USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 14
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ment, No. 113, at Sycamore. He became one of the best known Odd Fellows of Illinois, holding the most prominent offices in the state within the gift of the fraternity, including that of past grand master of the state of Illinois, having been elected to that office in 1882 and serving as such until his death, which occurred in St. Luke's hospital in Chicago, August 26, 1899. The subordinate lodge at Evansville, Randolph county. Illinois, was named in his honor and also the Rebekah lodge at Johnston City, Illinois. In many of the Odd Fel- low halls throughout the state hangs his picture as that of one of the most distinguished representa- tives of the order. His wife was deputy of the Rebekah lodge at Sycamore, holding that office for nearly twelve years. Mr. Ellwood was also a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar, and both he and his wife were charter members of the Eastern Star chapter at Sycamore. While a resident of Herkimer county, New York, he was captain of a company of light guards which were ordered to report for duty in the war with Mexico, but hostilities were brought to a close and the company was never compelled to leave the state.
On the 24th of December, 1865, Mr. Ellwood was married to Miss Mary M. Baker, and they became the parents of three children, but only one is now living, Maud Baker, the wife of John Sher- man Root, of Chicago. by whom she has one child, Ellwood Dick. Mrs. Ellwood was born in Kane county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Lawrence M. and Sarah A. (Thompson) Baker. Her father was a pioneer farmer of that county.
The active business career of Mr. Ellwood was marked by the same industry, enterprise and per- sistent energy which have been characteristics of the family and he was regarded as one of the founders and principal allies of the substantial business interests of Sycamore. His publie spirit stood as an unquestioned fact in his career and worked to the advantage of the community along many lines. His judgment was sound, his efforts practical and the community was permanently ben- efited by his labors. Moreover, his life furnished an example of business probity and honor that is well worthy of emulation and his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him because of the fact that he stood for all that is upright and commendable in man's relations with his fellowmen. Mrs. Ellwood now owns and occu-
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pies a beautiful home in Sycamore, where she. too. has many friends, the hospitality of the best homes having always been freely accorded her. while the good cheer and cordial welcome at her own fireside has always made her home a favorite resort with those who know her.
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JAMES MARCUS EVERETT, M. D.
James Marcus Everett, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in De Kalb and has gained a large patronage that is at once indicative of his skill and ability and the confidence and trust re- posed in him by the general public, is a native son of Illinois, having been born in Dixon, on the 13th of July. 1853. His father. Dr. Oliver Everett. was a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, born Sep- tember 12, 1813. and in 1836 came westward to Illinois, casting in his lot with the early settlers of Dixon. Throughout his entire life he followed the profession of medicine and surgery and be- came the loved family physician in many house- holds. He was the first practitioner of his section of the county and remained an esteemed and honored resident of Dixon until his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Bessie Low. was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, February 22, 1826. The Doetor is a direct descendent of Rich- ard Everett, who settled at Deadham, Massachu- setts, in 1830, being a representative of the family in the ninth generation.
Dr. Everett, whose name introduces this review, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of his native city and afterward entered the University of Michigan, from which he was gradu- ated as a civil engineer in 1874. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work he later matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago. from which institution he was graduated in 1814. Immediately afterward he entered upon the active practice of his profession in connection with his father at Dixon, Illinois, where he re- tained until April, 1883, when he came to De Kalb, where he has since been located. He is now one of the older physicians of the city, having been in continuous practice here for a quarter of a cen- tury, and from the beginning has enjoyed a liberal patronage, which has been continued owing to the
fact that he has kept up with modern methods, and by reading and investigation has continually broadened his knowledge and thus promoted his efficiency. He is quick to adopt all new methods which his judgment sanctions as valuable and at the same time is slow to discard the old and time- tried practices which have proven so successful in the treatment of diseases.
