USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 16
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Frederick E. Wright, the eldest, was educated in the public schools of his native town and after putting aside his text-books he lived with Dr. Holmes, for whom he worked for five years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Plano, Illinois, and for two years was employed in the harvester works there. On the expiration of that period he came to De Kalb and was em- ployed in a hat factory for three months. Later he worked in a tile factory for four months and for six months was with the American Steel & Wire Company. In 1896 he entered the hard- ware store of C. F. Smith, where he has since re- mained. He is thoroughly conversant with the business in every department and the success of the institution is attributable in so small degree
EMIL CARLSON.
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to his labors. Ile is most faithful to the interests of the house, which is doing a business that keeps Mr. Wright constantly employed.
On the 17th of May, 1893, in Plano, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Cooper, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of F. M. Cooper, who was born in Indiana and on coming to Illinois settled at Plano. There were three children in the family, of whom Mrs. Wright was the eldest. By her marriage she has become the mother of a son and daughter; Charles Marion, born October 1, 1896; and Mildred C., born De- cember 15, 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright hold membership in the Church of the Latter Day Sainis, of which her father is a minister. In politics Mr. Wright is a republican and keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He started out in life without fi- nancial aid and has carefully saved his earnings until he is now the owner of a good house and lot in Plano, Illinois. Through his honesty and in- dustry he has gained the confidence and esteem of his employer and the public at large, and he has many friends in De Kalb.
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CHARLES NICHOLS.
Ilard and unremitting labor fell to the lot of Charles Nichols in his boyhood, youth and early manhood. Today he is one of the substantial farmers of Kingston township, living on section 35, where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land and also raises high grade stock. He dates his residence in Illinois since Angust 13. 1853, which was the year of his arrival in America. He came alone to the new world when but sixteen years of age, although at a later date his parents arrived, crossing the Atlantic in 1860 and settling in Minnesota.
Charles Nichols was born in Smollen, Sweden, on the 10th of May, 1837. His father, Nichols Swanson, was a farmer of Sweden and there mar- ried Lena Jansen. They were the parents of five children, of whom Charles was the second. He was reared upon the home farm in Sweden and attended the common schools to the age of sixteen years, when he sailed from Liverpool, being seven
and a half weeks on the ocean. The vessel en- countered very severe weather but at length reached the harbor of New York in safety. Mr. Nichols made his way direct to St. Charles, Illi- nois, where he began working at four dollars per month. After four months there passed he came to De Kalb county and was employed in railroad grading on the Northwestern line. When three months had gone by he went to the Michigan pineries, where he remained for a year, and on the expiration of that period made his way to St. Charles, Missouri, where he worked out by the month for two years. He then returned to Michi- gan, spending the succeeding winter in the lumber woods, after which he went to New Orleans by way of the Mississippi river. After a few months in the Crescent city he made his way to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1860 and was overseer of a plantation in that locality until the 21st of May, 1861. Al- though in the south at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he believed in the justice of the Union cause and came north to Illinois, again making his way to De Kalb county, where in June, 1861. he joined the army as a member of Company K. Forty-second Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He joined his regiment at Chicago, went to St. Louis and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamanga, Nashville, and was altogether in twenty-four important engagements. lle was twice wounded and at Stone River was taken prisoner but was later exchanged. He served for four and a half years and was honor- ably discharged in Texas, being mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in February, 1866. For three years he held the rank of corporal. No native born son of America was ever more loyal to the old flag or more faithful in the performance of military dnty than Charles Nichols.
When the war was over Mr. Nichols went to the west, spending about four years in Nebraska, Colorado, California, Idaho and Washington. He afterward returned to De Kalb county and for sixteen months was employed at farm labor by the month. He was then married on the 28th of August, 1872, to Miss Dilana Douglas, a native of De Kalb county and a daughter of Ira Douglas, who was born in New York and was a pioneer of Mayfield township. He came to Illinois in 1835 and cast in his lot with the pioneer residenis of De Kalb county.
