USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 8
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In 1883 Mr. Curtis was married to Angie King of Whitewater, Wis., a daughter of Edward King, who erected one of the first houses at White- water. When Mr. King reached Whitewater he had but fifty cents in his pocket and used that to pay postage on a letter. IIe had to hunt a job before he had any supper. For some time he worked at his trade as a carpenter, and then became a farmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis became the parents of the following children: Flora, who married Verne Sisson, lives near Capron, in Boone County, and has three children, Clarence, Vera and Eugene; Lillian, who married H. A. Walton, a mechanic of Woodstock, has two children, Hugh and Dorothy; Carroll, who is at home on the farm; and Mark, who was the eldest, is deceased. He died in 1914 when in his thirtieth year. This estimable young man had remained at home and become one of the reliable residents of his township. A Mason and Odd Fellow, he was well known in both orders, passed all the chairs in the latter fraternity at Garden Prairie. While he was operating a small pumping engine, his overalls were caught by the starting shaft, and his body drawn into the machinery so that his foot was mangled. He was taken to the Elgin IIospital, but blood poison set in and death resulted. Few young men are as deeply mourned as was he, not only by his family and brother lodge members, but by the whole community. For years he had been a consistent member of the Baptist church of Marengo, and lived up to its teachings in his everyday life.
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
IRA R. CURTISS.
Page 134.
TIMOTHY J. DACY.
Timothy J. Dacy, now deceased, was formerly one of the most substantial business men of Woodstock, and one who left behind him a record for upright dealing and kindly actions. For years he was one of the leading dealers in agricultural implements of the county, and he was known throughout this region as few men are. He was born in Ireland in 1838, and when he was twelve years old his parents started for the United States, but while on the ocean the good mother died and was buried at sea. After reaching this country, the little party came to MeHenry County and located in Hartland Township, where the father obtained work with the railroad, but the children were thrown upon their own resources, and Timothy J. Daey early learned to be self- supporting. For some years he worked for Robert Forrest, and in the winters attended school whenever it was possible for him to do so.
Leaving farm work, in 1861, Mr. Daey came to Woodstock, entering the employ of John J. Murphy, dealer in grain and wool, and remained with him for several years. In 1863 Mr. Dacy's interest was aroused in a patent gate, and he was induced to invest his savings in it, and he purchased the right to sell it in a small territory, later acquiring a larger field until he sold the gate all over the United States and Canada, and met with a very gratifying success. In 1865 he returned to Woodstock and embarked in a farm products business, continuing that until he formed a partnership with W. B. Austin for the purpose of handling farm implements, which business was carried on until March, 1880, although in the meanwhile Mr. Daey had become the sole owner, but in that month the entire plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $20,000, which was only covered by $2,000 insurance. Mr. Dacy immediately set to work elearing away the debris, and sold at auction the damaged farm machinery, as well as other goods he immediately ordered, and in this way acquired a working capital, and made his name known throughout a wide territory. Mr. Daey then formed a partner- ship with J. D. Donovan, which continued for three years, Mr. Daey again becoming sole owner of his business, continued as such until his
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death, being then recognized as the leading man in handling agricultural implements in the county.
In 1869 Mr. Dacy married Lucinda Donnelly, a daughter of Neill Donnelly, now deceased, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Charles F., Albert E., Alice B. and George H., who, with his widow survived him. Mr. Daey met his death August 1, 1896, when he was struck by a train at his home depot, and died soon thereafter. Stricken down in the very prime of his usefulness, he was mourned by the whole community, and it was a long time before his place was filled. He had always taken an active part in public matters, and had been one of the promoters of the County Fair Association, doing much to make the annual meetings a success. St. Mary's Catholic church held his membership, and it was from its portals that his remains were carried to their last resting place in Calvary Cemetery. Years have passed since Mr. Dacy died, but the results of his upright life remain, and have their influence on the life of the region in which he spent the greater portion of his useful and honorable career.
JAMES DAVIS.
James Davis, one of the progressive farmers of Coral Township, is located four miles west of Huntley, and was born one-half mile north of his present farm, April 4, 1861, a son of David L. and Elizabeth (Williams) Davis, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. After attending the local schools, James Davis worked on his father's farm for eighteen months, leaving his rural surroundings for Chicago, where he was engaged in conducting a milk route for eight years, secur- ing his milk from his old home neighborhood, and handling from twenty- five to thirty eans daily. He had three wagons and sold at retail, his place of business being at No. 25 Pierce street, opposite to the old fire- marshal Sweeney.
