USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 3
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The latter was born October 2, 1844, in Auburn, New York, came west with his parents and pur- sued his education in the schools of Sycamore. After serving an apprenticeship in the office of the True Republican, he was employed in the office of the circuit clerk of De Kalb county, where he remained from 1861 until 1864. In 1865 he was appointed assistant state treasurer under Treasurer Beveridge, occupying the position for two years and leaving office on the expiration of the term of his superior. He then entered the banking house of Jacob Bunn, at Springfield, Illinois, as book- keeper and there received recognition of his ability, being made teller and later cashier. He served as such until the organization of the State National Bank at Springfield, when he became cashier of that institution, continuing as such for about twenty years. Ite was then made cashier of the United States sub-treasury at Chicago under the administration of President Harrison and in 1895 was appointed assistant state treasurer. In the summer of 1898 he received the nomination by the republican party for state treasurer and was elected to that office. He was regarded as one of the best financiers of Illinois and had much to do in shap- ing the poliey of the state in that regard. He remained a resident of Springfield up to the time of his death, which occurred March 4, 190%, after a short illness although he had not been very well for a couple of years. He was a self-made man and met with excellent success in business. so that he left an estate valued at half a million.
Henry C. Whittemore was only seven years of age when brought to Sycamore by his parents, and the public schools atforded him his educational privileges. He entered business life as a salesinan in a store and was afterward employed in the office of the circuit clerk, being thus engaged at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He put aside business cares and personal interests to de- fend his country in her hour of peril, enlisting in September, 1861. He was mustered into the United States service in October, as a member of Battery G of the Second Illinois Light Artillery, under command of Captain C. J. Stolbrand. The company was given the camp instruction until December and then went to Cairo, from which point they followed the army down the Missis- sippi. Mr. Whittemore was appointed ordnance otlicer at Cairo and had charge of the ordnance department of the Army of the Tennessee. He was with the fleet at Island No. 10, where he remained for two weeks and afterward went to Columbus, Kentucky, being engaged in keeping open the rail- roads there. At that place he served on the staff with General Quimby and also with General Da- vies and subsequently was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. For several months he filled the position of judge advocate. after which he was with the battery in front of Fort Donelson. Later he was placed on staff duty with General Rosseau, with whom he served until the close of the war. Captain Whittemore was mustered out July 29, 1865, but this did not end his govern- ment service, for after a brief period he was sent south in the employ of the postal department for the purpose of reorganizing the postal service in southern states. His time was thus occupied until 1867, when he returned home to once more become a factor in the business life of Sycamore.
For some time Captain Whittemore was engaged in the conduet of a tannery, and in 1823 turned his attention to the hardware business as a member of the firm of Harkness & Whittemore, which rela- tion was maintained until the death of his part- ner. who was then succeeded by Mr. Chamberlain and 1. W. Brower. these gentlemen purchasing the interest of the Harkness heirs. At that time the firm style of Whittemore, Chamberlain & Com- pany was assumed and on the retirement of Mr. Chamberlain the firm became Whittemore & Brower. This is a well known business house of
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Sycamore. They carry a large line of general hardware, agricultural implements, carriages and wagons, and their patronage has constantly grown in volume and importance. In the conduct of their store they manifest a strict fidelity to a high standard of commercial ethics and have secured a liberal support by reason of their moderate prices and honorable methods.
Happy in his home life, Captain Whittemore, on the 14th of March, 1864, was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Martin, a daughter of Harry and Jane (Slack) Martin, both of whom were natives of Vermont. Mrs. Whittemore was born in Syca- more, to which place her parents had removed some years previously. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whittemore have been born five children : Charles F., who was born in July. 1865, and died at the age of six years : Mary, at home: Harry M .. who wedded Gertrude Chapell, and has two children, Helen and Ruth ; Cora, the wife of Dr. George W. Nes- bitt. of Sycamore: and Floyd, who is a graduate of the Sycamore high school and also of the Illi- nois University. Mrs. Whittemore holds member- ship in the Congregational church and is actively interested in its work.
