USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 38
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After his marriage Mr. Beers made his home with Mr. Judd for a time and later bought the place. His wife was born upon this farm. where she has always made her home. It is the place which was entered by her father from the govern- ment and thus it has never passed out of possession of the family. Mr. Beers has since his marriage bought and sold two other farms and he likewise has one hundred acres of timber land which he yet retains. Upon the old Judd homestead he has erected a good residence, barns and substantial outbuildings and he has set out every tree on the place. He also has a good tenant house and his tenant does the actual work of the farm, although Mr. Beers gives to it his personal supervision. He was a pioneer in raising of draft horses in this locality, owning an imported Norman horse. In later years he raised fancy bred Morgans and he was also a breeder and dealer in Poland China hogs. He was interested with his brother Edwin in a barb wire patent for a number of years, main- taining a factory in Chicago, but agricultural in- terests have been his chief business through life. While educating his children he rented his farm and lived for eight years in Sycamore, but pre- ferring the quiet of a rural existence he returned to the old homestead. where he is spending his days in contented and happy existence and is enjoying a goodly measure of success, which enables him to secure all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beers have been born three children : Ettie and Emma. at home; and Eva, the wife of Arthur Nichols, of Kansas City. Mis- souri, by whom she has one child. Everett.
In politics Mr. Beers is a stalwart republican and has been a life-long supporter of the party. He never sought or cared for office, but for several years acted as school trustee. He is a master Ma- son, belonging to the blue lodge of Sycamore, and
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen camp of Kingston. He and his family attend the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Kingston and are highly esteemed in the community where they reside, their many friends entertaining for them favorable regard.
HON. GEORGE W. CULVER.
The province of biography is not to give a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplish- ments but rather to establish his worth and posi- tion by the consensus of public opinion. which, in the ease of George W. Culver. was altogether favor- able. His life was so varied in its activity. so honorable in its purpose. so far-reaching and bene- ficial in its effects, that it became an integral part of the history of Sandwich and likewise left its impress upon the annals of the county. He was in no sense a man in public life, yet nevertheless exerted an immeasurable influence on the city of his residence; in business life as a financier and promoter of extensive industrial and commercial enterprises ; in social circles by reason of a charm- ing personality and unfeigned cordiality toward those who came within the circle of his friendship; in politics by reason of his public spirit and devo- tion to the general good as well as his comprehen- sive understanding of many of the questions af- fecting the general welfare.
Mr. Culver was a native of Coila, Washington county, New York, born April 1. 1830, and his life span covered the period between that date and the 8th of August. 1903, when he was called to his final rest at the age of seventy-three years, four months and eight days. His parents, Nathan and Eliza Culver, people of genuine personal worth and high character, had a family of twelve chil- dren, eight of whom are yet living: Mrs. Martha Gow, of Norfolk, Nebraska: James H., of West Superior. Wisconsin : Mrs. Sarah Skiff, of Coila, New York; Mrs. Sophia Green. of Cambridge, New York : Mrs. Mary McKillipp, of Chicago; .John. of Sandwich; and Julia and Electa. of Coila. New York. A sister and brother, Mrs. Mabel Phelps and Captain Charles Culver, were at one time residents of Sandwich, the former re- maining here until her death, while the latter be-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
came a resident of Sioux City, Iowa. Both he and his brother John, who has also passed away, were soldiers of the Civil war.
George W. Culver spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state, acquiring a public- school education and learning from his parents the lessons of industry and integrity which shaped his entire life. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to Illinois in 1852, ac- companied by his brother James. and for a time they made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Alex- ander R. Patten at Freeland Corners. In 1854 they took up their abode at Sandwich, a recently established station on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, where. as partners of Mr. Patten, they opened a mercantile enterprise. This was practically the first store of the new town and for twenty-one years occupied the leading place in busi- ness cireles here. After a few years Mr. Patten retired, the business being continued by George and James Culver, who won success in its conduct. In 1875 they sold the store and established the Culver Brothers Bank. of which they were pro- prietors for eleven years, when they disposed of their banking interests in 1886 to Sedgwick & Sons. At that time George W. Culver retired from the active management of business interests, although he was financially interested in various important commercial and industrial pursuits in Sandwich up to the time of his death. The name of Culver ever stood as a synonym for business enterprise and integrity in Sandwich and was foremost on the list of those promoting business interests in the city along progressive modern lines.
