DeKalb County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 9 of 28)

On Nov. 17, 1864, Mr. Hix was united in marriage to Louisa Parker, of Kingston, where her parents removed in 1854 and still reside. She is a native of Hammond, Spencer Co., Ind., born May 9, 1843, and is the daughter of Henry N. and Mary A. (Stillwell) Parker. Her father is a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., while her mother is a native of Campbell Co., Ky. The father of the latter was a member of a slaveholding family of position and influence, but refused to own property in his fellow man, being opposed theoretically and practically to the institution. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hix are five in number, named May, Lewis P., Eva L., Floyd and Arthur W.

Naturally unpretending in his ways and unambitious politically, Mr. Hix has never put himself forward as a seeker after political preferment, but has been content to devote his whole time and energies to the upbuilding of the paper which he successfully founded. He was made the last Secretary of the De Kalb County Farmer's Association in 1873-4, and is now Secretary of the Farmers' Picnic Association. In 1875 he was chosen to fill a vacancy in the office of City Clerk of the city of Sycamore.

red S. Mosher, banker at Sandwich, was born July 18, 1841, in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., N. Y. His father, Silas B. Mosher, was a native of the same county and passed his whole life within its borders, following his business as a builder and dying at Ballston Springs. The mother, Caroline E. (Castle) Mosher, was born in the city of Albany and died at Ballston. Their six children are all living. Sarah is the wife of a capitalist at Alexandria, Minn. ; Elizabeth married William Garrett, foreman of the Axe Works at Ballston Springs ; Cynthia C. is the wife of Samuel Gould, Jr., a merchant at the same place; Caroline S. is Mrs. John W. Allison (the latter is a stockman near Denver, Col.); Mary J. is unmarried. Mr. Mosher is the only son and is third in birth of his parents' children. He was a pupil at the excellent schools of his native place, and completed his preparatory education at the well known Gilmore's Academy at Ballston, where he closed his studies in 1861, and he read law thenceforward until the advent of civil war with its terrors and disasters. Preceptor and pupil alike rose to the emergency and a recognition of the responsibilities inherited from- the founders of the nation. Associated with Hon. Geo. S. Batchelor, with whom he was studying for a profession, Mr. Mosher raised a company of volunteers, which was attached to the iisth N. Y. Vol. Inf., and of which he was made First Lieutenant on its organization. Among the first engagements in which he took part was that at Harper's Ferry, where 1 1 ,000 men were captured. Mr. Mosher was among the number, and was, with the rest, paroled. The command was soon in the field again and participated in the siege at Sumter, and in the actions at Olustee, Fla., the battle of the Mine, Cold Harbor, the siege and capture of Fort Fisher, at Fort Gilmore and throughout the Potomac campaign. Early in 1864 he was promoted to a Captaincy, and when he received his discharge and was mustered out of the army at Raleigh N. C., he was operating as Judge Advocate of the Second Division, loth Army Corps, under Gen. A. Ames, Division Commander, and Gen. A. H. Terry, Corps Commander.

On being relieved from army service, Mr. Mosher came to Sandwich and entered upon the duties of cashier of the Sandwich Bank, and also became interested financially in the lumber and coal trade at Sandwich in company with his uncle, Hon. M. B. Castle. He is now one of the banking firm and continues to act in the capacity of business manager. Mr. Mosher has served one term as Mayor of Sandwich, and has performed efficient service in school affairs, having officiated several terms as member of the Board of Education. He is one of the Grand Trustees of the I. O. M. A. of Illinois, and belongs to the Congregational Church at Sandwich.

He was united in marriage at Litchfield, Mich., Jan. 12, 1869, to Libbie V. N. Smith, and they have four children, - Caroline P., Edward Castle, Nellie Wing and Mary Louise. Mrs. Mosher is the daughter of William and Pamelia Smith, and was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich. She is a graduate of Hillsdale College.

'ohn N. Culver, Supervisor of Somonauk Township and dealer in general merchandise at Sandwich, was born Feb. 18, 1840, in Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., and is the son of Nathan and Eliza (Gilmore) Culver. He was reared on a farm until he reached his majority, attending school winters. He finished his educational course in the academy at Cambridge, the place of his nativity. He came to Sandwich in the fall of 1860 and entered the employment of his brothers James and George, who were then merchants and located at the stand where his own business is now situated.

Mr. Culver became a soldier in the military service of the United States during the War for the Union, enlisting at Sandwich in Co. H, Tenth 111. Vol. Inf., and went to the field under Captain Carr. His period of service terminated with the end of the war, lasting three years and three months ; and he was under fire at Shiloh, Corinth, Kenesaw Moun- tain, siege of Atlanta and in numberless engagements of minor importance during the several campaigns in which his regiment was involved. On obtaining his discharge he returned to Sandwich and passed four months in his former employment. In 1870 he embarked in the sale of general merchandise, in which he met with satisfactory results from the outset. In 1875 he became the owner of the stock and business relations of his brothers, since which date he has prosecuted a substantial and popular business. Mr. Culver is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is serving his second term as Supervisor of Somonauk Township, in which he has proved the wisdom of his selection for the position and his integrity and ability in official relations.

He was united in marriage Sept. 21, 1866, in Goshen, Ind., to Imogene Miller, and they have four children: Harvey M. and Maud M. (twins) were born March 22, 1868; George W. was born June i, 1870; Bessie L. was born March 16, 1872. Mrs. Culver is a native of New York, and is the daughter of George and Margaret Miller.

3ter H. Helmer, farmer, section 12, De Kalb Township, was born April 15, 1810, in Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y. He was a farmer in his native State until 1862, the year in which he removed to the township where he has since been a resident. He first made a purchase of 125 acres of land, to which he added 10 acres by a later purchase, and the entire tract is under a good quality of cultivation. His stock commonly includes 20 head of cattle and several head of horses, besides other varieties.

In political views and actions he is a Republican, and has held the office of Path Master. Mr. Helmer was married March 25, 1841, in his native county, in the township of Columbia, to Rosanna House, and they have had five children, - Celinda, Elizabeth, Frances, Clarissa A. and Florence L. Mrs. Helmer was born Sept. 3, 1822, and is the daughter of John and Fanny (Welch) House, and were natives of Connecticut. The parents of Mr. Helmer, Adam F. and Margaret (Harter) Helmer, were of German descent and passed their entire lives in the Empire State, where they were born. Mr. and Mrs. Helmer are members of the Congregational Church, of which 'j Church Mr. H. has been a Deacon for 20 years.

ra Douglass, farmer, section 12, Mayfield Township, is from New York State. His parents, Joseph and Hannah (Symonds) Douglass, natives of Vermont, settled in Genesee Co., N. Y., and afterward in Cayuga County, that State. The senior Douglass died in Canada, Dec. 6, 1839, and his widow came to Illinois and finally died in Winnebago County, July 23, 1839. They had ro children, - Mary, Joseph, Sarah, Joel, Abigail, Hannah, Patience, Warner, Lucy and Ira.

The youngest in the above family, the subject of this biographical outline, was born in Caledonia, Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1814, and made his home with his parents until the fall of 1835, when he came to Ottawa, 111., and in the fall of 1836 to this county, settling in the township of Mayfield, where he built a log house, near where his present fine residence is located. Here the venerable pioneer has lived ever since his first location on the place, excepting four years which he spent in Rockford, 111. He now owns about 450 acres in this county, keeping .about 50 head of cattle, 20 horses and fattening 50 to 100 hogs and 50 to 100 sheep annually. He has held the office of Overseer of Highways and School Director. In his political views he is a Republican, and in religion he belongs to the Methodist Church. He was first married in the township of Sycamore, in May, 1845, to Miss Cyrena, daughter of David and Robey (Campbell) Goodrich, who were natives of the State of New York. By that marriage there were four children, - Sarah, Ariadna C., Dilana L. and Carrie. Sarah died in infancy ; Ariadna is now the wife of Henry Townsend, and resides in Cortland Township; Dilana is now Mrs. Charles Nichols and resides in the township of Kingston, this county; and Carrie, the wife of O. S. Young, resides in Bureau Co., 111. Mrs. Douglass died in Rockford, 111., Oct. 30, 1856, and Mr. Douglass was again married, in Pecatonica, Winnebago Co., 111., Feb. 27, 1857, to Hannah J. Powell, daughter of David and Joanna (Parry) Powell, natives of Wales who emigrated

America in an early day, settling in Pennsylvania, where they passed the remainder of their life. They had a family of six children, - Llewellyn, David, William, Samuel, Mary A. and Hannah J. The last mentioned (Mrs. D.) was born in Clearfield Co., Pa., March 13, 1825, and has had by her present marriage, four children, namely: Cyrus A., who was born March 18, 1860; Ella V., Jan. 30, 1862; William H., Nov. 27, 1863; and Ira W., Jan. 16, 1866. Ella V. died at the age of two and a half years.

Among the portraits of pioneers of De Kalb County presented in this volume may be found that of Mr. Douglass. None are more worthy a place in this record of the county's representative men than he. He has not only witnessed the transformation of the wilderness into a fruitful and prosperous country, but took an active part in the arduous and self-sacrificing work necessary to achieve such great results. Posterity will long to see likenesses of the faces of these grand old pioneers, who did so much for it, and we are glad to be able to present so many of them as we do.

