USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 74
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been blessed with one daughter, Maguerite E .. who is a student in the Sandwich high school.
Politically Mr. Wright is independent, support- ing the candidates he considers best qualified for office. His last presidential vote was cast for Theodore Roosevelt. His wife is a member of the Congregational church at Sandwich and Mr. Wright is a worthy exemplar of several fraternal lodges, including the Knights of Pythias lodge at Sandwich, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he served as secretary for two years. More than half a century has passed since his birth occurred upon the farm which is yet his home and the place is endeared to him through the association of his boyhood and youth as well as later manhood. His long connection with the county makes him au- thority upon many matters connected with its history for his memory goes back to the early days and. as the years have gone by, he has witnessed occurrences which have left their impress upon the county's growth and development.
W. M. Mc ALLISTER.
W. M. Mc Allister has attained a position of dis- tinction in connection with mercantile interests in Illinois, and in his business life has shown powers of organization and an aptitude for successful man- agement that has developed a small enterprise to one of large proportions, with many ramifying branches, his trade interests now reaching out to fourteen different cities in this state and Wis- consin. The cause of his success is no "secret." It is evident to all acquainted in any degree with his life history. It is found in energy. ready adaptability and enterprising qualities which any
W. M. MCALLISTER.
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individual may cultivate and which in due time come to fruition.
Mr. McAllister is a native of Belfast, Ireland, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Greer) Mc- Allister, who have spent their entire lives in that country. The father, who is a farmer by occupa- tion, is now eighty-four years of age, while the mother has reached the age of seventy-five years. All of their nine children are still living, namely : Mary, Elizabeth, James, Jennie, W. M., Maggie, Thomas H., John and Joseph. Thomas is a part- ner of our subject in the ownership of many of the stores, including the one at De Kalb, of which he is now manager. W. M. McAllister was mar- ried on the 25th of April, 1895, to Miss Nellie L. Copeland, of Wausau, Wisconsin, who was born in Canada, and they now have a little danghter, Donna. aged nine years.
In was in 1896 that Mr. McAllister began busi- ness in Sycamore, in a room twenty-two by seventy feet, and the growth of his business is indicated by the fact that he now has almost ten thousand square feet of floor space in the Daniel Pierce building. where he carries large lines of millinery, dry goods. cloaks, suits, draperies and carpets. He has enlarged his quarters and increased his stock to meet the growing demands of the trade, has de- veloped the business through the establishment of different departments and has extended the scope of his labors by establishing other houses in dif- ferent cities in this state and Wisconsin until the firm of MeAllister & Company now owns and con- trols fourteen stores. The volume of business transacted annually has made the firm a foremost factor in commercial circles and the immense trade is the tangible evidence of the careful planning. the keen sagacity and unfaltering diligence of him who stands at the head.
RICHARD McCORMACH.
Prominent among the self-made men of De Kalb county is Richard MeCormach, who owns and operates a valuable farm pleasantly situated within a mile and a half of Genoa. He dates his residence here from the 13th of July. 1854, and during the years which have since come and gone
he has been actively identified with the agricul- tural development of the county. His early home was across the water for he was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, November 11, 1836, and in that country he was reared and educated, receiv- ing common-school advantages.
At the age of eighteen years Mr. McCormach came to the new world and at once took up his residence in De Kalb county, Illinois, where for a year he worked by the month on the farm of George Ellwood in Kingston township. For several years thereafter he engaged in operating rented land but after his marriage he purchased the Wager farm in Genoa township and at once turned his attention to its further improvement and cultivation, tiling the land and erecting thereon good and substantial buildings. He sub- sequently bought another farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the dividing line between Mc- Henry and De Kalb counties and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, meeting with re- markable success in his undertakings. lle has given considerable attention to the buying and selling of real estate to some extent, owning both business and residence property in Genoa at the present time.
