USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 32
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Mr. Watson is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at De Kalb and in politics has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is also a menl- ber of the First Congregational church and his life has been actuated by high and honorable prin- ciples and worthy motives.
On the 27th of May. 1896. in Aurora, Illinois, Mr. Watson was married to Miss Margaret M. Mahaffy, who was born at Hinckley, Illinois. June 30. 1842. Iter father, John Mahaffy. was a native of Ireland and came to America at the age of nineteen years. He married Martha Brant, who was born in England and in early life crossed the Atlantie to the new world. This marriage was celebrated in Washington county, New York, and Mr. and Mrs. Mahally came to Illinois in 1869, settling near Sandwich, De Kalb county. There
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were ten children in their family, of whom Mrs. Mahaffy was the eighth in order of birth, and three of the number are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watson has been born a daughter, Martha Ruth, whose natal day was November 9, 1899.
Oron B. Willits, the junior partner of the firm of Watson & Willits, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, November 5, 1873. His parents were John Burns and Amanda E. (Boyd) Willits, both natives of Wayne county, Indiana, born in 1832. The father's birth occurred on the 4th of July of that year. They removed to Mercer county, Illi- nois, prior to the birth of their son Oron and the father there followed the occupation of farming until his life's labors were ended in death. His widow is still living. In their family were five children, of whom two are now deceased.
Oron B. Willits, the youngest of the family, completed his education in the Aledo ( Illinois) high school and then entered business life as a salesman in a dry-goods store, being thus employed for four years. On severing his business connec- tions in that town he accepted a clerkship at Mason City. Illinois, where he continued for one year, when he embarked in business for himself at the same place, conducting his store for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Aledo, where he clerked for four years. and later he took charge of a store at Elmwood, Illinois, where he continued for fifteen months. He then came to De Kalb on the 1st of June, 1905, and was engaged in clerking here until the 10th of January, 1906, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Watson and the relation has since been successfully and pleasantly maintained.
On the 27th of June, 1900. at Mason City. Illi- nois, Mr. Willits was married to Miss Daisy B. Hartzell, who was born in Mason county, this state, a daughter of Oliver C. and Ella (Gairy) Hartzell, the former a native of Pennsylvania. There were three children in the family, of whom Mrs. Willits is the second. She is a member of the first Presbyterian church of Mason City, Illi- nois, and both Mr. and Mrs. Willits are well known socially in the city, the hospitality of the best homes being cordialy extended to them. In his political views Mr. Willits is an earnest. repub- lican.
The firm of Watson & Willits is doing business at No. 157 East Main street and carries a full
line of dry goods and ladies' ready made apparel. They now have a large annual trade, carry a com- plete stock and well merit the success which is attending their efforts, their sales amounting to about forty thousand dollars per annum. The partners are botlı men of good business ability, ot executive force and ready discrimination, whose intelligent and well directed labors are bringing to them gratifying prosperity.
FRANKLIN A. TURNER, M. D.
Dr. Franklin A. Turner, a graduate of the C'ol- lege of Physicians & Surgeons, at Chicago, who since 1899 has practiced in Sandwich with con- stantly growing success, was born in Oconee, Illi- nois, November 21, 1866, and is a son of John M. and Elizabeth (Woolard) Turner. The mother was born in Illinois, while her people came from Tennessee. It was in that state that John M. Turner was born, and following his removal to Illinois he followed the occupation of farming. His death, however, occurred at the comparatively early age of thirty-two years. The mother is still living, her home being in Oconee.
