USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 65
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ship, Ogle county, Illinois, September 23, 1870. His father, Henry Thompson, was a native of Port Hope, Canada, born in 1829 and having ar- rived at years of maturity he married Mary Amanda Dean, who was born in New Castle, On- tario in 1836. By occupation he was a farmer and stock-grower. On coming to Illinois in 1861 he set- tled at Mount Morris and for many years was a resident of Ogle county. His death occurred in that county in 1900, while his wife passed away in Rochelle, Illinois, in 1876. In their family were eight children, of whom two died in infancy. while the others reached adult age, George A. Thompson being the seventh in order of birth. The ancestry of the family can be traced farther baek than the parents. It is definitely known that the grandparents in the paternal line were natives of Canada and were of Scotch descent. They came to Illinois in 1861 and spent their remaining days at Mount Morris. The Deans were also of Scotch lineage and the maternal grand- parents of Mr. Thompson lived and died in Canada.
In the common schools of Rochelle, Illinois, George Alford Thompson acquired his early edu- cation. After leaving school at the age of sev- enteen years he began buying horses and has continued in the business to the present time. He is a most excellent judge of horses, seldom, if ever, at error in estimating the value of an animal. He began working for Strauss & Hexter of New York, horse dealers, and was with them until the 15th of September. 1906, since which time he has carried on business on his own account. He main- tained his residence in Rochelle until 1890. when he went to New York city, where he remained for two years, and he afterward located at Rock- ford, Illinois, for a year. He then again went to New York city, where he spent another year, after which he came to De Kalb. where he has since made his home.
Mr. Thompson was married at Madison, Wis- consin, June 10, 1901. to Miss Hulda Kylen, who was born in New York city, December 8, 1872. By this marriage there are two children: Lewis Kylen, born March 10, 1903; and Mary Louise, born April 13, 1905. In politics Mr. Thompson is a republican and he belongs to Elks lodge, No. 765. while his wife is a member of the Episco- pal church.
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Mr. Thompson is one of the best known horse- men in the state, having made the business a life study as well as a life work, and many interest- ing experiences have come to him in this way. While at Minneapolis he bought a trotting horse for twenty-five hundred dollars which was entered in a race the same day and upon which he won two thousand dollars, while later in the season the horse won five thousand dollars more, after which he was sold for five thousand dollars. W. L. Ellwood was Mr. Thompson's partner in this deal. Mr. Thompson is a natural born horseman, is thorough in business, honest and prompt in every transaction, and has maintained a reputation for reliability which has gained him ahnost unlimited bank credit.
CHARLES H. VORIS.
Charles H. Voris is owner of a good farm of eighty acres on section 12. Sandwich township, and also operates the old homestead adjoining, which belonged to his father. It is pleasantly and conveniently located within four miles of Sand- wich so that the advantages of the city are easily accessible. Mr. Voris first opened his eyes to the light of day in Squaw Grove township on the 5th of January, 1848. ITis father, William Voris, was a native of Rockland county, New York, born May 5. 1820, who, when a young man, came west- ward arriving in De Kalb county, Illinois, about 1839. He was afterward married at Little Rock, Kendall county, to Miss Nancy Stone, a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Bradford county, February 22. 1820. There she was reared to the age of nineteen years, spending her girl- hood days in the home of her father, Daniel Stone, who removed to Illinois, April 25, 1839, settling in Kane county. Mr. Voris was a farmer and tilled the soil for several years in Squaw Grove township. He afterward opened up a new farm near Little Rock. After the discovery of gold in California he made an overland trip with ox teams to that state, hoping to gain success in that rich mining region. After spending two years in the mines there he returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama to New York and thence again to Illi- nois. After living for some time upon his farm
near Little Rock he bought the property which adjoins the Voris farm, becoming its owner in 1865. Upon that place he spent his remaining days carrying on active work of tilling the soil for many years. He was a respected and honored citizen and died in August, 1901, his death re- gretted by all who knew him. His widow still survives and is a well preserved lady of eighty- nine years.