On the 15th of February, 1879. Dr. Everett was married in Amboy, Ilinois, to Miss Jamesetta Jones, who was born on Staten Island, New York, January 6. 1853, and died February 21. 1895. Her parents were natives of New York, her father leing a retired farmer. On the 30th of December, 1896. Dr. Everett was again married, his second union being with Miss Alice Augusta Jones, who was born in Lee county, Ilinois. May 26, 1869. There were two children born of the second mar- riage: Bessie, born October 1, 1897; and Oliver, born JJuly 12. 1904.
Dr. Everett has served two terms as alderman of De Kalb and has been president of the school board. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the city and gives stalwart support to inany progressive publie measures. In politics, however, he is independent. ITis fraternal rela- tions connect him with De Kalb lodge, No. 152, .A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master. He also belongs to De Kalb chapter. R. A. M .; De Kalb council. R. & S. M .; Sycamore commandery, K. T. : to Normal chapter of the Eastern Star ; and to the Royal Arcanum. While his professional service leaves him little leisure, he yet enjoys so- cial interests and the meetings with congenial spirits in fraternal and social circles, wherein he is much esteemed because of his strong manly quali- ties as well as his professional skill. In manner he is genial, social and kindly, and these qualities have made him a favorite.
MRS. PHILANY CRISTMAN.
Mrs. Philany Cristman, living in Cortland town- ship, was born at German Flats in Herkimer coun- ty. New York, July 9, 1835. Her father, Henry Pooler. was a native of Dutchess county. New York, born July 24. 1804. His daughter spent her girlhood days in the parents' home and ac-
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quired her education in the schools of the neigh- borhood. She was carefully trained to the duties of the household and was thus well qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage on the 7th of October, 1852, to John Cristman, who was born in Jordanville, New York, May 28, 1825. His father was John J. ('ristman, whose birth occurred April 15, 199. Removing to the middle west. Mr. Cristman purchased a farm in De Kalb county, whereon he spent his remaining days. He was not long permitted to enjoy the new home, however, for his death oc- rurred on the 9th of October, 1863. During the period of his residence in De Kalb county he had gained the warm friendship of those with whom le came in contact, being recognized as a reliable and enterprising business man.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cristman were born a daugh- ter and son: Lorena, who was born May 22, 1859. and was married April 11, 1888, to Charles F. Noble: and John M., who was born August 25. 1863, and married Miss Vida Gandy.
After her husband's death Mrs. Cristman eare- fully managed her business affairs, showing excel- lent discernment and executive foree. She is now The owner of three hundred and thirty acres of land, from which she derives an excellent income. Having been an invalid for three years, she is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Noble, in Cortland township. She has a host of warm friends and the sympathy of the entire community in which she lives. She has made her home in the county for a long period, watching its development from pioneer conditions, and is munbered among the esteemed early residents.
PAUL E. N. GREELEY, M. D.
Dr. Paul E. N. Greeley is engaged in the prae- tice of medieinee in Waterman, his native eity. and although one of the younger representatives of the medical fraternity has secured a patronage that many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born in 1875 and is a son of Hiram and Clara (Saunders) Greeley. His paternal grand- parents were Eber and Orra Greeley, who came to Illinois after the removal of their son Hiram
to this state, but Hiram Greeley was born in the Empire state in 1832 and is now living in Clinton township, De Kalb county. He arrived in Illi- nois in 1855, settling in Clinton township, where he purchased eighty aeres of land from a man who had entered it from the government. His father, Eber Greeley, also took eighty acres of this traet, on which the east part of Waterman is now lo- eated. Hiram Greeley has been very successful in his business life, recognized as an enterprising agri- culturist and hortieulturist. He has a great deal of fruit on his place and he continued to success- fully manage the farm and eultivate the fields un- til early in the year 1902, when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in the village of Waterman. He is now seventy-five years of age. In community atfairs he takes an active and helpful part and has served as president of the village board and in the office of justice of the peace. His political allegianee is given to the republican party and both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Greeley is a member. She, too, was born in the state of New York and is now sixty-seven years of age. In their family are four sons and a daughter : George, a resident farmer of Clinton township: Rose, who resides with her parents; Frank and Carl, who follow farming: and Paul. of this review.
