USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 15
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M. L. Overton was educated in the district schools and when nineteen years of age entered upon his business career as a clerk in a drug store at Malta, where he remained for two years. Ile then went to De Kalb, where he was employed in the livery barn of James Russell and later in the grocery store of George H. Gurler. HIe next went to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he en- gaged in the insurance business until 1876. He next returned to the farm where he now lives, purchasing his father's old homestead, and today he owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land. All the improvements upon the farm have been paid for by himself. Ile has used the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the farm, and has made a specialty of feeding hogs, which he ships to the city market.
In 1874, at Wheeling, West Virginia, Mr. Over- ton was married to Miss Anna L. Dorsey, who was born in that city and is a daughter of Na- thaniel L. and Ann E. (Agnew) Dorsey. Her father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and died in Wheeling in 1861. The mother, a native of Wheeling, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Overton, in 1893. The genealogical record of the Dorsey family dates back to 1717. Mrs. Overton. the only living member of her father's family, has become the mother of tive children: Charles F., who married Addie Gates ; De Park, who mar- ried Ella Deming, and lives on a farm in Clinton township; Anna M .. at home; M. Lightner, at
home: and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Over- ton was reared to the Presbyterian belief, but now is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Overton is serving for a second year as justice of the peace, has been road commissioner for six years and school director for several years. He is an active, energetic man, working diligently for the success he has attained and which has made him one of the prosperous members of the com- munity.
DILLON S. BROWN.
With the pioneer development of the county and with its later business enterprise and growth the name of Brown has been so closely associated that the subject of this review needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. He is a son of Jeremiah L. Brown, an honored pioneer, and his own activity and prominence in financial circles well entitles him to representation in this volume. He was born May 12, 1852, on what has long been known as the old Brown homestead in Genoa town- ship, and there the days of his boyhood and youth were passed amid the usual surroundings of farm life. He was provided with more liberal educa- tional advantages than frequently fell to the lot of farmer boys, and after attending school in Genoa and Sycamore he became a pupil in the Illinois State University, at Champaign, from which he was graduated in 1865 with a class of thirty-seven members. He next attended the McGill Veterinary College. at Montreal, Canada, and was graduated in 1877. He located for the practice of his profession in Sycamore, where he re- mained for two or three years, when he withdrew from the field of veterinary surgery and entered into partnership with H. H. Slater for the conduet of a general mercantile enterprise at Genoa. A year later he sold his interest and joined his brother, Charles A. Brown, in the establishment of a bank at Genoa, which they have since condueted with gratifying success until the firm of Brown & Brown, bankers, is well known not only in Genoa but throughout this part of the state.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Dillon S. Brown was married May 16, 1878, to Miss Emily E. Pond. a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter
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of Americus H1. Pond. Five children have been added to their home as the years have gone by but two of the number died in infancy and Claude passed away in early childhood. The living sons are Earl and Bayard.
Dillon Brown has followed in the political foot- steps of his father and is a stalwart republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He has frequently been called to publie of- fice. serving as a member and president of the vil- lage board of trustees and as a member of the coun- ty board of supervisors. The cause of education has also found in him a stalwart champion and he has clone effective service for Genoa in this partienlar while serving as president of the board of educa- tion of the village. He withholds his active sup- port from no measure or movement which tends to advance the public good and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft.
JOHN GOSSMAN.
