USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
In his boyhood days JJ. M. Johnson attended the public schools of the county, and under his parents' instruction he also learned to read and
write the Swedish language. He is today a well in:formed man, keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought as manifest in business and political circles. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work and as he ear- ries forward the work of field and meadow he is meeting with very desirable success. Ile is en- gaged in the cultivation of three hundred acres of land in De Kalb township and is also treasurer of a company which owns a full-blooded Perch- eron horse for breeding purposes. He is likewise engaged in the raising of Poland China hogs and his business in its various departments is proving profitable. while in the county Mr. Johnson is classed with the leading farmers and stock-raisers.
On the 9th of January, 1892. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Anna Nel- son, who is a native of Sweden, born December 21. 1866. IIer parents, both natives of Sweden, are now deceased and never came to the United States. Mrs. Johnson crossed the Atlantic in 1888. She had four brothers and three sisters. of whom two are yet living in Sweden and three came to the new world. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have four children : Effic E .. born November S. 1891 : Ilarold G .. March 31, 1899; Elva L .. June 6. 1901 : and Agnes. January 14. 1903.
Mr. Johnson and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and he is a member of the Modern Woodman camp. No. 46. and the Elks lodge, No. 165. at De Kalb. He is also vice presi- dent of the Swedish Republican Club of De Kalb and is one of the prominent supporters of the party, having always voted that ticket and labored for its success. Ho is now assistant supervisor of De Kalb township and for three years has been school director. He has figured prominently in local political cireles and exerts considerable influ- ence among the Swedish-American residents of the township and city of De Kalb.
ANDREW HE. OLMSTED.
AAlthough starting out in life in a humble finan- cial position Andrew HI. Olmsted, of Genoa. has through his own persisteney of purpose and un- faltering energy gained a gratifying measure of success which now classes him among the wealthy retired farmers of De Kalb county, where he has
439
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
extensive landed possessions aggregating seventeen hundred acres, all of which is in one body, while lie also owns six hundred and forty acres of land in Logan county, Kansas.
Mr. Olmsted was born in Delaware county, New York, January 12, 1833, a son of Caleb and Samantha ( Wager) Olmsted, both of whom were natives of Delaware county. The young couple there began life on a farm and four children came to bless their home. In 1844, the father removed with his family to Illinois, making the journey by canal and lake to Chicago, whence they made their way to St. Charles, and on to Genoa, loeat- ing on a farm three miles east of the latter city. He pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of 'land and opened up a fine farm, which now con- stitutes a portion of the farm owned by the sub- ject of this review. He later secured another tract of land situated on section 16. Hle improved his farm with a good house and barn. hauling the humber used in their construction from Chicago on a sled. He likewise set out a good orchard and made his home on the farm for many years. but his last days were spent in Genoa, where his death occurred in 1887, being survived by his wife for only a few months.
Andrew HI. Olmsted was reared to agricultural pursuits, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields. lle was a little lad of only nine years when his parents removed to this state from New York, and as his age and strength permitted le assisted his father in the arduous task of devel- oping and cultivating new land. At one time, in connection with a cousin, he was engaged in break- ing land for others, owning a large breaking plow and eight yoke of oxen, and in this way broke hundreds of acres of new land. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five years, when, in December, 1860. in Genoa, he was married to Miss Rebecca Jane Eiklor, a native of Huron, Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick Eiklor, who removed from the Buck- eye state to Illinois at an early day. thus becom- ing one of the pioneer settlers of this state.
Following his marriage Mr. Ohnsted located on a farm on section 12, Genoa township, this tract comprising eighty aeres of partially improved land. IIe broke the land with an ox team and in due time erected a substantial house, good barns and outbuildings, the lumber for this purpose
being hauled from Chicago. He has since added to his possessions from time to time until he is today the owner of seventeen hundred acres of land, which is divided into six farms, all adjoin- ing, and he now has six sets of good buildings, so that his place presents the appearance of a little village. Ile also owns six hundred and forty acres of Tand in Logan county, Kansas. When Mr. Olmsted started ont in life on his own account he incurred an indebtedness of six hundred dot- lars, on which he paid interest at the rate of ten per cent. He soon discharged this obligation and worked his way upward as the years passed by until he has become one of the largest landowners of De Kalb county, his success being dne to his untiring energy and the assistance of his estima- ble wife, who has indeed proved to him a valiable and worthy helpmate. Mr. Olmsted was actively identified with agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he removed to Genoa, where he built a nice residence, and here he has since made his home. merely giving supervision to his landed interests.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born three daughters but the youngest, Effie. died at the age of two years, while the surviving daugh- ters are: Cora May, now the wife of Dr. Robin- son, of Genoa ; and Ada Maud, the wife of Charles Brown, a banker of Genoa.