In September, 1857, occurred the marriage of George W. Culver and Miss Harriet Delia Beards- ley, of Sandwich, and unto them were born four children : Mrs. Minnie L. Hills, now of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Helen C. Latham, of Sandwich ; Freddie, who died August 5, 1870, at the age of ten months and seven days; and Mrs. Mabel G. Mitten, of Genoa, Illinois. After a happy married life of nearly thirty years the wife and mother was called to her final rest, her death occasioning deep regret to all who knew her.
Several years later. on the 9th of March, 1892, Mr. Culver wedded Mary Elizabeth Palmer, who was born in Sandwich, a daughter of Alexander H. and Nancy Ann (Childs) Palmer. The father was
for years a druggist of Sandwich. On the 8th of September. 1834, he wedded Miss Childs, a native of Columbia, Pennsylvania, while his birth had occurred in Madison County, New York. in May, 1815. They came to Illinois in 1843 and estab- lished their home in Sandwich in 1865, the father's death occurring here when he had reached the age of seventy-two, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-seven.
The life record of no resident of Sandwich has been more closely connected with its history than was that of George W. Culver. Aside from the business interests previously mentioned many other enterprises felt the stimulus of his activity, sound judgment and keen business discernment. For eighteen years he was the president of the Sand- wich Manufacturing Company. the leading busi- ness institution of the city, and his prudence. his sagacity and wise counsels contributed greatly to its success. He was always deeply interested in everything that pertained to the prosperity of the city and with generous hand supported each enter- prise that advanced its welfare and growth. For many years he was president of the Oak Ridge Cemetery Association and to his earnest and con- stant attention is due much credit for the enlarge- ment and improvement of the city of the dead.
His political allegiance was given to the repub- lican party and he was twice elected mayor of Sandwich. He was filling the office for the second term at the time of his death, having been elected by the largest majority ever given to a candidate for the position. He was a trustee of the Presby- terian church for years and for a long period was one of the members of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. All things that tended to promote civic virtue and civic pride were of interest to him and his name headed the list for the support of every movement that had for its objeet the upbuilding and develop- ment of the city. Perhaps no better estimate of his life and character can be given than in the words of one who knew him well and who said : "He was reserved and retiring in manner, and was more given to thought than to words. He was modest and unassuming, shrinking from all dis- play and desired no trumpet to be sounded before him to herald his deeds. He was a man of peace, loving quiet and pleasant surroundings, and above all things, hating noise and discord. He lived
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
within himself and his words that were few were the expression of well considered thoughts. Yet those who knew him best were admitted into his intimacy. well knowing how genial and social was his nature. He loved his friends but the expres- sion of his devotion was not in words but in deeds. Loyal to his friends he was also loyal to his country and few had deeper interest in its welfare in its hour of peril and distress.
"In all his business relations he was a man of the strictest and most inviolable integrity, and through his long and active business life, and in all his positions of responsibility there can be found no stain. no reproach. His heart was tender and sensitive as a child's and the fountain of his tears was readily reached by some tale of sorrow or of need. It was in his home where tender and beautiful traits of his character were revealed. To the comfort and welfare of wife and children he gave his heart's best devotion. Here was his sanc- tuary, where he ministered with a hand that never wearied. with a patience that never failed. with a watchfulness that knew no intermission. Here at this shrine was offered up continually his heart's choicest incense through all the long years."
George W. Culver was a great man because of the use he made of his talents and his opportuni- ties, because his thoughts were not self-centered but were given to the mastery of life problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to his city. state and country.
