USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
charged at Chieago, July 21, 1862, and then re- turned to his home in Sycamore.
For a time he was engaged in farm work by the month but after his marriage he operated rented land for two years and then purchased eighty acres, to which he afterward added another eighty acres tract, making one hundred and sixty acres, where he made his home until 1881. He then removed to Kirkland, Illinois, and turned his attention to the agricultural implement business, which he followed until 1898, when he retired from active business and with his family made a trip to the Pacific coast.
On the 19th of March, 1863. Mr. Grout was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Ann ( Rowan) Foster, who was born in Genesee county, New York, January 12, 1835, and in 1842 accompanied her parents on their removal to Michigan, the journey being made by team. Later they pro- ceded to Wisconsin, where they spent the winter of 1812-3 and then came to Illinois, locating in De Kalb county. Hore Miss Rowan first married Thomas Foster, by whom she had three children, namely: Wallace F., who lives in Sherburne, Minnesota; Betsey, the wife of Willis Witter, a resident of lowa; and Joseph W., who makes his home at Leaf River, Ilinois. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Grout is llarriet A., now the wife of Russell T. Smith, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume.
The name of Rowan has been variously spelled by different members of the family, some times Rowin and Rowen. William H. Rowan, the father of Mrs. Grout, was one of the honored pioneers of this county and in Franklin township he en- tered a tract of government land, on which he erected a log house of two rooms. Here the family lived in true pioneer style while the land was be- ing developed and transformed into a good farm. After a useful and well spent life Mr. Rowan died on the 4th of April, 1880. in his eighty-first year. and his wife passed away in 1860. at the age of fifty-four. They were the parents of nine chil- dren. namely: Stephen, who died in Kirkland, Illinois; James, who was living in Nebraska at the time of his death : Boyd. who died in Kirk- land: Warren, who died in Belvidere, Illinois ; Theron, now living retired in Kirkland; John, a resident of Colorado: Mary Ann, widow of our
BRARI
TTENCX NLATIONa.
215
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
subject; Gurden, a resident of Genoa, Illinois ; and Perry, who was killed at the battle of Mur- freesboro. Being shot through the hips he was taken to a log cabin then being used as a hospital on the field of battle and was there killed by a hursting shell, a piece of which entered his lungs.
Mr. Grout owned considerable property in Kirkland and laid out an addition to the town, known as Rowan's and Grout's addition. He was a man of good business ability and sound judg- ment and owed his success in life to his own in- dustry and enterprise. He held the office of town- ship treasurer and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He never fully recovered from the wound received during the war, which caused' him great suffering in later years, but death finally released him on the 15th of January, 1904. Fraternally he was an honored member of the Grand Army post at De Kalb. Mr. Grout is survived by his widow, who has made her home in this county since a little girl and has watched with interest the growth and development of this section of the state. Although now seventy- two years of age she is well preserved and very active, now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. R. T. Smith, in De Kalb.
W. FREDERICK BLACK.
W. Frederick Black, who operates seven hun- dred acresofland and is extensively engaged in the dairy business, is the youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Cochran) Black. His father was born April 23, 1833, in Londonderry, Ireland, and was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was the eldest of a family of eleven children. three of whom are still living. When he was two years of age his parents crossed the Atlantic to Canada, leaving him with an uncle in Ireland, and in 1845. when a youth of twelve years, he came to the United States, loeating at Youngstown, Ohio, where he lived for five years. He afterward went to Lowell, Ohio, where he remained for two years, and during that period he learned the miller's trade. On leaving Lowell he returned on a visit to his native country, where he spent three months in renewing the acquaintances of his youth and in looking up the seenes amid which his boyhood days
were passed. When he again came to the new world he made his way to Chicago, where he worked at the miller's trade until 1858. That year witnessed his arrival in Sycamore, Illinois, and he soon secured employment in the old grist mill owned by A. S. Cox.