Mr. Olmsted is a stanch advocate of republican principles, casting his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856, and he has supported each candidate of the party since that time. He has never been active as an office seeker. for his extended business interests have fully claimed his time and attention. Mrs. Olmsted holds member- ship with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Olmsted has made his home in De Kalb county for six decades and during that time has seen a wonderful transformation in this section of the state, for when he arrived here the town of Genoa was still a thing of the future and there were but eight or ten buildings in the entire township. Soon other settlers located here, farms were devel- oped and improved and the thriving little town of Genoa sprang into existence and today De Kalb county ranks among the foremost sections of the state. while in this work of improvement and progress Mr. Olmsted has not only been a witness but has been an active participant so that he can now look with just pride upon the work that has
440
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
here been accomplished. His life is another proof of what determination and energy has to do with snecess, for, though starting out in the business world with no capital and with an indebtedness he has gradually worked his way upward until he is now classed with the wealthy and substantial residents of this part of the state.
HORACE WRIGHT FAY.
Horace Wright Fay, second representative in the legislature from De Kalb county, soldier in the Civil war and county surveyor, was born August 11, 1801, in New York state. He was the sixth in direct descent from John Fay, who was born in England in 1648, and who came to America and died in Marlboro, Massachusetts, in 1690. The record of succession is as follows: John Fay's son, born in 1669, at Marlboro, died in 1241 at Westboro, Massachusetts; Deacon James Fay, who was born in 1701, in Marlboro, and died in 1127, resided at Westboro, Grafton and Hardwick : Daniel Fay, born in 1728. at Westboro, Massa- chusetts, died in 1815 at Hardwick, Massachus- etts : Jonathan Fay, born in 1724 at Hardwick. was buried at Squaw Grove, De Kalb county, Illi- nois, in 1837: and Horace W. Fay is subject of this sketch. Three generations of his family have since resided in De Kalb county, making a record of nine generations in America in about two hun- dred and thirty-six years.
About 183: Horace W. Fay came to De Kalo county, Illinois, and in conjunction with his brother, Wells A. Fay, who came to the county in 1836, bought land in Squaw Grove township. Their aged father and mother started overland from the east to make their home with them, but the father died en route while in Chicago, Jan- uary 12. 1832. Their mother, Rhoda (White) Fay, lived many years in Squaw Grove town- ship. Horace W. Fay's brothers and sisters are as follows: Roswell Fay, who died about 1870, in Squaw Grove township; Roxana Carpenter, grandmother of Mrs. Henry A. Adams, of Sand- wieh; Horace Wright Fay, of this sketch, who died at Vicksburg, Mississippi: Austin Fay, who was killed in the Mexican war ; Maryetta Barnes, who died at Ottawa ; Wells Alvirus Fay, who set-
tled in Squaw Grove township in 1836, and died at Hinckley, Illinois, in 1879.
The subject of this sketch was first married to Roxana Eaton. Unto this union were born five children: Edwin Horace Fay, soldier in the Mex- ican war, now at Hinckley, Illinois, father of II. W. Fay, of De Kalb; Mahala Hough, wife of the first editor of De Kalb county : Mary Juliet Car- penter, wife of Ex-Senator Carpenter, of Kansas; Rhoda S. Merritt, first wife of John Merritt, of Clinton township; and Frances Cordelia Snow, wife of Owen Snow, of Brecksville, Ohio. About 1834 Mr. Fay's wife died and later he was mar- ried to Allida Adams, who died on the Beitel farm in Squaw Grove township about 1842. They had one child, Julia Cordelia Bates, who lived for many years at Hartford, Connecticut. While a member of the state legislature in 1848-1850 he met and married Mrs. Margaret Stipp, now living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She had two children, Herman Stipp, who served as a soldier, and Georgia Hamlin. The children of the third mar- riage are as follows: Mrs. Alice Wilson, of Free- land, Illinois : Walter Fay, who was killed in the railway service at Boone, lowa, in 1898; Frank Leslie Fay, of Rapid City, South Dakota; and Perley S. Fay. a railroad man of Milwaukee, Wis- ronsin.
