USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 17
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The father of our subject is a farmer by occu- pation and now lives in Moultrie county. The son, Hugh Alvin Bone, began his education in the country schools of Moultrie county, Illinois, and afterward attended Oberlin (Ohio) College. For
four years he was employed as a teacher in the district schools and. having demonstrated his abil- ity, he became principal of the schools at Lake City. Illinois, where he remained for two years. Ile was also principal of the high school at Sul- livan, Illinois, and afterward was chosen superin- tendent of the schools at Sullivan, in which capac- ity he served for three years. Later he was his- tory instructor in the state normal at Normal. Illinois, in the summer of 1904, and was institute instructor in the summers of 1901 to 1905 inclu- sive. In 1901 he received appointment to the position of superintendent of the city schools of Sycamore and has since remained here. Under his guidance the schools have made substantial and commendable advancement. He brings untir- ing zeal and devotion to his work and has the ability of enthusing the teachers under him with much of his own interest and fidelity to the pro- fession.
On the 14th of July, 1893. Professor Bone was united in marriage to Miss Florence Crowder, who was born in Moultrie county, Illinois. October 24, 1815. a daughter of Marshall M. and Asenith (Shockey) Crowder, the former born in Moultrie county, Illinois, March 12, 1850, and the latter in Zanesville, Ohio, September 25, 1850. In their family were three children, of whom Mrs. Bone is the youngest. and the mother is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bone have three children: Horace Orlando, born April 10. 1894; Maurice Oberlin. August 21. 1895: and Lusenith Manrine. Septem- ber 3. 1898.
Professor Bone belongs to Sullivan lodge. No. :61. A. F. & A. M .. and is also affiliated with the Royal Arcanum. Ilis political views are in ac- cord with republican principles and he belongs to the Congregational church. These associations indicate much of the character of the man and the high principles which guide his conduct. Hon- esty and industry have characterized his life. Ile is making constant progress in his profession and is now completing a special course in Chicago University. He paid his own way through col- lege by teaching. using the money thus carned to meet his tuition and the other expenses incident to a college course. lle thus showed forth the ele- mental strength of his character and throughout his life he has broadened his knowledge and pro- moted his efficiency by further study, investigation
H. A. BONE.
THE I PUBLIC LIBRARY
PA ASTON, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
and research. He holds high ideals of the teach- er's work and as superintendent of the Sycamore schools has introduced effective and beneficial changes. He and his wife occupy an enviable position in the social life of Sycamore, being cor- dially received into the best circles of society, where true worth and intelligence are taken as passports.
STEPHEN A. HALL.
Stephen A. Hall is a thrifty and energetic farm- er owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of choice land on section 24, Squaw Grove township, and twenty-seven acres in Big Rock township. His life record began on the 13th of March, 1834, in New York, and he was a youth of eight years when, in 1842, he became a resident of Kane county, Illinois, coming to the west with his parents, Alexis and Emeline (IIunt) Hall. His father, who was born in Vermont, April S, 1800, died on the 15th of January, 1883, at the advanced age of almost eighty-three years. His wife, who was born in the Empire state in 1807, died in 1836. when her son Stephen was but two years old. The father came to Illinois in 1838 taking up government land and settling at Big Rock, in Kane county, where he resided until his death. For many years he was a worthy repre- sentative of farming interests in this part of the state.
Stephen A. Hall was afforded good educational advantages. His youth was passed under the parental roof in Kane county during which time he attended the district schools, while later he benefited by a course of instruction in Lombard University at Galesburg, Illinois. When he had attained his majority he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey and was married on the 28th of March, 1860, at Big Rock, Kane coun- ty. to Miss Elizabeth Whildin. whose birth oc- curred December 18, 1834. She was a daughter of Deacon Jeremiah and Mary ( Reese) Whildin. HIer father was born in Wales. December 25, 1799, and in 1849 became a resident of Illinois, settling at Big Rock. Kane county, where his remaining days were passed. He died October 21, 1889, at a very venerable age, while his wife, who was born
April 5, 1806, was called to her final rest on the 15th of April, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have three children living: Sarah S., who was born August 31, 1865, and is the wife of P. B. Quinn ; Fred J., who was born October 1, 1868; and Leonard S., who was born April 2, 1822. Frank is deceased.
