USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 28
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Mr. Todd is an ardent republican giving un- wavering support to the principles of his party. Fraternally he is connected with the Aurora lodge, Knights of Pythias, and with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. Almost his entire life has been spent in this country where he has now re- sided for more than half a century. He has wit- nessed many changes as the work of improvement and progress has been carried forward and as the years have gone by he has borne his full share in the task of developing the county, supporting its principal public enterprises. In his business life he has been reliable, diligent and persevering and as a result of these qualities has met with pros- perity.
EDWARD GORHAM.
Edward Gorham, of Kirkland, is now living a retired life, but for years was one of the active and prosperous farmers of Franklin township. owning and conducting an excellent farm property. More than half a century has passed since he came to the county and he has therefore witnessed the
greater part of its growth and improvement, while in agricultural lines he has contributed much to its substantial development. His birth occurred in Genesee county, New York. March 23. 1842. His father. Charles Gorham, was a native of Vermont. was there reared and afterward went to Genesce county, New York, where he met and married Miss Emeline Peck. a native of the Empire state. . He was a shoemaker and followed that trade through- out his active life in the east. In 1855 he re- moved westward to Illinois. settling on a farm near Kirkland, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a few years and then moved to Belvi- dere. where he continued in business for several years. His family numbered nine sons and three daughters, of whom seven sons and one daughter reached years of maturity. Three of the brothers were soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war and Itarris Gorham was killed in the service at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia.
Edward Gorham of this review was a youth of thirteen years when he came with his parents to Illinois and upon the home farm he remained with his father until eighteen or nineteen years of age, after which he began earning his living by working as a farm hand in the neighborhood. On the 10th of August, 1861, he responded to the country's call for troops, joining Company K of the Forty- second Illinois Infantry, which was the first regi- ment of the Douglas brigade. He went to Chicago and was mustered in at Camp Douglas, after which he proceeded southward with his regiment, being first under fire in the battle of New Madrid, Mis- souri. Later he took part in the engagement at Island No. 10 and was in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. IFe then went on a forced march to Knoxville to relieve Burnside, remaining there all winter at camp at Stone's Mill. There Mr. Gor- ham re-enlisted and then went back to Chatta- nooga, where he was given thirty days' furlough. Later he was in the engagements of the Atlanta campaign and the capture of Atlanta. The regi- ment then returned to Nashville under General Thomas and was in the fights at Franklin, Spring Ilill and Nashville. Becoming ill, Mr. Gorham was sent to the hospital at Murfreesboro. but later rejoined his regiment and continued at the front until after the close of the war, being honorably discharged on the 18th of June, 1865. He then
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD GORHAM.
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returned to De Kalb county and resumed work upon the home farm.
On the 15th of March, 1866, Mr. Gorham was married to Miss Josephine E. Caswell, who was born in Belvidere, Illinois, but was reared at Kirk- land, a daughter of Marcus Caswell and a step- daughter of William II. Rowan, one of the old settlers. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm, where they lived for two years, after which Mr. Gorham purchased one hun- dred acres of land, which he cultivated for three years. He then sold out and bought sixty acres of raw brush land, which he cleared. building thereon a good residence and improving a farmi, which was pleasantly situated within a mile of Kirkland. There he carried on general agricul- tural pursuits from 1871 until 1897 and as the years went by met with a gratifying measure of prosperity. After the war he bought and operated a threshing machine for thirty years, owning and operating a steam thresher for fourteen years, in which connection he did work all over De Kalb and Boone counties. In 1885 he removed to Kirk- land, where he erected a neat residence that he now occupies. He carried on the farm, however, until 1892. He is a natural mechanic and for three years worked in a wagon shop in Kirkland and later at carpentering during the busy season. ITe has sold the old homestead and purchased two small farms, one in Kingston and the other in Franklin township. At the present writing. how- ever, he is practically living retired in the enjoy- ment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
Mr. and Mrs. Gorham had one son, Ed J. Gor- ham, who died when a young man of seventeen years, passing away February 14, 1897. In his political views Mr. Gorham has been an earnest republican since casting his first presidential bal- lot for General Grant in 1868. He was elected township collector for two terms. served on the city board as one of its trustees and has been road commissioner for one year. In the spring of 1907 he was elected assessor of Franklin township. His official duties have ever been promptly and faith- fully performed. He is a member of the Kingston lodge of Masons and his wife of the Eastern Star, while he also belongs to the Grand Army post of Kirkland, of which he has now served as com- mander for six years. He is likewise a member
of the Modern Woodmen camp and both he and his wife are of Spiritualistie faith. In all mat- ters of citizenship Mr. Gorham has been as loyal and patriotic as he was when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields.
