USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 20
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ASTER, LENOX - BILD' FC 'JN8.
you F. Elliott.
---
HOME OF WILLIAM F. ELLIOTT.
AST R. IF :X TILWEN ER IAL T'ON8.
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discharged on the 11th of October, 1864, having served his country faithfully and well.
He is an advocate of the republican party and its platform and served for two years as school director and for two terms as pathmaster. He supports the Congregational church and is a mem- ber of Merritt Simonds post, No. 283, G. A. R .. of De Kalb. He has taken great interest in the work of the post and has attended the national encampments at St. Louis, Washington twice. Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Boston, Butfalo. Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Ile enjoys the warm regard of his comrades of the local camp and is classed with the worthy representative residents of the county. Here he has long resided. having for a half century lived in this part of the state so that he is familiar with the facts which find record on the pages of its history.
AUSTIN V. PIERCE. 1
Among the most beautiful and highly improved properties in Kingston township is the Oak Glen farm, owned by A. V. Pierce and comprising two hundred acres of valuable land on sections 12 and 13 and about two miles northwest of the city of Genoa. Mr. Pierce is a native son of Illinois, hav- ing been born in Du Page county, JJanuary 12, 1849. His father, James T. Pierce, was a native of Broome county, New York, and the grandfather, Martin Pierce, was also born in the Empire state, whence he came to Illinois in 1835 and home- steaded a claim in Du Page county when that sec- tion of the country was almost an unbroken wil- derness. Ile brought his family and established his home on the frontier and there James T. Pierce was reared to farm life, a pursuit which he con- tinned to follow after attaining his majority. He was married in Du Page county to Miss Sarah L. Blank, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Jonas Blank, who was likewise a pioneer of Du Page county. After his marriage James Pierce established a home of his own, purchasing one hun- dred and sixty acres of land and from that time until his death he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, all of whom reached years of maturity.
The father remained a resident of Du Page county and as the years passed increased his estate to four hundred and twenty acres. He died there in 1896 at the age of seventy-four years and is still sur- vived by his widow, who is now living with a son in Elgin, Illinois, in her eighty-third year.
Austin V. Pierce was the eldest and was reared upon the home farm. acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools and afterward spending four terms as a student in the business department of Wheaton College. His education completed, he remained with his father to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated March 21. 1879. Miss Della Coon becoming his wife. Mrs. Pierce is a native of Steuben county, New York. and a daughter of William Coon, who was one of the early residents of Steuben county and a sol- dier of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were married at her old home in the Empire state, after which he brought his bride to Du Page county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for six years. Ile then removed to De Kalb county and in 1884 purchased his present farm of two hun- dred acres on sections 12 and 13, Kingston town- ship. The following spring he brought his family to his new home and at once began to further de- velop and improve the property, which he has transformed into one of the fine farms of Kingston township. In 1893 he built a fine barn with rock basement. thirty-six by eighty feet, and twenty- four foot posts, and in 1895 he erected one of the best and most modern equipped homes of the township-a two-story structure which was built at a cost of three thousand dollars. He has also put up numerous other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, including corn eribs and a milk house. He pays much attention to dairying and keeps from twenty-five to thirty-five milk cows, all graded Durhams. He also has a reg- istered bull. Hle likewise raises Norman Percheron horses and has an interest in an imported stallion. He also raises Poland China hogs and feeds all of his grain. He is a stockholder in the De Kalb Telephone Company and is widely recognized as an enterprising business man of keen discern- ment, who has carefully managed his business af- fairs so as to win a gratifying measure of honor- able success.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of two sons and two daughters and they also lost one son
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in infancy, while their fourth child. Charles V .. was killed in 1904 at the age of eighteen years by the collapse of a barn in a windstorm. Clayton Arthur married Stella Pratt, by whom he has one child, Elsie, and lives in Elgin, where he is en- gaged in railroad work. J. Garfield. who was born on the day that President Garfield was in- augurated, live> at home and aids in carrying on the farm work. Etha is at home : and Mabel is at- tending school, a member of the graduating class of the Genoa high school of 1908.
