USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 25
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work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and annually he gathers rich harvests, which are the reward for the care and labor he bestows upon his fields. In politics he is an carnest republican and though never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has served as school director for six years. He is interested in community affairs to the extent of giving hearty co-operation to many movements which have for their object the welfare of the district, and he and his family are members of St. James Catholic church at Lee, Illinois.
JOHN TUDOR.
John Tudor is one of the venerable citizens of De Kalb county, having passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey. For many years ne was closely connected with farming interests, but is now living retired, deriving his income from the rental of his farm.
Mr. Tudor was born in England on the 22d of February, 1820. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of his life in his hoy- hood and youth. The first really noteworthy event in his history occurred in 1842, in which year he was married to Miss Martha Harper, also a native of England. They remained residents of that country until 1856. when, hoping to provide a bet- ter living for himself and family in the new world Mr. Tudor brought his wife and children to the United States. IIe did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, but made his way at once into the interior of the country and settled on a farm on section 10. De Kalb township. this county, where he now lives. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he purchased in 1856 for twenty dol- lars per acre. That was considered an exorbitant price at the time, but the increase in population. angmenting the demand for property, and the im- provements he has placed upon his farm makes it today worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. For many years Mr. Tudor carried on the work of the fields, plowing, planting and harvesting, and by his capable management and unfaltering per- severance, winning a goodly measure of success. He is now living retired, leaving the active work of the farm to others, while he is enjoying well-earned rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tudor were born nine chil- dren: Emma, born February 2, 1844; John F., born September 1, 1845; George, born August 13, 1847; Edwin, born March 6, 1849; Ellen, born April 30, 1850; Henry T., born September 6, 1851; H. O., born April 6, 1856; J. R., born Sep- tember 18, 1860 ; and Fanny, born August 27, 1863. The wife and mother died in the year 1864, and the daughter, Fanny, is now acting as her father's housekeeper, having taken charge of the house- hold at the age of twelve years. Mr. Tudor has been reared in the faith of the Episcopal church. His life has been manly and sincere. As the years have passed, he has labored earnestly and persistently for his family and the many good qualities which he has displayed. have won him a host of warm friends. He has now been a resident of the county for more than a half cen- tury and has witnessed great changes here. Land which was wild and uncultivated at the time of his arrival, has been transformed into fine farms and everything is indicative of the onward march of civilization. Roads have been laid out. substantial residences have replaced the old time cabins and there is a remarkable difference in the methods of farming now in vogue to those which were utilized during the early days of his connection with farm- ing interests. He recalls many interesting remi- niscences of pioncer life and justly deserves men- tion among the early settlers of the county.
FRANK R. THORPE.
Frank R. Thorpe, who is engaged in farming operations and is meeting with well merited suc- cess, makes a specialty of raising red polled cattle. He was born in Victor township, this county. July 16, 1872, and comes of English descent. His pa- rents were William and Rebecca Thorpe, both na- tives of England. and the father was born in 1835. while the mother's birth occurred in 1834. She is still living, her home being now in Waterman, but Mr. Thorpe has passed away. They came to the United States in 1872 and settled upon a farm in Victor township, De Kalb county, where Mr. Thorpe carried on general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. His family numbered five children : William S ..
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born in 1865; George F., born in 1867; Frank R .: Anna E., born in 1844: and one who died in in- fancy.
Frank R. Thorpe was reared in the usual man- ner of farm lads. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood and worked in the fields dur- ing the summer months. After his education was completed his entire time and attention were given to farm labor. He sought a companion and help- mate on life's journey in 1903, being married on the 26th of October, of that year, to Miss Hilda M. Jolinson, who was born in Sweden, May 15, 1880, her parents being John and Josephine Johnson. who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, Theodore Johnson, on another page of this work. At the time of his marriage Mr. Thorpe took up his abode on the farm on which he still lives. He purchased eighty acres of this land and in addition to this tract he also operates one hundred and sixty acres. He works industri- ously and his life of activity and diligence has brought to him a goodly measure of prosperity. In addition to the tilling of the soil, he makes a specialty of raising red polled cattle.