Dr. Turner pursued a public-school education and afterward engaged in teaching for three years but regarded this as an initial step to other profes- sional labor, and when opportunity offered carried out his cherished wish, preparing for the practice of medicine and surgery. His special training for that work was received in the College of Physicians & Surgeons in Chicago, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1894. He then located for practice in Magnolia, Illinois, where he remained until 1899, when he removed to Sand- wich. Always desirous of advancing in his profes- sion that his labors might be of more direct bene- fit to his patients, he pursued a post-graduate course in the Chicago Policlinic college in 1901, and he has ever been a close and discriminating student, reading broadly and thinking deeply along the lines which have bearing upon the work of the profession. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the North Central Illinois Medical Society, the De Kalb County Medical So- ciety and the Illinois State Medical Society, the interchange of thought and experience in the
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meetings of these organizations bringing him into close touch with the advancement made by the profession.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Dr. Turner was married September 25, 1895, to Miss Cora M. MeCombs, of Chicago, who was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of John D. and Elizabeth K. Mc- Combs, the former a shoe manufacturer. Dr. and Mrs. Turner hold membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder. while the work of the church receives their hearty en- dorsement and co-operation. In community ať- fairs the Doctor also does his full share of the work of public improvement, is serving at the present writing as alderman of Sandwich and is also a member of the health commission. In Masonry he has attained the Royal Arch degree and has served as seribe in the chapter. Possessed of laudable ambition, his life work characterized by earnest purpose. he has gained a place in the profession which wins him public support and ha- gained him favorable notice from his fellow mem- bers of the medical fraternity.
FRED A. GRIGGS.
Fred A. Griggs has for a quarter of a century been engaged in business in Kirkland and the spirit of enterprise and determination which he has displayed has enabled him to wrest a com- fortable fortune from the hands of fate, while his life record proves that success may be attained through honorable and unfaltering effort. He was born in Boone county, Illinois, September 19, 1859.
His father. Calvin Griggs, was a native of Oneida county, New York, born in 1816, while the grandfather, Joseph Griggs, was also a native of the Empire state and was of Scotch parentage. In the family were three brothers who originally settled in Massachusetts, while later representatives of the name removed to New York. Joseph Griggs became the founder of the family in Illinois. coming with his wife and children to this state in 1835, at which time he located at Cherry Valley in Winnebago county. Much of the land was still in possession of the government at that time and he pre-empted a claim and opened up a farm.
Calvin Griggs came with his father in 1835, be- ing a young man at that time. Ile assisted in the ardnous task of developing new land and as the years passed by he carried on farming on his own account, opening up a farm in Boone county, where he pre-empted land. Later he added more land and in course of time improved an excellent farm property of two hundred and forty acres near Irene. He added to this place all modern equipments and accessories and as time passed the fields brought forth rich harvests, from which he derived an excellent annual income. He was married in Boone county to Miss Ilannah W. Smith. a native of Ohio, who was reared in that state and was a neighbor of the Garfield family. having an acquaintance with James A. Garfield in his childhood days. In fact she took care of him on the day on which his father was buried, while the other members of the family were in attend- ance at the funeral. Mrs. Griggs came west to Illinois with her parents when a young lady. After their marriage Mr. Griggs located on a farm and there reared his family and spent his remain- ing days, passing away in December, 1883. His wife survived him for a long period and died in September. 1905. Both lie buried in Flora cem- etery in Boone county. They were people of genuine personal worth and were well known throughout the county when it was a frontier dis- triet. Mr. Griggs bearing his full part in the work of general progress and improvement which con- verted the county from a pioneer region into a rich agricultural section. In the family were six sons and three daughters, of whom five sons and three daughters are now living.
Fred A. Griggs was reared to manhood upon the old home farm in Boone county and was pro- vided with good educational privileges. He at- tended the common schools and afterward was a student in the high school at Belvidere. After ar- riving at years of maturity he engaged in teach- ing in Boone and De Kalb counties for several years and then spent two summers in South Da- kota and North Dakota, dealing in farm imple- ments. Upon his return to this county he engaged in general merchandising at Kirkland, carrying on the business for six years. He was again a teacher for two or three years, after which he once more became connected with commercial pursuits a dealer in furniture, buying out a store which
WILLIAM T. KIRK.