After clearing up a few thousand dollars, Mr. Davis bought his present farm in 1894, then known as the Thomas Williams farm, which contained 160 acres of land, for which he paid $65 per acre. On it were buildings in fair condition, but since taking possession of the property he has rebuilt and enlarged the buildings and has everything in fine condition. He erected a silo, and operates a dairy, milking about thirty cows. Adding to his farm he now has 200 acres in one
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body, and eighty-three acres three miles distant on the State road in MeHenry County, once known as the William Barket farm for which he paid $125 per acre. On this property also Mr. Davis rebuilt the original buildings, and erceted a silo as well as put in other improve- ments. The smaller farm is now being operated by his son Walter. On both farms the cattle are high-grade Holstein, and Mr. Davis owns a full blooded bull. On the homestead he has a fine supply of water for the house and premises, from a fifty-five foot well, operated by a windmill. All of the basement of the barn is arranged for stabling.
When he was twenty-one years old Mr. Davis was married to Dora Maekeben, a sister of Henry Mackeben, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of the following children: Maggie, who is Mrs. William Lowe, lives one mile south of Harmony, and has no children; Walter, who is on the farm in MeHenry County, married Anna Eckman, and they have one child, Ruby; David M., who is living at home, was married to Marie Bourreau, but she died, leaving him with one son, James Henry; and Henry H., who is at home. David and Henry are assisting their father in oper- ating the homestead. Mr. Davis is a Republican, but has never sought office, his private affairs absorbing all of his time. For a number of years he has been active in the Methodist Episcopal church of Harmony, which is located one mile west of his farm. An excellent farmer, Mr. Davis has devoted himself to agricultural labors all his life, and is glad that his sons are following in his footsteps, for he believes that the natural way for a man to carn his living is from the soil.
THOMAS DAVIS.
Thomas Davis, one of the progressive farmers of Coral Township, is profitably engaged in conducting his father's homestead, where he has spent practically all his life. He was born on his present farm, September 20, 1868, a son of David L. and Elizabeth (Williams) Davis. David L. Davis was born in Abrothwith, Wales, March 16, 1835, and died March 22, 1915. His wife was born in Wales, February 22, 1837, and died October 22, 1908. They were married in New York, when he was twenty-four years old and she was twenty-two.
When David L. Davis brought his family to McHenry County he was accompanied by his brother, William. Soon after his arrival,
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
David L. Davis secured the farm now occupied by his son, Thomas, then principally in the timber. He built a log house, which he replaced with the one now standing, about 1872, and cleared off his original forty acres. To this he added until he owned 420 aeres, and he also owned 160 aeres in Lyon County, Iowa. For a number of years he was one of the extensive farmers of this region, keeping from forty to fifty cows, and making a specialty of dairying. For the last decade of his life he lived in retirement, renting his homestead of 160 acres to Thomas Davis. Always a Republican, he never neglected exercising his right of suffrage, and was chosen by his fellow citizens to serve on the school board. He was one of the original members of the Harmony Methodist church, and lived to be its oldest surviving member. Very hospitable, Mr. Davis enjoyed entertaining his friends, and his home was often- times a gathering place for delightful social events. His remains are laid to rest at Harmony, two miles away from his old home, four and one-half miles due west from Huntley, in Coral Township. He and his wife had the following children: Mary, who died at the age of seventeen years; David, who died at the age of sixty-four years, at Marengo, to which he had retired from his farm, and there his widow who survives him, is still living; George, who left MeHenry County thirty years ago, lives at Dennison, Iowa; William, who lives on a portion of the home- stead, is written up elsewhere in this work; Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years; James, who lives on a farm adjoining that of Thomas, is also written up elsewhere in this work; Katie, who lives on the old homestead, devoted her life to her parents; Thomas, whose name heads this review; and Mary, who is Mrs. George Hemmer.