Mr. Pierce is a republican in politics, who has served for twenty years as school trustee and as highway commissioner for six years. He has. however, never been a politician in the sense of office seeking and it was only from a sense of duty that he acted in those capacities. He belongs to Genoa lodge. No. 288. A. F. & A. M. and he and his daughter Etha are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. in which she has held otlice. Mr. Pierce is a valued member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Genoa, in which he has passed through all the chairs and is likewise connected with the Re- bekah degree. He has twice been sent as a dele- gate to the grand lodge and is now one of the ofli- vers of the local organization. He has been vener- able consul of the Modern Woodmen camp at Genoa and he has held all the offices in the Knights of the Globe. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Genoa and he has served on the official board. lle is a man of genuine personal worth, his salient character- istics being such as uniformly command respect and regard. while in business life he has made an unassailable reputation as one who is always up- right as well as energetic and progressive.
E. M. DELAN.A.
E. M. Delana is a member of the firm of Wood & Delana, in which connection he has charge of the company's creamery interests, being at the head of the main office. which is in Cortland. The firm owns and operates three creameries in De Kalb county. the business for all. however. being trans- acted in the Cortland office. Through the trans- actions of this firm much money is annually dis- tributed among the farmers of the surrounding
country and the enterprise is therefore a source of benefit to the district as well as of profit to the individual owners. The senior partner is living in Elgin.
Mr. Delana. however, has been a resident of Cortland since the 11th of August, 1881. He was born in St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois, July 28. 1850, and after acquiring his education in the public schools he entered a cheese factory at Wayne. Du Page county, when sixteen years of are. There he learned the business under the di- rection of Jackson Wood. the father of his present partner. D. E. Wood. with whom he has been as- sociated since the 1st of April, 1829. For about eight years Mr. Delana worked as a journeyman butter and cheese maker and on the expiration of that period embarked in business on his own ac- count. The partnership has been maintained with mutual pleasure and profit. the interests of the firm being so conducted that success has followed. Mr. Delana had worked with and for Mr. Wood for five year- and they had become well acquainted. thoroughly understanding each other. There has rever ben any friction between them but on the contrary a most pleasant business and personal .ciation. and the firm is now successfully operating in their line. having three large and well estab- lished ercameries in which a good business is con- ducted.
Mr. Delana was married on the 28th of June. 1887. to Miss Ella Keenan, who was born Apri! 13. 1×63. in Pierce township. De Kalb county, and belonged to one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. Prior to her marriage she was a successful teacher in the public schools and is a lady of culture and refinement. enjoying in large measure the friendly regard of those with whom she has come in contact. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Delana have been born the following named :Ed- ward K .. whose birth occurred April 23. 1891 : :rd George W .. born April 9. 1893.
Although Mr. Delana had but limited educa- tional advantages in youth he has gained a good practical business knowledge through experienee. observation and contact with the world and real- izing the value of education. he plans to give his sons good opportunities in that direction. He remembers in the early days the conditions which existed as evidences of pioneer life and relates many interesting reminiscenees of those times with
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their varied experiences, privations, hardships and pleasures. He tells of having to hokl lighted shav- ings for his brothers to see to eat their evening meal, for the tallow was out and they had no pine knots. At times they would awaken in the morn- . in the French and Indian war. ing and shake the snow off the bed covers, where it had drifted through the chinks. All such con- ditions have long since been obliterated, however, and today Mr. Delana is conducting an extensive and profitable business, paying out on an average of fifty thousand dollars per year to the farmers of whom he purchases supplies. In his home place he has two and a half acres of land and a beautiful suburban residence which stands in the midst of fine old shade trees. The house has been thor- oughly improved according to modern ideas, has been supplied with modern plumbing and all con- venienees, and he keeps a driving horse for his own pleasure. The family are members of the Catholic church in De Kalb and are well known socially in Cortland.
Mr. Delana votes with the democracy and for sixteen years has served as clerk of the Cortland school board. He is also one of the village trustees and is much interested in the community and its welfare. He does not aspire to office, however, but prefers to give his attention to his business inter- ests and the enjoyment of the home. He is a self- made man, whose prosperity is attributable entirely io his close application and unfaltering persever- ance, and in addition to his creamery interesis he owns farm property in the county.
