USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 68
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Wallace A. Hines, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon the old homestead farm and the public schools of the neighborhood at- forded him his educational privileges. When not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields and remained with his father until twenty-one years of age. Soon afterward he started out in life on his own account. He was married here on the 30th of December, 1891, to Miss Tillie Henderson, a native of the county, born in Victor township, and sister to J. A. and J. F. Henderson, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Mrs. Hines was reared in Victor township and pur- sued her education in the district schools.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hines took up their abode upon his father's farm and in 1897 he purchased his present property, locating thereon in 1900. With characteristic energy he began to cultivate and develop this land and in 1902 built a large barn upon the place. He has since erected a commodious and attractive two- story dwelling, thoroughly modern in all its equip- ments and supplied with water works and fnr- nace heat. It is indeed one of the modern homes of the locality and is richly and tastefully fur- nished. Mr. Hines has upon the place all the ac- cessories and conveniences of a model farm, in- cluding ample shelter for grain and stock. His fields are enclosed with woven wire fences stretched npon cedar posts and the land is well tiled. In fact, he stands as a prominent representative of modern progressive farming and is methodical and systematic in all that he does. He raises good stock, having a high grade of horses. eattle and hogs upon his place, and in his business af- fairs shows a keen discernment and ready enter- prise that have enabled him to work his way stead- ily upward to success.
Mr. Hines exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republic-
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an party and keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, as every true Ameri- van citizen should do. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and are greatly esteemed for their many good qualities of heart and mind. They have always resided with- in the borders of this county and the circle of their friends is only limited by the circle of their acquaintances. In business affairs Mr. Hines bears the reputation of being thoroughly reliable and trustworthy under all circumstances and in all conditions and has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a trade transaction.
MADISON D. SHIPMAN.
Everywhere in our land are found men who Have worked their own way from humble begin- nings to leaderships in commerce, the great pro- ductive industries, the management of financial affairs and in controlling the veins and arteries of the trathe and exchanges of the country. It is one of the glories of our nation that it is so and it should be the strongest incentive and en- couragement to the youth of the country. Prom- inent among the self-made men of Illinois is Madison D. Shipman, a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known and most of all where he is best known.
Mr. Shipman was born in the state of New York. June 11, 1848, his parents being Joseph A. and Hannah A. (Hunter) Shipman, of whose family of five children only two are now living. the daughter being Mrs. Martha J. Maeklin, the widow of William Macklin, of De Kalb. The father was born in 1812 in the Empire state, 10 which his father had removed from the vicinity of Litchfieldl. Conneetient. The family had been established in New England at an early period in the colonization of the new world. In early life Joseph Shipman adopted the medical profession. being one of five brothers who became physicians. In 1853 ho removed to the middle west. settling in Bureau county. Illinois, and in 1868 he came to De Kalb. where he practiced for five years. He then removed to Atkinson. IFenry county, Illinois. and later to Prairie ('ity, Illinois, where he died
in 1886, at the age of seventy-four years. While never active to any extent in public life as an office holder, he yet served as postmaster under President Lincoln in the town of Milo, Bureau county. He was an active worker in the Congre- gational church, taking a deep interest in the growth of the church and the extension of its influence and contributing generously of his means to its support.
