USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 42
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
In his political views Professor Hatch is a sta !- wart republican but never an office seeker, and he and his wife are members of the First Congrega- tional church of De Kalb. Interested in the growth and development of the city he gives his aid, encouragement and support to many move- ments which tend to advance the city along intel- lectual and moral lines, of aesthetic culture and of material improvement.
S. M. HENDERSON.
On the roster of officials in De Kalb county ap- pears the name of S. M. Henderson in connection with the office of county clerk. He was born in Clinton township. April 14. 1852, and his entire life has been passed in this section of the state. His parents were Alexander and Julia Henderson. The father came to Illinois in 1854. from Perry county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Clinton town- ship, where he successfully carried on farming un- til 1886, when he retired from business life. He is now a resident of Waterman. Ilinois, but his wife died many years ago, when her son. S. M. Henderson, was but five years of age. There were three children in the family, of whom two are liv- ing. S. M. and Mrs. Riley Hampton. of Paw Paw. Illinois. The Henderson family is a very old one in Pennsylvania.
In the common schools the subject of this re- view pursued his early education, which was sup- plemented by study in Paw Paw Seminary. He afterward engaged in teaching school for three years and later he followed farming until 1901. when he turned his attention to the insurance
399
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
business, handling both life and fire insurance, In this connection he has since continued.
Mr. Henderson married Harriet D. Hampton, of Paw Paw township, a daughter of Robert and Lydia (Zemmer) Hampton, of Paw Paw, Illinois, who were early settlers there. Her father was born in Ontario, Canada, March 27, 1821, and came to De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1846. The family are of English descent. The father was county treas- urer of De Kalb county at one time and was also representative from that district in the state legis- lature. Hle is a republican, and for eleven years has been supervisor of Paw Paw township.
Mr. Henderson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been a member of the county central committee for about ten years. He served as assessor of his township for eight years and also as notary public. He was elected clerk of the De Kalb county court in November, 1906. and is now serving in that capacity. He is a business man of reliability and a public official who well merits the trust and confidence reposed in him.
CARL BAIE.
Carl Baie, a practical and progressive farmer of Clinton township, who is also engaged in the raising of full blooded Hereford cattle, was born in this township, May 25, 1874. He is a son of Christian Baie, who was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1848. Mention is made of him on another page of this work.
The boyhood days of our subject were quietly passed on the old family homestead. He obtained his education in the common schools and was reared to the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the duties of field and meadow. so that he was well qualified to carry on farming on his own account when he married and started out in life for himself. That he has prospered as the years have gone by is shown by the fact that he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty- eight acres of land and he operates two hundred and eight acres on seetions 13 and 24. He raises full blooded Hereford cattle and has been quite an extensive feeder. In fact his stock-raising in- terests are one of the most important branches of
his business and contribute largely to his annual income.
Mr. Baie was married in 1896 to Miss Hattie George, whose birth occurred in Northville town- ship, La Salle county, Ilinois, November 15, 1875. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1858. The father was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife are still living. He has retired, however, from business cares and now makes his home in Somonauk. Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George were born seven children: Mary, Ida. Amelia, Lewis, Hattie, Willie and Irvin, but the last named died in infancy. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Baie, which was celebrated December 15, 1896, has been blessed with five children: Iona V., born November 11. 1892 ; Phoebe M., born September 5. 1899: Mary M., born November 14, 1901; Leila R., born January 13, 1904; and Ora H .. born April 2, 1906.
Mr. Baie has ever been a stalwart champion of education and has done effective service in behalf of the system of public instruction while serving for several years as a school director. Hle is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 728. at Water- man, also the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 1572. at that place, while he and his wife are faithful and devoted members of the Evangelical church at Hinckley. They have always remained residents of De Kalb county and have many friends within its borders, for though their lives have been quietly passed they have displayed many of those sterling traits of character which win kindly regard and good will and awaken sincere respect.
ELI BOEKENHAUER.