CARL L. CHIENEY, M. D.
Dr. Carl L. Cheney, who in the practice of medi- cine at De Kalb has won that measure of success which is indicative of ability and the faithful performance of duty, was born in Mount Morris. Illinois, on the 15th of November, 1814, his par- ents being George S. and Ida B. (Mahoney) Cheney. Ilis father was born in Vermont in 184%. his parents being Stephen Harding and Chloe Ann (Webb) Cheney, natives of Vermont and New llampshire, respectively. The American family of Cheneys is descended from two brothers, Sir John and Sir William Cheney, who came to this country from England. Dr. Cheney being a descendant of
the branch of the family established by Sir John Cheney. Through his paternal grandmother he is a direct descendant of Hannah Dustin, of Revolu- tionary fame, and also Captain Webb, who served
In 1859, when George S. Cheney was but two years of age, his parents came to the middle west, making the long and tedious journey over the mountains after the old time method of travel in a "prairie schooner" drawn by a mule team. They reached Ogle county, Illinois, casting in their lot with its first settlers. It was then largely a wild and unimproved district, but the grandparents de- termined to make their home there, which they did up to the time of their death. The grandfather was a stone-mason by trade and assisted in build- ing the colleges at Mount Morris, also having the contract to quarry all the stone. IFe lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years, while his wife passed away sometime before in her seventieth year.
George S. Cheney was reared at home and after he had completed the education of the schoolroom he began learning the more difficult lessons in the school of experience. He was apprenticed to the trades of tinsmith and plumber and applied him- self to the mastery of the business, in which he continued in Mount Morris until about 1890, Since that time he has been living in Freeport, Illi- nois. He is a stanch Methodist, which was the religious faith of his ancestors, and his life has been a most honorable and upright one. His wife was born at Lena, Illinois, about 1856 and died in 1881. Her father was a native of County Cork, Ireland, while the mother was of German birth.
Dr. Cheney of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his father's home at Mount Morris, Illinois, and after mastering the elemen- tary branches of learning taught in the public schools he became a student in Mount Morris Col- lege and in the winter of 1897 took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. B. E. Fahrney, of Oregon. In the fall of 1898 he en- tered the Chicago Homeopathie Medical College, now the llahnemann College, and was graduated therefrom on the 22d of April. 1902. In his junior vear he was demonstrator in disseeting to the freshman class, and in his senior year he was vice- president of his class and quiz master in aurificial surgery. Following his graduation he located in
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De Kalb. where he has since remained and his remunerative practice tells of his success as a mem- ber of the medical fraternity. He has demon- strated his ability to successfully solve many of the intricate problems which confront the physician. . and in his practice he has been generally successful in obtaining the result desired-the restoration of health.
On the 25th of April, 1905. Dr Cheney was married to Miss Margaret Daven. of De Kalb, and they are prominent in social circles of the city. The Doctor belongs to De Kalb lodge, No. 155, 1. 0. 0. F .: De Kalb lodge. No. 10. W. O. W. : De Kalb Aerie, No. 1316. F. O. E; and of the last named is senior past worthy president.
MRS. C. F. GOODELL.
Mrs. C. F. Goodell, who is living in De Kalb, was born in the state of New York. September 11. 1829. Her parents were Nathan B. and Martha (Smith) Goodell, who were also natives of that state and both were born in the year 1806. They were married in New York in 182; and resided there until 184. when they came to the middle west, casting in their lot with the carly settlers of De Kalb county. At that time there was only one log house where the city of De Kalb now stands. This was the stamping ground for Shabbona's tribe of Indians. Every evidence of pioneer life was to be found. Over the broad prairies grew the wild grass to a great height. The streams were unbridged and only at intervals could be seen a log cabin or other habitation to indicate that the white man was planting the seed of civilization in the western wilderness. Mrs. Goodell's father aided in the arduous task of reclaiming this district for the use of the white race. He was father of a family of six children. of whom Mrs. Goodell was the oldest.
