USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 27
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years and also as trustee, filling the latter position from the time of the organization of the church at Shabbona. Ile was charitable and kindly. giv- ing freely of his means to relieve the necessities of others, and was known throughout the com- munity as a good neighbor and faithful friend. Ilis political allegiance was given the republican party and he held a number of township offices. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Enders, was born in Nassau, Germany. and died in 1892. at the age of seventy-three years. They were married in their native country in 1841 and, like her husband. Mrs. Ray was a member of the Baptist church.
In their family were nine children, namely: William II .. of this review; Ferdinand, who died at the age of twelve years; Henrietta, the wife of George Hochstrasser. a retired farmer living at Steward, Illinois: John Peter, a resident farmer of Shabbona township: Benjamin F., a business man of Corning. Kansas: George A .. who died in infancy : George A .. the second of the name, who became a farmer of Boone county, Illinois : Emma a resident of Shabbona; and Harriet A., the wife of MI. L. Stevens, a merchant at Seaton. Illinois.
Mr. Ray was reared on the home farm and after attending the district schools became a student in Clark Seminary at Aurora. He taught school through five winter seasons and in 18:1 he per- manently left the farm, removing to Shabbona, where he became agent for the Chicago & Iowa now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Ile aeted in that capacity for one year and at the same time was agent for the American Express Company. He continued with the latter company for twenty-two years as one of its most trusted and faithful employes. At that time the postoffice was called Malma and Mr. Ray was made postmaster. having the office in the depot. Previously the postoffice had been main- tamed about a mile and a half away from the town and he assumed the duties of that position in or- der to accommodate his friends. For a number of years he also acted as assistant to the railroad agent.
In October, 1826. he bought the interest of Bloodgood & Hunt. who were the founders of the Shabbona Express, and entered the field of jour- nalism. The next year he became sole proprietor and editor of the paper by purchasing the inter-
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WILLIAM H. RAY.
LISLIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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e:ts of Frank Bloodgood. The Shabbona Express was founded in May, 1876, by the firm of Blood- good & Hunt and was first printed at Sandwich by Mr. Bloodgood, who was editor of the Sand- wich Free Press. It was a six-column folio and was so printed until it was made a five-column quarto. In August, 1905, Mr. Ray enlarged the paper to a six-column quarto. It is an independ- ent journal, well supported by a liberal subscrip- tion patronage, and also is a good advertising medium. Since 1886 he has published the Lee Gazette. He has a good job patronage and his business now proving quite profitable. In addi- tion to his newspaper work he is agent for the North British Mercantile Fire Insurance Com- pany.
In December, 1870, Mr. Ray was united in mar- riage to Miss Imogene Loucks, who was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1851, a daughter of Hiram and Amanda (Vosburg) Loucks, who came to Illinois in an early day and settled in Victor township. The father died at the age of sixty-nine years, while the mother passed away when seventy years of age. His grandfather was a participant in one of the Indian wars which oc- curred prior to the Revolution. His wife was Rebecca Burst, a daughter of Captain Burst, who was taken prisoner during the war for independ- ence. Mr. Loucks was an active and influential citizen of his locality and did much toward mold- ing the public policy and in shaping publie thought and action. He was honored with several local and also with more important official positions, serving as supervisor of Victor township and also of Somonauk township, and later as a member of the state legislature. His family numbered five children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ray was born one child, Elizabeth Amanda, who was married in June, 1900, to W. W. Grant, an engineer on a passenger train on the Burlington road between Shabbona and Sterling. They have one son, Ray Kent, born December 1, 1905.