Eli Boekenhauer, who now operates his father's farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres in Clinton township. not far from Waterman, was born in this township on the 5th of November, 1884. His parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States when young people, set- tling in Clinton township, De Kalb county, upon a farm which remained their home for many years or until Mr. Boekenhaner put aside active business cares and took up his abode in Waterman where he and his wife now reside. He prospered in his un-
400
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
dertakings. and his careful management of his business affairs, his straightforward dealings and his enterprise brought him a good measure of snc- cess, so that he now owns valuable farming prop- erty and has a competence sufficient to supply him with all the comforts of life. Unto him and his wife were born five children : Fred, Clara, Edward, Eli and Lillie, and the family eirele vet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Eli Boekenhauer was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, his time divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground, and the work of the home farm. The occupation to which he was reared he has chosen as his life work and is now conducting farming interests, op- erating the old homestead farm in Clinton town- ship which, under his supervision, is kept in a state of high cultivation.
On the 23d of February. 1907. Mr. Boekenhauer was married to Miss Mollie Hartman, who was born April 15, 1888. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States in early life, settling in Squaw Grove township upon a farm. Their family numbered five children : Ernest, Minnie, Mollie. Elma and Violet. MIr. Hartman owned two hundred and forty acres of land in Squaw Grove township, where for many years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits. He is now living retired in Hinckley, and the rest which he is enjoying is well earned.
Mr. Boekenhauer of this review exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican par- ty but the honors and emoluments of office have never had attraction for him. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church of Squaw Grove township and are much esteemed people who enjoy the warm friendship of many friends throughout the community in which they live.
ELIJAH CURTIS.
Among the residents of De Kalb who are now living retired but who in former years were closely identified with agricultural interests, is numbered Elijah Curtis, and his record as a man and citizen, and as a soldier. well entitle him to representation in this volume among the respected and worthy citizens of the county. A native of Massachusetts,
he was born in Douglas, Worcester county, Novem- ber 23, 1836, his parents being Bryant and Pa- tience ( Powers) Curtis. The father was a native of Worcester county, born December 8, 1803, and followed agricultural pursuits in the east and alsc after coming to Ilinois. Removing to the middle west, he located in Afton township. De Kalb county, where he spent his remaining days, passing away December 8, 1880, respected by all who knew him. His wife was a native of Croydon, Sullivan connty. New Hampshire, born June 11. 1803. and died March 12. 1816.
Bryant Curtis was a son of Ebenezer Curtis, who won for himself an enviable reputation for his daring and courage in the Revolutionary war. He participated in the battles in which Burgoyne's army was defeated and captured. His descendant, Elijah Curtis, owns the musket which his grand- father carried in the struggle for independence and also has in his possession a cutlass captured by his great-grandunele at Cape Town, South Africa. The mother of Mr. Curtis had four uncles who fought for the liberty of the nation at the battle of Bunker Hill. The Curtis family, as far back as the fourth generation, lived on land in Worcester county, Massachusetts, deeded to them by the king of England. Mrs. Curtis was also a cousin of Abigal Fillmore, wife of President Fillmore.
ITpon the home farm in his native county, Elijah Curtis was reared and when not busy with his text-books his time and attention were given to the work of the fields. He was nineteen years of age when he became a resident of De Kalb county and here he has since resided. He first provided for his own support by working as a farm hand, being thus employed until 1859, when, wishing that his labors might more directly benefit himself, he be- gan operating land on shares. For two years he was thus engaged. at the end of which time he responded to his country's call for troops. The south made its attack upon Fort Sumter and the call to arms was heeded by men who flocked to the standard of the nation from work shops, offices. counting rooms and fields. Mr. Curtis proved a most loval soldier and in every position in which he was placed he was true to the duty which de- volved upon him as a defender of the stars and stripes.
In 1861 he was enrolled as a member of Com- pany (, Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
Elijah Curtis
T & NEW YORK - MOLTO MIBRARY!
F . X
401
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
G. W. Kittell, captain, and W. F. Lynch, colonel. The regiment was assigned to the Second Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Red River, Kansas City, Nashville and Bayou La Mourie. At Shiloh. April 6, 1862, Mr. Curtis was wounded and was laid up for four months, during which time he visited his home in Afton township, De Kalb county, Illinois. After the expiration of his furlough, he returned to his command, then stationed at Camp Danville, Mississippi. At the battle of Corinth he was again wounded in the ankle, October 4, 1862. This caused an absence of seven months, during which time he again received a furlough to visit his home. At this time his regiment was recruiting at Springfield, and he joined it at that place. In the winter of 1863-4, his regiment joined Sherman's army at Vicksburg, and participated in a raid through Mississippi. At a battle fought during the Red River expedition, Mr. Curtis received another wound, May 16, 1864, this time in the thigh. After a four months' fur- longh and rest, he returned to his command, then stationed at Jefferson Barracks.