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Following his marriage Mr. Nichols continued to work by the month as a farm hand for a year, after which he engaged in the cultivation of rented land for ten years. Ile then purchased eighty acres of the place which he had been renting and since 1882 has been one of the landowners of the county. Later he bought eighty acres more and upon the place he erected a fine two-story frame residence and good outbuildings. He has also tiled and fenced the land and made a good farm. In 1887 he erected his present attractive residence. which is two and a half stories in height and is one of the fine country homes of Kingston township. In 1900 he built a barn, sixty by ninety feet, with twenty-four foot posts, at a cost of three thousand dollars. He has good eribs upon the place and also has a good house for a tenant. He raises Durham cattle and makes butter and he also raises Poland China hogs, feeding all of his grain. He likewise keeps full blooded Plymouth Rock poul- try and raises Norman Percheron horses. In fact his is a well stocked and well equipped farm and Mr. Nichols is regarded as one of the enterprising agriculturists of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have been born five children : Lenore F .. at home: Lottie E., the wife of Henry Kuter, a Farmer of Wisconsin. by whom she has two children. Stella and Milo: Ira D., who married Jennie Maltby and assists in carrying on the home farm ; Roy C., who follows farming in Wisconsin : and Carrie E., who is yet under the parental roof. In politics Mr. Nichols is an earnest republican, casting his first presiden- tial vote for Abraham Lincoln and supporting the standard bearer of the party at each presidential election since that time. lle has never sought or desired office for himself but has served as school director for many years and believes in providing good educational privileges. Ho belongs to the Grand Army post of Kingston and attends the Wesleyan church. Few men of his age have trav- eled so extensively as he and his life story, when given in detail, reads like a romance. Coming to the new world when a youth of sixteen, un- acquainted with the enstoms and languages of the people, he resolutely set to work to provide an honest living. In the south at the beginning of the war he espoused the Union cause and proved a loyal defender of the old flag. In business he has been found reliable and energetic and as the years
have passed has steadily advanced on the highroad to prosperity. It has been said of him, "lle is well and favorably known and everybody is his friend."
HENRY A. WARD.
Henry A. Ward. now living at Hampshire, Kane county, Illinois, was born in Old Fort Dearborn, at Chicago, March 28, 1835. His father, Bernard Ward, was a native of Boston, Massachusetts. and in 1832 went to Fort Dearborn. serving as officer in United States service at the garrison there for five years. lle afterward purchased land and at one time he and a partner owned nearly half of the land comprised within the city limits on the north side of the river. He speculated quite ex- tensively in property and made considerable money in that way. While going to Galena with a bunch of horses he became ill and died, being at that time about forty years of age. He was prominent in the early history of Chicago, serving as alderman of the first village board and aiding in molding the public policy of the embryo city. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Ruth Marshall, was a native of Boston and died when her son, HI. C. Ward was only eight years old. In the family were seven children but all have passed away with the exception of two. the living sister being Mrs. Sarah M. Adams, who resides at No. 877 Monroe street, Chicago.
When eight years of age II. C. Ward went to work in a brickyard at four dollars per month and was thus employed for three years. When a youth of eleven he engaged in driving a team on the Illinois & Michigan canal and spent three years in that way. Subsequently he was employed for three years in a livery stable at Beardstown, Illinois. at fifteen dollars per month, and in 1852, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, he made a trip across the plains with ox teams to Portland. Oregon, being eight months in accomplishing the long and arduous journey over the stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes. For six years he remained in the mines of California and in 1858 returned to Chicago by way of the isthmus of Panama and thence up the Atlantic coast to New York city, whence he
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crossed the continent to his destination. He met with a fair degree of prosperity in the far west, returning from California with about four thou- sand dollars. His generous nature, however, caused him to loan it without security and he lost all he had.
Mr. Ward enlisted in 1862 in response to the country's call for aid in crushing out the rebellion in the south and was assigned to duty with Com- pany A of the Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he was connected for three years. Ile participated in some very heavy en- gagements and at Vicksburg did provost duty. Mr. Ward was made first lientenant of Company A and was mustered out with that rank at Vicksburg in 1865. He then returned to Chicago, where he was engaged in the restaurant and fruit business, but the disastrous fire on October 9, 1871, again caused him to lose everything he had, save his courage. For the second time he was left almost penniless but with determined purpose and unfaltering energy he set to work to retrieve his lost possessions. In 1883 he came to Sycamore and purchased the Winn Hotel property. At various times he has per- sonally conducted the hotel and at other times has leased it. He has made the hotel one of the best west of Chicago in a town of this size. It is heated with steam, lighted with electricity and supplied with many other modern conveniences. and it is a favorite resort with the traveling public.
On the 4th of June, 1861, Mr. Ward was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Root, who was born in Buf- falo, New York, a daughter of Charles and Miranda (Lusk) Root, who were natives of the Empire state and came to Illinois in 1846, set- tling in Chicago, where Mr. Root worked at the carpenter's trade. In his family were seven chil- dren, of whom three are living, the sisters of Mrs. Ward being Mrs. Betty. of Sycamore, and Mrs. Hancock, of Chicago. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four sons but Charles S. died at the age of three months and twenty-one days, and James H. at the age of two years. Sylvester when last heard from was steward on the steamer Umberland, sailing between New York city and Liverpool. William B. married Miss Mary West- gate, of Ophir township, La Salle county, Illinois, a daughter of D. W. Westgate, a pioneer of that county. Mr. and Mrs. William Ward live on the Westgate farm in La Salle county.