John Gossman, who is successfully conducting agricultural interests in De Kalb township. was born October 20. 1820, in De Kalb county. His father was born in Germany in the year 1831 and came to America in 1854, being then a young man of twenty-three years. He at once made his way to Joliet. Will county, Illinois, and later went to Somonauk. He was associated with the early history of the northern part of the state and in De Kalb county became a prominent representa- tive of farming interests. In 1869 he was married and the following year he bought one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Afton township. He im- proved the farm. placing the property in good shape, and afterward bought eighty acres adjoin- ing. upon which he built a fine residence. As the years passed he placed his farm under a high state of cultivation, the fields yielding to him a splen- did financial return. for he annually gathered rich harvests that found a ready sale on the market. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gossman were born four chil- dren. of whom John of this review is the eldest. The others are Joseph, who was born June 4, 1813: Elizabeth, born January 8. 1815: and Lena C .. born July 16. 1882. All of the children are
still single and live at home with their parents. The parents are members of St. Mary's Catholic church of De Kalb and are recognized as people of genuine worth, highly esteemed wherever known by reason of their many excellent traits of ehar- acter. They have accumulated a handsome fortune since their marriage, Mr. Gossman carefully man- aging the business interests. while Mrs. Gossman has been equally efficient in carrying on the house- hold affairs. The father is now living a retired life. leaving the management of his farm to his children, who relieve him of all the arduous work of the fields.
John Gossman, whose name introduces this rec- ord, acquired a common-school education and as the years passed by he has devoted his time and energies to general farming. He was carly trained to the work of the field and meadow and his experience in youth well qualifies him to carry on the work which now occupies his time and energies. As the eldest son of the family he has largely relieved his father of the farm work and the cares of management, and in his farming operations is energetie. alert and enterprising. He displays excellent business and executive force, keen discrimination and in his work has also mani- fested the spirit of unfaltering integrity and honor. He is widely known in the county and in fact the family have many friends in this part of the state, where Mr. Gossman has made his home for more than a half century.
CHARLES G. FAXON.
Charles G. Faxon, occupying a position of prominence in political circles and as a member of the bar of De Kalb county. has been a resident of Sandwich since 1883. He was born March ?, 1858. in Kendall county. his parents being Walter S. and Zelia ( Gilbert ) Faxon. the former a farmer and mason.
The public schools of his native county afforded Charles G. Faxon his early educational privileges, which were supplemented by a course in Naper- ville ( Illinois) College. He afterward pursued a scientific and law course in the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, being graduated from the scientific department in 1881 and from
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the law department in 1883. He was admitted to the Indiana bar in the latter year and to the bar of Illinois in 1884. He has since been engaged in general practice in De Kalb county. He has a large general practice, having demonstrated his ability to cope wth the intricate problems of jurisprudence and to present with clearness, force and logic his canse in the courts. He has served as states attorney for one term, having been elected in 1888. He was also elected county surveyor in 1884.
Mr. Faxon was united in marriage to Miss Car- rie J. Anderson, of Newport, Arkansas, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of John L. and Pauline Anderson, the former a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Faxon have five living children : Merle G., a student in the University of Michigan; Ina J., Lloyd A., Donald E. and Zelia C., all at home. They have also lost two: Clyde, who died Novem- ber 27, 1886, at the age of three years ; and Ione, who died at the age of three on the 7th of Jan- uary, 1890.
The family attend the Congregational church and are prominent in social circles in Sandwich. Mr. Faxon is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias lodge. In politics he is a stalwart republican and has been very active in his party. serving as a delegate to many of its conventions, while his opnions carry weight in its councils.
J. S. DRESSER.
J. S. Dresser. a thrifty and enterprising farmer of De Kalb township, dates his residence in the county from 1864. He was closely and actively associated with general farming interests until about seven years ago and still lives upon his farm which is pleasantly and conveniently located about a mile and a half from the city of De Kalb. Mr. Dresser is a native of the Empire state. He was born January 27, 1842, son of Sheldon G. Dresser, whose birth occurred in Jefferson county, New York, February 3, 1814. Removing to Schoharie county, that state, the father there followed farm- ing. He married Miss Swezy, who was born in New Jersey, March 22, 1819.
