the city of Philadelphia. His father, George Craig, came in 1855 to Flora Township, Boone Co., 111., and located on a farm, where the son was reared to manhood, attending school and working on the farm until he was 22 years of age For some months previous to that age he was at school at Cherry Valley, Winnebago Co., 111., and on leaving there entered the general mer- I candle establishment of Keith & Blake at that place. / He remained in that employment but a short time, entering the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as baggage agent at Dixon, III. After nine months he accepted a similar position at Fielding, in which he officiated but a short time, and engaged in a mercantile enterprise with his former employer, Mr. Keith. Later he attended school at Cherry Valley, going thence to Chicago, where he * spent two years as a street-car conductor. In 1879 he came to Fielding and, associated with Frank Romney, established a general mercantile establishment, beginning trade with' a stock of less than

$r,ooo value. From that small beginning the relations of the firm have steadily and uniformly increased and grown in popularity until they carry stock averaging $10,000 in value, and transact a yearly business aggregating $25,000. Mr. Craig is the possessor of a valuable and attractive home in Fielding.

He was married Sept. 30, 1879, at Cherry Valley, Winnebago Co., 111., to Libbie Reid, and they have two children, - Edna M., born Sept. 29, 1880, and Arthur, born Nov. 13, 1883. Mrs. Craig was born in July, 1856, in the State of New York. She came to Illinois in childhood, and at the age of 1 1 years became a member of the family of a merchant named John McKee, with whom she made her home until her marriage.

Toseph Sixbury, deceased, farmer, was a native of Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N. Y., born Nov. 17, 1810. Malinda (Ellwood) Sixbury, his widow, is a native of Minden, Montgomery Co., N. Y., born March 2, 1815. Joseph Sixbury and Malinda Ellwood were united in marriage in their native county Jan. 15, 1834, and in July, 1837, removed to Sycamore, De Kalb Co., 111., where they continued to reside. The fruits of their union were two children, - Chauncey E. and Mary Eliza. The former was born in Sycamore, May 30, 1838 ; the latter, May 28, 1845.

Chauncey E. Sixbury was married to Jennie Ainley, also of Sycamore, April n, 1866, and now resides in Boone Co., Iowa. Mary E. Sixbury was united in marriage to James H. Schuyler, a resident of Sycamore, May 9, 1866, and settled in Nunica, Mich. Two children were born to them, and are named Colfax Schuyler and James C. Schuyler. Colfax was born in Nunica, Mich., Feb. 23, 1868. James C. was born in the same town, March i, 1874. Mary E. Schuyler died in Nunica, Feb. 17, 1876. Her remains were brought to Sycamore and repose in Elmwood Cemetery. The two children thus early left motherless have since continued under the watchful and affectionate oversight and care of their grand-

It has already been remarked that Joseph Sixbury and his wife came to De Kalb County as early as July, 1837, the pioneer days of this section. Those who removed here from the midst of the older civilization of the East, were obliged to encounter more or less in the way of deprivation so far as the comforts of life were concerned, both socially and otherwise ; and Mr. and Mrs. Sixbury were called upon to bear their share of the privations and^trials of pioneer life. Outside of the discomforts tha" naturally and inevitably beset the white people, were the disagreeable, not to say dangerous, proclivities of the Indians, who at that period occupied in part this particular section. The surrounding groves were their rendezvous, from which they made frequent incursions into the settlements to beg for food and other favors. Although not particularly hostile, they sometimes were troublesome. In relating to the writer some of the ways of the aborigines, Mrs. Sixbury said sometimes they would appear at the cabin door of the settlers and cast their blankets inside. If the occupants of the cabin allowed the blankets to remain, the Indians considered it an invitation to come in and take their repose, but if the blankets were taken up and placed outside, the Indians accepted the act as a refusal to allow them to tarry, and, picking them up, passed along. Soon after the period indicated, the Indians were removed by the Government to Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Joseph Sixbury, besides taking an active part in helping to improve the Western wilderness, to which v he had removed previous to the Government land sale, was public-spirited as well, and was one of the few men who assisted in the location of the county seat of De Kalb County at Sycamore. His land patent covered a portion of the site of what is now the beautiful and thriving city of Sycamore. Himself and wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the upbuilding of which in those primitive days they both bore an important part. Each abounded in works of benevolence and chanty. Those were the days in which the grand and rugged eloquence of Father Cartwright and other able and eloquent pioneer Methodist preachers were heard in the cabins of the settlers and in the groves and forests. It almost seems strange, but those early comers often speak of the days of old, and associate with them some of the pleasantest and most enjoyable episodes of their lives. Their necessary dependence one upon another made closer and stronger the bond of friendship and sympathy between them, and though few in numbers and deprived of much that happily surrounds them in these later days, they yet were happy and contented. All honor to the courageous and hardy pioneer of the West.

Mr. Sixbury was a Steward and Class-leader in his Church up to the time of his death. He also occupied positions of responsibility and trust in the civil affairs of the town and county, having been chosen assessor of his town many years, and was also elected to the important office of County Treasurer two successive terms.

,,enry P. Grout, dealer in agricultural instruments at Kirkland, was born July 16, 1836, in Windsor Co., Vt. He is a descendant from a prominent family in that part of. the Green Mountain State, his grandfather Grout being an early settler there, and was one of the Government surveyors of New Hampshire and Vermont. His grandmother figures in the history of Vermont as an Indian captive, but her early release was secured. John Grout, father of Mr. Grout of this sketch, was born in Windsor County, where he maintained his home all his life. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and after the close of that conflict lived on a land, grant conferred in consequence of his services. He became prominent in general affairs and occupied high position in the public esteem. He died in 1857, aged about 60 years. His wife Polly, (McAllister) Grout, was born in Windsor County, and there lived all her life. She died in 1855, and was the mother of nine children. Her father was a. pioneer isettler of Windsor County.

Mr. Grout was the youngest child and attended district school until he was 17 years old, when he came West and located at Sycamore. Within a year both his parents died and he determined upon a permanent residence in Illinois. He accordingly engaged in labor to sustain himself among strangers, and continued to operate in De Kalb County until 1860, when he joined a party of gold hunters and went to

Pike's Peak, where he remained 18 months. He returned to this county without accumulated possessions, and determined on entering the Army of the United States, the Civil War being then in progress. He enlisted in September, 1861, in Co. C, S2dlll. Vol. Inf., and went to the front under Capt. J. S. Brown, of Sycamore. The regiment was attached to the Western Army, and he continued to experience the varieties of military conflict until the battle of Shiloh, Tenn., where he received a gunshot wound, the bullet entering the stomach two inches above the periphery of the diaphragm. Twenty-one days afterward the leaden missile was dislodged and passed through the intestines. This is one of the most remarkable incidents in the surgical history of the war, and is the only one on record of its kind. Mr. Grout was discharged July 21, 1862, at Chicago, for disability. He returned to Sycamore and was married March 19, 1863, in Franklin Township, to Mrs. Mary A. Foster, daughter of William H. and Betsy (Gorham) Rowen. She was born Jan. 12, 1835, in Genesee Co., N. Y. When she was nine years of age her parents settled in the township where she was married to Thomas Foster, a native of Indiana, who died in the township of Kingston, in 1860. She became the mother of three children by her first marriage, - Wallace T., Betsy A. and Joseph W., - all of whom are married. Hattie is the name of the only child born of her second marriage.

