USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 75
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Byron Howland was a student in the public schools of Freeville in his hoyhood days and start- ed in business life as a salesinan in a grocery store, where he remained for six months. He then took up farm work and later began learning the blacksmith trade at Rochelle, Illinois, when he was twenty-one years of age. He eame west in 1880. passed three years in Illinois, then went to South Dakota, settling near Wessington, where he en- tered a homestead elaim but did not remain lonz enough to prove his property. The year 1885 witnessed his arrival in De Kalb. where he se- cured employment with P. W. Vaughan, a general blacksmith, with whom he remained until his em- ployer died.
Mr. Howland then engaged in business on his own account in partnership with James B. Men- nis. This connection was soon discontinued, how- ever, and Mr. Howland opened a shop at the cor- ner of Second and Lucas streets, where he has since been located. He is a good workman and his ability in this line well qualifies him for the large trade which is given him. He is thor- oughly honest in all his dealings and has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman in his business transactions.
On the 20th of February, 1891, Mr. Howland was married to Miss Rosa E. Swartz, a resident of Nashua, Illinois. They have become the parents of six children: Alta, Bessie, Byron, Rosa, Bert and Ora, all still at home with the exception of Byron. who is deceased.
The parents attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Howland is a republican in politics and has various fraternal associations. Hle belongs to the De Kalb lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., in which he has been junior warden ; De Kalb chapter No. 52, R. A. M .: the Knights of Pythias and the Mystic Workers. He and his wife are both members of the Rathbone Sisters of De Kalb and Mrs. Howland is a member of the Eastern Star lodge. They own and occupy a handsome residence at No. 555 Sonth Fifth street and this attractive home is a visible evidence of the life of thrift and industry which Mr. How- land has led. It is also noted for its warm-hearted hospitality which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
CHARLES F. CAMP.
Charles F. Camp, who is engaged in teaming in the city of De Kalb, was born January 7, 1853, in Mayfield township, this county. He possesses much of the enterprise and determination which have been the dominant factors in the npbuild- ing of the middle west. His parents were Frank- lin and Elizabeth B. (Dow) Camp, farming peo- ple of New Hampshire. who came to De Kalb county in the early '50s and settled in Mayfield township. Both of them are now deceased.
In the local schools Charles F. Camp acquired his education. He was early trained to the work
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of field and meadow and after his schoot days were ended he operated his father's farm until about fourteen years ago, when he removed to the city of De Kalb, where he built a handsome residence at 135 Harrison street. There he now resides and is comfortably situated in life. During his resi- dence in De Kalb he has engaged in the teaming or transfer business and has been very successful in this work.
On the 16th of December, 1874, Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Florence Amelia Lott, daughter of William and Amelia (Stark) Lott, who were pioneer residents of De Kalb county, coming originally from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Camp have two children: Roy Lee, who was born March 31, 1879, and resides at 145 Har- rison street, De Kalb, being a mail carrier of the city, who married Miss Frances Hoyt, and they have one daughter, Ethel: and Raymond Earl, born December 16, 1881, who married Miss Lu- cille Hayes, of Joliet, Illinois, where he is iden- tified with the American Steel & Wire Com- pany as foreman of one of the departments.
Mr. Camp votes with the republican party; which he has supported since attaining his ma- jority. He is now serving on the board of alder- men of the city and has likewise been a school director of Mayfield township for six years. He is banker of the Modern Woodmen camp of De Kalb and is accounted a worthy representative of that order. In his business life he has been straightforward and reliable and counts among his many friends all those who acknowledge and ap- preciate genuine personal worth.
ALVIN WARREN.
Alvin Warren, who finds no disparity between practical and scientific farming but on the con- trary proves that they are harmonious and pro- ductive of the best results, makes his home on section 22, Victor township. He is one of the most prominent and active agriculturists and stock-raisers of the county. The Warren stock farm comprises four hundred and eighty acres and is a splendid property, in which none of the equipments of model farming are lacking.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Warren has been a resident of De Kalb county, his birthplace being the old homestead on which he yet resides.