Mr. Hall and his family are members of the Baptist church at Hinckley. He gives his polit- ical allegiance to the republican party and his fel- low townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several offices. He served as supervisor of Squaw Grove township for twelve years consecutively, having been elected in 1882, and has also been school trustee. Following his marriage he continued to live in Kane county un- til 1867 when he removed to the farm upon which he now resides which he has since cultivated until the fields have brought forth rich and abundant harvests. flis land in this locality is worth about one hundred and fifty dollars per acre while the tract which he has on section 20, Big Rock town- ship, Kane county, is valued at about one hundred dollars per acre. In analyzing his life work it will be found that his prosperity is the reward of his persistent energy and capable business man- agement. He has prospered as the years have gone by and is now enabled to enjoy the comforts of life in a fine home in the midst of friends and neighbors who entertain for him warm regard.
WILSON LOVE.
Wilson Love is a retired liveryman of De Kalb, residing at No. 217 South Second street. IIe de- rives his income largely from property interests, having made extensive and judicious investments in real estate, which includes much city property besides a good farm of eighty-one acres in De Kalb township.
Mr. Love was a son of Christopher and Mary (Schofield) Love, who were residents of Bridge- water, Stark county, New York, until they came to De Kalb township in the year 1844. They cast in their lot with its pioneer residents, for at that time the work of development had scarcely been begun. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and there were large areas upon
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
which the sod had not been broken. Many log houses were to be seen in the county but the work of cultivation was being carried forward by the pioneers and Mr. Love bore his share in this task. He continued to engage actively in farming until 1852 and as the years passed added to his capital until he was in possession of a comfortable com- petence. This enabled him to spend his declining days in honorable retirement and. leaving the farm, he removed to De Kalb, where he died Aug- ust 23. 1888, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife passed away about nine years before his death.
Wilson Love, whose name introduces this record, was born in Chautauqua county. New York. March 6, 1830, and was therefore a youth of four- teen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the middle west. He remained with his father in the cultivation of the home farm until 1852, when he established a livery barn in De Kalb, which he operated successfully until 1888, thus continuing in business for thirty-six years, a longer period than any other man in the county. He was accorded a liberal patronage and he justly deserved this by reason of his good business quali- fications and his earnest desire to please his eus- tomers.
On the 8th day of March. 1855, Mr. Love was married to Miss Adell Seward. a native of Wyoming county. New York, and a daughter of Morgan Seward, a mechanic and farmer. who came to De Kalb county in 1854. They have three children : Mary, at home: Nettie, who is the wife of C. P. Dawley of Chicago: and George M .. who operates his father's farm.
Mr. Love has always been a stalwart democrat. thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the party. He has served as road commissioner for two termis, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, desiring that others should fill public positions while he gives un- divided attention to his business interests. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the degrees of master mason and royal arch mason. Few men have more intimate knowledge of the county and its history than Mr. Love, who has resided within its borders for almost two-thirds of a century. He was a personal friend of Shabbona and the social re- lation which existed between them has ever been remembered by him as one of the most pleasant
associations of his youthful days. When one sees today the splendidly developed farms, the thriv- ing towns and the cities with their great manu- facturing and industrial as well as commercial interests, it seems hardly possible that it is within the memory of a single resident of the county when this part of the state was an almost unbroken prairie, and yet Mr. Love can remember the time when there were wide stretches of land upon which was not seen a habitation or evidence of cultivation. He has witnessed marked changes in the methods of life and as the years have passed has kept in touch with general progress and im- provement. His rest, which he is now enjoying. is well deserved. as it has come to him in return for his close application. his careful business man- agement and his judicious investment.