Charles H. Voris is one of four sons who reached adult age and he and his brother Eugene are now the living representatives of the family, the latter now residing in Greene county, Iowa. Charles H. Voris was reared to manhood on the old homestead and when he had mastered the common branches of learning in the public schools he attended the Jennings Seminary at Aurora, Illinois, and subsequently engaged in teaching for three terms. He has, however, made farming his real life work and his early training in his boy- hood days, well qualified him for the duties which devolved upon him in this connection. Desirous of establishing a home of his own he was married in Somonauk township on the 14th of February., 1872, to Miss Sarah Ella Wilmarth, who was born and reared here, her father being Leander Wil- marth, one of the early settlers of De Kalb county and a native of Troy, New York. He came west in 1832-the year of the Black Hawk war-and was one of the first to penetrate into what was then the wilderness of De Kalb county. The foot of white man had scarcely ever trod upon its prairies and the timber districts were as yet un- touched by those who desired to use the native forest growth for fuel or for lumber. Mr. Wil- marth pre-empted land which he opened up, cul- tivating a farm for a number of years or until he sold it preparatory to removing to Nebraska. In the western state he remained for a number of years but eventually returned to De Kalb county and died while at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Voris.
Following their marriage our subject and his wife lived for nine years upon a farm near Big Rock in Kane county and later took up their abode upon the farm where they now reside. Mr. Voris has built many rods of fence and laid many rods of tile and has otherwise developed and improved the property, adding to the productiveness of the fields by the most modern methods of farming. He also raises good stock and both branches of
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his business are thriving profitably. As the years have passed by, three children have come to bless the home: Fred, a young man who is now assist- ing in operating the farm; Jennie, the wife of Frank Bartholomew, of Lisbon, Illinois; and Nellie, also under the parental roof.
Mr. Voris votes with the republican party. He was elected and is now serving for the third terni as road commissioner and has likewise been town- ship school trustee. He is a believer in good schools and teachers so that he has done his ut- most to advance the cause of education. In local political circles he has taken an active interest and has been a delegate to county conventions. His entire life has been passed in this part of the state and theexperiences of pioneer life are familiar to him, for in the early days he aided in breaking the virgin sod with a big plow and several yoke of oxen. He planted the first seed in the field and, as the years passed, continued as an active factor in the development and progress of the county, winning, as the days have gone by. a good measure of prosperity and gaining a place among the substantial agriculturists. He has seen the little log cabins replaced by substantial residences, the villages transformed into thriving cities, and the county become dotted here and there with churches, schools and other evidences of modern civilization. Ile can remember the time when it was not a difficult task to know all the settlers of the township but, while his acquaintance is yet a wide one, the growth of the county has rendered it impossible to recognize all the travelers upon the road. There are few indications of the old time pioneer life but within the memory of Mc. Voris are stored many interesting incidents of the early days.
CHARLES II. CROSBY.
Charles Il. Crosby, deceased. was a man who in all life's relations manifested sterling traits of character that found evidence in uprightness in business. in kindly consideration in social rela- tions and in unfaltering fidelity and devotion to his family. When he passed away. therefore. on the 3d of April, 1893, the community mourned the loss of one of its representative men.
A native of Belvidere, Illinois, Mr. Crosby was born February 21, 1844, his parents being Fred- erick and Parmelia ( Sweet ) Crosby. The father was born in the state of Massachusetts, where he learned and followed the miller's trade, removing, however. to Belvidere, Illinois, at an early period in its development. In fact, he was one of its pioneer residents and there remained until his death, which occurred November 20, 1846. He was at that time only about thirty-one years of age, his birth having occurred at Dudley, Massachusetts, May 30, 1815. The ancestry of the family. how- ever, can be traced back through several genera- tions, for the grandfather of our subject was Nathaniel Crosby. the great-grandfather Rev. Pearson Crosby and the great-great-grandfather was Stephen Crosby.
In the public schools of his native city Charles H. ('rosby acquired his education and there en- tered business life as a clerk in a store. He ar- rived in Sycamore in 1812 to engage in business on his own account as a dealer in men's furnishing goods, and for twenty-one years he was thus asso- ciated with the commercial interests of the city, continuing in trade until his demise on the 3d of April. 1893. As a business man he was energetic and determined and his enterprise and diligence proved the strong points in his success. Men who knew him respected and honored him because of his fidelity to honorable business principles and he left behind him a very extensive circle of friends.