- A year after his marriage, Mr. Grout purchased 80 acres of land in Kingston Township, whereon the family resided until 1880, the date of their removal to Kirkland. Mr. Grout is the owner of an addition to Kirkland, which contains ten acres. Since his residence there, he has been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. He is a zealous Republican, and is the present Township Treasurer.

oses Dean, farmer and dealer in real estate, resident at Sycamore, has been identified with the history and development of De Kalb County since 1856. He = was born Jan. 27, 1815, in the town of Never- tf sink, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Divine) Dean. Moses Dean, his great-grandfather, is his earliest known ancestor, who emigrated from England when a young man, and settled near Hartford, Conn. He was a preacher and spent his life at Hartford, where he died at the age of 1 04 years. Solomon Dean, his son, grandfather of Mr. Dean of this sketch, was born at Hartford, and was a soldier of the Revolution. He was a member of an engineer corps known in those days as " Sappers and Miners," and was with the command of Washington at Newbufg, Valley Forge and Brandywine, and was a witness of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, in 1781. He settled at Newburg after the termination of the Colonial struggle, and died there in 1786. His remains were buried in the cemetery near Washington's headquarters. His widow became the wife of a Revolutionary soldier, named Samuel Johnson, and in 1804 the family settled in Sullivan County.

Reuben Dean, son of Solomon Dean and father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Newburg, Orange Co., N. Y., and settled with his stepfather's family in Sullivan County.

He married Elizabeth Divine, who was born near Newburg. He was a soldier in the second struggle with Great Britain, and was stationed at Brooklyn Heights. He died in January, 1846. The grandparents of Mr. Dean on the mother's side, Eleazer and Lydia Divine, were early pioneers of Sullivan County, and remained residents there until their decease, that of the grandmother occurring when she was 98 years old.

Mr. De.an was reared on his father's farm and obtained a good and available education in the public schools. Previous to his marriage he passed the summer seasons in farming, and engaged in teaching winters. He was married June 16, 1840, to Rachel Evans. She was born Jan. 26, 1816, at Fallsburg, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and was the daughter of George and Mary (Eller) Evans. In 1841 Mr. Dean became proprietor of a farm and a hotel at Grahamville, in his native county, and managed them jointly two years, then selling his property, and buying a grist and saw mill and a farm at Hasbrouck, Sullivan County, N. Y. In 1845 he sold out again and engaged in mercantile business, combining therewith farming and trade in lumber at Hasbrouck. He continued his operations there until 1854, when he again sold out and bought an interest in a tanery at Liberty in Sullivan County, where he carried on that business connected with farming until 1856, the year of his removal to Sycamore, whither he came in May. He first embarked as a landholder at Charter Grove in Sycamore Township, where he located and engaged in farming and rearing stock until 1869. In the latter he took great pride and interest and made great exertions with the purpose of improving the stock in the county, engaging in raising thoroughbred cattle and sheep, the latter including Leicesters and Southdowns, and making a specialty of Devonshire cattle. During his agricul- » tural operations he owned and improved about 1,400 " acres of land in De Kalb County, and was instrumental in the construction of ten barns and six ' dwellings.

In 1867, associated with Daniel Pierce and R. L. Divine, he established a private banking house at Sycamore. Mr. Divine withdrew in 187 r, and the business was prosecuted by the remaining partners until March 1883. Since that date Mr. Dean has engaged in the improvement of land in De Kalb * County and in Iowa, owning 500 acres in the latter, .vj'. all under improvement, fenced, stocked and managed J by tenants.

The early political opinions of Mr. Dean were in * consonance with the Jeffersonian school, and he cast his first Presidential vote in 1836 for Martin Van " Buren. He is a conservative Democrat, and has ( been a counselor in the ranks of his party, but never an aggressive politician. During the war he aided materially in the vigorous prosecution of the struggle to preserve the Union. While engaged in his farming operations he was a member of the Agricultural Society of the county and officiated several years as 1 its President. He has been a member of the State \ ]\ Board of Agriculture, and while officiating in that j capacity deVoted much time and attention to the necessary preparations for the expositions at Quincy and elsewhere, where he was active in personal superintendence during the exhibitions. Since his residence at Sycamore he has been its Mayor, and a member of the Council. In 1871 he was in charge {£") of the erection of the county buildings, and of placin them in complete order for occupation. He has also ^ been a member of the Board of Education.

In December, 1874, he went with his wife and two youngest children to California, where he spent a year and visited most of the noted places of interest.

In 1876 Mr. Dean purchased about 20 acres, formerly a portion of the estate of Dr. Page, and included within the city limits. This tract he subdivided and platted, and it is now known as " Dean's Addition." His present residence is included in it, and comprises a square containing nearly two and a half acres of land. It is an attractive and valuable location.

Mr. Dean is liberal and tolerant in religious opinion. He attends the services of the Upiversalist Church, but contributes generously to the maintenance of other denominational bodies.

Mr. Dean and his wife became the parents of five children, four of whom are now living: Delia married Joshua Siglin ; Ann B. is the wife of A. R. Court ; Mary A. married B. F. Whipple; Arthur married Fannie Beckler, Feb. 3, 1879. To each child Mr. Dean gave a fine farm, on which he built handsome, spacious houses ; and they are settled near him. There are six grandchildren, the son and two daughters having each two sons. Ira Dean, the oldest son of Mr. Dean, was born in August, 1844. He enlisted Feb. i, 1864, in Co. L, i7th 111. Cav. He was stationed for a time at Fort Riley, Kansas, during the Indian disturbances. His last communication to his friends was dated in August, 1865, and he was heard from through his comrades about the date of the expiration of the period of his enlistment in November, 1865, since which his parents have no definite information concerning him, and it is supposed that he is dead. Mrs. Dean died April 26, 1883, after an illlness of nearly a year's duration of cancerous tumor of the stomach.

mrles Miner, hardware merchant at Kirkland, was born Feb. 8, 1854, in the township of Franklin, and is the son of Daniel and Eliza J. (Ives) Miner, for an extended account of whom see sketch of I. N. Miner. Previous to the age of 1 8 years he remained at home, attending the district school and working on the farm. In 1872 he began his career of independent manhood and became a farm laborer, spending two winters in school, securing a good business education. In 1880 he established his mercantile enterprise at Kirkland and obtained a stock of hardware sundries worth $2,500. His relations in his trade are increasing, and he is gradually placing his business on a par with similar establishments in De Kalb County.