LORENZO D. EVANS.
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There is perhaps no man in De Kalb county who is more familiar with its history and the develop- ment of its agricultural interests than is Lorenzo D. Evans, who has lived in the county for sixty- eight years. Ile makes his home on a well im- proved farm of about two hundred acres, located on section 2. Sycamore township. Mr. Evans was born in Ash county, North Carolina, February 9, 1834. a son of Benjamin Evans, who was like- wise born in Ash county. February 21, 1811. He was there reared and married to Miss Frances Perry. a native of the same county. In 1834 the
father removed with his family to Illinois, settling on a farm in Kendall county in the spring of 1835. He there carried on farming operations for a few years, or until 1838. when he came to De Kalb county, locating on a farm near Charter Grove, where he pre-empted land. He added to his pos- sessions from time to time as his financial re- sources permitted until he became the owner of six hundred acres. all of which was well improved. Ile died on his farm. February 5, 1854. at the age of forty-three years, and was survived by his wife for a long period. her death occurring in 1900, when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years.
Lorenzo D. Evans is one of a family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom reached mature years, but Mary B. is now deceased. while the surviving sister is Mrs. Lucinda Dean, a widow, residing at Genoa, and the brother. Ira Evans, is a farmer of Charter Grove township. Mr. Evans of this review was less than a year old when brought to Illinois by his parents. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, assisting his father in the work of the fields during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools. He remained with his father until the latter's death. after which he assisted his mother in carrying on the homestead farm until the time of his marriage. which oceur- red at Sycamore. April 26. 1852. at which time Miss Mary Jewell became his wife. She was born in Ohio but was reared in Illinois. having been brought to this state by her parents in 1836. She was a daughter of Eli G. Jewell. who settled on the site of what is now Sycamore. and for a time conducted a wagon shop. Later he engaged in farming near Charter Grove. where he resided until the spring of 1857. when he removed to Kansas.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Evans located npon the farm which is still his home. The tract at that time comprised one hundred and forty-seven acres but as he prospered in his under- takings Mr. Evans has added to his holdings until he now owns two hundred aeres, all of which has been placed under a high state of cultivation. He has tiled and fenced the land, built a good resi- dence, barns and outbuildings. and altogether the farm is one of the best improved of this section of the state.
ELI G. JEWELL.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
After a happy married life of more than forty- three years Mrs. Evans was called to her final rest, her death occurring November 9, 1899, and her remains were interred in Charter Grove cem- etery. Their home was blessed with two sons and two daughters. Frances J. and May E. are both at home with their father. Elmer B. wedded Miss Ocia Sellers, and his death occurred in July, 1898. He left a son, Merle, who now makes his home with his grandfather. Ira Leroy Evans is a tele- graph operator, now acting as agent for the Illi- nois Central Railroad at Charter Grove.
Politically Mr. Evans has been a life-long repub- liean and east his first presidential ballot in sup- port of John C. Fremont in 1856 and has voted for each candidate of the party since that time. Although he keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day he has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to do his duty as a private citizen. Having spent almost his entire life in De Kalb county, Mr. Evans is one of the well known pioneer settlers of this part of the state, and from his earliest boyhood down to the ..... now familiar.to the residents of Sandwich. Mr present time he has been interested in the develop- AAdams, was made secretary and treasurer, which ment and progress that has been made along vari- position he filled until his death. The greater ous lines and takes just pride in what has been part of his life was devoted to the implement busi- ness and he made a study of such lines of imple- ments as he was directly interested in. accomplished, for the county today stands among. the foremost district of this great state of Illinois.