'rlando Carter, liveryman at De Kalb, was born Jan. 29, 1830, in Chenango Co., N. Y. When he was 1 1 years of age his parents, Jared and Lydia (Ames) Carter, removed to Ohio, where they continued to reside two years, at the end of that time making another transfer to Iowa. In 1848 they came thence to Illinois and settled in what is now the township of De Kalb, engaging in farming. The father died in July, 1855; the demise of the mother took place in November, 1872. Their children were, Evaline, Ellen, Orlando, Clark, David, Lydia, Jared and Joseph.

Mr. Carter accompanied his parents to De Kalb County, which has been his home and field of business operation for nearly 40 years. He has led a life of activity and is one of the solid men of the township, owning a fine farm of 320 acres, all under excellent improvements. Besides, he is proprietor of valuable property in the city where he is a resident. In 1881 he became the owner of the livery property and its relations, and has continued its management since.

leader in the local branch of the Odd Fellows at De Kalb, of which he was a charter member. He was first married July 4, 1852, to Elizabeth Campbell, a native of the State of New York. She was the daughter of William and Sally Campbell, formerly residents of Afton Township, De Kalb County. In 1879 they removed to Nebraska. Mrs. Carter died April 6, 1853, and her husband was again married in De Kalb, Dec. 25, 1855, to Huldah White. Their children were born as follows : William, Charles D., Jessie, Ernest, Eva, Mabel and Cleo.

Augustus Adams, Mechanical Superintendent of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, was born in Pine Valley, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1837, and is the third son of Hon. Augustus and Lydia A. (Phelps) Adams. An extended account of the career of his father may be found on other pages of this volume. He obtained such education as the schools of Elgin afforded at the time his father was engaged in business at that place, whither the family had removed in 1840, and he obtained a practical knowledge of the details of the machine shop under the direction of his father in the foundry at Elgin, becoming a competent iron-molder. On the establishment of the business of A. Adams & Sons at Sandwich in 1857, he accompanied the family hither and engaged in the manufacture of the corn-sheller of which his father is the inventor, taking charge of the foundry department, which he conducted about ten years. At the expiration of that time he assumed control of the entire mechanical department as Superintendent, and has since continued to discharge the duties of the position. The working force includes from 100 to 250 men, and the products comprise the Adams Corn-Sheller and the Reliance Harvester and Binder. Every variety and capacity of sheller is constructed, from 60 to 3,000 bushels per day (capacity), also power machines ; and they are in demand for hand, mill and warehouse work.

Mr. Adams is a Republican in political faith and relations, and has served several terms as an Alderman of the city. He is a member of the Mutual Aid Society, and, with his wife, is connected with the Congregational Church.

Augusta Carpenter; and they have four children, all of whom were born in Sandwich, as follows: Minnie G.. Dec. 31, 1862; H. 'May, March 19, 1867; Charles, July 28, 1869; and Jessie, July 13, 1872.

Charles A. Brown, banker, member of the firm of Brown & Brown at Genoa, was born Jan. 12, 1858, in Genoa Township, where he obtained his elementary education in the common schools, and at 19 years of age entered the High School at Genoa, where he was a student four years, and was graduated in 1881. He went thence to Bryant's Business College at Chicago, where he studied one term. Returning to Genoa, he spent several months in farming. On the first of May, 1882, he formed a partnership with his brother, D. S. Brown, and they established the banking enterprise in which they have since operated. (See sketch of D. S. Brown.)

In political connection Mr. Brown is identified with the Republican party, and is Treasurer of Genoa Township, to which position he was elected in the winter of 1883-4. He is the proprietor of an improved farm in Genoa Township, containing 240 acres.

>mes H. Beveridge, ex-Treasurer of the State of Illinois, is a farmer on section 4, Somonauk Township. His father, George ieveridge, was born March 16, 1785, in Hebron Township, Washington Co., N. Y., and married Ann Hoy, by whom he became the father of nine children. She was born in Jackson Township, Washington Co., N. Y., June 17, 1788, and died in Somonauk, May 18, 1865. The senior Beveridge removed to Illinois in 1838, and in 1839 settled in Somonauk Township. He bought a large tract of land, including both prairie and timber, the latter comprising over 100 acres. He brought his family here in 1842 and fixed his location on section 4, irhere he died, May 10, 1870. He was a man of radical views and an active Abolitionist. His 85 years of life covered the most momentous and interesting period of the history of the American people, and he lived to note the splendid development of this country. He fixed his abode in De Kalb County in its pioneer period, and was a prominent member of his generation. His home was the first white man's house in De Kalb County, and was located on the east bank of Somonauk Creek. It was on the claim when it became his property, and it was for many years a haven of rest and refreshment, both physical and spiritual. All new-comers found a hospitable welcome at the " Five-room Tavern." It was the scene of the first meeting of the local branch of the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Beveridge and his wife were the first members and aided in its organization. A small church was built in 1849, on the site of the present elegant jedifice, - one of the finest country churches in the State. While Mr. Beveridge was yet alive, he was gratified by being a personal observer of the increase of the society from a membership of about a score to one of the largest and wealthiest and most useful and influential religious organizations in the ecclesiastical body of which it forms a part. The character of George Beveridge, as a man, pioneer, philanthropist and Christian, merits perpetual remembrance. Six of his children are living. Jeannette is the wife of James Henry, a prominent citizen and agriculturist of Somonauk Township. Isabella is the widow of William French, formerly a wealthy and influential citizen of Somonauk Township. James H. is next in order of birth. Andrew M. is a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church and resides in Lansingburg, near the city of Troy, N. Y. Thomas G. is deceased. He was a farmer, and his widow is still a resident of Somonauk Township. John L., ex-Governor of Illinois, is a resident at Evanston, 111., and is a general broker and real-estate dealer, having his office in Chicago. Agnes is the widow of Alexander Patten, and resides in Chicago. The youngest child died in infancy.

Mr. Beveridge was reared on his father's farm, and received a liberal education, attending school in Cambridge, N. Y., in Grandville, and at Mt. Morris, 111. In the institution at the latter place he studied two years preparatory to entering college, but he was needed on the farm at home. He came to Somonauk in 184* and took part of the claim of his father and

Mr. Beveridge was, from the beginning of hi political career, outspoken in his preference in favo of the Liberty party, and he was an influential facto in achieving for De Kalb County its proud prerogativ as one of the foremost Republican counties of th State of Illinois, - a distinction approached only by its splendid resources and development. In 1849 Mr. Beveridge was elected one of the Associate Justices of the county, and in 1852 was elected Assessor. In 1854 he was instrumental in calling the Anti-Nebraska Convention which was held at Sycamore and which developed the true sentiments in the hearts of the majority of the voters, and the movement resulted in giving strength to the Republican party. Mr. Beveridge was made, a Delegate to the first Republican State Convention of Illinois, which was held at Bloomington in 1856.

In the fall of 1852 he was elected Circuit Clerk and Recorder of De Kalb County, and in January following removed to Sycamore to enter upon the transaction of the duties of the position at the county seat. In 1856 he was re-elected and served another term of four years, and he resided at Sycamore until his selection to fill a State office.

In the fall of 1864 he was elected Treasurer of Illinois, and removed in the spring following, for obvious reasons, to Springfield. He officiated as custodian of the finances of Illinois two years. In 1867 he was made State House Commissioner and acted in that position until the office was abolished in 1878, when he returned to his farm in Somonauk. During the period of his last appointment the present United Presbyterian house of worship was erected near his father's early home, and he supplied the plans and specifications for the structure. He has been prominent in the county from the outset of his career as one of its citizens. He took a decided position in religion and morality, and has continued in the prosecution of a consistent and upright course of life. He has been known as an inflexible temperance man and has been connected with several organizations devoted to the cause. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Sandwich.

He was united in marriage, in Somonauk Township, Dec. 24, 1849, to Elizabeth A. Disbrow, and they became the parents of five children, only two of whom survive. Gertrude, born Aug. 18, 1850, r, the wife of Rufus E. Thompson, a mining speculator in the Black Hills. The second child died in infancy. James H., born July 6, 1852, died Sept. 16 following. Lois A., born Feb. 10, 1854, died March 5, 1864. Merritt Hoy, born June 16, 1869, resides with his parents. Mrs. Beveridge was born Aug. 26, 1826, in Fairfield Co., Conn., and is the daughter of Levi and Lois Disbrow.

The farm of Mr. Beveridge contains 376 acres, is in admirable condition and the family residence and farm buildings are of an excellent and creditable class. The proprietor is giving intelligent attention to raising Jersey cattle, and owns a herd comprising 1 1 thoroughbreds and a considerable number of excellent grades. The dairy products of the farm are in demand, and are shipped to Chicago.

dwin Townsend, a farmer on section 14 of Mayfield Township, was born Nov. n, 1838, in the same township, and is therefore probably the oldest native-born resident in the county. His parents, Charles and Phebe (Nichols) Townsend, were natives of the State of New York, who settled in this township in 1837, where they both finally died, - he May n, 1879, and she April 26, 1880. They had n children, - Mary A., Edwin, Francis, Marinda, Orrissa, Erastus, Clarissa, Caroline, Harrison, Charles. N. and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Townsend, whose name heads this sketch, has resided here all his life, but was nine months in the army. He enlisted in March, 1865, in the Ninth 111. Vol. Cav. In his politics he is a Republican, and in his township he has been honored with the offices of Overseer of Highways, Highway Commissioner, School Trustee, etc. He is at present the owner of 222 acres of land in this township, with about 200 acres in cultivation.