Mr. Thorpe exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and while he has never sought or desired office, he has served for three years as school di- rector. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Waterman and con- tribute liberally to its support. They enjoy the high regard of all who know them, for their many good qualities are such as awaken respect and ad- miration in every land and clime. Mr. Thorpe is now busily engaged in his farming operations with good prospects before him and has already gained success that many men of much older years might envy.
EDWARD FRANKLIN SHELLABERGER.
While the history of E. F. Shellaberger is not unlike that of many other men it is, nevertheless, noteworthy from the fact that a spirit of self- reliance, a laudable ambition and an unfaltering purpose have constituted the strong elements in his career, enabling him to make continuons ad- vancement until he is today a forceful factor in
manufacturing and business circles in De Kalb. Ile was born in Tippecanoe, Ohio, September 25, 1853, a son of Michael M. and Elizabeth Jane (Young) Shellaberger, natives of Pennsylvania and of Covington, Ohio, respectively. In carly life the father followed mechanical pursuits and later engaged in merchandising. His sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume. He had a brother, Samuel Shellaberger, who was a soldier of the war of the Rebellion and, being captured, was incarcerated for some time in Andersonville prison. He died in the service.
Edward F. Shellaberger in his boyhood days was a student in the public schools of Hamilton, Missouri, and afterward of Brownville, Nebraska. On putting aside his text-books he began bridge building and operated in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska in connection with the firm of C. W. Wheeler & Company. Leaving that employ in 1882, he went to Ohio, since which time he has been connected with the fence business. From the Buckeye state he made his way to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he was connected with the manufacture and sale of fencing for about four years. In the fall of 1891 he came to De Kalb and organized the De Kalb Fence Company and the Union Fence Company, both of which are still doing business in nearly all of the states and territories of the country. An eastern com- pany is also manufacturing his patent fence. The company of which Mr. Shellaberger was the foun- der was the first to introduce woven wire fence to the public in this country through the trade. The establishments of which he is now the head are large and important industrial enterprises and the plants are well equipped with modern machin- ery and every facility for successfully carrying on the business and producing the best results.
On the 2d of November, 1881, Mr. Shellaberger was married in Hamilton, Missouri, to Miss Rosa R. Davis, who was born in Breckenridge, Missouri, September 25. 1861. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shella- berger were born three children: Jesse B., born February 28, 1885; Walter B., June 26, 1891; and Alva E., May 6, 1896.
In politics Mr. Shellaberger is a republican. He belongs to Eden lodge, No. 190, I. O. O. F., and to Hamilton encampment, No. 77, both of Missouri. The family home is on North Fourth street in De Kalb and the spirit of good cheer and of hospitality
Et Shellaberger
IJATI N3.
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which prevails render it a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Shellaberger is a man of most generous spirit and liberal disposition and his friendships are of the strongest type. It is a point of honor and principle with him to faith- charge an obligation, and these traits of his char- fully meet a trust, keep an engagement and dis- acter have made him an honored man. Moreover, he has gained a richly merited measure of success, for without financial aid in early manhood he started ont to win the battles of life and has come off conqueror in the strife.
HIRAM HOLCOMB.
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Hiram Holcomb, formerly engaged in general farming in Sycamore township and now living re- tired at No. 219 East Exchange street in the city of Sycamore, was born October 30, 1838, in New- stead, Erie county, New York. He is descended from New England ancestry, established in Amer- ica in colonial days. His paternal grandparents were Orator and Hannah (Terry) Holcomb, na- tives of Massachusetts and of Connecticut, re- spectively. At an early day they removed to the Empire state, and after living for a time in Oneida county, New York, became residents of Erie county, where they remained until 1805, at which time they took up their abode in Canandaigua, On- tario county, New York. Four years later they settled at Attica, Wyoming county, which, however, at that time was a part of Genesee county. There Orator Holcomb purchased a tract of land that was a part of the Holland purchase and which had been sold by Robert Morris to the Amsterdam Company. The entire tract comprised three mil- lion, five hundred thousand acres in New York. Iving along the Massachusetts border.