He was married Oct. 20, 1877, to Mary E. Allison, and they are the parents of one child, Eva. Mrs. Miner is the daughter of James and Margaret (Wood) Allison. Her parents are resident on a farm in Franklin Township, where they were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of that portion of De Kalb County. She was reared at home until she was 14 years of age, and previous to that time was a pupil in the district school. She was then sent to the college at Belvidere.

,,on. Hiram Loucks, retired farmer and ex- Representative of the Seventeenth District of Illinois, was born April 26, 1823, in Sharon Township, Schoharie Co., N. Y., and is the son of Abram and Elizabeth (Ten Eyck) Loucks. He was reared on a farm and completed his education in the Oneida Academy. He was married in May, 1848, to Amanda Vosburg, a native of the State of New York. Of their union seven children were born. Abram is deceased. Imogene is the wife of William Ray, editor of the Shabbona (De Kalb County) Express. Nelson is a farmer in Champagne Co., 111. Ann is the wife of Henry A. Severy, a farmer and stockman of Somonauk Township. James is a farmer of Victor Township in De Kalb County. Henry is a hardware merchant in Erie, Whiteside Co., 111. Josephine is deceased. Their mother died Jan. 15, 1868, in Victor Township. Mr. Loucks was a second time married June 29, 1876, in Geneseo, Henry Co., 111., to Mrs. Anna M. (Shailer) Smith. She was born June 28, 1835, in Richfield, Ohio.

In the fall of 1857 the family settled in Victor Township, De Kalb County, where Mr. Loucks bought a farm comprising 200 acres of land. The proprietor continued the personal management of the property until the fall of 1879, when he placed the farm under the management of his son James, who is making a specialty of dairying thereon and has a fine herd of thoroughbred and graded Holstein cattle. The place also maintains and fattens for market about 80 hogs yearly. Mr. Loucks and his sons own also 320 acres of land in O'Brien Co., Iowa, and 200 acres in Champagne Co., 111., and under excellent improvement. While a resident of Victor Township he was prominent in local affairs, and officiated in all the local positions of trust and responsibility.

Mr. Loucks was nominated at the Republican Convention held in the fall of 1879, at Yorkville, Kendall County, to represent the Seventeenth District in the Legislature of Illinois. He received the election and soon after removed to the village of Somonauk, where he resided until the spring of 1884, the date of his removal to Sandwich. He was an able and efficient member of the State Assembly and served on the following Committees : Public Charities, Highways, County Organizations, and Fish and Game. Since the expiration of his term as Representative he has devoted his attention to the improvement of his lands in Iowa.

rofessor David M. Gibbs, resident at Genoa, was born May 8, 1839, in Otsego Co., N. Y. His father, Alanson Gibbs, was a native of Massachusetts and married Sophronia Main, a lady born in the State of New York. They remained in Otsego County until 1845, when they settled in Franklin Township in De Kalb County, and are still residing there. Their children are named, Eustacia V., Alanson D., Benjamin S., David M., Parker T., Mercy M. and Ammi.

Professor Gibbs is the third son of his parents and was a lad of six years when they transferred their family and interests to De Kalb County. In boyhood and youth he was a pupil in the common schools, and in 1867 entered the State Normal School at Normal, 111., and was a student at that institution more than two years. On completing his course of preparation, he entered upon the business which he has made the vocation of his life, having charge of the schools at Rosamond, Christian Co., 111., retaining the position seven years. In 1877 he came to Genoa, and assumed the management of the

Professor Gibbs is an avowed prohibitionist, though he is otherwise a Republican. In the fall of 1864 he was drafted into the Union Army and was assigned to the 3oth 111. Vol. Inf., serving until the termination of hostilities,. His command was in the March to the Sea, through Georgia and the Carolinas, and Professor Gibbs encountered all the varied experiences of that famous campaign. After obtaining his discharge at Springfield, 111., he returned to Boone Co., 111., and resumed his former occupation.

His marriage to Julia A. Slatar occurred Jan. i, 1 86 r, at Belvidere, Boone County. She was born June 5, 1842, in Chenango County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Joseph and Sally (Silvius) Slatar, the former of whom was a native of Chenango County, and the latter of Northampton Co., Pa. The father died in Chenango County, when the daughter was a child of five years, and the mother afterwards married U. S. Hollenbeck, and settled in the township of Spring, in Boone County. She died Oct. 13, 1880, at Genoa, having resided with her daughter, Mrs. Gibbs, for three years. Mr. Hollenbeck died April 8, 1877. Mrs. Gibbs is the youngest (living) of six children, the other five being Lydia, Almon, Louisa and Oscar J.; one child died in infancy. Mrs. Gibbs was carefully educated in the common schools of Boone County, and became a student in the Normal School at the same time as her husband, with whom she has been associated 15 years as teacher.

Among the truly typical men of the county, one who is worthy to appear among the list of prominent and representative men, is Prof. Gibbs; and we take pleasure in presenting his portrait in this ALBUM as a companion to the portraits of the leading citizens represented in this manner. The portrait is engraved from a photograph taken in 1877.

^idney P. Harrington, resident at Kirkland, *y was formerly a farmer of prominence in the township of Franklin, of which he has been a citizen since 1840. In that year he purchased 40 acres of land on section 20, and ^^ immediately interested himself with vigorous energy in its improvement, with the ultimate purpose of constructing a home and establishing a permanent citizenship. He was one of the first settlers in the township, and steadily but surely advanced in prosperity, and. added to his possessions until he was the owner of 310 acres of valuable land, which he redeemed from its natural condition. He realized all the hardships and perplexities to which the settlers of that period were subjected, hauling his grain to Chicago, the nearest market, and selling it at three shillings a bushel, and encountering (and overcoming) other obstacles thrown in his way by existing circumstances.

Politically he was a Whig in the days of his early manhood, and since the inception and organization of the Republican party he has been a steady adherent to its principles and issues. He passed many years of his active life in local official positions, servirjg in minor offices, three terms as Justice of the Peace, and three terms each as Township Trustee and Treasurer. He also served 14 years as Postmaster. Mr. Harrington is living in retirement at Kirkland, in the enjoyment of the comfort earned by a life of effort and usefulness.

He was born July 20, 1809, in Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt. His father, Phineas Harrington, was a native of Connecticut, and went in early life to Vermont, where he married. His wife was born in Rhode Island. She was the mother of three children at the time of her death, and 10 children were born of his second marriage, while the family resided in Vermont. Four of his children still survive. Mrs. Phebe Green lives in Iowa, and is 7 1 years old. Whipple Harrington is a bachelor, aged 73 years,* and lives in Erie Co., N. Y. Mrs. Aurilla Wait is also a resident of that county, and is 79 years old. Five children, who are now deceased, died in infancy, besides one who attained to advanced age. The father died in February, 1844, in Erie Co., N. Y., whither he removed from Vermont in 1827, and was 84 years old. The mother died in 1848, at the residence of her son in Franklin Township, at the age of 71 years.