Captain Whittemore is a stalwart republican in his political views, having always supported the party, and upon its ticket he has been chosen to a number of positions of public honor and trust. He has served as alderman of the city and as a member of the county board of supervisors. He was first chosen to that office in 1883 and has been re-elected up to the present time at each succeed- ing election. HEis service has been highly satis- factory as is shown by his long continuance in office. He was a member of the Thirty-fourth General Assembly of Illinois at the time when General Logan was elected United States senator after a most memorable contest. He was unswerv- ing in his advocacy of the "Black Eagle," of whom he was a warm admirer. The Captain has been one of the trustees of the State llome for Juvenile Offenders at Geneva, Illinois, and he served as chairman of the building committee during the erection of the De Kalb courthouse. He has fre- quently been a delegate to the county, congressional and state conventions of his party and his labors in its behalf have been far-reaching and bene- fieial. He belongs to Potter post, No. 12. G. A. R. of Sycamore, of which he has been commander and
he has attained the Knight Templar degree in Masonry. Almost his entire life has been passed in De Kalb county and he is well known as a representative merchant, trustworthy political leader and a reliable business man. He holds friendship inviolable and is true to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature. His many good qualities have not only gained for him respect but have won for him warm personal friendship and regard, and therefore it is with pleasure that we present to our readers the life record of this man whose intense and well directed energy has gained for him a place among the representative men of the community.
ISAAC Q. BURROUGHS.
Isaac Q. Burroughs, who is now practically liv- ing retired in Genoa, has made his home in De Kalb county since 1854 and has taken an active part in its agricultural development. His early life was spent in the east for he was born in Hun- terdon county, New Jersey, January 2, 1818. His father. Timothy Burroughs, was a native of the same state and was a son of John Burroughs, who was also born in New Jersey, of English an- cestry, the family having been founded in that state at a very early date in its settlement. They located along the Delaware river and the great- great-grandfather of our subject was the first sheriff of what is now Mercer county, New Jersey. On reaching manhood Timothy Burroughs married Phoebe Green, who was born in the same state and was also a representative of an old family. Her father. Joseph Green, was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war, as was also John Burroughs, the pa- ternal grandfather of our subject. Throughout his active business life Timothy Burroughs fol- lowed the carpenter's trade but later joined his son in Illinois, where he lived retired until his death. In his family were five children, two sons and three daughters: Jeremiah, who was also a carpenter and spent his entire life in New Jersey ; Deborah, who married D. H. Ball and settled in Ohio, where her death occurred ; Eliza, who became the wife of Robert Smith and died in this county, whither they removed in 1854; and Mrs. Rhoda Slater, who died in 1907, in Lake Bluff. Illinois.
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She was the mother of Henry Slater, a business man of Genoa.
Isaac Q. Burroughs, who completes the family, grew to manhood in his native state and there learned the shoemaker's trade, serving a five years' apprenticeship. For two years he worked at his trade in Asbury, Warren county, New Jersey, and for four years conducted a shop in Washington, the same county. At the end of that time he re- moved to a farm near Trenton, which he rented and operated for seven years. In 1854 he came to De Kalb county. Illinois, and after spending the first winter in Kingston, he purchased a tract of raw land on section 11, Genoa township, which he fenced and improved, breaking the prairie with both ox and horse teams. Ilis first home here was a rude frame structure, where he lived for some years, and then built a good substantial resi- dence, a barn and other outbuildings. He set out an orchard and made many useful and valuable improvements to the place, which he continued to cultivate for thirty-two years, or until 1887, when he sold the farm and removed to Genoa. Here he bought residence property and now owns two store buildings and a residence. From the former he derives a good income which enables him to lay aside all business eares and live retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
Before leaving New Jersey, Mr. Burroughs was married in Pennington, Mercer county. in 1843, to Miss Christina Baldwin, a native of that state, who died in 1898. To them were born ten children but only four are now living, namely: Henry S. a farmer of Genoa township: David G., a business man of St. Joseph, Missouri; Phoebe, wife of James M. Allen, a business man of Chicago; and Fanny, who now acts as her father's housekeeper. Of those deceased. James Harvey was a soldier of the war of the Rebellion and died in defense of the old flag and the cause it represented. Andrew B. was married and living in Tennessee at the time of his death, which was caused by drowning. Two children died of scarlet fever within a week. Al- fred died at Harvard, Illinois, and Archie died in New Jersey in childhood.
