USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 21
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Ephraim B. Shurtleff was reared to farm life and supplemented his common-school education by study for a short period in Wheaton ( Illinois) College. When twenty-four years of age he came into possession of a part of his father's farm and gave his attention to its further development and cultivation. Following his marriage he sold that property and purchased two hundred acres from his father-in-law in Sycamore township. For ten years he made his home upon this place and then removed to the city of Sycamore, where he engaged in the luunber business in connection with his father-in-law, Dr. James Harrington. After a few years he sold his interest in that enterprise and established another lumberyard on the north side, where he continued in business until two years ago, when he sold out to the North Side Lumber Company. However. he is still interested in the
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business as a stockholder. lle was for many years a leading lumber merchant of Syeamore and con- ducted a business of considerable magnitude, en- joying a very liberal patronage, which brought to him the competence that now enables him to live retired. He owns a beautiful home which he built and occupies, and also has four other resi- dence properties in the city.
In 1863 Mr. Shurtleff was married to Miss Susan Elizabeth Harrington, a native of New York and a daughter of Dr. James Harrington, an early settler of the county. Mrs. Shurt'etf died in 1883 and two of her children died in infancy. The rec- ord of those who reached adult age is as follows : Mrs. Irving Clark, whose husband is a lumber dealer of Sycamore : Mrs. M. F. Carlson and Mrs. Clarence J. Parker, both residents of Sycamore; Mrs. Mary Mason, now deceased ; and Arthur R., who is city salesman for the Jewel Belting Com- pany at Chicago.
For many years Mr. Shirtleff was a supporter of the republican party and while on the farm served his township as supervisor for one term. Since removing to the city he has been a member of the board of education and an alderman. A change in his political views has led him to give his al- legiance to the prohibition party, for he is a stal- wart advocate of the cause of temperance. For sixty years he has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years has been chairman of its board of trustees. He has led an active, honorable and upright life and the friendship which is so freely accorded him is given in recognition of sterling traits of character such as in every land and clime awaken admira- tion.
WALTER LANGLOIS.
Walter Langlois is engaged in the real-estate business in Sycamore, where his weil directed la- bors have not only proven a source of benefit to himself but have also been an element in the growth and development of the city.
He was born in Sycamore, May 18, 1865, and is indebted to the public-school system of Sycamore for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He was graduated in the class of
1880. Eight years later he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in May, 1890, and although he has never practised, his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is of direct aid and benefit to him in his real-estate business. Since 1890 he has dealt in property, handling both city and farm real estate.
Mr. Langlois was married November 22, 1888, to Miss Dorah Combs, of De Kalb, and they have two children : Joyce, who is sixteen years of age and will graduate from the high-school with the class of 1907 ; and Doris, twelve years of age.
Mr. Langlois is a member of Sycamore blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and Tebala Tem- ple of the Mystic Shrine at Rockford, Illinois, and the Modern Woodmen of America. His home is at No. 413 Somonauk street, where he has an at- tractive residence, and his office is located in the Pierce block. He has always lived in Sycamore, and in his native city many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
HARTLEY T. MEYERS.
Hartley IT. Meyers, a well known optician of De Kalb, practicing along scientific lines, and a worthy representative of professional interests, is a native of lonia county, Michigan, born June 22, 1869. Ilis father, Valentine Meyers, was born in Pennsylvania, October 6, 1836, and in his boyhood days made his way westward to Michigan, settling in Barry county. Having reached adult age, he married Charlotte Kimball, who was born in the state of New York, May 25, 1840. They became the parents of five children, of whom H. U. Meyers is the third in order of birth, and all are yet liv- ing with the exception of one sister. The mother, however, died February 20, 1900, in Michigan.