Mr. Harrington was ig years of age when he accompanied his parents to Erie Co., N. Y., where he was a resident 13 years, and came thence to the township of which he has since been a citizen. He was married in the State of New York, June 28, 1833, to Polly Hicks. She was born April 6, 1806, the mother of eight children. Hiram, the oldest, i died from disease contracted in the army while a soldier in the civil war. Henry H. and Mary I. died - £- in Franklin Township. Mercy L., Mary, Whipple A. (see sketch), Sidney P., Jr., and Samuel H. are the names of the survivors. The mother died Dec. 20, 1880, universally lamented in the community of which she had been so lo'ng a leading and honored member.

eorge W. L. Brown, farmer, section 26, Genoa Township, is a native of Cook Co., 111., where he was born April 19, 1848. His father, Schuyler Brown, was a native of New York, and married Mary A. Youngs, a native of Canada. The family settled in Cook County about 1830, where the parents resided until the fall of 1868, the date of their removal to Iowa, where the father is still living. The mother died in Iowa in March, 1869. They had nine children, all of whom survived infancy with one exception. William, Horace, Lewis and Peter are dead. They were named Charles, William S., George W. L., Horace, Lewis, Peter W. and Alexander.

Mr. Brown obtained a good common-school education, and at 16 years of age entered the Army of the United States, enrolling in the 391)1 111. Vol. Inf., and was in the service until July 29, 1865. In the siege of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, he sustained a gunshot wound in the left thigh, which kept him from active military life during the remainder of the war.

In 1866 he came to De Kalb County, and in 1876 became the owner by purchase of 1 2 1 acres of land in Genoa Township/which has all been placed under improvement. Mr. Brown has been continuously a resident of this township, with the exception of three years, when he was a resident of Iowa.

He was married in the township of Genoa, Oct. 14, 1869, to Margaret J. Vote, and they have been the parents of five children, - Charles E., Clara P., Maggie M., George W. L., Jr., and Charles F. The oldest born child died when four months old. Mrs. Brown was born Feb. 7, 1849, in Seneca Co., Ohio,

TJjf and is the daughter of John and Mary A. (Karn) Vote. The children born to her parents were 10 in number, Elizabeth, Mary A., John, Anna M., Susan, William, Jacob, Margaret J., Charles and Franklin. The parents were of German nationality.

Mr. Brown is a believer in and an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He is interested in school matters, and has officiated as School Director.

elson Delavergne, farmer, section 20, Franklin Township, is the son of William and Catherine (Overacker) Delavergne, and was born in Brownville Township, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1836. His parents were natives of Herkimer Co., N. Y., and were respectively of French and German parentage. They belonged to the agricultural class in their native State, and resumed that occupation after their removal to Illinois in 1868. They located in the township of Flora, in Boone County, where the father still resides, aged 88 years. The mother died on the homestead in 1869, when 63 years of age. Their family included four sons and four daughters, all yet surviving save two of the latter.

The subject of this sketch was a pupil in the common schools of his native county until he was 19 years of age, when he embarked in his struggle with the world, becoming a farm laborer. In 1855 he came to Franklin Township, where his skill and energy obtained for him plenty of employment, and where he operated in the same capacity until he entered the army of the United States. He enlisted Sept. 9, 1861, from Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., in Co. I, 37th 111. Vol. Inf., which was under the command of Ranson Kennicutt, of Chicago. After some service in Missouri the regiment was ordered to Arkansas, where it took part in the battle of Pea Ridge. It was next involved in the siege of Vicksburg, where it was in daily action for four weeks. In the summer of 1863, while the regiment was stationed at New Orleans, Mr. Delavergne had a long and severe attack of intermittent fever, after which he obtained a furlough of 60 days. On rejoining his regiment he was sent to New Orleans and went thence to Browns-' ville, Texas, where he was assigned to duty in heavy artillery, and while there his period of enlistment expired. He obtained honorable discharge at Chicago, Oct. 6, 1864. He returned to Franklin Township, where he resumed his former work as a farm assistant. He was married March 4, 1869, to Hannah E. Losee. She was born in the township of Wilton, Niagara Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Morgan and Hannah M. (Forbes) Losee. (See sketch of M. Losee.) Her mother died at her birth Dec. 22, 1837, and the daughter was brought up by her grandparents- until the second marriage of her father. She came to Franklin Township in 1842, with her parents. For three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Delavergne resided on section 28, of Franklin Township, but in 1872 they removed to the homestead of Mr. Losee, which they have since managed. Mr. D. is a Republican in political sentiment and has held the minor local offices of his township.

larles D. Patch, of the grocery and provision house of Rowe, Norris & Patch, at Sycamore, was born Dec. 25, 1855, in Northumberland Co., Pa. He is the son of Salathiel C. and Margaret A. (Watson) Patch. The former was born Aug. 17, 1812, in Newark, N. J. The latter is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born March 7, 1831. Both are still living at Sycamore.

Mr. Patch is the only child of his parents. He passed the years of his minority on the homestead farm. After he was 21 years old he taught school during two winters in his native State, and in the spring of 1877 came to Sycamore. He entered the store of which he is now one of the proprietors and acted two years in the capacity of clerk.

In September, 1879, he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he studied one term. Returning to Sycamore, he assumed editorial charge of the Daily Free Press during the Presidential campaign of 1880, continuing in that avenue of business until November. In April, 1881, he again entered employment in the provision house of which he is a member, as a salesman, and operated in that capacity until April, 1883, when he bought a third interest in the stock. It is valued at an average of $6,000. Mr. Patch was married June i, i88i,in McGregor,

Iowa, to Rosa B., daughter of Seymour and Laurinda Chilson. She was born east of Cortland, in De Kalb County, and died Dec. 23, 1881, six months after marriage.

Mr. Patch has been for some time the regular correspondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and has a decided taste and ability for newspaper work.

dward H. Wilcox, farmer, resident at Genoa, was born May n, 1860, in Dade Co., Mo. He is the son of E. S. and Sarah (Clark) Wilcox, and his parents were natives respectively of New York and Vermont. After j their marriage they settled in Geneva, 111., and subsequently removed to the State of Missouri. On the advent of the rebellion they were obliged to return North, and they settled at Elgin, Kane Co., 111., where the mother died in 1861. Mr. Wilcox, senior, afterwards located at Genoa, where he remained until 1 88 1, the date of his removal to his present residence at Springfield, Mo. They had three children, - Eva, Sarah and Edward H.