Politically Mr. Burroughs was originally an old line whig and cast his first presidential ballot in 1840 for W. H. Harrison, at the time of the log cabin and coon skin campaign. when the ery was "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too." On the organiza-
tion of the republican party he joined its ranks, voting for John C. Fremont in 1856 and for every nominee since that time with exception of one. About 1856 he was elected township assessor and continued to fill that office for a third of a een- tury. He also served as justice of the peace for some years, was a member of the town board and police magistrate for several years. He has been a delegate to many county conventions of his party and has ever taken an active and helpful part in public affairs, doing all in his power to promote the general welfare.
ALONZO DEXTER BLAGDEN, M. D.
Dr. Alonzo Dexter Blagden, whose knowledge. ability and devotion to his profession have made him one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Sveamore. was born at Genoa. De Kalb county, March 24, 1851. He is a son of Warren and Lydia (Tupper) Blagden, the former a native of Maine, and the latter of New York. Ilis grand- father, Charles Blagden, and his great-grand- father. William Blagden. came from England and settled in Maine. The father removed to De Kalb county about 1850. locating at Genoa, where he made his home throughout his remaining days. However, he went to Washington for the benefit of his health and there died in February. 1888. His widow long survived him and passed away in the state of Washington in the fall of 1904. Their family numbered seven children, but only three are now living: Dr. Blagden : Mrs. Mabel Marshall, a resident of Washington; and Fred W., who is living at Goldendale, Washington.
Dr. Blagden supplemented his preliminary edu- eation, acquired in the publie schools of his na- tive town, by study in the State University. at Champaign, Illinois, and his professional training was received in Bennett Medical College, of Chi- eago, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1886. He had previously studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Spears, and for three years owned and operated a drug store at Kirkland. Following his graduation in 1886 he located for practice in Sycamore, Illinois, and has sinee enjoyed a good patronage, being now the second oldest physician of the city. He soon
DR. A. D. BLAGDEN.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with many of the intricate problems which confront the physician in his efforts to alleviate human suffering and restore health, and as the years have gone by he has kept in touch with the progress which is being made by the members of the medi- cal fraternity, as research, investigation and ex- periment broaden their knowledge and promote their efficiency.
Dr. Blagden was married to Miss Addie B. White, who was born in Sycamore township, npon a farm where a portion of her girlhood days were passed, while the remainder of the time was spent in Sycamore. She was educated in Sycamore and in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illi- nois. She afterward removed to Genoa with her parents, Oliver and Mary (Holcomb) White and remained at home until she gave her hand in mar- riage to Dr. Blagden. Her mother was a daughter of Sylvanus Holcomb, who was one of the pioneers of this county, having located here in 1839. Mrs .. Blagden's paternal grandfather was Edward White, a native of New York and a son of James White, who was also born in that state and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Blagden have been born four children : Benlah Blanche, who is a graduate of the Sycamore high school and was a student at the Northwestern University, was married on the 8th of August, 1906, to Wilmer II. Stowe, an attorney of Fort Dodge, Iowa ; Frank Warren, now eighteen years of age, is also a graduate of the high school; Helen Lucile, sixteen years of age, is a member of the junior class at that school; and Charles Dexter, twelve years of age, completes the family.
Politically Dr. Blagden has always been a re- publican and, although without aspiration for office, has ever been loyal to the interests of his party, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the State Medical College. He has made a creditable professional record and in social eireles has displayed those strong character- isties which win warm regard and lasting friend- ship. He is a man of many excellent traits of character and is well liked and popular. Mrs. Blagden organized the Eastern Star lodge at Syca-
more and has always taken an active interest in its work. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a most estimable lady.
