USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
389
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
livan county, January 6. 1800. His father, Eleazer Divine, married Lydia Betelbrunt, and for many years was an inn keeper in Sullivan county. New York. His death occurred when he was about sev- enty-five years of age. It was his son David who became the grandfather of our subjeet. Ile mar- ried Harriet Lowe, who died at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years. She was a daughter of Cornelius and Hannah (Hornbeak ) Lowe, both of whom lived to a ripe old age, the family being noted for longevity. David Divine was engaged in farming and lumbering to a great extent in his native county and died about 1866.
Eleazer Divine, the father of our subject, was reared in his native county and attended the dis- triet schools until about twenty years of age, work- ing through the summer months at farm labor. He then bought a leasehold of one hundred acres and afterward secured the fee simple to the land. Thereon he engaged in farming for twelve years, and in June, 1852, he came to the middle west, purchasing three hundred acres of land at Charter Grove, De Kalb county, Illinois. He then re- turned to his eastern home, disposed of his prop- erty there and in the fall of the same year re- moved with his family to De Kalb county. For the first few years after his arrival in this county he raised corn and stock and was quite successful in his farming operations. As time passed he pur- chased more land until he had six hundred acres. the greater part of which was under cultivation and returned to him good crops annually. During the later years of his life he traded in cattle and live-stock, buying and shipping to Chicago and other markets. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. When he first settled in De Kalb county there was some open country but the greater part was partially improved, and with the further work of development and progress he beeame actively identified. He married Sallie Ann Sheely, who was born in Grahamville, Sullivan county, New York. September 26, 1822, a daughter of Elisha Sheely, also a native of Sullivan eounty, who died in the early '60s, when eighty-four years of age. By ocenpation he was a farmer and elear- ed much land for agricultural purposes. He was the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Hornbeak) Sheely, the latter dying in the early '20s, when a very old lady. Conrad Sheely settled in the wit- derness, pealed tan bark for the market and ent
and sold lumber but did very little toward culti- vating the land. fle died when about eighty years of age. Elisha Sheely married Dorothy Grant, of Seotch descent, who died at the age of eighty- two years, about two weeks after the death of her husband.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eleazer Divine were born eight children, seven of whom are yet living. Sam- uel, the fifth in order of birth, having died in in- fancy. The others are: Nancy. now the wife of Ira Evans, of Syeamore township; Mary, the widow of Richard Triscott; David, who lives in Sycamore township ; Frank, who resides in Charter Grove, Illinois; Eunice, who married Charles Davie, a farmer of Sycamore township; and James and John, who are twins.
The last named constitute the firm of Divine Brothers, real-estate dealers of De Kalb county, carrying on business with headquarters in the Ell- wood & Johnson building, at Sycamore. They handle a large amount of farm property, and to- gether are owners of one thousand acres of land in this county. Beside buying and selling prop- erty on their own account they also buy and sell on commission and handle land in other parts of Illinois, lowa, Minnesota, North and South Da- kota and Wiseonsin. They likewise have another department of business, for they are engaged in buying, feeding and selling live-stock, in which they have been very successful. They are well known business men, energetic and enterprising and they secure the highest degree of perfection possible in all their business dealings, thus meeting with gratifying success.
DAVID PLAPP.
David Plapp owns and occupies a residence that stands in the midst of an entire block of ground in Malta. He was born in Pierce township. De Kalb county, Illinois, January 29, 1853, and is one whose life reeord proves the attractiveness of this county as a place of residence, for although he left the county at one time and was for fifteen years a citizen of Nebraska he returned to De Kalb county to take up his abode here and make it his permanent home, having seen no district which is preferable to him.
390
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
llis parents were Jacob F. and Elizabeth B. Plapp, both natives of Germany. The father came to this country where about eighteen years of age and the mother accompanied her parents to the new world in 1830 when she was a maiden of eleven summers. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Plapp settled in Ohio and later came to De Kalb county, locating in Pierce township, where for many years the father carried on general agri- cultural pursuits. He died in 1885 and his widow is now living with her son in Malta township at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Unto this marriage were born eleven children, nine of whom vet survive.