On the 20th of September. 1862, in Genoa, Mr. McCormach married Miss Frances Wager, a native of this place and a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Bartholomew) Wager, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania and were of German lineage. In September, 1844, her parents came to De Kalb county, Illinois, and Mr. Wager pre-empted land and eventually be- came the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres, on which he died in 1854. His wife sur- vived him many years, passing away in Nebraska. in 1894, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. T'nto Mr. and Mrs. McCormach were born four children. Owen R., their only son, is now a mail clerk on the route between Chicago and Minneap- olis, having been in the service for twelve years and connected with the Chicago office a part of that time. Ile is married and resides in Minne- apolis. Margaret is the wife of a Mr. Rowe and lives in Lewistown. Montana. Lizzie is the wife of T. J. Hoover, a business man of Genoa. Anna married a Mr. Robinson, of Genoa, and died in 1894. leaving a daughter. Hazel F. Robinson, who is now a young lady living in Elgin.
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Mr. McCormach cast his first presidential bal- lot for Abraham Lincoln but now supports the men and measures of the democratic party. He has been a delegate to state and county conven- tions of his party but has never sought office. though he has served as a member of the school board and president of the district. taking an active interest in educational affairs. He was reared in the Catholic faith. while his wife holds membership in the Methodist church. She has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey and he attributes much of his success to her encouragement and aid. Although he came to the new world empty-handed, he has through his own industry and perseverance, to- gether with the assistance of his estimable wife, gained a handsome competence-the reward of well directed labors. Mr. McCormach has trav- eled to a considerable extent. visiting New Or- leans and Havana, Cuba, besides cities of the east.
HENRY CHALLAND.
Henry Challand, who owns three hundred and sixty acres lying partly on section 1. Shabbona township. and partly on section 6, Clinton town- ship. has for many years been a valued and worthy resident of De Kalb. Hle also owns a hand- some home on North Fourth street in the city of De Kalb. He was born in Nottinghamshire. Eng- land. February 3. 1823, and was a son of Charles and Ann ( Freeman) Challand, who were farming people of the same shire and never came to the United States. The father died in the year 1833, while the mother passed away in 1855.
At the usual age Henry Challand began his education in the cominon schools, but when eleven years of age he was thrown upon his own re- sources by the death of his father, who left the family in straightened financial circumstances. From that time forward he earned his own living, working for a time on a truck farm and later be- coming connected with general farming. He ha, spent his entire life as an agriculturist and his enterprise and labor have proved strong elements in winning a success which is gratifying and makes him one of the substantial residents of the county.
Mr. Challand was married in England, in August. 1844. to Miss Elizabeth Green and unto this marriage were born two children, Fred and Emma, both now deceased. Mr. Challand re- mained in his native country until the early part of 184%, when he decided to try his fortunes in Canada. His wife. who possessed a delicate con- stitution, died while en route to their new home, her death occurring at Kingston, Canada, in June, 184℃. of what was then called emigrant's fever. It was really due, however, to the exposure which besets the path of the early settlers in any fron- tier region.
Henry Challand remained a resident of Can- ada until 1854. when he came to Shabbona, De Kalb county, remaining in the village for about a year. He then bought eighty acres of land in Afton township, which he sold in 1861 and bought the farm he now owns. As his labors brought him increased capital he invested more and more largely in real estate until he became one of the prosperous landholders of the county. In the operation of his fields he displayed unfaltering energy and determination, utilized his advantages in the best possible way and as the years passed acquired a most gratifying measure of success.