After its first brush with Price at Kansas City, the Fifty-eighth returned to St. Louis and shipped for Nashville, to join General Thomas, and ar- rived just in time to engage in a battle at that place. The regiment was then sent to Eastport, at which place Mr. Curtis left it, his time having expired. He was honorably discharged at Chicago, February ?, 1865, as sergeant of his company, be- ing promoted to that rank at Corinth, Mississippi, as a reward for his bravery in that contest. He still carries the ball received at that battle. At the battle of Shiloh, his regiment was surrounded and after a well contested struggle it was obliged to surrender, but after being imprisoned seven months it was paroled. A brother of Mr. Curtis was a member of Company G, Fifty-seventh Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry and died in a rebel prison at Danville, Virginia.
When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid, Mr. Curtis began farming in Clinton township, cultivating forty acres which he owned. Subsequently he sold that farm and bought eighty acres and afterward added a tract of eighty acres in Milan township, which he later exchanged for a valuable farm of two hundred acres in Afton township. Since his retirement
from active business life he has sold that property but owns a good residence in De Kalb and three other houses in the city.
On the 2d of July, 1865, Mr. Curtis married Miss Candace E. Bovee, a daughter of Richard and Orpha (Parks) Bovee. She was born in Erie county, New York, September 14, 1836, and was one of the pioneer school teachers of De Kalb county. She was betrothed to Mr. Curtis before the war but gave him up at the call of his country and cheerfully waited his return. She died on the 224 of June, 1875, leaving one son, David G.
For his second wife Mr. Curtis chose Miss Juliette E. Hurd, a native of Marion county, In- diana, born August 14, 1844, a daughter of Alan- son and Jerusha A. (Springer) Hurd, both natives of the state of New York. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis was celebrated April 3, 1879, and two daughters blessed this union: Hortense, who was born September 9, 1880, and died October 10, 1884; and Sarah Eloise, who was born January 10, 1883. The wife and mother died December 1. 1886, at the age of forty-two years.
On the 3d of December, 1891, Mr. Curtis mar- ried Mrs. Wealthy M. White, the widow of James White, a sergeant of the Twelfth New York Vol- unteer Infantry, and a daughter of Robert Morse and Caroline Smith, both of whom were natives of New York. She was a student in a boarding school in New York state, afterward pursued a two years' medical course at Blackwell's Island, New York, and was graduated at a trained nurse. She also pursued a business course in Binghamton, that state, and is an accomplished lady. By her first marriage she has one daughter, Nina, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Curtis has been born one son, Leland Powers, whose birth occurred June 15, 1898.
In his political allegiance Mr. Curtis is a stanch republican and has been called to a number of local offices, serving as town clerk, as road commis- sioner and as school director. He now receives a pension which was granted him by special act of congress. He was formerly a member of the Merritt Simonds post, G. A. R., of De Kalb, of which he served as commander in 1896, and was transferred to Potter post, No. 12, G. A. R., of Sycamore. to which he now belongs. Mr. Curtis is a man of many excellent traits of character. possesses a kindly and genial disposition and wher-
402
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
ever he goes he wins friends. He continued ac- tively in business for many years and then. with the competence acquired through his former labor. he retired to private life. He is today as true and loyal a citizen as when he followed the old flag on southern battle-fields. He possesses considerable poetical talent. in proof of which we append a song which was written by him and dedicated to his comrades of the Third Brigade. and which was sung to the tune of "Wearing of the Green."
General Grant to Sherman said: "Abe depends on you and me. And with a hundred transports We'll ascend the Tennessee." At Shiloh on one April morn When the first attack was made. The long roll beat and bugles rang Throughout the Old Brigade.
Our gallant Wallace led us ont Amid the shot and shell We formed in line and fought that day And our brave Wallace fell. And some of us were wounded. And on a boat were laid. While Sweeney with an empty sleeve Stood by the Old Brigade.
Our orders were to hold the line. Said Sweeney. "We'll do our best": Four times they charged and were repulsed. While we held the "Hornets' nest." 'Twas there that General Johnson fell In a fearful charge they made. The field was covered with the slain Where fought the Old Brigade.
The army of the Cumberland Crossed the river in the night. Helped plant the guns that mowed the woods. And put our foes to flight. The *Lexington and *Tyler said : "For the record you have made With our big guns and mortars too We'll guard the Old Brigade."
