USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 31
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HARRY F. ROLAND.
Harry F. Roland is a self-made man, who as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be done even when one has no special family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the beginning of life. Mr. Roland was born in Clinton township, De Kalb county, Illinois, March 16, 1869. His father, George W. Roland, was a native of Ohio, born in the year 1839, and when eighteen years of age he came to Illinois, settling first at Plano. There he worked at farm labor until his work had brought him sufficient capital to justify his purchase of one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Milan township, De Kalb county, which he still owns. He was married to Miss Sarah J. Taylor, a native of New Jersey, and they became the parents of four sons. Mr. and Mrs. Roland are now residents of Kendall county. having resided at Plano for the past seventeen years amid friends and neighbors who entertain for them the warmest respect and regard.
In his boyhood days Harry F. Roland pursued a common-school education. He had no special ad- vantages to aid him at the outset of his career and he started out in life empty-handed. He early came to a realization of the fact that labor is the only safe foundation upon which to build success and he put forth earnest and strenuous effort to advance from a humble financial position to one of affluence. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Minnie Abbot,
whom he wedded on the 18th of January, 1893. She was born February 15, 1873, in De Kalb county, a daughter of William and Saphrona Abbot. Her father was born June 21, 1854, and her mother on the 25th of July, 1856. They are still living. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roland took up their abode upon a rented farm, where they lived for ten years. Care- fully saving his earnings and receiving much assistance from his wife in her careful and eco- nomical management of the household, Mr. Roland was at length enabled to purchase a farm and became owner of one hundred and fifty aeres on section 6. Afton township. He has since built a fine house on the place and also a good barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and annually gathers good crops as the result of the wise judg- ment which he manifests in the cultivation of his fields.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roland have been born three daughters: Winona V., born March 10, 1894: Ila D., born June 8, 1896 : and Myrtle F., born Janu- ary 8, 1901. The parents attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute to its support. Mr. Roland votes the republican ticket and for one year served as tax collector of Milan township. While he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, his time and attention are largely given to the farm work and his good management and unfaltering diligence constitute the basis of his financial advancement. An ana- lyzation of his history shows that he is deserving of much eredit for what he has accomplished, for Fe has not only won success but has manifested in his business life the utmost integrity and relia- bility in all trade transactions. He is yet a young man but has attained a success which many an older man might well envy.
JAMES K. EGBERT, M. D.
Dr. James K. Egbert, one of Sycamore's leading physicians, was born in Peoria, Illinois, November 15, 1862. He is a son of Andrew J. Egbert, who on coming to Illinois settled near Peoria, where he engaged in the stock business. becoming a large
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dealer in live stock. After the father died the .
mother and children removed to Chicago. There were five sons. all of whom have passed away. save the subject of this review.
Dr. Egbert was educated in the old University of Chicago, and pursued his professional course in Rush Medical College. from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1886. He began the practice of medicine at Lisbon. Illinois, where he remained for two years and then went to Chicago, where he was county physician for six years. Later he re- moved to the west for the benefit of his son's health, remaining in that section of the country for four years. Since 1903 he has made his home in Sycamore, engaged in the active practice of medicine and surgery with excellent results. hay- ing won a liberal patronage which is indicative of the confidence reposed in his skill and ability by the general public.
Dr. Egbert married Kellie B. Scearce, of Dan- ville, Illinois, and they have three children. Don- ald, Jean and Russell. In his political views Dr. Egbert is a stalwart republican and he belongs to the Masonic lodge, at Aurora. Illinois. He owns a fine home at No. 860 De Kalb avenue in Syca- more, and he and his wife are prominent in social circles. He is a man of fine personal appearance, excellent physique, of jovial, genial nature and his social qualities and genuine personal worth have made him popular with a large circle of friends, while his professional ability is gaining him con- stantly growing success.
FRANK MOSHER.
