Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 79

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

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On December 3, 1853, Mr. Dennett was mar- ried at Rochester, N. H., to Miss Climenia Kel- ley, a daughter of Stephnas and Abigail (Moore) Kelley. The Kelley family came of New Hamp- shire stock. Mrs. Dennett was born at Chiches- ter in that state, June 25, 1830. There Mr. Kelley kept the first temperance hotel and also conducted a dry goods establishment. He died in 1840, at the age of thirty-two years, at Con- cord. N. H. Mrs. Kelley survived her husband and later married Jacob H. Ela, who was editor of a newspaper and later became a member of Congress from New Hampshire, and died at Washington, D. C., in 1SS3. Mrs. Ela died in 1879, aged seventy years. Mrs. Dennett's grand- father, Dr. Amasa Kelley, was born in Amesbury, Mass., more than half a century before her birth. Her maternal great-grandfather was Captain Page, a Revolutionary soldier.

Mr. Dennett commanded universal respect for his uprightness in business and honesty of purpose in everything he undertook. When he retired his customers and his competitors were sorry to lose him from the commercial field. The family residence is at No. 428 North First street.

DE PUY, Hulbert R. Although he was not long a resident of Rockford, the late Hulbert R. De Puy was well known throughout this district, and left behind him a family that is highly honored by the people here. Mr. De Puy was a man whose name needs no laudation, his actions speaking for his character, and he died

as he lived, an earnest Christian and honorable business man. He was born at Onondaga, N. Y., March 27, 1847, a son of Horace and Caroline (Mitchell) De Puy, natives of New York.

Growing up in his native place, Hulbert De Puy attended the public schools and lived with his parents until 1864, when he came as far west as Chicago. Although still a lad, he enlisted in that city for service during the Civil war, in Company C, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer In- ťantry, and was honorably discharged at the close of hostilities. He then joined his mother who was residing at Joliet, Ill., and began team- ing. Later he was employed on the C. & A. Railroad as fireman and engineer, and subse- quently was an engineer on the C. & N. W. Rail- road. For eleven years he made his home at Belvidere, Ill., but in 1887 moved to Rockford, where he died December 9, 1889. His widow has since made her home at Rockford and has a beautiful residence on Cumberland street.

On September 24, 1884, Mr. De Puy was mar- ried to Myra C. Nutting, born in Clinton County, N. Y., a daughter of V. P. and Charlotte B. (Reynolds) Nutting, natives of New Hampshire, and Essex County, N. Y. Mrs. De Puy was the widow of Orrin Meader, born at Plattsburg, N. Y., and had one daughter by her first marriage, Mattie, who is Mrs. John W. Day of Plainfield, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. De Puy had one daughter, Bessie E., who is Mrs. Elof L. Braid of Rock- ford. Mr. Braid is an inspector of the Ingersol Manufacturing Company, and he and his wife reside with Mrs. De Puy. Mr. De Puy was a Baptist. His fraternal affiliations were with the Masons, and he took pleasure in his association with old comrades at the G. A. R. Post of Belvi- dere, Ill., to which he belonged. Faithful in all things, he made a fine record for himself, and his company reposed the utmost trust in him, and he never ceased to deserve it.

DERWENT, Edmond. One of the men who for a number of years was an important factor in the business life of Winnebago County, with in- terests centering at Rockford where he resided, was the late Edmond Derwent. Mr. Derwent was born in England, September 26, 1836, a son of Thomas and Betsey Derwent who in 1841 came to the United States on a sailing vessel, and located at Rochester, N. Y. There for two years the father was engaged in carpenter work, but then moved to Durand Township, this county, where he bought a farm, and built a sawmill, later going into a gristmill business. In 1858 he moved to Rockford, and built a water power flourmill, which he conducted for many years. Atter selling that plant, he conducted a planing mill, and was thus engaged when he died, in 1892. The mother survived him two years, passing away in 1894.

Edmond Derwent attended the public schools of Winnebago County, and when old enough went into business with his father. When the latter died, Edmond and his two brothers, Thomas and Luther, continued to operate the mill until it was burned in 1912, and they then discontinued

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their business. Mr. Derwent died July 2, 1906, firm in the faith of the Christian Union Church of which he was a consistent member. In politics he was a Republican.