John Black was married in 1859, at Poland, Ohio, to Miss Margaret F. Anderson, who resided in a home adjoining that of President McKinley, with whom she was well acquainted. After the wedding festivities were over the young couple came to Sycamore and located on South California street, living in the same locality for forty-four consecutive years, or until the death of Mr. Black, which occurred on the 7th of October, 1903. Mrs. Black still survives her husband and yet occupies the old homestead. About 1859 Mr. Black pur- chased a third interest in the mill in which he had been employed, and in 1863 he formed a partner- ship with his brother, W. C. Black, and Ralph Wyman, for the conduct of a milling enterprise. After a brief period, however, Mr. Wyman disposed of his interest and through the succeeding twenty years business was conducted under the firm name of Black Brothers. In 1882 John Black purchased his partner's interest, becoming sole owner of the mill which he had conducted until 1885, when he admitted his eldest son, Charles A., to a partner- ship, the firm name of Black & Son being then as- snmed and so continuing until the father retired in 1892, selling the mill to A. C. Dunlap. At the time of his death Mr. Black was financially inter- ested in the Marsh Harvester Company and the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company, of Sycamore, also of the Chicago Insulated Wire Company, of Chicago. He likewise owned seven hundred acres of land in Mayfield township, and his business in- terests were thus extensive and valuable. He was a man of keen business insight and his ready adaptability of the conditions to possibilities was one of the strong elements in his successful career. He was also prominent and influential in public affairs and he represented the fourth ward of Syca- more as alderman for two terms, in 1883 and again in 1896. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church, of Sycamore, in which Mr. Black served as a trustee for twenty-seven years, and his life was in harmony with his religi- ous professions. Although he won success his path was not strewn with the wreek of other men's for-
216
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
tunes, but on the contrary was marked by all that is honorable and upright in man's relations with his fellowmen. He is survived by a daughter and two sons. namely : Mrs. Cora E. Slade, whose hus- band is the junior member of the firm of Worth- ington & Slade. druggists of Rockford, Illinois ; Charles Albert, who is expert miller for the Sperry Milling Company, at Oakland, California : and W. Frederick, of this review.
At the old homestead on South California street, Sycamore, W. Frederick Black was born June 6. 18:3. At the usual age he became a pupil in the Sycamore schools and passed through successive grades until he had largely mastered the course of instruction furnished in his native city. He after- ward pursued a commercial course in Rockford. Illinois, and when his education was completed he spent two years working with his father in the mills. On the expiration of that period he went to Chicago, where he was bookkeeper for F. H. Lewis & Company for eighteen months. and for six months he was with Phelps. Dodge & Palmer, of Chicago. Later he was with the Libby Glass Com- pany on the Midway Plaisance at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago for six months. and subsequently went to Cherryvale. Kansas, where for a year and a half he worked for his brother in the mill. In 1895, however. he returned to Sycamore and bought the farm on which he now resides. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 35 and 36, Mayfield township, and section 31, Sycamore township, and he oper- ates altogether seven hundred acres of rich and productive land. which responds readily to the care and cultivation he bestows upon it, bringing him large crops annually. In the midst of his farm stands one of the most conveniently arranged and attractive country homes in De Kalb county. This was erected in 1900. and in 1901 he built a large barn. His place is known as Pleasant View-a name most appropriate. Mr. Black is also the foremost dairyman of the country. carrying on business along that line on a more extensive scale than any other representative of the dairy business in this locality. he having on hand at the present time sixty cows.
On the 21st of December. 1900. Mr. Black was united in marriage. in Beatrice. Nebraska, to Miss Pearl M. Cotton, who was engaged in teaching
school in that place and who is a danghter of J. MI. and Margaret (Remington) Cotton, who for some vears resided in De Kalb county, but removed to Nebraska in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Black have three children : Margaret E., born December, 14. 1901 : John R., who was born July 25. 1903, and died December 14, 1904: and Faye Evalyn. born June 3, 1906. The parents are members of the Congregational church and are prominent socially, being highly esteemed by many friends. Mr. Black exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He is a well known representative of farming and kin- dred interests in De Kalb county and displays ex- cellent business ability and executive force in the management of his interests.