She was reared under the paternal roof and was a young lady in her nineteenth year when the family removed to Illinois, so she shared in the hardships and trials incident to a life on the frontier. On the 14th of February. 1849. she gave her hand in marriage to J. M. Goodell. they being the first white conple married in the county. Her husband was born in the state of New York.
Angust 3, 1823, and when a young man came to Illinois. Three children were born unto them, ot whom the eldest died in infancy, while the second James M., died at the age of six years and eight months, and the daughter, Clara, passed away at the age of six years. All have been buried in Evergreen cemetery and Mrs. Goodell's sister was the first child buried in De Kalb county.
Mr. Goodell was a merchant and followed that business until his death, which occurred in 1821. Ile was known as a reliable. enterprising business man, honorable in all of his dealings. and a good patronage was accorded him by reason of his busi- ness integrity, diligence and close application. He belonged to the Baptist church and Mrs. Goodell was also a member of that church at that time, but has since become identified with the Spiritual- ists and is a medium. She now owns a fine resi- dence on Sonth First street and also owns a fine residence in Clinton. Illinois. Since her hus- band's death she has always transacted and man- aged her own business interests and has displayed good business capacity and foresight. She is now far advanced on life's journey, having passed the seventy-eighth milestone, but is still a well pre- served woman and deserves mention in this vol- ume, being one of the oldest settlers of the county. Her memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and progressive present for she can remember when the county was still a fron- tier district in which the work of civilization and progress had scarcely been begun. She lived here prior to the era of the railroad and few farms had been opened in the county at the time of the arrival of the family. She has lived to see many changes and can relate many interesting incidents of the pioneer life.
BENJAMIN JOHNSON.
The record today of the American citizen held in the greatest esteem is the record of a self-made man-he who works his way upward by force of character and gains success through untiring ef- fort. at the same time following snch methods as win for him an honorable name. Such has been the history of Benjamin JJohnson, who is now en- gaged in farming and stock-raising in De Kalb
MES E F GOODELL
AT 43.
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township. He was born in Sweden, December 16, 1842, and came alone to the United States in 1888, when sixteen years of age. His parents, John and Anna Johnson, were born in Sweden and are still living in that country.
On coming to the United States, Benjamin Johnson began working at farm labor and was thus employed by the month for ten years. On the expiration of that period he began farming on his own account and has been thus engaged for the past eight years. He now cultivates two hun- dred acres of rich and productive land on section 9, De Kalb township, from which he annually gathers rich harvests. He is also well known as a stockman and is buying and selling live stock all the time. He has made an excellent start in business for a young man and deserves much cred- it for what he has accomplished, as he came to the United States empty-handed, unfamiliar with the language and customs of the people, yet possessing energy and strong determination to win success if it could be accomplished by earnest, determined and honorable purpose.
Since coming to America, Mr. Johnson has made one trip back to his native country, but is thoroughly satisfied with the new world as a place of residence and has a strong love for his adopted state. He has supported the republican party since the right of franchise was conferred upon him. He belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church and a review of his business life brings to mind the statement of an eminent lecturer "That Sweden is the home of the honest man."
E. R. ZELLAR.
E. R. Zellar is a retired farmer owning one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land, from which he derives a very satisfactory income. Ile was born September 14. 1836, in Oneida county, New York. His father. Jacob Zellar, was a native of Herkimer, New York, and died when about eighty-five years of age, while his wife passed away when about seventy-four years of age. They came to the middle west in 1863, settling in De Kalb county upon a farm on section 6, De Kalb township. Mr. Zellar energetically took up the task of cultivating the land and as
the years passed met with a goodly measure of success in his work. After several years spent upon the farm he removed to the city of De Kalb, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days, Mrs. Zellar surviving her husband for about two years. In their family were five children. three of whom reached adult age. William Zellar, a brother of our subject, was killed at Resaca, Georgia. while serving his country in the Civil war, and a sister, Mrs. Zenas Oaks, is now living in De Kalb.