Upon the home farm J. S. Dresser was reared, while in the public schools he acquired his ednea- tion. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of an agriculturist and in 1864 sought a home in the west, thinking to better his financial condition in this part of the country. He arrived in De Kalb county in 1864 and rented a farm soon after his arrival and in 1879 he purchased the home where he yet resides. He followed farming successfully until about seven years ago, when he rented his land. and is the owner of sixty acres which are finely improved and located only about a mile and a half from the city of De Kalb. During the past seven years Mr. Dresser has been carrying mail on the rural route. Idleness and indolence are utterly foreign to his nature, and after putting aside the more arduons duties of the farm, he took up this busi- ness. He is a lover of fine horses and owns some thoroughbreds, and, while engaged in farming, was also interested in the raising and breeding of trotting stock.
On the 28th of November, 1865, Mr. Dresser was married to Miss Cornelia W. Ennis, who was born in Chemung county. New York, February 6. 1847, and came west with her parents in 1863. Her father was born in 1831 and died in 1877, while the mother passed away at the age of sixty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Dresser have no children of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Minnie C. Dresser, who was born January 11, 1866. Her father died when she was but two years of age and she soon afterward became a member of the Dresser household. She is now engaged in school teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Dresser hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church at De Kalb and Mrs. Dresser takes a most active and helpful part in the church work, doing all in her power to advance its different ac- tivities.
Mr. Dresser exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and his worth and ability have led to his election to various local offices. For eighteen years he has served as school director, was path- master for twelve years and township trustee for three years, being an incumbent in the last named position at the present time. He is also offi- cially connected with the state mail carriers' asso- ciation of which he has been treasurer for four
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years and for five years has been president of the county organization of mail carriers. He is a self-made man and owes his success entirely to his own labors. He had no capital when he came to the west and had to make his start at farming as a renter. Ile worked diligently and persistently, as- sisted by his estimable wife who has indeed been a faithful helpmate to him and, as the years have gone by, they have overcome the difficulties and ob- stacles in their path and worked their way steadily upward to success, being now in possession of a handsome competence.
FRANK C. PATTEN.
The growth and prosperity of a community de- pends largely upon its industrial and commercial interests, and they who push forward the wheels of progress are the men who are at the head of the business interests, displaying a spirit of enter- prise and determination, which conquers obsta- cles and shapes conditions to their own ends. Frank C. Patten is today at the head of the Svea- more Foundry Company of Sycamore, manufactur- ers of agricultural implements and hardware spo- rialties. the concern being one of the most impor- tant industrial enterprises of the city.
Mr. Patten was born on a farm in Afton town- ship, De Kalb county, October 10. 1864. Ilis fa- ther. Sylvester W. Patten, a native of the state of New York, was born in Starkville, Herkimer county. September 4. 183;, and was the third in a family of eight children. In 1850 he came to. Illinois with his parents. David and Nancy (Coun- tryman) Patten, who located in Boone county. where they resided for two years. In 1852 they removed to South Grove township, De Kalb county, settling on a farm which David Patten purchased and which is now owned by his son. J. H. Patten. The father was a carpenter by trade and was con- neeted with building operations. while his sons carried on the farm work. He died in April, 1859. while his wife passed away a few years later.
Sylvester W. Patten, father of our subject, as- sisted his father with the farm operations during the summer months, and in the winter seasons en- gaged in teaching school up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated near Belvidere,
Boone county, Illinois, on the 1st of May, 1860, Miss Elizabeth Coffin becoming his wife. She was a native of Delaware county, New York, born in 1839, and in May, 1845, went to Belvidere with her parents, Jacob and Mary Ann ( Hull) Cotlin. IIer paternal great-grandfather, John Coffin, was born in 1:53 and wedded Mary Van Tassel, of Ger- man descent, who was born in 1:43. Their son, Isaac Coffin, was the father of Jacob Coffin and was born in 1:23. The Coffin family were orig- inally of Norman stock. The first to come to America was Tristam Coffin, who came with eight sons in 1642 and settled near Haverhill, Massa- chusetts. In connection with others he purchased Nantucket Island. Ilis eldest son settled near Al- bany and was the father of John Coffin, the great- grandfather of Mrs. Sylvester Patten.