He was married at Cedar Falls, Iowa, Jan. 20, 1869, to Miss Lorinda M., daughter of Sumner and Sarah (Kelsey) French, the former of whom was a native of New Hampshire and the latter of New Jersey. They came to De Kalb County about 1840, settling in Genoa Township, but removed to Iowa in 1869, where he died Oct. 20, 1873; she is still liv- -|J@5DC@/ ing. They had seven children, - Simmer, Lorinda M., Whitcomb, J.erusha, Stillman, Rolla and Mary. Mrs. Townsend was born in Genoa Township, June 16, 1850. The children of Mr. and Mrs. T. are Charles S., Orrissa S., Leona C. and Olive A., four in number.

eorge S. Treat, farmer, section 5, Somonauk Township, is the son of Thomas R. and Nancy (Seymour) Treat, and was born June 23, 1823, in Mayville, the county seat of Chautauqua Co.,N. Y. His father was born in that State Aug. 26, 1795. In early life the latter was a hatter by trade, and later a miller. In 1838 the family came to Illinois, and not long after settled near Piano, where the father bought a large farm and was resident there until 1872, when he went to Oakland, Cal. He is still living and is 90 years of age. His wife was a native of New York State, and of their five children four survive. Royal C. is a merchant at Meadow Valley, Wis. Henry B. is a farmer and nurseryman at Atchison, Kansas. Julia is deceased. Emily W. is the wife of Edwin Brayton, a ranchman of California.

Mr. Treat is the second child of his parents, and has lived in Illinois since he was 15 years old. He became his "own man" when he was 19 years of age, and until his marriage was occupied as a farm assistant. He was united in marriage to Cordelia S. Culver, Oct. 13, 1846, at Westfield, N. Y., and they have had four children : George M. was born Dec. 6, 1847, in the township of Little Rock, Kendall Co., 111.; Julius J. was born in Westfield, Dec. 13, 1851, and is engaged in fruit culture at Sunny Side, Spaulding Co., Ga. ; Milton A., born Aug. 29, 1853, is a farmer near Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa ; Nora L. was born Dec. 2, 1872, and died the same day.

The farm on which Mr. Treat is at present resident has been his property since July, 1860, when he made his first purchase of 120 acres. He now owns 140 acres on sections 5 and 8, and ten acres of timber land in Squaw Grove Township ; also 40 acres in Emmett Co., Mich., and 160 acres in Clay Co., Iowa. He is extensively interested in bee culture, and has an apiary of about 50 colonies. He obtains and also conducts a small dairy business. During six years his farm was rented, and he was for that period chiefly a resident of Sandwich. He has officiated 12 consecutive years as Commissioner of Highways.

His first wife died on the farm in Somonauk, May 19, 1878, and Mr. Treat was again married Dec. 25, 1879, to Eliza D. Olds, who was born May 6, 1837, in the State of New York. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Treat, Charles and Hope Treat, were of pure Yankee extraction. The grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle.

Iva Clark, farmer and stockman on section 32, Franklin Township, is the son of Gilbert and Miranda (Stevens) Clark, who were natives of Ontario, Can. They were farmers in the Dominion, where the mother died when 45 years of age. The father died in Michigan at the age of 60 years. Mr. Clark was thrown upon his own resources when he was 13 years of age. He supported himself by work as a farm laborer, and at 17 years of age he went to Jefferson Co., N. Y., remaining there three years, and going thence to Oswego County in the same State, where he passed some time engaged in teaming. From that time until 1866 he was variously employed in different places, and in that year came to Illinois. He first made a permanent location in the township of Monroe in Ogle County, where he continued to live until 1879, the date of his becoming a land-holder in De Kalb County, where he purchased 120 acres on section 32 of Franklin Township. Of this he took possession in the same year. In his political preferences Mr. Clark is a Republican.

His marriage to Electa Van Voorhis took place Feb. 25, 1880, at Fielding. She is the daughter of George and Amy (Ferguson) Van Voorhis, natives of the State of New York. The daughter was born Dec. 10, 1854, in Booneville, Oneida Co., N. Y. Her father was a farmer, and both her parents were of German origin and ancestors, who were born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. Her mother died in Oneida County May 9, 1863, where her father still lives and where the daughter was a resident until she was 15 irs of age. She was a good scholar, and at that age began teaching, which she pursued in her native county until 1877, when she came to Fielding. She was a teacher there and in Ogle County two years previous to her marriage. Gilbert V., the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, was born June 16, 1883.

|; hilip G. Young, a coal and lumber merchant at De Kalb, was born in the town of Stark, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 19, 1828. The first 30 years of his life were passed in his native county, and he came to Illinois about 1858, first settling on a farm in Ogle County, which he conducted three years. In 1861 he bought 80 acres of land in the township of De Kalb, which he managed with shrewdness and industry, adding to its extent until he was the proprietor of 320 acres, and of which he held the ownership until the spring of 1884, the date of his removal to his present place of abode, when he sold his estate. In April, 1883, Mr. Young formed his present business relation with David D. Brown, for the purpose of trade in coal and lumber, the firm taking the style of Brown & Young.

Mr. Young is a Democrat in political faith and action. He has been active in local school matters and has officiated as Alderman of De Kalb four years, he having been a resident of the city from r873 to 1878; he then returned to the farm.

He was married Oct. 20, 1856, in Herkimer Co., N. Y., to Elmira Chrissman, a native of the Empire State. They have two children, - Wolstine D., born March 21, 1860, and Phila E., born Dec. 13, 1862.

i illiam G. Beveridge, fanner on section 5, Somonauk Township, was born in the place where he is a resident, July 30, 1853. His father, Thomas G. Beveridge, was born April 9, 1822, in Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., and was the son of George and Ann (Hoy) Beveridge, who were pioneer settlers of Somonauk. (See sketch of Hon. J. H. Beveridge.) Thomas G. Beveridge married Elizabeth Irwin, who _was born Dec. 1 8, 1827, in Washington ,Co., N. Y., and they became the parents of three children. James H. was born May 2, 1856, and died April 2, 1857. Anna M. is the wife of R. R. Brown, of Clinton Township, De Kalb County. She was born May 27, 1858. The father received 160 acres of land originally included in the vast tract that was purchased by George Beveridge. He died April 24, 1859, and his widow is an inmate of the family of the son who inherited the estate of his father.

Mr. Beveridge is the oldest child. He was married in Pana, Christian Co., 111.. Dec. 15, 1880, to Ella M. Finley. Their children were bom as follows: Maggie, Dec. 18, i88r ; and Thomas, March 20, 1884. The latter died six days after birth. Mrs. Beveridge was born May 3r, 1855, in New Athens, Harrison Co., Ohio, and ;s the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Finley.

Mr. Beveridge has added by later purchase to his ancestral estate and is now the proprietor of 295 acres of excellent land. He has a valuable herd of graded Short-Horn cattle, which comprises 40 head.

evi P. Welty, a farmer on section 30, South Grove Township, was born in Oswego, Kendall Co., 111., Nov. 30, 1848. His parents, Daniel and Diana (Ernest) Welty, were natives of Parry Co., Pa , and were of German lineage. Soon after their marriage, they came to Illinois and located primarily in Kendall County, removing thence to De Kalb County. Their stay in the latter was temporary, and they proceeded to Winnebago County. In r868 they took up their permanent abode in De Kalb County, where they bought a half section of land, established their homestead and passed the remainder of their lives there. The father died in March, 1882; the latter in October, 1881. They were aged 65 and 56 years respectively. The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Welty belonged to a representative class in De Kalb County who constitute its best type of citizenship, and they have left to their children the heritage of lives of worthy effort and a stainless, honorable name. They had nine children, born in the following order : William H., Lev! F., George W., Emma J., Lauretta, Charles D. and Samuel A. Those deceased were named Jeremiah E. and Alice.

In 1878 Mr. Welty formed a partnership with his brother George W. in the pursuit of agriculture, and they have operated successfully since that date in general farming and raising stock. They own 160 acres, all of which is under the best order of cultivation, and forms a valuable piece of property. They are Republicans in political opinions.

Mr. Welty was married Dec. 27, 1883, at Hinckley, De Kalb County, to Mary A., daughter of J. K. and Rebecca (Eberly) Kuter. Her father is an insurance agent, and officiated six years as County Coroner. Mrs. Welty was born Dec. 28, 1859, in Pierce Township, and was reared and educated in the place of her birth.

jlonzo Ellwood, merchant at Sycamore, is one of the pioneer business men of De Kalb County. He was born June 17, 1823, in the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., N. Y., and is the son of Abraham and Sarah (Delong) Ellwood. (See sketch of Hon. Chauncey Ellwood, page 241, for further notice of parents.) At the age of 15 years Mr. Ellwood went to Mohawk, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and served three years acquiring a knowledge of the manufacture of carriages and sleighs, remaining several years as an employee in the establishment, where he was afterward foreman for a number of years.