David Plapp was reared in his native township and at the usual age began attending the public schools, wherein he mastered the usual branches of English learning. When he reached his ma- jority he started out in life on his own account. learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for several years. He continued a resident of De Kalb county until 1828, when he removed to Ne- braska and took up a homestead claim, upon which he lived for fifteen years, greatly improving the property during that time. He then came to De Kalb county and located at Malta,
On the ath of May, 1826, occurred the marriage of David Plapp and Miss Mary E. Schweitzer, who, was born in Illinois. Her father was a native of Switzerland and her mother of Illinois. Mrs. Plapp became the mother of thirteen children : Ezra. Jessie J., Jacob, Samuel, Joseph, Aaron. Sylvester, Amelia, Mary, George, Katie, Andrew and Calvin, all of whom are still living. The mother, however, died November 30, 1903, and her death was deeply deplored by many friends, for she had gained a wide and favorable acquaintance during her residence in this county.
Mr. Plapp gives his political allegiance to those candidates who stand as the champions of repub- Jican principles. That he is a stalwart advocate of the party is indicated by the fact that while in Nebraska, in 1828, he walked fifty-five miles in order to vote the republican ticket. While living in that stato he also had the honor of sitting on a jury with William Jennings Bryan. He belongs to Modern Woodmen camp, No. 217. at Malta, also to the Evangelical church and one of his sons is a minister of that denomination. Mr. Plapp is a man of high principles, his life actuated by worthy
purposes and characterized by honorable conduct in every relation. Thus he has won the respeet of his fellowmen and is numbered among the worthy sons of De Kalb county.
J. J. KINGSLEY.
J. J. Kingsley is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres of rich and arable land on sections 12 and 20, De Kalb town- ship. He was born in Afton township, this county, on the 1st of November, 1869, and is a son of Henry and Mary ( MeDole) Kingsley. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, but the mother was born in Kane county, Illinois. They settled on a farm in Afton township, in October, 1863, and upon this farm J. J. Kingsley was reared and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He worked in the fields when not busy with the duties of the schoolroom and acquired his education in the pub- lic schools.
Having arrived at years of maturity Mr. Kings- ley was married, on the 12th of March, 1896, to Miss May Broughton, also a native of Afton town- ship. Iler father, C. W. Broughton, was born in Vermont and on coming to the middle west in 1844 settled in Kane county, Illinois, where he lived until 1855 and then came to De Kalb county. He was one of the leading citizens of his con- munity and was classed with the respected and worthy pioneers who were actively connected with the substantial development of the county. He died in 1893. Mrs. Kingsley was a child of his second wife.
Throughout his entire business life Mr. Kings- ley has followed the occupation of farming and that he has prospered in his undertakings is indi- cated by the fact that he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty-six acres of land in De Kalb township. The farm is equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories, including the latest improved machinery for carrying on the work of the fields. He has good stock npon his place and neatness and thrift characterize every department of the farm. which in its attractive appearance indicates the practical ideas and progressive super- vision of the owner. In addition to his farm Mr.
C. V. BPOUGHTON
1 STOR, LENCX . PLNE; FOUNDATION3.
393
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Kingsley owns a half interest in the Elva Lumber Company of Elva.
Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley attend the Congrega- tional church and contribute to its support. He is an earnest republican in politics, having voted with that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has held the office of town- ship commissioner and is a member of the town- ship high school board, but has not been a poli- tician in the sense of office seeking. His name on the membership list of the Elks lodge, No. 765, of De Kalb, and of the Modern Woodmen camp of Afton.