Thomas Davis lives in the house in which he was born, and has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was married December 30, 1902, to Emma Kahle, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Me- kaben) Kahle, she being a sister of Henry Mekaben. Mr. Kahle died in January 1917, aged seventy-one years, and she, February 17, 190S, and both were born in Germany. Mrs. Davis was born on the State road October 13, 1884. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis are as follows: Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Lester, George, David, Frances, all of whom are at home, and two, who died in infaney. When he married, Thomas Davis took over the homestead where for seventy years his family had lived. IIere he carries on dairying, keeping from twenty-four to twenty- five cows, and he owns stock in the new creamery at Harmony. Mr. Davis belongs to the old Harmony Methodist church with which his father was connected for so many years, but Mrs. Davis was reared in
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
the Harmony Lutheran church. During the years Mr. Davis has been conducting his farm, he has proven himself an excellent farmer and has always been a publie-spirited citizen, although like his father he has not aspired to politieal preferment.
WILLIAM HENRY DAVIS.
William Henry Davis, who belongs to one of the old and highly respected families of MeHenry County, was born in a log cabin, in Coral Township, one-half a mile distant from his present farm, February 4, 1859, a son of David L. and Elizabeth (Williams) Davis, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
William Henry Davis was reared in his present township, and here he was married, at the age of twenty-seven years, to Ellen Hand, a daughter of Louis Hand, of Lake County, Ill., but later widely known in MeHenry County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hand are deceased. After his marriage, William Henry Davis moved to his present farm five and one-half miles from Huntley, and for twenty years was connected with a threshing outfit, commencing with horsepower, but later buying a steam outfit. At the death of his father he secured eighty aeres of the homestead, and now operates 120 acres. On his property he has erected a barn, 36 × 80 feet, and a silo, and has put in considerable tiling, thus redeem- ing what was formerly almost worthless land. Mr. Davis has also cleared off the timber on his land with the exception of about fifteen aeres. When he began farming only a small part of the land had been plowed, but he now has it in magnificent condition, this of course en- tailing an immense amount of labor and careful planning. He has a well thirty-one feet deep, fitted with a windmill and so has a fine supply of water for all purposes. Dairying is his specialty, and he keeps from fifteen to twenty cows, of a high grade strain. His barn is admirably fitted for dairy purposes, having a cement floor, modern stanchions and other appliances, which bring it up to the requirements of the state regulations. Mr. Davis has, all in all, one of the best-kept farms in MeHenry County, and his careful supervision shows that he takes a pride in his property. A solid Republiean, he gives a hearty support to his party, but has never held any office except that of school director. He was on the board for thirty years, as was his father, both doing much for the cause of education in this region.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of the following children: Vivia, who is Mrs. John Thompson of MeHenry County, has the fol- lowing children: Neil, Vivia, Helen and Melvine; Pearl and Sylvia, both of whom are at home, have taught school in their home district; and Leonard, who is at home. The Harmony Methodist church was estab- lished by a few faithful men and women in the neighborhood, of whom Mr. and Mrs. David L. Davis were two, and William Henry Davis is one of its members. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. On February 20, 1907 Mrs. Davis was taken from her family, since which time Miss Pearl has been the housekeeper.
PROF. HARRY A. DEAN.
Prof. Harry A. Dean, superintendent of the schools of Crystal Lake, is one of the thoroughly efficient and scholarly educators of McHenry County. He was born in Massachusetts, July 29, 1866, one of the nine children born to Otis and Annista (Dunlar) Dean. Otis Dean, born in Massachusetts, was a shoemaker by trade. He later became a manu- facturer of shoes, and going to California, there rounded out his life, dying in 1910. His wife survived him until 1914.
Harry A. Dean was graduated as a civil engineer, from Ames College in 1891, but immediately after his graduation he began teaching school at Geneva, Ill., where he remained for two years. Leaving Geneva, for the subsequent ten years he was superintendent of schools at Etbur, Ill., and for eight years he was superintendent of the schools of Kane County. In 1910, Prof. Dean came to Crystal Lake, where he has since remained, having charge of the schools of that city. He is a mem- ber of the National Educational Association, and of the state and local educational organizations. There are sixteen teachers and 500 pupils under Prof. Dean's supervision, in the grade and high schools.
Professor Dean was married to Miss Eva E. Riplits, and they have the following children: Revere E., who lives at Chicago; Harry A., who is an ex-service man; and Beatrice A., Dorothy I., Jennie V., and Ruth, all of whom are at home. The family residence is at Crystal Lake. Professor Dean is a Mason. IFis political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party. He and his family are members of the Congregational church.