HENRY TWOMBLY.
Among the citizens of foreign birth residing in De Kalb county. mention should be made of Henry Twombly who is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty aeres. This prop- erty is a visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well. A na- tive of Ireland, he was born in 1852 and his par- ents were also natives of the same country. where they spent their entire lives. The son was a youth of sixteen years when in 1873 he came to the United States, locating in Chicago. He was there employed at common labor for one year. after which he came to De Kalb county and was em- ployed on a farm by the month until his marriage.
On the 21st of April, 1885. Mr. Twombly wedded Miss Hannah Carl, who was born in Syea- more, Illinois, August 14, 1865. Her parents were likewise natives of Ireland and in 1846 came to the United States, settling on a farm in De Kalb county. where the father carried on general agri- cultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended by death in 1883. His wife survived him for more than two decades and died December 31. 1906. They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Twombly have been born nine children: John, born May 3. 1886; Joseph, born July 27, 1888;
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Henry, born July 31, 1890: William, born March 9, 1892 ; Archie, born August 20, 1896: Sanford, born February 18, 1899 ; Leonard, born March 20, 1901 : Irene, born December 20, 1903; and Mary, born September 21, 1905. It is a remarkable fact that the family circle remains unbroken by the hand of death.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Twombly be- gan their domestic life on a rented farm, continu- ing to cultivate rented land until 1899 when, with the capital acquired through his labors, Mr. Twom- bly purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 9, De Kalb township. The following year he re- moved his family to this place and since that time has built an excellent barn and other substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He uses the latest improved machinery in the cul- tivation of his fields and is continually adding to his place all modern equipments and accessories. He had no educational advantages in his youth and has won success in spite of the difficulties and ob- stacles which beset his path.
Politically Mr. Twombly is a democrat, having voted with the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He and his wife are communi- cants of the Catholic church of De Kalb. They have gained many friends in the county, being well known here, Mr. Twombly having resided within the borders of the county for a third of a century. His life demonstrates what it is possible to accomplish through determined and earnest purpose in a country where effort and labor are not hindered by caste or class.
HENRY W. PRENTICE.
Henry W. Prentice, who is a representative of that profession which stands as the conservator of human rights and liberties, furthering the ends of justice and maintaining public stability, was born in Marion township, Ogle county, Illinois, August 16, 1822. His parents were Reuben T. and Lavina ( Eyster) Prentice, of whose family of three chil- dren only two are now living, the brother of our subject. being Charles G. Prentice, a resident of Oregon, Illinois. The father was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1839, and in his boyhood days aecom- panied his parents on their removal to Polk coun-
ty, Wisconsin, where he was reared to his twenty- first year. In 1860 he came to Illinois, settling in Ogle county, and at the outbreak of the Civil war he went to Rockford, this state. When the Eighth Illinois Cavalry was recruited, he enlisted in that command, serving with the regiment until the close of hostilities. His company was one of the cavalry squads that chased John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Lincoln and was hot on his trail when they were falsely steered from their course shortly before his capture, else they would have had the honor of taking the criminal. After the elose of the war Reuben T. Prentice located in Rockford, Illinois, and was soon married there to the daughter of John Eyster, one of the first white settlers of Ogle county, coming to this state from Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. About 1870 Mr. Prentice removed with his family to a farm owned by his father-in-law, in Ogle county, and there he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1883. when he took up his abode in the city of Oregon. Illinois, where he died in September, 1891. Ile was a member of the Grand Army post there and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His widow still survives and is yet a resident of Oregon.