Mr. Ellwood went to California in the spring of 1852 and prosecuted placer-mining on the Middle Fork of the American River until 1854, when he returned home. In the spring of 1855 he came to Sycamore and commenced his business career by engaging as a clerk in the establishment of George Walrod. Six months later, associated with Willis Lott, he founded a hardware business. They conducted its affairs jointly about three years. In 1858 he purchased his partner's interest, and not long after admitted his brother Reuben to a partnership. In 1867 he sold his interest to the latter, and, in company with Chauncey Ellwood and O. M. Bryan, he built a flax-mill, which is still in existence at Sycamore. Previous to the establishment of this enterprise he had been appointed Assessor of United States Revenue ; and, the duties of the position becoming pressing, he sold his interest in the flaxmill to Mr. Leonard Orendorf. In 1870, associated with Mr. N. C. Warren and Mr. James S. Waterman, he opened a hardware store at Syca- «|» more, which was in existence four years. The establishment with stock and fixtures was consumed by fire, involving a loss of $ir,ooo, partly covered by an insurance of $8,000. Messrs. Ellwood and Warren became sole proprietors by purchase of the business relations and re-established the trade. A year later they sold out. Meanwhile, Mr. Ellwood had relieved himself of the burdens of the position of Assessor, which he had held eight years, and in company with his brothers, Chauncey and James E., erected two j stores of the Central Block at Sycamore, which is two stories high above the basement, is 46 x 90 feet in size. The basement is utilized for business purposes and the upper story as offices.

Messrs. A. and J. E. Ellwood in 1857 embarked in the sale of drugs and groceries, which relation existed until 1881, when J. E. EUwood sold his interest to George M. Sivwright, since which date the business and its connections have been conducted as at present. The stock is estimated at a cash value of $10,000, and includes staple and fancy groceries, drugs, crockery, paints, oils and other articles common to similar establishments.

The local business relations of Mr. Ellwood have been commensurate with, and in the same public spirit which has pushed the general enterprises connected with Sycamore into prominence and success. He was one of the projectors and original stockholders of the Sycamore & Cortland Railroad, and was Director of its affairs until it was transferred by sale to the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He was a stock-holder in the Marsh Har- jj £ vester Company and is now a stock-holder in the I Marsh Binder Company. At the time of the organization of the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company, he became a stock-holder, and still remains one of its Directors. He is the owner of a considerable interest in the Wisconsin & San Juan Mining Company, whose claims are situated on Henson f Creek, Colorado, and is President of the corporation. The mines are advancing in development with flattering prospects of substantial results.

Mr. Ellwood is Vice-President of the Covenant Mutual Benefit Association of Illinois, which position he has occupied since 1879. The organization was established in 1877, and has more than 18,000 mem- bers at this date (1885). He is a heavy land-holder at various points, owning 360 acres in Hancock Co., Iowa, a valuable improved farm in Dallas Co., Iowa, and five acres of platted land in South Lawn, in the suburbs of Chicago.

He has been active and prominent in local political and official positions in the several places where he has resided. He served three years as Postmaster of Columbia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was Chairman of the Board of Village Trustees of Sycamore three years. By virtue of that office he became a Supervisor of his town. After the latter place was incorporated as a city he was elected Alderman of the First Ward, and now occupies the position.

He became a member of the Odd Fellows Order on attaining his majority, and has reached unusual prominence. In 1880 he was elected Deputy Grand Master of the State of Illinois, and was a candidate for Grand Master in the year following. His defeat was nominal, James S. Ticknor, of Rockford, receiving the election by a majority of 45 votes. He was a candidate again in 1882, and was elected at the annual session in Springfield by a majority of 1,100. The order included at that date about 32,000 members, and during the year of Mr. Ell wood's incumbency its membership increased nearly 3,000. He declined a proffered nomination in 1884 as Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, a body whose scope includes the organizations of the world. Mr. Ellwood is also an active member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the Knights Templar. While a resident of Herkimer County he was Captain of a company of Light Guards, which were ordered to report for duty in the war with Mexico, but the declaration of peace precluded the necessity of taking up arms, and the organization did not leave the State.

Mr. Ellwood's present wife was Mary M. Baker, to whom he was married Dec. 27, 1865. Three children were born to them, - Leana Maud, Glenn Baker and Ella Baker, - of whom only the first named survives: she was born March 17, 1868. Mrs. Ellwood was born in Plato, Kane Co., 111., and is the daughter of L. M. and Sarah A. Baker. Her father was a pioneer farmer of that county.

The active business career of Mr. Ellwood is marked by the same industry, enterprise and persistent energy which characterize the brotherhood of which he is a member, and he is regarded as one of public spirit is unquestioned, and the advantage of ^ his judgment and efforts in furthering and sustaining ! the permanent welfare of the city is generally recog- ( nized and acknowledged. His portrait appears in this volume, with those of his five brothers, and is no less important in value to the community with whose general interest and well being he is identified.

saac Crill, farmer, resident at Fielding, Franklin Township, was born in Stark Township, Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 26, 1820. James Crill, his father, was a farmer of Herkimer Co., N. Y., and came West in 1844 settling in the township of Monroe, Ogle Co., 111. Mr. Crill of this sketch accompanied his parents to Ogle County, being then 24 years of age, and he was married there March 20, 1856, to Eleanor Cole. They had two sons, - James E. and Joseph, - both of whom died in infancy. The household includes a foster child, Mary Houdeshell, born Dec. 25, 1860, in Perry Co., Pa. Mrs. Crill is the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Davis) Cole. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, of Welsh and German ancestry. The daughter was born Aug. 10, r822, in the Keystone State, where her mother died, in 1831. She lived with her father until 1854, when she came to Lee Co., 111., with two married cousins. She went later to Ogle County, where she resided two years previous to her marriage. After that event, Mr. and Mrs. Crill settled on a farm and entered into a partnership with his brother, John I. Crill, in agricultural operations. Mr. Crill is owner of 440 acres of land, situated principally in Monroe Township, Ogle County.

Mr. Crill of this sketch is the owner of a handsome residence in the village of Fielding, where he is also the proprietor of an elevator having a capacity of 13,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Crill is an active Republican, and exerts his influence in the interests of that element in politics. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

illiam C. Tuttle, an extensive dealer in lumber and all builders' materials, at Kirkland, was born Dec. 6, 1818, in Berkshire Co., Mass. David Tuttle, his father, was born in Massachusetts, and in 1822 emigrated to Genesee Co., N. Y., where he died in 1831, aged about 65 years. He was of New England lineage arid became the owner of considerable property. The mother, Sally A. (Bowen) Tuttle, was also a native of /the Bay State and died in Genesee Co., N. Y., in r853. They had nine children.

Mr. Tuttle was the seventh child and was four years old when his parents removed with their family to Genesee County in the Empire State, and there he attended school until he was 15 years old. At that age he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he followed until 1852. In the spring of 1843 he came to the township and county where he is now resident, and where he was occupied at his business as a builder. In 1852 he went to Belvidere and established a mercantile enterprise, in which he was interested two years. At the end of that time he became engaged in a planing mill, terminating his relations therewith in 1858. In 185^ he was elected County Treasurer on the Republican ticket, holding the incumbency two years. On the expiration of his term of office he followed his trade until 1868, operating as a contractor and builder, and in that year he went to Chicago and established himself in the same business, operating successfully until 1879. He returned thence to Kirkland, and there followed his trade two years. In 1882 he founded his present line of business interests. He owns a house and two lots in the village, and his transactions annually amount to $12,000.

Mr. Tuttle was married Jan. i, 1840, in Genesee Co., N. Y , to Margaret De Mott. She was born Nov. 25, 1825, in that county, and there grew to womanhood, when she came West with her husband. She died in Belvidere, Dec. 31, 1865, and was the mother of six children, two of whom are deceased. Rufus was drowned Dec. 24, 1864, in the river at Belvidere while skating on the ice, by falling through an airhole. Sarah married Mr. Chamberlain, a locomotive engineer residing at Memphis, Tenn., where she died. Those who are living are Daniel L., Harriet A., Addie and Huldah. Mr. Tuttle was married a second time Jan. 14, 1868, to Hattie Washburn, of Dixon, Lee Co., 111. Mrs. Tuttle is a descendant of the celebrated family named Washburn from Maine. She was born Oct. 16, 1837, in Paris, Oxford Co., Maine, and is the daughter of Luther and Abigail Washburn. Her parents came to De Kalb County before her arrival, and she lived with them until her marriage. Lena, first issue of the second marriage, died when a little more than 15 months old. Another child died in early infancy.

arren Gilchrist, farmer, resident on section 20, Franklin Township, was born Dec. 19, r839, at Hicks' Mills in the same township where he now lives. David M., his father, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., of Scotch parentage, and married Elizabeth Schoonmaker,.a native of Long Island. The family carne West in 1837, after spending ten years of married life in the State of New York and Canada. Franklin Township was in its earliest days of pioneer life and history, and they were among its element of development and progress. The former died at his home in 1873, aged 73 years. The motTier died in March, 1882, while visitingason at Strawberry Point, Clayton Co., Iowa, at 77 years of age. Their children included five sons and a daughter.

Mr. Gilchrist is the third son and fourth child of his parents. He passed the years of his youth and early manhood on the farm of his father, which he helped to develop, meanwhile obtaining an education at the common schools. He was married May 30, 1877, to Henrietta, daughter of Silas B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Roach. Her parents were born in Noble Co., Ohio, where also her birth occurred Oct. 20, 1853, and they settled on a farm on section 4 in Franklin Township, whither they removed in 1862. They are now members of the family of Mr. Gilchrist, and are aged respectively 54 and 56 years. Mrs. Gilchrist is the only surviving child of her parents. (An older

After his marriage Mr. Gilchrist, associated with his brother, Charles H. Gilchrist, assumed the management of his father's homestead, and is a partial owner of 445 acres of land connected therewith. He is a consistent and straightforward Republican and has held several prominent local offices. He has been Supervisor two years and is present Justice of the Peace.

i illiain Decker, farmer, section 1 6, South Grove Township, was born Nov. 30, 1835, in Crawford Co., Ohio. James Decker, his father, was born in New Jersey, in 1810, of New England parentage, and early in life went to Ohio, where he engaged in farming. In 185 2 he removed to Ogle Co., 111., whence he came after a stay of two years, to De Kalb County, and settled on section nine of South Grove Township. He died in September, 1859, aged 49 years. He became prominent in his township as a citizen and a farmer and lived an honored and useful life. The mother, Margaret Vanderhoff, was of similar birth and parentage, and resides still on the homestead, retaining at the age of 73, Nov. 28, 1884, her activity of mind and body to an uncommon degree.