While still residing in Belvidere Mr. Crosby was married in October. 1870. to Miss Mary E. Wing. a native of Cortland, New York. and a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Johnson) Wing. the latter a daughter of Samnel Johnson and a native of New York. Joseph Wing was likewise born in the Empire state and his parents were David and Desire ( Vincent) Wing. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to John Wing's widow and children. natives of England, who in company with her father, Rev. Stephen Batchlor, braved the dangers of an ocean voyage in the year 1632 and at length landed at Boston, Massachu- setts. Subsequently they removed to Lynn, being among its carly colonial residents. Mrs. Crosby was the second in a family of seven children and by her marriage became the mother of one daugh- ter and one son, but the latter. Harrell, died De- cember 8. 1893. The daughter. Grace. is with
CHARLES H. CROSBY.
QUEING. LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONE.
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her mother in Sycamore, and both ladies are mem- bers of the Congregational church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully inter- ested.
Mr. Crosby held membership with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and was in thorough sympathy with the beneficent principles of that organization. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and for several years he served as city treasurer of Sycamore. In com- munity interests he was deeply concerned and his efforts were an element in the growth and progress of the city, while his co-operation was never with- held from any movement that he deemed would prove of publie benefit. His good qualities were many, his faults were few, and he left behind a memory which is still cherished and honored by all who knew him.
ALFRED NELSON, D. V. S.
Dr. Alfred Nelson, engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery at De Kalb, was born in Swe- den, February 12, 1850. His father was Nels John Peterson. The son was reared in that country and at the age of fifteen years went to Stockholm, where he began work as an apprentice at the car- penter's trade. While there employed he attended the veterinary institute at night. receiving instruc- tion from Professor Bragg, whose acquaintance he had previously formed. He was well educated, was an earnest and discriminating student and & fine mathematician. The family were in limited financial circumstances and at the age of fifteen years he had to begin providing for his own sup- port. Later he joined a civil engineering corps and for four years was employed in surveying on canal and road work, while for one year he was superintendent in the pineries.
In 1872 Dr. Nelson came to the United States, hoping that he might enjoy better business op- portunities in the new world. He located in De Kalb, Illinois, where he began work as a farm hand. In 1824 he accepted a position with the engineering force on the construction of the Chi- cago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. but after three months he returned to farm work, which he followed for about nine years. The foreman of
the railroad construction work paid him the high- est wages of any man on the force and regretted his departure but Dr. Nelson found agricultural pursuits more congenial.
On the 31st of December, 1880, oceurred the marriage of Dr. Nelson and Miss Anna Louise Viekell, a native of Sweden. On the 9th of Feb- ruary, 1881, Dr. Nelson entered the employ of Colonel I. L. Ellwood, taking charge of a farm of twelve hundred acres. For twenty-two years he was superintendent of farming interests and also did veterinary work. In February, 1903, he removed to De Kalb and on the 3d of February, 1904, was given a state license to practice veterinary surgery, since which time he has devoted his undivided at- tention to his profession. Dr. Nelson built his own residence as well as two other residence prop- erties in De Kalb, which he now owns.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born ten children : Lorena, deceased; Harry, who is living in De Kalb; Hilma and Ella, both of whom have passed away; Emil, who is die reamer for the American Steel & Wire Company at De Kalb; Ellen, Oscar W., Edith, Ruth and John LeRoy, all at home.
Dr. Nelson is a republican in polities but has refused all offices. He is one of the best known of the Swedish residents of De Kalb and is a versa- tile man, who exercises considerable influence in the community, especially among people of his own nationality. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life at a very early age and has since been dependent upon his own resources, his laudable ambition and sterling pur- pose being the strong elements that have enabled him to advance in the business world.
JAMES FRANK HENDERSON.