De Kalb has many energetic, wide-awake and progressive business men. else it would not have attained to its present prominent position as a manufacturing and commercial center in the great state of Illinois. To this class belongs Frank Mosher of the firm of Mosher & Embrec. coal and lumber dealers. He is also connected with other business enterprises, and his prominence in con- mercial circles renders it expedient that mention be made of him in a history of the representative men of the county.
Moreover, he is one of De Kalb county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Afton township
on the 4th of July. 1865. His elder brother. Grant E. Mosher. is a resident farmer of Afton township. These are the surviving members of a family of four children. whose parents were Edwin L. and Mercy Ann (Waterbury) Mosher. The father was born in Yates Center, New York, Janu- ary 2. 1834. a son of Levy and Caroline L. (Smith) Mosher, both of whom were members of old and prominent families of New York. Edwin L. Mosher was reared at Yates Center and was mar- ried there shortly after attaining his twentieth year. In 1857 he came west. locating in Clinton township. De Kalb county, Illinois, where he en- gaged in farming rented land for about six years when, his labors having brought him sufficient capital, he was enabled to purchase a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Afton township. This was in 1863 and he at once took up his abode upon the property. In 1884 he left his son Grant on the farm and removed to De Kalb, where he lived retired up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of September. 1900. His early political support was given the republican party but in later years he voted the prohibition ticket. He served as a member of the board of aldermen of De Kalb but was in no sense an as- pirant for political office. He held membership with the Advent Christian church and was much esteemed throughout the county as an honored citizen and honorable man. His wife. who was born in New York in 1835, was a daughter of George H. Waterbury. a prominent farmer of that section. Her death occurred August 21, 1899.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Frank Mosher in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter season attended school. passing through successive grades in the public schools of De Kalb until he became a high-school student. At the age of nine- teen he put aside his text-books and entered upon his business life as a salesman in the grocery store of Roberts & Tyler of De Kalb, with whom he remained for about three years. He then accepted a position in the dry-goods store of H. H. Wagner. under whose training he acquired a valuable knowledge of business. continuing with Mr. Wag- ner for four years. In August. 1891. he formed a partnership with Ernest Carter and purchased the coal and lumber business of Brown & Young. They
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conducted business under the firm style of Carter & Mosher for ten years, when in 1901 Mr. Carter withdrew and E. Embree became a member of the firm, since which time the business has been car- ried on under the firm style of Mosher & Embree. They have a liberal patronage and the business is conducted in a manner which secures to them a continuation of a growing trade.
Mr. Mosher was married in 1885 to Miss Mary A. Boardman, of De Kalb, a danghter of Cyrus and Harriet (King) Boardman, who were married in De Kalb and recently celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher have one daughter, Myrtle L., at home.
Mr. Mosher is a member of De Kalb lodge, No. 155, I. O. O. F. ; De Kalb camp. No. 46, M. W. A .; and of the De Kalb lodge of the Knights of the Globe. He takes a deep and helpful interest in church work and holds membership in the Baptist church, while for years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. He was president of the Illinois State Baptist Young People's Union for three years and president of the De Kalb County Sunday School Association for two years. He is likewise the president of the Illinois & Wisconsin Retail Coal Dealers' Association. At the present writing he is a member of the board of aldermen of De Kalb and is serving as chairman of its finance committee. He is a very busy man, yet he is ever ready to pause in the midst of his busi- ness duties to aid in the public welfare. He is wholly worthy the respect which is everywhere ten- dered him, for his name is synonymous with honor- able dealing and with all that is elevating and beneficial to the city and to the individual.
OSGOOD P. HERRICK.