Mr. Decker is next to the oldest of nine children in order of birth, and he passed the years of his minority in the acquisition of an education and in farm labor. At the age of 23 years he began to operate as an independent farmer on 40 acres of land deeded to him by his father, belonging originally to the family homestead. He pursued the duties of an agriculturist thereon until the second year of the Civil War. Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C. losth 111. Vol. Inf. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the military service of the United States until the close of the war, experiencing all the varieties, vicissitudes and triumphs of Sherman's campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas. Soon after taking the field, Mr. Decker was detailed for service in the quartermaster's department, and passed the entire period of

On his return to civil life Mr. Decker resumed his agricultural relations, and has added 80 acres to his original ownership, making an aggregate of 120 acres. He is a prosperous farmer, engaged in the successful culture of the crops common to this section and in raising cattle of valuable grades. Mr. Decker is a Republican of decided type and has officiated in various township offices.

He was married Feb. 21, 1861, in South Grove Township, to Lizzie Shorey, and they have had five children, two of whom are deceased. Win. Henry was born Sept. 2, 1864; Elnora, Oct 27, 1866; and Harvey E., Aug. 5, 1869. They have also raised one other child, Ursula Decker, who was the daughter of William and Margaret Decker, a cousin of Mr. Decker of this sketch. Her father died in New Jersey when she was two years old, and her mother was a second time married, and she was taken by Mr. Decker to bring up. She was born March 22, 1863, in New Jersey, and died Jan. 30, 1885, in Iowa, where she had gone six weeks before her death. Her remains were brought to South Grove for burial.

Mis. Decker was born Sept. 7, i844,inOneidaCo., N. Y., and is the daughter of Washington and Maria (Vanderwalker) Shorey. The former was born in Vermont and was by calling a farmer until his death, May 30, 1880. Her mother resides in Guthrie Co., Iowa.

ichard B. Spiers, M. D., physician and surgeon, resident at Kirkland, was born May 26, 1845, in Halton Co., Ont. He is the son of George A. and Isabella (Spiers) Spiers, both of whom were born in Ireland, \ and who came soon after their marriage to the Dominion of Canada. The former died not long after he settled in Halton County, where he was a pioneer. The mother is still living in that county.

Dr. Spiers, after the death of his father, became the charge of his uncle, Alexander Brown, whose wife was his maternal aunt. Mr. Brown was a Scotchman and lived in Halton County, engaged in farming. His foster-parents discharged their duty creditably and well, sending him to the grammar school, where he acquired an excellent fundamental

^Toronto University, where he completed the prescribed curriculum of study under the stringent regulations of that celebrated institution, noted for the inflexible regimen exercised in preparing its students for their profession. The course of medical reading is extended over a period of four years, and Dr. ( Spiers devoted the vacational interims to office study and desultory practice.

His marriage to Sarah E. Tremain took place Oct. 5, 1870, in Halton County. She was born April 20, 1852, in the Province of Ontario, and is the daughter of James and Jane (Biggar) Tremain. Her father was a merchant and died in February, 1865. Her mother's death occurred about 1858. Mrs. Spiers was a child of tender years when her mother died, and lived with her father until his demise, then entering the household of her maternal aunt, the wife of a she has become the mother of four children. One child died in infancy. Susan M. died when she was ^two years and nine months old. Rebecca M. and ) Bessie G., twins, were born Aug. 12, 1879.

After marriage, Dr. Spiers removed to Watervliet( Berrien Co., Mich., and there established his business as a medical practioner, in which he was engaged at that point three years. He came thence to Wheaton, Du Page Co., 111., and after practicing there two (years came, in June, 1875,10 Kirkland, and at once began his practice, in which he has met with unqualified success and popularity. He is the owner of an elegant home at Kirkland. In political preferences he is a Republican and has officiated one term as Village Trustee.

Miles Beach Castle, a leading and prominent citizen of Sandwich, was born Aug. 13, 1826, in Albany, N. Y. He is a member of the third generation from Xiideon Castle, one of three brothers who came from England about the year 1700. The two elder 1 settled respectively in Geneva, N. Y., and in Pennsylvania, while the third located in Amenia, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he became an extensive landholder, owning at one time vast tracts of land, including 10,000 acres in New York State. His son Gideon became prominent in the colonial history of the United States, and was a staff officer with General Washington, filling the position of Commissary with the rank of Captain, when the Commander-in-chief was in New York and vicinity, during the progress of the struggle for independence. He died at 98 years of age, after becoming the father of five sons. Elijah, the third in order of birth, was the father of Mr. Castle of this sketch. He inherited from the estate of his father a farm valued at $10,000, located in Dutchess County, N. Y., which he afterward sold, removing to the city of Albany, N. Y., investing his capital in a general business. He married Deborah Beach, of Dutchess County, and to them five children were born, three of whom, with the parents, inhabit the mystic realms of the land of the hereafter. One daughter, Cynthia, widow of James W. Bishop, resides at Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y.

Mr. Castle passed the years of his minority in attendance at school, in the varied duties of the farm and in other avenues of labor, finally entering the excellent educational institution at Jonesville, in Northern New York, then an academy of celebrity, where he was graduated about the time of attaining his majority. He soon became a salesman in a drygoods store at Glens Falls, N. Y., where he remained in the capacity of clerk and afterwards as general manager, until the autumn of 1855, except a brief term when he was at Warrensburg, N. Y. He then fulfilled a determination to come West and proceeded to Chicago. He passed the ensuing winter in that city, and in the spring of 1856 opened a lumber yard at Sandwich, 111. During the same year he organized the Sandwich Bank, and he has retained his interest in and connection with both enterprises without intermission. In the latter he is associated with his nephew, Capt. F.'S. Mosher. About 1870 Mr. Castle founded the Kendall County Bank, at Yorkville, Kendall County, and is still its chief official, his associate and the cashier of the institution being Mr. M. E. Cornell. In r878, in connection with his son, J. B. Castle, he established the Sandwich Argus, a. journalistic enterprise which has met with unqualified success. In the various business ventu which Mr. Castle has e.nbarked, he has met with unvarying prosperity, and his success in his undertakings has come to be considered phenomenal in results, a condition which has arisen from the exercise of judgment and forethought, and the effort at the outset to embark only in such undertakings as promised to meet universal need. As a banker Mr. Castle has operated nearly 30 years, and is one of the oldest in the State in length of service in that business. During the financial crises of 1855, '57, "60, "6 1, '73 and later his bank has in no instance -refused a check or closed its doors.

He is a Republican of decided type, and his sagacity, intelligence and discrimination have received due recognition at the hands of the local political element which he has served long and well. In 1872 he was elected to the Senate of Illinois and served through the short term, and in 1874 was re-elected to the long term, serving a period of six consecutive years. In 1878 he declined a proffered re-election to give his private business the attention demanded by his interests. While a member of the Legislature' he was conspicuous in his exertions for and advocacy of what is designated " radical legislation," and the passage of " the Married Woman's Bill," which provided for the protection of the property rights of women, was mainly due to his instrumentality. He officiated as Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, having charge, on the part of the Senate, of the Executive Mansion and the new State House at Springfield. Among many other measures for the public interests, Mr. Castle introduced and effected the passage of the first bill for protecting fish interests in the State of Illinois. He has been a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and a member of the two last Republican State Conventions, in each of which he acted on the Platform Committees and proved an efficient factor in the specific business of those bodies. He has been for several years and still is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Illinois State Equal Suffrage Association. He belongs to the State Press Association and the Press Club of Chicago. Mr. Castle is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the Chapter at Sandwich. His literary abilities are of a versatile and acceptable character, and he gained wide-spread and appreciative commendation through the merits of a poem he delivered at Springfield on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of the new State House in 1868. The private library of

Mr. Castle was united in marriage to Freelove Kinney Hubbard, at Sandwich, 111., by Rev. L. P. Crawford, in January, 1859. She was a daughter of ii Hon. Asa Kinney, formerly State Senator in California, and an adopted daughter of her uncle, John Hubbard. Mrs. Castle was a descendant of the branch of the same family of Grinells as those of New York city, her ancestors being English Knights. She was educated at Knox College, Galesburg, 111., v and is a woman of rare mental powers, - one of those whose judgments is rarely at fault upon any question. Three children have been born to them, as follows : John B., Aug. 13, 1859; Louisa R., Jan. 21, 1861; Grace Frederika, July, 1868. John B. is assistant cashier in the bank and owns one-half of the business of the Argus, of which he is local editor.

illiam B. McDowell, attorney-at-law, resident at Kirkland, Franklin Township, was born Oct. 15, 1842, on section i in the township where he has since lived. He is the son of John and Martha (Riddle) Mc- Dowell, of whom a detailed account is given on another page. Mr. McDowell was brought up on the farm of his father and attended the common school in the vicinity of his parents' home. When he was 15 years of age he entered the college at Wheaton, Du Page Co., 111.,' where he pursued a course of study three years. He has all his life possessed extraordinary skill in penmanship and drawing, and while at Wheaton was engaged in teaching both branches. At 19 years of age he -became the arbitrator of his own fortunes, and after leaving school worked on a farm summers and taught penmanship winters. He met with much success in the latter occupation, and passed several years in alternate teaching and farm labor. Afterward he devoted his time wholly to farm labor for a few years, and finally became general agent for the sale of the machines manufactured by McCormick & Co. He operated in their interests one year and then entered the law office of J. L. Pratt, of Sycamore. In 1879 he was admitted to the Bar of Illinois, and practiced in company with Mr. Pratt for a short time. Subsequently he went to

Leadville, Col., where he entered into an association with Hon. Mr. Hemmingway, and continued the practice of his profession nearly two years. The death of his brother caused his return to his native State, and he located for a brief season at Sycamore, but eventually fixed his residence and business at Kirkland. One of the earliest pieces of work which he was called on to perform was the drafting of the ordinances of Kirkland, which was a superb specimen of chirography and elicited much admiration. The law business of Mr. McDowell has continued to increase until he is now in the enjoyment of a solid reputation as an attorney in the various Courts in which he is called to practice.

