USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 30
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Society, the De Kalb County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has kept in touch with the trend of modern thought and investigation in the line of his practice and is quick to adopt new methods winch promise to prove of value, at the same time being slow to discard the old and time-tried methods of prac- tice whose worth has been proven.
On the 16th of August, 1894, Dr. Nesbitt wedded Miss Cora C. Whittemore, a native of Sycamore and a daughter of Captain Henry C. Whittemore, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The Doctor belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank and is a mem- ber of the Mystie Shrine. In politics he and his brother are independent. His is one of the fine homes in Sycamore, located at the corner of State and California streets. The name of Nesbitt has long figured prominently and honorably in con- nection with the practice of medicine here and the life work of Dr. Nesbitt of this review re- fleets still further honor and credit upon it.
NEWELL DARROW GILBERT.
Newell Darrow Gilbert. superintendent of schools at De Kalb, and recognized in educational circles as an able representative of the work of public instruction in Illinois, was born in Clyde, New York. His father, the Rev. Silas B. Gilbert, was a Baptist clergyman of Illinois for nearly forty years. He married Julia Gage Gilbert, and both were born and reared in western New York and were of unmixed Puritan ancestry. The father died in 1894. at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife, surviving until 1906. passed away at the age of eighty-six.
Brought to Ilinois in early boyhood, Newell D. Gilbert pursued his education in the public schools of Mendota, Illinois, of Marshall, Michigan, and of Freeport, Illinois, and was graduated on the completion of the classical course in the Illinois Wesleyan University in 1879. He taught his first school in the vicinity of Freeport but after three months took up bookkeeping in the employ of the hardware firm of Lawler & Burchard, of Freeport.
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with whom he continued until he entered college. His first work as a high-school teacher was at Litchfield. Ilinois, leaving college for a year in order to undertake that work. Following his graduation he became superintendent of the Clin- ton ( Illinois) schools, where he remained from 1819 until 1882. After brief superintendence at Ctica. Ilinois, from 1882 until 1884, and at May- wood. Hlinois, from 1884 until 1882. he took charge of the schools at Austin, a suburb of t'hi- cago, where he remained for twelve years, from 1884 until 1899. He came to De Kalb at the opening of the Northern Ilinois State Normal School, to take charge of the city schools and later. on the retirement of Dr. Charles A. Me- Murry, became the head of the training school, continuing also as city superintendent. In this dual capacity he is now serving. Under his direc- tion the training school and all of the institutions of public education in De Kalb are making sub- stantial and creditable advancement.
In December, 1879, Professor Gilbert was mar- ried at El Paso, Ilinois, to Miss Elizabeth Clark. a lady of Scotch ancestry, born at Montreal. Can- ada. Their children are: Dr. Newell Clark Gil- hert. a graduate of the Northwestern Medical School of the class of 190 ;: and Julia Elizabeth Gilbert, a student in Rockford ( Illinois) College.
PATRICK M. HART.
Patrick M. Hart, who for many years followed farming in Milan township, but spent his last days in Malta. where he died on the 22d of February. 1905. was for a long period a worthy. respected and valued resident of De Kalb county. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Sligo in 1832 and was a son of Edward and Katie ( Madden ) Hart. who were farming people of the Emerald isle and never came to the United States. -
The son obtained his education in the land of his nativity and having arrived at years of maturity was there married on New Year's day of 1855 to Miss Margaret Burns, who was also born in Sligo county. Soon afterward they crossed the Atlantic to Canada, having heard favorable re- ports of the business opportunities and advantages offered in the new world. For a year Mr. Hart remained in the British province and was employed
at farm labor. He then crossed the border into the republic. his wife remaining in Canada about one year, and in the vicinity of Plano, Illinois, he worked as a farm hand and also rented land for nine years.