Osgood P. Herrick, who was formerly closely associated with mercantile interests in Sycamore but is now living retired, belongs to that class of men who owe their success to unflagging diligence, unabating energy, careful management and judi- cious investment. His salient characteristics have stood the test of time and he has been found a de- pendable man in all relations of life. Ile was born in Marlboro, New Hampshire, in 1841, and his parents, Jeremiah and Hannah (Smith) Her-
rick, were also natives of that place. The father was a farmer by occupation and was descended from an early American family, the genealogy being traced back to 1629. A still earlier record dates back to a Danish nobleman by the name of Ericke but succeeding generations transformed the orthography to its present style. Henry Herrick, a son of Sir William Herrick, was one of the foun- ders of the first church at Salem, Massachusetts. Jeremiah Herrick, the father, was a prominent citizen of New Hampshire, who served as select- man of his native town and was for two terms the representative from same in the state legislature.
Osgood P. Herrick, whose name introduces this record, was one of six children but only two are now living, his sister being Mrs. H. P. Hall, of Sycamore. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he started out in business life by learning the ma- chinist's trade. In 1862 he went to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1887, be- ing engaged in the stove and plumbing business for five years and working as a machinist in the shops of that city during the remaining years of his residence there. He then sought a home in the middle west, locating at Sycamore, where for twelve years he was a partner of J. C. Joslyn in the sale of books, stationery and fancy articles. They had a well equipped store and secured a liberal share of the public patronage. After twelve years of active connection with the firm, having been in the business from 1891 until 1903, Mr. TIerrick retired from the firm and is at the present time a stockholder and one of the directors of the De Kalb County Telephone Company. He owns a half interest in a business block in Syca- more, together with a beautiful residence at No. 305 West Exchange street.
In 1867 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Herrick and Miss Mary F. Miller, of Chester, Windsor county, Vermont, and for nearly forty years they have traveled life's journey happily together. Their greatest sorrow came to them in the death of their only child, a son, who died at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick attend the Congregational church, of which the lady is a member, and they contribute to its support. In politics Mr. Herrick has always been a republican. He carried a torch in processions held during the campaign for John C. Fremont and as soon as age
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conferred upon him the right of franchise he be- came a supporter of the republican principles and has since been a stanch advocate of the policy of the party. He has never aspired to political office, nor has he held any. He is a blue lodge Mason and is in sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft. In all of his business life he has been true to principles of manly conduct and his activity and energy have been the crowning points in his business success.
WALTER D. WALROD.
Walter D. Walrod, a farmer residing at No. : 43 West State street, Sycamore, is the oldest native born resident of the city now living. The first white child born here was Hiram Kellogg, but he has been deceased for several years. The date of our subject's birth is March 13, 1843. His father. Erasmus D. Walrod, was a pioneer of De Kalb county, who was born June 13, 1816. at Oak Hill, Montgomery county, New York, and whose parents were Peter W. and Mary (Wayt) Walrod. They were natives of the state of New York, as were their respective parents, though the family comes more remotely from German ancestry. Peter W. Walrod and his family removed to Wyoming coun- ty. New York, when his son Erasmus was seven years of age, and purchased a farm in Eagle town- ship. In 1835 the family removed to Illinois. bringing with them all their household effects in two wagons drawn by horses. Erasmus Walrod was then nineteen years of age and he drove a team of three horses attached to a heavy wagon. In crossing the black swamp in Ohio they were obliged to double teams with other immigrants in order to make their way over the mud. in which the wagon wheels sank to their hubs. The trip consumed six weeks. On arriving in De Kalb county the father and his elder brother located at Union Grove in De Kalb township, and here two sons and their father each secured a claim, on which log cabins had been erected. They took up their abode in these primitive dwellings and made puncheons for doors, floors and tables. They lived in true pioneer style, sharing in the hard- ships and trials incident to life on the frontier. Peter Walrod retained the ownership of his claim
for about three years, when he sold that property and purchased a tract in what is now Sycamore township. There he also built a log house and began the work of improving his land, continuing his abode there until his death, which occurred in 1844, while his wife survived until 1856. In their family were nine children.