His natal day was May 5, 1869, and he is a representative of an early New England family. His father, T. J. Warren, was born in Marshfield, Vermont, November 6, 1838, and came to Illi- nois on the 22d of May, 1853, in company with his father, John R. Warren, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The latter was a soldier of the war of 1812 and took part in the battle of Lundy's Lane. He was descended from Eng- lish ancestry who established homes in America during the early period of colonization in the new world. On reaching De Kalb county, Illinois, John R. Warren took up a part of the land which now constitutes the old family homestead with a soldier's land warrant granted him in recogni- tion of his previous military service. He secured one hundred and sixty acres which was entirely raw and uncultivated but with characteristic en- ergy he began to break the sod and cultivate the fields.
It was upon this farm that T. J. Warren was reared from the age of thirteen years and he as- sisted in the arduous task of developing and cul- tivating the new land. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Sophia T. Able, a native of Connecticut, born at East Haddam. Her father, Jabez L. Able, was also one of the pioneer resi- dents of De Kalb county and figured prominently in public life here at an early day. His father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and his brother, William Able, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The latter was captured by the British and com- pelled to work in the trenches with a chain and ball weighing eighteen pounds attached to his leg. His brother, Ameil Able, built and operated the first bell foundry in the United States.
After his marriage T. J. Warren continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, erected good buildings, made many substantial and modern improvements and in con- nection with the tilling of the soil engaged in the raising and feeding of stock. He is now a hale and hearty man of sixty-nine years who has retired from the active work of the farm, leaving such duties to others, while he enjoys a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits. He served on the county board of supervisors and is one of
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the well known residents of the county, respected and esteemed by all who know him. In his family were four sons. of whom three are yet living. Alvin being the eldest. The others are John J. and Frank L. Warren. while one son, Charles W., died in infancy. There are also four daugh- ters: Sophia E., Mary D. ; Ida and Etta.
Alvin Warren spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the old homestead farm and under his father's direction early acquainted himself with the work of tilling the fields and caring for the stock. His preliminary education was acquired in the district schools and he afterward attended Jennings Seminary at Aurora. Illinois. For thirteen years he was a teacher and proved an able educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He taught for four years in the home district and for seven years was teacher of one school in La Salle county. He has always been a friend of the cause of education and has put forth effective and earnest effort> in behalf of the School -.
Mr. Warren was married in La Salle county, on the 25th of June, 1902. to Miss Anna M. Davis, who was there born and reared. a daughter of T. J. Davis, who was a native of Wales and in hi- boyhood days came to the United States. lle was reared in this state and for some time carried on farming but is now living retired in La Salle county. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Warren hogan their domestic lite on the farm which is vet their home. Mr. Warren taking charge of the place which he has since cultivated. He is a very industrious, energetic man and in carrying on agricultural pursuits has made a specialty of the feeding. raising, buying and shipping of stock. sending about ten carloads of fat cattle and hogs to the city markets annually. Mrs. Warren is the owner of a herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, which are handled and managed by Mr. Warren. He also makes exhibits at local fairs, where he has won many premiums, and he also raises a large number of hogs and also breeds Percheron horses. having some fine animals. Ile is a partner with one of his tenants in the ownership of a herd of Holstein cattle and also in a large number of Duroc Jersey hogs. In February. 1907. they shipped a carload of Duroe Jersey hogs to Chi- rago that were a little less than ten months old and weighed on an average of three hundred
pounds and sold for seven dollars seventeen and and one-seventh cents-the extreme top price of the market for that day. Mr. Warren has his three farms practically enclosed with woven wire and "hog tight" fences. His fields usually con- tain forty aeres and in his farming operations he follows the system of rotating crops. His methods are practical and successful, as is indi- cated by the excellent results which attend his efforts. Ile reads broadly along agricultural lines and keeps in touch with scientific farming, and in his work has introduced the latest methods which his judgment approves as of practical valne. Aside from his farming and stock-raising inter- este he is well known in financial circles and is a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator at Leland. Ilis name is an honored one on com- mereial paper. for his business integrity is above mestion.