AUGUST ZIEGLER.
Upon the farm in Pierce township where he yet lives, August Ziegler was born on the 8th of May. 1863. 1lis parents were Christian and Stapina (Klemm) Ziegler. the former born in Weidenberg, Germany, February 18. 1825, while the mother's birth occurred in the same country on the 1st of April. 1823. In 1845 Christian Ziegler landed in America and for three years lived in New York. He helped to build the steamboat Washington. which was the first steamer that ever crossed the Atlantic ocean. Removing westward from New York he made his home in Chicago for about four years and there assisted in constructing the first wagons that made the overland trip to California. Mr. Ziegler of this review. now has in his posses- sion one of the strap irons that his father made for one of those wagons, and he also has a number of his father's blacksmith tools. Later the family came to De Kalb county and located on the farm in Pierce township which is now the home of August Ziegler. For many years thereafter the father carried on general agricultural pursuits but his life's labors were ended in death on the îth of February. 1903. His widow still survives and is now living in Hinckley with her daughter.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for August Ziegler in boyhood and youth. He was trained to the work of the field and through the winter months at- tended the district schools, acquiring thereby a fair
217
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
English education. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married to Miss Margaret Hiner, on the 6th of March, 1891. She was born April 10, 1876, her parents being Louis and Mary (Bnek) Hiner, the former born in Germany, Janu- ary 1, 1830, and the latter born in the same coun- try in 1845. Mr. Hiner came to the United States in 1857 and his death occurred in this country, September 21, 1899. His daughter, Mrs. Ziegler, was reared in Cortland township and pursued her education in the district schools there. By her marriage she became the mother of two daughters : Pearl. born December 17, 1892; and Alice, born October 20, 1894.
The parents are members of the German Luther- an church and Mr. Ziegler gives his political alle- giance to the democracy. In his business life he is successfully carrying on general farming and also raises good grades of stock. Ile is classed with the industrious farmers of the township and in the conduct of his place, shows careful management and keen discrimination.
HON. AUGUSTUS ADAMS.
This is the age of invention and America is pre- eminent among the nations of the world for her production of useful mechanical devices, having given to the public inventions which have revolu- tionized trade and largely promoted the volume of business transacted. In all parts of the United States have been found those who have contributed to this result and among the well known inventors of Illinois was Hon. Augustus Adams, of Sand- wich, who passed away in 1892 after a long life of usefulness and honor. At Elgin, Illinois, he es- tablished the first machine shop west of Chicago.
He was born at Genoa, New York, May 10, 1806, a son of Samuel Adams, who died when Augustus was but eleven years of age, leaving to the boy only the heritage of a good name. After a few years, in which he acquired such education as was possible while earning his own living, Au- gustus Adams concentrated his energies upon the work of invention and manufacture. He early noted the crudities of farm implements and the opportunity for improvement along these lines. As early as 1829 he opened a small machine shop at
Pine Valley, New York, which he conducted with a measure of success until 1837, when he came to the middle west. In 1838 he located at Elgin, where his family joined him in 1840. There he established a machine shop in connection with James T. Gifford and soon found himself at the head of a good shop and foundry, controlling a growing and profitable business. He continued his work of experiment and invention and made the first harvester with which grain was collected and bound. In connection with Philo Sylla he in- vented the hinge sickle bar, which is now used ou all mowing machines. Soon afterward he entered upon the manufacture of the Adams corn sheller, now used in all countries where corn is grown in any quantity. In 1856 he came to Sandwich and began the manufacture of self-feeding corn shellers on a small scale. The business developed rapidly, but in 1861 the plant was destroyed by fire. With his usual energy, determination and force, Mr. Adams at once began rebuilding on a larger scale than before and resumed business under the firm style of A. Adams & Sons. In 1867 a corpora- tion was formed and from this time forward the business prospered until the company became the owners of one of the best plants in the manufactur- ing world. In fact, the industry has been the chief source of the growth and commercial develop- ment of Sandwich, furnishing employment to a large force of workmen and thus providing for many families.