It was upon the old farm homestead there that George Holcomb, father of our subject, spent his early years. He was born, however, in Sangerfield, Oneida county, New York, June 8, 1798. His youth was largely devoted to assisting his father in clearing the land and cultivating the fields. In 1819 he was married to Bula Hosington, and started ont in life on his own account with sixty acres of land, which he received as a gift from his father. The young couple began housekeeping
in a cabin built of bass wood logs, and when the place was sold a few years later they removed to the adjoining town of Darien, where Mr. Holcomb purchased another farm, which he operated for three years. Ile then again bought a farm adjoin- ing his father's place in Attica township, but after a brief period removed to Orangeville, and still later to Darien. He again became a landowner there and while residing upon that farm was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1836. In 1837 he was united in marriage to Caroline A. Hebbard, and they settled on a farm in Newstead, Erie county, New York, but in 1848 disposed of that property, preparatory to removing to Illi- nois. They traveled by team to Buffalo and then with their team and household goods embarked on a steamer which carried them to Chicago. From that place they drove across the country to De Kalb county, and George Holcomb purchased eiglity acres on sections 34 and 35, Sycamore township. The only improvements upon the traet were a log house and straw stable, but the former was soon replaced by a comfortable frame dwelling and other modern improvements were afterward added. There the father lived until his death, carrying on the work of the farm successfully and energetically until he departed this life in October, 1878. In the meantime his second wife died and he married Harriet Stillwell.
ITiram Holcomb is the elder of the two children born of his father's second marriage and was but, a boy when he came with his parents to the mid- dle west. He attended the country schools and under his father's direction gained thorough and practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He also hauled wood with oxen in the early days, and he did the work of the farm at a time when most of the labor was performed by hand, there being little of the improved farm machinery now in use.
Mr. Holcomb was married on the 4th of Feb- ruary, 1863, to Miss Clara Benton Dow. a daugh- ter of Agrippa Dow, who was born in New Hamp- shire and came with her parents to Illinois when only three months old, her father being a farmer of Mayfield township. Soon after his marriage Mr. Holcomb settled on the old homestead farm of one hundred and fourteen aeres, where he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-rais- ing, being thus successfully and extensively engaged until 1896, when he removed to Sycamore, where
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he has since lived, occupying one of the pleasant and attractive residences of the city. He owned one hundred and fourteen acres and for some time he and his brother were in partnership, having two hundred and twenty-eight acres together.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb have been born four sons and a daughter. but two sons. George D. and Frank, are deceased. Those still living are: Sanford A., who married Clara Varly and lives in Sycamore : Arthur H., who wedded Clara Boyn- ton and also lives in Sycamore : and Mildred Flor- ence. the wife of Alvin Resch. who is in the print- ing business in Sycamore. being pari owner of the True Republican. The sons are engaged in the lumber. grain and hardware business in Sycamore. in Esmond and Charter Grove, and are conducting business under the firm name of Holcomb Brothers. meeting with excellent success.
Mr. Holcomb exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy. and in 1886 was elected on the party ticket to the general assembly. where he served for one term. For eighteen years he filled the office of road com- missioner in Sycamore township, and at all times he has been loyal and progressive in citizenship. but his time and energies have been chiefly given to his farming and stock-raising interests, which have been to him a source of very gratifying sno- cess.
JEFFERSON O. STARK.
