USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 10
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Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have become the parents of three children : Francis L., born August 19, 1884: Sadie ME., February 2, 1886; and Ester P., May 6, 1892. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute to its support. The family home stands in the midst of a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which is very productive and well tilled, and in his farming
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methods, Mr. Iloyt is practical, progressive and systematic. In his political views Mr. Hoyt has always been a republican since casting his first presidential vote when age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has held the office of school director for twenty years and is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, but on the contrary is a public-spirited citizen, and one of the worthy and respected citizens of his native county.
VIRGIL L. WOODARD.
Virgil L. Woodard, who has been connected with the business interests of Fairdale for twenty-two years, is a native resident of De Kalb county, born in Malta township on the 2d of February, 1854. His father, Slocum Woodard, was a native of Vermont, having been born amid the Green mountains, and there he was reared to manhood. HIe learned and followed the carpenter's trade in his native state and ere his removal to the west was married there to Miss Lucinda Dimock. They became the parents of ten children, of whom Virgil was the youngest. In 1853 the father brought his family to De Kalb county and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of government land in Malta township. This he improved, making it a fine farm, and as the years passed by he added to the original purchase until he had more than four hundred acres. He continued actively in farming until 1870, when he retired from business life, making his home in Sycamore until his death in 1882, when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife passed away in 1868, at the age of fifty-three years, and he afterward wedded Mrs. Weed. Com- identified with its pioneer development, and as the years passed by he prospered in his under- takings and became one of the substantial agri- culturists of the community.
Virgil Woodard acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home and in Cres- ton high school, from which he was graduated. He afterward learned the tinsmith's trade at Cres- ton, and then went to Poughkeepsie. New York, where he attended Eastman's Business College. Following his graduation from that school he re- turned to Creston and bought out the tinshop in
which he had previously been employed, carrying on the business there for twelve years. In 1885 he came to Fairdale and worked as a tinsmith until 1888, when he purchased his present business, op- erating an elevator at this point and also dealing in coal and lumber. In fact, he has two elevators and a large lumber-yard and is condueting an ex- tensive and profitable business. He has also been a stockhokler for eight years in gold mining prop- erties in Mexico and South America. He is like- wise a partner in two thousand acres of land in Cuba and two hundred and seventy-five thousand acres in Mexico, in addition to which he owns a farm of six hundred and forty acres in South Da- kota. His business interests have grown to ex- tensive proportions through his well directed la- bors and careful management. He started out empty-handed. Today he is a prosperous resi- dent of the county with extensive landed holdings and profitable commercial interests. Moreover, he is progressive in all civil and public improvements and has done much for the benefit of the towns ilt which he has resided.
In April, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Woodard and Miss Susan Nash, a native of Ogle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Sanford Nash, who was born in New York and came to Illi- nois in 1850. Mrs. Woodard taught school for several years before her marriage and is numbered among the alumni of the Belvidere high school. Ry her marriage she has become the mother of three children : Lois M., who is a graduate of the high school of Rockford, Illinois; Evan E., who was also graduated from the high school there and is now pursuing a course in mechanical engineer- ing. being in his second year in the State Uni- versity at Champaign; and Edith M., who is at- ing to the middle west at an early day, he was . tending Brown's Business College of Rockford.
Mr. Woodard is a member of the Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen camp. In politics he is a republican where national issues and questions are involved but at local elections casts an inde- pendent ballot. He served as clerk of the school board for fifteen years and the cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend. He and his family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Fairdale, in which he is serving as an officer, and for many years he has also been superintendent of the Sunday school. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles and
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worthy motives, and he gives his co-operation to many movements for the uplifting of his fellow- men. Although he has won notable success in business life his path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. On the con- trary he has been just and fair in his dealings and all who know him honor and respect him for his genuine worth.
JUDGE WILLIAM L. POND.
Judge William L. Pond, serving for the fourth term on the bench of the county court, has gained distinction in a profession where advancement de- dends entirely upon individual merit. Well versed in the learning of his profession and with a deep knowledge of nature and the springs of human condnet, with great shrewdness, sagacity and tact, he was in the courts of De Kalb a power and in- fluence and upon the bench of justice his duties are discharged with a deep sense of high ideals of the law as a conservator of justice and human rights.
Judge Pond is one of De Kalb county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Genoa township on the 11th of February, 1860. His parents were Americus H. and Amy N. ( Ilollenbeak) l'ond. who, during the pioneer development of this por- tion of the state, became residents of De Kalb county. The training on the home farm laid the foundation for a strong physical and mental de- velopment. After attending the district schools he became a high school student at Genoa and completed the course with the first class that was graduated there, on the 10th of June, 1881. For a year afterward he was a teacher in the high school at Kirkland, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor. It was his desire to follow law as a life work and to this end he entered the office of Lowell & Carnes, un- der whose direction he continued his reading for a year. He completed his course with the firm of Carnes & Denton at Sycamore, and after passing a creditable examination before the appellate court at Ottawa, was admitted to the bar on the 10th of June, 1884.