The death of the mother occurred when the latter was about a year old, and he was adopted by his aunt, Mrs, Cornelia A. Hill, who filled a mother's place until her death, when he was nine years of age, and he became again an inmate of his father's home. His earlier education was obtained at the common school, and at the age of 13 years he was sent to the academy at Sugar Grove, Kane Co., 111., where he was a student during the terms of one year. He passed the next two years in travel, and entered Lombard University at Galesburg. After nearly three years of study at that institution, he was obliged to suspend his intellectual labors because of failing health. Change of scene and employment were imperative, and he went to Colorado and passed two years on the plains herding cattle, receiving from the rude mode of life necessarily entailed the benefit he sought. Returning to Genoa, he was married Aug. 10, 1881, to Virginia M. Crocker. She was born March 24, 1860, in the township of Genoa, and is the daughter of Alvero A. and Susannah Crocker. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have one child, Ellery V., born Dec. 16, 1883.

Waco, Texas, where Mr. Wilcox became interested in a machine shop and foundry, in which he operated about 1 8 months. In 1883 he was compelled to suspend his relations in that direction on account of his health. He owned there a sheep ranch, with a herd numbering about 1,000 head, which he sold. He still retains his ownership in the machine shop. He owns 172 acres of well improved land in Genoa and Kingston Townships. In political opinions and action Mr. Wilcox is fully committed to the interests of the Republican party. He is still a very young man, but unusually well qualified to conduct his relations with the world in the most creditable manner, possessing fine powers of perception and observation, and a knowledge of the world at large, which he has obtained in his extensive travels, including nearly every State and Territory of the Union.

ames B. Kirk, dealer in stock and general farmer, resident on section 25, Franklin Township, was born Dec. 8, 1853, on section 22 of the township of which he has been a resident all his life. He is the son of William T. and Louisa (Riddle) Kirk, whose sketch is on other pages of this volume. Until he was 17 years of age he was engaged in alternate labor on the home farm and in acquiring an elementary education, and at that age he entered the college at Beloit, Wis., where he studied two years, and went thence to the academy at Evanston, where, in 1874, he completed a course of collegiate study. On his return to his native township he became an independent farmer on 240 acres of land, living one year with a tenant on the place. He was married Feb. 28, 1877, to Mary E. Chamberlain. She was born Dec. 19, 1854, and is the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Hart) Chamberlain. Her parents belonged to the farming class in the State of New York, and were of New England origin. They settled in Boone Co., 111., where the father died, in 1875. The mother is still living, at Belvidere. Mrs. Kirk obtained a good common-school education, and afterwards became a student in the schools of higher grade in Selvidere. Later she entered the college at Mt. Carroll, where she was graduated in 1875. She was

Mr. Kirk is a most decided Republican, and is a prominent farmer and trader in stock in his native township. He is rated as one of the substantial citizens of the county, and is prominent and popular.

Rector H. Coleman, a farmer on section i, May field Township, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., March n, 1837. His parents, John and Phebe (Ketcham) Coleman, were natives of the same county; the former_was born Nov. 8, 1791, and the latter Aug. 25, 1805. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Orange County, Nov. 9, 1859. Mrs. Coleman resides with her son Hector. There were 15 children in his father's family, 13 of whom grew up, namely: Sarah A., Abigail, Mary, Nathan, Horton, George, John, Martha, Harrison, Hiram, Charles, Hector H. and Eugene. Antoinette and Josephine died in infancy.

Mr. H. H. Coleman, of this sketch, lived in Orange County till 1875, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In October of that year he emigrated West and settled in Mayfield Township, where he is now a resident. He has held the offices of Overseer of Highways and School Director. In politics he is independent.

He was married in Mayfield Township, Nqv. 30, 1861, to Miss Mary R., daughter of Harrison and Mary (Hall) Mackey. (See sketch of H. Mackey.) She was born in Orange Co., N. Y., May 19, 1836 and is the mother of one child, H. Mackey, born Feb. 19, 1863.

ileb Olmstead, a retired farmer, residing at Genua, is a pioneer settler in De Kalb County, whither he came in 1846, and bought 80 acres of land on section 16, in the township of Genoa. He was born Oct. 3, 3, in Davenport, Delaware Co., N. Y., his parents, Anson and Charity (Wilbur) Olmstead, being also natives of the same State, in which they married and settled. John, Hiram, Caleb, William, ^Jf^tr- r*,

Mr. Olmstead was a resident of his native county until his removal to Genoa Township, where he has been the proprietor of various tracts of land variously located. He removed to the village of Genoa in February, 1877, and has since participated very little in the cares of active business life. Politically he is a Republican.

His marriage to Samantha Wager occurred Oct. 9, 1831, in Delaware Co., N. Y., and they have been the parents of n children, - Andrew H., Albert A., Sophronia, Chester, Lester S., Caroline, Mary H., Henry N., Emmeline, Ella and Emmer. Chester and Ella are deceased. Mrs. Olmstead was born May 2, 1 8 14, in Delaware Co., N. Y.,and is a daughter of Cornelius and Mehitable (Bates) Wager. The biographical notes of Andrew H., Albert A. and Henry N. Olmstead may be found elsewhere in this volume.

arry Martin, a pioneer of De Kalb County, resident at Sycamore, was born Aug. 17, 1807, in Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt. His parents, John and Rachel (Bliss) Martin, were born in Lebanon, N. H. They became pioneers in Chelsea in early life, removing there during the closing years of the i8th century. The father bought a farm which was still in its primeval condition and covered with timber. He made a clearing, erected a log house and underwent the privations and privileges of the life of a first settler in an uninhabited region, dying there in 1823. The homestead was under the personal management of Mr. Martin and his brother John during the three years subsequent to their father's demise. In 1826 the former went to Dansville, N. Y., and was there occupied about twelve months in a tannery. Returning to his native town, he found employment in the same line of business, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade. In 1833 ne formed a partnership with his former employer at Dansville, which proved a disastrous venture, as the latter was heavily involved in debt. Their joint operations continued until 1838, when Mr. Martin decided to abandon a manifestly hopeless struggle, and came West. His net capital amounted to $20, and he made his way by stage to the city of Albany, where he took the cars, - a memorable incident, as he had never before seen the modus operandi of railroad transit. From Schenectady he traveled to Buffalo by the Erie Canal, and came thence to Detroit by the lake. He arrived in the City of the Straits and set out for Ypsilanti on foot, and took passage from that place to St. Joseph, Mich. From there he made his way to Chicago on a steamboat. The remainder of his journey was made on foot, and he arrived in De Kalb County wholly without means. He went to Union Grove, where he found a friend in Captain Eli Barnes, through whose instrumentality he readily obtained employment.

In September, 1839, Mr. Martin's wife joined him and they took up their abode in the building now known as the City Hotel, which was their residence until February, 1840, when they moved into the house of Captain Barnes at Union Grove. In 1841 he moved to his brother's claim in that township, where he started the first tannery established in the county of De Kalb. The preliminary operations were, for obvious reasons, on a limited scale. He moved into the village of Sycamore in the following year, and continued the prosecution of his business a few years singly, when, in company with C. M. Brown, he embarked in a nursery enterprise, in which he was interested until the attempt by the South to destroy the National Government. Since 1861 he has been variously engaged. He is occupying his original house at Sycamore, a brick house that he built on a tract of five acres, which he bought in 1843, paying $20 for the claim and $1.25 per acre to the Government on receiving his deed. This is now included within the limits of Sycamore. He is one of the original members of the Congregational Church at Sycamore and has been a Deacon many years.

