History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., Part 23

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill
Number of Pages: 910

USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 23

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SYLVANUS K. UPHAM, retired merchant, Dixon, is a native of Cas- tine, Maine, where he was born in 1811. His parents were Sylvanus and Mary (Avery) Upham. He is a descendant of old Puritan stock, the first Upham having come to America in 1635, and settled in Massa- chusetts, where the family remained until about the beginning of the present century, when Mr. Upham's father removed to Maine, where he died in 1832. Mr. Upham attended school until his fifteenth year, when he went to sea, which vocation he followed for two years, when he settled at Salem, Massachusetts, and learned the tanning trade. After remaining there about four years he returned to Castine, where for ten years he carried on a tannery. In 1844 he removed to Boston and engaged in the grocery business, but, catching the gold-fever in 1849, he went to California, remaining there for two years, when he returned to Massachusetts. In November, 1852, he removed to Dixon and engaged at once in the lumber business, which he carried on until 1875, since which time he has not been engaged in active business. Mr. Upham was married in January 1839, to Miss Mary A. Brooks, of Castine, who died at Dixon, December 30, 1870. They had four children, three of whom survive, the eldest being Margaret B., born in November 1839, now the widow of Charles Wright, Esq. Mrs. Wright is at present living in Paris, and is an authoress of consid- erable distinction. Lieut. Frank Upham, born in 1841, is an officer in the 1st U. S. Cav., at present stationed at Fort Walla Walla, Washing- ton Territory ; Charles C., born in 1852, is residing in Mexico, as resi- dent engineer of the Mexican Central railroad. Annie G., born in 1845, was married in 1866, to Edward B. Utley, Dixon, and died June 12, 1867. Mr. Upham was married a second time in 1872, to Mrs. Angelina Sewell, relict of the Rev. Daniel Sewell, of Win- throp, Maine, who died in 1866. Way back two centuries and a half ago we find the ancient records speaking in high terms of the services of Lieut. Phineas Upham, who served with distinction in the long and bloody contest waged between the sturdy settlers of Massachusetts and the savage hordes of King Phillip, and who finally perished from wounds sustained at the hands of the treacherous foe.

NICHOLAS PLEIN, brewer, Dixon, was born in Frier, Germany, November 8, 1848, and is the son of John and Margaret (Plein) Plein.

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DIXON TOWNSHIP.

He received his education at the schools of his native town, and when eighteen years of age came to America and settled in Dixon, where he worked several months for Valentine Thoman. He then removed to Chicago, where he remained a short time and then returned to Dixon, where he again entered into the employ of Mr. Thoman. After the death of the latter, which occurred in June 1873, he purchased the property and business which he still carries on. Mr. Plein was mar- ried in 1873, to Mrs. Christina (Sold) Thoman, a daughter of Louis and Christina (Keller) Sold. She was born in France in 1846, and has resided in Dixon since 1854. There are six children : Charles, aged seventeen ; Constant, aged thirteen ; Joseph, aged eleven ; Amelia, aged nine ; Kitty, aged five, and Louis, aged one.

SAMUEL SHAW, farmer, Dixon, was born in Scotland, October 1803, and is the son of James and Sydney (Forsythe) Shaw. His father was the owner of a large stock farm near Glasgow, but removed to the north of Ireland when Samuel was abont seven years of age, where the latter was brought up and educated. When eighteen years of age he came to America, and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. After remaining there three years he returned to Ireland, where he engaged in farming for several years. He again came to America, and in 1833 located in Cass county, Illinois, where he resided until 1854, when he removed to Palmyra township, where he remained until 1875. Since that time he has been a resident of the city of Dixon, engaged in no active business, but owning about 600 acres of good farming land in the vicinity of the city. Mr. Shaw was married in 1827, to Miss Mary Campbell, a native of Scotland, and who, after the lapse of more than half a century, still remains the sharer of his joys and sorrows. They have four sons and three daughters surviving, the eldest of whom is James, born in 1833, and now a leading attorney of Mount Carroll, Illi- nois. William, born 1835, has a large stock farm in Missouri. Arch- ibald, born in 1837, is farming in Kansas. Samuel, born in 1844, is practicing law at Kansas city, Missouri. Three daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and Cathrine, reside in Dixon with their parents. One son, Timothy, born in 1839, was a student at Illinois College at the out- break of the war, and enlisted at the first call for troops in April 1861, and died at St. Louis in August 1861, from disease contracted in the serviee. Mr. Shaw is a firm believer in the republican party and its principles, and attends the Presbyterian church.

