USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 11
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S. S. DODGE.
S. S. Dodge is now living retired in Dixon but for many years was a prominent representative of mercantile interests in this city, where he took up his abode in 1868. He was then a young man, his birth having occurred in Ohio, December 2, 1841, his parents being Almeron and Sarah (Baldwin) Dodge. In the year 1844 they removed westward to Illinois, settling at Roscoe. The father was a son of Seymour Dodge, who was born in New York but went to Ohio at an early day. After his arrival in Illinois Almeron Dodge carried on general agricultural pursuits and both he and his wife spent their last days in Roscoe.
Reared in his father's home, S. S. Dodge pursued his education in the schools of Roscoe, passing through consecutive grades until he completed the high school course there. He was but nineteen years of age at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Soon after hostilities began he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company L, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. In the spring of 1862 he was wounded near Richmond and his injuries were so severe that he was honorably discharged and returned to his home.
When he had sufficiently recovered Mr. Dodge went to Rock- ford, Illinois, and there learned the jeweler's trade which he fol- lowed at that place until 1868. He then came to Dixon and opened a jewelry store, of which he was the proprietor for a third of a century. Throughout the entire period he ranked as one of the leading and enterprising merchants of the city. Ever recognizing the fact that honesty is the best policy, he never deviated from a . course which his judgment sanctioned as right between himself and his fellowmen and the integrity of his business methods was never questioned. As he prospered he extended his efforts into other fields, becoming one of the stockholders and directors of the Dixon National Bank many years ago, while for the past eight years or more he has been vice president, succeeding to that office upon the death of Mr. Cummins.
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On the 1st of July; 1873, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage to Miss Hattie E. Davis, of Dixon. She is a member of the Methodist church, while Mr. Dodge's membership relations are with the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic. He has attained high rank in the former and has been honored with many offices in different branches of the order, being past high priest of the chapter and past eminent commander of the commandery. He also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Freeport consistory and crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His political indorsement is given to the republican party. He has lived to see the fulfillment of the hopes of his youth and early manhood. There have been no spec- tacular phases in his life history but there are various elements worthy of emulation. To know one's duty and do it, to deal faith- fully and honorably with one's fellowmen, this is the life of an honorable man. Moreover, his record proves conclusively that success and an untarnished name may be won simultaneously.
CHRISTIAN GROSS.
Christian Gross, one of the extensive landowners of China township living retired in Franklin Grove, is numbered among the representative and progressive citizens of that community. He is interested in everything that pertains to the general advancement and growth and his influence is a tangible force for good along many lines. He was born in China township, this county, March 22, 1854, and is a son of Reinhart and Martha (Reinhart) Gross, natives of Germany. The mother came to America in 1846 and the father one year later. Their marriage occurred in Lee county in 1852 and afterward the father purchased land, buying eighty acres in China township and paying for this property a dollar and a · quarter per acre. He afterward added to his holdings and became in time one of the representative farmers of the locality. He and his wife became the parents of six children, of whom four are yet living.
Christian Gross remained upon his father's farm until he was · twenty-one years of age and then began his independent career, farming upon rented land for one year. At the end of that time he bought one hundred and sixty acres in China township and for many years thereafter gave his time and attention to the manage-
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CHRISTIAN GROSS
MRS. CHRISTIAN GROSS
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ment of his farming interests. From time to time he added to his holdings, which comprise today five hundred and twenty-nine acres, all in China township. Mr. Gross continued active in the cultivation of this property until 1903, when he retired and moved into Franklin Grove, where he has since resided. He is promi- nently identified with a number of important enterprises here and is well and favorably known in business circles. For the past ten years he has been manager and treasurer of the Farmers Telephone Company and for twenty years he has been a member of the board of directors of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is a director of the Franklin Grove Bank and interested in other enter- prises of this character.
In 1875 Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Hotzel, a native of Lee county and a daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Eckhart) Hotzel, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1847, on the same ship which brought the father of the subject of this review, and they made the journey from Chicago to Lee county in the same wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Gross became the parents of four children: Lillian, the wife of Jerry Dysart; R. C .; F. C .; and a child who died in infancy. The parents are members of the Evangelical church. Mr. Gross is a member of Franklin Grove Lodge, No. 504, K. P., and has been through all the chairs in that organization. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been very active in the affairs of the township. He served on the school board for a num- ber of years and was for six years mayor of Franklin Grove, giving to the community a straightforward and progressive administra- tion. He is at present township supervisor and is doing his usual capable and farsighted work in this office. A resident of Lee county since his birth, he has become widely known within its bor- ders. He merits the confidence and respect of all who know him and is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county.