On the admission of the ordinances of Kirkland in 1883 he was made President of the village. He has always been interested in fine and valuable horses, and has made exhibits of fine animals at the county fairs. He is the owner of an interest in four mining claims at Leadville, Col.

Mr. McDowell is a decided Democrat in political opinion, and has officiated as Township Clerk. He is present Village Attorney (1885). In addition to his extensive legal business he represents several home and foreign insurance companies. In 1872 he was made a member of the Masonic Order, and belongs to Dement Lodge, No. 515, at Kirkland.

Dn. Stephen B. Stinson, attorney at Sandwich, was born Oct. 3, 1825, in Boston, 'Mass., and he is the youngest of four children of his parents, Maj. Andrew H. and Mary Stinson. The death of the father when he was but four years old, followed by that of his mother seven years later, brought into activity the traits of character which have distinguished his progenitors, the Scotch-Irish, from whom he descended in both lines. »

In the lapse of years and in the conversions of terms which arise in succeeding generations, there is danger of the race style of " Scotch-Irish " losing its distinctive signification, and it is not even now clearly understood that the combination only indicates the fact that the people referred to were essentially Scotch, and Ireland had been but a VVJ«N£«_ ^.axa.^ n f temporary abiding place, as the assimilation was so slight as to be but nominal. In 1619 an emigration of people from Scotland to the North of Ireland took place for the purpose of escape from the persecution of the Scottish " kirk " under King James, only to find themselves subjected to regulations more burdensome, which they endured with growing discontent for an exact century. In 1719, a colony of 16 families emigrated to New Hampshire and formed the nucleus of Londonderry, who were followed by others of the same ancestral origin. To the intolerance of the ruling religious element of Scotland and Sjcj the North of Ireland in the I7th and i8th centuries, I is our own nationality indebted for one of its most inflexible and unswerving elements of probity and uprightness, enhanced beyond estimate in value to a composite nationality like ours, by sturdy, physical strength and hardihood, and inborn and inbred frugality, thrift and industry ; and though the natural limitation of family continuance is a trait of the Scotch-Irish, in their characteristics they are still the types of their indomitable ancestors. The men preserve their splendid physique, their courage and perseverance, and the women their piety, native wit and ^ strength of character, which, transmitted to their 5,. sons, has re-appeared in radiant luster, polished and refined under the influences artd privileges afforded by our form of government. To the colonization of ( Londonderry the United States is indebted for the introduction of the cultivation of flax and the use of the linen spinning wheel, and also the cultivation of the Irish potato, which Sir Walter Raleigh had taken from South America to Europe 150 years before. Archibald Stark, from whom Starkstown was named 1 and the father of " Molly Stark V husband, General \ John Stark, the hero of Bennington, and the grandparents of Horace Greeley, were members of the same company. General Stark was the cousin of Mary Stinson, the mother of Judge Stinson.

Ten years after the first settlement at Londonderry, John Stinson and his wife Mary, and a considerable number of his friends and relatives, emigrated O to that place from Londonderry, Ireland. From two of their sons - William and Samuel - descended the line represented by Judge Stinson, the latter being ( his great-grandfather in the paternal line of descent. « William Stinson was his grandfather in his mother's t line. The brothers removed, on attaining independ ent manhood, to a point farther north know

" Masonian Grant of the Province of New Hampshire." To fulfill the .provisions of the " grant," it was necessary to occupy the allotments of land, and William Stinson was, in 1751-2, one of the three found- (c^ers of Starkstown, now Dunbarton, N. H., where he lived for a time alone in a log cabin while making his "clearing." While living thus he had a clergyman for a guest, and in lieu of a table set forth the hospitalities of his house on an inverted basket. The clerical visitor solicited the divine interposition in behalf (of the " basket " and store of his host. The petition Xijwas amply fulfilled, as Mr. S. reached competency. > He was born in Ireland March 15, 1725, and died Aug. 21, 1803. His wife, Agnes, nee Caldwell, was born in June, 1734, and their marriage took place .March 26, 1754. Mary, wife of Andrew H. Stinson, was the youngest of their 12 children, and was born Jan. 25, 1782. Captain William Stinson was a de- )cided character. He became an extensive landholder and the annual productions of his estate Xcomprised large crops of corn, wheat and rye. His ^observation had led him to a discovery of the fact ££Jthat the average prices of these grains were about 50 nts for corn, 75 cents for rye and a dollar for wheat, n accordance with his idea of equity, which he accorded with the same rigidity with which he enforced his own claims, he held h

-'ruling rates fell below his average, building additional storehouses if necessary. When the prices went above his standard he would accept no more than the rate he himself fixed, and he would only sell to the poor for their own use. He came to be styled in all the region where he lived as the " poor man's friend."* Samuel Stinson, son of Samuel Stinson above mentioned, removed in early manhood to Nova Scotia, where he was married, and where his son Andrew H. was born, Dec. 25, 1789. During the boyhood of the latter the family removed to' Dunbarton, where Samuel Stinson died. . After his marriage, Maj. A. H. Stinson resided for a time at Hopkinton, N. H., and than went to Boston, Mass.,' he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of carriages for several years, and later he became interested in the manufacture of lumber in the State of Maine. He died March 22, 1829, at Hopfkinton, N. H. Mary Stinson, his wife, died May 21,

Stephen B. Stinson inherited from his parents only opportunity and a disposition to struggle to place himself at least above mediocrity. The necessities which he found upon him were twofold. His appetite for knowledge was as insatiate and impelling as the needs of his physical nature. Between the ages of ii and 16 years he had only the advantages of the public schools of the winter seasons, and he passed the remainders of those years in farm labor. But he mastered the entire curriculum of English study in those studious winter terms of common school, and was fitted for teaching. He entered upon the duties of a pedagogue as a stepping stone to a collegiate course, and his earnings, coupled with temporary assistance (afterward fully repaid), enabled him to pursue a classical course of two years at the academy at Hopkinton, N. H. In 1844 he matriculated at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., where several members of his family of the generation which preceded him had been educated, and was graduated with honor in July, 1848, in a class of 50 members, among whom were Hon. J. W. Patterson, afterward United States Senator from New Hampshire, and Rev. James C. Beecher, the youngest son of Dr. Lyman Beecher.

Judge Stinson was hardly 22 years of age when he finished his educational career, and he availed himself of the first- opportunity which presented for activity and became a teacher in an academy at Thetford, Vt., whence he went after a brief time to the office of Hon. J. D. Willard, of Troy, N. Y., with whom as a preceptor and in whose office relations he enjoyed exceptional advantages. He was admitted to the Bar at Albany, N. Y., in December, 1850.

In 1851 he came to Kendall Co., 111., where he operated about five years as a farmer, removing in 1856 to Sandwich, in De Kalb County, where he has since practiced his profession.

His marriage to Mary C. Bull took place June 7, 1 85 2, in the city of New York, and they are the parents of one son and three daughters. Mary A., born July 26, 1855, is the wife of Charles H. Adams, M. D., of Marseilles, 111.; Hester B., born April 14, 1857, and Frances J., born Oct. 8, 1860, are next in order of birth. Charles L., born Aug. 22, 1862, married Mary E. Jones and is in business at Marseilles Lizzie, born March 2r, 1853, died April 19, 1858 Mrs. Stinson was born at Easton, Washington Co.,

N. Y., Feb. 17, 1833, and is the daughter of Isaac and Hester (Kittell) Bull. She is of mixed descent, being of English lineage on the father's side, and Holland Dutch in the maternal line.