Mrs. Ray is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and is an estimable lady. Mr. Ray belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, to the Knights of Pythias lodge and was chancellor com- mander of the latter. He has also been clerk of the Woodmen camp since its establishment in Shabbona. Recognized as one of the local lead-
ers in republican circles, he has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to various offices, serving for four years as president of the village board, as township clerk for nineteen years, as village clerk for eleven years and as school director for fifteen years. His official duties have always been discharged with promptness and fidelity and in his public service he has been actuated by a desire to promote the best interests, being always opposed to misrule in municipal affairs and stand- ing for all things which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
J. W. LATIMER.
J. W. Latimer, widely known as a leading farmer, stock-raiser and breeder of De Kalb, was born in Franklin township, this county, November 26, 1866. TIis parents are natives of Ireland and came to America in 1865. The father worked as a farm hand by the month for five years, after which he cultivated rented land for four years and then, with the money he had saved from his earn- ings, he bought one hundred and sixty acres to which he removed, making that farm his home up to the present time. He has lived a life of thrift and industry and whatever success he has achieved. is the reward of his own labors. In his family were six children, of whom J. W. Latimer is the oklest, the others being James H., Robert C .. Thomas C., Herbert and Jennie M.
J. W. Latimer was reared to the occupation of farming and has always devoted his time to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He acquired a com- mon-school education and also spent one term as a student in Wheaton ( Illinois) College, accom- phishing the work of two terms in that time. On the 17th of September, 1890, he won a companion and helpmate for life's journey through his mar- riage to Miss Ollie Zellar, step-daughter of E. R. Zellar. She was born in Malta township, De Kalb county, May 18, 1863, and her mother was Mrs. Merey Ann Ferguson, born in the year 1832. Mrs. Latimer acquired a good education in her girlhood days and afterward successfully engaged in teach- ing school for five years or up to the time of her marriage. The young couple began their domestic life upon her step-father's farm and for eleven
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years Mr. Latimer engaged in the cultivation of that place on shares. Carefully saving his earn- ings he was at length justified in purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. He then re- moved to the farm which has since been his home. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and uses the latest improved ma- chinery in carrying on his farm work. Annually he gathers rich crops and in addition to the pro- duction of cereals best adapted to the soil and eli- mate, he is well known as an extensive stock-raiser and feeder and holds the record for shipping one of the best carloads of cattle that ever left De Kalb county. He is also president of the De Kalb Percheron Horse Company. He believes in keep- ing high grades of stock and in this way has done not a little to advance the stock-raising interests of the county.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Latimer has been blessed with five children: William H., born July 13, 1891: Ernest L., born July 2, 1893; Mercy M., born December 1, 1896; Delia M., born Feb- ruary 12, 1898; and Jennie 1., born March 10, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Latimer are both devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Malta, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 217, of De Kalb. In politics he is a republican, active in the local ranks of his party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and to secure the adoption of its prin- ciples. For five successive terins, covering a period of fifteen years, he has served as school di- rector and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. Gradually in his business life he has made advancement and well deserves the proud American title of a "self-made man."
L. L. SAILOR.
L. L. Sailor, editor of the Daily News, which is published by the Barb City Printing Company, was born October 26, 1884, in Ford county, Illi- nois, his parents being John and Julia (Spence) Sailor. His father was a farmer by occupation and died March 18, 1892. The son received his education in the common schools at Saybrook and in Taylor University, Indiana, and Bloomington. Illinois, pursuing a successful course. He entered
the newspaper field immediately after leaving school and has always given his attention to jour- nalistic interests since that time. Ile lived at Saybrook most of his boyhood and removed to De Kalb. September 20, 1906. since which time he has been connected with the Barb City Printing Company, as editor of the Daily News. His ex- perience in newspaper work well qualifies him for this position and as editor of the paper he is do- ing excellent work. He is a young man of many sterling traits of character, has the confidence of the public and is popular in the locality where he resides.