THE UNION STATE BANK.
The Union State Bank of Dixon has become one of the strong, safe and reliable financial institutions of northern Illinois. It was organized on the 8th of January, 1902, with I. B. Countryman as president, C. J. Rosbrook, vice president, and R. M. Moore, cashier. The bank was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and a general Va. 1-
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banking business is conducted. The bank building was erected, twenty-four by eighty feet, of stone and brick. It is two stories in height, the upper floor being used for offices. Three per cent interest is paid on time deposits and the established rate upon savings. The capital still remains as at the beginning, but there is today a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars. There has been no change in the officers save that Harry L. Fordham succeeded Mr. Moore as cashier of the bank in 1911. Beside the officers C. H. Noble, E. J. Countryman, C. H. Stiteley and C. H. McKenney con- stitute the board of directors. The bank is now in a most flourish- ing condition, its total resources amounting to three hundred and seventy-seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy dollars and seventy-seven cents. Its loan department is an important paying branch of the business, its entire loans amounting to two hundred and eighty-two thousand, nine hundred and forty-seven dollars and seventy-nine cents. Keen business discrimination and sound judg- ment on the part of the bank officials result in the judicious placing of these loans, which thereby furnish a gratifying annual revenue to the bank. In fact, the entire business of the institution is in a flourishing condition and the policy followed is one which com- mends the bank to a liberal patronage. The interests of depositors are most carefully safeguarded and in this is found one of the features of the success of the institution.
W. F. DEGNER.
During the entire period of his active life W. F. Degner has been associated with farming and stock-raising interests of Lee county and his success is evident today in his ownership of one of . the finest farms in Bradford township. He was born in Lee county, October 23, 1873, and is a son of Fredrick and Sophia (Hotzel) Degner, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Lee county. The record of Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Degner is found elsewhere in this work.
W. F. Degner was reared at home and acquired his education in the district schools of Lee county. In his childhood he aided in the operation of the homestead and when he began his independent career turned his attention to farming, renting a tract of land upon which he resided for six years. At the end of that time he bought the farm which he now occupies. He has one hundred and twenty
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acres on sections 28 and 29, Bradford township, and has greatly improved this property, which gives every evidence of the care of a progressive and practical agriculturist. In addition to general farming Mr. Degner makes a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs and his stock-raising interests are extensive and important.
In 1900 Mr. Degner married Miss Mary K. Albrecht, a native of Lee county and a daughter of Burchart Albrecht. Mr. and Mrs. Degner have three children, Carl G., Raymond A. and Mabelle C. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Degner gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now serving as school director and discharges the duties of this office in a capable and progressive way. He is a stockholder in the Amboy State Bank and connected fraternally with Lee Center Lodge, No. 1036, M. W. A., of Lee Center. He is accounted one of the progress- ive and prosperous farmers of Bradford township and is well and favorably known throughout his native county.
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WILLIAM AUCHSTETTER.
William Auchstetter is now living retired at West Brooklyn but for a number of years was actively engaged in farming in Lee county. Since 1902 he has occupied his present home in the town, where he has valuable property holdings that return to him a gratifying income. His birth occurred in Lee Center township, February 6, 1870, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Thies) Auchstetter. The father came from Germany about 1845 and, making his way into the interior of the country, settled in Lee county. There were no railroads between Chicago and this district at that time. He was one of the pioneers of Lee county, which he found to be largely a tract of undeveloped prairie at the time of his arrival. Only here and there had settlements been made and much of the land was still in its primitive condition. Mr. Auchstetter purchased an undeveloped tract which he began converting into tillable land, bringing it ultimately under a high state of cultiva- tion. He was a popular man in the neighborhood and was recog- nized as a faithful friend and a devoted husband. He reached the venerable age of eighty-four years, passing away in 1908, and his wife departed this life the following year, at the age of seventy-five. Their religious faith was that of the Catholic church.
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William Auchstetter acquired his education in the country schools, which he attended until he reached the age of sixteen years. He afterward assisted his father upon the home farm until attaining his majority, when his father gave him one hundred and twenty acres of land. He then began the development of the pro- perty and by purchase added to it a fifteen acre tract. At length he and his brother inherited the old homestead but afterward William Auchstetter sold his interest in the farm to his brother Joseph and purchased the property which he now owns. This he developed, transforming the wild land into productive fields, and everything about the place came to indicate the practical methods and progressive spirit of the owner. In 1902 he retired from active farm life and erected a residence in West Brooklyn which is one of the fine homes of the town. The same spring he purchased one of the business blocks in West Brooklyn and his property interests now return to him a substantial income in rentals.