Mr. Martin was married Jan. u, 1836,10 Jane Ann Slack. She was born Oct. 4, i8io,in Plainfield, N. H. She died Sept. 12, 1879, and of five children of which she became the mother two still survive, - Amelia, wife of Capt. H. C. Whittemore, and Charles F., present Postmaster at Sycamore.

The latter was born at Sycamore, on his father's homestead, where he grew to man's estate and obtained a good education in the public schools. He was a clerk in the employment of the late John

Waterman, and afterwards operated in the same capacity in the interests of M. Relyea. In 1864 he was appointed Assistant Postmaster by Chauncey $ Ellwood, and remained in the position of Deputy until his appointment as chief. In 1878 he was re-appointed ^ Postmaster of Sycamore. The affairs of the office are conducted systematically and in a way that gives general satisfaction, and wins for the chief official universal commendation.

illiam H. Garland, farmer, section 14, Franklin Township, is engaged in general agriculture and dairying. He was born Feb. 8, 1840, in the township of Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y. His parents, Gilman and Emmeline (Lewis) Garland, were natives of Vermont and New York respectively, and descended from Welsh and English ancestry, of New England birth. The father was a farmer in the State of New York, and in 1855 came to Illinois, where he was similarly occupied for some years. In April, 1867, he removed to Seward Co., Neb., where the mother died, April 22, 1884, at the age of 68 years. The father is 78 years old.

Mr. Garland is the fourth child in order of birth of 14 born to his parents. He was a pupil in the common schools of his native county, whence he came with his parents to Illinois when 15 years of age; and he completed his education in the public schools of De Kalb County. Afterward he was occupied as a farm assistant in various places until he enlisted in the army of the United States to aid in the suppression of the Rebellion. He enrolled at Belvidere, Aug. 8, 1862, in Co. G, gsth 111. Vol. Inf. His company went to the field under the management of Capt. E. M. Bush, of Belvidere. The command was attached to the Army of the West. Mr. Garland was detailed by special order from General Blair, corps cammander, for services as Orderly on duty at headquarters, and he continued to act in that capacity until the termination of hostilities between the Government and the insurgents. He received an honorable discharge May 25, 1865, and at once returned home and resumed farming.

1846, in Flora Township, Boone Co., 111., and is the daughter of Luke and Elizabeth (Middleton) Penwell. (For a satisfactory and more extended account of her parents, see sketch of O. W. Rice.) Mrs. Garland vvas but five years of age when she came to De Kalb County, and has since resided in the townships of Kingston and Franklin. Of her marriage to Mr. Garland three children have been born. Alice died Jan. 30, 1 88 1, at the age of 15 years. Lizzie was born Oct. 9, 1868; Walter, Nov. 25, 1871; and Loa Lu Ella, born Feb. 8, 1885.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Garland fixed their residence on a farm in Kingston Township, and a year later came thence to the township of Franklin. Later they went to Flora Township in Boone County, where they were engaged in farming three years. Subsequently they returned to Franklin Township and bought 70 acres of land situated in a grove on section 14. The entire acreage is practically under cultivation, and is supplied with good farm buildings constructed by the proprietor.

'"ohn C. Waterman, deceased, was a business man of prominence at Sycamore for a period of nearly 40 years. He was born in Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1814, and is the son of John D. and Mary Waterman. (See sketch of J. S. Waterman.) He went to Geneva, N. Y., when he was 16 years old, to avail himself of a proffered opportunity to occupy a clerkship in the mercantile establishment of Abel Whitney. On the removal of the latter with his business interests to Northampton, Mass., Mr. Waterman accompanied him and remained in his service until he came to man's estate. In 1835 he came West, and, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, he obtained a situation in the jewlery store known as " Crittenden's." In 1839 he came thence to Newburg, Winnebago Co., 111., and embarked in a mercantile enterprise with his brother, Charles Waterman. This relation continued operative until November, 1845, when he came to Sycamore, and, associated with his brother James, established the sale of dry goods. The brothers Waterman conducted their commercial enterprise

John C. Waterman died at Sycamore Oct. 19, 1883. In the early days of his political bias he was an ardent Whig, and on the re-establishment of the principles on which that party was founded he became a zealous Republican. While in business at Newburg, he officiated as Postmaster a number of years, and after his removal to Sycamore filled the same position. He was popular among his fellow citizens and identified himself with the public spirit that prevailed in the most active business period of the place, aiding substantially in the formation and permanency of its general interests. In his domestic relations he sustained the character of true and innate manliness, and ever preserved the tenderest and most considerate attitude toward his household.

He was twice married. Caroline E. Hoyt, daughter of B. F. and Arna Hoyt, became his wife Sept. 20, 1841, at Newburg, 111. She was born in Stamford, Conn., and the five children of this union are all living. Kate D. is the wife of William Moulton, of California, a dealer in real estate. Sarah J. Moulton resides at Sycamore. Albert H. lives at the same place. Caroline W. became the wife of John Syme, of Sycamore. James D. is a commercial traveler in Chicago. Their mother died Feb. 9, 1 866, in Sycamore, and Mr. Waterman married Caroline M. Rogers, at Ballston Springs, N. Y. She was born March 20, 1834, in Auburn, N. Y. Her parents, Elam and Caroline Rogers, were natives of Worcester, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman became the parents of three children, all of whom were born at Sycamore, as follows : Mary W., Dec. 26, 1869; Emily A., Dec. n, 1870; John C., Jan. 7, 1874.

Mr. Waterman was a member of the Order of Masonry at Sycamore and belonged to Blue Lodge, No. 315. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. Two of the former and one of the latter are now living. Charlotte J. Waterman, residing with the widow of John C. Waterman, came to De Kalb County in October, 1840. Charles is a retired merchant and resides at Freeport, 111. Robert W., of the firm of Waterman & Porter, proprietors of silver mines in California, is a resident of San Bernardino, in the Golden State.

f' President Lincoln, when he was an attache of the staff of Gov. Oglesby. The sash and rosette which he ij^f wore on the occasion are still preserved by his family. The portrait of Mr. Waterman on another page will be appreciated by the generation to which he belonged, and by those of future years, as a pioneer in the development of De Kalb County, and as a substantial citizen of Sycamore.

ev. David N. Kinne, farmer, sec. 35, Somonauk Tp., also minister of the Baptist 'Church, in whose service he was ordained at Lisbon, Kendall Co., 111., is the son of ^Esop and Lydia (Beebe) Kinne. His father was born July 12, 1806, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he was a pioneer settler on a farm, a portion of which is now within the incorporated limits of the city of Syracuse. He died Nov. 5, 1871, in the city which had grown within his knowledge until it had absorbed a part of the land which he had reclaimed from a wild state. The mother of Rev. Mr. Kinne, was born in the State of New York March 13, 1809, and died in Syracuse, March 22, 1864. Six of their ten children are now living.