On July 5, 1861, Mr. Derwent was married to Adelaide Fleming, born in Washington County, Ohio, December 18, 1842, a daughter of Peter and Betsey Ann (Lackey) Fleming, he born in Washington County, Ohio, December 25, 1817, and she born December 21, 1814. Peter Flem- ing was a son of Jesse and Elinore (Collins) Fleming, the former of Irish descent. Peter Fleming assisted his father in operating his farm until he was fifteen years old when he went to Newport, Ohio, and there learned the cooper- ing trade which he followed until his marriage, September 23, 1841. His wife was a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Wright) Lackey, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Isaac Lackey was a soldier of the War of 1812. Mrs. Derwent is descended from the famous Peabody family on both sides of the house.

At an early day, 1842, Peter Fleming moved to Durand Township, Winnebago County, Ill., and resided on a farm he had purchased until February, 1891, when he sold this property and retired, moving to Pecatonica, Ill. After a few years, he came to Rockford, and from the fall of 1893 until February 24, 1894, he and his wife kept house here but after her death on that date, he went to the home of his daughter, at Hinsdale, Ill., where he died August 14, 1903. The children of Peter Fleming and wife were as follows: Mrs. Derwent, who is the eldest ; Marietta, who is Mrs. Charles Reddington, of Oakland, Cal .; Anette, who is Mrs. H. B. Far- well, a widow of St. Paul, Minn .; Delight, who married John Frederick, is now a widow resid- ing at Oakland, Cal .; and Alice, who married John Ross, died April 23, 1912.

Mr. and Mrs. Derwent had two children : Stella, who was born February 25, 1864, married Frank McArthur and died September 4, 1913, at Des Moines, Iowa; and Watson E., who was born January 22, 1878, is head of the mail order department of the Kalamazoo Stove Company, having held that position since October, 1903, and prior to that date, from 1896 until 1903, was with Sears, Roebuck & Co., of Chicago. He married Marie Bentine of Milwaukee, Wis.

DERWENT, James E., who belongs to one of the pioneer families of Winnebago County, is widely known and stands high in public regard. He is a substantial farmer, residing on section 35, Durand Township, where he was born, No- vember 22, 1857, a son of William and Elizabeth (Hobson) Derwent, both natives of England. Thomas Derwent. the paternal grandfather, came to the United States with several of his sons, including William, and his brother-in-law, Aaron Haughton, in 1842, and bought extensively in Durand and Pecatonica townships, Winne- bago County.

After the death of Thomas Derwent, William Derwent, father of James E. Derwent, bought

the homestead and there he lived until he was sixty-three years old. Having lost his first wife, he married a second time, later moving to an- other farm in the same neighborhood, owning in all about 270 acres. The mother of James E. Derwent came to America the year following the arrival of William Derwent, and they were mar- ried as soon as she joined him although between them they had only a fortune of $2.50. They had other advantages, however, and lived long . and happily. They became the parents of five children as follows: Charles M., who lives at Rockford; Mary Jane, who is the widow of E. S. Garner, of Waverly, Iowa; Alexander, who lives in Durand Township ; James E. ; and A. E., a physician, who lives at Clinton, Mo. Mrs. Derwent was a member of the Baptist church. She was born September 6, 1819, passing away February 19, 1882. In politics Mr. Derwent was a Republican. He was born November 1, 1821, and died September 9, 1905.

Some time before the father's death James and his brother bought the farm, forty-three acres of which are located in Durand Township, and 187 acres in Pecatonica Township and he has continued to reside on this property. His educational training was obtained in the local schools, and his life has been spent in this neighborhood. Mr. Derwent has carried on gen- eral farming and kept blooded horses, importing shires, hackneys, cleveland bays and percherons, and had his own stallions, now having "Bar- num" an American bred percheron stallion. For ten years in succession he won the first premiums at the Winnebago County Fair for the best driving team. He has always enjoyed handling horses and brought stallions here to improve the grade of horses bred in this locality so as to improve the horse market. For a num- ber of years he has also raised Polled Angus cattle.

On March 30, 1886, James E. Derwent was married to Florence Adelle Haughton, a daugh- ter of Thomas D. Haughton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Derwent have one son, Ralph, who lives in the old home and operates the farm. He married Mabel Bates of Burritt Township.

Formerly Mr. Derwent was a Republican in politics, but has become an independent and votes for the man rather than according to party lines. Fraternally he belongs to the Rock- ford Order of Elks, No. 64. Since the arrival of the Derwent family in Winnebago County in 1842, its representatives have lived here, and Mr. Derwent is of the third generation, and his son is of the fourth.