In the death of Jefferson O. Stark Sycamore and De Kalb county was called upon to mourn a citizen whom they could ill afford to lose. for his personal worth and business activity made him a valued resident of this part of the state. He was well known to the majority of citizens in De Kalb county, for his entire life was here passed. His birth occurred on the 4th of April. 181%, on the present site of the Ward house in Sycamore. Ho was a son of Marshall Stark, whose birth occurred in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. August 12. 1813. The paternal grandparents. Oliver and Betsy (Dixon) Stark, were both natives of the Keystone state and were descended from old New England stock. tracing the line back to the same ancestry
from which General Stark of Revolutionary fame was descended.
Marshall Stark was reared in the county of his nativity and after acquiring a good education de- voted his early life to teaching school during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he was engaged in the work of the farm. The tide of immigration was steadily flowing westward. bringing to the Mississippi valley hundreds of sub- stantial settlers from the older east, who recog- nized the natural resources of the country and be- gan its development. In the summer of 1835 Marshall Stark made his way to Illinois and se- cured a claim near Rockford in Winnebago county: hut made no permanent settlement at that time. On returning to Pennsylvania he taught school through the succeeding winter but in the spring of 1837 he again came to De Kalb county, locating a claim on what are now sections 20 and 21, Syca- more township. IIe purchased his land from the government when it was placed upon the market and in true pioneer style began life in the west, his home being a log cabin which he built near the timber. He turned the first furrows in his fields and continued the work of improving his farm until the fall of 1841. when he again went te Pennsylvania, being married there on the 5th of October of that year to Miss Louisa Tyler, a native of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, born December 16, 1820. and a daughter of Royal and Mary (Southwick) Tyler. both of whom were na- tives of Connecticut. They settled in Pennsylva- nia in the fall of 1820 and there the daughter Lonisa was reared to womanhood.
Two weeks after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stark started for their new home in the west, driving across the country with horse teams. The log cabin remained their place of abode for three years and was then replaced by a more comfort- able and pretentious frame residence, in which they resided for a long period. Careful of ex- penditures. industrious and energetic in his work. Mr. Stark entered upon an era of prosperity that gained him the reputation of being one of the most energetic. thrifty and capable business men in De Kalb county. Ilis fitness for official service was also recognized and in 1848 he was elected sheriff of the county. in which capacity he served for three years. At the beginning of his service he removed to Sycamore and during his term of
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J. O. STARK.
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INOX «DATIUN8.
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office he opened a hotel in Sycamore, which he con- ducted for six years. At the end of that time, however, he sold out his business interests in the county seat in 1853 and returned to his farm, which comprised five hundred acres of fine land, well improved and conveniently and pleasantly located about a mile and a half from Sycamore. He was called to several public offices, serving as assessor, school director and supervisor of his township, and was a member of the county board vi the time of his death. He did not confine his at- tention to one line of business but extended his efforts to other fields of activity and became ex- tensively interested in the lumber business, spend- ing two winters in the pineries of Michigan. In 1874, in partnership with his son, Theron MI., he established a large lumberyard in Sycamore, which he carried on with pronounced success until his death on the 26th of December, 1882. when he was sixty-nine years of age. He also engaged in buying and selling stock and grain for many years and that business proved equally profitable. In fact, he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook and his energy, ready adaptability and far-sighted sagacity constituted the salient factors in his financial advancement. Both he and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Sycamore, to the sup- port of which they contributed liberally, making generous donations also for the erection of the house of worship and taking a helpful part in many of the church activities. Mrs. Stark sur- vived her husband for about ten years and died July 1, 1892.
They were the parents of ten children: Har- mon M., a farmer residing in Kingston township: Martha S. the wife of Ilosea W. Atwood, living in Jasper county. Iowa; Mary E., the wife of L. C. Harris, of Genoa township; JetTerson O., of this review : Henry J., residing in Sycamore: Theron M., who also resides in Sycamore : Ada L .. the wife of James Maitland, of Sycamore township; Ella A., the wife of A. W. Brower, of Sycamore ; Emma J., the wife of Charles Wiggins, of Nebraska. and Hattie M., the wife of Burton W. Lee. of Sycamore township.