In politics Mr. Warren is an earnest and un- faltering republican, having given inflexible sup- port to the party since casting his first presiden- tial ballot for Benjamin Harrison. Ile has been elected and re-elected to the office of supervisor of Victor township and at the present time is serving on the committee on claims other than paupers. He has frequently been a delegate to county conventions and his opinion carry weight in the councils of his party. He is not. however, a politician in the sense of office seeking. prefer- ring to give his undivided time and energies to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with excellent success.
Mr. and Mrs. Warren have one son, Davis Thomas Warren. They attend and contribute to the support of the Suydam Methodist Episcopal church. which is located on their farm. and Mrs. Warren is a member of the Eastern Star lodge at Troy Grove. No history of the county would be complete withont mention of Alvin Warren, who is a representative of one of the old pioneer families but who is. moreover. entitled to men- tion in this volume because of his own personal worth. He is a very active, energetic man. pos- sessed of good business ability. of practical judg- ment and keen discernment. and wherever known he is esteemed because of his reliability. The extent and importance of his business interests have made him well known in De Kalb and ad- joining counties and wherever known he wins
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friends, gaining that popularity which arises from geniality, kindliness, deference for the opinions of others and a social disposition.
HARRY H. HANWAY.
Harry H. Hanway, alderman from the first ward of De Kalb and a popular citizen who oc- eupies a position of leadership in political circles, was born in Lisbon, lowa, on the 19th of Sep- tember. 1843. His father. George Hanway, was a native of Columbus, Ohio, born August 23, 1849. When a small boy he was left fatherless and went to Lisbon, lowa, to live with a maternal umele, Thomas Mason, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. He learned the trade of a carpenter and builder and followed that pursuit in early life but subsequently engaged in farm- ing for some years. During the past twelve years he has been buying stock for Lisbon bankers, and he is regarded in his locality as a representative and reliable business man. In politics he is an earnest republican and is serving his second term as alderman of Lisbon. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows societies. He married Miss Matilda Moses, who was born in Pennsylvania on the 17th of April, 1852, and is a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Riddle) Moses, who on removing to the west during its pioneer epoch settled at Marengo. Illinois. Sub- sequently they removed to Lisbon. Iowa, where Mrs. Moses, the grandmother of our subject, is still living. Her husband, however, passed away on the 4th of August. 1906, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. Their daughter. Mrs. Han- way. is still with her husband in Lisbon, Iowa. There were four children of that marriage: Austia, now the wife of Frank Turner, of Kan- sas City. Kansas: Georgia, the wife of Jean Mc- Clelland, of Lisbon, Iowa: Faye, at home: and Harry II.
The last named was reared under the parentil roof and, like most boys of the period. was a public school student. Hle apprenticed himself to the trade of a carpenter and builder in carly manhood and in the fall of 1895 came to De Kalb, Illinois, where he was connected with building operations. Ile has since devoted bis attention
to work of this character, being a member of the firm of Hanway, Rice & Boardman, his partners being Frank Rice and Willard B. Boardinan. These gentlemen constitute one of the best known contracting and building firms in De Kalb. They have a liberal and growing patronage and that they have taken some of the most important con- tracts is seen in the excellent character of their work, which finds exemplification in some of the best buildings of the city. Mr. Hanway is a mem- ber of the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union, No. 965, and served for one term as its president. Fraternally he is connected with De Kalb lodge, No. 215. K. P., of which he is a past chancellor, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp.
In politics Mr. Hanway is an earnest and un- faltering republican where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independ- ent ballot, supporting the man and not the party. In the spring of 1905 he was nominated on the citizens ticket for the office of alderman and was elected, although all of his running mates on the ticket were democrats. He is opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs and stands for good, clean government, being characterized in all of his official duties by a public-spirited devotion to the general good.