In that time he and his wife carefully saved his carnings and in 1865. with the capital he had acquired through his own labors. he purchased a farm in Milan township, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid but twelve dollars per acre, owing to the scareity of im- provements there and to the little demand for land of the locality, which kept realty values very low. Property had risen in price, however, when he made his second purchase, at which time he paid twenty- three dollars per acre for an eighty-acre tract. The first purchase was entirely raw land, Mr. Hart turning the first furrows upon it and transforming the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. Upon the place he built a frame house containing three rooms and this structure is now part of the pres- ent residence which stands upon the farm. His nearest neighbors were a mile and a half and two miles away, and the family experienced many of the privations and hardships of pioncer life in those early days. As the years passed by, however, Mr. Hart brought his land under a high state of cultivation and added many modern equipments and accessories, making his farm in Milan town- ship a valuable property, which he continued to cultivate until 1890. Hle then retired from active life and removed to Malta. where his remaining days were passed.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born five chil- dren : William E .. a carpenter living in Mar- spilles. Illinois: Mrs. Cora E. Hess, whose hus- band is a contractor and plumber at Los Angeles; ('alifornia : Alice J .. who is with her mother in Malta : Edward J., a farmer of Kingsbury county, South Dakota: and George S.
For about fifteen years Patrick M. Hart was a resident of Malta, enjoying in an honorable retire- ment the comfort and ease which the years of his former labor made possible. He was truly a self- made man who owed his prosperity entirely to his own labors, his careful management and unfalter- ing diligence. He died on the 22d of February. 1905. and is still survived by Mrs. Hart, who yet lives in Malta. Mr. Hart was a member of the
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MR. AND MRS. PATRICK M. HART.
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THE NEW YORK PUR: IC LIBRARY
ATUM, LENOX YLINA FOUNDATION8.
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Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Hart also belongs.
George S. Hart, who carries on general farming on section 16, Milan township, was born July 3, 1874, in the house which he now owns and occu- pies. In his early boyhood days he trudged off to the nearest district school in Milan township and therein mastered the common branches of English learning. He lived with his parents after their removal to Malta until his marriage, which was celebrated December 11, 1895. the lady of his choice being Miss Petra Cody, daughter of Peter and Esther (JJohnson) Cody, both of whom were of Norwegian parentage and came to the United States in 1866. settling in Milan township, where Mr. Cody carried on farming until his death which occurred in 1886. His wife survived him until 1895.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hart has been blessed with four children: Earl LeRoy, born April 14, 1897: Myrtle Lillian, born November 24, 1899; Esther Margaret, born June 21, 1902 ; and George, born February 1. 1905. Following their marriage the parents remained in Malta until 1900. when they took up their abode on the old Hart home- stead, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land on section 16, Milan township. This Mr. Hart purchased in 1906, so that he is now owner of an excellent property. In his political views he has always been a republican, supporting the party at the ballot box, and is now serving as town clerk, while for one term he filled the position of tax collector. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Malta. His life has been characterized by all that is honorable in man's relations with his fellowmen and in business he has never taken advantage of the necessities of others, but has been upright and thereby commands the good will and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.
FRANK EVERETT STEVENS.
Frank Everett Stevens, descended from one of the very oldest families of De Kath county-the LaPortes of Paw Paw township-is the oldest son of Captain John Stevens and Marie Sophie (LaPorte) Stevens. He was horn af Dixon. Illi-
nois. on the 5th of January, 1856. At the age of six, his father, captain of Company H, Forty- sixth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, was killed at the battle of Shiloh, and the youngster's future was eclipsed at a stroke, if indeed any had been promised him. At great sacrifice, his mother put him through the public schools, his contributions being work in the local factories during the sum- mer vacations until the month of August, 1871, when he found permanent employment as deputy clerk of the circuit court and recorder, under the then clerk, Jonathan N. Hyde. He continued in that office until the month of April, 1875.