E. R. Zellar spent the period of his minority in the east. remaining in Jefferson county, New York, until 1857, when at the age of twenty-one years he sought a home in the middle west, locating first at Plano, Kendall county, Illinois. There he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1861, when in response to his country's call he offered his ser- vices to the government, joining Company E, Thirty-sixth Ilinois Infantry under Captain Charles D. Fish and Colonel Nicholas Grensel. Ile served for three years and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, March 6 and 6, 1863, Perry- ville, Kentucky, and Stone River. where he was taken prisoner but was soon paroled. At the battle of Mission Ridge he was wounded, a bullet passing through his right side, while his right arm was shot off. He was then discharged. He made great sacrifices for his country and the nation owes to him a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.
Following the war Mr. Zellar removed to a farm on section 6 in De Kalb township, where he re- mained until 1892, carefully and systematically managing his farming interests, -his excellent methods bringing to him a measure of success that now classes him with the men of affluence in his community. In 1892 he left the farm and re- moved to Malta, where he has since resided in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He owns a fine residence in the village and also one hundred and eighty acres of fine land in De Kalb township.
Mr. Zellar has been married twice. He first wedded Merey Ann Ferguson, who was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in the year 1838 and gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Zellar on the 26th of March, 1868. There was one son born of this union-Marvin Zellar, who is now living on the old homestead farm in De Kalb township and who married Miss Delia Butler, by whom he
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has one son. Mrs. Mercy Zellar passed away in The farm machinery at that time was crude and De Kalb county. September 10. 1892. More than seven years later Mr. Zellar was married to Mrs. William C. Pierce, on the 15th of February, 1900. She was born in JJefferson county. New York. an I came to De Kalb county after her marriage.
Mr. Zellar was in very limited financial circum- stances when he cast in his lot with the citizens of Illinois, but he possessed what is better than capi- tal-a strong purpose and determined energy. He has worked hard year after year until his labors brought to him a very desirable competence, now enabling him to live retired in the enjoyment of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. Ile is, moreover, an honored veteran of the Civil war and in days of peace has been equally loyal to his country, manifesting the same spirit of fidelity which he displayed when on southern battle-fields he followed the old flag. Wherever known he is held in the highest respect and his long residence in De Kalb county has brought him into contact with many people.
EPHRAIM B. SHERTLEFF.
Ephraim B. Shurtleff, a retired business man of Sycamore, stands as one of the representative citizens who has ever upheld the legal and political status of the community and rejoiced in the devel- opment and progress of the city in which he has so long made his home. Investigation into his life record brings to light many qualities which con- stitute the basis for the esteem and respect so uni- formly accorded him.
A native of Lowell, Massachusetts. Mr. Shurileff was born on the 20th of April, 1835. His father. David Shurtleff, was born in Plymouth. Massa- chusetts, and was a descendant of Puritan ancestry, the family having been established in America in colonial days. In 1838 he removed with his family to Allegan. Michigan, and the following year came to De Kalb county, Hlinois, securing a government claim in Genoa township when the work of improve- ment and development had scarcely been begun in the county. The usual pioneer experience fell to his lot. The land was uncleared and uncultivated and he performed the arduons task of placing it under the plow and transforming it into productive fields.
in the homes were every evidence of pioneer life, including the tallow candle, the great open fire- place and other conditions which indicated a re- moteness from the older settled districts of the east. Mr. Shurtleff was among those who aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the pres- ent development and progress of the county. Ile was an earnest Christian man, holding church membership, and was a strong abolitionist, being firmly opposed to the system of slavery as it existed in the south. He married Ruth Knapp, a native of Vermont, who died at the home of her son Ephraim in Sycamore township at the age of sev- enty-two years. Her father, Eleazor Knapp, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. By her mar- riage she became the mother of nine children, seven of whom reached adult age, but only two are now living. Albert Shurtleff residing at Genoa. One brother. G. W. Shurtleff. now deceased, was a colonel in the Civil war and afterward became a professor in Oberlin (Ohio) College. A partial history of the Shurtleff family has been recorded, dating back as early as the seventeenth century, and throughout succeeding generations the mem- bers of the family have displayed many sterling traits, including loyalty in citizenship and fidelity to principle. The line is traced back to William Shurtleff. of whom mention is made in the records of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1634. He was an migrant from England and became prominent in the history of Massachusetts.
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