The boyhood days of Madison D. Shipman were quietly passed under the paternal roof. unmarked by any event of special importance. His early education was acquired in the district schools of Bureau county and was continued in the high school of De Kalb and in the Northwestern Uni- versity, at Evanston, Illinois. He afterward be- came associated with C. E. Bradt of De Kalb in the conduct of a wholesale glove business. This was in 1812 and the enterprise was successfully conducted for six years. Later the firm engaged in the manufacture of gloves in De Kalb, and afterward, about 1882, established factories in Gloversville, New York, operating the plants at both places in the manufacture of gloves, mittens and glove fasteners, their business reaching large. profitable and gratifying proportions. About 1889 S. E. Bradt was admitted to a partnership and the business was continued by the new firm until 1902. In that year the Gloversville factory was sold, the fastener plant being sold to the United States Fastener Company, Mr. Shipman and his partners. however, retaining stock in the enter- prise and serving on the board of directors. In 1882 in association with C. E. and S. E. Bradt Mr. Shipman established the firm of Shipman, Bradt & Company for the manufacture of wagons and buggies, and for ten years was identified with that line of production. In 1889 Mr. Shipman joined J. W. Glidden and S. E. and C. E. Bradt in organizing the De Kalb Electric Company and established a plant. furnishing light to the city and its residents. The business was developed until the plant was capable of furnishing power and heat as well as light to the city and county. Mr. Shipman was president of the company until about 1902. when the plant was sold to the De Kalb & Sycamore Electric Company, of which Mr. Shipman is now a stockholder. He was also one of the organizers of the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank of De Kalb, of which he is still
ISTOR, LENOX CLAES FOUNDATIONE.
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a director. His business interests have thus been varied in their nature and comprehensive in their scope, and his business activity and unfaltering purpose have been puissant elements in the suc- cess of the different organizations.
Moreover, Mr. Shipman is interested in local progress as manifest in municipal interests and is now president of the De Kalb township nigh- school board. He belongs to the Modern Wood- men camp and the Royal Arcanum lodge and is an interested, active and helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is sery- ing as a trustee. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is num- bered among the substantial citizens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of De Kalb and at all times he has given his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section or advance its wonderful development.
ELLIS INGHAM.
Ellis Ingham. who carries on general farming at Elva. was born in Ohio, November 22, 1845, his parents being human H. and Eliza ( Gregory) Ingham, also natives of the Buckeye state. the former born September 25, 1816, and the latter August 13, 1819. After living for a time in Ohio the father brought his family to Illinois in June, 1846. and settled in Cortland township, De Kalb county. He was a cabinet-maker by trade but here he turned his attention to general agricul- tural pursuits and developed a good farm. bring- ing his fields under a high state of cultivation. His remaining days were spent in this county, where his death occurred December 4, 1854, while his wife passed away in 1898. They were both of English lineage. In their family were nine children, of whom Ellis was the fifth in order of birth.
Being less than a year old when brought to De Kalb connty. Ellis Ingham was reared within its borders in the usual manner of farm lads of the period. He witnessed much of its early develop- ment and experienced the hardships and trials of
pioneer life. His education was acquired in the common schools and he was afterward employed at farm labor, but three months before he attained the age of eighteen years he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union cause and enlisted in October, 1863. as a member of Company C, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Western Division. The regi- ment was mostly engaged in protecting the states of Kansas and Missouri and in doing guard duty in Illinois. Throughout his business life Mr. Ingham has carried on general farming. largely renting land on the shares. He finds this to be a profitable way of doing, for he has saved from his earnings and is now comfortably settled in life.
In Dubuque, Iowa, in 1867, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ingham and Miss Ella M. Forest, who was born in the state of New York, October 24. 1852. They became the parents of three sons : Frank D .. who was born in 1868 and died in March, 1814; Fred E .. born April 20. 1820; and Ray F., born March 31, 1827. The wife and mother died September 4, 1902.
Mr. Ingham voles with the republican party but is not an office seeker, preferring to give his time and atlention to his business interests. yet he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the reward of his own labors, and he is known throughout the community as one who is always reliable in business affairs.
ROBERT VARTY.