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THE NEW YORK .. PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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he conducted for two years, when he once more sold out. In all of his business relations he has been found energetic and reliable and has made an excellent reputation as a straightforward, pro- gressive business man.
On the 11th of September, 1889, Mr. Griggs was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Kirk, and to them have been born two children: Calvin A., who is now a student in the Kirkland high school ; and Louisa, who is also in school. William T. Kirk. the father of Mrs. Griggs, was a pioneer of Kirkland township. He was born November 17, 1815, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Jonathan Kirk, who in company with his three sons, Elisha A., J. Huston and William T., removed to Michigan at an early day and was the WILLIAM G. BAIE. first Free Mason buried in that state. In 1837 the three brothers came to Illinois and located on farms in this section of the state. J. Huston Kirk is still living at Rockford, Illinois. William T. Kirk located in Kirkland township, De Kalb county, and became one of its most prominent and highly esteemed citizens, as well as one of the largest rural tax-payers in the county, owning, at .. States in the spring of 1865, locating in De Kalb one time over fourteen hundred aeres. In con- nection with Mr. Byers he platted and laid out the town of Kirkland. He died at his home in Franklin township, this county on the 10th of March, 1900.
Mr. Griggs is now engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, handles his own lands and in addition to purchasing and selling property in this county he has made investments in Marinette county, Wisconsin, where he owns three hundred and forty-three acres of land, which he is clearing and improving. He also handles Dakota lands and has village property in Kirkland and farm prop- erty in De Kalb county.
Mr. and Mrs. Griggs are members of the Congre- gational church and he is one of its trustees, while his wife also takes an active part in church and Sunday-school work, being one of the Sunday- school teachers. Mr. Griggs gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, being thoroughly in sympathy with its principles and purposes. The first office which he ever held was that of township clerk. He was afterward assessor for nine consecutive years and then after an interval of one year was again elected.
filling the position to the present time or for ten years. He is now acting for the second term as justice of the peace, has served on the township committee and has been notary public for some years. He was likewise a member of the town board for a considerable period and has frequently been a delegate to county conventions. He is rec- ognized as a prominent republican in his com- munity, known as a leader of the party, and is a man who in public affairs has wielded a wide in- fluence, his support being ever given to measures which prove of public benefit.
William G. Baie, postmaster of Hinckley and a stockholder in some of its leading business enter- prises, was born in Squaw Grove township, De Kalb county, in 1874. His father, William Baie, a native of Germany, is now living in Hinckley at the age of sixty years. Ile came to the United county, and worked by the month on a farm in Squaw Grove township. He was then married and began farming on rented land and when his labors had brought him sufficient capital he pur- chased one hundred and seventy acres in Squaw Grove township. This was in 1890 and the place still remains in his possession. As a farmer he was remarkably successful. so conducting his busi- ness affairs that he annually marketed large har- vests and commanded high prices for his products. IIe is also a stockholder in the Hinckley Grain Company. His political support was given the democracy until 1896, when his views upon the money question led him to support the republican party, of which he has since been a stalwart cham- pion. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and is a man whose worth is acknowledged by all who know him. He married Minnie Bornemann, a native of Germany, now living at the age of sixty years. She came to the United States in 1861 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luwig Borne- mann, who located at Leland, La Salle county, and became pioneer farming people of Kendall county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baie were born six children : Clara M., the wife of Louis A. Bish, a resident farmer of Kane county; William
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G .; Minnie D., who is assistant postmaster of Hinckley; Tillie C., principal of the East school of De Kalb; Edward C., who is operating the home farm; and Lillian May, who died in 189% at the age of thirteen years.
William G. Baie was reared to farm life and pursued his education in the llinekley schools fol- lowing the removal of the family to that village. He afterward taught school for one year and in 1895 was appointed postmaster of Hinckley. in which position he has served continuously to the present time. He is also a stockholder in the Hinckley State Bank and until a reeent date was one of its directors. He is likewise a stockholder in the Hinckley Grain Company. He has thus become well known in business circles. Mr. Baie is popu- lar in the community where he resides. for he is a man of attractive social qualities. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and gives his political sup- port to the republican party.