E. ENwalk
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
JOHN F. DE YARMOND.
John F. De Yarmond, now living retired at Marengo, was formerly actively engaged in farming, and is regarded as one of the representative men of the county. He was born at Ada, Kent County, Mich., March 11, 1850, a son of Alexander F. De Yarmond, born near Halifax, Nova Scotia, but of French Huguenot stock. In 1834 or 1835, he came to the then territory of Michigan and participated in the "Buckeye War," which was a dispute over a strip some six miles wide claimed by Ohio and Michigan. The controversy was settled by Michigan being given what is now the Upper Peninsula, Ohio retaining the other strip. By trade he was a blacksmith.
In 1866 John F. De Yarmond joined his uncle, George W. Richard- son, a farmer of Riley Township, who at that time had rented his farm and gone to the "Oil Regions" of Pennsylvania. For three years Mr. De Yarmond operated the old Josiah St. John Farm in connection with his brother-in-law, John B. Hoof, and then bought an interest in a set of abstracts of Eau Claire County, Wis., in partnership with Charles B. Swift, and spent a year at Eau Claire. Returning to MeHenry County he was at Marengo for a time, then went on his unele's farm for several years. Once more coming to Marengo, he con- dueted a real estate business until 1893, when on June 28 of that year, he was married to lda Austin, a daughter of Rufus A. and Charlotte Austin, of Woodstock.
Mr. De Yarmond inherited an interest in his unele's farm, and also administered his estate. In 1914 he was made one of three commissioners of the Coon Creek Drainage District in Riley and Marengo townships of MeHenry County, and extending into Boone County, and con- strueted about four miles of main channel, dredged and laid a number of miles of tile. This enterprise affects 7,000 aeres of farm land, render- ing it fit for tillage. Much of this acreage is already under cultivation. Mr. De Yarmond is still on the commission. He owns a small tract in this district. The service Mr. De Yarmond and his associates have rendered to their counties and state in this reclamation project cannot easily be overestimated. The lands redeemed were formerly in part almost utterly worthless, but now are among the most fertile in this region. The long period that the soil lay idle, combined with the fertilization of the swamp growths, was productive of a richness that yields banner erops and amply compensates for the time and trouble and expense involved in the proper draining.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
In 1911 Mrs. De Yarmond made an extended tour of Europe, visiting the various places of interest in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, England and Scotland, and having been over much of the ground, later the scene of the World War, she has naturally been able to follow the course of events more comprehensively and intelligently than the majority of people.
A. G. DICKERSON.
A. G. Diekerson, secretary of the Alden Mutual Fire Insurance Company, is one of the energetic business men of MeHenry County, who resides at Hebron. He was born in Seneca Township, December 1, 186S, a son of Silas and Clarissa (Dilley) Diekerson. Siłas Dickerson was born near Ypsilanti, Mich., and came to Illinois in 1837, being then ten years of age. His parents entered land from the government in Seneca Township, and there his father died while still a young man. In 1905 Silas Dickerson located in Hebron Township, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years. His widow survives and makes her home with her son.
A. G. Diekerson learned to be a carpenter, and worked at his trade until January, 1918, when he was made secretary of the Alden Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was organized in 1874 to place risks in Alden Township. The business has been so expanded that the town- ships of Alden, Hebron, Richmond, Burton and MeHenry are included in its territory, and associated with Mr. Dickerson is James H. Twney, who is president; Arthur D. Cornne, who is vice president; and H. G. Street, E. L. Kingsley, H. G. Derkee, all of Alden, and E. G. Turner and Jesse B. Richardson of Richmond, who compose the board of direc- tors. The company now has 500 policy holders of $1,800,000 insurance, at a cost of about one percent for a five year period. Mr. Dickerson has charge of the new business and the adjustment of all sma'l losses. The cost of operation in 1918 was $300. This is a constantly growing business, and during 1918 about $460,000 worth of insurance was placed, there being no assessment for that year.