A. C. BAIE.
A large percentage of the residents of Clinton township have had their nativity in Germany or are descendants from German ancestry. Such is the case with A. C. Baie who is now carrying on general farming in Clinton township. He was born in this township, April 10, 1865, but his par- ents were natives of Germany, whence they came to the United States in 1848, first loeating at Sand- wich, Illinois. The father began work as a farm hand by the month and after he had gained a little ready money in this way, he rented land which he continued to cultivate for several years. When his business ability and enterprise had brought him still more capital, he purchased a farm in Clinton township on section 13, where his son, A. C. Baie, now resides. The father at the present time is liv- ing retired at Hinckley and both he and his wife have passed the age of seventy-five years. They are highly esteemed people who, during the long years of their residence in De Kalb county, have proven their worth and thrift and enjoy the re- spect of all with whom they come in contact.
A. C. Baie was sixth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children and in his youth his time and labor were largely given to farm work, while in the district schools he pursued his education. Hle has never sought other occupation than that to which he was reared and, as the years have passed, he has prospered. He is now owner of the old fam- ily homstead farm which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 13, Clinton town- "hip. Here he has made many modern improve-
ments and everything about the place is indicative of his careful supervision and skill.
In 1887 Mr. Baie was married to Miss Minnie Nelilhorn, who was born in Germany, June 17, 1869. Her parents were also natives of that coun- try and there her father died. The mother after- ward came to the United States in 1883, settling at Hinckley, Illinois. Her death occurred in 1904. She was the mother of ten children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Baie has been blessed with an interesting family of three daughters and two sons: Elma May, born May 11, 1888; Everett Ray, born January 15, 1890; Ethel M., born Feb- rnary 18, 1896 ; Marvin C., born May 6, 1903 ; and Esther Roselle, born February 2. 1906.
Mr. Baie gives his political support to the de- mocracy and is recognized as one of the strong and able defenders of its principles in this locality. He was road commissioner for eleven years and was school director for six years. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church at Hinckley, are worthy people and, as the years have gone by, have accumulated enough to buy the farm upon which they have lived since their marriage. That De Kalb county is a favorite place of residence is indicated by the fact that so many of her native sons have continued to live within her borders, en- joving the advantages here afforded and improving the business opportunities.
M. R. ZELLAR.
M. R. Zellar is one of the native sons of De Kalb township, having been born on the 22d of Sepiem- ber, 1880, upon the farm which is now his place ot residence. He is a son of E. R. Zellar, who lives in the village of Malta and who is mentioned on another page of this work.
M. R. Zellar was reared in his father's home and pursued his education in the common schools, in the high school of Malta and in the State Normal School at De Kalb, there completing his course. When he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Adelia Butler, who was born in Malta township on the 4th of September, 1880. Her father Sewell Butler, was a native of Du Page, Illinois, whence he removed to De Kalb county, where he spent his remaining days, his
394
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
death occurring in 1898. He is still survived by his wife, who is a resident of Malta. In their home Mrs. Zellar remained in her girlhood and was well trained in the duties of the household, so that she was qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage on the 6th of November. 1902. This union has been blessed with one son, Edwin Sewell, whose birth occurred October 13, 1903.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Zellar located on his father's farm in De Kalb township, where they still live, and in its cultivation he dis- plays a knowledge of the best methods of farming, practicing the rotation of crops, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and keeping everything about the farm in a state of good repair. He possesses the diligence and determination which are so necessary to success and which are winning for him a goodly measure of prosperity. The young couple attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Malta and Mr. Zellar's support can be counted upon by the republican party. for he has always voted its ticket and la- bored for its success. He is classed with the en- terprising young farmers of De Kalb township and as such deserves mention in this volume.
BERT A. BARK.
Bert A. Bark, who is living on section 3. Sand- wich township, and who is familiarly known as "Jack" by his numerous friends, is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-breeders of the county. He owns and operates the old Bark home- stead-the Oakdale farm of two hundred and ninety arros of rich and productive land. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred March 9. 1869.