EARNEST S. CHAMBERS.
Earnest S. Chambers, a resident of Sycamore. was born in Plano, Kendall county, Illinois, April 7, 1859. His father, Moses Chambers, was a na- tive of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, born August 26, 1821, and his life record, covering a span of eighty years, was terminated March 16, 1901. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Tyler Chambers, who was born in Tompkins county, New York, April 8, 1821, died in Afton township, De Kalb connly, March 16, 1880. The year 1859 witnessed the arrival of Moses Chambers and his family in De Kalb county, at which time the son Earnest was but six weeks old, a location being made on section 26, Afton township. At the usual age the boy entered the common schools and spent the greater part of his life to the age of twenty-four years upon the old homestead farm. He has one brother and one sister living, namely: Adelia, who was born Janu- ary 2, 1850; and Fred S., who was born July 22, 1864, and is now living in Iowa, where he works at the carpenter's trade. A sister, Luverna, born August 29, 1848, became the wife of Ilenry Rich- mond and died in 1891.
Earnest S. Chambers early became familiar with the duties and labors that fell to the lot of the agriculturist and he remained upon the home farm, actively assisting in its cultivation until 1880, when he removed to the city of Sycamore. Four years were spent in the lumber business, after which he established a plumbing business, in which he has since continued.
On the 20th of December, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Chambers and Miss Phena S. De Forest, a daughter of Lansing E. and Lurena De Forest. Her father was born in Southville, Herkimer county, New York, May 10, 1832, and her mother at German Flats. Herkimer county, December 31, 1831. They became farming people of De Kalb county, Illinois, although the father was a carpenter by trade and followed that voca- tion to some extent after removing to the middle west. Ile is now deceased but his widow still sur-
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vives. In their family were seven children: Ella M., who was born October 24, 1852, in Oneida county. New York, and died in 1904: Elizabeth A .. who was born in Oneida county, December 25, 1855: Engene A., born February 17, 1854: Irena B., who was born in 1857 and died July 9, 1866 ; Phena S., born in October. 1861; Carrie M .. born January 1, 1864; and Lettie E., born July 3, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are the parents of one son, Lynn De Forest, who was born July 28, 1882, and is now in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company.
Mr. Chambers belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, to the Knights of the Globe and the Royal Arcanumn, and he is likewise a member of the Commercial Club of Sycamore. In politics he is an earnest republican. He owns a residence at No. 227 North California street in Sycamore in addition to his plumbing business. He and his wife are numbered among De Kalb county's best citizens. having the respect of all who knew them and the warm friendship of many with whom they have come in contact.
CHARLES H. SALISBURY.
Charles H. Salisbury, as vice-president and sec- retary of the Haish Wire & Implement Company, is one of the prominent representatives of business interests in De Kalb county. His rise to his pres- ent responsible position has been a gradual devel- opment, in which he has thoroughly mastered every task that he has undertaken and in each forward step he has gained a broader view and wider out- look, leading to greater possibilities. The ele- mental strength of his character was early shown forth in the determination and ready adaptability which he displayed and as the years have gone by he has risen superior to every ditliculty and obsta- ele that he has encountered, thus making his busi- ness career a victorious onc.
Mr. Salisbury was born in Barton, Vermont. July 23, 1841. His parents were Henry and Caroline M. ( Blake) Salisbury, the former a native of Barton, Vermont, and the latter of Sutton, that state. Both were of English parentage. They came to Illinois in 1856. locating at White Rock. Ogle county, Illinois, but in the fall of the same year removed to De Kalb county. The mother died
in Iowa, while the father's death occurred in the south.