James Frank Henderson, living on section 26, Victor township, has won more than local reputa- tion as a breeder and raiser of pure blooded short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs. He owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres, which is the old J. W. Henderson homestead. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred on the 8th of February, 1869. Here he was reared and the common schools afforded him his educational priv-
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ileges. In the summer months he aided in the work of the fields, assisting his father until the latter's death. when he took charge of and has since carried on the home farm, remaining as manager for seventeen years. Within this period he has built a large new barn and corn cribs, has divided the place into fields of convenient size by woven wire fences and in 1906 he plaed tile to the value of fourteen hundred dollars upon his land. In all of his work he is methodical, ener- getie and practical and carries forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes. In con- nection with the tilling of the soil he raises stock and fattens and ships a carload of hogs annually. He has also been engaged in the breeding and raising of shorthorn cattle for twelve years, having pure blooded registered eattle and Poland China hogs.
Mr. Henderson was married in Sandwich, Illi- nois, January 25, 1895. to Miss Emma Arnold, who was born in De Kalb county. a daughter of Alfred Arnold. They now have two children : Mabel Irene and James W. Henderson.
Mr. Henderson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. llis wife is a member of the Suydam Methodist Episcopal church and is an interested and active worker in the church and Sunday school. having a class in the latter. Mr. Henderson belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Somonauk. Having spent his entire life in this locality, he has a wide acquaintance and his salient characteristics are such as have gained for him the friendly regard and good will of all with whom he has been associated through either business or social relations.
WILLIAM MARSHALL SEBREE.
It is fitting that the people who enjoy in the fullest measure the privileges of civilization should honor the memory and review the fame of the sturdy pioneers who suffered the privations of pioneer life that a wilderness might be trans- formed into cultivated fields and lay the founda-
tion of a civilization that is the pride of the pro- gressive world.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest living settler of DeKalb county. For seventy-three years he has resided within sight of the first settlement. On November 25, 1834. in company with nis parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Sebree, and a young lad named Jolinson Boyles, aged eight years. he caine acress the country in a prairie schooner from Bloomington, Illinois. They made the first per- ment settlement in the county at Squaw Grove. On arriving at the grove Mr. Sebree made a tem- porary home from materials left by the Indians and proceeded to make a log cabin in which to shelter his family from the winter's storms. Their supply of provisions became nearly exhausted and it became necessary for Mr. Sebree to leave his brave wife and the two children and go to Bloom- ington to get grain he had raised during the sum- mer and lay in a stock of supplies. During his absence. from January until April. the three white residents of DeKalb county spent many anxious and lonely moments. The first permanent resi- dence of the county was located on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 15. Squaw Grove township. The site is today marked hy an orchard. It is south of the Chicago and Indiana Railroad tracks, east of Little Rock creek and west of the Sandwich-Cortland road.
In April. 1835. Mr. Sebree returned and was accompanied by Samuel Miller, wife and child. Mr. Miller located and lived on land that is now within the corporate limits of Hinckley. His son. Arch J. Miller, lives just north of the village of Ifinckley. In October, 1835. John S. Sebree's older brother. William J. Sebree*, and wife ar- rived. accompanied by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sebree. William J. located on section 9. on the William Miller farm, and the father set- tled on the Slater farm just south of Hinckley. During the year David Leggett settled on the Lee farin just west of the grove. The year 1835 closed with five white families in Squaw Grove township -the three Sobrees. the Millers and the Leggetts.
They were joined in 1836 by John Easterbrook. George Lee. Wells A. Fav, and in 1837 the Wards. Hummels. Horace W. Fay. Bernard Albee, the Clevelands and Pomeroys joined the colony.
*Boies' History and other volumes erroneously give William Sebree credit for being the first DeKalb county settler.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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There were two camps of Indians-one north, near where the schoolhouse was located ; the other south, near the gravel pit, south of the Chicago and Galesburg Railroad and west of Little Rock creek. The hunters were then away, leaving the squaws to take care of the camp, and from this cireminstance it was called Squaw Grove. The little grove just east was called Papoose. Chief Shabbona, with a band of some three hundred Indians, were located at Shabbona Grove and fre- quently visited their pale-face friends.