In 1853 Mr. Fay was elected surveyor of De Kalb county and served until 1858. He ran lines upon almost every quarter section of the county and platted Sandwich. Malta and parts of De Kalb. Ile was one of the civil engineers of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Horace W. Fay an- swered his country's call in 1861 and went to the front in Colonel Richard Oglesby's regiment. He enlisted at Birds' Point, Missouri, December 2, 1861. as principal musician in the Eighth Regi- ment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years. He was discharged to receive the appointment as chaplain in the First Mississippi Heavy Artillery, December 2, 1863. He saw as- tive service at Shiloh and was at the siege of Vicks- burg and died in the service at that place April 18, 1864. His remains were buried in the soldier's cemetery at Vicksburg.
Mr. Fay was a delegate to the first republican convention of De Kalb county. There had been a great upheavel of political alliliations in the county in 1854. The pioneers had been divided
1个月
Horace Ar Stay
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS,
443
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
into three parties, democrats, whigs and free soil- ers, but upon the founding of the republican party it became apparent that this organization repre- sented the views of the great body of De Kalb county citizens. On September 14, 1854, a mass convention was held in Sycamore to select repre- sentatives to attend the republican convention at Aurora. The delegates selected were chosen from the old parties as follows: democratic, Horace W. Fay: G. A. Colton, Joseph Sixbury, James Harrington and Royal Crossett : free soilers, Pier- pont Edwards, Stephen Townsend, Thurston Carr, David West, James II. Beveridge and E. S. Greg- ory ; whigs, Reuben Pritchard, W. J. Hunt, H. 1. Joslyn. William Byers, Dr. E. Rose and John N Braddock.
The veteran surveyor was a familiar figure among the pioneers of De Kalb county. Boundary lines were being constantly established and he came in contact with about every family. He was a devout Christian gentleman and officiated as an itinerant minister and preached in nearly all the log school houses of the county. He was an accomplished musician and scholar and taught singing and district schools in pioneer days. He took an active part in political matters and his name is associated with many of the early im- portant meetings of the county.
HIRAM OSTRANDER.
:
Hiram Ostrander is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and is now serving for the third term as commander of Potter post, No. 12, G. A. R., at Sycamore. He was born in the town of Butternut, Otsego county, New York, July 9. 1833, his parents being Hiram and Adelia (Cal- kins) Ostrander, who were likewise natives of New York. The father was a cooper by trade and later followed the printing business in the east. Subsequently he removed to Minnesota, where he engaged in newspaper work and resided there until the death of his wife, when he re- moved to Michigan, spending his last days in the home of a daughter. His wife passed away at Hokah, Houston county, Minnesota. She was the mother of five children. One son, James Ostrander, is now a resident of Hokah, Minnesota.
Hle was a soldier in the Civil war, participating in the Indian campaigns on the frontier.
Hiram Ostrander acquired a limited education in the public schools but early began to earn his living and at the age of fourteen years was en- ployed to drive the stage over the mountains in New York. Ile worked in that way for about one year and during the succeeding year was em- ployed as a farm laborer at five dollars per month. He afterward worked on a dairy farm near Column- bus, New York, until 1853, when he came to the middle west by way of Ypsilanti, Michigan. The first year in De Kalb county he drove the stage from Sycamore to Cortland for at that time the railroad had not been built. He afterward worked on the IIamlin farm on the De Kalb road, taking care of the horses. In 1860 he made a trip to California on horse back and was five months and five days on the way. He spent some time in the Sacramento valley, but when he heard of the outbreak of the Civil war, he wished to join the army as an Illinois soldier and returned on horse back to De Kalb county. Mr. Ostrander proved his loyalty to the old flag by enlisting in October, 1862, as a member of the Eighteenth Illinois Cavalry. At Peoria this regiment was consoli- dated with the Fourteenth Illinois and Mr. Ostran- der, who was serving as a private, was put on detailed duty in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Car- olina and West Virginia. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, August 25, 1865, having done his full duty as a soldier and shown himself most faithful to the stars and stripes.
