USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 61
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been blessed with six children: who are still living: Edna, now the wife of Albert Kutzner, a fariner of Somonauk township: Charles E., who follows
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farming in Big Rock township: Myrtie, the wife of John Schults. a farmer of Sandwich township: Wells F., who carries on business as a barber at Manhattan, Illinois : Mollie. the wife of Harry Striker. a druggist of Chicago: and Glenn, yet at home. They also lost their first born. Willi?, who died at the age of six years, while Willis died in infancy.
Mr. Wilson exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party, having voted for each presidential candidate at the head of the ticket since he cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has served on the school board but has never been an office seeker, his time and attention being fully occupied with his busi- ness interests. His wife is a member of the United Presbyterian church, while Mr. Wilson is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Aneient Order of United Workmen. Ile is a pioneer settler and has witnessed the greater part Captain Parke was a youth of eighteen years . when; in 1856, he accompanied his parents from his native state to Illinois. His education, begun in the cast, was continued in the De Kalb schools until he had completed the high-school course. of the county's development. his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and progressive present with all its evidences of mod -. ern civilization. He has followed the old break -? ing plow, driven several yoke of oxen, and has ! - after which he attended Mount Morris Seminary. lived to see the introduction of the modern riding Ile is one of a family of four sons and two daugh- ters. all of whom reached years of maturity, but the only other surviving member of the family is a sister, Mrs. J. D. Lott, who resides in Chi- cago. plow turning broad furrows and greatly lessen- ing the arduous labors of the farm. He has seen the building of railroads through the county, has witnessed the introduction of the telephone and telegraph, and has seen the primitive log hous? replaced by the substantial modern structures and the methods of teaching have been as greatly im- proved as the buildings. At all times he has stood for advancement and in his own life proves the force and value of enterprise and unfaltering labor, showing that success is ambition's answer.
CAPTAIN ALMON F. PARKE.
Captain Almon F. Parke, a well known pioneer settler of De Kalb county and one of the few ro- maining veterans of the Civil war, makes his home on a farm on section 8. Sycamore township. his postoffice being Genoa. Captain Parke was born on a farm in Evans township. Erie county, New York, January 25. 1838, a son of Larmon Z. and Martha W. (Fenton) Parke. the former born in
1800 and the latter in 1499. The paternal grand- father, Reuben Parke, was born June 10, 1272, and died in Indiana, at the advanced age of about ninety years. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth R. Ford and was a sister of Captain Almon Ford, who was a captain in the war of 1812. She was born in Connecticut, and her death oc- curred at Captain Parke's residence in Sycamore township. in De Kalb county, the burial taking place on the ninety-fifth anniversary of her birth. The son, Larmon Z. Parke, learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and for many years con- tinued operations along that line, but later learned the mason's trade and followed that until he suf- fered a stroke of paralysis during the war. For many years he made his home on a small tract of land near De Kalb but his last days were spent in that city, his death there occurring September 14. 1885.
Following the completion of his education. Captain Parko was engaged for one year in teach- ing school. He then learned the brick and stone mason's trade under his father, and at the age of twenty years began work in this connection on his own account. During this time the Civil war had been inaugurated and he had watched with interest the course of events. Believing that he owed his first duty to his country, Almon F. Parke then assisted in organizing a company and was mustered into service at Dixon, Illinois, Septent- ber 2. 1862, as second lieutenant of Company K. One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He went with his regiment to Camp Douglas. Chicago, whence it was sent to Kentucky. thence to Nashville and went into winter quarters at South Tunnel near the latter city. While in camp at the latter place Mr. Parke became ill of typhoid fever, remaining in a hospital at Gallatin. Tennessee, for two months. When he had suffi-
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Ruth It. Parke
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ciently recovered to take his place on the field he was assigned to duty with the pioneer corps and sent to Murfreesboro. Within three months after being mustered into service our subject was pro- moted to the rank of first lieutenant and while on duty with the pioneer corps the captain of his company resigned. He was then commissioned to take his place and was ordered back to take com- mand of his company. Soon after being commis- sioned captain, our subject joined his company at Nashville and with his regiment went to Wau- hatchie Valley, while in the spring of 1864 he en- tered on the Atlanta campaign. Ile participated in every battle during the campaign and al- though he had some narrow escapes, being once shot through the coat and his scabbard once struck with a minie-ball, he was never wounded. Fol- lowing the Atlanta campaign, the Twentieth Army Corps, of which the One Hundred and Fifth Illi- nois Regiment formed a part, was given a rest at Atlanta.