On the 23d of February, 1897, in West Brooklyn, Mr. Auch- stetter was united in marriage to Miss Susie Gehant, a daughter of Modest and Olympia (Chaon) Gehant, the former a pioneer farmer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Auchstetter have a daughter, Flossie, who is attending school. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Auchstetter belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political support is given to the democratic party. As the years have passed he has won success, which is largely due to his utilization of the opportunities that have come to him. He has always lived in Lee county and the energy and capability which he has displayed in the management of his busi- ness affairs have been the source of his present prosperity, enabling him now to live retired.
E. B. OWENS, M. D.
Dr. E. B. Owens, a general medical practitioner whose skill in surgery has also led him to specialize somewhat along that line, eame to Dixon in 1891 and has resided here continuously since, covering a period of about twenty-two years. He is a native of La Salle county, born on the 3d of May, 1867. His parents, Daniel W. and Mary (Silverthorn) Owens, were both natives of Penn- sylvania and were farming people. Removing westward, they set- tled in La Salle county and thus Dr. Owens was reared in this state.
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He supplemented his public-school training by a course in the Normal School of Bureau county, Illinois, from which he was graduated, and next entered the Northwestern University as a medical student, completing his professional training there in 1890. He afterward spent a year as resident physician and sur- geon in St. Luke's Hospital of Chicago, thus gaining a practical experience and training such as can be obtained in no other way than through hospital practice. In 1891 he arrived in Dixon and has here since remained. His knowledge of the principles and science of medicine is comprehensive and exact and his training and interest in his profession have well qualified him to deal with many of the diseases to which flesh is heir. He has done consider- able surgical work and specializes along this line, in which he has gained marked proficiency. He belongs to the local, state and na- tional medical associations and thus keeps in touch with the ad- vanced thought of the profession.
In 1894 Dr. Owens was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Isett, a native of Pennsylvania, and unto them have been born two children, Elizabeth and Katherine. Dr. Owens votes with the republican party and keeps well informed concerning the signifi- cant and vital questions of the times. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian church and during their residence in Dixon they have gained many friends among the church people and in social circles at large.
WILLIAM J. MCCARTY.
William J. McCarty, a representative of an honored pioneer family of Lee county, devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent success, operating a valuable farm of three hundred acres, known as Clear View Farm, on section 14, Marion township. His birth occurred on this farm on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1876, his parents being William R. and Ruth A. (Conder- man) McCarty. The father, who passed away on the 28th of De- cember, 1898, lies buried in the Prairie Repose cemetery of Amboy, but the mother survives and makes her home with our subject.
William J. McCarty attended school in his native county un- til sixteen years of age and subsequently spent his entire time in assisting his father with the work of the home place. Since the. time of the latter's demise in 1898, our subject has remained at.
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home with his mother in Marion township, where he has carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully since. He is engaged in mixed farming and the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. The residence and some other buildings which stand on the property were erected by his grandfather, an early pioneer, who settled on this farm in 1850, and became an early agriculturist and esteemed citizen of the community.
In politics Mr. McCarty is a stanch republican, and for two years he ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of clerk of Marion township. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Wood- men of America and the Royal Neighbors. A man of genuine per- sonal worth and high standards of integrity, he commands the sincere regard and esteem of all who come in contact with him and in the course of his lifelong residence in Lee county has proved his loyalty in citizenship, his reliability in business and his fidelity to all the ties and obligations of life.
HENRY KERSTEN.
Henry Kersten is one of the self-made men of Lee county. He had no special assistance when he started out in life on his own account, but in the course of years, through his well directed efforts and careful management, he has become the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Reynolds township. It was in this township that he was born, March 1, 1864, his parents being George and Christina Kersten, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in the '50s and journeyed across the country until they reached Lee county, Illinois, where the father still makes his home, residing now in Ashton. The mother passed away in the late '70s, after which George Kersten married a second and third time, his third union being with Mrs. Emma Brundenburg. By his first marriage there were eleven chil- dren and by the second marriage there were three children, of whom two yet survive.
Henry Kersten spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and after attaining his majority started out in the world on his own account. He then rented land for four years, after which he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 16,
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HENRY KERSTEN AND FAMILY
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Reynolds township. From the beginning his success has con- tinued, owing to the fact that he has never been afraid of hard work. He has labored diligently and persistently and has added to his holdings from time to time. He purchased eighty acres on section 8 and afterward invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Reynolds township. He has now altogether four hundred acres of rich and valuable land worth at least two hun- dred dollars per acre. He displays excellent management in the use of the fields, producing therefrom the best possible crops owing to his progressive methods of farming. He rotates his crops, keeps his soil in good condition and the harvests which he annually garners bring to him a good financial return.