His father. George Bark, was a native of Troy. New York, born on the 24th of May. 1826. Ilc came westward to Illinois about 1842, settling near Sandwich but across the line in La Salle county. where he purchased a tract of land and developed the farm. Subsequently. however, he took up his abode upon the farm where his son Bert now resides. There he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land and to this he added from time to time until he had an extensive and
valuable tract of land. His buildings were situated along the old Indian trail and Mr. Bark laid out the first road of the locality. He was actively associated with the early development and progress of the community and continued in the farm work until 1887. when he removed to Sandwich, where he has since lived retired. Hle was married in De Kalb county to Miss Clarissa Wright, who died about 1863 and subsequently, in 1866, he wedded Mariun Peterson, a widow who was born in Maine and was the daughter of Barney Carlton. Her death occurred in October, 1906.
Bert A. Bark was one of the four children born of his father's second marriage. He was reared to manhood upon the homestead farm and acquired his early education in the common schools here and later attended the Sandwich high school. He con- tinued to aid his father in the development and managment of the fields until the father retired from business life, since which time our subject has cultivated the old homestead property. He received thorough training in farm labor in his youth and continued to reside upon the old home- stead which he purchased in 1903. In connection with tilling the soil he has made a business of rais- ing sheep. horses, cattle and hogs, but gives his attention especially to hogs and sheep. The farm is well improved in many particulars and there- fore constitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape. He uses for a corn crib the old school house, which is one of the landmarks of the county. It was one of the early "temples of learn- ing" in this part of the state and pupils came from a distance of seven miles to attend school here. Mr. Bark is well known as a stock-dealer and now feeds and ships hogs, sheep and eattle. In fact, his business as a stock-dealer exceeds that of almost every feeder in the township and he is meeting with well merited success in his under- takings.
On the 28th of November. 1894, in Somonank, Mr. Bark was united in marriage to Miss Grace Wesson. daughter of S. D. Wesson, of Victor township. They became the parents of three chil- dren: Marion Reinette, Herdman W. and Ila Esther.
Politically Mr. Bark has been a life-long repub- lican. but has never sought nor desired office, pre- ferring to give his undivided time and attention this business interests, in which he has met with
GEORGE BARK.
THE NEW YORK! PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENCX
39%
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
signal success. He is a representative of one of the old families of the county and the name of Bark has figured in connection with agricultural interests here for more than six decades, while for almost four decades the subject of this review had been a resident of the county, witnessing its growth and progress. He has seen many changes as the years have gone by, especially in the methods of farming and his labors have been in keeping with advanced ideas of agriculture. He is at once prac- tical, diligent and determined in his business af- fairs and his close application and energy consti- tute the salient features in his success.
J. D. FOSTER.
J. D. Foster is owner of a good fract of land in Shabbona township. He was born in this town- ship. August 14, 1846. His father, Moses Foster, a native of Germany, was brought to the United States by his parents when only two weeks old. lle was reared upon a farm in Ohio. When a young man he came to Flinois and worked on a farm at Toldlerman's Grove, De Kalb county. Later he married and removed to Morris, Illinois, where his death occurred at the comparatively early age of forty-five years. He lived in this state at the time of the early Indian troubles and is said to have taken part in the warfare against the red race. At all events he aided in reclaiming this part of the state from the dominion of the savage and well deserves mention among the pio- neers of Illinois. He married Harriet Horton, who was born in New York in 1820, a daughter of Miles Horton, an early settler of De Kalb. She was brought to linois when a little maiden of ten summers and her last days were spent in the state of Washington where she passed away in July, 1906. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moses Foster were born seven children of whom three are now living : J. D .. of this review : Mrs. Lafayette Gates, of Shabbona Grove : and Isaac W .. of Seattle, Washington.