A brother-in-law of Mr. Ward was Robert Dunn, who in the early days of Chicago conducted a brickyard on the north branch of the river and later on the south branch. Mr. Ward hauled brick for him with an ox team and in that manner con- veyed to its destination brick for the erection of the original Sherman House. The log house which his father built was the thirtieth structure on the north side of Chicago. Mr. Ward can re- member sitting in his father's old log cabin and looking over the prairie when there was not a house to be seen on that section of the city which is now the west side of Chicago. He is probably the ouly man living today who was born in Fort Dear- born, and for years he has been an interested wit- ness of the marvelous growth of the city by the lake, which, as the years have gone by, has spread out over the broad prairie once considered worth- less swamp land, becoming a ruling factor in the history of the world. In politics Mr. Ward is a republican and in religious faith his wife is a Universalist. He started out in life on his own account when only eight years of age and has since been dependent upon his own resources and al- though he has now passed the seventy-second mile- stone on life's journey he is yet active in business.
J. W. TUDOR.
J. W. Tudor has for the past three years been engaged in operating a thresher, corn sheller and shredder, and in this connection has become widely known not only in his home locality but in many seetions of De Kalb county, to which his services have called him. His birth occurred December 8, 1843. near De Kalb. in De Kalb county, a son of Ed and Elma ( Hubbard) Tudor. The father was born near London, England. whence. in the early '50s he emigrated to the United States, for he believed that in the new world he would find better business opportunities than he could en- joy in his native land. The trip across the At- lantie was a long and tedious one. Mr. Tudor embarked on a sailing vessel at Liverpool, and when he had almost reached the shores of New York, a severe storm was encountered. the ship drifting back almost to their native shores. so that when he finally landed on American soil a period
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of three months had been consumed. He made his way at once to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits to the present time. His wife was born in this county. J. W. Tudor pursued his education in the dis- trict schools near his father's home, while upon the home place he was early trained to the duties of the fields, thus gaining the knowledge which enabled him to carry on a similar occupation when he started out in life upon his own responsibility. He was tinis engaged until three years ago. when he abandoned agricultural pursuits and began the operation of a thresher, corn sheller and shredder. and he has now built up a good patronage in this connection and is numbered among the substan- tial citizens of De Kalb county.
Mr. Tudor was married on the 24th of Febru- ary, 1892, to Miss Mary Allen. of Sycamore. He gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party, and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he is not active as an office seeker. the only public office he has ever filled being that of school di- rector, in which capacity he served for one term. IIe is a man of excellent business ability and fair dealing and has thereby won a very gratifying measure of prosperity. The hospitality of his pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by the many friends of himself and wife.
FRANKLIN HALL.
Franklin Hall is a retired farmer living in Syc- amore. For many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests and was careful in the management of his business affairs. As the years passed he prospered. and having acquired a handsome competence he put aside further business cares to enjoy the rest which he has richly merited. A native son of De Kalb county. Mr. Ilall was born in Sycamore township, June 10. 1844. his parents being Ephraim and Carolina ( Hall ) Hall. The parents were distant relatives.
Franklin Hall was reared to farm life. no event of special importanee occurring to vary the routine of life for him in his boyhood days. He was edu- cated in the common schools and when twenty- seven years of age he was married and for several
years thereafter conducted his father's farm. He then bought the old homestead, which he still owns, and was engaged in general farming until he retired to Sycamore a few years ago. As time passed he made extensive investments in real estate and became the owner of fifteen hundred acres of land in De Kalb county. He has indeed been more successful than most men, and this is due to his close application, his careful management and his judicious investments. On leaving the farm he purchased a fine brick residence at the corner of State street and California avenue and is now liv- ing retired in Sycamore. In addition to his farm- ing property, he is a director in the Maple Park Bank and a stockholder in the Bank of Sycamore.
In 1822 Mr. HIall was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Dennison, who was born in Canada. near Mon- treal, November ?1, 1844. and is the daughter of William Dennison, who settled in Will county. Illi- nois. in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Hall now have four sons and one daughter: William D., who is liv- ing at home : Ephraim, who is married and resides on his father's old homestead: Henry, who died in infaney ; Almon F .. at home: Jessie, the wife of Marshall Lee. a resident farmer of Mayfield town- ship.
Mr. Hall has spent his entire life in De Kalb county, covering a period of sixty-three years. He has therefore seen much of its growth and progress. A witness of the days when there were many evidences of pioneer life to be found in this part of the state, and when the land was really uncul- tured and uncultivated, for the farmer had not yet placed a plow in the furrows nor planted the crops which transformed the land into productive fields, he has lived to see the county advance along every line of development and as the years have gone by he has become a prosperons man. He has manifested excellent judgment in all business transactions, and while he has retired from the active work of the farm he is still a busy man in the supervision of his farming and stock-raising interests. His life has indeed been one of activity and enterprise. in which has been accorded a due measure of prosperity. That he has been straight- forward in all that he has undertaken is shown in the words of one who has known him long and well and who said. "His word is as good as a gov- ernment bond." In manner he is rather quiet and
Franklin Hall
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retiring and yet there is no one who more thor- oughly commands the respect and confidence of the publie than does Franklin Hall.
