USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 73
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ARTIIUR A. LUDWIG.
Arthur A. Ludwig, who is engaged in the drug and grocery business in Sycamore, was born in Huddersfield. England, January 26, 1865, his parents being Louis and Christine (Watt) Lud- wig, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Edinburgh, Scotland. The father, who was a jeweler by trade. came to America with his family in 1870 but both he and his wife are now de- ceased. Their children were three in number: Mrs. Jessie E. Doidge, born February 28, 1860: .James L., born October 26, 1862, now deceased ; and Arthur A.
The last named was five years of age when brought across the Atlantic by his parents, who settled in Chicago, where he pursued his educa- tion in the public schools. Ile afterward pre- pared for the line of life which he had chosen by becoming a student in the Illinois College of Pharmacy. There he completed the regular course and after leaving college he entered a drug store in the capacity of clerk. In 1901 he came to Sycamore, where he accepted a clerkship in the drug store of Sivwright. Irish & Company. with whom he continued until June. 1904. when he purchased the interests of Mr. Irish and became a partner in the enterprise. He owns a third inter- est in the store. This is the oldest store of the kind in the city. having been the property succes- sively of J. E. Ellwood & Brother. Ellwood & Sivwright, Sivwright, Trish & Palmer. Sivwright.
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Irish & Company, Sivwright, Johnson & Com- pany, and at present Johnson, Ludwig & Nelson.
On the 8th of June, 1902, occurred the mar- riage of Arthur A. Ludwig and Miss Alice M. Brown, who was born in Oswega, New York, January 15, 1871, and who departed this life on the 22d of August, 1903. Mr. Ludwig was again married May 15, 1907, his second union being with Miss Lillian Ohlmacher, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Ohlmacher, an old time resi- dent of Sycamore in the plumbing business. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig make their home at 111 East Sycamore street.
Mr. Ludwig belongs to Sycamore lodge, No. 134, A. F. & A. M .; Sycamore lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F .; Auburn Park council, No. 133, Royal League; and the Sycamore Commercial Club; while in his political allegiance he is a stalwart republican, keeping well informed on the issues of the day, yet never seeking or desiring office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church.
WILLIAM J. RUMNEY.
The Evergreen Park farm is an excellent prop- erty on section 28, Somonauk township, owned by William J. Rumney, a prosperous and progressive agriculturist. The place comprises one hundred and twenty-two acres about one and a half miles from the village of Somonauk and two miles from Sandwich. It takes merely a glance at the farm to recognize the fact that the owner is most prac- tical in his methods. He was born in Adams township, La Salle county, Illinois, April 1, 1866.
His father, Robert Rumney, was a native of England and when a young man came to the new world, spending four years in New York. In 1854 he arrived in Illinois, settling in La Salle county, where he was married to Miss Anna Skin- ner, also a native of England. Following that im- portant event in his life Mr. Rumney bought a farm in La Salle county and made his home there- on until 1895. carefully cultivating the land as the years passed by and thereby adding to its pro-
ductiveness and value. He lost his first wife in 1876 and afterward married again, subsequent to which time he removed to Somonauk, where he now lives retired.
William J. Rumney grew to manhood in the county of his nativity as a member of a household to which belonged three sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living. He obtained a com- mon school education and in his boyhood and youth worked in the fields and meadows, remain- ing with his father up to the time of his marriage. On the 19th of December, 1889, in Adams town- ship, he wedded Miss Mary Etta Stoutenburg, who was born in that township, a daughter of Evert Stoutenburg, a native of Dutchess county, New York, of German parentage. M.r. Stoutenburg was reared in the county of his nativity and was there married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Uhl, who was likewise born in that neighborhood. He was an old settler of Illinois, locating in La Salle county in 1851. He lived there before the rail- roads were built and opened up a farm upon the wild prairie, transforming it into productive fields, which he carefully cultivated, thus adding to ity value.