Subsequent to his marriage Sylvester Patten purchased a farm eight miles south of De Kalb in Afton township, where he resided until 1882, when he sold that property and bought another farm two miles northwest of De Kalb, continuing to reside thereon until 1892, when he decided to give up farming altogether and with his family removed to the city of De Kalb, where he and his wife still make their home. Previous to their mar- riage both wore teachers for several years in the country schools of their respective counties. They are most highly esteemed people, having a large circle of warm friends in the county by reason of their many good qualities of heart and mind. While living on their farin in Afton township their six children were born. Mary L .. the eldest, is the wife of M. D. Shipman. of De Kalb. Emma Louise is the wife of F. S. Greeley, of Waterman. this connty. Frank C. is the only son. Edith S. is a teacher in the Normal School at De Kalb. Alice Carey was a member of the faculty of the Northern Illinois State Normal School from its opening until her death, which occurred Septem- ber 11. 1894. Elizabeth M. is the wife of C. F. Toenniger, of De Kalb.
After attending the district schools, Frank C. Patten entered the high school of De Kalb and was graduated in the class of 1885. Immediately after- ward he entered the employ of William Deering & Company, of Chicago, with whom he remained for a year, when, desiring to engage in business on his own account. he returned to De Kalb and estab- lished a small shop, in which he began the manu-
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facture of sundries on a limited scale. Owing to the increase of his business. in 1882, he purchased a building and employed several men to assist him. His trade developed so rapidly that soon his build- ings covered three and a half lots in the city, and about 1889 had spread over the entire block. In addition to his manufacturing business, in 1889 he began contracting and building, purchasing vacant property, subdividing and improving it. Thus unsightly vacancies were transformed into good residence districts and the appearance of the city was greatly enhanced by his operations in this direction. On his own account he built between seventy-five and one hundred houses and as many more on contract for others. In addition to the erection of residences he built school buildings at De Kalb, Maple Park. Elburn and Grossdale, em- ploying draftsmen, masons, carpenters, tinners, plumbers. painters and paper hangers, as well as laborers, the combined pay-roll of the industries under his ownership having upon it as high as three hundred and fifty names.
Constantly on the outlook for opportunities to enlarge his business and broaden the scope of his activities, Mr. Patten in 1893 came to Sycamore and purchased the Marsh harvester plant and also the entire plant formerly owned by the R. Ell- wood Manufacturing Company. The business was consolidated and is conducted under the name of the Sycamore Foundry Company. The enterprise is now very extensive and Mr. Patten caters espe- cially to heavy buyers who have goods furnished under contract for their own trade. The working force has been increased from thirty-five to one hundred and seventy-five hands, while the product which was formerly mainly farming implements now embraces gasoline engines, hot air furnaces, blacksmiths' tools and a heavy list of hardware specialties. Every year has seen new buildings erected, modern machinery added and improved facilities for handling the immense buisiness. 'The output is now extensive and is shipped to various parts of the country and the industry is one of the sources of Sycamore's progress and prosperity. furnishing employment to a large force of work- men and thus providing the means of livelihood for many families.
Mr. Patten was married at the home of the bride's parents on a farm near Sycamore, to Miss Carrie M. Crane, a daughter of Frederick S. and
Mary Adeline ( Bristol) Crane. Her mother was born in Genesee county, New York, a daughter of Iliram and Sarah (Spink) Bristol. The birth of Frederick S. Crane occurred in Wayne county. New York, in 1833, and two years later he was brought by his parents to Illinois, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He is a son of David and Catherine W. (Stolp) Crane, the latter a daughter of Frederick and Jeannette ( Pep- per) Stolp, her father being a soldier of the war of 1812. Both families are of Holland descent. The paternal grandparents of Frederick Crane were Zebina and Hannah (Gould) Crane. In 1853, at the age of eighteen years, he crossed the plains to California and after returning from the Pacific slope he purchased a farm near Naperville, Illi- nois, where he resided until 1869. He then came to De Kalb county and invested in four hundred acres of land in Cortland township, remaining for many years a prominent and prosperous agricul- turist of that locality. His wife died while they were upon the farm. July 17. 1882, being survived by five children : Iliram D., of Sycamore; Frank IT., who died September 23, 1894: Myron F., of Sycamore; Mrs. J. W. Snow, also of the same city ; and Carrie M., now Mrs. Patten. In 1895 Mr. Crane sold his farm and removed to Long Beach, California, where he is now living. He was mar- ried again in that state, in 1896, Mrs. Melvina Moore. nee Lord, of Los Angeles, becoming his wife.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Patten has been blessed with three sons and a daughter: Byron. born June 14, 1892; Barbara Annette. September 1. 1893 : Everett Frank. July 2. 1895 ; and Ralph Sylvester, January 2. 1898.