Charles H. Salisbury was a youth of fifteen when he came with his parents to this state. His time was divided between work upon the home farm and in a store and the duties of the schoolroom. He also attended Professor Webb's Academy at De- Kalb in 1859 and subsequently was a student in various institutions of learning which fitted him for a larger field of usefulness. ' When Jacob Haish first commenced business in DeKalb Mr. Salisbury entered his employ and remained with him until the opening of the winter term of school. In the spring of 1861 he entered the postoffice as assistant postmaster under Ira V. Randall, filling that position during the early part of President Lincoln's first administration, or until he re- sponded to the country's call for further aid to crush ont the rebellion in the south.
On the 6th of August, 1862, he joined the army as a member of Company K. One Hundred and Fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry He was immediately appointed sergeant of his company and remained at the front for almost three years, or until honorably discharged on the ith of June, 1865, after the cessation of hostili- ties. lle participated in all of the engagements as the Union forces proceeded from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and was with General Sherman on the march from Atlanta to the sea, and from Savannah to Raleigh, North Carolina, where the main body of Sherman's army was encamped when peace was declared. He was never absent a day from his company except on special duty. At frequent in- tervals he commanded the company in important engagements and was in full command during the march to the sea and through the Carolinas, and at the close of the war he was brevetted lieutenant by reason of his valor and efficiency. At Wash- ington, D. C., he received an honorable discharge on the 4th of June, 1865, and with a creditable military record returned to his home. Ile was then but twenty-four years of age and had had three years of arduous military service.
In the winter of 1865-6 Mr. Salisbury returned to the employ of Mr. Haish, who at that time was a lumber dealer, contractor and builder. His ad- vancement came soon because of his capability and fidelity. Ile has proven himself a most able as-
BH, Salisbury
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
sistant to Mr. Haish and his tact, practical experi- ence and business capacity have been a strong element in the success of the enterprise and in the work of carrying it forward to its present extensive proportions. He is today the vice president and secretary of the Jacob Haish Company, which has become known throughout the world, having a large domestic and export trade. During the long and fiery litigation through which the Haish Man- nfacturing Company passed the pen and pencil of our subject were frequently brought into requisi- tion for advertising purposes. In the drafting of cartoons and in his readiness to dash off burlesque poetry, he has had few superiors. The fight be- tween the different barb wire manufacturers was very intense, and every effort was made by each to push his wire to the front. In one of his adver- tisements Mr. Salisbury says :
"The June bug has gaudy wings, The lightning bug has fame; The 'Dutchman has no wings at all, But he gets there just the same."
These rhymes, written by Mr. Salisbury, which were often accompanied by cartoons, created great interest throughout the country and brought the Haish barb wire into considerable prominence. Many were the conjectures made as to who was the writer of the rhymes and the draughtsman of the cartoons, and to this day few people know who was the author. One of the elements in his success has been his ready adaptability, a power that has enabled him to adjust himself quickly to every circumstance and condition and make the best possible use of these. In addition to his connec- tion with the Haish Company Mr. Salisbury is the owner of mueh valuable property, including city real estate in DeKalb and farming lands and tim- ber in Florida. He has thus by his honesty, in- dustry and enterprise accumulated a nice fortune.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Salisbury is a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge and also
to a Sycamore commandery, No. 15. K. T. He has ever been a stalwart champion of the republican party which stood as the defender of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war, and for one term he served as a trustee of DeKalb, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. IIe also served two terms as one of the county supervisors, being a member of the board when the new courthouse was built. The cause of educa- tion finds in him a stalwart champion and for two terms he was president of the school board of De Kalb. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
On the 1st of May, 1876, Mr. Salisbury was married in DeKalb to Miss Laura M. Wilder, who was born in Vermont, February 12, 1843, a daughter of Oliver and Lamira Wilder. From the age of fifteen years he has made his home in this "Well, perhaps you may be dreaming, Perhaps you're in a whirl : Yet somehow Haish's fence is winning The plaudits of the world." county; so that his life record is largely familiar to his fellow townsmen, who recognize in him the essential į qualities of a successful business man, possessing the typical enterprising spirit of the Some of the opponents of Mr. Haish tried to age . He has displayed in his business career a have a little fun at his expense, because of the fact that he was a "Dutchman." In reply to this Mr. Salisbury writes :
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