Mr. and Mrs. Rumney began their domestic life upon the Stoutenburg farm, which Mr. Rumney cultivated for two years and then removed to Northville township, where he also followed farm- ing for three years. Subsequently he spent six years upon the Rumney homestead and in 1901 purchased the Evergreen Park farm of one hun- dred and twenty-two acres on section 28, Somo- nauk township. He keeps everything in good con- dition, has repaired and remodeled the house, has built a large barn, fenced the land, set out fruits and in fact has added all the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth cen- tury. Stock-raising constitutes a branch of his business. He has made a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, shipping about a carload per year and also a large quantity of cattle. He works energetically and his diligence and perseverance have been important factors in his success. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rumney have been born two chil- dren: Verma, now a student in the high school of Somonauk: and Lloyd H., also a student in the village.
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Mr. Rumney exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party and is also deep- ly interested in the canse of education, having served for a number of years on the school board. He belongs to the Modern Woodman camp at Somonank, is a man of genuine worth, progressive in citizenship, straightforward in business and the Evergreen Park farm is a visible evidence of his life of thrift and diligence.
HARRY WARD MCEWEN.
Harry Ward McEwen, although one of the younger members of the De Kalb county bar, has gained recognition as one of its able representa- tives and the large clientage accorded him is proof of his ability and the trust reposed in him by the general public. He was born in the city of De Kalb, Jannary 14, 1815, and is a son of Lewis M. and Elizabeth (Ward) MeEwen, who are represented on another page of this volume.
Mr. MeEwen was reared at home and attended successively the different grades of the grammar and high schools of De Kalb. being graduated from the latter in the class of 1892. In the fol- lowing year he went to Chicago and entered upon the study of law in the office of Pease & Me Ewen, and in the fall of 1893 became a student in the Chicago College of Law, from which he was grad- uated in 1896. Soon afterward he was admitted to the bar and entering the office of his former preceptors, he remained with them until the ap- pointment of W. M. McEwen to the office of at- torney of the sanitary district of Chicago, at which time the firm was dissolved. Harry W. Me- Ewen then engaged in the private practice of law. In 1901 his brother Willard M. and Joseph Weis- senbach formed a partnership, and entering their office Mr. McEwen of this review remained with them until his brother's election to the bench in 1903, when that partnership was dissolved and H. W. MeEwen once more took up private practice with offices in the Stock Exchange Building, where he is still located. After his father's death in 1905 he found in expedient to remove to De Kalb to look after the estate and in July established his family in a pleasant home in his native town, at the same time opening an office here. He still
retains his Chicago ollice, however, but is not reaching out after new business there, merely car- ing for the interests of his old clients. He is recognized as one of the able attorneys of De Kalb county, having inherited many of the strong characteristics and points of ability of his fa- ther. He is careful in the preparation of his cases, logical in argument and strong in his reasoning and has won an honorable place as an able practitioner of the De Kalb county bar.
In politics Mr. McEwen is an earnest repub- lican. He belongs to the Baptist church, of which he is a trustee, and his interests in community af- fairs is manifest in tangible co-operation for the public good.
Mr. MeEwen married Miss Mary H. Goodrich, a daughter of Erastus and Phoebe (Dodge) Good- rich, who were pioneer residents of De Kalb county, coming hither from the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. McEwen have two sons, Willard Lewis and George Milton. They are well known socially in the city, enjoying the favorable regard of the large majority of those with wnom they have been brought in contact and in the city of his nativity Mr. MeEwen has attained an envi- able position as an able lawyer. his life record therefore standing in contradistinction to the old adage that a "prophet is never without honor save in his own country."
WILLIAM SIIUEY.
William Shuey, who departed this life on the 1st of January, 1902. was for many years an enter- prising agriculturist of De Kalb county, continu- ing actively in business up to the time of his de- mise. Ile was respected wherever known and most of all where best known-a fact which indicated the many good qualities which he displayed.
A native of Carroll county. Maryland. Mr. Shuey was born in Warfieldsburg. October 26. 1848, a son of Henry and Lucretia (Carr) Shuey. Reared and educated in Maryland. he came to Illinois in 1820. settling in De Kalb county after working for a few months in Chicago. He then removed to the vicinity of Sycamore, taking up his
.