H. G. HURT.
H. G. Hurt, who is the efficient mayor and is conducting a livery business in Malta, was born January 17, 1870. His father. B. F. Hurt, is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, born March 11, 1849. LIe came west to De Kalb county in the spring of 1864 and in the following spring, when a youth of sixteen, he offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union cause, en- listing in the Fifteenth Ilinois Infantry, with which he continued until the close of hostilities. When the war was ended he returned to farm life in Malta township and for a long period was con- nected with agricultural pursuits. In 1869 he married Miss Nettie P. Walker, a daughter of John and Flora Walker, who were of Scotch descent. Mrs. Hurt was born in St. Charles, Illinois, in the year 1849 and went with her husband to the farm, where he had prepared a home for her. His at- tention was thereafter given to general agricultural pursuits until 1896. when he removed to the vil- lage of Malta and established a store, which he is still conducting. He is well known in business circles of the city and his position is that of one well worthy the trust of the public, for in all life's relations he has displayed sterling qualities of manhood. Unto him and his wife were born two sons. H. G. and J. F. Hurt, but the latter died in October. 1896.
H. G. Hurt was reared upon the old homestead farm and is indebted to the public school system of the county for the educational privileges he en- joved. He is now engaged in the livery business.
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to which he has devoted his time and energies for the past ten years or since leaving the farm in 1896. He owns the livery and a large feed barn, together with a bowling alley at Kirkland, this county. His residence in Malta is also his own property and he is conducting a profitable busi- ness in Malta as a liveryman.
Mr. Hurt was united in marriage to Miss Ella Fowler, a native of De Kalb county. He is a re- publican in politics and now holds the office of mayor and of supervisor of Malta, and was like- wise alderman of the village for three years. His political service has been characterized by the ut- most fidelity to duty and as the chief executive offi- cer of the town he is giving a publie-spirited and practical administration. He belongs to the For- resters, the Knights of the Globe, and to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 541, at Malta, and he and his wide attend and support the Congrega- tional church.
J. W. MYERS.
J. W. Myers, who for many years has been con- nected with farming interests in this county, was born in Wayne county. Ohio, January 4, 1840, and is a son of George and Naomi Myers, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married, how- ever, in Ohio and several children were born unto them while they were residents of that state. Their family numbered altogether thirteen children, six of whom first opened their eyes to the light of day in the Buckeye state, while seven were natives of Illinois, born in Du Page and De Kalb counties. Coming to this state, the family lived as farming people and finally opened up a farm on the wild prairie in Pierce township, De Kalb county. They underwent all of the hardships and privations of life on the frontier in an effort to develop a farm with crude machinery, but as the years passed their labors were erowned with a goodly measure of snecess. The father died when fifty-five years of age and the mother survived him for about twenty- eight years, being almost an octogenarian at the time of her demise. Some of the members of the family are now scattered over the west, while others remain in De Kalb county.
John Wesley Myers, the only representative of
the family who lives at Cortland, has engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery as a life work. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and his youth was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil, for he aided in the development and improvement of the home farm.
After attaining his majority he was married, on the 16th of November, 1857, to Miss Incia Irene C'randall, of Cortland, who was born April 26, 1844, and died January 26, 1897. She was the mother of ten children: Ellen L., who was born June 16, 1860; Elizabeth J., who was born JJuly 22. 1861 ; Jennie N., July 22, 1864; Ira E., Jan- uary 23, 1868; James W., July 22, 1861; Nellie M., January 4. 1845: Robert D .. November 12, 18:2; John W .. February 3, 1880; George W., February 11, 1882 ; and Charles M., June 22, 1884. There was also a little daughter that died un- named, making eleven children in all. Of these, Ellen L., Jennie, Nellie and George W. Myers have departed this life, while the other members of the family still reside in the community where they were born and all are now married and in homes of their own.