F. W. STARK.
The agricultural interests of De Kalb county find a worthy representative in F. W. Stark, who owns and operates a valuable and well improved farm of two hundred and thirty acres situated in Mayfield township. Ilis parents, David W. and Amanda (Judd) Stark came to Illinois from Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively, in the early '50s. They settled on the farm on which our subjeet now resides.
F. W. Stark is the third in order of birth of a family of five children, his birth having occurred on the farm which is now his home, his natal day being October 18, 1865. He pursued his studies in the schools at Kingston during the winter montlis, while in the summer seasons he was trained to the duties of the farm, giving his father the benefit of his services through the period of his boyhood and youth, and when he had put aside his text-books he began farming on his own ac- count on the old home place. He has always fol- lowed the most practical and progressive ideas of farm work, using the latest improved machinery in the cultivation and care of his erops, while on the place are found good buildings, which are kept in the best possible condition, so that his place with all its equipments and accessories presents a neat and attractive appearance. He has worked earnestly and persistently as the years have passed but feels amply repaid by the success he has achieved, for he is now in possession of one of the most valuable tracts of land in Mayfield town- ship, and, in fact, in De Kalb county.
Mr. Stark chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Nellie Ells, to whom he was wedded on the 26th of March, 1891, and after a happy married life of little more than eleven years, Mrs. Stark was called to her final rest September 15, 1902, and thus the community lost one of its mosi highly esteemed and respected women, and her family a kind and devoted wife and mother. To this union five children were born but the youngest, Nellie, is now deceased. Those living
are: Lois E., who was born March 21, 1893, and is now acting as her father's housekeeper; Morris W., born May 5, 1894: Arthur G., born March 5, 1896; and Fred W .. born June 12, 1892.
Mr. Stark's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart sup- port to the republican party and for nine years he has served as school director, filling the office at the present time. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to lodge No. 402, at Kings- ion, and is now serving as junior warden. He is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen and Knights of the Globe of that city, while he gives his support to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Stark is everywhere known as an honest and upright man and thereby commands the confidence and good will of all with whom he is brought in contact.
WILLIAM SWINBANK. :
William Swinbank is condueting a successful business as a florist at Sycamore. lle was born in Westmorelandshire, England, January 24, 1865, and is the son of John and Frances ( Riley) Swin- bank, who are also natives of England. In the year 1875 the family emigrated to the United States and located on a farm in Kane county, Illinois.
William Swinbank was the only one left at home to look after the farm when he was eighteen years of age. His father had died and he con- ducted the farm for his mother, making his home thereon until twenty-seven years of age, when his mother died and the property was sold. He then came to Sycamore to care for his unele, William Swinbank. Six years ago he purchased from El- mer Boynton, the greenhouse which he has since owned. He has two and a half acres of ground and about twenty thousand square feet under glass. His is the only plant of its kind in De Kalb coun- ty. A stranger to the business when he began operations in this line, he has made it a success by dint of hard work and study. He is making a spe- cialty of raising carnations and roses and has a large home market. He also supplies the flowers used in the dining cars of the Chicago & Great Western Railroad. His business has grown to large
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proportions and his diligent, careful management and energy. reveal the secret of his snecess.
In August of 1904, Mr. Swinbank was married to Miss Julia Rose. daughter of Delos and Elea- nor Rose, the former now deceased but the latter still living. Mrs. Swinbank is a native of Syca- more. Both our subject and his wife hold member- ship in the Congregational church and are highly esteemed by many friends. He gives his political support to the republican party but has never sought nor desired otlice. He has erected in Syca- more a fine residence of cement with wooden framework, the first of its kind in the city, and his home and greenhouses are visible evidences of his life of thrift and energy resulting in success.
HUGH ALVIN BONE
Hugh Alvin Bone, superintendent of schools in Sycamore, has already made for himself an on- viable place in educational circles here and his talents and energies give promise of greater ad- vancement in the future. A native son of Illinois, he was born in Moultrie county, June 4, 1873. His father, John Emerson Bone, was likewise a native of that county. born March 30, 1850, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Louisa Butts, was born in Moultrie county, February 6. 1851. Both the father and mother had two brothers who served as soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war. These were Andrew and George Hugh Bone and James A. and William A. Butts. Andrew Bone enlisted with Ulysses S. Grant, be- coming a member of the Twenty-first Illinois Regiment, and died in Andersonville prison in 1861. George Il. Bone was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry and also died in the service. James A. Butts became a member of the Twenty-first Illinois Regiment with William T. Sherman and acted as a drummer. llis brother was a member of the One Ihundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry. to which George H. Bone belonged.
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