Henry W. Prentice spent his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and the public schools af- forded him his educational privileges. He was graduated from the Oregon high school in 1890, and for two years thereafter was variously em- ployed. In 1892 he came to De Kalb and went to work in the private office of I. L. and W. L. Ell- wood, with whom he continued until June, 1895. It became customary for Mr. Prentice to spend many of his evenings in a law office, assisting in copying on the typewriter. This awakened his in- terest in law and he began reading law more as a pastime, and to some extent to fit himself to a greater degree for the work of court stenographer. In June, 1895, he was appointed to this office by Hon. Charles Kellum, then judge of the eleventh judicial district, and in 1897 when Judge Bishop was elected to the bench of the new sixteenth dis- triet Mr. Prentice was re-appointed by him and served until July, 1903. In the meantime he had continued his law studies, and in December, 1896, was admitted to the bar. After severing his con- nection with the office of court stenographer he entered upon the active practice of law in De Kalb,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
where he has built up a large clientage as a general law practitioner. In 1899 he was elected city attorney of De Kalb and served for six years, prov- ing a most capable official, untiring in his devotion to the interests of the city and performing his duties without fear or favor.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Prentice and Miss Bessie MI. Burst. a daughter of John W. Burst. of Sycamore. and they now have one son, Henry W .. Jr. Mr. Prentice belongs to De Kalb lodge. No. 144, A. F. & A. M .. of which he was master for two years. He is also a member of De Kalbchapter, No. 52. R. A. M. : De Kalb lodge. No. 215. K. P .; De Kalb Aerie, No. 1316, F. O. E. : Barb City camp, M. W. A .; and Columbus tent. No 57, of the Knights of the Maccabees. Ile is one who through earnest purpose and unfaltering application has worked his way upward and the large law practice which is accorded him is the best criterion of his ability and the confidence re- posed in him by his fellow citizens.
HON. GEORGE STEWART ROBINSON.
Hon. George Stewart Robinson, for fifteen years a member and for nine years president of the board of commissioners of public charities, was also one of the most distinguished members who has ever graced the bar of De Kalb county. He gave to the duties which devolved upon him his earnest con- sideration and brought to bear in their discharge marked ability, supplemented by a high standard of conduct. He was born at Derby. Vermont. June 24, 1824, and was the second in a family of three sons, whose parents were George and Harriet (Stewart) Robinson. His father was a native of Connecticut and a son of Eber Robinson. a captain of the Revolutionary war. His mother was a na- tive of Vermont and a daughter of Rufus Stew. art. a major of the war of 1812. George Robinson also served his country faithfully in the war of 1812. He was a farmer by occupation, thus pro- viding for his family throughout his entire life. He died about 1820 when seventy-five years of age.
George Stewart Robinson acquired his primary education in the common schools and later at- tended the Derby Academy. He also early became familiar with farm labor in all of its departments
and remained upon the old homestead farm until twenty years of age with the exception of several winter months, when he taught school. He re- garded this, however, as an initial step to other professional labor. Becoming imbued with the desire to engage in the practice of law, he began studying in the office and under the direction of Hon. S. B. Colby. of Derby. Vermont. He re- mained in that office for two years and finished his legal course with Ilon. Lucius B. Peck, of Mont- pelier. Vermont, a most prominent attorney of the Green Mountain state.
Mr. Robinson was admitted to the Vermont bar November 18, 1846. His health, however. was impaired by reason of his close attention to his studies and hoping to be benefited thereby he went south in 184; and again took up the teacher's profession. In 1853 he returned to Vermont and in his native town was married, October 13. 1853, to Miss Olive 1. Colby, a native of Derby and a daughter of Nehemiah Colby, who was born in New Hampshire, as was his father. Samuel Colby. Nehemiah Colby was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits and also followed farming for a time. For fifteen years he was postmaster of Derby and one of its best known men. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist and a firm be- liever in Christianity. He died in 1862, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Malinda Larrabee, was born in 1790 and was a daughter of John Larrabee. She died in 1842, at the age of fifty-two years. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Robinson was the twelfth in order of birth. and now the only living member of the family.
