USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 54
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Herbert Wells Fay grew to manhood in his na- tive township and received his primary education in the district schools. Later he attended Mon- mouth College three years, taught school one term, and in 1880 engaged in the newspaper business al Hinckley. After seven years' work on the Hinck- ley Reriew. he sold out and moved to De Kalb, Illinois. In March, 1882, he purchased a half in- terest in the De Kalb Reriew. For nineteen years he conducted the paper in partnership with D. W. Tyrrell. On January 10. 1906. the entire plant was destroyed by the burning of the Haish Opera House Block. Mr. Fay bought the interest of his partner and since March 15, 1906, has been the sole proprietor. The new plant was located in the Glidden House basement. The paper has the largest advertising and subscription patron- age of any paper of the county.
At Hinckley, Illinois, September 24, 1884. Mr. Fay was united in marriage with Miss Nella Au- gusta Sebree. also a native of Squaw Grove, born December 21. 1864. She is a daughter of W. M. Sebree, the oldest living settler of De Kalb coun- tv. They are the parents of one son. Earl Owen Fay. born October 24. 1885. He is a graduate of the De Kalb public schools and has taken two years at Madison University. He is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. For the past year he has been associate editor of the De Kalb Re- rien.
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Fraternatty H. W. Fay is a member of the Chicago Press Club, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum, Modern Woodmen and Knights of the Globe. But it is not to his newspaper work that Mr. Fay has achieved his greatest notoriety. Soon after the Civil war when only two weekly news- papers of the United States regularly published portraits of noted men, Mr. Fay, who has a collect- or's instinet, conceived the idea of saving and classifying the portraits. He seemed to foresee the demand, and now when nearly every publica- tion in the land publishes cuts he has hundreds of thousands of the portraits. He has made a specialty of historical characters of this and other countries, and his list of rulers, statesmen, jurists, authors, scientists, artists, musicians and invent- ors is very complete. The collection inelndes over fifty thousand photographs. steel prints and etch- ings of prominent persons. He is the owner of the MeNulty-Butler negative of Lincoln, the only well known original negative now in existence west of the Allegheny mountains. His Lincoln collec- tion has been exhibited at the Chicago Press Club, Chicago University, Champaign University, Oak Park. Racine, Wisconsin and Evanston University. It consists of two hundred sittings of Lincoln as follows: Fifty. eight by ten portraits of Lincoln scenes : one hundred, ten by twelve inch portraits of the same nature; one hundred and fifty cab- inet portraits of Lincoln ; seventy-five various Lin- coln scenes ; twenty-five views of cabinet ministers ; two hundred and fifty pictures connected with Illinois and Lincoln's part in the Civil war; and two hundred other pictures connected with Lin- coln history.
In connection with A. F. Rowley, the photog- rapher. he has assisted in getting together a large collection of character pictures, representing every conceivable idea, such as illustrating poems, sto- ries, scientific and anthropological articles. ani- mals, game, agricultural and dairy subjects and all conceits for striking advertising. In this col- lection is about a hundred pictures of birds and birds' nests of De Kalb county. Samples of this work have regularly appeared in the Inland Print- er, Western Publisher and National Printer Jour- nalist, and have attracted the notice of the art critics of two continents.
Under a full page out of the MeNulty-Butler original portrait of Lincoln the MeClure's Maga-
zine of June, 1895, says: "There are in existence but few original negatives of portraits of Lincoln. Brady made a number, which he sold to the gov- ernment : and the portraits of Lincoln commonly seen are copies from one or another of these, of the well known lesler picture, wherein Lincoln is shown without a beard. The above is from a photograph by MeNulty, taken at Springfield. Illinois, just previous to Lincoln's departure for Washington in January. 1861. It is accounted about the truest portrait of Lincoln ever made. His friends at home esteemed it so highly that they chose it as a model for a painting for the Illinois State House. The original negative, an old fashioned wet plate, is very well preserved and is now in the historical collection of H. W. Fay, Esq., De Kalb, Ilinois, by whose kind per- mission the present reproduction is made."