Dr. Greeley was reared on the old home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors connected with the cultivation of the fields and the care of the erops. In his youth he attended the district schools and afterward pursued his studies in Waterman. He was for two winters en- gaged in teaching school and when twenty years of age he entered the medical department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, where he remained as a student from the fall of 1896 until the time of his graduation in the spring of 1900. He also spent one year as a student in Rush Med- ical College of Chicago and was graduated with the class of 1901. Thus well equipped for his ehosen profession, he began practice that year in Waterman and has been very successful. He is in touch with the most modern and approved meth- ods of medical and surgical practice and his abil- ity is evidenced by the liberal support which is given him by the publie. He also conducts a private hospital, which he established in the fall
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of 1901 and which has received a liberal patron- age.
On the 26th of September. 1901. Dr. Greeley was married to Miss Maude N. Webb, who was born in Bay City, Michigan, in 1826, a daughter of Thomas and Martha ( Reeves) Webb. the former a merchant. Mrs. Greeley is a graduate of the training school for nurses of the University of Michigan and greatly assists her husband in his hospital work. They now have one child, Paul, born July 10. 1902. Both Dr. and Mrs. Greeley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity. the Mod- ern Woodmen camp and the Mystic Workers. ITis political support is given the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. In professional lines he is con- nected with the De Kalb County Medical Society and the Illinois State and the American Medical Associations. Realizing fully the responsibilities which devolve upon a physician, he is putting forth most earnest effort to meet all requirements and justly has become recognized as an able physician of his native city.
SAMUEL PETERSON.
Samuel Peterson. engaged in contracting and building in De Kalb, has been an active factor in the material upbuilding and progress and the political and moral advancement of the city. his activity touching its general interests along all these lines. He was born in Sweden, March 13, 1855. and is a son of John and Mary Peterson. who were natives of that country. born in 1821 and 1825 respectively. They are both now de- ceased. They came with their family to Amer- ica in 1869. settling in De Kalb county. Illinois, where their remaining days were passed. They had eight children, of whom four are now de- ceased.
Samuel Peterson, who was the fifth in order of birth, was a youth of fourteen. when he accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the new world. His education, begun in the schools of his native land. was continued in the public schools of this county, and after he had put aside
his text-books he devoted five years to farm- ing. but thinking that he would find other pur- suits more congenial he began learning the car- penter's trade. which he followed as an employe until 1880. He then began contracting and build- ing on his own account and has since erected many dwelling and substantial structures in De Kalb. ITis patronage rapidly increased until he now employs on an average of twenty men. He is himself an expert workman, thoroughly under- standing the trade in its scientific principles and from the practical side as well and he is thus enabled to successfully superintend the labors of his men and get from them the best re- sults possible. IIe always lives faithfully up to the terms of a contract and thus has the trust and confidence of the general public. In addition to building for others Mr. Peterson has become the owner of several houses and lots in the city of De Kalb and these stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
Throughout the period of his residence in the new world Mr. Peterson has remained in De Kalb. and in community interests has taken an active and helpful part. For four years he was alderman of the city and has been a member of the school board for a number of years, being an incumbent in the office at the present time. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and one who has done effective labor in its behalf. Ilis political allegience is given to the republican party, which he has supported since he attained his majority. He is not a member of any secret order but he and his family belong to the Swedish Lutheran church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful part. while for three terms he has served as one of its trustees.