The Sebrees tell some interesting legends of their Indian neighbors. The braves lived in wig- wams. They tilled a little ground but depended chiefly on hunting, trapping and fishing for sub- sistence. The corn was a small variety, after the Yankee kind. Each hunter had a pony and a gun those days. but they still dexteronsly used bows and flint-point arrows. The boys would put pen- nies on a post and if the Indian struck the com with an arrow he claimed it. It rarely took but. a single shot. Fish were secured mainly by:spear-
ing them at night. If an Indian hunter sought in . The father was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, marriage the hand of a dusky maiden he wonfit- March 15, 1822, and died at Byron, Illinois, Sep- tember 12, 1893. His life was devoted to mer- chandising.
hitch his pony in front of her wigwam. It she came out and petted the animal the wedding was consummated. If she did not, he was obliged to look in other tepees for a life companion. The Indians were residents here for several years but finally were moved farther west.
William Marshall Sebree was born in Floyd county, Indiana, February 2. 1833, and when a year old was brought to DeKalb county. His schooling was limited to a few winter terms in a log schoolhouse. Until he reached his majority he assisted his father in the farm work. On the 26th of September, 1855, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Rosetta Donaldson. a native of Steu- benville. Ohio. She was born May 23. 1837, and was the daughter of James and Jane (Cone) Don- aldson. In 1846 the mother moved to Elgin. where she edneated her two daughters.
For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Sebree occupied a part of the old Sebree homestead and later he engaged in the creamery business, They were the parents of five children, one of whom is deceased. The living are: Alice, the wife of P. F. Slater, a retired farmer of Hinckley: Nellie Augusta, the wife of II. W. Fay, editor of the DeKalb County Review : Effie, wife of A. J. Cos-
ter, liveryman and landowner of Hinckley; and Ray M., proprietor of the Hinckley Steam Laun- dry. There are five grandehildren: Roy Slater ; Mrs. Elva Slater Ramer; Earl Fay; Jane and Helen Sebree. Donald Coster, born April 16, 1893, died February 14, 1902.
Since the death of his wife in 1902 Mr. Sebree has lived in retirement and is enjoying the fruits of an active and prosperous life.
RALPH J. SENSOR.
Ralph J. Sensor, proprietor of the Glidden House at De Kalb, has during much of his business life been connected with hotel inter- ests until he has thoroughly acquainted himself with the demands of the public and has proved himself a popular host. He was born in Byron, Ogle county, Illinois, July 24, 1851. His parents were James R. and Susan (Coup) Sensor.
Entering the public schools at the usual age, Ralph .J. Sensor passed through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course at Byron, while later he became a student in Alle- gheny College in Pennsylvania. Taking up the study of law, he was admitted to the Illinois bar at Ottawa in 1889 and continued in general prac- tice until 1900, being located at Rockford, Illi- nois, and at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Since 1900 he has been engaged in the hotel business, conduct- ing hotels at Atlantic City, New Jersey; Wash- ington, D. C .: Oakland, Maryland ; and Watch Hill. Rhode Island: all these being resort houses well patronized by tourists during the season. He is now proprietor of the Glidden House at De Kalb and is condneting a first class hostelry, hav- ing everything modern about his place and putting forth every effort in his power for the comfort and convenience of his patrons.
Mr. Sensor gives his political allegiance to the republican party and was clerk of the circuit court in Ogle county, Illinois, from 1884 until 1888. Otherwise he has nover been an office seeker, yet has ever kept well informed on the questions and
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issues of the day and stands for progress and im- provement in all lines of citizenship.
On the 3d of May. 1893, at Rockford, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sensor and Miss Marian I. Mead. They now have an inter- esting little daughter. Helen Sensor, born Janu- ary 22, 1896. During their residence in De Kalo they have gained many friends and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them. Mr. Sensor is a courteous, genial gentle- man, who started out in life to win and has suc- ceeded in business because of his firm determina- tion and his unfaltering diligence. He seems well qualified by nature for the business which he is now conducting. for he has the ability to readily understand men, is usually correct in his judg- ments and, moreover, possesses in himself qualities of sociability and reliability which at once con- mand respect and good will.
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