On the back of one of the MeNulty photographs Leonard W. Volk, the great sculptor, wrote the following: "This photograph of Abraham Lin- coln, one of the first with a beard, I regard as one of the best, if not the best, as I remember him after he allowed his beard to grow.
"LEONARD W. VOLK.
"Chicago, March 13, 1893."
The Chicago Evening Journal of April 25, 1895, says: "Herbert Wells Fay, of De Kalb, Illinois, is well known to the journalistic profes- sion of the United States as a 'historical portrait. collector,' and probably has the largest private collection of photographs of noted people in the world. He has portraits of fifty thousand persons in stock, which includes two hundred different sit- tings of Lincoln and twenty-five of Longfellow. while he is the owner of the MeNulty original photograph of Mr. Lincoln. In conducting his portrait loan agency Mr. Fay is a regular con- tributor to many of the leading magazines of the country. He has devoted twenty-five years to making this collection." Five hundred pictures from this collection were used in the American edition of the Enevelopedia Brittanica. Five linn- dred pictures were reproduced by the Who-When- What Company.
The New York Times of January 21, 1894. says : "Mr. Herbert W. Fay, of De Kalb, Illinois, has made a fad of collecting famous men's por- traits and now has fifty thousand of them. Many of them came only after a long search and per-
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sistent importunity, and some of them are very scarce, if they can be duplicated anywhere." These pictures passed through the office fire of 1906 and many thousands were destroyed. For the past year the collection has been housed in a fire- proof vanlt at the new Review office.
In addition to his work as a collector of pictures Mr. Fay has made a study of the relics of the stone age of De Kalb county and has picked up many thousand specimens. He got together the col- lection of two thousand pieces in the museum of the Northern Illinois State Normal School at De Kalb.
Mr. Fay is of an artistic temperament and is quick to detect the worthy elements and foretell the demand. In making his collections of emi- nent people he has done a valuable service for mankind and the worth of his work is recognized by the leading magazines and periodicals of the country, as well as by individuals. Today his col- lection is almost valueless and besides any valua- tion that has been placed upon it it indicates the artistic taste of the owner and also his compre- hensive knowledge of history and of the events which have made the originals of his portraits famous.
HON. WILLIAM P. DUTTON.
The name of Dutton has figured prominently in connection with the history of Sycamore and De Kalb county from an early period in the de- velopment of the city, and no history would be complete without mention of the different repre- sentatives of the name who have been so closely allied with its business interests and with its prog- ress and growth along material. intellectual and moral lines.
The ITon. William P. Dutton was a native of Charleston, New Hampshire. born August 1. 1812. He was reared to manhood in the state of his na- tivity and entered business life as an agriculturist. In 1835 he was united in marriage to Miss Lu- cinda J. Blood, who was also born in Charleston, her natal day being January 28. 1818. For nine years thereafter they remained residents of New Hampshire, Mr. Dutton devoting his time and en- ergies to general farming, but the opportunities of
the new and growing west attracted him, and in 1844 he came to Illinois, settling first in St. Charles, Kane county. He afterward removed to Du Page county and thence came to Sycamore, De Kalb county. Here he engaged in merchan- dlising. continuing in the trade until 1857, and he was also the proprietor of the Sycamore House, the leading hotel of the city. His force of char- acter and ability made him a prominent factor in the development of the new town and he exerted widely felt influence in public life. During the administration of President Pierce he held the office of postmaster at Sycamore.