On the 26th of May. 1892, Mr. Myers was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Cynthia A. Smith, who was born April 8, 1843, and who bore the maiden name of Cynthia A, Stevens. She is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and was married August 30, 1863. to Charles J. Hoag, of Dover, New York. Their children were: Han- nah L. Hoag, born February 5, 1864; Charles A., born May 22, 1866; and Samuel C., born April 20, 1868. Of this number Hannah was married December 28, 1881, to Albert L. Smith. and her death occurred March 4, 1886. Samnel C. died February 1. 1883, while the surviving son, Charles A. Hoag, is now a resident of De Kalb. lle mar- ried Miss Nellie Van Amburg, of Cortland. Mrs. Hoag and her children came to Illinois on the 1st of May, 1871, and settled in De Kalb. She was married August 18, 1873, to Charles O. Smith, of Cortland, by whom she had one son, Richard Anson Smith, born March 1, 1875. He is now prac- tieing dentistry in Spring Valley, Illinois. The father, Charles O. Smith. was actively identified with business interests in Cortland for some time, or until his death, which occurred April 19, 1893. Four years later Mrs. Smith gave her hand in mar-
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riage to Mr. Myers, the wedding being celebrated on the 26th of May. 1897.
Mr. Myers resides in Cortland, being well known and having many warm friends in the village and throughout the surrounding district. Mrs. Myers has been mother and step-mother to three sets of children and has done her full duty by all. being the ministering spirit in many lives. She Is highly esteemed in Cortland and vicinity by ail with whom she has come in contact.
JOHN H. RILEY, M. D.
With a thorough understanding of the responsi- bilities and duties that devolve upon him in con- nection with the practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. Riley, through his devotion and fidelity. has made for himself a creditable name in connection with the practice of his profession in De Kalb. 1 native of New York, his birth occurred in Sandy IIill on the 25th of November. 18:5. His father, John Riley, was born in Ireland on Christmas day of 1821, and came to America in early man- hood. Hle wedded Anna E. MeGough, who was born at Sandy Hill. New York, and was of Irish lineage. She is now deceased. In their family were six children, of whom John L. is the third in order of birth. The father served as a soldier of the civil war, remaining for three years with the Sixty-ninth New York regiment.
Jolın H. Riley spent the days of his youth in his parents' home and continued his early educa- tion by a year's study in the high school at Sandy Hill, New York. Later he passed a year in Union University of Schenectady. New York, and for two years was a student in Albany Medical College and also for a similar period in the University od Baltimore. After leaving college he was head physician in Baltimore University Hospital for two years and also spent a similar period in Belle- vue Hospital in New York city.
Coming to the west. he located in De Kalb. Illinois, for the practice of medicine and surgery and has here remained since January. 1901. He was also a surgeon for the Red Star steamer line and made several trips to and from Cuba. Porto Rieo, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela and Costa Rica, together with other South American provinces.
Ile has already had a broad, varied and valuable experience as a physician and surgeon, and he is making continued progress in his profession by means of comprehensive study and reading. He expects to complete his education in the line of his profession in New York and Germany, and there continue his studies under some of the best teachers and professional men of the old world. He is now on the surgical staff of St. Elizabeth's hospital in Chicago and he is a member of the State Medical Society, the American Medical So- ciety and the De Kalb Medical society. In his private practice he has had phenomenal success. He is today recognized as one of the ablest young members of the medical fraternity in De Kalb county. He frequently calls in consultation some of the prominent members of the profession of Chicago and the years are marking a steady ad- vance in his professional career.
In his political allegiance Dr. Riley is a demo- crat. He has never sought or desired office, how- ever, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his business interests. He is a man in every sense of the word, reliable and honorable in all transactions and relations of life, and in De Kalb county is popular and prominent socially as well as professionally.
RUDOLPH HEIDEKLANG.
Rudolph Heideklang. who for fifteen years has engaged in the hotel business, being proprietor of the Johnson Hotel at No. 12: South Main street. Sycamore, was born in Prussia. Germany, October 14. 1843. He was educated in the common schools and was reared to manhood there. learning the trade of a baker and confectioner in his youth. In 1866 he was in the war between Prussia and Aus- tria. and the following year came to America, set- tling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade for about a year. He was then em- ployed in a similar way in Chicago and in 1820 came to De Kalb, where he secured a position in a bakery and confectionery establishment. He afterward located in Rochelle, Ogle county, where he followed his trade until 1890, when he returned to Sycamore and became proprietor of the John- son Hotel, which he has since conducted with ex-
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cellent success, winning many friends among the traveling public and having a large patronage. To the comfort of his guests he ministers in keeping with the most advanced ideas concerning the hotel business.