On the 1st of December. 1899, Mr. Hanway was married to Miss Emma Anderson, a daughter of Andrew and Carolina ( Johnson) Anderson, who came to De Kalb from Sweden about 1880. Three children were born of this marriage. of whom two are living. while Helen Frances has passed away. Those who still survive are Dorothy Catherine and George Harlan Hanway.
CHARLES DAVID CARTER, M. D.
In professional circles in De Kalb Dr. Charles David Carter has gained an enviable position and. moreover, attractive social qualities have won him many warm friends, so that he is regarded as a representative citizen of the county. His birth occurred in De Kalb township on the 19th of November, 1858. His father. Orlando Carte" was born in Chenango county. New York. in 1828 and died on the 20th of August. 1895. For some years prior to his death he lived retired but in
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early manhood had engaged in farming and sub- sequently gave his attention to the livery business. He was a resident of De Kalb county for more than a half century, having located here in pioneer times, and as the years passed he bore his full share in the work of general development and progress. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Iluldah Hannah White, was born at French Creek, Chautanqua county, New York, February 5, 183%, and is still living. Her sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
Dr. Carter completed his more specifically lit- erary education in the high school of De Kalb and in February, 1883, he concluded preparation for his profession by graduation from Rush Med- ical College of Chicago. IIe then located for prac- tice in De Kalb as a physician and surgeon and has remained here continuously since, covering a period of almost a quarter of a century. lle has kept in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress in the line of his practice, which has grown to large proportions. He is very care- ful in the diagnosis of a case. is cool and collected at all times and with great accuracy he applies the principles of the medical science to the case that claims his attention, and his efforts have been followed with most excellent results both for the patient and for himself. He owns a beautiful residence in the city in connection with a well equipped office and other property.
Dr. Carter was married in De Kalb, October 25. 1883, to Miss Ida MI. Thompson, who was born in De Kalb township, April 15, 1861. ller father, William R. Thompson, who was born in Vermont and was a veterinary surgeon, is now deceased. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Ann Parker, was born in the state of New York. November 22, 1821. and died April 23. 1897. There were eleven children born of this union. of whom Mrs. Carter was the tenth in order of birth. Three of the number died in infancy. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Carter have been born a daughter and son: Nora A., on the 22d of May, 1885: and Charles T., on the 23d of October, 1889.
Dr. Carter belongs to the Odd Fellows society and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and is in thorough sympathy with those organiza- tions. In politics he is a democrat. but without aspiration for office. He is a member of the Re- organized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter
Day Saints, and in the line of his profession he is connected with the State Medical Society. He ranks among the leading physicians and surgeons of northern Illinois and his comprehensive knowl- edge, his care and precision in the exercise of his duties are the strong and salient elements of his present success.
DREW C. SWIFT.
A farm of one hundred and sixty acres of choice land on section 11, Clinton township, pays trib- ute to the enterprise and business ability of Drew C. Swift. He is a native son of Illinois. his birth having occurred in Kendall county, on the 9th of March, 1847. His parents are natives of the state of New York and came to the middle west in 1844, casting in their lot with the early settlers of Kendall county. They have a family of seven children of whom Drew C. Swift is the oldest. The others are: Emma M .. E. M., R. K., Ernest. Libbie and Ellsworth. The parents are still liv- ing, now residing in Waterman, and both the father and mother are eighty-six years of age.