WILLIAM SHUEY.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION8.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
abode on a farin, and throughout the remainder of his business career his time and energies were de- voted to general agricultural pursuits, with the result that his close application and careful man- agement brought him a gratifying measure of pros- perity. At the time of his death he owned two hundred and eighty-seven aeres of valuable land.
In 1873 Mr. Shuey sought and won a companion for life's journey in his marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Helson, who was born about six miles from. Sycamore on the line between Kane and De Kalb counties. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jane) Helson, natives of England, of whom ex- tended mention is made on another page of this volume. In 1848 her parents came to this country and three years later took up their residence in De Kalb county, where they continued to make their home until death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shuey was born a daughter, Minnie. who is now the wife of Rev. E. S. Nicholas, a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Mr. Turner was married to Miss Nettie A. Dennis of Mayfield township, De Kalb county, who was born January 22, 1859, and is a daugh- ter of Gurdon H. Dennis, who lives near Syea- more. Her father, who was born in Eagle town- ship, Allegany county, New York, December 31, 1831, is a son of George W. and Phebe (Par- tridge) Dennis. the former a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut. The Dennis family comes of English ancestry, while the Partridge family is of French lineage. George W. Dennis was a carpenter by trade and an excellent work- Politically Mr. Shuey was a democrat, but never desired office. He was a member of the United -. children, in July, 1844, he settled in Mayfield Brethren church, while Mrs. Shuey holds, member- ship with the Congregational church. He was a man of fine physique, strong and robust up to his man. Removing westward with his family of ten township, De Kalb county, Illinois, where he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres, on which a primi- tive log cabin had been erected, and about twenty last days. He was honest and frugal, careful ings acres of land was under cultivation. He improved expenditures and in the management of his busi- ness interests and this enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He was widely known as a good neighbor and friend and a most devoted husband and father and he never hesitated to help a fellow being, even at the cost of personal sacrifice. Mrs. Shuey re- sides at No. 113 IIigh street, Sycamore. where she purchased a beautiful home. She also owns a farm near the city which she rents. She is a most estimable lady and the circle of her friends is an extensive one. his farm, adding to it another tract of sixty aeres. For some years after his removal to the west, however, he devoted the greater portion of his time to his trade, but as he grew older he gave his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. Ile was a man of considerable ability along various lines and possessed native intellectual force, and in his younger years engaged in teaching school. Religiously he was of the Universalist faith and he lived to pass the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, while his wife died about 1861, at the age of fifty-six years.
HENRY J. TURNER.
Henry J. Turner, who for many years has been engaged in the creamery business in Sycamore, is a native of Elgin, Illinois, born July 26, 1862. His father, John H. Turner, who came to this state at an early day from his native country, Germany, is now residing at South Elgin, at the
age of eighty years, but the mother died December 2, 1904.
Henry J. Turner spent his boyhood youth in his parents' home and acquired his education in the public schools. Since coming to De Kalb county he has engaged in the creamery business, with which he has since been connected. He is now in the employ of a Chicago firm and controls a large trade.
Gurdon II. Dennis was the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children, and was twelve years old when he arrived in Mayfield township. He was a youth of fourteen when he left the parental roof and began to make his own way in the world, and after being employed as a farm hand by the month for three years. he purchased a farm of eighty acres of wild prairie land, which he at once began to cultivate. He was then but seventeen years of age, but he displayed the na- tive force and strength of his character and his
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unfaltering enterprise by paying for his land within two years. He worked on his farm and also for other persons at different intervals until he reached his twenty-third year, when he was married and devoted his entire energies to the es- tablishment of a home of his own.