HON. HENRY D. DEMENT, Secretary of State for Illinois, was born at Galena, Illinois, in 1840, and is the son of Col. John and Mary L. (Dodge) Dement, and is the grandson on his mother's side of General Dodge, the first governor of Wisconsin. At the age of five years he removed with his parents from Galena to Dixon, where he

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

attended school for several years, and finishing the course at Mount Morris Seminary, at Mount Morris, Ogle county, Illinois. At the age of twenty years he enlisted in the service of his country, going into the 13th Ill. Inf. in October 1861. On the organization of the companies he was elected a second lieutenant, and within a short period was pro- mnoted to first lieutenant, and captain, receiving a complimentary com- mission for the latter position from Gov. Yates, for gallantry at Arkan- sas Post and Chickasaw Bayon. He served with Gen. Curtis in all his campaigns west of the Mississippi, and was in the 15th Army Corps during the siege of Vicksburg. Soon after the fall of the latter place he resigned his command and returned home. Soon afterward he engaged in the manufacture of plows etc. at Dixon, in connection with W. M. Todd, but sold out to F. K. Orvis & Co. in 1870. Shortly afterward he engaged in the manufacture of flax bagging for covering cotton bales, which he carried on until 1880, when he was burned ont in the large fire that occurred in the spring of that year, Capt. De- ment was elected to the lower house of the Illinois legislature in November 1872, and reëlected in 1874, and at the expiration of that term was elected to the senate from the counties of Lee and Ogle, and served four years. In the spring of 1880 he was nominated by the republican state convention as their candidate for the position of secre- tary of state, and elected in the following November by upward of 40,000 majority. He was married October 20, 1864, to Miss Mary F. Williams, daughter of Hon. Hezekiah Williams, of Castine, Maine, and the result of this union has been three daughters: Gertrude M., aged fifteen years, Lucia W., aged thirteen years, and Nonie E., aged five years. Capt. Dement and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

THOMAS MCCUNE, farmer, Dixon, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and is the son of William and Keziah (Pax- ton) McCune. His father was a farmer, and is still living in Pennsyl- vania. Mr. McCune was brought up and educated in Venango county, and after his arrival at manhood engaged in farming. In 1872 he came west and located on his present farm in Dixon township, which consists of 183 acres of valuable land with large and commodious buildings in first-class order. He was married June 3, 1858, to Miss Lydia J. Williams, a resident of Venango county, Pennsylvania. They have five children as follows : Miles, aged twenty-three ; Irvin, aged twenty- one; Sarah J., aged eighteen ; Ellen, aged thirteen ; and Maud, aged nine years ; all of whom reside at home. Mr. McCune is a democrat in his political affiliations.

JOSEPH B. BROOKS, deceased, for ten years a prominent citizen of Dixon, was born at Castine, Maine, on August 15, 1820, and is the

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DIXON TOWNSHIP.

son of Barker and Margaret (Perkins) Brooks. He left home and went to Boston about 1843, where he engaged in the shipchandlery business in connection with Mr. S. K. Upham. In 1845 he returned to Dixon and opened a general merchandise store, and for the next ten years did the largest business of any merchant in this section. He was one of the original projectors as well as one of the largest owners in the water-power at Dixon, and put up the first machinery after the construction of the dam for the purpose of running the saw-mill. During his entire career he was one of the most active and energetic leaders in any enterprise that promised to promote the interests of Dixon, but died on December 20, 1855, in the very prime of life. He was married in Dixon, Jannary 6, 1847, to Miss Ophelia A. Loveland, of New York, by whom he had two children, Henry J. and Margaret A., both of whom still reside in Dixon. His son, Dr. H. J. Brooks, was born in Dixon, October 9, 1850, where he received his earlier education. After leaving school he commenced reading medicine with Dr. J. A. Steele, and then entered the medical depart- ment of the Northwestern University of Chicago, graduating in 1874. He then took a course of lectures and a diploma at the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, New York, and also at Bellevne Med- ical College, New York. He then returned to Illinois, and was ap- pointed assistant physician at the Northern Insane Asylum, where he remained some three years, serving with great credit to himself as shown by the report of the superintendent, Dr. Kilbourn. Resigning this position in January, 1876, he went to Europe with a view of re- maining there a couple of years, but was recalled in a few months by a dangerous accident happening to his mother. Early in 1879 he entered upon the active practice of his profession at Dixon, which he still carries on. Dr. Brooks was married June 18, 1879, to Miss Clara V. Daggett, a resident of Elgin. Politically the doctor acts with the republican party, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

