Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I, Part 62

Author: Gross, Lewis M., 1863-; Fay, H. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 678

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return journey was made and for two weeks after his arrival in De Kalb his life was prolonged, but on the 2d of March, 1905, he passed away. At his death one who knew him well, wrote: "Dr. Mayo lived a life of honor and great usefulness. In his private life, the life he lived by his own hearth- stone, the life that his family and close friends knew, he was the ideal husband, father and host. Cheery, gentle and hospitable, his home was a ha- ven of comfort for those who entered it. Dr. Mayo won his spurs by hard and faithful work and in his many years of toil among the high, the low, the rich and poor, he won that confidence in his patients that few physicians are capable of win- ning, and today many hundreds weep with those who mourn for the man who in their darkened homes has brought comfort, healing and sym- pathy. When business cares were put aside the Doctor sought his home eagerly and of the hap- piness he found there he gave right royally to those about him. His tenderness and devotion to his wife and children are sacred memories now. The love he gave them' was of the sort poets sing."

The salient characteristics of his life were ever such as won him honor and regard. He had a great appreciation for good traits in his friends and had the faculty of bringing out the best there was in them. He knew men, knew them well, and had faith in them. His life was indicative of the fact that humanitarianism, honesty and prosper- ity are not antagonistic forces. He won a goodly. measure of success and at the same time mani- fested a spirit of helpfulness and kindliness that was entirely opposite to all self-centered interests.

E. A. MUZZEY.

E. A. Muzzey, a shoemaker of De Kalb, resid- ing at No. 401 Gurler street, was born in Kane county, Illinois, October 14, 1843. He acquired a common-school education and afterward learned the shoemaker's trade, which he has made his life work, conducting a shop in De Kalb until 1862, when he went to Nebraska, where he also followed his chosen occupation. Upon his return to this state he established a shop on West Main street in De Kalb, where he has since remained, being the oldest and best known shoemaker of the city. He

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is indeed an excellent workman and has received a liberal patronage in his line, his success being well merited.

On the 26th of November, 1874. occurred the marriage of Mr. Muzzey and Miss Ollie Depew, a resident of De Kalb. Unto them have been born eight children : James Edwin, who is now a shoe- maker in St. Louis, Missouri : Mrs. Edith Ander- son; Benjamin, who served through the Spanish- American war and is now a street car conductor in Chicago; Carrie, at Amboy, Illinois ; Mrs. Anna Erickson, of Chicago; Bertha, who is a teacher in the schools of De Kalb; Gertrude, a student in the Normal School; and Ruth, who is attending the public schools.

Mr. Muzzey exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He owns a comfortable home at No. 401 Gurler street and is pleasantly located in life. He has always been an active, industrious man, and whatever success he has achieved is due to his own efforts. All who know him entertain for him warm regard because his life has been in conformity with honorable, manly principles.

HENRY J. BUCKARDT.

The success which Henry J. Buckardt has at- tained is due to his enterprise, strong determina- tion and business ability, and he is now classed with the representative farmers of Victor town- ship, where he owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This is known as the old Buckardt homestead and is a well improved and valuable property. The house which is now his place of residence was the one in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 4th of April. 1869. His father, John Buckardt, was a native of Germany, born in 1825, and having at- tained manhood in that country, where he was also married, he emigrated to the new world, he- coming a resident of Somonauk, Illinois, about 1859. He was a mason by trade and followed that pursuit in De Kalb county for about five years. He then rented land and began farming. After three years spent in that way he purchased one hundred and sixty acres where his son now resides and opened up and improved this property, becom-

ing in the course of years a prosperous agricul- turist of his community. He had been married in Germany, in 1849. to Miss Caroline Gruel, a native of that country.