In 1848 Mr. Challand was again married, in Prince Edward district, Canada, his second union being with Julia Bilney, who was also born in England. By this marriage were the following children : Elizabeth Anne, who was born Septem- ber 1. 1849, and is now deceased; Freeman, who was born September 15.1854.and has passed away; Mary I., who was born June 10, 1857, and is the wife of Samuel Stratton, a resident of Sandwich : Julia, who was born December 23.1858, and is now living at Aurora, Illinois; Sarah, who was born July 4. 1861, and is located at Plain Oak. Illinois; Marguerite Jane, who was born April 3, 1864, and resides at Aurora, this state: Walter. who was born September 2, 1865. and is a farmer of Storm Lake. lowa: Esther R., who was born April 21, 186; . and is living at Aurora : Rose Ella, who died in infancy: and Eliza. who was born June 20, 18:3. and is located at Chana, Illinois. For twenty-four years Mrs. Challand was a devoted helpmate and companion to her husband on the journey of life. at the end of which time thev were separated by the death of Mrs. Challand on the 23d of July. 1812.
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On the 25th of January, 1873, Mr. Challand was again married, at which time he wedded Emma Hardimant, also a native of England, the wedding, however, being celebrated in De Kalb county. By this marriage there are three children : Frank W., who was born August 20, 1874, and who operates his father's farm ; Grace Anna, who was born August 20, 1874, and is the wife of Adolph Woolenweber, a mill owner at Waterman, Illinois ; and Charles, who was born April 13, 1880, and is associated with his brother in the operation of the home farm.
In politics Mr. Challand is independent, vot- ing for men and measures rather than for party. He served as pathmaster when that office existed but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, although he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is indeed a self-made man who, thrown upon his own resources at an early age, has made good use of his opportunities, steadily working his way upward. He has overcome difficulties and ob- stacles in his path and has made for himself an honored name as one who in all life's relations has been upright and honorable, winning the good will and confidence of his fellowmen by his in- tegrity and commanding their respeet by his dili- gence and carefully directed business affairs.
PROFESSOR W. W. WOODBURY.
Professor W. W. Woodbury, who since 1888 has been connected with the public schools of Sandwich, acting as superintendent since 1894, has gained a creditable reputation in educational circles and is numbered among those who have established and upheld a high standard in con- nection with the work of public instruction in Illi- nois. The schools of Sandwich have made marked advance under his direction and the city acknowl- edges its indebtedness to him for the effective work he has done.
Professor Woodbury is a native of La Salle county. Illinois, born September 19. 1858. His parents were John H. and Laura A. (Smith) Woodbury, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father was a
youth of ten years when in 1844 he made his way to the middle west, becoming a resident of Wis- consin, where he remained until eighteen years of age. He then established his home in La Salle county, Illinois, his parents having died while in Wisconsin. From La Salle John H. Woodbury removed to Shabbona township, De Kalb county, where he has since resided. He is widely known both in La Salle and De Kalb counties as a man of marked strength of character and ability. IIe has been recognized as a stalwart champion of re- publican principles since the organization of the party, his first presidential vote being cast for Gen- eral John C. Fremont. His wife, who was a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, died in 1890 at the age of fifty- seven. Their family numbered four children, of whom Professor Woodbury is the eldest. The oth- ers are E. O., a resident of northwestern Iowa; A. J., who is operating the home farm ; and Min- nie. living in Shabbona.
The boyhood days of W. W. Woodbury were spent upon the home farm, where he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He assisted in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting and in the winter months was a student in the public schools, but desirons of obtaining a more advanced eduva- tion he afterward pursued a course in the Teach- ers' Institute and Classical Seminary at Paw Paw, Illinois. He also received special training in various lines of study in Chicago University and the Wisconsin State University and was thus well equipped for a profession in which he has gained a position of considerable prominence.