When the war was over, Mr. Ostrander returned to De Kalb county and there engaged in farming for a number of years. He then took up his resi- dence in the city of Sycamore, since which time he has been engaged in training and taking care of horses. He is now past seventy-three years of age, is still acttive and alert and is today taking care of a number of horses for F. B. Townsend. In 1891 he was elected sheriff of the county and served four years. His early political support was given to the whig party but for many years he has been an ardent republican, in thorough sympathy with the principles of that party. He served for one term as alderman of Sycamore.
Mr. Ostrander, while waiting at Peoria to be mustered into the United States service at the
-14-4
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
time of the Civil war, returned to Sycamore and on the 2nd of January, 1863, was married there to Miss Ruth E. Foster. He then left his bride to go to the front. Mrs. Ostrander is a daughter of William Foster, a native of the Empire state, who came to Illinois in 1846 and in 1856 became a resident of Sycamore. He was a well-to-do farmer and his old homestead is the present residence of our subject. He died twenty-one years ago at the age of seventy-one years and is still sur- vived by his widow, who in her maidenhood was Jane Keyes. Mrs. Foster is a native of New York and on the 15th of March, 1906, she attained the age of ninety-two years. With the exception of her eye-sight, she retains her faculties unimpaired and in fact enjoys remarkable health for one of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Ostrander became the par- ents of two children, but Cora May died at the age of three years and the other died in infancy.
Mr. Ostrander has long been a prominent and influential member of the Grand Army post at Sycamore and for fourteen years served as quar- termaster, while at the present time he is serving his third term as its commander. Hle delights in recallnig reminiscences of the tented field and the experience which came to him when he wore the blue uniform of the nation and defended its starry banner. He has always been a temperate man, having never spent five cents in a saloon : he never took but one chew of tobacco and for several years he has not smoked. His life has indeed been exemplary in these respects and those who know him admire him because of his fidelity to principles.
CHARLES MORTON.
Nature was lavish to De Kalb county in her bestowal of opportunities for successful agrien !- tural development. The land, once wild and un- improved, responds readily to the care and culti- vation bestowed upon it and brings forth rich and abundant harvests. It also makes excellent pasture land for stock and the raising of horses, cattle and hogs constitutes an important industry in the business life of this portion of the stato. Mr. Morton has taken advantage of the opportuni- ties offered along agricultural lines and has met
with gratifying success in raising grain and stock as is indicated in his ownership of an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty acres on section 28. Victor township. He also owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, the same township. Both are well improved properties and the enterprise and labor of Mr. Morton are indi- cated thereby. Ile came to Illinois in 1856, locat- ing in La Salle county. and to De Kalb county in 1863, bringing to the west a spirit of enterprise and determination that enabled him to take ad- vantage of the conditions which here existed and to shape opportunities to his own use.
Mr. Morton was born in Portland, Maine, on the 19 of February. 1839, his parents being George and Mary S. (Purnton) Morton. the former a na- tive of Plymouth. Massachusetts, and the latter a native of the Pine Tree state. Following their marriage they lived for a time in Lynn. Massa- chusetts, and in 1856 came to Illinois, settling i't La Salle county, where they remained until 1863 and then came to De Kalb county. Both the father and mother spent their remaining days in Victor township. In their family were six children.
Charles Morton, the second in order of birth. was reared in Massachusetts to the age of seven- teen years, enjoying the advantages afforded by the good schools of that state. After acquiring a high-school education. he came to the west when a young man and remained with his father until his marriage. It was on the 23d of December. 1869. in De Kalb county, that he wedded Miss Lucy Davis, who was born and reared in Victor township. a daughter of Albert Davis, who arrived i. this county in 1844 from Canada and was a native of New York. Her mother. who bore the maiden name of Martha Robinson, was a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Morton located on the farm where they now live in 1820 and he has since erected a neat and substantial residence as well as a good barn and corn cribs. He has put up a wind pump. has set out an orchard, has fenced his fields with hedge and woven wire. In addi- tion to the home place of one hundred and thirty acres he has purchased a quarter section of land not far distant and this he now rents. Both places are well improved properties and Mr. Morton is vet active in the management and control of the home place, raising good crops and also raising
445
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
and feeding considerable stock annually in con- nection with his son Harry G.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morton have been born thre? children : Harry G., who assists in the operation of the home farm; Edith L. and Eunice L., both at home. Mr. Morton is a believer in democratic principles and has generally voted the party ticket in national elections, but in 1904 supported Theo- dore Roosevelt. At the local elections he does not consider himself bound by party ties and gives his support to the candidate whom he thinks best qualified for office. He is a believer in the Uni- versalist faith. Mr. Morton has lived in the county from an early period and has seen and shaken hands with the old Indian chief Shabbona. There were many evidences of Indian occupancy at the time of his arrival in the state but the white man was busy with the work of reclamation and the labor which he has wrought in the passing years has so changed De Kalb county that it bears little resemblance to the district into which Mr. Morton made his way so long ago.