Henry J. Bnekardt is the youngest of four liv- ing children. No event of special importance oc- curred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until croos were harvested in the late autumn and through the winter months he attended the public schools. He was married in Somonank, on the 21th of March, 1894, to Miss Leona Kohler, who was born and reared in AAlsace. Germany, and after their marriage they took up their abode on the old home farm, which has since been their place of resi- dence. Mr. Buckardt has further improved the property, has built a good barn, corn crib and chicken house and otherwise has done much to make the farm the present excellent property which it is today. Ile raises some stock and is numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buckardt have been born three sons and two daughters: Lillie M .. Artic E. Elmer J., Lizzie L., and Lloyd Henry. Mr. Buek- ardi was reared in the Lutheran church and be- longs to that faith. while his wife is a communi- cant of the Catholic church at Somonauk. He is a stalwart republican in politics, though not an office sreker. and the only office he has ever held has been that of member of the school board. ile belongs to the Modern Woodmen lodge of Somon- auk and he is interested in all that pertains to the material. intellectual, social and moral prog- ress of the community. That his life has been honorable and straightforward is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are num- bered among those who have known him from his boyhood days to the present time.

MRS. LIDA B. MCMURRY.

Mrs. Lida B. MeMIunrry, a teacher, who since 1900 has been connected with the Normal School of De Kalb. save for the period of one year. is perhaps more widely known outside of the city be- cause of her authorship of six volumes which have

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been widely sold and which have brought her mer- ited renown as a writer. She was born in Kiantone. New York, February 6, 1853, and in the paternal he is a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Atden and Miles and Barbara Standish. Her older brother, Isaac Eddy Brown, has been state secretary of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion of Illinois for over twenty-five years. and her younger brother, Dr. Ehner E. Brown, is United States commissioner of education. Her father. Russell MeCary Brown, was born at Locke Hol- low, Cayuga county, New York, June 13, 1823, and in that state married Electa Sherman, whose birth occurred September 13. 1822. He came to Illinois in 1864, settling in Bradford, Lee county, and there engaged in farming. He died in Octo- her, 1888, and his wife passed away on the 9th of February. 1900. In their family were fonr chil- dren, of whom Mrs. McMurry is the second in or- der of birth. Her father had four brothers in the Union army during the Civit war, two enlisting with him as sharpshooters in 1861 and remaining in the service untit discharged on account of ill health.

Lida Brown began her education in the com- mon schools of Chautauqua county, New York, and afterward attended the State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, from which she was graduated in the class of 1874. She is a lady of broad scholarly attainments and has always been a student, constantly adding to her knowledge through reading and investigation. At the age of sixteen years she began teaching school and taught at Sublette, Illinois, two years prior to entering the Normal and two years after leaving that school. For one year she was connected with the high school of Arcola and one year with the graded country school at Clear Creek, Illinois.

She was married at Normal, Illinois, July ?, 1872, to William P. MeMurry, who was born in Indiana, October 26, 1852, a son of Franklin and Charlotte McMurry, also natives of Indiana. He is the oldest of their family of five children and is a farmer, now living in Garden City, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McMurry were born two chil- dren : Fred Russell, born July 2, 1879 : and Ka 1 Franklin, born October 31. 1880.

In 1884 Mrs. McMurry resumed teaching, for seven years being connected with the public schools at Normal. In 1891 she became a teacher in the

Normal School of that place, with which school >he was connected for nine years, and in 1900 came to De Kalb to accept a position in connection with the Normal School of that place. She has here re- mained continuously since that time, with the ex- ception of a period of one year, when she was out on account of ill health. She has made a reputa- tion as one of the able educators of the state and has followed practical progressive methods, and under her guidance, the schools of which she has had charge have made substantial advancement. She holds high ideals in connection with her work and labors toward an advanced standard. She is a woman of action rather than theory and is quick to notice and utilize opportunities for improving the schools, rendering her labor of the utmost value to those who come under her instruction. Aside from her teaching she has displayed marked liter- ary abitity and has attained a national reputation as an author. having brought forth six volumes, including: Classic Stories for Little Ones : Robin- son Crusoe for Girls and Boys : Nature Study for Primary Grades; Our Language Book : Tree-tops and Meadows (a collection of poems) ; and Songs of Mother and Child. In the last two she was as- sisted by Mrs. Agnes Cook Gale. Mrs. McMurry belongs to the State Congress of Mothers, of which she is honorary vice president.