Hartley U. Meyers after serving an apprentice- ship at the jewelry and optical business started in business for himself at Sunfield. Michigan, where he remained for six years. He then went to Chi- cago, where he devoted his entire time and atten- tion to optical work, and after six years spent in that city he came to De Kalb. He was graduated at the Detroit Optical Institute in 1896 and at the Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology
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and Itology in 1899, winning the Doctor of Optics degree. He afterward pursued a post-graduate course in the same college in 1902 and gained the degree of Bachelor of Ophthalmology. fle is a charter member of the Chicago City Optical So- ciety. a member of the linois State Optical So- ciety and also of the American Association of Op- ticians. He is thoroughly conversant with the science in all of its departments and has done such excellent work that he is now accorded a liberal patronage. Ile has an excellent stock of optical goods at 20? Main street and his business is con- stantly growing.
Dr. Meyers was married at Sunfield. Michigan. September 12. 1893. to Miss Lillian C'ary, who was born near Rochester. New York. October 25. 18: 1, a daughter of Nathan and Maria Cary. Her father's birth ocenrred in the state of New York. July 5. 1846. In his family were five children. of whom Mrs. Meyers was the eldest. By her mar- riage she had one child that died in infancy.
Dr. Meyers is a stalwart republican and is an Odd Fellow, belonging to De Kalb lodge, No. 155. while in Chicago he passed all of the chairs in Garfield lodge. No. 698. He and his wife live at No. 221 South Second street, where they have a large cirele of warm friends. Dr. Meyers is a man of most gentlemanly demeanor. of unfaltering courtesy, and he receives from his fellowmen that respect which arises from his deference for the opinions of others. his kindliness and his geniality.
EDGAR ALBURTE'S SHETTER.
Edgar Alburtus Shetter, the leading jeweler of De Kalb, is a business man who, though young in vears, has gained a foremost place in trade circles in his adopted city. He was born near Marion. Pennsylvania. September 12. 1820. His father, Simon Cameron Shetter, was a native of Marion, Pennsylvania, born in 1815, and when he had ar- rived at years of maturity he wedded Susan E. Smith. whose birth occurred in Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, November 29, 1844. Hle was a farmer by occupation and followed agricultural pursuits in the east until 188 ;. when he brought his family to Ilinois, settling in Dixon. Hle is now deceased. At the time of the Civil war he es-
poused the Union cause as a private of Company 1. Fifty-sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volun- teers.
Edgar A. Shetter. the second in the family of three children, pursued his early education in the graded schools of Marion, Pennsylvania, and com- pleted his course in the Goodyear & Palmer school at Cedar Rapids. lowa. He was a youth of seven- teen years when the family came to the middle west. and after leaving school worked at the shoe manufacturing business for twelve years. He was also employed for two years in various other ways and subsequently he came to De Kalb, where he be- gan business for himself as a jeweler in January. 1902. Ilere he has since remained and has secured a very liberal patronage, having a large and grow- ing trade. He carries a carefully selected line of goods and possesses the requisite qualities of sue- cessful merchandising. for he is sagacious and far-sighted. alert. energetic and progressive.
Mr. Shetter was married at Morrison. Illinois. on the 1st of June, 1892. to Miss Mettie N. Jack- son, who was born at Green. Chenango county, New York, May 2. 1820. Her father, Jacob Stran- alan Jackson, was born in Russia. Herkimer county. New York, February 8. 1832, while the mother, who in her maidenhood was Inliana T. Hall was born in Oswego county. New York. June 20. 1810. They came to Illinois in August. 1812. setthing in Whiteside county, Thinois. where the father followed the occupation of farming. Ho is now deceased, but the mother is still living. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Shetter was the fifth. She acquired her edu- ration in the common schools of Whiteside county and completed her course at Fulton College. Illi- nois. She is eligible to membership in the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution. being a great- great-granddaughter of Theophilus Jackson, who was a member of the committee of safety for Kings county. New York. during the war for inde- peudence. Her great-grandmother. Freelove ( Foote) Jackson. was a daughter of Ephraim and Lydia (Cushman ) Foote, and the latter has her signature in the rooms of the Mayflower Society at Boston, being descended from the Cushman who married Mary Allerton, one of the Mayflower's un- married women. Mrs. Shetter's grandmother. Anna ( Brown) Jackson, was born in Berkshire county. Massachusetts. May 29. 1:91. and was a
E. A. SHETTER.
L- LIBRARY
ASTUR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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daughter of William Brown, the fifth in descent from Chad Brown, who came to this country in 1638 and became Roger Williams' right hand man in settling Providence, Rhode Island. He was from the same county in England that was the home of Bunyan and was the first Baptist minister in this country.