CHARLES A. DARNELL.
Charles A. Darnell, engaged in the practice of law at Plano, is a son of Benjamin A. and Ann C. (Neer) Darnell. ITis father engaged in school teaching and farming and was also an ordained elder of the Christian church. lle married Ann C. Neer on the th of April, 1848, and they were the parents of seven children. Thomas D .. John W., George A., Henry B .. Charles A., James R. and Frank M .. of which number Frank and Henry are deceased.
Charles 1. Darnell pursued his education in the common sehools of De Kalb county, being a stu- dent in old district No. 5. Squaw Grove township. near Hinckley. He afterward attended Jennings Seminary in the winter of 1884-5 and was a stu- dent in the Union Christian College at Merom, Sullivan county, Indiana, for several terms. Re- solving to make the practice of law his life work he began preparation for that profession in the Northern Illinois College, from which school in 1897 he received the degree of Bachelor of Law. In 1903 the University of Tennessee conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Law. In the meantime Mr. Darnell had engaged in teaching
for a number of terms. In 1885-6 he taught at Piereeville, Illinois, and then at Freeland in dis- trict No. 7. He was afterward the teacher in the district north of Sandwich, called the Coy district, and subsequently at Little Rock. Kendall county, Illinois, where he remained for ten terms. Later he was the teacher at Big Lake, Illinois, and in 1895-6 was principal of the Sugar Grove school founded by Professor Hall, his last year as a teacher being spent at Creston, Ogle county, Illi- nois. His work as a teacher enabled him to pro- vide for the support of himself and those depen- dent upon him and seenre his professional educa- tion.
Having prepared for the bar Mr. Darnell located for practice in Plano, in 1891, having been ad- mitted on the 30th of March of that year. The first month his fees amounted to only a dollar and a half, which he collected on the sole case that was given him during that time. Within two ycars. however, he was making on an average of ten dollars per day. Ite has practiced continuously in Plano for the past ten years has been connected with much important litigation and by judicious investment of his earnings has accumulated con- siderable property.
Mr. Darnell enlisted with the Reserves al the outbreak of the Spanish- American war but was never ealled to the front. He has been prominent and active in community affairs, has served as a notary public for sixteen years. has been president of the Plano school board for five years, alderman for six years and at this writing in 1901 is eity attorney. IIe was also secretary of the publie library board and is now acting as secretary of the Plano Cemetery Association. Ile has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking but has always been a stalwart champion of republican principles and has delivered campaign addresses, notably in Indiana when Benjamin Harrison was candidate for the presidency. He is a trustee of the Plano Methodist Episcopal church and has been most generous in the support of church and charitable institutions and publie interests, re- cently giving a donation of one thousand dollars toward the erection of the new Methodist church. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, hold- ing membership in the Sunbeam lodge, No. 428. A. F. & A. M .. and Illinois chapter, No. 107, R. A. M .. at Sandwich, Illinois.
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On the 25th of December, 1890, at West York, Illinois, Mr. Darnell was united in marriage to Miss Addah E. Willard, who died September 21, 1891. On the 15th of June, 1898, at Creston, Illinois, he married Alice M. Hiscock, and they have one child, Lucile R., who was born September 15, 1900. With the force of character that has enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles, with the laudable ambition that has prompted him to put forth strong effort for advancement, Mr. Darnell has made a creditable place for himself in legal circles and his ability is attested by the liberal clientage now accorded him.