Receiving word that his father was ill, Captain Parke then secured a leave of absence for seven days, which he spent at home, and upon returning for active duty with his regiment he found that- it had gone on the march to the sea. He got as far as Nashville, then went to Chattanooga, but found that he could not get through. Ile was then assigned to the command of a company at the former city. and for a time was under General Thomas, while later he was under General Har- rison. After Sherman reached the sea, Captain Parke was relieved from duty in Tennessee, where he had been serving on the military commission, trying criminal cases. When the commission dis- solved he received an order to report to his com- mand at Raleigh, North Carolina. and while on his way to that city he learned of the assassination of President Lincoln. From Raleigh his regiment marched through Virginia on its way to Washing- ton. and after participating in the grand review in that city, his regiment was ordered to Chicago. where it was mastered ont of service on the 7th of June, 1865.
Following the close of hostilities Captain Parke returned home, having made a most creditable mil- itary record. He then resumed his work as a mason in Sycamore and De Kalb, and as he pros- pered in his undertakings and his financial re- sources permitted. he invested his money in a tract
of land in Afton township, but continned to work at his trade until 1869, while during this time he also carried on the work of the farm.
On the 1st of September, 1870, occurred the marriage of Captain Parke and Miss Ruth Hall, who was born on a farm in De Kalb county. a daughter of Ephraim Hall, whose birth occurred in Wallingford, Connectient, March 15, 1808. He located in De Kalb county in 1836, and his death here occurred when he lacked but one week of hav- ing attained the age of eighty-eight years. Fol- lowing his marriage Captain Parke located on his farm, where he continued operations until 1873, when he disposed of that property and removed to his present farm on section 8, Syeamore town- ship, which at that time comprised two hundred and forty acres, and which was deeded Mrs. Parke by her father. In addition to this property the captain owns a farm of one hundred and forty- four aeres in Boone county, Illinois, which is now occupied by his son. In 1884 Captain Parke erected a modern brick residence on his homestead property and also built good barns and outbuild- ings, necessary for the shelter of grain and stoek. . He tiled his land and set out a good orchard, and altogether his place constitutes one of the valuable and well improved farms of this portion of the state. He has ever followed the most practical and progressive methods of farm work and his labors have been rewarded by rich crops.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born two sons and four daughters who are still living, while one is deceased. The living members of the family are: Nelson R., who resides on his father's farm in Boone county ; Henry H., who graduated from the literary department of the University of Michigan and for a time he engaged in teaching in West Virginia, but is now operating one of his father's farms: Mary, the wife of Harry W. Frantz, a resident of Chicago; Mila and Ruth, both attending the Chicago University; and Eleanor G., a young lady at home.
Politically Captain Parke was formerly an ad- vocate of democracy, casting his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. He now votes an independent ticket, supporting men and measures rather than adhering strictly to party. He is a believer in good schools and has done much for the improvement of the educational interests of this part of the state, having served on the
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school board for many years, while for several years he also acted as district clerk. He was for- merly a Mason, belonging to the lodge and chap- ter. but since the war has not been identified with any fraternal organization. Captain Parke has been a resident of De Kalb county for more than a half century, during which time he has been as loyal to its interests as he was during the dark days of his country's history, when, on southern battle-fields he defended the stars and stripes. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of this county and is also one of its few remaining veter- ans of the Civil war.