For two years Mr. Patten has served as mayor of Sycamore and has also been a member of the city conneil, exercising his official prerogatives in support of measures and movements which have had direct hearing upon the welfare and progress of the county. His wife is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and they occupy one of the beautiful homes of Sycamore, situated at No. 821 Somonank street. With the exception of a period of one year spent in Chicago, Mr. Patten throughout his entire business career has remained in his native county and is numbered among its most prominent and progressive citizens. His con- nection with any undertaking insures a prosperous
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outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has won for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his strict and honorable methods, which have won him the de- served and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
EMIL CARLSON.
Emil Carlson, a dealer in wall paper and paints, and also carrying on a contracting business in those lines in De Kalb, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on the 24th of JJanuary. 1864. a son of Ginstaf Carlson. He was reared in his father's home and acquired his education in the common schools. In his early manhood he learned the painter's trade, following that pursuit in Sweden until 1892. when believing that he might have better business opportunities and advantages in the new world he emigrated to the United States.
The fact that it was decided to hold the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 was the inducement which influenced his settling in Illi- nois. He remained in Chicago until after the close of the fair and then went to Galesburg. Ilinois. where he engaged in painting and contracting. For four years he remained in that city, removing thence to De Kalb. His capital was limited and he felt that there were greater opportunities in a city the size of De Kalb than in the larger city of Galesburg. On his arrival in this place he opened his prosent store and in connection with the sale of wall paper and paints he has conducted an ex- tensive business as a painting contractor. con- stantly employing a number of men. He is also a connoisseur in wall paper and has a marked rec- ognition of artistic and decorative possibilities in the judicious nse of wall paper. Many of the beau- tiful homes of the city owe their attractive ap- pearance in no small degree to his artistic skill in this direction, and his knowledge in bringing out the best values and effects in paper according to the arrangement and light and shade of different rooms. From the beginning he has received a lib- oral patronage and his trade is constantly grow- ing. having long since reached very profitable pro- portions.
On the 6th of September. 1899. Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Borine, then a resident of Galesburg, but a native of Sweden. They have two daughters. Greta and Norma.
In politics Mr. Carlson is a stalwart republican. having supported the party since he became a naturalized American citizen. Fraternally he is connected with the De Kalb lodge. No. 215. K. P. fle also belongs to the Balder lodge of Vikings. No. 12. was the first president of the local organ- ization and later was the national vice president. Hle also belongs to the Swedish Benevolent Society and is one of De Kalb's prominent merchants and esteemed citizens. His life illustrates what may be accomplished in a land where effort and oppor- funity are not hampered by caste or class. Here in business circles he has demonstrated his power and ability and as the years have passed by has gained a place among the prosperous and honored merchants of his adopted city.
FREDERICK E. WRIGHT.
Frederick E. Wright, of De Kalb, was born at Pickard. Indiana. December 2. 1842. His father, John Wright, a native of Richland county, In- diana. born in 1832. was a blacksmith by trade and in 1891 he became a resident of Olney. Illi- nois, but is now deceased, as is his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Price and who was born in Clinton county. Indiana, in 1848. In their family were three children.
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