G. D. HUEBER.
G. D. Hueber has extensive landed interests in De Kalb county, from which he derives an excel- lent annual income. His property holdings em- brace one hundred and sixty acres of the rich land which has made De Kalb county famous as an agri- cultural center. A native son of the county. he was born July 8, 1870. His father, Gottlieb Hueber, was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1828. and the mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Hueber, was also a native of Wurtemberg, born in 1829. The father came to America in 1854, first settling in Pennsylvania, where he remained for a year. He then came west to Illinois, taking up his abode in South Grove township, De Kalb county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a year, after which he removed to Malta township and bonglit a farm of eighty acres. He has since accumulated more property, making judicious in- vestment as opportunity has afforded, until his landed possessions now embrace five hundred and sixty acres in Malta township. He still lives upon the old homestead with one of his sons and has passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's jour- ney. His life has been characterized by unfalter- ing activity and usefulness, by good business abil- ity and careful investment, and he well merits the success that has come to him with the passing years. In his family were eleven children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Carrie A., John W .. Fred .J .. George E., Laura L., William N., and G. D .. of this review.
G. D. Hueber was the sixth in order of birth and was reared and educated in Malta township, spend- ing his boyhood days on the old homestead and working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he mastered the com- mon branches of English learning. He has al- ways given his time and energies to the task of plowing, planting and harvesting.
On the 19th of February, 1896, Mr. Hueber was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. Schweitzer. Her father, John H. Schweitzer, was born in Wis- consin and when a boy came to Illinois. He was married in Pierce township, De Kalb county, and unto this union were born four sons and a daugh- ter. the latter becoming Mrs. Hueber. By her marriage she has become the mother of five chil- dren : Clyde M. and Claude H., twins, born No- vember 4. 1896; Elroy, July 13, 1898; Percy, September 29, 1902; and Clara, October 20, 1904.
In his political views Mr. Hueber has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has preferred to con- centrate his attention upon business affairs rather than upon political service and has held no office save that for two terms he was school director. He belongs to Modern Woodmen lodge, No. 217, and gives his support to the Evangelical church. The home farm comprises one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which is owned by Mr. Hueber and which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, the fields annually bringing forth rich erops that find a ready and profitable sale on the market.
JOHN M. BRENNAN.
John M. Brennan, who for three years has con- dueted the grain, coal and farm machinery busi- ness of the Great Western Grain Company, at Esmond, was born on the old farm homestead in Mayfield township, this county, June 23. 1862, his parents being Edward and Mary (Kelly) Brennan. The father was born in Ireland, and leaving his native country, took up his abode in Newfoundland in 1830, there remaining for four- teen years. He followed the life of a sailor and for a few years was master of a boat plying be- tween Newfoundland and Boston, Massachusetts. Later he was engaged in seal fishing from New-
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foundland to the coast of Labrador. In 1844, however, he left the sea and made his way to Illi- nois, casting in his lot with the farming popula- tion of Mayfield township. De Kalb county. Secur- ing a tract of land, he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits for many years, transforming his property into a finely developed farm, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred May 3, 1881. His wife passed away August 2, 1893.
At the usual age John M. Brennan entered the district schools and therein acquired his education. He remained upon the old farm homestead until about five years ago, largely assisting in the task of developing and improving the place. In 1901, however, he took a position with the International Harvester Company as traveling representative, remaining with that corporation for two years, or until he entered upon his present business connec- tion with the Great Western Grain Company, hav- ing charge of the grain, coal and farm machinery business at Esmond. He also owns a house and two lots in Sycamore.
On the 11th of January, 1893, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage to Miss Emma Masterson, a resident of South Grove township. They have be- come the parents of four children. Mary, Myrtle, John and Wallace, all in school. All were born on the old farm homestead, which was likewise the birthplace of their father. The parents are mem- bers of the Catholic church at Sycamore. Mr. Brennan is a republican, and for five years while in Mayfield township served as school director but otherwise has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Syca- inore and to the Knights of Pythias fraternity at De Kalb. He is a worthy representative of the business life of his village and since starting out for himself has made steady and substantial prog- ress.
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