Mr. Peterson wa's married in Oregon, Illinois, in 1883, to Miss Christina Pierson, who was born in Sweden in 1862, a daughter of John and Anna Pierson, who came to the United States in the same year in which the Peterson family em- igrated. They, too, located in De Kalb county but afterward removed to Oregon, Illinois, whence, in 1885, they returned to this county, where they have since lived. the father being engaged in business as a general gardener. Mrs. Peterson was the second of their four children, one of whom is now deceased. She was educated in the schools
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of Oregon and following her graduation became a teacher.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been born eight children : Edna Gertrude, Roy Milton, Earl Raymond, Irvin Leonard, Ruth Lucite. Anna Marie. Samuel Robert and Richard Stanley. The family occupy a beautiful home at No. 326 South Sixth street, De Kalb, and Mr. Peterson is enabled to supply all of the necessities and comforts of life, together with some of its luxuries because of the success which he has attained in an active. useul and honorable business career. He desires that the children should make the most of their lives and to this end is giving them good educa- tional advantages. He is an excellent citizen. neighbor and friend an! is uniformly spoken of in terms of commendation and regard. He pos- sesses a spirit of honesty and industry so char- aeteristic of the Swedish race and has accumulated a goodly competence which is safely invested in real estate, from which he derives a good rental.
THEODORE JOHNSON.
Theodore Johnson. a general farmer residing in Clinton township, was born in Sweden, October 24, 1864. His parents, John and Josephine John- son, were also natives of that country, where the father was born in 1833 and the mother in 1839. They came to the United States in 1889, settling in Waterman, De Kalb county. In their family were nine children, of whom Theodore is the oldest, the others being: Augusta, who was born in 1866 and died in 1869; Charles, born in 1868; twins who died in infancy: William, born in 1821: Gertrude, born in 1823; Frank, born in 187; and Hilda, born in 1880.
Theodore Johnson was reared and educated in Sweden and in 1883, when nineteen years of age, bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, hoping to enjoy better busi- ness opportunities in the new world than were of- fered in the old. Making his way into the interior of the country, he secured employment by the month as a farm hand in De Kalb county, and was thus employed for seven years, after which he went to Chicago where he worked as a stone-cutter for a year. He was afterward employed as a
motorman by the street car company for a year and in 1892 returned to De Kalb county. Here he in- vested the money which he had saved from his earnings in a tract of land in Clinton township, taking up his abode thereon, and has since made it his home. Here he carries on general farming and his fields are well tilled. He owns eighty acres of land, on which no improvements had been made at the time of the purchase. He has since erected a fine residence, has built a substantial barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and has secured the latest improved machin- ery to facilitate the work of the fields.
Mrs. Johnson, who has been a faithful helpmate fo her husband on the journey of life, bore the maiden name of Teckla Strem, and was born May 1, 1811. Her parents were natives of Sweden, where her father's birth occurred on the 18th of September. 1833, and her mother's on the 3d of April, 1835. In their family were five children. Sophia, deceased; Anna: Selma: Mrs. Johnson ; and Charles. The parents came to the United States in 1866 and made their way to De Kalb county, where the father continued to reside until his demise. His widow still survives and now finds a pleasant home with her daughter, Mrs. Johnson.
Our subject and his wife were married in 1894. They are most comfortably situated in a pleasant home and have a large circle of warm friends in the county, being greatly esteemed for their many good traits of heart and mind. Mrs. Johnson is a worthy and devoted member of the Presbyterian church and in agricultural circles Mr. Johnson is accorded a foremost place as a leading and enter- prising farmer whose diligence constitutes the secret of his success. He came to the United States without capital and as the years have passed by he has added to his possessions until he is now the owner of valuable and well improved farming property.
CHARLES BEERS BROUGHTON.
Charles Beers Broughton is a progressive young business man of De Kalb, giving his attention to the supervision of his invested interests. Ilis birth occurred in Carlton, this county, on the 18th of June, 1874. His father. Chauncey W. Brough-
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ton, was born in Pepperell. Middlesex county, Massachusetts, July 22. 1817, and engaged in farming and stock-raising as a life occupation. He wedded Miss Belle Beers, who was born in Brooklyn. New York. They were married March 25. 1815. she being his third wife. The paternal grandparents of our subject were William and Ruth ( Winters ) Broughton, both of whom died in Ashburnham. Worcester county, Massachusetts. the former at the age of forty-two years and the latter in 1810.