MAGNUS FABIAN CARLSON.
Magnus Fabian Carlson, well known in business circles as a photographer in Sycamore, his native city, was born September 23. 1862. His father. Magnus Fabian Carlson, was a native of Sweden and in 1853 came to the United States, settling in Sycamore. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and followed that pursuit in Sycamore for some time. but later followed the carpenter's trade and did some contracting. He was married when he came to Sycamore and he and his wife were the first married Swedish couple living in that city. At the time of their arrival the Northwestern Rail- road extended only to De Kalb and there they remained for a time but not liking the town. they came overland to Sycamore to remain temporarily it being their intention to go to Rockford. Mrs. Carlson, however, was so well pleased with Syca- more that she prevailed on her husband to remain and he continued a resident of that city up to the time of his death, which occurred August 16, 1862. In that year he enlisted for service in the Civil war, but becoming ill, he died before the company went to the front. He was a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, was a republican in politics and was a respected man. In his busi- ness life he was meeting with success. while all who knew him entertained a warm regard for him because of his fidelity and honorable, manly princi- ples. His wife. Mrs. Anna Carlson, was born in Sweden and they were married there. Her death occurred July 9, 1904, when she was seventy-eight years of age. She was a woman of strong person-
ality and lovable disposition. Her home was ever open for the reception of people from her native land until they found a place for themselves. Some years before her death, one hundred and fifty of her friends and those whom she had befriended, gave a most delightful entertainment for her in the nature of a surprise party which was a testi- monial of their esteem.
In the family were five children: Edith, wife of D. A. Giles, a resident of Albert Lea, Minne- sota, where she died in 1894; Carl E .. who is clerking in Sycamore: Andrew J., who is in busi- ness in Bottineau, North Dakota, and was chief of police at that place in former years ; John W., an iron molder at Batavia. Illinois ; and Magnus F .. of this review.
In taking up the personal history of Magnu- 1 .. Carlson we present to our readers a life record of one who is well known in Sycamore. He en- tered the public schools here at the usual age and passed through the successive grades until he be- came a high school student. He then entered a store as a clerk and was employed there for about ten years. Later he learned photography and bought out a business in 1893. He has since con- ducted his photograph gallery with success. He has a well equipped studio and utilizes the latest processes in carrying on his art. The results ob- tained are usually acceptable and his patronage is now gratifying.
In April of 1889 Mr. Carlson was married to Miss Charlotte V. Shurtleff. daughter of Ephraim and Susan Shurtleff, of Sveamore. The Shurt- leffs are an old American family, which was rep- rcsented in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Carlson was born in Sycamore township in 186%. A sketch of her father will be found elsewhere 'in this volume.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carlson were born two chil- dren : Ione E., born April 3, 1890 ; and Frank S .. born March :, 1895. Mrs. Carlson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Carlson belongs to the Masonic fraternity. the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is likewise identi- fied with the Knights of the Globe and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star lodge, of which Mrs. Carlson is a past worthy matron. In politics Mr. Carlson is a republican but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to
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give his time and attention to his business inter- ests, in which he is meeting with well merited success.
ANDREW HARMAN KYLEN.
Andrew Harman Kylen, who is engaged in busi- ness in De Kalb as a mason, landed in America with a cash capital of only thirteen dollars. He was an emigrant from Sweden and though his financial resources were limited, he possessed un- tiring energy and determination. These qualities enabled him to succeed where others of less reso- lute spirit would have failed. As the years have passed by he has worked his way upward, and in late years has enjoyed a goodly measure of prosperity.
Mr. Kylen was born in Sweden, May 20, 1850, his parents being John H. and Louise (Calholm) Kylen, also natives of Sweden. The father died in 1857 and the mother, reaching the advanced age of eighty-six years, passed away in 1903.