Robert Varty, who has practically put aside the work of the farm, living retired for the past fif- teen years at Sycamore, owns three valuable farm- ing properties in Sycamore township. He came to De Kalb county in 1855. the family home being established in Syeamore township. His birth oc- curred in Westmoreland, England. September 16. 1839, his parents being Daniel and Margaret (Harrison) Varty, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in 1871 at the age of sixty-nine years, while the mother passed away in 1880, at the age of seventy-nine years. They were natives of Westmoreland and of Lancashire, England, respec- tively, and on crossing the Atlantic from the
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mother country made their way direct to Illi- nois. Here Daniel Varty first purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, to which he after- ward added until at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable and productive tract of two hundred and forty acres. He was essentially a farmer, well adapted to the work and so con- ducting his interests as to win success. He served as road commissioner and in other township offices and was also a local preacher of the Methodist church. He was widely known in this part of the county because of his active and capable service in behalf of general improvement and of moral de- velopment. His family numbered five children : Agnes, who married Robert Percy, but both are now deceased : Ellen, who is the widow of John Middleton and is living in Lee county, Illinois: Mary Ann, who became the wife of Thomas Grange and died in lowa in 1904, while her husband has also passed away ; and Thomas, who died in early manhood in 1821.
Robert Varty, the surviving son of the family, attended the common schools of his native country and came with his parents to Illinois in 1855 when a youth of sixteen years. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. and he now owns the greater part of the old home- stead. He has altogether three farms, compris- ing two hundred and forty, one hundred and eighty, and one hundred and eighty-three acres of land respectively. He likewise has some timber land, so that his possessions aggregate six hun- dred and forty acres. These holdings make him one of the prosperons residents of the county and he deserves much eredit for what he has accon- plished, as most of his interests have been ac- enmulated through his own efforts.
Mr. Varty was married to Miss C. A. Beebe. who was born in 1846 in Cortland township, De Kalb county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Daniel and Cynthia (Woodworth) Beebe, who came to this county in the carly '40s. Her father had previously been a resident of the state of New York and after removing westward to Illinois lived in Cook county until 1845, when his death occurred. The widow and her family afterward went to Kane county and her death occurred in Sycamore about 1825. Mrs. Varty has two broth-
ers and a sister at Sycamore: Henry, Daniel, and Mrs. Eveline Hunt, a widow. Another brother, Selba, is living in Ellsworth county, Kansas.
Mrs. Varty was reared in the vicinity of Syca- more and by her marriage became the mother of three children. Earl W., now bookkeeper in the Sycamore National Bank, married Miss Lotta Morris. Charlotte is the wife of Andrew Lovell, who resides upon a farm in Cortland township ; and Clara is the wife of S. A. Holcomb of Syca- more.
Mr. Varty is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and the policy of the party. He has served in some township offices and he attends the Congregational church. His interest centers in those concerns which have for their object the welfare and upbuilding of the community and he has given hearty co-operation to many measures and plans for the publie good. As a business man he has been known for his thorough reliability as well as enterprise and as he has carried forward his farming interests and success has attended his ef- forts, he has invested more and more largely in property until as a result his financial resources are such as to permit him to put aside business cares and enjoy the comforts of life amid well earned ease.
C. L. JOHNSON.
C. L. Johnson, a farmer residing on section 12, Milan township, was born in De Kalb, Illinois, February 10, 1869, his parents being J. J. and Mary (Halverson) Johnson, who were of Swedish and Norwegian birth. respectively. They were among the early pioneer settlers of the county. After coming to the I'nited States the father was engaged on the construction of the Northwestern Railroad until the outbreak of the Civil war, when true to his adopted country, he became a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He served with that com- mand for three years and then returned to De Kalb, Illinois, where for ten years he was night watch and switchman in the Northwestern yards. He afterward bought eighty acres of land in Malta township, which he cultivated until 1897, when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in the village of Malta. where he is still
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living, respected by all who know him. His suc- cess in life proves conclusively that one can win advancement by determined purpose and unfalter- ing diligence. He has made an excellent record as a business man, as a citizen and as a soldier.