Upon the death of the father, the mother and children came to Shabbona township, De Kall county, and lived for years on the Miles Horton homestead. Mr. Foster of this review went to live with an unele, Alonzo Olmstead, with whom he was to remain until twenty-one years of age but
after three years Mis. Olmstead died and MIr. Foster then began working as a farm hand for different people, being thus employed until eight- een years of age. His uncle, Dexter Horton, then purchased five acres of land which he gave to Mr. Foster that he might make a home for his mother and sisters. They remained with him until the sisters married, after which the mother went to live with her brother, Dexter Horton, in Seattle, Wasn- ington. As the years have passed Mr. Foster has prospered in his undertakings and is now owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres of good farmn iand which he bought in small tracts of from one to five acres. Most of it was stump land, which he clear- ed. It was an arduous task to grub up the stumps and transform the land into productive fields but this he has accomplished and throughout his life has followed farming. He is now the oldest native resident of Shabbona township. He has borne all the experiences and hardships of pioneer life and for fifteen years followed the streams and woods, trapping and hunting with good success. He has also broken many a yoke of oxen and with ox-teams has hauled grain to Earlville and De Kalb.
When twenty-tive years of age Mr. Foster was married to Miss Hannah M. Parish, a native of Michigan, Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Parish are now aged people living near the Foster farm. Into our subject and his wife have been born five children but only two are now living: Rosa M., wife of John Chantrill, a resident farmer of Shab- bona township; and Harriet M., at home. The mother and daughters are members of the Meth- odist church. Mr. Foster gives his political sup- port to the republican party but has never cared for office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon the cultivation of his farm.
LUTHER AUGUSTES HATCH.
Professor Luther A. Hatch, who since 1899 has been principal of the training school of the North- ern Illinois State Normal, with the exception of the year 1905-6, which he spent in college, has devoted his entire life to educational work and has gained a position of prominence as an able in- structor who has kept in touch with modern meth-
398
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
ods and has also successfully worked out new and original ideas in connection with his teachings. His life record began in Lisle. Ilmois, June 19. 1868. He is the eldest of the seven children of Frederick and Hannah ( Bortis) Hatch. The father was born in Lisle, February 5, 1839, and when a young man engaged in teaching for nine years and afterward devoted part of his life to farming. llis wife was a native of lowa.
Professor Hatch began his education in the public schools of his native village and afterward attended the high school at Downer's Grove, Ili- nois. He was graduated from the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, in the class of 1892. and later spent one year in Columbia University, in New York city. After leaving the Illinois State Normal in 1892. he became principal of No. ? school. in Moline, Illinois, having under his di- rection twelve teachers. When two years had pas-ed he became principal of South School, Oak Park. Illinois, where again twelve teachers were under his charge, his service there continuing for six years. In the fall of 1900 he came to De Kalb. where he accepted the principalship of the training school in the Northem Hlinois State Normal School, where he has since continued with the exception of the year 1905-6 spent as a student in Columbia University. He has made substantial advancement in his profession and is regarded as an able educator, the value of his methods being demonstrated in practical work which has given uniform satisfaction. He early displayed the ele- mental strength of his character by planning for his own education and accomplishing it in spite of the difficulties and obstacles in his path. His la- bors as a teacher provided him with the means of continuing his own education and by other labor he added at time to the capital which enabled him to pursue a college course. He is especially in- terested in manual training and nature study and in training teachers for publi- school work he is emphasizing this. The value of both of these has been so conelnsively proven that they are being more and more largely adopted in the schools throughout the country and Professor Hatch has taken an advanced stand in this direction.
At Normal. Illinois, on the 8th of June, 1893. Professor Hatch was married to Miss Ahna Boyer, who was born in Champaign county, Ilinois. Janu- arv 9, 1869, a daughter of John and Lydia A.
(Henry) Boyer, in whose family were two chil- dien. Mis. Hateh being the younger. They have a pleasant home at No. 33: Angusta avenue. De Kalb, where their many friends are always welcome and are entertained with most cordial hospitality. Professor Hatch is also the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred acies in Du Page county, Illinois, whereon he spends his vacation, finding there both pleasure and profit. He always keeps in touch with the most advanced ideas on agricul- ture and is a practical farmer, whose fields are un- der a high state of cultivation and whose improve- ments are modern and substantial.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.