EZRA EMMERT, inventor, Dixon, was born in Washington county, Maryland, July 6, 1826, and is the son of Joseph and Catharine (Evey) Emmert. His father was a farmer, and Ezra was brought up on the farm and attended school in the vicinity. When nineteen years of age he came west and located in China township in Lee county, where he carried on a farm for about eight years. During this time he commenced experimenting on various improvements in farm ma- chinery. Among his more important inventions was a combined seeder and cultivator, now manufactured at Dixon by the Orvis Plow Company, and from which he realized a considerable amount of money. He was also the original inventor of what is known as the Marsh harvester, his patent dating from 1857. He has now under

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

process of completion several important improvements in this machine. He also patented a corn-planter, rotary seed-drill, etc. Mr. Emmert moved into Dixon in November 1880, where he has since resided. He was married at Franklin Grove in 1850, to Miss Sarah A. New- comer, who died November 18, 1880. There are two children living : Mary C., married to T. J. Miller, of Dixon, and Eleanor A., aged twenty-one years, and residing in Dixon. In politics Mr. Emmert is an adherent of the republican party.

D. B. AYRES, harness-maker, Dixon, was born in Albany, New York, April 29, 1833, and is the son of Oscar F. and Hannah M. (Birdsall) Ayres. His parents removed to Lee county in 1839, where he was brought up and educated, and after leaving school, when six- teen years of age, he entered the shop of H. O. Kelsey for the purpose of learning the harness-making trade, which he followed for several years. He then became a clerk for the dry-goods firm of Wood & Boardman, and afterward engaged in the same capacity for his father for about two years, when he became a partner in the dry-goods busi- ness with his father, but in a couple of years the firm was burned ont. He then engaged in farming for some three years, after which he returned to Dixon and went into his present business, which he has followed for nearly twenty years. Mr. Ayres was married on August 11, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. Perry, of Dixon, and they have two chil- dren : Minnie, aged twenty, and Oscar P., aged seventeen, both of whom reside with their parents.

ELI C. SMITH, principal of the south side public school, Dixon, was born in 1829, in Essex county, New York, and is the son of Almnerin and Lois (Larrabee) Smith. His father was a farmer, and in 1833 was a member of the New York legislature. He died in Savannah, Illi- nois, in 1854. E. C. Smith was brought up and educated in the State of New York, and came to Illinois in 1850, locating first at Geneva, and after remaining there a year removed to Rock Island, where he resided for three years as principal of the Rock Island Seminary. In 1855 he came to Dixon and commenced his school-work in what was then known as the Dixon Collegiate Institute, -- now known as Rock River University,-where he continued until the fall of 1857. He then engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on until the fall of 1861, at which time he became principal of the south side Dixon school, which position he still fills. Mr. Smith is also manager and part proprietor of the Nachusa nursery, which was established in 1854 by J. T. Little, and purchased by Mr. Smith, in connection with his brother, the Rev. Dr. Smith, of Chicago, in 1871. Dr. Smith is also editor of the " Standard," a religious journal of the Baptist denomina- tion. Mr. Smith was first married at Granville, Washington county,

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New York, on December 2, 1853, to Miss Eliza A. Mason, who died in October 1870, and left surviving two sons: Herbert O., born in September 1859, at Dixon, and who is now practicing medicine in Minnesota, and Edward T., born in Morrison, Illinois, July 26, 1861, and residing at Dixon. His second marriage occurred September 26, 1872, to Miss Seraphina F. Gardner, of Dixon, by whom he has three children : Kenneth G., aged seven years; Percy A., aged five, and Anna M., aged two years. In politics he is a member of the repub- lican party, and belongs to the Baptist ehnreli.

CHARLES A. TODD, merchant, Dixon, is a native of Broome county, New York, having been born there September 4, 1857. His parents were George W. and Frances M. (Yarrington) Todd. His father is a farmer and both parents are still living. Mr. Todd received his educa- tion at the schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, and after leaving school came to Dixon in 1869 and entered the store of his uncle, J. H. Todd, as a clerk, where he remained until January 1, 1879, when he purchased the hat and cap business of J. C. Keir, and on January 1, 1880, bought a half interest in the clothing and furnishing goods business conducted for many years by his uncle above mentioned, and since that time both stores have been carried on under the firm name of J. H. & C. A. Todd. Mr. Todd was married to Miss Saralı J. Austin, of Dixon, December 26, 1877. He is one of the most enterprising young mer- chants of Lee county, and by his fair dealing and energy has established an enviable reputation. His political affiliations are republican and he is a member of the Baptist church.