In 1879 he became a factor in the work of puo- lic instruction in Illinois as a teacher in the com- mon schools and in 1888 was made principal of the grammar schools of Sandwich, acting in that capacity until 1894, when he was elected super- intendent of the city schools. He has since served in that capacity, covering a period of thirteen years. The schools under his guidance have had a substantial growth and he now has fifteen teach- ers under his direction. The work is well graded. system has been introduced inlo every depart- ment and the high school work has been planned as a four years' course. The excellence of the
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work done in the schools is indicated by the fact that graduates of the high school are now per- mitted without further examination to enter the state universities of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, the Northwestern University, Oberlin College and nearly all of the colleges of the middle west.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Professor Woodbury and Miss Nellie G. Forsythe, a daugh- ter of William and Frances (Coleman) Forsythe. For about seven years Mrs. Woodbury was a teacher in the Sandwich schools, having the ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowl- edge that she had acquired. Three children have been born of this marriage, one, Frances. dying in infancy. The others are Kenneth Forsythe, born May 24, 1901: and Gordon Coleman. born July 20, 1903. he parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church, in which Professor Wood- bury is serving as elder, and both are active in Sunday school work. In fact they take a helpful part in all departments of the church work and. have done much to promote its growth and extend its influence. Fraternally Mr. Woodbury is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp. Their home is the center of a cultured society circle and their interests are along those lines which advance intellectual and esthetic culture. ministering to the refinement and nobler aspirations. Moreover. Professor Woodbury is entirely practical in his methods while working toward high ideals. recog- nizing the value of the means at hand while never for a moment lowering the standard toward which he aims.
ISRAEL S. CLARK.
Israel S. Clark is living on section 28. Somo- nank township. his place being known as Evergreen Ilome. It constitutes one of the attractive feat- ures of the landscape and his farm is carefully cultivated and managed. The owner is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, having been a soldier of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. belonging to Company H. He is. more- over, entitled to mention in this volume as an cld settler of De Kalb county for he took up
his abode within its borders on the ?th of Sep- tember. 1542, when the district showed forth all the evidences of pioneer life.
Mr. Clark was born in the town of Hadden, Middlesex county. Connecticut, December 8, 1819, Ile is the son of George Clark who was born in the same state and was of English ancestry, the family having been founded in Connecticut at an carly period in the colonization. of the new world. George Clark married Emily Smith, a native of Connecticut. and their son Israel was reared in the same state. He came west when a young man, making his way to Illinois in 1842. In De Kalb county he was joined by his parents, who removed to this part of the state in 1843. He began work as a farm hand and later he and his brother .John purchased two squatter's claims, for which they paid one dollar a quarter per acre, the family becoming owners of five hundred acres. A log cabin had been built upon the land and a few acres broken. The parents lived upon this land for a number of years. In fact the mother of our subject died there, while the father later re- moved to Somonauk, where his death occurred. Their family numbered five sons and five dangh- ters, all of whom grew to manhood and woman- hood, while two sons and three daughters are yet living.
Israel S. Clark assisted his father in carrying on the work of the old homestead and for a num- ber of years had the management of the place. He became thoroughly familiar with the arduous task of developing new land and placing the un- Lroken prairie under the plow and converting an undeveloped tract into fields of rich fertility. As a companion and helpmate for life's journer he chose Miss Cornelia Potter a native of New York. who came west in early girlhood. and gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Clark on Christmas day. 1849, In later years the estate was divided and Israel S. Clark inherited about one hundred and sixty acres of land which he continued to cultivate for many years, or until 1881. when soll out.
At the time of the Civil war, on the 22d of August, 1862, Mr. Clark enlisted for service as a private and, going south, was under fire at the battle of Resaca. Georgia. Ile also took part in the Atlanta campaign. being in active fighting for one hundred days and after the fight at At-
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lanta he went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and participated in the North Carolina campaign, including the battle of Averys- boro. Subsequently he marched to Raleigh and later to Richmond and then on to Washington, where he participated in the grand review held in that city, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen. After the close of the war he was ill at a hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee, for a short time and was then mustered out in Washington, receiving an honorable discharge on the 7th cf June, 1865.