At the usual age Jefferson O. Stark began his education in the public schools. He was a youth of only eighteen when he enlisted in the army, the fires of patriotism burning strong within his
breast. It was on the 18th of February, 1865. that he was enrolled as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, serving with distinction for a little more than a year, when he was honorably discharged, return- ing home with a creditable military record at the age of nineteen. There is nothing that so quickly develops the boy into the man as the hardships, rigors and experiences of war, and the boy who went to the front came home to take his place as a man in promoting the world's work. He engaged in buying and shipping stock and also in real estate operations and continued in these lines throughout his remaining days, meeting with pro- nounced success. For several years he acted as solicitor for the commission firm of Shannon Brothers, of Chicago. As the years passed his business grew to such proportion that he became one of the wealthy men of the county and at his death left to his family a valuable estate.
On the 13th of November, 1875, Mr. Stark was married to Miss Lydia Carver, a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, who was born in Lemon township. August 1. 1850. She is a daughter of Jabez and Ellen (Jackson) Carver and now re- sides in a beautiful home at No. 633 De Kalb avenue, which she owns. Her friends are many and, as was her husband, she is held in high es- teem by all who know her. Mr. Stark was a man of stout build, well proportioned, agreeable in man- ner and kindly in disposition, and had the good will and confidence of all who knew him. His name was a synonym for business integrity and activity and his genuine personal worth was widely acknowledged and drew to him the warm friend- ship and kindly regard of all with whom he was brought in contact.
FRANK NEWHALL.
Frank Newhall is residing upon the old Newhall homestead of fifty-one and one-half acres on sec- tion 6. Afton township. From his boyhood days he has lived in this county and has many friends within its borders. His birth occurred in Chester- field. New Hampshire, on the 31st of December. 1844. The Nowhall family is noted for longevity and the ancestry of the family can be traced back
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to a remote period in the colonial history of Amer- ica. The great-grandfather, Iliram Newhall. was born in 1:38 and died in 1816, while the grand- father. William Newhall, was born June 10, 1183, and died June 6, 1858. ITis father. John P. New- hall, was a native of Athol, Massachusetts, born February 20, 1816, and in 1856 he brought his family to De Kalb county, casting in his lot with the early settlers. IIe followed farming until his death, which occurred March 1, 1898, and was re- garded as a reliable, enterprising business inan. who well merited the measure of prosperity that was accorded him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emeline Hopkins and whom he wedded on the 7th of November. 1841. was born in Massa- chusetts. July 25. 1819. She survived her hus- band for five years and passed away on the Stl of November, 1903.
Frank Newhall. of this review. was a lad of twelve years when he left New England and ac- companied his parents on their removal to Illi- nois. HIere he was reared on the home farm and throughout his entire life he has been connected with general agricultural pursuits. His educa- tional privileges were those atforded by the com- mon schools. After he had arrived at years of maturity he chose a companion and helpmate for life's journey. being married on the 4th of March. 1874. to Miss Sarah Duryer, who was born in Osseo. Michigan, on the 22d of October. 1853. She came with her parents to Illinois in 1860 and her father, who was a shoemaker by trade. is now liv- ing in California. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Newhall were born three children: Effie Belle, born August 1. 1816 : Roy D., horn March 4. 1818: and Nina C .. March 16. 1892. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 4th of January. 1897. and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immedidate family. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In his political views Mr. Newhall is a repub- lican. having been a stanch advocate of the party since he attained his majority. The cause of edu- cation finds in him a warm friend and he has served as school director for six years. while at the present writing he is a school trustee. He resides upon the old family homestead of fifty-one and one-half acres on section 6. Afton township. his daughter acting as his housekeeper since her
mother's death. He has lived a quiet, unassum- ing life. devoting his energies to his farm work, being recognized as a citizen of worth because of his loyalty to those interests which tend to promote publie progress and advance the welfare of the community.
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