Mr. Dutton was reared in the Jacksonian school of politics and from his earliest manhood was plain and outspoken in his political views. He had no sympathy with the doctrines advocated by the abolition party and during the agitation of the free soil question he went to Kansas to vigorously denounce those principles. He confidently ex- pected to be confirmed in his views and felt that the labor of his investigation there would undoubt- edly strengthen the party and give prestige to the political attitude which he advocated. But while William P. Dutton was fearless in the support of what he believed to be right, he was also a man amenable to reason and open to conviction. When he met face to face the condition which existed in Kansas, saw the misery of the people and the trouble brought about by the slavery conditions he experienced a complete change of opinion and openly and unhesitatingly declared himself in fa- vor of the free-state idea. which he had previously so vigorously condemned. This course caused him to lose his political position-the postoffice at Sye- amore. Being then at liberty he at once changed his place of residence. removing to Kansas. IIe settled on a farm in Stanton, then Sykes county, and at once entered heartily into the work of up- holding a "free state." Within a year after his arrival he was chosen treasurer of the county and was later re-elected. serving for two terms. In 1859 he was chosen a member of the constitutional convention which assembled at Wyandotte, and took an active part in framing the organic law of the state. In 1861. when Kansas was admitted to the Union, he was elected sheriff of his county, the name of which had then been changed to Miami, and for the better performance of his duty he removed to Paola, the county seat, where he con-
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tinned to reside until 1873. In 1863 he was chosen for a second term as sheriff and did much to main- tain law and order during the hazardous period of the Civil war. He was a strong supporter of the administration and served on the governor's staff in Kansas during the period of hostilities between the north and the south.
When he felt that Kansas no longer needed his aid Mr. Dutton returned to Illinois and from 1873 until 1876 was again engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits. In the latter year, however, he once more located at Paola, Kansas, where he re- sided until his death in 1888. His wife had passed away in Sycamore, June 15, 1875.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. William P. Dutton were born three children : Everell Fletcher ; Emma, the wife of Aaron K. Stiles, of Chicago; and Charles E., of Oakland, California. Wherever known Hon. William P. Dutton commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact by reason of his unfaltering fidelity to duty and his stalwart support of his honest convictions. He possessed, moreover, natural ability and qualities that well fitted him for leadership, and in the east, in De Kalb county, in Kansas, and wherever known he made many warm friends.
GENERAL EVERELL FLETCHER DUTTON.
On the list of the distinguished dead of Illinois appears the name of General Everell Fletcher Dnt- ton, whose valor and loyalty, together with his con- sideration for his men, made him an ideal soldier. In business he was equally prominent, and though he won a measure of snecess that raised him far above the majority of mankind financially. his business methods were ever so straightforward and reliable and his wealth so honorably used that the most envions could not grudge him his prosperity. He stood for all that is upright, just and true in man's relations with his fellowmen. and his life was inspiring and helpful. He tanght not by in- junction and dictation but by example, inference and suggestion, and so endeared himself to the hearts of those who knew him that his death was mourned by thousands of friends throughout the land.
General Dutton was born in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, January 4, 1838, the elder son of Hon. William P. Dutton and was but eight years of age at the time of the removal of his parents to Sycamore. The family had already been residents of Illinois for two years at that time. His educa- tion was pursued in the public schools of Syca- more, at Mount Morris, Illinois, where he re- mained for a year, and at Beloit, Wisconsin, where. he also continned his studies for a year. When not occupied with his text-books he assisted his father in the store and postoffice. The year 1857 witnessed the removal of the family to Kansas, where he assisted his father in the work of the farm until 1858. He then returned to Sycamore and accepted the position of deputy clerk under the Hon. A. K. Stiles, with whom he remained until April, 1861. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the sonth, had received di- rect reports from his father concerning the diffi- culties that arose over the admission of Kansas and Nebraska's free states, had noted the threats of secession and had resolved that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally for its support. Accordingly the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away, when, on the 1st of April, he responded to President Lincoln's call for aid and was mustered into the state service at Dixon, Illinois, on the 10th of May, and into the United States service on the 24th of May. His company became a part of the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and Z. B. Mayo was elected captain of the company. which was known as Company F. while Mr. Dutton was chosen first lieutenant. On the 16th of June the regiment went to Caseyville, Illinois. to look after the secession element at that place. and on the 6th of July moved on to Rolla. Missouri. In August, 1861, Lientenant Dutton was promoted to the command of his company, Captain Mayo having resigned. The regiment remained at Rolla until the last of October, and in addition to regu- lar military service did cavalry duty, looking after guerillas and bushwhackers in that section of the country. From Rolla the Thirteenth Illinois pro- ceeded on forced marches to Springfield, Missouri, making the one hundred and twenty miles in four days, and were placed in General Fremont's com- mand, under whom the regiment remained until that general was superseded. On the 6th of
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March, 1862, the Thirteenth was ordered back to Rolla, was assigned to the command of General Curtis and was then sent to Pea Ridge, Arkansas, marching at the rate of twenty-five miles per day. The men suffered great hardships, being compelled to subsist for days on parched corn and whortle- berrics. The campaign down the White river was especially hazardous and severe, the troops suffer- ing from cold and lack of food and then changing to intense heat, with no water except from the cyprus swamps, abounding with reptiles and filth. many of the wells being poisoned as the troops approached. After three months' experience of this character the regiment reached Helena on the 1 1th of July with half of its number ill.