C. L. Johnson was educated in the schools of De Kalb and Malta township. He remained at home with his father until eighteen years of age, when he went to work by the month in Malta township, where he was employed for two years. lle then rented land for a similar period and when he had saved from his earnings an amount sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm he bought eighty acres on section 2, Milan township, where he is still living. Here he carries on gen- eral farming and his fields are well tilled, while, in the production of cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he annually gathers rich crops. In politics he is a republican and has been path- master for two terms but does not seek office, pre- ferring to give his undivided time and attention to business affairs, and is now numbered among the enterprising and successful young farmers of the county.
HENRY H. BALDWIN.
For many years this gentleman was a well known and highly esteemed citizen of De Kalb county. A native of New York, he was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, June 17, 1827, and in early manhood made his way westward to Chi- cago, where he worked at the molder's trade for several years. In 1858 he removed to Knox coun- ty, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming until 1869, when he came to De Kalb county and bought eighty acres of land in Afton township, which he continued to own up to the time of his death on the 23d of August, 1892. In the meantime, however, he lived in the city of De Kalb for a few years in order to educate his children and then returned to the farm, but in 1891 he again removed to De Kalb and lived re- tired, having put aside the more arduous duties of the farm in order to enjoy a rest which be had truly and richly deserved.
As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Mr. Baldwin chose Miss Zillah A. Whittaker, to whom he was married in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 20th of June, 1856. Her birth occurred in Deckertown, New Jersey, March 28, 1831, and she became the mother of three children. Emma J., the eldest, was born May 4, 1857, and was married September 16, 1880, to Freeman H. San- ford, now living in Michigan. They have four children : IIenry B., born October 16, 1882; Hat- tie M.,, born October 29, 1887; Ray E., born May 11, 1893; and Ida E., born January 31, 1901. Their daughter Hattie M. was married November 3, 1904, to Ernest Loss and lives in Muskegon, Michigan, near which city her parents also reside. Hattie M. Baldwin is the second in her father's family. Mary E. Baldwin, born May 24, 1869, died on the 14th of January, 1891.
Mr. Baldwin was a thoroughgoing business man, energetic and far-sighted, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. This was quite a new country when he came to Illinois and De Kalb county had not progressed so very far when he located within its borders. While residing on the old homestead farm he was called to public office on several occasions by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. He served as township clerk, as road com- missioner, as school director and in other local positions, the duties of which he discharged most capably, promptly and efficiently. He was well known in the county as a man who stood for im- provement and progress in all lines of citizenship, while his private business interests were of a char- acter that made him most respected. Mrs. Bald- win survived her husband and passed away in De Kalb on the 24th of September, 1902.
Hattie M. Baldwin was born in Knox county. Illinois. December 13, 1865. and acquired her edu- cation in the common schools of De Kalb town- ship and in the high school of the city of De Kalb. She afterward engaged in teaching for a time, but always remained at home to care for her parents. and after the death of the father took up the man- agement of the business affairs and continued in control of the property until the farm was sold when the mother died. She now lives at the family residence at No. 523 South Third street, De Kalb. She displays excellent business capacity and enter-
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prise, combined with sound judgment. Miss Bald- win is a member of the Woman's Club of De Kalb, of the Woman's Relief Corps and of the First Congregational church, in which her mother also held membership.
NICHOLAS SAWYER.
Nicholas Sawyer owns and conducts a farm, which is situated on about the highest elevation in Victor township. It comprises one hundred and seventy-six acres of valuable and highly improve.] land on section 5 and a commodious dwelling. sup- plied with all modern conveniences, occupies a pleasant site. The farm is most attractive in ap- pearance, giving evidence of the care and super- vision of the owner in its well tilled fields and sub- stantial buildings. Mr. Sawyer has lived upon this farm since 1883 and has made his home in Illinois since 1859. He is a native of Fillmore county. Minnesota, born October 4. 1851.