On the 31st of October. 1833, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Phelps, who died December 14, 1867. At a later date he wedded Mrs. L. M. Mosher. He was a member of the Congregational church and its interests received his endorsement and co-operation. In 1847 he was elected to the constitutional convention as a delegate from Elgin and in 1850 was chosen to represent his district in the house of representa- tives, while in 1854 he was elected to the state senate. He was also appointed on the committee to locate the insane asylum in northern Illinois. He was a man of broad mind, who carefully studied the interests and problems of the state, and thus in his legislative service he rendered effective aid in framing the laws of the commonwealth, proving an active working member on the floor of the house and senate, closely concerned with much important constructive legislation, the value of which has
218
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
been proven as the years have gone by. Ile was indeed a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit. Strong in his individuality, he never lacked the courage of his convictions and there were as dominating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of men.
J. W. WARD.
-
For many years J. W. Ward carried on agri- cultural pursuits and as time passed his labors brought to him goodly financial returns, so that he was enabled in his last years to live retired with- ont further recourse to business. Ilis birth occurred in West Ruthland. Vermont. November 6. 1829. his parents being Luke and Fanny (Wat- kins) Ward. The father was born in West Rut- land, Vermont, February 11, 1795. He first learned the cooper's trade but afterward turned his attention to farming and spent his entire life in the state of Vermont. He died in 1876. His wife was born in West Rutland, Vermont. May 26. 1804. and died at that place in 1888. In the family were four sons and one daughter: Charles E., George H .. J. W., Henry M., and Fanny E., all now deceased.
J. W. Ward acquired a good common-school education in the West Rutland schools and after- ward engaged in teaching in Vermont, devoting the winter months to that profession, while in the sumner seasons he followed farming. He came to the middle west in 1854, spending the winter in Joliet. Illinois, and in the spring of 1855, he came to Afton township, De Kalb county. ITere he engaged in teaching school for a year, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land just east of Carlton station, where he followed farming for nine years. He then bought one hun- dred and fifty-three acres on section 21, Afton township, which property he owned up to the time of his death. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and continued to engage active- ly in farming until 1894, when he erected a pleas- ant residence in Elva. Here he lived retired until
called to his final rest on the 21st of February. 1907. at the age of seventy-seven years. In 1892 he fell from a train and received a permanent in- jury, which resulted in paralysis of the right side, from which he never recovered.
On the 30th of September, 1850. Mr. Ward was married to Susan Ward, who was born in High- gate, Franklin county, Vermont, October 31, 1828. They became the parents of two daughters and two sons: Lucy E., born December 25, 1852. married John L. Rice. and to them were born five children, as follows: Max Warner is deceased. Ralph Ward, who served in the regular army dur- ing the Spanish-American war and is now in the postoffice department at Columbus, Ohio, married Leone Randolph and has one son, Lyman AAlden. Susan Elizabeth married Arthur Wing and has one son, Arthur Ralph. Pierce Alden married Ella Olson and has one daughter, Helen Eveline. Rex Lyman is the youngest of the Rice family. Fanny A. Ward. born April 25, 1856, is the wife of Nathaniel H. Givens. a farmer of Afton town- ship, and they have six children: Warren and Warner. twins; George Sanford; Susan Beryl. Ira and Ellsworth. George Luke Ward, born April 4, 1859, is now engaged in farming in South Dakota. Ile married Linnie Adams, of that state. and they have three children : Rollin W., Harold and Edith. Rollin W. Ward, born November 24, 1863, is unmarried and is engaged in farming in the state of Washington.