DIAMOND, Irwin K., manager of the Diamond & Sons' Grocery Store, at Nos. 936 and 938 Kil- bourne avenue, is one of the experienced business men of Rockford, and one who enjoys universal confidence from the public. He was born in Harrison Township, this county, March 2, 1879, a son of George and Ellen (Knight) Diamond. The father was born at Detroit, Mich., in Octo- ber, 1845, and when one year old was taken to

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Chicago by his parents, receiving his educa- tional training in that city. He went into a grocery business with his father, and this asso- ciation continued for fifteen years, when the latter died at Chicago. George Diamond subse- quently came to Harrison Township, and en- gaged in a grocery business and also in farming. In 1890 he came to Rockford and in 1901 he embarked in a grocery business at No. 922 Kil- bourne Avenue, remaining at that location for twelve years. In 1913 he built the present block occupied by the firm of Diamond & Sons. In politics he is a Republican. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.

Irwin Diamond spent his boyhood in Harrison Township, and was there educated. On coming to Rockford he became associated with his father in the present grocery enterprise, and has materially assisted in its development, and is numbered among the most capable men in his line. The firm handle a full line of green and staple groceries and meats, and the quality of their goods is unquestioned.

In 1905 Irwin Diamond was married to Miss Georgiana Lawler, a daughter of Peter and Jennie (McGregor) Lawler of Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Diamond have one son, Harold L. Mr. Diamond belongs to the Odd Fellows, and takes a deep interest in the affairs of his order. Both he and Mrs. Diamond belong to the Presbyterian Church.

DICKERMAN, E. Burton, whose able adminis- tration of affairs as treasurer of New Milford Township for five years resulted in his being elected assessor of the same township in 1914, is one of the substantial farmers of Winnebago County. He was born on his present farm of over 167 acres, in New Milford Township, March 26, 1873, a son of Putnam B. and Emily F. (Peck) Dickerman, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. E. Burton was one of four children born to his parents, the others being : Alfred Grant, Frank I., deceased, and Mary Ellen. Alfred Grant was born January 9, 1867. To improve his health, he has moved to Fort Sumner, N. M. He married Fannie Hold- ridge. Mary Ellen was born July 25, 1871. She married C. W. Hammond and is living at No. 1003 Morgan street, Rockford, Ill.

On March 25, 1897, E. Burton Dickerman was married to Della Pearl Hurd, born October 1, 1876, a daughter of Cyrus and Mary (Sherman) Hurd, the former born in 1844, died in 1888, and the latter, born in 1845 in New York state, is now living in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Hurd had the following children : Ernest and Carrol, deceased, Della Pearl, Junetta, Lillian and Ade- laide. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman have had one child, Miriam E. She was born October 10, 1909, and died October 27, 1910, aged one year and seventeen days. Mr. Dickerman is a Re- publican, and has done voeman service for his party both as treasurer and assessor of his town- ship and as a private citizen. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of New Milford.

DICKERMAN, Putnam Baily, one of the hon- ored veterans of the Civil war residing in Win- nebago County, has long been associated with the agricultural life of New Milford Township. He was born at Jewett, Greene County, N. Y., July 7, 1840, a son of Joel Dickerman and grandson of Joel Dickerman. Joel Dickerman, Sr., who died at the age of eighty years, married Cath- erine Atwater, born December 21, 177S, died September 6, 1866, aged eighty-one years. They had four children as follows: Amelia, who was the wife of Lucius Pond; Joel, who became the father of Putnam Baily ; Worster A., who is de- ceased ; and Catherine, who is the widow of Addison Ramsey.

Joel Dickerman, Jr., was born January 10, 1818. On August 27, 1839, he married Eunice Baily, who died January 3, 1877, the following children having been born of this marriage: Putnam B., who was born July 7, 1840; M. L., who was born June S, 1843; Emma Jane, who was born October 6, 1846; Mary Humphry, Caro- line Amelia and Elizabeth Sanford, all three of whom are deceased ; Ella Kate, who was born November 13. 1857; and Cora Alida, who was born March 26, 1860. Joel Dickerman married (second) Helen M. Woodward, at Stillman Val- ley, Ill.

Putnam B. Dickerman received an excellent education and between the ages of nineteen and twenty-two years taught school, On August 1, 1862, he left the schoolroom to enlist in Com- pany F, One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteer Infantry, as a private, was frequently promoted for gallant conduct and at the time of his discharge he was a second lieutenant, be- ing mustered out June 2, 1865. His regiment participated in sixteen battles, and his company was almost wiped out at the battle of Gettys- burg, only Mr. Dickerman and two comrades an- swering roll call the morning after the three days engagement was over, the remainder being dead, wounded or prisoners. As might be ex- pected Mr. Dickerman is a member of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R.