Andrew H. Kylen, the youngest of a family of three children, was only seven years of age at the time of his father's death. He pursued his education in Sweden, completing his studies in 1866, and two years later, when only eighteen years of age, came to the United States, landing at New York with hut thirteen dollars in his pocket. With that meagre capital in his posses- sion he started out to seek work and for six years was employed in New York. In 1874 he arrived in Malta, Illinois, where he remained for six years. and in 1880 came to the city of De Kalb, where he has since lived. After leaving school he learned the mason's trade, which he has followed throughout his entire life, and at the present writ- ing is closely associated with building operations of that character in De Kalb.
On the 4th of November. 1820, Mr. Kylen was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Swanson, who was born in Sweden, October 1, 1848. Her par- ents were Swante and Christina Margreta (Ro- man) Swanson, hoth of whom were natives of Sweden but are now deceased. In their family were seven children of whom Mrs. Kylen is the youngest. Three of the daughters came to Amer- ica, while the others lived and died in Sweden.
('nto Mr. and Mrs. Kylen have been born six children: Mrs. Hulda Thompson, born December 8, 1821; John W. Kylen, born September 3, 1873; Mary Louise, born September 25, 1875; Ray Oakley, born April 3, 1882 ; and two now deceased The daughter, Mary Louise, is the wife of F. L. Gilbert, of Madison, Wisconsin, who for two terms served in the office of district attorney and is now attorney general of that state. The two children who have passed away were: Walter Eugene, who was born December 18, 1877, and died April 13, 1881; and Dora May, who was born October 31, 1879, and died April 8, 1881. The son John was a soldier in the Spanish-American war and as a member of Company M, Third Illinois Regiment, went with General Miles to Porto Rico. The troops landed at Ponce and were on gnard duty there. JJohn Kylen remained at the front until after peace was declared and then returned home with his regiment.
Mr. Kylen and his son are both stalwart repub- licans and he is a member of the Fraternal Trib- unes. The family home is at No. 319 North street, De Kalb, and Mr. Kylen and the members of the household are well known in this city. He has made rapid and substantial progress since coming to America for when he arrived in this country he was unacquainted with the English language and knew practically nothing of the methods and customs of the people. He readily adapted himself to the changed labor conditions and proved his willingness to work by close appli- cation and untiring diligence, and as the years have gone by, he has been generally successful. He now belongs to the Masons Union, a strong labor organization, of which he is at the head. At this writing he is acting as financial secretary, while his son is corresponding secretary. Mr. Kylen has occupied this position since the organ- ization of the union in 1902.
J. C. HENDERSON.
The work of his home farm makes steady de- mands upon the time and energies of J. C. Hen- derson, an agriculturist residing on section 29, Milan township. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Clinton
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township on the 15th of May, 1864. His par- ents. Samuel and Frances ( Lackey) Henderson. were natives of Perry county. Pennsylvania, the former born May 30, 1831. and the latter October 21, 1839. They were married in that state, whence they came west about 1858 and took up their abode upon a farm of forty acres in Clinton township. De Kalb county, Illinois. being early settlers of this locality. Here Mr. Henderson carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1865, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, Milan township,-the farm now owned and operated by his son J. C. Hender- son. When he located thereon not a furrow had been turned upon the place and his nearest neigh- bor was a mile and a half away. The father con- tinued the improvement and cultivation of that farm until 1884. when he purchased one hundred and twenty aeres in Shabbona township just east of Lee, cultivating that tract with good success until 1903, when he removed to Lee and there he and his wife are now living retired. He was for many years elosely, actively and honorably asso- ciated with farming interests and is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. While a resident of Milan township he served as school trustee. school director and road commis- sioner at different times. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lee and he has been a member of the board of trustees since the church was erected in 1811.
J. C. Henderson was educated in the district schools of Milan township and remained at home with his father through the period of his boyhood and youth. After he attained his majority he con- tinued on the old homestead. managing the farm until 1903, when he purchased the property. Ho has here one hundred and sixty aeres of good land that responds in golden harvests to the care and labor he bestows upon it.