When fifteen years of age she became a member of the Congregational church but for some time has been a member of the Baptist church. Her in- terests center in those lines which tend to benefit humanity and the cause of educational and re- ligions work, scientific investigation and esthetic culture have therefore received her co-operation and endorsement.

EDGAR E. ARNOLD.

Among the residents of Sandwich township who are successfully carrying on the work of breeding and dealing in live stock and developing the fields according to modern methods of farming, is num- bered Edgar E. Arnold, whose home is on section 2. Sandwich township. Here he has a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres and he breeds high- grade cattle. He also raises Duroc Jersey hogs. Oxford sheep, fancy chickens, principally Plv-

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mouth Rock, white Wyandotte, rose comb and brown leghorn breeds.

Mr. Arnold is a native son of De Kalb county, his birth having occurred in Vietor township on the 10th of February. 1864. He is the son of Alford Arnold, a native of Lincolnshire, England. who. leaving his native country when a young man. emigrated to America. He resided for sey- enteen months in Tompkins county. New York. then came westward to the Mississippi valley, set- tling in Kane county, Illinois, about 1853. After two or three years he removed to De Kalb county and opened up a farm in Victor township. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the land on which he located, so with ox teams he broke the sod and in the due course of time planted seed and gathered rich erops. This was one of the first settled farms of the locality. He bought more land until he owned one hundred and sixty acres, constituting a valuable property, and upon that place reared his family and spent his active business life. In the evening of his days, however, he removed to Somonauk, there to enjoy a well earned rest until his death. which occurred in: 1899. His wife survives and is still living in Somonank.

Edgar E. Arnold was reared in the usual manner of farm lads and was educated in the Snydam dis- trict school. He worked in the fields when not busy with his text-books and after attaining his majority began farming on his own account, rent- ing land in Vietor township for seven years.

It was in Victor township on the 10th of July, 1886, that Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Alvina M. Von Ohlen, who was born and reared in that township. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm and Mr. Arnold thus continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until 1894. when he bought eighty acres of the farm upon which he is now living. He has since added to the property by additional purchase and has greatly improved it in general appearance and in its productiveness. He has fenced and tiled the land and, in fact. has made it what it is to- day. one of the well improved farming properties of the district. He has been raising fine stock. including Duroe Jersey hogs. for six years, and also pure blooded sheep, now having a fine flock. He has made exhibits at the county fairs, in which he has carried off numerous premiums, and is well

known throughout this part of the state as a breeder of and dealer in live stock. He makes a business of feeding hogs for the market, shipping one or two carloads per year, and is also well known as a fancier of fine poultry, making a spe- cialty of raising Plymouth Rocks, white Wyan- dottes, rose combs and brown leghorns.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are the parents of a daugh- ter. Myrtle May. The family is well known in the community and the hospitality of the best homes of the township is extended the members of the household. Mr. Arnold was reared in the faith of the republican party and has never had occasion to sever his allegiance thereto, for he be- lieves that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He fully understands the principles of high tariff, reciprocity and sound money and is a public-spirited citizen, but not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with Sandwich camp, M. W. A. Many of the native sons of the county have become successful business men here and to this class belongs Mr. Arnold, who throughont his entire life has lived in De Kalb county, many of his stanchest friends being those who have known him since his boyhood days.

CHARLES J. PETERSON

Charles J. Peterson, to whom has been vouch- safed an honorable retirement from business life. is now living in Kirkland, but for thirty-seven years he was one of the active, energetic and prosperous farmers of De Kalb county. He established his home within the borders of this county in 1869, being at that time a young man of twenty-six years. His birth occurred in Sweden on the Sth of June. 1843. and he was there reared to the age of twenty-six. acquiring his education in the schools of his native country. He had no knowl- edge of English when he came to the new world. but has mastered the language through contact with his fellow citizens here.