Upon the old homestead farm Drew C. Swift was reared and in his boyhood acquired a common- school education. For four years he carried the mail from Prairie Pond to Shabbona Grove and was employed as a sewing machine agent from twenty-two to thirty-two years of age. Having arrived at years of maturity he sought a compan- ion and helpmate for life's journey and was mar- ried on the 18th of January. 1885, the lady of his choice being Miss Ellen Scott, whose birth occurred in De Kalb county, on the 4th of Novem- her, 1862. Her parents were natives of the state of New York and came west in 1836. making an overland journey with teams for it was prior to the era of railroad development. In 1849 they drove overland to California. The father died in 1895, while his wife survived until 1900, when she, too. passed away. Their family included one son and three daughters : Ellen, Lavenia, William and Rose.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swift have been born five children : Mabel R .. born January 10, 1886, who has for two years been engaged in school teaching : Ross H .. born December 12. 1888. who assists in
MR. AND MRS. D. C. SWIFT.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION8.
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operating the home farnı; Martin Earl, born Sep- tember 2, 1891, who is a high school student in Waterman; Viola P., born May 17, 1895, who is also in school; and Ethel Ione, worn August 6, 1899, completes the family. Mrs. Swift at one time was also a school teacher, having taught for four years in the district schools.
Both our subject and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Waterman and he is a repub- lican in politics. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and he has done effective serv- ice in its behalf by acting as school director for six years. His time and attention are naturally most largely given to his business interests and he has followed the occupation to which he was reared for many years. Ile is practical and pro- gressive in all his methods of farming and has a well improved property of one hundred and sixty acres, from which he annually gathers rich harvests.
REV. FREDERICK W. MILLAR.
Rev. Frederick W. Millar, pastor of the Univer- salist church of Sycamore, was born in Montreal, Canada, of English and Scotch parentage, in Sep- tember, 1866. In his boyhood days he attended the public schools of his native city and later the College of the Holy Cross. Before entering the ministry he attended the Baptist College, at Grand Lignie,, Quebec. He was ordained a minister at twenty-one and took his first charge. He remained a minister of the Baptist denomination until twenty-seven years of age, when he became af- filiated with the Universalist church, with which . he has been connected to the present time.
Before coming to the parish at Sycamore, Mr. Millar was pastor of the Ryder Memorial church, Chicago, where he became connected with charit- able work, notably the Forward Movement and the Society for the Care of Crippled Children. So that more of his time could be given to the lines of charitable work he came to a smaller parish and at present devotes more than half of his time to benevolent work. He assumed charge of the Syc- amore Hospital and has from the beginning made it a success.
Mr. Millar is a pulpit orator of power and elo- quence and his efforts on the platform in many lines of thought prove him a capable public speaker. He is a broad-minded and liberal man, who joins heart and hand with all shades of belief if the ultimate aim is to relieve the distressed an.l add a gleam of sunshine to the lives of the un- fortunate.
C. J. PASLEY.
C. J. Pasley, a painter and decorator living at 428 College avenue, De Kalb, was born on the Sycamore road in De Kalb township, this county, January 11, 1860, his parents being William J. and Phebe Elizabeth ( Schoonover) Palsey, of whom mentioned is made on another page of this work. After attending the district school near his father's home in De Kalb township, C. J. Pasley, became a student in the high school in the city of De Kalb. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he remained under the parental roof and worked with his father on the homestead farm un- til. twenty years of age, when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he began learning the trade of painter and interior decorator. He has since followed that business in De Kalb and is today regarded as one of the experts in this line in the city. He has a liberal patronage be- cause of his excellent and artistic work, his time being constantly employed in such labor. In 1901 he erected a fine residence on College avenue. where he and his family reside.
On the 6th of March, 1895, Mr. Palsey was united in marriage to Miss Deilia May Phillips, who was born in Earlville, La Salle county, Illi- nois, a daughter of Albert and Roseltha (Brown) Phillips, early pioneers of La Salle county. Mr. and Mrs. Pasley have three children : De Eston. born in September, 1896: Ada. born in July 1898; and Ruth, born March 25, 1906.
Mrs. Pasley holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of De Kalh. Mr. Pasley is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and both he and his wife are members of the Mystic Workers lodge, No. 31. In politics he is a demo-
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erat, but while keeping well informed on ques- tions of the day and the political situation of the country, he does not seek or desire public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with ex- cellent success.
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