Mr. Shetter exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the Elks lodge. No. 765, and also to the First Baptist church-relationships which indicate much of his character and show the kindly purpose and high ideals which have actu- ated his life. Viewed from a business standpoint his career is successful, as he is now accounted the leading jeweler of De Kalb. As the years have passed his possessions have increased and he now owns a large stock of goods at No. 214 East Main street and also a nice residence at No. 657 Haish avenue. He is assisted in the conduct of his store by his wife and they are most estimable people, who have a large circle of friends who esteem them because of their many sterling qualities.
CHARLES M. JOHNSON.
Charles M. Johnson, a thrifty and enterprising farmer. owns and cultivates one hundred and ninety-three and one-third acres of land on sec- tions 3 and 10, Afton township. lle was born May 1, 1822, in Afton township, his parents being John and Mary ( Anderson) Johnson. No event of especial importance occurred to vary the rontine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. At the usual age he entered the public schools and is in- debted to the school system of the county for the educational privileges he enjoyed. Under his father's direction he early became familiar with the labors of plowing, planting and harvesting and the occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work. He now owns and operates one hundred and ninety-three and one-third acres of land on sections 3 and 10 and is classed with the most progressive farmers of Afton township. He is an extensive stock breeder, keeping on hand high grades of stock, and everything about his place is indicative of the careful and practical supervision of the owner.
On the 9th of April, 1901, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Mrs. Johanna (Lofgren) Johnson, the widow of his brother, Fred Johnson. She was born in Sweden, October 12, 1878, and came to America with her parents the following year. Her father was born in 1853 and in 1874 he wedded Miss Christine Stevenson, a native of Sweden. They became the parents of three chil- dren. of whom Mrs. Johnson is the oldest, the others being Minnie and Ernest Lofgren. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world with his family the father settled first in Chicago and there remained for two years, working at the black- smith's trade, which he had learned in his native country. Ile then removed to Aurora, Illinois, where he followed his chosen occupation during the period of five years. On the expiration of that period he resolved to turn his attention to general agricultural pursuits and then bought a farm in Kane county, Illinois, upon which he has since lived. Mrs. Johnson spent her early girl- hood days in her father's home and afterward be- came the wife of Fred Johnson. By that mar- riage she had one son, E. Revere, who was born May 5, 1898, and is still with his mother. By the second marriage there are two children: Carl Milton. born March 10, 1902 ; and Helen Margaret, July 22, 1904.
Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He has held the office of school director for four years. lle and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and are interested in the moral, intellectual and material progress of the community. llis entire life has been spent in the township where he yet resides and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days to the present time is indicative of the fact that his has been an honorable and upright life.
IRA C. CONVERSE.
Ira C. Converse, who has been active and promi- nent in community interests and who until a re- cent date, was connected with the business life of Sandwich as a druggist, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, August 26, 1867, his parents be-
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ing Iscan C. and Frances A. (Penny) Converse. In 1824. when a lad of about seven years, Ira C. Converse was brought by his parents to Sandwich, where his father carried on merchandising. He completed his education in the high school of this city and was employed as a salesman in different stores here. He then entered the drug store of Dr. Charles Winne, in whose service he remained as a salesman for sixteen years. In 1903 he pur- chased the business, which he conducted with sue- cess for two years, when on account of illness he sold out to a partner in 1905. He had so long been a factor in the conduct of the store that his name was inseparably associated with the business and when he succeeded to the ownership there was granted him a continuance of the patronage which had been accorded his predecessor. He now has farming interests in Kansas, from which he derives a good income. He was also one of the organizers and is the treasurer of the Sandwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company. carrying risks amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
On the 10th of October. 1886, Mr. Converse was united in marriage to Miss Nina D. Winne. a daughter of Dr. Charles and Rachel E. ( Misner) Winne. They have one child, Rachel E., born Feb- ruary 4. 1895. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Converse was for seven years superintendent of the Sunday school. after which he resigned. He has always taken an active part in the work of the church and his ef- forts have been an element in its growth. Hle like- wise belongs to the Odd Fellows and Masonic so- cieties, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served as alderman of the city and was chairman of the board of health dur- ing the smallpox epidemie of 1891-5. at which time he did good work for public health and sani- tation.