Mr. Ward was always an earnest republican with firm faith in the principles of the party. He served his township as school trustee for twelve years and was also township school treasurer. which position he filled for twenty-six years. He was likewise a justice of the peace for nine years, commissioner of highways for nine years and for five years was overseer of highways. He worked for good roads and in fact was a factor in public progress in always doing whatever he could, in an official capacity and as a loyal citizen, for the growth and welfare of the township and county. He and his wife were members of the Union church at Afton Center, but in former years be- longed to the Congregational church. Mrs. Ward is the only resident of Afton township who was living within its borders before the township or- ganization was effected. and she and her husband
MR. AND MRS. J. W. WAARD.
BRAKT
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION8.
221
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
indeed deserve mention as worthy pioneer people. When they came to this county much of the land was still wild and uncultivated. The prairie was covered with its tall native grasses and the streams were bordered by forest growths. Few roads had been laid out and the work of improvement and development had scarcely been begun. They watched the building of the railroads and the in- troduction of the telegraph and telephone and. within the memory of Mr. Ward, there was a most remarkable revolution in the methods of farming. In early days most of the labor was done by hand ; today it is nearly all done by farm machinery. The little cabin homes have been largely re- placed by substantial modern frame residences and the county today bears little resemblance to the district into which he made his way in the spring of 1855, to become a permanent settler. His memory formed a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and few men were better informed concerning the his- tory of the county.
SEPTIMUS STOREY.
More than half a century has come and gone, bringing its many changes since Septimus Storey became a resident of De Kalb county and for a long period he was closely, actively and honorably associated with agricultural interests. but is now enjoying a well earned rest in a pleasant home in Shabbona, having retired from business life in 1894. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in Harthill, Yorkshire, England, February 10. 1829. a son of Barnabas and Sarah (Widdeson), Storey, the former a native of Yorkshire and the the latter of Derbyshire, England, in which coun- try they spent their entire lives. For several gen- erations the male members of the family engaged in the business of making nails, and that occupa- tion claimed the attention of Septimus Storey dur- ing a portion of his youth. He devoted such time as he could, however, to the mastery of an educa- tion, but his opportunities in that direction were limited.
When twenty-one years of age Septimus Storey left his native land and with Joseph Billam and William Cutts, young men, came to the United
States in 1850, sailing from Liverpool and arriv- ing at New York after a voyage of twenty-four days, during which time they encountered some very severe weather. Mr. Storey proceeded up the Iludson to Albany, thence by rail to Buffalo and around the lakes to Chicago, whence he went to Kendall county, Illinois, where he joined some English friends. For a year he was employed at farm labor for ten dollars a month, and thus made a start in business in the new world. The next year he rented land in Big Grove township, Ken- dall county. and after harvesting one crop he came to De Kalb county, in the fall of 1851, and made investment in forty acres of land. With three of his friends he owned one hundred and sixty acres and they worked together to improve the tract, so continuing for two years. Mr. Storey then bought the share of William Cutts on section 12, to which he removed, erecting there a small frame house, in which he lived while developing his farm. He later bought eighty acres adjoining, which he improved to some extent, and in due time added many substantial improvements. As his financial resources increased he added to his pos- sessions and at one time was the owner of over eight hundred aeres of land. He has since divided this with his sons, and has sold some of it to them, but is still the owner of three hundred and twenty acres. Ile not only engaged extensively and suc- cessfully in the tilling of the soil, but also in the breeding, raising and sale of cattle and Poland China hogs, and this branch of his business proved profitable. In fact, he carried forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertook, and as the years passed advanced from a humble financial position to one of affluence.
On the 23d of December. 1856. Mr. Storey was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mullen, a native of Derbyshire, England, who when thirteen years of age came to the United States with her parents, Robert and Sarah (Uyllett) Mullen, carly resi- dents of Shabbona township. De Kalb county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Storey were born five sons and two daughters: John L., Charles E. and William II., who are resident farmers of Shabbona town- ship; George T., who is engaged in merchandising in Shabbona : De Forrest L., who also follows farming: Sarah E., who is the wife of Harvey Green, a farmer of Scranton township, Greene county, Iowa ; and Lilly M., who married Dr. Wil-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.