Mr. Heideklang married Lena Scheniholtz, of Lee county, Illinois, and they have five children : Carl, who is a practicing attorney ; Eda, who mar- ried Ernest Swanson and lives near her father ; Frank, a plumber, of Sycamore; Carrie, the wife of Frank St. Clair, of Aberdeen, South Dakota : and Robert, who is attending school in Chicago.
In politics Mr. Heideklang is independent. He is one of the leading Odd Fellows of Sycamore. chairs and is now warden in the lodge. He has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen since 1879 and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Universalist church.
WILLIAM TODD.
William Todd, who is engaged in general farm- ing in Shabbona township. was born in Wales in 1847. His father, Owen Todd, was also a native of that rock-ribbed country and in. 1847 he came to the United States, settling in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, near Mauchchnuk. He was a coal miner for five years and followed that pur- snit in the Keystone state. In 1852 he came to Illinois, settling on section 28, Shabbona township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of good land. Though his educational advantages were limited, he was a man of good business ca- pacity and prospered in his undertakings. At- tracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to that state in 1849 and began the search for the precious metal in the mines of the far west. Becoming ill with Panama fever. he returned to Illinois at the end of a year, having but little more capital than that with which he had started out. He retired from the farm in 1886 and took up his abode in Shabbona, his last days being spent at the home of his son. In his farming operations he was active and energetic. carefully cultivating the fields and securing thereby good harvests annually. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which
he took an active part. In politics he was a repub- lican, becoming a naturalized American citizen in Pennsylvania, and from that time forward he was most devoted to the interests of his adopted conn- try. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Morgan, was born in Wales and died in 1881, on the seventy-eighth anniversary of his birth. while Mr. Todd passed away in 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. She was also a member of the Methodist church and was a worthy Christian woman.
They had thirteen children but all of them have now passed away with the exception of William Todd of this review. The three oldest children were born in Wales and the others in this country. Owen Todd. Jr., a brother of our subject, served as a soldier in the Civil war. He enlisted at Shab- bona Grove in 1861 in the Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a member of Company ( and served for three years and two months. He was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, after having experienced all the rigors and hardships of war. He was with Sherman for some time and the first battle in which he participated was at Fort Donelson. He was in many other engagements under the intrepid Sherman including the famous march to the sea. At Corinth. Mississippi. he was taken prisoner and was imprisoned at Belle Isle. at Richmond, Virginia. for eight months at the end of which time he was paroled. In the mean- time he had been ill in the hospital and that he suffered all the hardships of southern prison life is indicated by the fact that he weighed one hun- dred and forty pounds when captured and when released weighed only ninety-two pounds.
William Todd, whose name introduces this rec- ord, obtained his education in the district schools of Shabbona township and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work of plowing. planting and harvesting. He began farming for himself in 1821 in Shabbona township upon a tract of land which he rented. After a year he bought sixty acres of land on section 32. Shabbona township, where he is still living. In addition to this place, he owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 28 of the same township. He carries on general farming, raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, and he also raises cattle. being a breeder of Herefords. His business interests have been carefully conducted
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and have brought him a large measure of success, his holdings now comprising three hundred and forty acres.
In 1811 Mr. Todd was married to Augusta Baltz, who was born in Germany in July of 1863 and who is the daughter of Henry and Nellie Blatz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1855 and settled in Du Page county. The father was a woolen worker by trade and he died in Du Page county in 1856. while his wife passed away in De Kalb county. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Todd was the seventh in order of birth. By her marriage she became the mother of eight chil- dren : Robert, who is farming in Paw Paw town- ship ; David D., a resident of Shabbona township; Mary, the wife of Wid Kittle, a resident of the village of Shabbona; Edward. who is a telegraph operator at Sandwich: John and Will, who are attending school ; and Anna and Estelle, who are also attending school. There are also twelve grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Todd are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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