Mr. Peterson was married in 1869 to Miss Anna Gustava Axelson and the wedding journey of the young couple consisted of a trip to the new world. They arrived in De Kalb county on the 14th of June. having landed in New York on the Sth of June, which was the twenty-sixth anniversary of

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Mr. Peterson's birth. The first year was spent as a farm hand in Winnebago county until the month of November, when he removed to De Kalb county. llere he was employed at farm labor by the month for four seasons, during which time he saved his earnings, which he then invested in a good tract of land at Charter Oak. This he cleared, fenced and improved, making his home thereon for four years or until the fall of 1876. when he sold the prop- erty. Ile then rented three hundred and three acres of land in Franklin township, continuing thus to carry on agricultural pursuits for twelve years, after which he purchased another tract of land, upon which he erected good barns and other outbuildings. He also fenced and tiled the place, which is pleasantly located abont three and a half miles north of Kirkland. He made of this a valu- able farm, bringing the fields under a high state of enltivation, so that he annually harvested rich crops. He used the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields and he kept everything about his place in neat and thrifty con- dition. Upon the farm he remained until 1903, and as the years passed by he advanced steadily on the highroad to success, so that although he commenced life a poor boy, with no assistance from family or friends. he is today one of the sub- stantial residents of the county, living a retired life and enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries which money can secure.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been born three daughters: Evelina, the wife of J. A. Ben- son, a contractor and builder of Kirkland; Anna L., the wife of August Lundberg, a prominent business man of Kirkland ; and Rose Ella, a young lady at home, who formerly engaged in teaching in this county.

Mr. Peterson has been a life-long republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. He has never songht office, however, as a reward for party fealty and the only positions in which he has served are those of township trustee and member of the school board. He and his wife hold mein- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and the children are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. Having long resided in the county, Mr. Peterson has witnessed the development and growth of Kirkland and has borne his full share in agricultural development of this part of the state. He deserves much credit for the success he has

achieved and his life is an excellent illustration of what may be accomplished through determina- tion and energy.

J. A. BENSON.

J. A. Benson, well known in business circles in Kirkland as a contractor and builder, having car- ried on operations there for over twenty-three years, was born in Sweden, August 17, 1859. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in that country and there he learned his trade, but he heard favorable reports concerning the business ad- vantages of the new world and he resolved to profit by these. Accordingly in 1883 he made his way across the Atlantic and went to Minneapolis and thence to the Dakotas, where he was engaged in railroad work. Later he was in Wisconsin and subsequently in lowa. During the winter of 1884 he was at Rockford and afterward came to Kirk- land, where he began contracting and building. Here he has since remained, closely identified with building operations in this town and in Genoa. He erected the shoe factory at the latter place and in Kirkland he has built the Swedish and Congregational churches, together with various business honses and residences, including a num- ber of brick structures. He always faithfully exe- cutes the terms of a contract and his reliability as well as his skillful handiwork has been a strong element in his success.

On the 22d of April, 1891, Mr. Benson was mar- ried to Miss Evelina E. Peterson, who was born in De Kalb county. Illinois, of Swedish parentage. They now have two daughters, Blanche and Luella, who are students in the home school.

Politically Mr. Benson is an earnest republican, having firm faith in the principles of the party, and for a number of years he has served on the township board. He has likewise been township trustee and has been a delegate to various county and judicial conventions. He and his wife hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran church and he is a member of its official board. He is like- wise affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Independent Order of Foresters, and of the latter he has been secretary and treasurer. He is a man of energy and determination and in

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all life's relations has maintained a high standard of conduct, thus justly meriting the confidence which is so uniformly accorded him in this county.

SAMUEL ELLSWORTH BRADT.