ADOLPHUS MELANCTHON JOHNSON.
Adolphus Melanethon Johnson is one of De Kalb county's native sons but is of Swedish line- age and possesses many of the sterling character- istics which have ever been attributed to the Swed- ish people. His parents were Magnus and Chris- tine (Johnson) Johnson, who came from Sweden to De Kalb county in 1854, being early residents of this part of the state. The father was born in Smolen, November 16, 1833, and died in De Kalb township on Christmas day of 189%, after a residence of more than four decades in this county. Ilis wife, also a native of Smolen, was born April 16, 1836, and died in De Kalb town- ship, February 1, 1902. They were people of genuine personal worth, active and energetic, and the father gained a goodly measure of success in his farmning operations.
Adolphus M. Johnson was born on the old fam- ily homestead, June 3, 1864, and was graduated from the public schools of Milan township. De Kalb county. He then went to Elburn, Illinois, where he attended school for a time and subse- quently went to Geneva, Illinois, where he com-
pleted his education. Having put aside his text- books, he accepted a clerkship in a general store in Geneva, where he remained for two years. He next went to Chicago, where for a year and a half he was identified with the Phoenix Incan- descent Light Company, after which he returned to De Kalb, where for three succeeding years he was in the employ of Jacob Hlaish. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit hinself. he began farming on his own account in 1901, and purchased ninety acres of land in De Kalb town- ship, which he still owns and operates. Ilis farm is equipped with modern accessories and he has placed his fields under a high state of cultivation, so that he derives therefrom a good annual income.
On the 15th of January, 1890. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Elizabeth John- son, and they have become the parents of five children : Effie, Earl Evans, Iliram Harold, Ver- non Webster and Abner Marion. The family cir- cle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. The parents are members of the Swedish Luth- eran church at De Kalb and Mr. Johnson affil- iates with the Modern Woodmen camp there. In his political belief he is a republican. His en- tire life has been passed in this county and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days to the present is an indication that his has been an honorable and upright life.
LEE R. HUDGENS.
Lee R. Hudgens is one of the successful and up-to-date farmers of Sandwich township. whose property comprises one hundred and thirty acres of land on section 23 within a half mile of the corporation limits of the city of Sandwich. By birth, by training and preference, he is a western man imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which have ever been the dominant fac- tors in the development of this section of the state. Ile was born in La Salle county, July 1. 1861.
His father, Augustus P. Hudgens, was a native of Louisiana, his birth having occurred in New Orleans about 1824. The grandfather, Dr .. John Itudgens, was of English ancestry, being descended
446
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
from one of the passengers of the Mayflower. He died of yellow fever in New Orleans, after which his wife and son. Augustus P. Hudgens, removed to Boston, Massachusetts, making their home with the mother's people. Augustus P. Hudgens was reared therefore in Boston and in 1848 came west- ward to Illinois, settling in Newark. There he engaged in merchandising for a few years and was regarded as one of the intelligent. enterpris- ing and progressive business men. He married Miss Annis Potter. a native of New York and daughter of Darius Potter, one of the early set- tlers of La Salle county. living on the Fox river. Mr. Hudgens purchased government land at Le- land, Illinois, becoming owner of about two hun- dred acres. upon which he opened up his farm and there reared and educated his children. He developed the property and at length sold that farm, after which he spent three winters in Flor- ida. He died at the home of a son in Chicago. December 12, 1896. His wife departed this life at her home in Sandwich in 1901. Mr. Hudgens was prominent and active in community affairs, serving as trustee of schools and as supervisor for a number of years. He was well known as a man whose natural and acquired talents well fitted him for leadership and throughout the community in which he lived he was honored and respected.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.