Erasmus D. Walrod was the eighth in order of birth. As soon as he arrived in De Kalb county he made a claim in Mayfield township, but it was jumped and he secured another by purchase from his brother. It is located in the same township. a mile west of Sycamore, and it is what is now the Fred Black farm. His home was a log cabin which he built and occupied until 1839, when he sold the property for ten dollars and a half and bought a claim of L. D. Walrod, situated on section 32, Sycamore township. a part of which is now in- (Inded within the city limits. The land at that time, however, had not yet come into market and when the opportunity for securing his patent ar- rived, Erasmus Walrod borrowed the money and made entry according to the regulations made and provided. In 1850, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he started on an overland trip to the Pacific coast, and after traveling over the hot plains and through the mountain passes for four months and three days he reached his des- tination. The party took with them an ample supply of provisions and spent their nights in camp, thus avoiding some of the hardships en- dured by their predecessors over that western route. They would have completed the entire journey in comfort had it not been that they overtook three men without provisions, with whom they divided. so that it was necessary to shorten the rations for the entire party somewhat.
Mr. Walrod remained in California for about two years, after which he returned by way of the isthmus route to New York. and thence across the country to Sycamore, where his family had re- mained during his absence. He had been married on the 1st of August, 1839, to Miss Melintha Powell. a daughter of Raschel and Ruth ( Pierce) Powell. Her father was born in England and was married after arriving in America. his wife being a representative of an old Massachusetts family. Mrs. Walrod was born in Monroe county. New York. November 9, 1812. She lost her father in infancy, and her mother afterward became the wife
Watter & Walod
L'LLARY
-ULA FL MUATIONS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
of James Cartwright, who with the family came to Illinois in 183%, settling at Union Grove, in De Kall township. The land included in the claim which Mr. Cartwright entered is now the county poor farm. and upon it splendid improve- ments have been made. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wal- rod were born five children, as follows: Ransom G., born October 30, 1840, was educated at Prince- ton, Illinois, but his health failed while he was in school and he died August 15, 1857. Walter D. is the second in order of birth and the only one now living. Edward died in infancy. George C., who was born August 3, 1849, completed a com- mercial course in Chicago and afterward engaged in teaching, and died February 9. 1825. James R .. the youngest, died in infancy. The father passed away June 29, 1892. having for more than two years survived his wife, whose death occurred on the 21st of October, 1889. The family history is closely interwoven with the pioneer annals of De Kalb county. for the representatives of the family took an active and helpful part in reclaiming this region for the purposes of civilization and converting the wild land into richly improved farms.
Walter D. Walrod was born in a log cabin in Sycamore about twenty rods from: where he now resides. Here he was reared, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. In early manhood he engaged in the livery business for some time and also in the sale of buggies and agricultural implements. Later he spent two years as a resident of Chicago. Having sold out the livery business and his agricultural implement
store. he now follows farming. lle formerly owned two hundred and forty acres of the home- stead place but has sold off this in town lots until the place now comprises one hundred and ten acres. adjoining the city of Sycamore. Here he resides in a beautiful home. which he built at No. 743 West State street. In his farming operations he is enterprising, his labors bringing him a grat- ifying measure of success, and a glance at his płace, with its well tilled fields and excellent im- provements, indicates his careful supervision and practical methods.
Mr. Walrod was married to Miss Mary Watkins, of Kane county, Illinois, who died three years later, leaving one son. William E .. who married Edith Petrie, by whom he has one daughter. Mildred.
He has been with the canning factory for twelve years and he and his family live near his father's place. For his second wife Mr. Walrod chose Eva Denmark, of Pennsylvania, a daughter of D. J. Denmark, who died of cancer in December, 1906, at the age of eighty-four years. By Mr. Walrod's second marriage there have been born six children . Melintha, the wife of George Sell, a butcher of Sycamore. by whom she has one daughter, Irene ; George, who is engaged in the livery business in Sycamore with T. II. Helson, and who married Nellie Spears: Louis, who is a member of the gro- cery firm of Oleson, Whittemore & Walrod. and who wedded Maud Starks, by whom he has two children. Ardis and Norma Sylvia: Walter. who is in Chicago in the employ of Swartz & Sells- burger, packers of Chicago; Jennie, who resides at home ; and Charles, who is with his brother Wal- ter in the packing house in Chicago. Mrs. Walrod has one sister in Sycamore, Mrs. F. A. Maxfield. who is residing at No. 221 West State street.