J. PHELPS ADAMS.
A death is seldom so uniformly and deeply re- gretted as was that of J. Phelps Adams, who passed away on the 12th of May, 1904. He was greatly missed in business circles by reason of the importance of the trade interests which he con- trolled, his labors proving an element in the com- mercial growth and prosperity of his city. His loss was keenly felt, too, in church cireles and in every gathering where the subject of public im- provement and progress was up for discussion. In all such organizations he was esteemed for his public spirit and his active co-operation but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside and were most largely recognized by those who came within the closer circle of his personal friendship.
Mr. Adams was born in Chemung county, New York, September 18, 1835, a son of the Hon. Augustus Adams, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He was brought to Illinois by his parents when but five years of age, and after ac- quiring his elementary education in the public schools of Elgin he attended a business college in Chicago. When twenty years of age he was em- ployed as an accountant in Michigan and later entered mercantile lines. Subsequently he became a messenger for the American Express Company. His father in the meantime had established a small manufacturing business at Sandwich, and J. Phelps Adams came to this city in 1861, assuming charge of the office work, under the firm style of A. Adams & Sons. The outgrowth of this concern is the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, which is capitalized for five hundred thousand dollars. The business was organized under company control in 1867. The capital, however, was very small at that time and the plant, too, of meager propor- tions when compared with the enterprise which is
While not an inventor, he possessed rare capacity for judging the value and probable development of inventions, their practicability in point of cost to manufacture and their probable reception by the trade. His knowledge of patent and patent law was good and his judgment in discriminating be- tween invention and adaptation was as keen as that of most patent attorneys. His judgment of men and their adaptability for various positions in his business was excellent and he had the rare quality for being able to impartially weigh the strength as well as the weak points of his employes. His nature was such that he was always glad to see the former predominate and he was never swayed in his judgment of men by personal prejudice. He kept about him an efficient operating force, and graduated a number of men now prominent in other branches of the largest implement manu- facture in this country. Of splendid business poise, he was never unduly elated by marked suc- cess in business nor unreasonably depressed by ad- verse conditions sure to be met in a long term of
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
years. He was in every sense a broad gauged, liberal minded business man, always desiring to keep up closely with the times. His manufactur- ing policy from the outset was to build only the best goods and insist upon receiving for them prices that should be fairly remunerative, regard- less of what competition might be doing in points of price or construction. Through all the years of his management of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company he pursued this plan unswervingly and to some extent persuaded other manufacturers of standard goods of the same lines to adopt approxi- mately his plan, which was the rigid maintenance of fair retail prices. with the result that the Power corn sheller business is today in the best condition of all the heavy machinery offered to the farmers in this country. In 1884 he took an extended trip in the interests of his company to South America, visiting Brazil, Buenos Ayres and Argentine Re- publie, making a study of the country and the pos- sibilities for developing an extensive trade.
Mr. Adams, however, not only figured conspicu- ously and honorably in business circles but was also recognized as a valued factor in educational, church and municipal development. He held membership in the Congregational church, and for twelve years was superintendent of its Sunday school. When Sandwich was incorporated as a city he served for several terms as president of the village board. He was also a member of the State Agricultural Society, was its president for one term and did much to advance the farming interests of Illinois. He was likewise president of the school board for a number of years. the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion who worked for high ideals along practical lines. In polities, an unfaltering republican, he many times served as a delegate to county and congres- sional conventions.
On the 26th of June. 1861, J. Phelps Adams was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Phelps, who was born July 26, 1839. a daughter of Dr. A. E. and Julia B. Phelps, of Kirkland, New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born five children : Eleanor Louise, who was born March 24. 1863, and died on the 31st of December follow- ing ; Fred Augustus, who was born June 24, 1865, and died on the 2d of September, 1866 ; Henry E., who was born May 29, 1868, and is now assistant treasurer of the American Radiator Company of
Chicago ; William Morse, who was born August S. 18:0. and died March ?2, 1884; and Florence Bradley, born January 27. 1876.