Mr. Kinne is the second in order of birth, born May 19, 1831, in Syracuse, N. Y. He was brought up on the homestead and received a good elementary education, which he rendered more complete by two years' study at Madison University, after which he taught school and also worked as a farm assistant. He entered upon a licentiate in the interests of the Baptist Church in r853, and in March, 1855, he came West, settling, with only $8.50 as his cash capital, near Morris, Grundy Co., 111., where he engaged in farming. After his ordination at Lisbon in 1858, he assumed the charge of the Baptist societies at Piano and Big Rock, where he officiated nearly three years. In 1861 he bought 160 acres of land in section 1 8, Somonauk Township, where he spent more than three years, and during a portion of the time was Pastor of the Somonauk Baptist Church. In 1867 he was called to take charge of the Baptist Society, at Kaneville, Kane Co., 111., and discharged the duties of that position nearly three years. In 1869 he came to Sandwich, where he bought a part of the farm he now owns, and, in connection with its management occasionally supplied the pulpits of the Baptist churches in Sandwich and Somonauk. His farm now includes 110 acres, with 90 acres under excellent cultivation and improvements. He owns 20 acres of timber land. He has a fine herd of Alderney cattle, which comprises nine thoroughbreds, and a number of excellent grades.

Mr. Kinne was first married March 15, 1855, near Syracuse, N. V., to Huldah Pierce, and after the birth of one child - Mary E., deceased in infancy - the mother died, in Grundy Co., 111., Sept. 8, 1857. Mr. Kinne was united in marriage July 22, 1858, to Sarah P. Kirkland, a daughter of Andrew Kirkland, a pioneer settler of Big Grove Township, Kendall Co., 111. Mrs. Kinne was 13 years old when she came with her parents to Illinois. The entire route from Rome, N. Y., was made with a two-horse team, and the journey consumed six weeks. They had four children, of whom there is but one survivor, Belle E. Two children died in infancy. One son, Arthur, died in his i5th year. The mother died on the farm where the family now reside, Sept. 17, 1881. Mr. Kinne formed a third matrimonial alliance, with Caroline Wokersine, Aug. 27, 1882, at Somonauk. Mrs. Kinne was born in Germany, and is the mother of two children, Earl Kinne, born June 17, 1883, on the farm; also an unnamed daughter, born March 7, 1885.

In addition to the pastoral duty performed by Mr. Kinne in the fields named, he operated in his ministerial capacity six months in Linn Co., Iowa, whither he went in September, 1855. In the spring of 1856, he went with an emigrant party to the western part of Iowa, and preached in Sac County until November, 1856, when he returned to Grundy Co., 111.

H. Hinds, of the firm of Hinds & Holmes, liverymen at De Kalb, was born in the town of Stanstead, Canada, June 18, 1826, and since 1856 he has lived here, except the three years he was in the hotel business at Watertown, N. Y. Before coming West he followed agricultural pursuits. He returned from New York to Clinton Township, this county, where he followed farming, excepting the eight years (1875-83) he was engaged in the livery business at Waterman, ^^^. -fj@gj^ this county. While there he was Collector. On coming to De Kalb in October, 1883, he formed his present partnership with Mr. Holmes. In politics he is a Republican. He has never been married.

His father, Jonas Hinds, was born Feb. 25, 1785, in the town of Barre, Worcester Co., Mass., of English and Irish descent, and died June 26, 1864, in Clinton Township, this county. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Trypheha, nee Holden, was born in Charlestown, N. H., Jan. 19, 1791, and died April 7, 1868, also in Clinton Township. They had six. children, of whom T. H. was the fourth. The latter was four years old when the family emigrated from Canada to the township of Derby, Orleans Co., N.Y., in 1830. In 1839 they removed to Jefferson Co., N. Y., and lived there until 1854, when they emigrated West, settling in Clinton Township, this county.

: saac N. Miner, of Kirkland, is Township Clerk, a Justice of the Peace, and by calling a harness-maker. He was born March 29, 1842, in Oswego Co., N. Y. His parents, Daniel and Eliza (Ives) Miner, were respectively of Yankee and German extraction. They were married in the State of New York, where they remained a few years and were occupied in farming. They came in 1844 to Lake County, 111., where they were residents until 1859, the date of their removal to De Kalb County, when they purchased a farm in Franklin Township.

Mr. Miner was two years of age when he came to the State where he has since lived. He was 19 years of age when civil war startled the nation, and he enlisted in Co. A, 39th 111. Inf., and went to the front under the captaincy of G. D. Sherman, of Elgin. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Miner was in the actions at Pea Ridge, where he fought "mit Sigel," at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Chaplain Hills, Stone River and all the principal battles of the campaign, including that at Mission Ridge. Starting with his command for Knoxville, Tenn.,the regiment veteranized Jan. i, 1864, and hastened on to take part in the siege of Atlanta, moving on to Jonesboro. After the division ^of the army and movement of Sherman toward the sea, the "Old Fourth Army Corps " returned to Fort Pulaski under General Thomas. The Division pushed on to Nashville in pursuit of General Hood, and thence to New Orleans, where Mr. Miner obtained his discharge, Nov. 25, 1865, the war being at an end. He suffered the fate of war in being wounded in the elbow and hand, in the fight at Stone River, and a few moments later he was in the hands of the Rebels, who sent him into the horrible captivity of Libby prison at Richmond, where he was in bondage six months, and was then sent to City Point for exchange.

After obtaining his discharge he returned to Richmond Township in McHenry County, where he engaged in farming, combining therewith a traffic in Texan ponies, in which he was interested about one year. He went thence to Fulton, Whiteside Co., 111.,, and, associated with his father-in-law, was engaged more than two years in the management of a hotel. He was subsequently interested several years in a billiard hall, and suffered heavy loss from fire.

In the spring of i88~i he came to Kirkland and embarked in the business of a harness-maker, and has since operated successfully in that line.

His marriage to Sarah Gilgore took place March 14, 1866, in the township of Richmond. She was born at London, Ont., in 1846. She was reared as a farmer's daughter, and in girlhood accompanied her parents to Illinois and was educated in McHenry County. One child - Arthur D. L. - was born of this union, and died when he was eight years of age.

Eddy, retired farmer, resident at De Kalb, was born Oct. 17, 1825, in a portion of Genesee Co., N. Y., which was formerly included within the municipality of the county of Wyoming. His father, Harry Eddy, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y.; his mother, Anna (Whitney) Eddy, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1837 the family removed to Kane Co., 111., and were among its early pioneer settlers. TRe mother died July 26, 1854. The demise of the father -occurred Jan. 26, 1883. Eight children were included within their family, named as follows : Maria, Henry, Hiram, Asenath, Phebe, Edmund P., Asahel and Henry (2d).