In that eventful month, while pursuing his cus- tomary duty of office janitor, which was a part of his official duty, his eye detected a letter in the waste basket written by General E. F. Dutton of Sycamore, asking Mr. Ilyde if the latter could send him a deputy with which to finish out his term of office, his former deputy having purchased the De Kalb county abstract office. The letter had been read and thrown carelessly into the waste basket to die the death common to most letters; but once detected, it was recovered and placed into the; young clerk's pocket for use in an interview with the boss on the following morning. The re- sult of that interview was Stevens' departure for Sycamore that very day to seek his fortune. The position was secured and Sycamore became his future home, exemplifying thereby, the saying that "it's a poor waste basket that brings nobody good." Stevens continued in the office under succeeding clerks, Cox and Dustin. Meantime, he read law evenings and in the autumn of 1877 he was ad- mitted to practice.
On October 15, 1878, he was married to Miss Sadie Lattin, only daughter of Carlos and Nancy Lattin. Of that marriage one child has been born, Grace LaPorte Stevens, July 4, 1882.
With the Dakota boom of 1881-2, like many another from the same county, Stevens went west, locating at Huron in the infancy of that now populous and beautiful city. There, beside occu- pying the office of county treasurer, he established the Beadle County Bank, which very soon grew into the Beadle County National Bank. and of it he became cashier, vice president and president successively. The business prospered until from its position as pioneer, six other banks established themselves in the same line. In a restricted field
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which could offer encouragement to no more than two at best, especially with continued bad crops and the decimation of the country's population, consolidations and discontinuances became the rule, and the Beadle County Bank paid off its depositors and in 1890, Mr. Stevens went to Chi- cago to open a broker's office. There he continued until the present year, which has witnessed his retirement from active business and removal back to Sycamore. and into the old Lattin family man- sion wherein were born his wife and daughter : wherein he was married ; wherein died the father and mother of his wife and the site of which has been in the possession of the family continuously from March, 1835, when Carlos Lattin took up his claim and became the first settler of Sycamore, to the present, a period of seventy-two years.
It has been said. and well said too, that every well regulated man needs a hobby. Mr. Stevens has his in book collecting, more especially that branch of book collecting which affects the state of Illinois, and we are safe in saying that the col- lection ranks first and best in the country. A taste for reading for many generations has run in the veins of the family and he comes naturally by his love of books. Of his father it was often said. that. were the New Testament to be obliterated, John Stevens could supply it from memory, chap- ter and verse. and so it might be said of Scott's poems. Individually, Mr. Stevens has to his credit in literature. "The Black Hawk War," "Illinois in the War of 1812." "Wakefield's Sacs and Foxes." and newspaper and magazine work to a consider- able amount. The Caxton Club, Chicago, of which he is a member, is a book-lover's club. whose membership is composed of names familiar to every bookman of the country.
ALVA F. POST.
For twenty years Alva F. Post has lived in Shabbona, prior to which time he was connected for a number of years with general agricultural pursuits in De Kalb county and was numbered among the enterprising agriculturalists of this part of the state. He is also classed with the early settlers, for his residence here covers a period of fifty-six years. The work of improvement and
progress had been carried on to only a slight de- gree at the time of his arrival, and he took his part in the task of developing and improving the county along the line of material advancement.
Mr. Post is a native of the Empire state, having been born in St. Lawrence county, New York, April 20. 1826. His father. John Post, was a na- tive of Vermont, and when a young man became a resident of St. Lawrence county, New York, where he married Jerusha Fuller. daughter of Jacob Fuller. His death occurred a few years later. in 1828, and some years afterward his widow became the wife of David Hamilton and removed to Illinois. They cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of De Kalb county.
Alva F. Post is entirely a self-made man. When quite young he began earning his own living, work- ing at farm labor for a small wage. During the winter months he attended the common schools. while in the summer seasons he continued to work in the fields. Saving his earnings, he carried out his cherished plan of supplementing his early edu- cation by more advanced study and entered a seminary. He taught his first school when eigh- teen years of age. after which he worked on a farm during the spring and summer months and en- gaged in teaching during the winter months. Thus, among difficulties, he acquired his educa- tion, and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Reading and perseverance have over kept him in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress and even yet he maintains a deep interest in the public questions of the day.
Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west. Mr. Post came to Chicago, April 10, 1851. but did not remain in the city, proceeding thence to Sugar Grove township, Kane county. Illinois. Through the following summer he was employed at farm labor, and in the fall of that year eame to De Kalb county where he obtained a school for the winter term at Pritchard's Grove. In the spring of 1852 he began teaching at Shabbona Grove where he remained until the spring of 1853. for a term of fourteen months. He next engaged in carpentering for several years during the building season, while the winter months were devoted to educational work. He was for many years considered one of the best representatives of publie instruction in De Kalb county, where he taught school for twenty-two terms. He has ever
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been a well informed man, possessing sound judg- ment and forming views largely unbiased by personal prejudices.
Mr. Post resided in Lee county, Illinois, from 1854 until 1858, and from 1858 to 1864 he rented land in and near Pritchard's Grove, De Kalb coun- ty. He made his first purchase of land in 1865, becoming owner of a tract of ninety acres, of which but a small portion had been placed under the plow. There was a little house and barn upon it, and as time passed he further developed and improved the land, extending the boundaries of his farm from time to time, until now he owns two hundred and fifty-four acres, lying about three miles from the village of Shabbona. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits for twenty- two years, when, with the comfortable competence acquired from his labors to supply him with the necessities and comforts of life, he removed to Shabbona where he has since made his home. He owns his residence and other property in the village, but has sold his farm to his son-in-law, Bert L. Greenfield.
April 26, 1854, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Post and Miss Marietta Haselton, a native of New York, as were her parents. Hanford and Dorcas (Perry ) Haselton. Mrs. Post was born in Jefferson county, and was reared and educated in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching in Kane county. There were five children born of this marriage: Ida, now the wife of A. J. Chandler, a resident of the city of Washington : Emery, who is married and lives in Minnesota : Elma D., the wife of Bert. L. Green- field, a substantial farmer of Shabbona township, who now owns the old family homestead ; Mahel. the wife of William Kennedy, also a resident far- mer, of Shabbona township: and Eddie, who died in childhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Post hold membership in the Congregational church at Shabbona and contribute generously to its support and are interested in its work. Mr. Post has cast his ballot for the prin- ciples of the republican party since its organization and his first presidential vote supported General Zachary Taylor in 1848. The cause of education has ever found in him a strong champion and he has served as a member of the school board for many years. While in Lee county he was also township trustee. There are today only four
people residing in Shabbona township who were here at the time of Mr. Post's arrival. and his memory encompasses the period of its early de- velopment when wolves were seen on the prairie and wild game was frequently killed. Much of the land was still undeveloped and the prairies had not yet brought forth the rich and abundant crops which have made Illinois one of the greatest agricultural states of the Union. Mr. Post has been an active factor in the agricultural and edu- cational development of this part of the state, and his efforts have been of direct and far-reach- ing benefit, making him one of the honored and valued, as well as one of the most venerable, citi- zens of De Kalb county.
JAMES LEROY WARNER.
James LeRoy Warner, a leading merchant of Sandwich, carrying the most complete line of dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing and groceries in the county, has built up his business along lines of modern development and enterprise and stands today as one of the foremost representatives of trade in this part of the state. this parents, James and Charlotte B. (Townsend) Warner, came to Sandwich in 1855. The father entered mercantile circles here. after teaching school for four terms and clerking for a period. It was in 1859 that he established a clothing and woolen store in Sand- wich, and from that time forward was closely asso- eiated with commercial interests of the city until he sold out to his son. Ile was born August ?. 1833, in Jackson, Washington county, New York, and was therefore a young man of only twenty- two years when he arrived in De Kalb county. He had learned telegraphy and at intervals acted as telegraph operator for the Illinois & Missis- sippi Telegraph Company. After embarking in merchandising he concentrated his energies upon the upbuilding of his business and in 1865 ad- mitted a partner, for the demands of a growing trade were heavy upon him and he needed assist- ance. He carried a line of ready-made clothing and boots and shoes and also conducted a mer- chant tailoring establishment. At a later date he bought his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until he was joined by his son,
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J. LeRov. who became his successor by purchase of the stock in 1889.