In his home life Mr. Adams was largely the ideal husband and father. doing everything in his power to enhance the welfare and happiness of his wife and children. He also held friendship inviolable. He won suecess in his business but his accumulation of wealth in nowise affected his relations toward those who were less fortunate. On the contrary he was ever willing to extend a helping hand when occasion presented and he sought his friends among those of character worth and congeniality rather than among those whose business capacity was their sole claim to public attention.
LAWRENCE FARLEY.
At an early period in the development of De Kalb county, the Farley family was established within its borders. Lawrence Farley was born in Malta township, April 14. 1865. He is the son of Lawrence and Catherine Farley. who are men- tioned at length on another page of this work in connection with the history of their son John Farley. At the usual age Lawrence Farley en- tered the common schools and therein pursued his education. The occupation to which he was reared he also made his life work and that he is one of the leading progressive farmers of Malta township is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 12. The farm is a splendidly improved property. equipped with all the modern accessories and con- veniences. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and the work is carried on along systematie lines with careful attention to the rotation of crops, so that the soil is kept in ex- cellent condition. He raises the cereals best adapted to the climate and soil. and annually gathers large erops.
Mr. Farley was married on the 20th of February, 1900, to Miss Anna Carl, who was born in De Kalb county, April 12. 1817. Their union has been blessed with an interesting little son. Bern- ard ( .. who was born October 22. 1906. The par- ents are members of the St. Mary's Catholic church
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
ยท of De Kalb and Mr. Farley gives his political alle- giance to the democracy, being a firm supporter of its principles though never seeking or desiring public office, his attention being concentrated upon his business interests in which he is meeting with signal success.
CHARLES C. POND.
Charles C. Pond, deputy county treasurer and a resident of Sycamore, was born on a farm in Sycamore township. De Kalb county, December 24, 1856, his parents being Americus H. and Amy ( Hollenbeck ) Pond. He was reared on a farm in the township of Genoa and attended the district schools. He continued to assist in the labors of the home farm until twenty-four years of age, when he came to Sycamore and was con- nected with its business interests as owner of a jewelry store, which he conducted for six years. He afterward engaged in the fire insurance busi- ness as special agent and adjuster, principally for the Concordia, for about ten years, when in 1898, he went into the county treasurer's office under Captain James N. Shafter. Later he served in the same capacity under Daniel Hohm and is now deputy county treasurer under L. C. Shaffer. Ilis long continuation in the office has thoroughly ac- quainted him with the duties of the position and his work has been highly satisfactory to his su- perior officers and the public at large.
Mr. Pond was married, in September, 1880, to Miss Rosetta Harned, who was born in Mayfield township, December 2, 1858. a daughter of Ed- mund B. and Susan (Sivwright ) Harned, who were pioneer farming people of this county, com- ing here from Nova Scotia, during the girlhood of Mrs. Pond. Her father was born in Smithtown, Snffolk county, Long Island, July 13, 1829, a son of Hosea Harned, who was born in Smithtown, in 1798, and married Rosetta Brown, whose birth occurred in 1799. Jacob Harned, father of Hosea Harned, was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and after the Revolutionary war settled on a tract of one thousand acres of land on Long Island, where he reared his family and died in 1824. His son Hosea, in 1832. removed to Ohio, by way of the IIndson river from Sandy Hook, thence to
Troy, by canal to Buffalo and by lake to Ohio. In
1851 he came to Illinois.
Edmund B. Harned. his son and the father of Mrs. Pond, married Susan Sivwright, a native of Nova Scotia, born January 6, 1833. and a daughter of James M. Sivwright, who was born at Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1978, and died at the age of sev- enty-four years. IIe removed to the United States in 1844 and located in mayfield township this county. He was a son of James Sivwright, whose birth occurred near Aberdeen, Scotland, and who served in the British army against the Americans, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill. He remained in this country and married Susan Dalrymple, a native of Ireland, but whose an- cestors were originally from France. She died at the age of one hundred and five years. James M. Sivwright married Prudence Eaton, who was born in Nova Scotia in 1806, a daughter of David and Eunice (Wells) Eaton.
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