On the 29th of August, 1855, he wedded Miss Louise Osterhout, who was born in Mayfield township, December :, 1838, a daughter of Albert and Polly Osterhout, who came here from Penn- sylvania in 1836. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dennis were born six children: Fremont A .. whose birth occurred May 6, 1856, and who is now living in Sycamore; Nettie A .. now Mrs. Turner: Mrs. Mary E. Smith, a widow, who was born April 6, 1861, and now makes her home at No. 509 Wash- ington place, Sycamore; Carrie B., Mina L. and Amos H., all deceased. The mother is still living in Sycamore at the age of sixty-eight years. The parents are most highly respected citizens of De Kalb county.
Mr. and Mrs. Turner have but one living child, Harry, born March 24, 1894, and they have lost two. In his political allegiance Mr. Turner is a stalwart republican. His wife is a member of the Christian church. They own and occupy a pleasant home at No. 118 Cross street. and have gained the favorable regard of those with whom they have come in contact during the long years of their residence in Sycamore. Mr. Turner bears the reputation of being a reliable business man, and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the reward of his own labor.
JABES H. WRIGHT.
Jabes H. Wright, an employe of the Superior factory at De Kalb, was born April 14, 1844, in New York. He was only a baby at the time of his father's death and in 1854, when a youth ten years of age, was brought to this county. Trained to the work of the home farm. he followed agri- cultural pursuits in De Kalb township until 182%, when he went to Sacramento, California, where he engaged in farming for ten years. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to this county, where he has since lived and for the past fifteen years has been employed in the Superior factory,
his long connection with the business indicating his trustworthiness, fidelity and capability.
On the 3d of February, 1885, Mr. Wright was married to Mrs. Lydia ( Holderness) Cheney, the widow of Nelson Cheney. by whom she had two children. Dudley and Elizabeth, both of whom are located in De Kalb. Mr. Wright is a supporter of the republican party. is interested in its growth and does all in his power to secure its success. He has served as tax collector for one term, but has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Ile and his wife are members of the Baptist church of De Kalb and have the warm regard of many friends in this city. Mr. Wright owns his residence at No. 335 Hersch avenue in De Kalb and this property is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry, for he started empty-hand- ed, and whatever success he has achieved has come to him entirely as the reward of his earnest alld persistent labor, his economy and perseverance.
J. N. KITTLE.
J. N. Kittle, a veteran of the Civil war now filling the position of village marshal in Shab- bona, in which position he has served for five years, was born in Rensselaer county, New York. February 24, 1846. His parents were natives of the state of New York and came to Illinois at an early day. The mother died in this state and the father afterward went to Kansas, where his last days were spent. In their family were five chil- dren. of whom J. N. Kittle is the oldest, the others being: Margaret N., Cornelia, C. P. and Han- nah.
J. N. Kittle accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois and was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period. He was only eighteen years of age when he responded to the country's call for troops and enlisted in 1864 as one of the boys in blue, becoming a member of Company C. Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry. With this command he served until the close of the war and participated in the battles of Nashville and Fort Blakelev. Though he was frequently in hotly contested engagements and skirmishes, he came
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out of the service without a wound and was hon- orably discharged at the close of the war.
when the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Kittle returned to Illinois and for several years was engaged in farming in this county. As a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Sylvia Morris, whose parents were natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Kittle were married in 1867 and lived happily together for thirty-seven years when, in 1904, they were separated by the death of the wife. Four children were born of this mar- riage: Frank, Widy, Maud and Mary. Of these two are deceased, while the other two reside in De Kalb county.
In politics MIr. Kittle has always been a re- publican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Though not a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has served as tax collector of Shabbona township for four years and for five years has acceptably served as marshal of the vil- lage. Ile proves a competent officer and in the discharge of all the duties of citizenship manifests the same loyalty which he displayed when he fol- lowed the old flag on southern battle-fields.
JOIN C. DAVID, M. D.
Dr. John C. David, for thirty-one years an active member of the medical fraternity at Sand- wich, his ability being demonstrated in the ex- cellent results which have followed his protes- sional efforts, is now accorded a position of prominence in his chosen field of labor, the con- sensus of public opinion being altogether favor- able. As the years have passed he has kept in touch with the trend of modern thought regard- ing medicine and surgery, thus increasing his use- fulness and efficiency.