His father. K. O. Sawyer, was a native of Nos- way and was reared in the land of the midnight sun. but when a young man came to the United States. arriving in 1845. Ile located in La Salle county near Leland. where he began farming. an-l in De Kalb county he was married to Miss Anna Johnson, also a native of Norway. In 1856 he went to Fillmore county. Minnesota, where he r .- mained for three years and then returned to La Salle county, where he followed farming until 18:4. In that year he bought two hundred and forty acres five miles north of Leland in Victor township, De Kalb county, which place ho im- proved and made the homestead. continuing to reside thereon throughout his remaining years. ITe was called to his final rest in 1896. when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. Ilis wife still survives him and resides on the old home- stead with her younger sons. In the family were eight children. six sons and two daughters.
Nicholas Sawyer, the second in order of birth. was reared upon the farm in La Salle county and was a student in the district schools near his fa- ther's home. He was less than two years of age when his parents came from Minnesota to this state. When twenty-four years of age he left home
and started out in life on his own account by op- erating a rented farm for a year. It was on the 16th of February. 1882, that he was married in Miss Lottie R. Thompson, daughter of Andrew N. Thompson, who was born in Washington coun- ty. New York, and who settled in Victor town- ship in the early '50s.
Following his marriage Nicholas Sawyer op- erated his father-in-law's farm for one year and then bought where he now resides, becoming owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres on section 5, Victor township. This he has since greatly im- proved and also owns nine acres of timber land in Ross Grove. He has built a good corn crib and outbuildings and has remodeled the house at .1 cost of two thousand dollars. Ile has also built a blacksmith shop for his own use, fully equipped, and has a feedmill. sawmill and creamery upon his place. He uses both steam and gasoline power and runs a power cream separator and churner. He milks from fifteen to twenty cows. his butter being contracted for at Elgin prices throughout the year, the excellence of the product enabling him to demand the highest prices paid in the city markets. He raises thoroughbred and registered shorthorn cattle and has followed this work for several years. He also raises good grades of horses and hogs. ITis farm is well tiled and fenced. woven wire being largely used to divide the place into fields of convenient size. The Sawyer home is indeed an attractive feature of the landscape. for no equipment of a model farm is lacking.
I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have been born four children. of whom three are yet living. Their youngest child died at the age of six months. Those living are le Roy. James and Harrison, the first named being in Sandwich, where he conducts an automobile shop. while James and Harrison are at home, assisting their father in the cultivation of the farm and the various business interests which he carries on.
Politically Mr. Sawver is a republican and has always been a stanch advocate of the party. He has served as supervisor for two terms, having first been appointed to that office to fill a vacancy and afterward elected to the position. He has served as road commissioner for six years and has been connected with the schools as trustee and director for ten years. He has likewise been a delegate to
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various county and state conventions and was a delegate to the congressional convention at Syca- more in 1906. His opinions carry weight in the council of his party and he is an earnest worker in its behalf. Hle belongs to the Knights of the Globe and is much esteemed socially as well as in business and political circles. He finds pleasure and recreation in riding around the country in a ten horse power automobile and throughout this section of the state is known as one of the pro- gressive and up-to-date farmers. He possesses ex- cellent mechanical ingenuity and ability, and his keen discernment and sound judgment, joined with unfaltering energy, in the conduct of his business affairs, have brought him that success which is am- bition's answer.
WILLIAM A. EIKLOR.
William A. Eiklor, one of the most progressive agriculturists of Genoa township, owning and op- erating an excellent farm of two hundred aeres on section 18. is a native of this county, born Feb- ruary 25, 1859. on the old Eiklor homestead one mile north of the village of Genoa. ITis father. William F. Eiklor, was born in Huron, Erie coun- ty, Ohio, on the 2d of August, 1836, and was a son of Frederick Eiklor, who was also a native of the Buckeye state. During his early lito the latter followed the blacksmith's and carpenter's trades in Ohio, continuing his residence there until 1831. when he brought his family to Illinois, the jour- ney being made in a wagon drawn by oxen. Ar- riving in De Kalb county he set up the first black- smith shop in Genoa and conducted business here when there were far more oxen to be shod than horses.
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