JOSIAH FRY, ice-dealer, Dixon, is a native of Lee county, having been born in Dixon township in 1843, and is the son of John and Mary (Klinetop) Fry. His father came to Lee county at an early day and engaged in farming. He is still living on his farm near Dixon. Mr. Fry was educated at the schools near his home and in Dixon, and after leaving school followed farming for about ten years. In 1872 he moved into Dixon and engaged in the coal and lumber business, which he carried on until abont a year ago, at which time he bought out the ice business formerly conducted by Lonis Faulthaber, and has since been engaged in that enterprise. Mr. Fry was married September 13, 1866, to Miss Mary C. Stettler, of Pennsylvania, and his family consists of six children : John E., aged fourteen ; Mary E., aged twelve ; Bert, aged nine ; Annie E., aged seven ; Ollie, aged five, and Ernest J., aged two years. In politics Mr. Fry is a thorough-going and active republican.

CHARLES DEMENT, deceased, Dixon, was born in Franklin county, Illinois, on December 25, 1822, and was the son of David and Elizabeth (Kirkpatrick) Dement, and was a half-brother of Col. John Dement. After the death of his father the family removed to Shelby county,

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Illinois, where his carlier years were spent, but in 1845 his mother came to Dixon and he was sent as a student to Mount Morris Seminary. On his return he became associated with ·his brother, Col. Dement, in deal- ing in land, and while thus engaged he purchased a large interest in what was then called Fulton City, but which is now known as Fulton, Illinois. He soon after removed there, and erected at great expense one of the largest and finest hotels in the west, which was called the Dement House. He carried on this establishment for several years, but it having caused him considerable financial embarrassment, he finally sold the property, which is now used as an educational insti- tution. He returned to Dixon and became engaged in land operations, and also in farming to some extent, up to the time of his death, which took place December 18, 1875. He was first married in 1851, to Miss Amanda Sterling, of Dixon, of which marriage there is one child sur- viving, Charles A. Dement, whose sketch will be found below. Mr. Dement was married a second time, to Miss Myra Huntley, of Dixon, December 25, 1861, and at his death left four children surviving : David Louis, aged nineteen ; Marian A., aged seventeen ; George W., aged twelve, and Amelia E., aged nine years.

CHARLES A. DEMENT, son of Charles and Amanda (Sterling) Dement, was born in Dixon, November 20, 1852, and received his education principally at the public schools of that city, though for three years he was a student at the Western Union College, Chicago. After completing his education he began his business career as a dealer in faney fruits and groceries, which he carried on for abont two years, but in 1876 engaged in the livery business at Dixon, which he still carries 011. He was married September 30, 1880, to Miss Jennie Hunt, of Stanwood, Iowa. Mr. Dement is a young man of business habits and ability, and has the characteristic push and enterprise which were exhibited in the business careers of his father and uncle.

JOHN COFFEY, butcher, Dixon, was born in Oneida county, New York, on March 9, 1841, and is the son of Timothy and Ellen (Chanley) Coffey. His father was a farmer and died in the State of New York in 1848. Mr. Coffey came west when only four- teen years of age, and located at Pern, Illinois, where he learned the trade of a butcher, and after following that occupation for a year or two he also learned the tinsmith's trade. Soon after he removed to Dixon and worked at various employments until 1865, when he en- gaged in his present business. He was married at Dixon, in 1867, to Miss Margaret E. Haley, and has three children : Mary E., aged eleven ; Agnes A., aged seven ; and John H., aged three years. Politically Mr. Coffey belongs to the republican party.

WILLIAM PLEIN, restaurant, Dixon, was born at Trier, Germany,

Sprite molly Jones

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC' LIBRARY

ASTOR. LL.VOX AND TILDEN DONE GANTIONS R L

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SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP.

January 11, 1854, and is the son of John and Margaret (Plein) Plein. He was brought up and educated in his native town, and when nine- teen years of age came to America and located at Dixon. He was soon after employed at the brewery of J. B. Clears, where he remained several years, when he opened a restaurant and is now engaged in that business. Mr. Plein was married February 18, 1881, to Miss Rosa Buckmann, of Dixon, but after the short space of four months lost his wife, Mrs. Plein dying June 15, 1881.