On September 12, 1865, Mr. Dickerman was married at Jewett, Greene County, N. Y., to Miss Emily F. Peck, born September 13, 1841, a daugh- ter of Munson and Mary Peck, both natives of Lexington, N. Y., now known as Jewett. Mrs. Peck was born in 1820 and died in 1904. Mr. Peck is also deceased. The Pecks had three chil- dren, namely : Emily F .; Alfred, who died in 1871, at the age of twenty-three years; and Martha J., who married William Hasty, of Berkshire, Mass., died in December, 1913. The following children were born to Putnam B. Dickerman and his wife: Alfred Grant, who was born January 9, 1867, now of Fort Sumner, N. M., married Fannie May Holdridge, March 6, 1890, who was born in 1869, they having three children, Harold Putnam, born October 13, 1895, Lucia Pearl, born February 17, 1900, and Charles Burton, born June 7, 1906; Frank Irwin, who is deceased ; Mary Ellen, who was born July 25. 1871, married Christopher W. Hammond, and is now residing at No. 1000 Morgan street, Rock-

Jahre Strand & Family

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ford, and they have two children, Elizabeth, who was born May 5, 1901, and Frances, who was born August 17, 1903; and Edward Burton, who was born March 26, 1873, married Miss Della Pearl Hurd, a native of Ohio and they had one child who died in infancy.

Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Dickerinan came to Rockford, Ill., to visit an uncle, W. A. Dickerman, and liking the locality, they invested in a farm of 350 acres in New Milford Township for which they paid $30 per acre. In February, 1866, Mr. Dickerman sold one half of this property to his father who, through visiting W. A. Dickerman at Rockford had become acquainted in the locality, and came to the farm at that time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and he is a trustee of the local branch of that denomination. In politics he is a Republican, but has never cared for public honors.

DICKERMAN, Worcester A. A number of the most substantial institutions of Rockford today were organized by the late Worcester A. Dicker- inan, who was one of the city's most representa- tive men during its formative period. He was born in Greene County, N. Y., September 10, 1820, a son of Joel and Catherine (Atwater) Dicker- man, both of whom were of Revolutionary an- cestry.

In 1844 Worcester A. Dickerman came to Rockford, Ill., and began his career here in a general store owned by G. A. Sanford. Soon the newcomer was made a partner, the first firm name being W. A. Dickerman & Co. Mr. Dicker- man extended his sphere of usefulness by in- vesting in a flax mill which he conducted until it was burned, when he embarked in a banking business under the name of Dickerman, Wheeler & Sanford. On retirement of Mr. Wheeler, Dr. R. P. Lane succeeded him, and the firm name became Lane, Sanford & Co., Mr. Dickerman being the silent partner. This firm did a private banking business until the national banking sys- tem was introduced in 1865. The firm was given the second banking charter under the name Second National Bank. Mr. Dickerman was one of the incorporators of the Rockford Insurance Co., and from 1884 to the time of his death served as director and also as examiner in the mercan- tile department. The Rockford Insurance Co. sold its business to the American Insurance Co., of Newark, N. J., in the spring of 1899. Mr. Dickerman died July 19, 1899, after a lite of honorable and useful endeavor.

On December 21, 1847, Mr. Dickerman was married to Caroline Maria Thomas, born at Bethany, N. Y., October 15, 1826, a daughter of Dr. Alden and Eliza (Marsh) Thomas, natives of Woodstock, Vt. They came to Rockford in 1839. by water as far as Chicago, and by stage the remainder of the journey. Dr. Thomas was one of the earliest physicians of Rockford, and claimed lineal descent from John Alden. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman had two children : Harry W. and Katherine E., both of Rockford. Mrs. Dick-

erman died at her home in Rockford, June 2, 1914.

Mr. Dickerman and his wife were among the founders of Rockford College of which he served for some years as financial agent. From 1849 Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman were faithful members of the Second . Congregational church, being among its charter members, and he was a deacon of it for nearly fifty years.

DOBSON, Howard W. The late Howard W. Dobson spent much of his life in Rockford, but passed many years on a tarm in Winnebago County. He was born in New Brunswick, April 14, 1836, a son of John and Frances (Dobson) Dobson, natives of New Brunswick and Ireland. In 1844 the parents came to Winnebago County, Ill., and resided on a farm in Burritt Township which the father entered from the government, the greater portion of which was prairie land. He improved this property and resided on it for many years, and on retiring, moved to Rockford. Later he went to Iowa, after selling his interests in Winnebago County, and died in that state. The mother died in Kansas.