Mr. Dickerson was married when twenty-nine years of age, to Elva Douglas, a daughter of Edwin and Clara Douglas of Hebron. Mr. and Mrs. Diekerson have two children, namely: Mary, who was graduated from the Hebron High School in 1917, is head of the selling force of the Weaver store at Hebron; and Raymond, who is at home. Mr. Dickerson
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
is a Mason and is present master of the Hebron Lodge. He is a man well qualified for his position, and under his watchful supervision the volume of business has greatly increased.
ARLIE A. DEITZ.
Arlie A. Deitz, junior member of the well known grocery firm of Kappler and Deitz, extensive dealers in staple and fancy groceries at Woodstock, is one of the enterprising business men of MeHenry County. He was born in Seneca Township, MeHenry County, May 25, 1875, a son of Albert A. and Olive (Waterman) Deitz, who had six children. Albert A. Deitz was born in Albany, N. Y., and there learned the trade of a cabinetmaker and carpenter, and followed that calling until his death which took place in 1902, his wife having passed away in 1877.
After attending the grade and high schools of MeHenry County, Arlie A. Deitz secured the position of rural mail carrier out of Wood- stock, and held that position until 1900, when he began clerking in a grocery. Having learned the business, he took the position of manager of a grocery house at Ridefield, in 1910, and held it until 1913, when he formed his present partnership, and since then he and Mr. Kappler have built up a fine trade, and stand well with their customers, not only on account of the quality of their goods, but because of their fair prices and excellent and cheerful service.
In 1898, Mr. Deitz was married to Blanche Jacket, a daughter of Charles Jacket of Seneca Township. Mr. and Mrs. Deitz have two chil- dren, namely: Arlie and Eldred A. The family belong to the Presby- terian church. In politics, Mr. Deitz is a Republican. The family residence is maintained at No. 329 North Madison Street, Woodstock. A sound business man, Mr. Deitz has known how to make his efforts pay, and at the same time his principles are such as to prevent him ever taking advantage of another, and in this way he has built up a well-deserved reputation for integrity and fair dealing.
WILLIAM DESMOND.
William Desmond, one of the prosperous farmers of Mellenry County, is an honored resident of Woodstock, and one of the substantial
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111STORY OF MeHENRY COUNTY
men of his locality. He was born at Hartland, Ill., July 1, 1849, a son of Cornelius and Hannah (McEniry) Desmond, natives of Ireland, where the former was born in 1799, and the latter in 1811. The father was a farmer, who came to Illinois in 1836, and was employed in the con- struction of the old Ilinois & Michigan Canal. He came to MelIenry County in June, 1838, and took up a government claim on section 29, Hartland Township, where he remained until his death, February S, 1871, with the exception of one year which was spent on a farm in Rock Island County, that he bought in 1866. The mother came to the United States in 1843, landing at Syracuse, N. Y., from whenee she came to Chicago, and in 1844, to Hartland Township. In 1850 the father was appointed one of the first judges of elections in Hartland Township, and he also served as a commissioner of highways for several years.
William Desmond attended the district schools of his native town- ship, and two years at the Harvard High School. His first work was done on his father's farm, and after completing his studies, he taught in the district schools of the county for twelve years, when he resumed his farming. He now owns 200 acres of land on sections 29, 31 and 32 Hartland Township, and his home at No. 845 Clay Street, Woodstock. In politics Mr. Desmond is a Democrat, and he served as assessor of Hartland Township from 1877 to 1891; as supervisor from 1891 to 1912, during which time he was chairman of the board for three years, and in 1902 was elected by a large majority representative in the lower house of the State Assembly, and he served as a member and clerk of the board of review for seventeen years. His fraternal connections are with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Desmond belongs to the Catholic church.
On June 6, 1876, Mr. Desmond was married at Harvard, Ill., to Margaret Nolan, born in Hartland Township, October 9, 184S, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Nolan, the former born in Ireland in 1800, and the latter born in Ireland in 1818. Mrs. Desmond attended the district schools of the county, and the Woodstock and Harvard High Schools, and for fifteen years taught schools in the MeHenry County schools. Mr. and Mrs. Desmond became the parents of the following children: Cornelius C., who was born May 25, 1877; Thomas H., who was born March 31, 1879; William W., who was born September 24, 1SS0; Daniel H., who was born March 21, 1SS2; John J., who was born July 31, 1885; Margaret E., who was born February 24, 1887, and May E., who was born May 11, 1890.
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