HENRY A. ADAMS.
Ilonored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position as a rep- resentative of the business life of Sandwich than Henry A. Adams, the superintendent of the Sand- wich Manufacturing Company. ILis enterprise, his strong purpose, his progressive spirit and his consideration of his employes, all combine to make himaman whose record excites the admiration and has won the regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact either through business or so- cial relations.
Mr. Adams is a native of Pine Valley, New York. Ile was born January 21. 1837. a son of the Hon. Angustus Adams, who is mentioned else- where in this volume. The removal of the family to the west led him to pursue his education as a student in the schools of Elgin, Ilinois, and he obtained a practical knowledge of mechanics in the machine shop with his father. He is thor- oughly familiar with the business in its practical workings as well as in the department requiring careful management of financial affairs, and his thorough understanding of the trade has un- doubtedly been one of the strong elements in his success. He came with his father to Sandwich and remained a member of the firm until its in- corporation, since which time he has been super- intendent of the company, which employs about three hundred operatives in the factory and thirty traveling salesmen upon the road. The output is farm implements and machinery and progress has been continuously made in keeping with the trend of invention and improvement which have char- acterized mechanical construction in the new world.
On the 29th of September, 1859, occurred the marriage of Ilenry A. Adams and Miss Augusta Carpenter, of Sandwich. They have three daugh- ters and a son: Minnie G .. born December 31, 1862 : H. May. March 19. 1867 ; Charles H .. July
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28, 1810: and Jessie, July 13, 18:2. The parents are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Adams is a republican in his political views and has served for several terms as alderman and also as school director. Community affairs awaken his deep interest and his aid has been a salient factor in progress and improvement along many lines here, while his business career has been of the utmost benefit to the city. furnishing employment to a large force of workmen. It has justly heen said that he who pays weekly hundreds of dollars over his counters to those in his service does more for his country than the military commander who leads armed forces forth to battle, for the former furnishes the means of sustaining life and the lat- ter of necessity of destroying it. Mr. Adams' pol- icy with his men has been most commendable, He is fair and just in his treatment and his employes recognize the fact that faithfulness on their part will gain promotion as opportunity offers. He will tolerate no dishonorable methods on the part of any employe and in fact his entire business has been run upon the principle that honesty is the best policy. He has endeavored to maintain a high standard of workmanship. so that the output will reach the utmost perfection attainable and as a result the Sandwich Manufacturing Company has gained a most creditable reputation in business circles wherever the house is known.
SEYMOUR MERRITT HUNT.
Seymour Merritt Hunt is secretary and general manager of the Standard Foundry & Manufactur- ing Company of De Kalb and also president of the Sycamore Wagon Works. He is one of De Kalb's native sons, having been born here on the 16th of August, 1867. His successful business career had its beginning in the position of book- keeper. since which time he had gradually pro- gressed until now he stands at the head of an enter- prise which figures prominently in industrial cir- cles in this county. Hle owes his advancement to the fact that he has thoroughly mastered every task devolving upon him, to the readiness with which he has recognized opportunities and his adaptation of new conditions evolved in business life to the methods of the present day, and though yet a
young man he is regarded as one of the more prominent representatives of commercial and man- ufacturing interests in De Kalb county.
Horace D. Hunt, the father of our subject, was born in Ashtabula county. Ohio, July 15, 1838. and for many years followed farming and stock- buying, but is now living retired. He wedded Mary J. Simonds who was born in Rutland county. Vermont, February 24. 1841.