ELBERT P. DEAN.
first at Big Rock. Kane county, where he followed the occupation of farming. There he continued for a short time, after which he removed to Afton township. where he purchased land from the original owner. Later he took up his abode at Shabbona Grove, where for five years he was engaged in the butchering business, and in 1873 he removed with his family to Waterman. where he established a meat market which he conducted un- til 4901. when he retired and was succeeded by his son Elbert. He was a successful business man, the careful conduct of his interests bringing to him a comfortable competence. He is still the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good farm land in Afton township and two stores and several dwellings in Waterman, His fraternal relations include only the Masonic order. while his political views are in accord with the principles of democ- racy. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte L. Pearl, was born in Owego. New York, sixty-six years ago. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a daughter of Orson and Betsy (Brainard) Pearl, who came to De Kalb county in an early day. setiling in Afton township. Mr. and Mrs. Dean became the parents of eleven children, of whom eight have reached years of maturity: Charles O .. who is now a butcher of Hinckley: William E .. a druggist of Waterman : Elbert P. : Cornelius C. D .. who con- Quets a drug store at Somonank : Jennie A., the wife of John Clarke, manager for the Pogue Lum- ber Company at Hinckley: Helen L., the wife of Edward II. Price, who resides on the old Dean homestead farm: John W., a dealer in meat at Sandwich, Illinois: and Frederick J., who is proprietor of a drug store at Rockford. this state.
Elbert P. Dean was a student in the public schools of Waterman and after completing his education went into the butcher shop when eleven years of age. He has since continued in this line and became his father's successor, conducting a well appointed meat market. in which he has a liberal and very desirable patronage.
On the 4th of May. 1890. Mr. Dean was mar- ried to Ardelia Whitford, who was born in Clinton township. October 16. 1868, a daughter of Myron . and Phoebe Whitford. who came from Vermont to Illinois at an early period in the development of this part of the state and settled on a farm. Mr.
Elbert P. Dean, who for some years has con- ducted a meat market at Waterman, was born at Shabbona Grove. Illinois, in 1869. His father, Erastus Dean, a native of Putnam county. New York. is now living at Waterman in his seventy- sixth year. He came to Illinois in 1846. locating and Mrs. Dean have three daughters: Mabel A.,
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Maude A. and Jessie P. Mrs. Dean is a member of the Baptist church, while Mr. Dean belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. His membership relations also include the Modern Woodmen camp. lle votes with the republican party, has served as township collector and village clerk and is now school director. Ile is much interested in com- munity affairs and his aid and co-operation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. Almost his entire life has been passed in Waterman and few residents of the village have more warm friends.
A. J. PETERSON.
A. J. Peterson is a self-made man, owing his success entirely to his own industry and well di- rected efforts. He is a native of Sweden, born July 9, 1853, a son of John H1. and Johanna ( Carl- son ) Peterson, likewise natives of the same coun- try, the former born November 11, 1825, and the latter, February 9, 1825. The father was em- ployed in a factory in Sweden until 1869, in which year he purchased a farm whereon he made his home until the time of his death, which occurred in 1826. The mother died in 1900. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Peterson numbered six children : Gust 11., who was born December 23, 1854, and now makes his home in Rockford, Illinois : Carl O., whowasborn September 29, 1856, and still lives in Sweden ; Edward W .. who was born September 29. 1859, and is now a resident of Chicago: Antone H., who was born April 9, 1862, and also resides in that city : Anna C., who was born February 5, 1866, and is now the wife of Louis Johnson, a resident of Fairfield, Minnesota.