Howard W. Dobson bought a farm in Owen Township and operated it, his brother's wife keeping house for him while the brother was serving as a soldier in the Civil war. With his marriage, in 1864, he found added incentive in his work and continued to conduct his farm until 1869, when he rented it and went to Rockford. Although he did not serve any apprenticeship, Mr. Dobson was very handy with tools and did considerable carpenter work at Rockford, several residence properties still standing attesting his skill.

On October 13, 1864, Mr. Dobson was married to Alice Brink, born in Guilford Township, this county, October 13, 1844, a daughter of John and Thankful (Campbell) Brink, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Vermont. The father was one of the first men to locate at Rockford, having come here in a wagon which he drove from New York state in 1835. His death occurred in 1852. As he had lost the mother of his five children in 1848, at his death they were left orphans and were taken by rela- tives. Mr. and Mrs. Dobson became the parents of the following children : May, who is a teacher in the Rockford High school; John, who resides at Rockford; and Frances, who lives with her mother. Mr. Dobson died June 22, 1909. He was a Republican and served one term in the Rockford city council as alderman from the Seventh Ward. The Second Congregational Church of Rockford held his membership and benefited by his generosity. A man of honesty of character and kindness of heart, Mr. Dobson made many friends and established a reputa- tion for fairness of dealing that was well merited. He will long be remembered.

DODGE, C. J., day engineer at the Barber-Col- man Company's plant, is one of the expert men in his line, and one who stands very high in industrial circles. He was born near Massena,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

N. Y., on Long Sault Island, St. Lawrence County, September 7, 1869, a son of John and Juliet (Smith) Dodge, both of whom were natives of New York, the father having been born in the same place as his son. He was farmer all his mature life. He died in a 1900, at the age of sixty years, and the mother died in 1895. In politics the father was a Republican.

C. J. Dodge passed his boyhood in his native place and there attended school. He later went to North Troy, Vt., and engaged in a lumber business, operated a sawmill, and was also interested in farming. Subsequently he went to the Dakotas, where he took up a claim, and still later was in Montana for some time. Finally he came to Rockford and there he was employed at the Union foundry as a moulder for a year, leaving to go with the Nelson House as night engineer, then was with the Rockford Glucose factory as night electrician for four years. Mr. Dodge then went to Belvidere, Ill., where he worked in the Eldridge Sewing Machine Com- Dany's factory for a year, and then returned to Rockford and worked for two years, under Adolph Krutee, for the Edison Electric Com- pany., The next two years were spent in the car barns as car repairer. All this experience was helpful in developing him into an expert engineer and his appointment as day engineer for the Barber-Colman Company was but logi- cal, as they employ only men of skill.

In 1910 Mr. Dodge was married to Miss Jose- phine Thompson, a daughter of Nels and Juliet Thompson, and they have three children : Curtis G., Marlowe and Stanley S .. For the past seven- teen years Mr. Dodge has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, He belongs to the Merchants Life Association. For many years his interest has been so closely centered upon his work that he has had no time for public service, but as a man of intelligent foresight he keeps himself well posted on current matters and is not unmindful of local affairs.

DODGE, Lucien B., for many years one of the leading farmers of Roscoe Township, and a man of importance in Winnebago County, was born at Fredonia, N. Y., May S, 1829, a son of David and Maria (Cole) Dodge. The parents were natives of Massachusetts, and the father died when L. B. Dodge was a year old. The mother later married a Mr. Terrell and they moved to northeastern Pennsylvania, where she died.

Lucien B. Dodge remained in his native state until he attained his majority, but at that time went with his step-brother to Australia, to work in the gold mines. After a year there, he went to Peru, S. A., and spent a year and then re- turned to the United States for a time, but once more set out on his travels and for some years traveled about the world, during ten years of this time being traveling salesman for a seed company. After his marriage he located on a farm he had bought in Harlem Township, Winnebago County, Ill., and then bought an-

other farm, in Roscoe Township, on which he lived for thirty-five years. He raised garden seeds extensively on his farms in this county. In 1903 he bought a comfortable residence at Roscoe, and retiring lived in it until his death, ‘ May 2, 1912, at the age of eighty-three years. His widow survives him and lives at Roscoe. She bore the maiden name of Marie Adams. She is a daughter of Horace and Jennie (Rob- inson) Adams, both of whom were born in New York state, where they married. Mrs. Adams died at the age of eighty-two years, and Mr. Adams died in 1899, aged eighty-four years.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 79

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972