In August, 1861. Captain Dutton was sent home ill and while there was commissioned major of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which he assisted in raising in De Kalb and Du Page counties. On the 22d of September he was transferred to that command by order of the secretary of war and proceeded with his regi- ment a few days later to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was assigned to the army under General Rosecrans, then in camp near Bowling Green. (On 1864, Major Dutton was promoted to lieutenant the 11th of November, the brigade to which the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois was attached was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, and November 25 marched to Gallatin, Tennessee. where it went into winter quarters. On the 11th of December the regiment was removed to Tunnel Hill. where it remained until February 1. 1863, when it joined the brigade at Gallatin. continuing there until the close of spring. During these six months of arduous campaigning Major Dutton had charge of the scouts of the brigade, some two hundred and fifty in number, and was almost constantly in the saddle. On the 1st of June, 1863. the regiment proceeded to Lavergne. and a month later to Mur- freesboro. whence it was afterward ordered back to Lavergne, and on August 19 entered Fort Negley, at Nashville, where it remained until February, 1864.
While at Nashville Major Dutton was made a member of the board constituted by the war do- partment for the purpose of examining and as- signing officers to the regiments of colored men. remaining on that duty until May 1. when he re- joined his regiment, which was then assigned to the First Brigade. Third Division. Twentieth
Army Corps, commanded by General Joseph Hook- er, in which it served until the close of the war. In the battle of Resaca the One Hundred and Fifth took a distinguished part, and for its gal- lantry was especially complimented. In the cam- paign through Georgia and the Carolinas the regi- meut also won the most favorable distinction for its gallantry and achievements and in the war reports had favorable mention. From July 13 to August 4 Major Dutton had command of the regiment, Colonel Dustin being absent. During this period the battle of Peach Tree Creek was fought July 20, in which the One Hundred and Fifth was heavily engaged and had the honor of capturing the flag of the Twelfth Louisiana Regi- ment. The brigade was then commanded by General Harrison, afterward president of the United States, who was a close personal friend of General Dutton. as they slept together under the same tent many nights while in the service. The record of the regiment during the entire Atlanta campaign was especially brilliant, taking part in the battles of Resaca, Fessville, New Hope Church, Golgotha, D'cách Free Greek and Atlanta. Early in August. colonel and soon afterward to the colonelcy, his senior officer, Colonel Dustin. having been ap- pointed brigadier general. From Atlanta the One Hundred and Fifth marched with Sherman to the sea and from Savannah through the Carolinas to Goldsboro and Raleigh, thence through Richmond to Washington, participating in the battles of Lawtonville. Smith's Farm and Averyboro, the lat- ter being fought March 15. 1865. During this last engagement the One Hundred and Fifth drove the enemy from its works and captured two twelve- pound guns, which Colonel Dutton and some of his men turned and fired on the retreating enemy. For gallantry and meritorious service in the cam- paign in Georgia and the Carolinas, and for dis- tinguished service at the battle of Smith's Farm. North Carolina. Colonel Dutton was brevetted brigadier general of the United States Volunteers with rank from March 15, 1865. He was mus- tered out at Washington. June 2. 1865, after a con- tinnous service of four years and two months. Many incidents were related concerning General Dutton's personal bravery and also his care of his men. George F. Cram, editor of Gram's Magazine. was a member of General Dutton's regiment and