GEORGE G. ROSBROOK, liveryman, Dixon, was born in Monroe county, New York, November 5, 1835, and was the son of John B. and Lucretia (Green) Rosbrook. His father was a farmer, and the family removed to Niagara county, New York, soon after the birth of George, and he was educated at Lockport, in that county. In 1854 his father came west and settled in Harmon township, Lee county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he carried on until the time of his death, in the spring of 1872. After the death of his father the farm was managed by the subject of this sketch until 1874, when he came to Dixon and purchased the interest of J. T. Cheney in the livery business, conducted by Cheney & Perry, the new firm being Perry & Rosbrook. About a year later the partner- ship was dissolved, and Mr. Rosbrook has since carried on the business alone. He was married on January 16, 1858, to Miss Mary Tuttle, of Harmon, and has six children surviving: Fannie, aged twenty-two, was married to John Jenkins, of Harmon, in 1879; Tryon, aged twenty one, resides in Dakota, where he is engaged in farming ; Nettie, aged nineteen ; Bartow, aged seventeen; Louis, aged fifteen, and Emma, aged thirteen, are all residing at the home of their parents. Politically Mr. Rosbrook is a member of the republican party.

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP.

This is No. 19 N., in R. 11 E. of the 4th P.M. Bureau county bounds it on the south, and La Salle county forms half of the eastern boundary. It has a very fertile soil and is but slightly undulating. In places it is a little low, but is all capable of easy drainage. The soil is black, excepting a little in the northwestern part, which is sandy. Here a part of Palestine Grove covers Sec. 6 and portions of 5 and 7. Nearly all of Knox Grove is in this township, on Secs. 24 and 25, along Burean creek, mostly on the south side. This stream enters the township near the middle of the eastern boundary of Sec. 24, and flows across the southeast corner, through Secs. 24, 26, 34 and 33, leav- ing near the southeast corner of the latter. Below Knox Grove it is

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slightly skirted with timber, and is the only stream of any importance in the town. About half a mile south of it, and running nearly par- allel with it, is a part of the old "Chicago road," which in an early day led from that city to Princeton. Many of these diagonal roads once intersected this region, but most of them have been abandoned. A few remnants, however, still remain. A part of the original La Salle and Grand Detour road is still in nse through Sec. 17 and a part of 18. In the eastern part of the town there are two pieces of road of the same nature. There is a road running north and south through the center of the town, and another east and west to within half a mile of the east and west boundaries. The Illinois Central railroad crosses the eastern line of Sec. 36, and runs nearly due northwest through Secs. 36, 25, 23, 15, 9, 8, 5 and 6, dividing the town nearly in the center. The old Black Hawk " Army Trail " crossed the town in nearly the saine direction, entering near the southeast corner and leaving on the west line of Sec. 18. The old telegraph line and stage route from Dixon to Peru entered the town at the northwest corner of Sec. 30 and left near the center of the south line of the same section.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The settlement of Sublette township dates from 1837. Jonathan Peterson came to Ottawa, Illinois, in October 1836 ; he had come from New Hampshire by Lake Erie to Detroit, and thence afoot to Ottawa. Here he spent the winter of 1836-7, and in February started for Lee county. The same summer he made a claim in the northwestern part of Sec. 4, Sublette, and after building a log cabin just over the line in Lee Center, he went back to his native state and was married, return- ing with his wife the following year. In June, 1837, Sherman Hatch arrived in Dixon and came across the country to Lee Center township to Chas. F. Ingals, who had settled there the previous year. The same summer of fall he settled on the southwest part of Sec. 7, taking possession of and completing a log house that had been partly built by four young men from Chicago, who had abandoned their claim. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Hatch returned to Vermont. He came back the next year with his wife, whose marriage he had recently cel- ebrated. He claimed a half section of prairie and nearly as much tim- ber in the vicinity of his first settlement, but did not enter much of it, having loaned most of his money to parties who were unable to pay him when the land was offered for sale. The same fall Thomas and William Fessenden, with their families, came on from New Hampshire, Thomas Fessenden having been west as early as 1834 and returned the same year to New Hampshire. They claimed land on Secs. 6 and 7, and built a log house on the southeast corner of the N.W. ¿ of Sec. 7,

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History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., Part 23

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill Number of Pages: 910

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill
Number of Pages: 910