In his profession Judge Stinson is a judicious and safe counselor, is thoroughly read in jurisprudence, and since his establishment of his business in De Kalb County his prosperous practice is sufficient evidence of the general estimate in which he is held. As a citizen he is favorably known in the interest and consideration he never fails to bestow on matters pertaining to the well-being of the people of whom he is one, and he has discharged all his obligations in local official, educational and religious matters in the method which has characterized his career. He has officiated several years as President of the Board of Education, and as City Attorney of Sandwich, and in 1861 represented Kane and De Kalb Counties in the State Constitutional Convention at Springfield, in which capacity he performed efficient service. He served about three years as Assistant United States Revenue^Assessor for the same counties. In July, 1882, he was appointed by the Governor to fill the residue of an unexpired term as County Judge of De Kalb County, a vacancy having occurred by the resignation of Hon. G. S. Robinson. In November following he was elected to the same office for a full term of four years. He was compelled by ill health to resign the Judge'ship in February, 1883, to the great regret of the people who had an abiding belief in his fitness and competency for the position. He has acted undeviatingly with the Republican party from the outset of his political career, and is an earnest adherent of the principles and issues of that party. Judge Stinson is one of the original members of the Congregational Church at Sandwich, and has been for many years a Deacon and Trustee in the Society. Pie has cherished his interest in educational matters from the days of his early struggles to obtain what he considered a degree of knowledge sufficient to enable him to undertake his share of the world's work understandingly. The cost and effort necessary to the accomplishment of his collegiate course, with the gratification consequent upon a comprehensive, classical and scientific education, has kept alive his tastes in those directions, and he has maintained his reading of Greek and Latin far beyond the custom of busy professional men who have not passed their lives in

-teaching. He has also acquired a considerable ac-^i1 quaintance with several modern languages. In addition, he has kept pace with the world of literature, and, from his powers of criticism and assimilation, has a fund of useful and profitable information, which renders him a valuable accessory to social circles.

The portrait of Judge Stinson is given on a preceding page. His inflexibility in the conduct of his professional business, his spotless private life, the character of the services he has rendered in his several official capacities, will secure for the picture a hearty welcome from the entire patronage of the , DE KALB COUNTY ALBUM, which would be signally * incomplete without it. The photograph from which it was copied was taken in 1882.

ohn M. Schoonmaker, resident at Fieldng, is a farmer by vocation and an extensve buyer and shipper of stock. He was i=i born in Hannibal Township, Oswego Co., N. 5x Y., Aug. 16, 1827. John Schoonmaker, his En father, was born in Flatbush, Kings Co., on -jv Long Island. He went thence to Oswego County, where he was married to Julia Farnham, and was a resident of-that county until his removal to De Kalb County in 1845. He then located at Hicks Mills in the township of Franklin, where he resided principally until his death, which took place in October, 1874, when he was 77 years of age. He was a blacksmith by occupation. The mother was a native of Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt., and was of pure English extraction, tracing her lineage to the earliest settlement of the colonies. She was born about 1797 and ' died about 1849, in Franklin Township. The children were four in number and included three daughters and a son.

Mr. Schoonmaker came to Illinois with his parents when he was 18 years of age. He was married Sept. 6, 1848, in Monroe Township, Ogle Co., 111., to Nancy, daughter of John and Mary (Grill) Miller. They became the parents of five children. Alice is the wife of C. F. Meyer, a farmer of Franklin Township. Elnora married B. A. Patten' and resides at Silver Lake, Kan. George married Florence Ellis and lives on the Schoonmaker homestead, section 32, ind is completing a course of study at Aurora, 111. J^ Sylvester was born Sept. 27, 1859, and died March 10, 1862. Mrs. Schoonmaker was born Jan. 23, 1828, in Steuben Township, Oneida Co., N. Y., and when 1 8 years of age came with her parents to Ogle Co., 111. She is the ninth of twelve children.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker settled on a farm of 160 acres located on section 32, which they purchased from the Government. They wrere remote from the other settlers of the township, ind the broad acres of their farm had never known the plow. The homestead now contains 250 acres, * is in the best possible condition for successful farming and is increased in value and appearance by most excellent farm buildings and a splendid residence.

He entered the army of the United States during ^ the Rebellion, enlisting Aug. 7, 1862, in the io5th = Reg. 111. Vol. Inf., and went to the field under the ;y| command of Col. Dustin, of Sycamore. He was in i=* action in the engagements at Resaca, Ringgold, '^ Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta and in many others of ^greater or less importance. Thirty days after his enrollment he was made Sergeant of his Company, and acted in that capacity until his transfer at Marietta, Ga., to an official position in the logth U. S. Regiment of colored troops. He brought the organization to Louisville, Ky., where he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and the command was conf nected with the Army of the James. In October, 864, Lieutenant Schoonmaker received orders from I General Sheridan to put his men in line of battle, as the rebel General Early was threatening to occupy Martinsburg, which movement was succeeded Oct. 19 by " Sheridan's Ride " from Westchester to Cedar Creek, resulting in the destruction of the army of General Early. He was also in the engagements at 1 Petersburg, which terminated in the surrender of General Lee, his troops doing effective service in the the skirmish line. After the collapse of the Rebellion his regiment was sent to Texas in the corps of General Sheridan, where it was in service until the year following/ Mr. Schoonmaker was discharged March 12, 1866, at Louisville, Ky. During his absence from home his efficient wife conducted the affairs of the farm, to which she gave her personal oversight and aid. They are zealous and effective members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. S. has been Steward and Class-leader eight years.

arrison Mackey, farmer, section n, Mayfield Township, is a native of the Empire State. His parents, Levi and Rebecca (Scott) Mackey, natives also of that State, passed their entire lives there. He was of German ancestry, and died about 1858, and she, of American parentage, died in June, 1838. They had eight children, - John, Julia A., Griffin, Gilman, Harriet, Harrison, Thorn M. and Mary J.

The subject of this sketch was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., April 22, 1813, and when 15 years of age he left home and proceeded to Orange Co., N. Y., for the purpose of learning the blacksmith trade, in which he was apprenticed for nearly four years. Next he followed his trade nearly a year in New Jersey, then, in succession, he spent several months in his native county, in business for himself in Orange County again for six years, and in the spring of 1839 he emigrated to this county and settled in Mayfield Township, where he has ever since resided, spending portions of three years, however, in Orange County. He is now the possessor of more than 500 acres of land in Mayfield and Sycamore Townships. He is now occupying part of his land, keeping 30 to 40 head of cattle, 12 head of horses, and fattens yearly 25 to 50 head of hogs.

Mr. Mackey has held many local offices and is one of the leading pioneers of De Kalb County, coming here before the land was surveyed. About the year 1855 an effort was made to establish in Mayfield Township a postoffice to be known as " Mayfield," with Mr. M. as Postmaster ; but within a year the office was discontinued, as the circumstances were found not to justify its establishment. Politically, Mr. Mackey is identified with the Democratic party. He was first married in Orange Co., N. Y., about 1834, to Mary Hall, a native of Sullivan Co., N. Y. By this marriage there were three children, - Mary

R., Eliza J. and Julia A. The last mentioned died April 8, 1869. Mrs. M. died in Mayfield Township, Jan. 22, 1856, and Mr. Mackey was again married, in York State, June 18, 1857, to Mrs. Eliza (Bond) Westlake, widow of Benjamin Westlake, who died in Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1853. By her former marriage there have b.een seven children, - David B., Milton G., Hannah E., Mary A., Charlotte W., John O. and Morris H. Milton G. died when nearly 21 years of age. Mrs. Mackey was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Dec. i, 1811. By the present marriage there are no children.

organ Losee, retired farmer, resident on section 20, Franklin Township, was born Dec. 14, 1811, in the township of Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y. His father, David Losee, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., was a farmer in Columbia Co., N. Y., for a time, and married Mariam Griffin, who was born in Dutchess County. They settled in Saratoga County in 1820,. locating about seven miles from the celebrated mineral springs. There the mother died when she was 80 years of age. David Losee came later in life to reside with his son, but returned to Saratoga County and died there at 88 years of age.

Morgan was about eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to Saratoga County, and he was there educated in the elementary English branches. He was also married there to Hannah E. Forbes, who was born Oct. 15, t8ii, and died in Niagara County Dec. 22, 1837, leaving an infant daughter, Hannah E., who is now the wife of Nelson Delavergne. (See sketch.) Mr. Losee was a second time married in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 4, 1841, to Phebe A. Buck. She was born Oct. 10, 1820, and is the daughter of Ransom D. and Betsey (Baker) Buck, who were natives of Vermont. The former was born May 15, 1795, and died Jan. 16, 1830. The latter was born Nov. 22, 1800, and died Nov. 22,1845. They settled in Oxford, Ont., after their marriage. Later they went to Allegany Co., N. Y., where the father died when the daughter was 10 years old, and on that event transpiring she went to Vermont and was cared for by her maternal grandparents until the second marriage of her mother to

J. B. Noble, with whom she resided until her own marriage. The mother died in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Losee came West in 1842, and first located in Rockford, remaining there but a few months and removing thence to sections 19 and 20 in the township of Franklin, De Kalb County. They secured 160 acres of land, half of , which was located on each of the sections named, and the family residence was erected on section 20. At the time Mr. Losee made the claim the land was all in an unimproved condition. It has all been placed under ^ the best improvements, and is a valuable and desirable place. Mr. Losee and his wife have retired from active life, and are enjoying the fruits of years of exertion and frugality in the society of their daughter and her family. Mr. L. is a Republican, and holds to decided religious sentiments, although not a member of any denominational body. He and his wife are the parents of three children. Ransom B., born June 14, 1842, is an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad and resides in Amboy, Lee County. Lyons E. was born July i, 1845. He is a farmer in Douglass Township, Bremer Co., Iowa. Ophelia E. married Frank Sharp, a farmer in Gove Co., Kan. She was born Nov. 18, 1849.

ohn Lloyd, farmer, section 27, South Grove Township, was born May 9, 1827, in Pembroke'shire, South Wales, and is the son of John Lloyd. His father was superintendent in a colliery, and died in his native country, about 1868. His mother, Theodocia (Davis) Lloyd, died in Wales, leaving two children. Thomas, the elder son, was a farmer and died in his native land in 1876.