Charles Beers Broughton was the older of the two children born of his father's third marriage, his brother being Chauncey W., whose birth of- curred September 10. 1819. Charles B. Brough- ton continued his education in the public schools of De Kalb until he had completed the high-school work, after which he became a student in Rock- ford Business College. He next entered the em- ploy of the meat packing firm of Swift & Company of Chicago, with whom he remained for three years. Ile then returned to the home farm on section 32. Afton township. De Kalb county. which property he now owns-a traet of rich and productive land covering two hundred and thirty- six aeres. Here he successfully and energetically carried on general agricultural pursuits until about four years ago. when he removed to the city of De Kalb but still manages the farm. He is also interested in business enterprises of the city and has the strong determination and excellent quali- fications which enable him to carry forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 11th of December, 1902, Mr. Broughton was united in marriage. in Chicago, to Miss Adelia J. Leifheit, who was born at Waterman. Illinois, March 3, 1822. Her parents, H. W. and Joanna (Woolenweber) Leifheit. were both natives of Ger- many. the former born December 4. 1840. In their family were ten children. of whom Mrs. Broughton was the eighth. By her marriage she has become the mother of one child, Helen Beers Broughton. born September 6. 1904.
Mr. Broughton owns several houses and lots in De Kalb. together with his own residence and the home farm in Afton township. to which he sue- ceeded after the death of his father. He is a young man of excellent business ability and en- terprise. carefully directing his invested interests and adding to his possessions by the judicious use
of the means at hand. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has neither time nor inclination for office. although in citizen- ship he is progressive, giving his eo-operation to many movements which have had dircet bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of city and county. His personal traits of character are such as to win him favorable regard and popularity and he is one of the best known residents of the county.
M. L. OVERTON.
M. L. Overton. a prosperous farmer living on section 34, Shabbona township, claims New York as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred at Henderson in Jefferson county, Sep- tember 27. 1848. Ilis father. Cortez F. Overton. Jr .. was a native of Canada, and his grandfather, Cortez F. Overton, Sr., was born on Long Island. When a young man he went to Canada, where he was married and subsequently returned to New York. He was a boiler-maker and at one time owned the only water power at Watertown, New York.
His son and namesake was reared and married in the Empire state. He worked in his father's shop and on a farm, and in May, 1849, he came to Shabbona Grove, De Kalb county. Illinois, pur- chasing a farm one and one-half miles east of the village. For some time he lived in a log house and later purchased another farm. He purchased a third farm, which he owned and operated until 1858. when he removed to De Kalb. where he was engaged in the hotel business. He also owned considerable property in that town. In 1861 he removed to Sandwich. where he conducted a hotel until 1862, when he traded that property for a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which his son, M. L. Overton, now resides. There his death occurred the following year, on the 3d of March, 1868. when he was forty-nine years of age. He was considered a good financier and had considerable money when he came to Illinois. Here he dealt in land and became well-to-do. He was a member of the Baptist church and his life was honorable and upright, eommending him to
FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE OVERTON FAMILY.
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the confidence and regard of all with whom he came in contact. His brother, Albert C. Overton, was a soldier in the Civil war, serving as second lieutenant in the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry.
Cortez F. Overton, Jr., was married to Fidelia P. Hathaway, who was born in New York, Novem- ber 1, 1820, and who is now living in Wessington. South Dakota, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. In their family were six children : Lovina, who is the widow of W. R. Day and is living in Greencastle, Indiana: Harriet F., who is the widow of Don C. Needham and a resident of Crow Lake, South Dakota ; Sarah M., who is the widow of Baxter W. Ruby, a druggist at Malta, Illinois; M. L. Overton, of this review ; Sanford F., who is living in Apache, Oklahoma ; and Dan- ford S., who died in infancy.
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