Judge Pond located for practice in De Kalb in September of that year and almost immediately
met with gratifying recognition of his ability in the line of his chosen profession. In May, 1886, he was appointed city attorney of De Kalb to fill a vacancy and was afterward elected for five terms, filling the office most acceptably for eleven years. In January, 1886. he formed a partnership with Judge Luther Lowell, which connection was con- tinued for two years, with offices in Sycamore and De Kalb. He afterward practiced alone until the 1st of January. 1895, when he formed a partner- ship with A. G. Kennedy, who had recently located in De Kalb. This association was maintained nn- til June, 1897, and was dissolved just prior to the election of Mr. Pond to the bench. He was chosen to fill out an incompleted term and in the summer of 1898 he received the republican nomination for a full term. Re-election has continued him in office and is indicative at once of his capability and of the confidence reposed in him by the voters of the county. His success in a professional way af- fords the best evidence of his proficiency in this line. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance would he permit him- self to go into court with a case until he had made thorough and careful preparation. He was thus adding continually to his knowledge and his prac- tice was proving a training for later judicial duties. His decisions have been marked by a thor- ough understanding of the law, by rare discrimina- tion in the application of legal principles to the points at issue and by a marked freedom from all personal bias.
On the 9th of November, 1887, Mr. Pond was married to Miss Alice E. Cole, a native of Kings- ton, Illinois, born April 21, 1860. her parents be- ing Marcus W. and Anna E. (Little) Cole, both of whom were natives of New York. JJudge and Mrs. Pond now have one child, their daughter Jessie A., who was born November 4, 1888. In his social relations the Judge is connected with De Kalb lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M. : De Kalb chap- ter, No. 52, R. A. M .: De Kalb council, No. 81, R. & S. M. : and Sycamore commandery, No. 15. K. T. His name is likewise on the membership roll of the Modern Woodmen camp. the Knights of Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum. His political allegiance has ever been given the republican party and he is now serving the fourth term as a member of the board of education in De Kalb.
William L. Pond.
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but otherwise his political service has been in the strict path of his profession. One of his dominant characteristics is a genial disposition joined with kindliness and courtesy that render him a favorite in social, political and home circles. He is a gentleman by instinct as well as by culture and education and is greatly esteemed in professional ranks because of his elose application, his legal acumen and conscientious performance of duty. He has remarkable powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often ex- cited the surprise of his professional colleagues.
F. W. AND C. H. CHALLAND.
F. W and C. H. Challand are partners in their farming operations and in the raising of full- blooded Durham cattle. They have gained more than local distinction in connection with their live-stock business, which has developed rapidly and has brought them gratifying success.
F. W. Challand was born August 20, 1874, and C. H. Challand was born on the 13th of April, 1880, their birthplace being the family homestead in Clinton township. Their father, Henry Chal- land, was born in England, in 1823, while their mother, Emily Challand, was born in Canada in 1843. They are represented on another page of this work. The sons were reared upon the home farm, early being instructed in the tasks of plow- ing, planting and harvesting, and when not busy with their text-books as students in the public schools, their time was largely occupied with the labors of the fields. For seven years they have operated their father's farm of three hundred and sixty acres, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to tilling the soil, are raising and importing full-blooded Durham cattle. They also have some imported Shire mares, owning some of the best in the county. They have been breeding full-blooded stock for seven years and now have some very fine colts for sale. They are widely recognized as leading and energetic live- stock dealers and well merit the sueress which is at- tending them. They are both men of good business ability and received thorough training for life's practical and responsible duties, the older brother having attended and graduated from the business
college at Aurora, Illinois, while C. H. Challand is a graduate of the high school of Sandwich, Illi- nois.
On the 31st of January, 1900, F. W. Challand was united in marriage to Miss Anna H. Hunt. who was born in La Salle county, this state. De- cember 1, 1872. Her father, Thomas Hunt, was born in Ireland in 1843 and came to America in his boyhood days. He started to earn his own living by working as a farm hand by the month and after his marriage removed to Iowa, where he and his wife now make their home. Mrs. Hunt was born in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1851. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Challand there has been born a son, Arthur F., whose natal day is February 4, 1907.
The brothers give their political allegiance to the democracy and F. W. Challand has been a school director for three years. They attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church and are well known in the community as enterprising, energetic men, who are highly esteemed by reason of their unflagging principle and diligence and their trustworthiness in all business transactions.
JAMES MARTIN.