On the 22d of March, 1888, Mr. Kersten was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Newman, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, and is a daughter of John and Martha (Wagner) New- man, both of whom were natives of Germany and came to the United States at an early date. They settled in Lee county, Illi- nois, and here continued to make their home until they were called from this life. Mr. and Mrs. Kersten became the parents of five children: Pearl Caroline, Harry J., Elmer H., Ervin H. and Rosa M. The parents hold membership in the Evangelical church, and Mr. Kersten is actively interested in its work. He is now serving as one of the church trustees and is treasurer of the Sun- day school. He votes with the republican party and has filled the the office of pathmaster. He has also been school director and is interested in everything that pertains to the general welfare along the lines of material, intellectual and moral progress.
JOHN P. DEVINE.
The bar of Lee county finds a worthy representatve in John P. Devine, who has practiced continuously in Dixon since 1905. He came to the starting point of his career well equipped with cer- tain qualities indispensable to the successful lawyer-a well trained mind, the habit of careful analysis and logical reasoning and a recognition of the fact that devotion to a client's interests is one of the elements of enduring success. Lee county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred within her borders on the 22d of January, 1878. His father, James Devine, was born in Ireland and on coming to Illinois settled in Whiteside county
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in 1865. Later in the '60s he removed to this county and took up the occupation of farming which he followed for a number of years. His success in tilling the soil brought to him a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired. In early man- hood he wedded Mary A. Gugerty, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1854 and is a daughter of Thomas Gugerty, one of the pioneer settlers of this county.
John P. Devine pursued his education in the schools of Dixon and is a graduate of the literary and law department of Dixon College. He completed his law course with the class of 1903 and was admitted to the bar in 1905, when he opened an office and has since engaged in practice in Dixon. As the years have passed he has gained a distinctively representative clientage and he is regarded as an able and faithful minister in the temple of justice, being careful at all times to conform his practice to a high stand- ard of professional ethics, never seeking to lead the court astray in matters of fact or law and presenting his points logically and forcefully.
Mr. Devine has always voted with the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has become a recognized leader in its local ranks. He is now a member of the state legislature, to which he was elected in 1910, and to the vital questions which come up for settlement he gives his earnest consideration.
FREDRICK C. DEGNER.
Lee county was called upon to mourn the loss of one of its early residents when Fredrick C. Degner died on his farm in Bradford township in 1893. He had lived in this part of Illinois since 1866 and for a long period was influentially connected with agricultural interests here, developing one of the finest farms in this locality. He was born in Germany, June 29, 1843, and he came to America in 1866, locating in Lee county, Illinois, where two years later he bought a farm. For many years thereafter he con- tinued to make his home upon this property, carrying forward the work of improvement and development with characteristic energy. He provided the place with a comfortable residence and substan- tial buildings and was very successful in its conduct, becoming one of the best known farmers and stock-raisers in this locality.
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He died upon the property May 15, 1893, and was laid to rest in the Woodside cemetery, Lee Center. He was a man of many ster- ling traits of character, reliable in business, progressive in citizen- ship and straightforward in all relations of life. His death was, therefore, sincerely regretted in this township, where for so many years he had made his home and where he had contributed in sub- stantial measure to general advancement.
In Lee county, Illinois, Mr. Degner was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Hotzel, who was born in China township, this county, a daughter of Conrad and Anna E. (Eckhart) Hotzel, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1847 and located in Lee county, where they resided until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Degner became the parents of ten children: Carl, who died at the age of four; Anna, the wife of Emrich Schnell, of Minnesota; W. F .; Mary, who married U. G. Fulfs, a resident of Whiteside county, Illinois; Martha, the deceased wife of John Rupel; Emma, who married August Geyer, of Lee county; two children who died in infancy; Kathryn, who married Walter Dunseth, of Amboy; and Nellie H., a music teacher. Mrs. Degner has also reared a grand- daughter, Blanch Rupel. She owns the homestead of eighty acres in Bradford township and resides upon it. She has many friends in this part of Lee county, where her character and worth are known and recognized.
ABRAM K. TRUSDELL.
Abram K. Trusdell has for forty-six years been a member of the Dixon bar and throughout the entire period his practice has been extensive and of an important character. He has ever been remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and patient care with which he has prepared his cases, while an excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner and comprehensive knowledge of the law have been the strong features in his effectiveness as an advo- cate. He is likewise closely and prominently connected with various business corporations which have had to do with the mate- rial development and financial history of the city. A native of Sussex county, New Jersey, he is a son of Jesse and Jane (Giv- eans) Trusdell, the former a farmer by occupation.
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