Immediately after their marriage Mr. Robinson and his wife went to Cuthbert, Georgia, where he entered upon the practice of law, residing there during the trying times of the Civil war. For a few months during the struggle and much against his will he was compelled to serve in the Georgia State Militia. Being a well known Union man he was forced to suffer many hardships and his prae- tice was completely destroyed. Having a cousin re- siding in Sycamore, Illinois, through his invitation Mr. Robinson came to De Kalh county in 1866 and soon afterward became associated with Hon. Charles Kellum. a partnership which continued for four years. He was then alone in practice until 1812. when he was elected county judge. fill-
Gut. Robinson
PUBLIC LIDDE 3
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION3. 1
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
ing the position until 1882, when he resigned in order to attend to private business interests in Vermont. On the bench his decisions were fair and impartial, characterized by profound and ac- curate understanding of the law and correct ap- plication of its principles to the points in titiga- tion. When in general practice his devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial and he prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care. In 1813 he was appointed master in chancery, filling that position until he was chosen county judge. Soon after his election he resigned the former office.
Mr. Robinson's public service covers an impor- tant epoch in his life history. His fellow citizens. recognizing his worth and ability, frequently sought his services in some official position or an- other. When Sycamore was organized as a city Mr. Robinson was elected alderman and served for two terms. He was also city attorney and drafted the ordinances under which the city was governed for years and many of which are still in force. In 1869 he was appointed on the board of state com- missioners of publie charities by Governor John M. Palmer, was re-appointed by Governor John Y. Beveridge in 1824 and by Governor Shelby M. Cullom in 1879. He remained an active member of the board until March, 1884, when he resigned, being unable to attend to the duties of the position by reason of his frequent and extended absence from the state on business demanding his entire attention. For nearly fifteen years, however, he remained a member of the board and was its presi- dent for nine years, devoting from two to three months of his time each year to its work without compensation.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson became the parents of two daughters and a son. The eldest, Harriet Ma- linda, who was born in Georgia, became the wife of C. L. Buchan, of Chicago, and died at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving one son, George Buchan Robinson, who was adopted by his ma- ternal grandfather and now bears his name. He was born October 12. 1884, and still lives with his grandmother. He was graduated from the University of Chicago when twenty-one years of age and is now in Evers & Company's Bank in Chicago. His father resides in Chicago, where he has been a clerk in the postoffice for a quarter of a century. Lucius P., the only son in the Robinson family, died in infancy. Nellie Colby married
James B. Ellwood. of Sycamore. and had one child, Muriel Olive, who died in infancy, while the mother passed away in 1892, at the age of thirty years.
In his fraternal relations Judge Robinson was a Mason, holding membership with the lodge, chap- ter and commandery. He served as master in the lodge, as high priest in the chapter and prelate in the commandery. The cause of education found in him a stanch champion and he did much to pro- mote the interests of the schools in Sycamore, serv- ing as president of the school board at the time of his death. He was a man of strong native intelli- gence and force of character, looking at life from a practical standpoint and yet working toward the ideal in all those things which relate to good citi- zenship, to professional honor and personal ac- complishments. He was regarded as a prominent and able member of the bar and no man ever filled the position of judge of the county and probate courts in a more satisfactory manner. Kindly in spirit and generous in disposition. his intellectual and moral force of character were such as en- doared him to all with whom he came in contact and his death, which occurred October 30, 1894, was deeply and sincerely deplored. Mrs. Robinson still survives her husband and resides in a beauti- ful home at No. 43t Somonauk street in Syca- more.
ELIAS C. WEST.
Elias C. West, a representative of a pioneer family of De Kalb county, within whose borders he has made his home from the age of four years, is now living retired in Sycamore but for a long period was closely associated with the agricul- tural development of the county. Ile was born November 25, 1839, in Evans, Erie county, New York. His paternal grandfather, Asa West, was born in Williamstown, Berkshire county. Massa- chusetts, in 1769, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Sarah Parker, whose birth oc- curred in Deerfield, Franklin county, Massachu- setts. April 25, 1773. In 1808 Asa West removed with his family to Madison county, New York, casting in his lot among its pioneer settlers. He purchased a traet of timber land, upon which he
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