James Martin is justly accounted one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Somonauk township. He lives on section 10, where he has one hundred and sixty-two acres of land, consti- inting a valuable property. The excellent appear- ance of the place is indicative of his life of industry and thrift and a glance at the farm serves to in- dicate to the passer-by the care and labor he be- stows upon it. Ile came to Illinois in 186%, set- tling in La Salle county. He was born in Mont- real, Canada, June 19, 1852. His father, Edward Martin, was reared and married in Canada, the lady of his choice being Miss Jane Bothwell. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pur- suit throughout his early life. About 1868 he came to Illinois, settling at Northville, where he lived for several years working at the shoemaker's trade. Afterward he took up his abode at Sheri- dan, where he spent the last years of his life, his wife also passing away in that town.
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James Martin is one of a family of three sons and four daughters, all of whom yet survive. Hle was reared in La Salle county, Illinois, and learned the milling business at Millington, where he was employed for several years. Coming to De Kalb county about 1848. he first rented land in Somonauk township, while afterward he operated the farm belonging to his unele near Little Rock, for six years. Hle next bought his present prop- erty, took up his abode there and began to improve the farm,bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. Modern methods of draining have been employed for he has used many rods of tile upon the place, has fenced the fields and carried on the work of tilling the soil after the most improved methods known to agriculture at the present time. Annually he gathers rich erops. which are the merited reward of his labor, and raises and feeds live stock. especially hogs, fatten- ing and shipping about two carloads annually. He also sells a large number of cattle and raises some of high grades. He has thoroughly ae- quainted himself with farming and live-stock in- terests and the careful management which he dis- plays in his business has made him a prosperous farmer.
It was on the home farm about 1877 that Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Naomi C. Clark. a native daughter of the county and a teacher prior to her marriage. Her father. Israel S. Clark, was an old settler of De Kalb county and now resides near Somonauk. Unto her and Mr. Martin have been born six children: Winifred L., now the wife of Roy Culver, of California ; Mabel C., a young lady who has learned the millinery business and now holds a position in York, Ne- braska : Maud JJ., a stenographer, at home; Charles Harry, who is with the Swift Packing Company in Chicago : and Clark E., at home. They also losi a daughter. Edna, who died at the age of two years. Mrs. Martin is spending the winter of 1907 at Redondo Beach, California.
Mr. Martin proudly cast his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes in 18;6 and has never failed to support a presidential nominee since that time. He was elected highway commissioner and for a number of years has filled the office, in which capacity he has done excellent service in making good gravel roads and building substantial bridges. He has served on the school board for a
number of years and has been a delegate to county conventions. His wife is a member of the P'res- byterian church while he belongs to the Masonic lodge and Knights of the Globe. He is true to the teachings of these orders and is in hearty sym- pathy with their plans. In matters of citizenship he is interested in all that pertains to publie wel- fare and gives his endorsement to many measures for the general good. In business he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen but has always been straightforward in his dealings and has gained his success, not through speculation, but by the close application of energy that never flags.
DE WITT D. PLANK.
DeWitt D. Plank, at one time actively engaged in farming in De Kalb township, but now residing at No. 501 South First street. in the city of De Kalb, was born August 30. 1851, on the old fam- ily homestead. His father is William W. Plank. mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The son at- tended the common schools and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields. remaining with his father until twenty-eight years of age. Ile next went to South Dakota. where he farmed for six years, after which he returned to De Kalb township and again carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1901. in which year he removed to De Kalb. At one time he engaged in teaching school for a year and a half and met with remark- able success in that line, being regarded as a most able educator. Ile owns one hundred and ten acres of land in Clark county. Illinois, and from this de- rives a good income. He has been busy and active from boyhood days to the present and the secret of his success is found in his unfaltering energy and determination.
On the 6th day of May. 1885. Mr. Plank was united in marriage to Miss Adella Parks, a daugh- ter of Nelson Parks, a farmer of Cortland town- ship. De Kalb county. They now have four chil- dren: Fayette, who is in the west : Clayton. Vera and Viola, all at home. Mr. Plank is a democrat. but does not seek nor desire the honors nor emol- uments of public office. He stands for all that is honorable and upright between man and his fellow-
DE WITT D. PLANK.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
1. 1.OX TILDER FIMIN ATIONS.
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man and for all that is progressive in citizenship and may therefore justly be numbered among the representative residents of the county.
EDWARD M. BURST.
Edward M. Burst, mimbered among the strong and able members of the De Kalb county bar and now filling the office of states attorney, was born in Sycamore in 1872. His father, Captain John W. Burst, for many years a resident of this county, was born in Delaware county, New York, and has figured very prominently in Grand Army cireles. He was one of the first to join the organization, having been mustered into Ransom post, Chicago, in 1866. He was transferred to the post in Syca- more, Illinois, in 1874, and was its commander for several years. He was very active in building up the order in Illinois and, besides holding many subordinate positions, was senior vice commander and commander of the department. He served for many years on the G. A. R. national pension com- mittee and did effective work in the formulation and passage of the disability bill. He has been three times the candidate of the department of Illi- nois for commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. His appointment by Com- mander-in-chief Lawler as quartermaster general met the enthusiastic approval of thousands of per- sonal friends among the comrades.