A. J. Peterson, the other member of the father's family, pursued his early education in the schools of his native country and when a youth of fifteen years emigrated to the new world. Upon landing on American shores he at once made his way to Chicago, where he was employed for one year. subsequent to which time he went to Kane county. Illinois, where he was employed at farm labor for ten years. During his residence in Kane county he completed his education. In 1878 he removed to lowa, where he purchased a farm which he cul- tivated for one summer, after which he returned
to Kane county. On March 6, 1880, he was mar- ried in New Windsor, Mercer county, Illinois, to Miss Alice S. Carlson, who was likewise born in Sweden, her natal day being December 2, 1853. She was a daughter of Carl and Christina ( Nel- son ) Carlson. Her mother died in that country at the age of fifty-one years, after which the father was again married, his second union being with a Miss Sara Johnson, and he still makes his home in Sweden. Mrs. Peterson is one of a family of four sons and two daughters, namely: John Wil- liam : Alice S., now Mrs. Peterson ; Alexander ; August, deceased : Carl Otto; and Tillia L. Of this number two brothers are now residents of Chicago, while the third makes his home in Red- lands. California. Tillia L. is now the wife of Alfred Lekander, a railroad engineer making his home in West Chicago, Illinois.
Following his marriage Mr. Peterson remained in Chicago for nine years and in the spring of 1889 he removed to De Kalb county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Malta township situated on section 35, and here he has made his home to the present time, giving his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He has displayed the salient characteristics so dominant in the Swedish race-thrift and industry-and through his well directed labors has accumulated a fine property which returns to him a good annual in- come as a reward for the care and labor which he exercises in the cultivation of his fields.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children but only two are now living, these being John Edward, who was born June 8, 1883 ; and Herbert H., who was born January 20, 1889. They lost their eldest child, a daughter, Ida May, who was born June 14. 1881, and who died in in fancy, while the youngest, Carl A. D., who was born January 10, 1895, died at the age of nine- teen months. Mr. Peterson has always supported the principles of the republican party and is now serving as highway commissioner, while for nine years he filled the office of school director, taking an active and helpful interest in educational af- fairs. lle also served as pathmaster for two years. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at De Kalb, in the work of which they take an active part. In his dealings with his followmen Mr. Peterson has adhered stricily to high and manly principles, being never known to
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take advantage of another in any trade transaction. He has ever displayed a most loyal and progressive spirit and is interested in the development. and progress of his adopted country. Hle is every- where known for his honest and reliable methods and has thereby won the high esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
TIENRY P. GROUT.
For many years this gentleman was one of the highly esteemed citizens of De Kalb county and was an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Windsor county. Vermont, on the 16th of July, 1836, and was a son of John and Polly (McAllister) Grout. who spent their entire lives in that country. The grandmother figures in the history of Vermont as an Indian captive but her early release was secured. She was a represent- ative of a pioneer family of Windsor county. her father having settled there at an early day. John Grout became quite prominent in public affairs and was given a large grant of land in New Hampshire in consequence of his service in the war of 1812. He died in 1857. at the age of sixty years, and his wife passed away in 1855. They were the parents of nine children.
Leaving his native state Henry P. Grout came to Illinois in early life. In 1860 he joined a party of gold hunters and went to Pike's Peak. where he remained for eighteen months. He afterward re- turned to De Kalb county without having acen- mulated wealth to any extent and then determined to enter the Union army for the Civil war was then in progress. Accordingly he enlisted in September, 1861, as a member of Company C. Fifty-second Ilinois Volunteer Infantry and went to the front under Captain J. S. Brown, of Syca- more. The regiment was assigned to the Western Army and he continued to experience all the rigors and hardships of military life until the battle of Shiloh, where he sustained a gun-shot wound, the hullet entering the stomach. Twenty-one days later the lead was dislodged and passed through the intestines. This was one of the most remark- able incidents in the surgical history of the war and in fact is the only one of the kind on record. Because of his disabilities Mr. Grout was dis-
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