Prominent among business men of De Kalb is Samuel Ellsworth Bradt, who throughout hi- life has been closely identified with the history of the city. while his name is inseparably con- nected with its manufacturing and financial rec- ords. The banking interest> are well represented by him, for he is vice president of the First National Bank, one of the leading moneyed insti- tntions of this part of the state. and also director of the Commercial Trust and Savings Bank of De Kalb. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the con- eerns with which he has been connected a high degree of success. He is one of De Kalb's native sons, born on the 22d of October. 1861, his par- ents being Andrew and Amny Ann ( Sweet) Bradt. in whose family of nine children three are vet living, namely: Charles E .: Lulu, the wife of Professor S. F. Parson of the Normal School of De Kalb : and Samuel E. The history of the parents is given on another page of this volume.

At the usual age Samuel E. Bradt entered the public schools, wherein he pursued his studies until he had completed the high-school course. At the age of seventeen he began his business career as an employe of the firm of Bradt & Shipman. glove jobbers. He had. however, prior to this time spent many leisure hours in the house and had largely become familiar with the business, s. that when he entered upon formal connection therewith as an employe he took charge of the receiving and shipping rooms. A few years later he was made a member of the firm and about that time the scope of the business was enlarged by the establishment of a department for the manu- facture of gloves. The business has grown under the direction of Mr. Bradt of this review until it is one of the important manufacturing inter- ests of De Kalb. At one time an annual business of four hundred thousand dollars was transacted, the firm owning and operating in addition to the

De Kalb plant a glove fastener factory in Glovers- ville. New York. This, however, was sold to the trust in 1901. In 1891 a franchise was seenred for an electric light plant and the De Kalb Elec- trie Company was organized by J. W. Glidden, S. E. Bradt, C. E. Bradt and M. D. Shipman. The plant was erected on its present location and the business was successfully conducted until 1901, when these gentlemen sold their controlling inter- ests in the plant and the De Kalb Sycamore Elec- tric Company was organized. Mr. Bradt of this review had been secretary and treasurer of the other company and after the organization of the new company he was made a member of its board of directors. In August. 1906, the original men- bers sold their entire holdings to the De Kalb Sycamore Traction Company. In the meantime Mr. Bradt had been associated with a wagonmak- ing enterprise and in 1902 he sold his interests in that to the Sycamore Wagon Works. On the 1st of February, 1905, he was elected vice president of the First National Bank. in which eapacity he has since been associated with the institution. Such in brief is the business history of Mr. Bradt, but it tells little of the enterprise and sagacity which he has always manifested. of the unfalter- ing diligence which he has brought to bear in the conduct of his business affairs and of the straightforward. honorable policy he has ever fol- lowed. These, however, are known to his fellow townsmen. He has wrought along modern lines and his success therefore has been assured.

On the 23d of December. 1890, Mr. Bradt was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Glidden, a daughter of Willard and Mary C. (MeConnell) Glidden. of De Kalb. They became parents of six children, of whom four are vet living : Marion. Andrew G .. Elizabeth and Charles W.

In his political views Mr. Bradt has always been an earnest republican and has served for several years as a member of the school board, acting in that capacity at the present time. At this writing he is also commissioner of highways. having filled the office for ten years. during which period he was instrumental in building macademized road in the country, agitating the question and carry- ing it forward to its consummation. At all times he stands for progress and improvement along practical lines and his efforts have been of marked value to the county. Socially he is connected with

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De Kalb lodge, No. 765, B. P. O. E. Hle belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an official member, and at various times he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school, taking a deep and helpful interest in church work in its various departments. In manner he is cour- teons and affable, in disposition kindly and gener- ous, and withal is a true gentleman. He com- mands the respect and admiration of those with whom he comes in contact and has won a large circle of friends.

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Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I, Part 62

Author: Gross, Lewis M., 1863-; Fay, H. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 678

Author: Gross, Lewis M., 1863-; Fay, H. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 678