On the 20th of September, 1887. Mr. Hender- son was married to Miss Sarah M. Mullins. daughter of George and Mary ( Bostock) Mullins, who were of English extraction. Her father was born May 3, 1842, and was only ten years of age when he came to De Kalb county. He now owns land both in this and Lee counties but makes his home in the latter county. Mr. Mullins, who came to De Kalb county in 1865, was born November 1.
1848. and died August 12, 1886. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have been born six children : George S., born August 24. 1888, who is now in school in Dixon, Illinois : Mary F .. who was born March 1. 1890, and is a student in Aurora, Illi- nois: Lester J., who was born July 12. 1892: Della S., who was born March 26, 1894; Miles Ellis, born May 8, 1903: and Villa, born July 30. 1906.
The parents and four eldest children are men- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and for the past eight years Mr. Henderson has served as one of the church trustees. He takes an active and helpful part in the church work and his in- fluence is ever given on the side of right, justice and truth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the Mystic Workers at Lee and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen camp at that place. In polities he is an earnest prohibi- tionist. He believes in the practice of temperance not only in the use of spirituous liquors but in all his habits. He uses no tobacco and is careful not to abuse nature's laws. At the present time he is serving his township as road commissioner and is also school director, having acted in the lat- ter capacity for twelve years. Religiously, politi- eally and socially, and in business life as well, his has been an example which might be profitably followed by all who have true regard for the value of character and a desire that the human race shall be uplifted.
EDWARD L. MAYO, M. D.
Dr. Edward L. Mayo, whose life of high pur- poses and large usefulness made him one of the best loved citizens of De Kalb. passed away March 2. 1905. when in his sixty-second year. A native son of the county. he was born in Sycamore. on the 16th of June. 1843, and was a son of Judge E. L. Mayo, one of the leading pioneer residents of this part of the state. At the usual age the son began his education in the public schools of his native town, where he passed through successive grades, gaining a good English education to serve as the foundation for later acquired professional knowledge.
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When he had attained his majority he took up the study of medicine in 1864 in the office of Dr. Bryant, while subsequently he continued his read- ing with Dr. Garvin as his preceptor. Entering Rush Medical College, of Chicago, he won the de- gree of M. D. in that institution in 1868 and lo- cated for the active practice of his profession at Malta, where he was not long in securing a liberal and gratifying patronage. There he remained for about seven years or until 1875, when he sought the broader field of labor offered at De Kalb and resumed his chosen life work in that city. Public opinion was never divided upon the question of his ability or fidelity to the onerous and responsi- ble duties which rest upon the physician and sur- geon. For twenty-five years he enjoyed a very extensive and growing patronage and he was. moreover, a thorough business man. He never refused to respond to the call of the siek room, even when the response occasioned much personal discomfort and inconvenience. He was a success- ful physician, easily the dean of his profession in the county, and his prominence and the attend- ing honors which accompany pre-eminence in that high calling were honestly and fairly won through keen intelligence, hard work and persistent appli- cation. He continued in active practice until the later years of his life, when his own impaired health caused his retirement.
Dr. Mayo was first married in 18:2, to Miss Alice Ballou, a daughter of W. P. Ballou, and they became the parents of two children: Ross E. ; and Alice L., who is now the wife of Robert Stahl. Mrs. Mayo died September 28. 1880. In 1897 he was married to Miss Harriet M. Ellwood, daugh- ter of Colonel I. L. Ellwood. A few years ago he erected a fine new residence at the corner of Main and First streets, where an air of culture and re- finement prevailed and where a spirit of warm hos- pitality brought delight to their many friends. Unto this marriage was born one son, Edward.
Because of impaired health Dr. Mayo spent the winter seasons during the last four years of his life in the south. He was for some time in Florida but after the Christmas holidays went to Los An- geles, California, accompanied by his wife and son, for the improvement of his health. He was not benefited, however. Longing for home scenes, amid which so many years of his life of useful- ness had been passed, being strong upon him, the
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