James LeRoy Warner is one of the native sons of Sandwich, his birth having occurred on the 19th of May, 1863. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed through successive grades, eventually pursuing a course in a business college. thus becoming well qualified for the onerous and responsible duties that have devolved upon him in his later commercial connections. As stated. he joined his father. assisting him in the conduct of the store, and in 1889 became sole owner of the business. He now has one of the most complete lines of dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing and groceries in the county and ocenpies four stores, the building being three stories in height with basement. The entire place is util- ized in the accommodation of his extensive stock of goods and his trade has had a steady and sub- stantial growth. the volume of business transacted over his counters having reached large proportions. He is systematic and methodical in all that he does, faithfully meets every obligation that de- volves upon him and has won a position in com- mereial circles that is accorded only in recogni- tion of genuine worth and commercial integrity and honor.
Mr. Warner was married to Miss Caro Mosher, a daughter of Captain Fred S. Mosher, a banker at Sandwich, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The wedding was celebrated February 23, 1897, and the Warner home is now justly celebrated for its gracious and charming hospitality. Mr. War- ner and his father are members of the Masonic fraternity. In the city of his nativity, where his entire life record is as an open book which all may read, he enjoys the good will and confidence of his fellowmen and his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days.
MRS. HULDAH IL. CARTER.
Mrs. Huldah H. Carter, who more than half a century ago came to De Kalb county and is there- fore numbered among its earliest residents, has through passing decades witnessed the changes which have occurred and transformed this part of the state from a pioneer region into one of the
most prosperous agricultural and manufacturing districts of the state. What a difference in the mode of living at the present and that of half a century ago, when the telephone was unknown and the telegraph but little used. Comparatively few railroads had been built in this part of the state and it was a long and wearisome journey for the family from New York to Illinois, coming as they did in covered wagons.
Mrs. Carter was born in Chautauqua county: New York. February 5, 1837. Her parental grand- parents were Alfred and Huldah (Simons) White, both natives of Vermont. and it was in that state that her father, William White, was born in 1810 He married Catharine Elizabeth Ravlin, who was born in Vermont in 1813. Her father, the Rev. Thomas Ravlin, was a Baptist minister and mar- ried Hannah Whitman. They, too, were natives of the Green Mountain state. William White was a farmer by occupation and in the year 1844 he started for what was then the far west, making the journey to Illinois in a covered wagon. after the primitive manner of travel in those days. He located in Kaneville, illinois, and in 1853 came to De Kalb county, which was then largely an un- settled district, the work of improvement and de- velopment lying largely in the future. Ile died a year later and one of the five children of the fam- ily has also passed away.
Ilis daughter Huldah, the third in order of birth. was educated in the common schools of Elburn, Illinois, and remained at home until her marriage, which was celebrated in De Kalb, De- cember 25. 1855, when she became the wife of Orlando Carter, a native of Chenango county, New York, and a son of Jerry and Lydia ( Ames) Carter, early settlers of this county and promi- nent farming people. Orlando Carter followed general agricultural pursuits until the last few years of his life, when he was engaged in the livery business in De Kalb. He was an enterprising agriculturist and a successful business man, and he thins left a comfortable property to his widow, when on the 2d of August, 1896. he was called to his final rest. He was respected because of his genuine personal worth and he had a wide and favorable acquaintance in the county.
Mrs. Carter, thus relieved of all need for anxiety about her business interests. devotes her time to her home, church and social interests. She is a
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member of the Baptist church and of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and also of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the State Equal Suffrage Association. She is very active in all of these different organizations and her labors are effective, far-reaching and beneficial. She is generous in her contributions to their sup- port, is a lover of music, a friend of education and, in fact, is interested in all the movements and organizations for the benefit and uplifting of man- kind. Moreover, she possesses a social, genial nature that wins her friends wherever she goes.
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