Dr. David is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Carbondale. Luzerne county, on the 5th of December, 1848. His father, James B. David. was also born in the Keystone state and was a mechanic. For some years he engaged in the tannery business and then turned his at- tention to the manufacture of carriages. In man-
ner he was quiet and unpretentious but possessed the genuine personal worth that gained hum warm friends and kindly regard and led to his selection for various political positions of honor and trust, mcluding that of sheriff of his county. liis re- ligious laith was that of the Presbyterian church. While in the cast he married Caroline Snider, a native of New York, and in November. 1854. he removed with his family to Newark, Kendall county, Illinois, where he remained for a brief period. Ile then located on a farm and later took up his abode in Sandwich, Illinois, where his death occurred about 1868, when he was sixty- three years of age. His wife survived him for many years, dying at the age of eighty-six. Her Interests centered in her home and she was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a faithful friend, exerting a sweet spirited influence that left its impress upon all with whom she eanie in contact. This worthy couple were the parents of a large family, of whom Emily died at the age of four months, and James Bradford died in Ful- ton, Illinois, about two years ago. The others are all yet living. Dr. V. R. is engaged in the pras- tce of dentistry at Sandwich, Illinois. Eudora is the widow of Norman Griswold, of Sandwich. Oliver is a mechanic residing in Oliphant, Penn- sylvania. Almira is the widow of George Robin- son and resides in California. Harriet is the widow of John Riee and resides in Buchanan. Michigan. Caroline is the wife of James Flood and resides in Michigan City, Indiana. Emina is the wife of Mr. Elson, and resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan, John C., our subject, com- pletes the family.
Dr. John C. David is entirely a self-made man. He has been dependent upon his own resources from the age of eight years. Because of his fa- ther's invalid condition he performed the work of the farm until sixteen years of age and then came to Sandwich. He at once sought employ- inent and accepted a position in a store in order to obtain his board and the privilege of attending school. His tendency was toward a professional career. however. and to this end he began reading medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. Clark, of Sandwich, while subsequently he attended Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago
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and was graduated in the class of 1876. When twenty years of age he began practicing under his preceptor, who was in ill health and needed his assistance. Following his gradnation he engaged in practice alone for a time and was afterward a partner of Dr. Culver for four years under the firm style of David & Culver. The year 1898 wit- nessed the dissolution of this partnership aud Dr. David has since been alone in practice. Reading, research and investigation have promoted his knowledge and augmented his efficiency and his success is indicated by the liberal patronage which is accorded him. He is the loved family physician in many a household. where his professional skill, his kindly sympathy and his earnest encourage- ment have been the means of restoring health.
In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. David and Miss Mae Stone of Chicago, who came to the middle west from Syracuse, New York, and was of English parentage. Dr. and Mrs. David hold membership in the Congregational church aud arc prominent socially, while their own home is justly celebrated for its warm hearted and cordial hospitality. Dr. David is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery, and he also belongs to the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. His political support is given the republican party. In all of his life he has been actuated by a sense of duty, combined with high ideals. He has prospered as the years have gone by and his success has been well merited, for it has come entirely as the reward of his per- sisteney of purpose and devotion to the task at hand.
EDGAR O. WRIGHT.
Edgar O. Wright, located on sections 27 and 28 Somonauk township, where he is successfully car- rying on a farm, was born in the old Stephen D. Wright homestead where he yet resides, on the 7th of September. 1856. He was an only child and was reared upon the farm, while in the com- mon schools he acquired his early education which was supplemented by study in the Sandwich high
school. Throughout the periods of vacation he worked in field and meadow and early gained that practical experience which has been of much value to him in his later lite.
On the 15th of August, 1883, Mr. Wright was married in Sandwich to Miss Alice E. Mitten, who was born and reared in Somonauk township, daughter of Samuel Mitten, one of the early set- tlers of the county, who died August 16, 1904.
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