Returning to his family Mr. Clark resumed farming, remaining on the property he had in- herited until 1881, when he sold that place and removed to the farm upon which he now resides on section 28, Somonauk township. called Ever- green Ilome. Upon this farm his wife died in May, 1901. There are two children still living: Naomi, wife of James Martin, who is mentioned on another page of this volume; and Emma, wife of Emory Thorp of Stewart, Lee county, Illinois. by whom she has six children. Mr. and Mrs. Clark also lost five children: Georgiana, who married Herman Alger and removed to South Dakota. She afterward returned to this county. however, and here died in March, 1886, leaving two children. Nellie became the wife of Alfred Harmon and died at her home in Iowa, leaving two sons. Anna died in infancy. Ella died at the age of nine years, and another daughter, Fanny, has also passed away. Mr. Clark now has two great-grandchildren.
In his political views Mr. Clark was originally a democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for James K. Polk. However, he supported Abra- ham Lincoln in 1860 and has voted for each candi- date at the head of the national republican ticket since that time. He was elected and served as first tax collector in Somonauk township and has since filled that position for two terms. He was assessor for one year, town clerk for two or three years, has been a school director and has been a delegate to the county conventions. He belongs to, the Grand Army post at Somonank and has served as an officer of the lodge. He is one of the few remaining old settlers of the county, hav- ing resided here for sixty-five years. He has aided in reclaiming the virgin soil for the uses of civil- ization, performing the arduous task of breaking
the prairie with ox teams. He has witnessed the building of railroads and the establishment of the towns of Somonauk and Sandwich. He is now the oldest settler of the township, being in his eighty-eighth year, and receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey and who has at all times becu an honorable man. He has muade a good record in business, was a loyal de- fender of the old flag on southern battle-fields and in civic office has ever been true to the duties that have devolved upon him.
CLAUS P. COLLIN.
Claus P. Collin, contractor and builder of De Kalb, is one of Sweden's native sons, but a most loyal adopted son of America, with deep and firm devotion to the stars and stripes. fle was born in Sweden, January 6, 1824, his parents being Frans W. and Caroline (Dahlen) Collin. The father served in the Swedish army for thirty- three years and about three years ago came to the United States, since which time he has made his home with his son Claus. His family num- bered eight children, all of whom are living: Frans A., a wire drawer with the American Steel & Wire Company at De Kalb; Emma C., the wife of August Lindburg, a mason and contractor of De Kalb; Augusta, the widow of Erland Windahl, of De Kalb; Claus P .; Anna O .; Oscar K., a stone and brick mason; Sophia, wife of Axel Sunberg; and Emelia E. All are residents of De Kalb.
While spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Claus P. Collin acquired his educa- tion as a public school student. At the age of eighteen years he came to the new world, arriving in De Kalb on the 27th of February, 1892. After one summer spent at farm labor he apprenticed himself to the mason's trade, which he learned quickly, being naturally handy with tools. He afterward worked as a journeyman until the 1st of January, 1898, when he began contracting and building on his own account and has since been identified with building operations here. In the intervening years he has built up a good busi- ness. His judgment and skill as a mechanic have
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been the salient features in his advancement and he is now accorded a liberal patronage.
Mr. Collin has pleasant fraternal relations: Is a member of De Kalb Lodge, No. 215, K. P .; Balder Lodge, No. 12, I. O. V .; also the Uni- formed Rank of the Knights of Pythias. He likewise belongs to the Swedish Benevolent Asso- ciation and to the Swedish Lutheran church-as- sociations which indicate much of his character and the motive power which guides his actions in his honorable relations with his fellowmen. His political allegiance is given the republican party. He was married on the 29th of January, 1902, to Miss Hanny Felt, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1893. They have many friends in De Kalb. and Mr. Collin has made a most creditable business record here in the last fifteen years.
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BYRON HOWLAND.
Byron Howland, who is engaged in blacksmith- ing in De Kalb. was born September 17, 1860, at Prenville. New York. His parents were Oliver and Rebecca (Beran) Howland, both descended from old Puritan ancestry. The father was a gunsmith by trade and spent his active life in the state of New York, where he died when his son Byron was about seven years of age. The mother long survived him and passed away in 1888. There was another son in the family, Henry H., who is now deceased.
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