Mr. Walrod exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sycamore. Mr. Walrod deserves representation in this volume not only from the fact that he is the oldest living na- tive son of the city, but also by reason of the fact that he has taken an active and helpful interest in the agricultural development of the county, making a creditable record in business circles as one who meets his obligations and is straightforward in all his dealings with his fellowmen.
OCTAVIOES VANSTONE.
Octavious Vanstone, well known as a breeder and raiser of fancy horses and a successful agri- culturist, was born in Devonshire, England, May 14, 1857. His father, John Vanstone. also a na- tive of England, first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 31st of January, 1831, and when he had arrived at years of maturity, he was married in his native country to Miss Elizabeth Symons. whose birth occurred in England in 1831. They came to America in 1880 and are now living in the village of Malta. De Kalb county, but for many
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year> Mr. Vanstone was actively engaged in gen- eral farming in this locality. Octavious is the oldest of their twelve children. all living in this county with the exception of Rhode Vodbon, a resident of Devonshire, England.
In his native country Octavious Vanstone ac- quired a common-school education. He has al- ways been connected with farming interests and is now the owner of seventy acres of land, while in connection with his son he operates three hundred acres. For twenty-four years he rented and culti- vated the Bowlan farm and for some time has made a specialty of raising fine driving horses. In his live-stock interests he has met with success and has become well known as a business man in this connection.
Mr. Vanstone was married in the year 1877 to Mrs. Mary Simmons, a widow who was born in England, July 31, 1848. Her parents were also natives of that country and spent their entire lives there. By her first marriage Mrs. Vanstone had four children: William, born in 1820; Mary. horn July 19. 1822; Alfred, born October 22. 1874; and Anna, born April 22. 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Vanstone became the parents of a son and daughter; Fred B., who was born October 8, 1878, and who is now married and engaged in business with his father: and Ada, who was born March 21. 1881, and is the wife of William Wes- terberg. living in the city of De Kalb.
Mr. and Mrs. Vanstone are members of the Episcopal church and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 215. at De Kalb. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune in America. for in this country he has found good business opportunities and has ad- vanced steadily, working his way upward by unfaltering energy and diligence. Politically he is a republican and has acceptably filled the office of highway commissioner for ten years.
WATSON & WILLITS.
The well known firm of Watson & Willits is composed of James Arthur Watson and Oron B. Willits, energetic business men of De Kalb, who well deserve mention in this volume.
James Arthur Watson. the senior partner, was born in Paw Paw township, this county, May 9, 18:2. a son of Edward M. Watson, whose birth oc- cured in Oswego, New York, May 20, 1847. The mother. Mrs. Anna ( Hare) Watson, was born in illinois, September 10, 1849,, and they were mar- ried in Paw Paw township, February 22, 18:1. The father was a farmer by occupation.
The family numbered four children, of whom James A. Watson is the oldest. He was educated in the common schools of De Kalb and completed his course in the high school at Leland. La Salle county. 'Illinois. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for one year, after which he began clerk- ing in a general store at Shabbona for M. F. Spoor. On the 13th of June. 1895, he came to De Kalb and entered the dry-goods store of A. E. Atwood, being employed as a salesman for nine years, his long continuance there well indicating his thorough reliability and trustworthiness. On the 1st of February, 1901, he became manager of the MeCallister Dry Goods Company of De Kalb. and on the 20th of January, 1905. he embarked in business on his own account by purchasing the store of his former employer. Mr. Atwood, and conducting the enterprise until it was destroyed by fire on the 10th of January, 1906. On the 15th of February following he entered into partnership with Mr. Willits and the relation has since been maintained, the firm soon gaining recognition as proprietors of the leading business house of this city.
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