During the campaign of 1896, Captain Burst was a part of the aggregation made up of crippled veterans of the war for the Union that made a tour of the country in the interest of the repub- liean party. In the party were Generals Alger, Sickles, Howard, Stewart, Corporal Tanner and others. Soon after his election President MeKin- ley appointed Captain Burst chief inspector of im- migration, with headquarters at Chicago, which position he now holds.
Captain Burst married Lettice A. Mayo, a daughter of Hon. Edward L. and Emily ( Holden) Mayo. Her father settled at Sycamore, Illinois, in 1841, and for many years was the acknowledged leader of the bar of De Kalb county. As a lawyer and a man he was prominently identified with its early history. He was born in Moretown, Wash- ington county, Vermont, in 1807, and while his
advantages in early life were limited, he obtained a fair education. His friends tried to persuade him to enter the ministry but he chose the law and was admitted to the bar in 1835. He was twiee married, his first wife being Miss Lettiee Ann Holden, who died shortly afterward, and in September, 1840, he married Miss Emily Holden, her cousin. In politics he was a democrat and in 1854 was the candidate of that party for congress but he was defeated, the district being strongly re- publican. He was three times elected county judge notwithstanding his polities and the fact that he belonged to a party casting the minority vote. He was on intimate terms of friendship with the leading men of the state, among them be- ing Stephen A. Douglas, Judge John D. Caton and Lyman Trumbull. After 1860 he was a "war democrat," in full sympathy with the Union cause. His integrity and honor were never questioned. Possessed of a legal mind, it was among his legal brethren, who knew him best and were best able to judge, that he was most appreciated. He died in De Kall. November 16, 1877, at the age of sev- enty years, leaving a widow and one son, Dr. E. L. Mayo, of De Kalb, and three daughters : Mrs. John W. Burst, of . Sycamore; Mrs. T. E. Bagley, of Genoa; and Miss Kate Mayo, of DeKalb, sur- viving. To Captain and Mrs. Burst three chil- dren were born : Edward M., of this review ; Bes- sie, wife of Henry W. Prentice, an attorney of De Kalb ; and Berthia C., wife of Lieutenant Peter Lloyd Pratt. of the United States navy, now re- tired and practicing law in Seattle, Washington.
In taking up the personal history of Edward M. Burst we present the life record of one who has continually grown in publie favor as a result of the character development which the years have brought him and the use he has made of the powers and qualities with which nature endowed him. A publie-school education, acquired in Sveamore, was followed by preparation for the practice of law in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He entered that institution in 1890 and was gradu- ated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The same year he was admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan and in 1893 entered the law offiees of Caldwell & Pierson of Chicago, with whom he remained for about a year. Returning to Sycamore he opened an office in the room occupied by Judge L. Lowell, and began the practice of his
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profession. He was not long in demonstrating his thorough knowledge of legal principles and in 1895 was chosen by his fellow townsmen to the office of eity attorney. in which capacity he gave such able service that he was re-elected in 189%. His election to the office of states attorney of De Kalb county followed in November, 1904. As a practitioner at the bar he has been accorded a lib- eral patronage. He has won for himself a very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods he has followed in his work in the courts. As an orator he stands high, especially in discus- sions of legal matters before the courts, where his comprehension and knowledge of the law is mani- fest and his application of legal principles demon- strates the wide range of his professional aequire- ments. Utmost care and precision characterize his preparation of a ease and have made him one of the most successful attorneys of the county.
Mr. Burst, moreover, figures prominently in po- litical eireles. He is a stalwart republican when a matter of principle is involved but was elected to the position of city attorney for the first term by the independent voters and to the second term on the citizens ticket. In 1892 he was one of the delegates from Illinois to the National Republican League convention held at Buffalo, New York, and in 1898 re-arranged and revised the eity ordi- nances of Sveamore. Mr. Burst is yet a young man and has not yet reached the prime of life. Those who have watched his progress have noted the development and growth of his powers and the excellent use to which he has put his native talents. He is making substantial advancement in his pro- fession and undoubtedly the future holds for him still greater success.
DUANE J. CARNES.
Duane J. Carnes. one of the leading lawyers of De Kalb county, was born on the 27th of May. 1848, in Pomfret, Windsor county, Vermont, his parents being John and Mary Warren (Paine) Carnes. llis paternal grandfather, John Carnes. Sr., was a native of Ireland, emigrating to this country about 1815 and establishing his home at Claremont. New Hampshire, where John Carnes, the father of our subject, was born May 30, 1823.
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