In the public schools of De Kalb, Seymour Merritt Hunt acquired his early education, which was supplemented by a commercial course in the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago. After leaving school he became bookkeeper for W. L. Ellwood and acted in that capacity for five years. Hle afterward spent fourteen years with the Syca- more Foundry Company as secretary and later or- ganized the Standard Foundry & Manufacturing Company of De Kalb, of which he is secretary and general manager as well as one of the heavy stock- holders. This enterprise has proved profitable from the beginning and is now a business of large proportions and liberal patronage. Mr. Hunt is likewise president and one of the large stockhol- ers of the Sycamore Wagon Works and in these connections furnishes employment to a large force of workmen. His business interests have ever been of a character such as contribute to the general prosperity as well as to individual success.
On the 26th of June, 1895, in De Kalb, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hunt and Miss Lettie E. De Forest, who was born in Afton town- ship. De Kalb county, July 3, 1870. They now have one son, Lansing De Forest Hunt, who was born October 11. 1902. MIrs. Hunt is a daughter of Lansing and Lurena De Forest.
In his political views Mr. Hunt is a stalwart republican. while socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 215. and the Elks lodge. No. 665. both at De Kalb. Energetic. prompt and notably reliable in all his business transactions, he has wronght along progressive business lines and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and greater opportunities. The qualifications with which nature endowed him. well fits him for leadership in business circles and his properity but represents the fit utilization of the powers which are his. He has been and is dis- tinctively a man of force and one who is wielding a wide influence. His family occupy a beauti-
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ful home at No. 315 North Third street, De Kalb, and while it is richly and tastefully furnished, one of its most attractive features is its warm hos- pitality. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have spent their entire lives in this county and are most widely and favorably known.
TIMOTHY R. RICKER.
Timothy R. Rieker is one of the venerable cili- zens of Cortland. having attained the age of seventy-nine years. He is still, however, an active, energetic man, who conducts an apiary and is interested in affairs concerning public welfare and progress. He was born in Moultonboro, New Hampshire, on the 6th of June, 1828, but he always speaks as having come from Waterboro. Maine, for in his early boyhood days he became a resident of that place. Ifis parents were Benja- min and Judith ( Pitts) Ricker, who removed from the Pine Tree state and located at the foot of the White mountains in New Hampshire, where they were engaged in the manufacture of maple sugar-or the sap bush business, as it was then called. They were living in that state at the time of the birth of their son Timothy. The members of the Ricker family were Moses P., Sarah, Eunice, Timothy. Benjamin F. and Alice, all of whom grew to years of maturity save Eunice, who died in infancy. The father's failing health caused the family to return to the old home in Maine, Timothy being at that time a little lad of six sum- mers. He continued his residence there until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Great Falls, New Hampshire, and entered upon an ap- prenticeship to the shoemaker's trade. Remain- ing in the old Granite state. he worked at his trade for a time and also in a cotton factory nntil he reached his majority.
On the 23d of March. 1852, was celebrated the marriage of Timothy R. Ricker and Miss Anstasia S. Carlton, of Weld, Maine, a daughter of Ezra and Mary Carlton. Mrs. Ricker was born Decem- ber 23, 1828, and was one of a family of ten chil- dren, namely: Thurza Ann; Anstasia; Hiram; David; Ezra and Mary, twins, who were named for their parents; Clymenia : Thaxter; Wallace; and Jefferson. Mrs. Ricker's family all came to
the west but Mr. Ricker's people remained in New England.
The day following their marriage Mr. Ricker and his bride removed to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he worked at the trade of shoemaking, doing sole work in that town before the day of the great shoe factories. Everything was done by hand, save that machines were used in stitching cloth top shoes. Mr. Rieker worked there for about three years and then came direct to Cort- land. arriving in the town that has been his home for more than half a century on the 10th of June. 1855. In the years which have come and gone he has ever remained one of the honored residents of Cortland, respected by all because of his genuine worth.
Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rieker: Imella Lynn, born in Lynn, Massachu- setts, October 8, 1853 ; Clydeia Florence, who was born September 17, 1861, and died November 7. 1821 : and Leon Maitland, born January 11, 1866. The mother died November 3, 1870, just one year and four days prior to the death of her little daughter, and they were laid to rest in the family burial plot in Cortland cemetery. The elder daughter, Luella Lynn Ricker, was married July 25, 1873. to Merritt Powell Crossette, who be- longed to one of the pioneer families of De Kalb county. He was born March 23, 1849, and was the eldest of the eight children whose parents were Sheldon and Eliza Crossette. Mr. and Mrs. Mer- rift Crossetfe have one child, Charles Belmont Crossette, who was born in Chicago, March 26, 1875, and was married September 19, 1900, to Miss Ethel MeMann, of Rochelle, Illinois. They are now living in South Haven, Kansas, and have two children : Percy Belmont, born January 20. 1902: and Cyril Burr, born January 26, 1906, and who call Timothy R. Ricker great-grandfather. Leon M. Ricker, the only son of Timoth; R. Ricker, received his early education in the Cort- land schools and also attended the public schools of Chicago for two years. He was married Sep- tember 21, 1905. to Mrs. Mae E. Chillis. of War- ren, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Mae Mor- ris of Warren. Leon M. Ricker served as post- master in Cortland for eight years. receiving the appointment from William McKinley. He has acted as constable of the township for several years and has been engaged in general merchan-
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dising in Cortland since March, 1901. enjoying a profitable business here. His father is frequently in the store, dividing his time to suit himself. Timothy R. Ricker also has an apiary. having at times as many as one hundred stands of bees. and the honey produced therein brings to him a good income.
The Rickers have always been prominent in fraternal circles, especially as representatives of the Odd Fellows society. The father has passed all of the chairs in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment and has been secretary of Cort- Iand lodge since 18:2, while Leon M. Ricker has been its treasurer since 1896. The latter has passed through all the chairs in Cortland lodge, No. 209. 1. O. O. F., which he joined at the age of twenty-one years. He is past noble grand of the same and past patriarch of Kishwaukee en- campment, No. 30, of De Kalb. He also belongs to the Rebekah lodge at Harvey. The son-in-law. M. P. Crossetie, is a past noble grand of Cortland lodge, No. 209, 1. O. O. F., and past chief patri- arch of Kishwaukee encampment. No. 30, while both he and his wife are connected with Rebekah lodge. No. 471, at Rochelle. In former years Mr. Crossette was a railroad conductor but failing health compelled him to give up that position. His wife is also connected with the ladies' auxiliary of the Order of Railway Conductors. Mr. Ricker of this review, however. is entitled to especial dis- tinction in connection with his fraternal relations, for he became a member of Cortland lodge, No. 209. I. O. O. F., on the 8th of May, 1857, and is now its oldest living member. He became a mem- ber of Kishwaukee encampment, No. 30, at Lodi, now Maple Park, June 28. 1865. and has since been identified with both branches of the frater- nity. Hle received the grand lodge and grand en- campment degrees in October. 1874. in Chicago. and since that time has not missed a session of either-a record equaled by few representatives of the organization. He is an honorary member of the canton No. 59 at De Kalb and also has been affiliated with the Rebekah lodge in De Kalb since the `60s. When he had been a member of Cort- land lodge for twenty-five years he was given the veteran's badge as a mark of special distinction, and on the 8th of May, 1907, he completed fifty years' membership and was eligible at that time to the fifty year veteran badge.
Mr. Ricker has always voted with the republican party since its organization. His ancestors were free soil democrats. His first presidential vote was cast for General Winfield Scott and he after- ward voted for the pathfinder, John C. Fremont, since which time he has been a stalwart supporter of the republican party. He is numbered among the honored pioneer residents of the county and can relate many interesting incidents of the early days. He was busy at the shoemaker's bench for thirty years after he came to Cortland. He would hunt by day and work at the bench at night and in these ways secured a good income. He saved his money and in his old age is surrounded by the comforts of life. He takes great pleasure in re- viewing the history of the past, his face lighting up as he recalls reminiscences of the early days. and again he is young in spirit and interests. Few men in this part of the country are better known than Timothy R. Ricker and no resident of Cort- land is more esteemed or more fully deserves the good will and respect of his fellowmen.