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one of his close friends. At the time of the Gen- eral's death he wrote: "There are many of the members of the '105th' still living who, as well as the writer, will remember the incident that oc- curred during one of the almost daily battles of the Atlanta campaign. The '105th' was ordered forward in line. Rising from a little ravine we found ourselves nearly upon the enemy's rifle pit, our position being such we were infiladed by their fire. Never did the 'zip' of rifle balls sound more angrily ! Our boys were dropping all along the line, and instinctively we sought the ground and hugged it as closely as possible. The order came to 'move by the left flank.' Obeying this would have meant marching by the flank directly upon the flaming rifle pits. General Dutton knew its exe- cution was impossible. Not a man would have been left alive. Some one had blundered. He sent word back of the situation. Again the order came. 'Move by the left flank.' It was peremptory: and could not be misunderstood. Standing erect, unmindful of bullets, sword in hand, General Dut- ton shouted: 'Boys, the order is forward by the left flank ; take care of yourselves." And we did ; ten seconds later we were behind a low ridge which offered a slight protection and waiting develop- ments. Officers were sent forward and the situ- ation finally comprehended. The writer was within a few feet of General Dutton, and will never forget the impression made by his bravery. There is scarcely a man of the '105th' who can not re- member some pleasant incident on picket or skirmish line, or in the camp that has ever en- deared to him the memory of General Dutton."
When the war was over General Dutton quietly resumed the pursuits of civil life, returning to Sycamore, where in 1868 he was elected clerk of the circuit court of De Kalb county, in which ca- pacity he served for eight years. In the winter of 1877, during the session of the general assembly of Illinois, he was elected clerk of the house, and in 1878 was chosen clerk of the northern grand division of the supreme court of Illinois, in which capacity he remained until December 1, 1884, dis- charging his duties in such a manner as to win the admiration of the court and bar. He always re- garded Sycamore as his home, and in 1883 he be- came one of the large stockholders of the Sycamore National Bank, and succeeded to the presidency upon the death of J. S. Waterman, first incumbent
in that office. General Dutton continued at the head of the institution until his own demise on the Sth of June, 1900. He had made a study of monetary matters and his judgment was highly re- spected in financial and commercial circles. He also made judicious investments in property and along other lines, and as the years passed, owing to his capable management and keen business dis- cernment, he became one of the wealthy residents of De Kalb county. He never selfishly hoarded his wealth, however, for his own use, but was generous to those who needed assistance and gave substantial aid to many plans and measures for the public good.
The marriage of General Dutton was celebrated on the 31st of December, 1863, at Sycamore, Illi- nois, when Miss Rosina Adelpha Paine became lis wife. She was a native of Herkimer county, New York, and a daughter of Harmon and Clarinda (Van Ilorne) Paine, the former born in German Flats, Herkimer county, July 25, 1822, while the latter was born at Springfield, New York, Febru- ary 26, 1824. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Paine became residents of Sycamore, and for many years the father conducted Paine's Hotel at this place. Her great-grandfather, Thomas Van Horne, served with the rank of lieutenant in the American army in the war for independence and Mrs. Dutton, by virtue of this has become a member of the Daugh- ters of the Revolution. Unto General and Mrs. Dutton were born two sons, George Everell and William Paine.
In politics General Dutton was always a stal- wart republican, and he and his wife held member- ship in the Universalist church, in which they took an active and helpful part. Mrs. Dutton still re- sides in their home in Sycamore, which is one of the beautiful residences of the town, adorned with many attractive works of art gathered by herself and husband on their trips to Europe. General Dutton was always deeply interested in community affairs and in the social life of the town. He was a good musician and his fine bass voice added to the pleasure of many a social and publie occasion. He held membership with various societies and organ- izations, including the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. The funeral services held at his home. on the 10th of June, 1900, were attended by his Grand Army post in a body and also by many comrades
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