Mr. Lloyd is the only living representative of his family, and remained in Wales until 1852. He obtained a good education, and at the age of 17 years he began to work as a carpenter under a manager, spending three years in his apprenticeship, and working as a builder at home until his emigration to the United States. He landed at the port of New York, and soon after came West, making his first stop in Kane Co., 111., where he followed his trade six yes In 1858 he came to De Kalb County and purchased 80 acres of land on section 22, in the same township, ^^^. »D^^@.

where he has since been a resident. He sold his first purchase, and bought 330 acres on which he has since resided. His farm is of great value, supplied with buildings of superior character, and well stocked. Mr. Lloyd is a Republican in political opinion, and has held the minor offices of the township.

He was married July 24, 1850, in Wales, to Catherine Jones, a native of that country. Her father was a man of ability and integrity, and held a responsible position as cashier in a colliery. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, ten children have been born, six of whom are living. Anna was married Sept. 20, 1872, to Stephen Worden, a farmer of South Grove. Henrietta was married in 1881, to William Adee, also a farmer in South Grove Township. Bertha is the wife of Benjamin Worden. Edith Phina and Myrta are the names of the younger children. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are communicants in the Established Church of England.

§i|f^ffi«|iipple A. Harrington, member of the mer- Jlpyi^lL cantile firm of Gardner & Harrington, -£? Ijij^ir) doing business at Kirkland, was born O* *E&&. Noy ^ 1844, in Franklin Township, and is the son of Sidney P. and Polly (Hicks) Harrington, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Harrington obtained his primary education in the district schools and studied afterwards at Beloit College, Wis. Later on he went to Rockford, where he was graduated in the commercial dej partment of the schools of that city.

On completing his education, associated with his brother-in-law, E. Gardner, now of Rochelle, III., he established a trade in agricultural implements at Cherry Valley, Boone Co., 111. After operating one year they exchanged their relations in that enterprise for wild land in Chickasaw Co., Iowa.

Mr. Harrington was married Jan 20, 1871, in Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., to Lucy L. Griggs. She was born March 22, 1852, in the township of Flora, Boone County, and is the daughter of Calvin and Hannah Griggs. Her parents were farmers in New England and removed thence to Boone County, where they were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers, locating there in 1836. The father died in Flora Township, Dec. 21, 1883, aged 68 years. The mother resides with her daughter in Floyd Co., Iowa. -* Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have had four children, - v ? Emery E., May W., Clarence E. and George. The i. ', latter died in infancy.

Soon after the event of his marriage, Mr. Harrington removed to his farm in Iowa and devoted himself to its improvement, placing 240 acres under cultivation, and remaining thereon resident until 1881. In the fall of that year he returned to Illinois and again embarked in business at Kirkland, with E. H. Gardner. In 1883 he sold one-half his farm in Iowa, and purchased property in the village of Kirkland. With his wife, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward. Politically he is a Republican.

illiam T. Adee, general farmer, section 15, South Grove Township, was born July 27, 1824, in Delaware Co., N. Y. His parents, Jonathan and Jane (Thompson) Adee, were farmers all their lives and trained their children to the same calling. Their son was reared at home until he was 18 years of age, and acquired a good education at the common schools. His parents removed to the State of Illinois in the fall of 1843, and his father bought a claim of 160 acres of land on section 1 4 of the township of De Kalb. The death of the father occurred on the homestead in the fall of 1873, when he was 75 years of age. The mother's demise took place seven weeks later. She was 7 1 years old. Mr. Adee, senior, was one of the most respected and honorable citizens of the county where he was a pioneer citizen and resided more than 30 years. Of their 12 children, eight are now living. All were residents of De Kalb County until recently, when one of them removed to Winnebago County, same State.

Mr. Adee of this sketch is the oldest child, and when he was 22 years of age purchased 40 acres in an unbroken portion of the township, with the intention of carving out an independent career. He soon increased his possessions on section 15 to 184 acres, and also owns 160 acres on section 1 6, besides 10 acres of timber land belonging originally to the homestead place. His entire acreage is under the best type of modern improvements, his buildings are ^ ^Si^^ of excellent and suitable character and the proprietor is justly ranked among the leading and solid farmers of this section of the State. He conducts general farming and ships a considerable number of fatted stock annually.

He was married Jan. 5, 1854, to Margaret, daughter of Richard and Hannah (Cronk) Becker. Their children were born in the following order : William R. (a farmer in South Grove Township), John, George and Frank. They are well educated and promising young men. 'Mrs. Adee was born Aug. 7, 1835, in Delaware Co., N. Y., and was for a time a teacher in her native State. She came with her parents, who were pioneers of Illinois, when she was 17 years of age, to De Kalb County, where she again engaged in teaching until her marriage. Her father died in 1881, leaving a good record as an upright citizen and hon-. orable man. The mother resides with her son, John T. Becker.

Mr. Adee is a Republican of the most decided and reliable character. He has been and still is Township Treasurer, and has also been Supervisor and Collector, and officiated. in other local official positions. Mr. and Mrs. Adee are both professors of religion.

^amuel H. Stiles, retired farmer, resident at Genoa, was born Jan. 5, 1829, in Ontario Co., N. Y., and is the son of Epaphroditus and Roxanna (Lincoln) Stiles. After their marriage his parents settled in Onondaga Co., N. Y., removing thence to Ontario County in the same State, where the father died about 1834. The mother became a resident of De Kalb County, and died in Michigan while on a visit to her daughter in that State. They had seven children, - Harriet, John W., Maria, Eliza, Mary J., Emmeline and Samuel H.

Mr. Stiles obtained a common-school education, and continued under the authority of his parents until he was of age. On arriving at the period of his independent manhood he went to California, via Cuba, New Orleans and Texas, through New Mexico, and across the Rocky Mountains, reaching San Francisco after ten months and five days' travel. He arrived in the "City of the Golden Gate" Feb. 14, 1 85 1 , and had spent 40 days on the ocean on board an old Italian brig. His first meal in California consisted of a loaf of bread, for which he gave one dollar, and it was the most acceptable food he ever ate. He returned to the State of New York after an experience of six months' duration in the mines of California, making his journey back via the isthmus of Panama. On finding himself once more on his native soil, he engaged in farming in Ontario County, and continued in that occupation there until his removal to Illinois, when he located in Kingston, De Kalb County. In the spring following he obtained possession of four yoke of oxen and went to Iowa for the purpose of taking up land and establishing a permanent home. He and his wife made their journey all the way in a " prairie schooner," camping out nights and sleeping in their wagon. Mr. Stiles located a claim of about 300 acres of land in Wright Co., Iowa. In the summer following he returned to the State of New York, and while passing through Grundy Co., Iowa, on his return eastward, he bought another tract of choice land, containing 300 acres. In the next autumn he went back to Iowa, traveling to Chicago on the lakes. He exchanged the property he had purchased in Grundy County for a farm in Ontario Co., N. Y., and through the succeeding winter resided in Delaware County in the Hawk-Eye State, passing the time in hunting, and making thereby five dollars a day. During the spring ensuing he decided to return to the State of his birth, but was there only a few months when he was summoned to Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., by the death of his brother. He determined to settle in De Kalb Co., and became by purchase the proprietor of 275 acres of land in the township of Kingston. He was its occupant 15 years, when he sold the property and bought another in the same township, comprising half a section of land. On this he settled and resided until December, 1 884, at which time he removed to the village of Genoa, where he had erected a fine house for a residence for his years of retirement from active life. He is the proprietor of 340 acres of finely improved land.

(SJ Mr. Stiles is a Republican in political views and connections, and he has held numerous official positions, and enjoys largely the esteem and respect of the generation and community of which he has been a part. He and his estimable wife are very appropriately selected as representatives of the highest 9 class of citizens whose portraits should appear in this volume ; and they are accordingly given, accompany- ^ ing the above sketch.

^Ltephen G. Rowen, retired farmer, resident at Kirkland, Franklin Township, was born Sept. 24, 1820, in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y. He is the son of William H. and Betsy (Gorham) Rowen, and the biographical notice of their lives appears elsewhere in this volume. He was the oldest of their children, nine in number, comprising eight sons and a daughter. He was brought up at home to the age of 17 years, attending school and working on his father's farm. At that age he was apprenticed to his uncle, James Rowen, to learn the trade of blacksmith. He remained under his charge a year, and during the year following worked with another uncle, John Rowen, after which he spent a year in receiving instructions from a third uncle, Robert Rowen, all three being in the same ^ line of business. After acquiring a thorough knowl- A edge of the trade he purchased a stand in his native township and did an extensive business for some time. In 1842 he came West with his father, the family coming through the entire distance with teams. His father located at Janesville, while he settled at Racine, Wis., where he worked a year at his trade and came then to De Kalb Co., 111., whither his father had preceded him a few months earlier, and had made a purchase of land in Franklin Township.

Mr. Rowen found employment as a blacksmith and also became a farmer. He continued his joint operations until 1857, when he exchanged his property for his father's homestead, which he still retains. He has engaged to a considerable extent in traffic in real .estate, and now owns 310 acres of land, all under good improvement, which is managed by his son. About the date of the transfer of his property, he relinquished his business as a blacksmith and devoted his attention to farming exclusively.