GEORGE I. TALBOT.
George I. Talbot, who is engaged in the real- estate and insurance business in De Kalb, with a large clientage that is indicative of his energy and unfaltering determination, was born in Wyoming county, New York, April 19, 1854. His parents were Alfred and Celia (Hunt) Talbot. The father was born in the town of Conton, Nottinghamshire, England, December 15, 1823, and was a farmer by occupation. At the age of twenty-one years he came to America and in this country married Miss Celia Hunt, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, December 14, 1829. Ile was a farmer by occupation and in 1858 the parents came to Illinois, settling in Paw Paw township, De Kalb county. In their family were four children, of whom George I. is the second.
In the public schools George I. Talbot pursued his education, becoming a high-school student at Leland, Illinois, and completing his course in the Illinois State Normal University, graduating in the class of 1878. After leaving college he taught school for three years and was then elected county superintendent of schools for De Kalb county, in
Es fallot
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
which capacity he served for nine years, proving most capable in the office. He raised the standard of education and did much to promote the interests of the schools during his incumbeney, introducing many practical and valuable methods. On his re- tirement from the office he took up the business of real estate in Chicago and later was connected with the school-book publishing business in that eity for six years as a member of the firm of Eaton & Company, with offices in the Fine Arts building. Four years ago he entered into the insurance and real-estate business in De Kalb. While in the real- estate business in Chicago he was president of the Suburban Electric Company, which built and equipped forty-two miles of electrie railroad in Cook county. He now has a good clientage in both branches of his business in De Kalb, nego- tiating many important realty transfers annually and also writing a large amount of both fire and life insurance. He formed a partnership with W. F. Wittberger and they are recognized as one of the most prominent firms in the city, having had an extensive business since the formation of the partnership on the 1st of January, 1906.
On the 4th of October, 1879, Mr. Talbot was united in marriage in Pontiac, Illinois, to Miss Luey E. Maxwell, who was born in Johnsonburg, New Jersey, June 15, 1855, a daughter of Rev. .John and Luey (Babcock) Maxwell. The father was born in Connecticut in 1813 and was a min- ister of the Christian church, to the work of which he devoted his time and attention with untiring zeal. Unto him and his wife were born ten ehil- dren, two of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Tal- bot was the eighth in order of birth. By her mar- riage she became the mother of five children: Roy M., born December 2, 1880 : . Jessie Edna, born De- cember 2, 1882; George W., August 24, 1884; Paul B., April 1, 1887; and Charles II., September 16, 1892.
In his political views Mr. Talbot is an earnest republican, but does not desire office as a reward for party fealty. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has ever been honor- able, his actions manly and sincere. Reading. study and observation have kept him in touch with the trend of modern thought and he is a well in- formed man, who has utilized his advantages to the best of his ability and has advanced through his own industry and the exercise of his native talents
to a creditable position in business circles. His home is characterized by an air of courtesy, refine- ment and culture, and the family are pleasantly located at No. 223 North Fourth street, where Mr .and Mrs. Talbot delight in extending warm hearted hospitality to their many friends.
EDWARD W. BORCHERS.
Edward W. Borchers, engaged in general farm- ing, was born in Squaw Grove township, this county, on the 3d of December, 1882. His parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1861, settling on a farm in De Kalb county. The father has since been identified with general agricultural pursuits and he and his wife are now living in Pierce township upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he owns. He likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres in Clin- ton township. now occupied and operated by his son -Edward. ITis life has been one of activity and industry and his own labor has been the measure of his success. Unto him and his wife were born six children of whom August is now deceased. The others are: Ida, Edward, Louis, Adolph and Anna.
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