Mr. Eddy obtained such education as the undeveloped condition of the country permitted, and assisted his father on the farm until the period of his legal freedom arrived ; and he continued in the same avenue of operation until he was 26 years of age. In 1851 he joined the army of agriculturists in Illinois by the purchase of a farm in McHenry County, on which he settled. He there pursued the vocation to which he had been bred until 1866, when he sold his farm and purchased a small tract cf land in the township of De Kalb, fixing his residence in the village of the same name. He is identified with the Democratic element in politics. In 1875 he was elected Assessor of the township, and has since officiated in that position.

He was married March 9, 1852, in Kane Co., 111., to Mary H.. daughter of Joseph and Olive Lindsay. The latter died in Kane County ; the former died at the residence of his son in Sycamore. Mrs. Eddy was born June 20, 1826, in Canada. Olive A., only child, was born Aug. rz, 1853.

arles L. Misick, physician and surgeon, at Sandwich, was born Nov. 2, 1823, at East Troy, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Henry Misick, his father, was born Jan. 7, 1789, in Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y., and was a tanner and currier by profession in Howard Town- ( ship, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he died Sept. 10, j> 1851. The mother, Louisa (Rose) Misick, was born Jan. 14, 1796, at Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., and died at Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 8, 1864. Following is the record of their nine children: Nellie E., born July 27, i8r5,died Jan. 8, 1840. Emily M. was born Jan. 10, 1817, and died Oct. 20, 1834. William H., born Nov. 25, 1819, is a medical practitioner at Marengo, 111.; Abraham W., born -Nov. 3, 1821, is a dentist at Donovan, Ripley County, in Southern Missouri. Dr. Misick of this sketch is fifth in order. Sidney S. was born Jan. 14, 1826, and is engaged in farming in Steuben Co., N. Y. Rachel C., born March 16, 1829, married R. Collier, a mechanic at Hornellsville, N. Y. George W., born arch 24, i83T, died in Nora, 111., Nov. 19, 1878.

Dr. Misick attended the common school during the years of his early youth, and completed his preparatory studies at the Howard Academy. He obtained a good education, which he made available in teaching several terms of school, and interspersed that method of employment by working as a carpenter and joiner. Meanwhile he read for his profession, and in 1856 entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, attending the chief part of two terms of lectures at that institution, and going thence to the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1857. He had become a resident of McHenry County, in Illinois, in 1855, and after he obtained his credentials he opened the career of a medical practitioner at Marengo, pursuing his profession there and at Byron about 12 years. In the winter of r 868-9 ne attended the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, and took his degree from that body in 1869. He established his business at Rockford, 111., where he practiced nearly a year; and in the fall of 1870 he opened an office at Sandwich, and has since conducted a prosperous business. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the State Medical Society.

Dr. Misick's marriage to Susan Collier took place at Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1848. She was born Feb. 20, i83r, and is the daughter of John D. and Tabitha Collier. Of her marriage four children have been born. Louisa, born June 20, 1849', is the wife of Ernst Mix. Viola and lona, twins, were born Sept. 20, 1852. The former, now Mrs. W. H. Palmer, resides in Florida. The latter is Mrs. E. W. Trout, and resides at Grand Rapids, Mich. Addie Mae was born Jan. 15, 1865.

^olaski Hix, editor, and senior member of the firm of Hix & Van Galder, proprietors of the Sycamore City Weekly, was born April 25> |837> in Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y., and is the son of Ephraim and Laura W. (Williams) Hix. He is one of nine children, eight of whom, seven sons and one daughter, lived to maturity. The father was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born December 9, 1803, and was the son of Ephraim and Lucy Hix. Ephraim Hix, Sr., was born November 6, 1768, and died July 22, 1834. His wife, Lucy, was born February 9, 1772, and her death transpired Nov. 12, 1824. The mother was a native of Colchester, Conn., born Sept. 2, 1804. She was a daughter of Barnabas and Amy (Perkins) Williams. Barnabas Williams was born in Groton, Conn., Dec. 25, 1772. His wife was born in the same town and State, June 5, 1775.

The Hix (or Hicks) family came originally from England, and the generations of to-day are the descendants of three brothers, two of whom settled in the North, the other taking up his abode in the South. Ephraim Hix, Jr., married Laura W. Williams, May i, 1825, in Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y., removing from there to the adjoining town of Clarendon, and from thence to Alabama, Genesee County, that State. In September, 1848, they, with their seven sons, came to Kingston, De Kalb Co., 111., and there located 130 acres of land, which by later purchase was increased to 337 acres. Mr. Hix also located 80 acres of land in McHenry Co., 111. Upon becoming a citizen of Kingston he identified himself with the general interest and welfare of the community. His intelligence and integrity received due recognition, and for years he held the office of Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. He died in Kingston, Jan. 13, 1863, while the death of his widow occurred June 14, 1875, in the city of Sycamore, the place of her later residence.

The subject of this sketch was brought up on his father's farm and obtained a fair common-school education, afterwards attending school one year at Mount Morris Seminary and Wheaton College. He taught two terms of district school and passed several succeeding years in the occupation of a farmer. In 1871 he carried out a long cherished desire to establish a newspaper. His first venture was in September of that year, when he issued the first number of the De Kalb County Farmer, published at Sycamore, a small monthly agricultural journal, which in September, 1872, was succeeded by the Sycamore City Weekly. The latter was conducted on an independent basis, politically, until the Presidential election of 1876, when it supported the Republican National and State tickets, and has since continued a Republican paper. Never much of a partisan, Mr. Hix was originally a Democrat, and cast his first

Presidential ballot in 1860 for the 'Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, a strong Union man and before his death a strong war Democrat. It was his first and last ballot for a Democratic candidate for President. When a young man just attaining his majority an opportunity was offered him of seeing a portion of the South, as it was in the days of slavery. His observations during a somewhat protracted stay in Tennessee, the trip leading him into Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, as well as Tennessee, supplemented by the events of the War of the Rebellion, and by the attitude of the two chief political parties following the war, both in relation to measures of reconstruction and other matters of national import, caused him to identify himself with the Republican party, when, at the time indicated, he made his paper an exponent of party principles and party policy. The success and popularity which signalized the journalistic enterprise of Mr. Hix was the result of his own energy, ability and perseverance under the weight of obstacles which would have prevented like effort on the part of most men. He had the disadvantages of small capital, obscurity, and influence which at best was but nominal. He had, moreover, to encounter the active and determined opposition of a rival paper long established. The first number of the City Weekly was received with manifest favor, and it has attained to an enviable position in the ranks of country journals. In September, 1878, F. O. Van Galder acquired a half-interest in the paper, and has since continued to be associated with its management.