When night came on that bloody field. With twenty thousand slain. In common lay both blue an I gray
All drenching in the rain : Which bathed the wounds and cooled the brows Of all the dying o'er hills and glade And washed "Old Glory's" stains away. The blood of the Old Brigade.
We're marching on with feeble steps To fight one battle more. Then they will lay us down to rest With comrades gone before. To wait the final reveille To join the grand parade- "On fame's eternal camping-ground" We'll find the Old Brigade. *(funboats.
WILLIAM I. KUNES.
That De Kalb is an attractive place of residence and affords good advantages to its citizens is indi- cated by the fact that many of her native sons have continued to abide within her borders. Such has been the case with William I. Kunes who still live, in Pierce township, where his birth occurred. on the 5th of November, 1855. his parents being Jacob and Eva ( Kuter) Kunes. The father was born in Pennsylvania. December 18, 1825. and in the early '40s removed to Illinois, settling in Pierce township where he continued to make his home umn- til his death in July. 1900. His wife died De- cember 24. 1891. at the age of fifty-six years. her birth having occurred on the 31st of August, 1835.
At the usual age. William I. Kunes entered the district schools of Pierce township. He was early trained to farm work under his father's direction. He has always carried on general agricultural pur- suits and by purchase has come into posession of an excellent property. owning a half interest in one hundred and seventeen acres of choice land on section 24. Pierce township. valued at one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. His is one of the finest homes of the township. The fields present a very attractive ap- pearance owing to the care and labor he bestows upon them. and in the late summer months and through the fall. he gathers rich harvests of wheat and grain and other crops. Ilis place is indeed
403
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
well developed and indicates his careful super- vision and practical farming methods.
Mr. Kunes was married on the 11th of March. 1885, to Miss Sarah Reams who was born January 22, 1859. They have become the parents of one daughter, Luella, who was born March 16, 1886, Mrs. Kunes is a daughter of Ephraim and Annie (Klick) Reams. Her father was born November 5, 1828. in Ohio, and came to Illinois at an early day, while the mother was born in 1834 and died in 1902. Mrs. Kines was educated in the district schools and has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. The family are members of the United Evangelical church and Mr. Knnes is a republican in his po- litical views and strongly endorses the principles of the party because he believes its platform contains the best elements of good government.
DAVID DE GRAFF.
David De Graff, deceased, was one of the carly residents of De Kalb county and for many years figured prominently in connection with agri- cultural interesis here. He was a native of Schenectady county, New York, and ere his mar- riage emigrated westward, casting in his lot with the early settlers of central Illinois, In 1855 he wedded Miss Sarah Hoyt, who was born near Mor- ristown, New Jersey. When she was nine years ot age the Host family was established in Boone county, Illinois, where she lived up to the time of her marriage. She often toll her children of the Indians who came to the home of her parents and of the deer that hunters shot in the locality- indications of wild pioneer life. Mr. De Graff had arrived in Illinois in 1854, locating in Win- nebago county. While still residing at the home in Schenectady county, New York, he saw the first steam cars in America, the railroad line being only eighteen miles in length and passed through his father's farm. However the railroads ad- vanced westward as he moved toward the setting sun and three separate railroad lines now cross his farm in Cortland township.
When he located in De Kalb county Mr. De Graff turned his attention to the production of broom corn, often devoting from five hundred to
seven hundred acres to the cultivation of that prod- urt. He shipped the cured product to the (Incago market. Hle employed men, women and children in connection with the business and for years he was the only man in the locality who employed labor. Some of the crop was worked up at home, while some was cured, pressed and shipped to the Chicago market. He had sheds for drying and curing and many men were given work upon his place, so that the enterprise proved of the utmost value in the community. He was very successful in cultivating broom corn considering the short seasons, but in 1875 he ceased to engage in that department of agriculture and afterward gave his attention to general farming. When he removed to De Kalb county the land on which he located was wild and undeveloped but through careful til- lage the soil has been kept fertile and the farm has been transformed into a very valuable and pro- dnetive tract of land. The house and grounds con- form to the style of city property, and being so near Sycamore, the family are enabled to enjoy all of the advantages of city life.
The De Graff family have long been prominent in social and business development of the com- munity and although the parents have now passed away the son and daughter, Charles H. and Kate 11. De Graff, are still identified with the interests of the community. The death of Mrs. De Graff occurred November 27, 1898, while Mr. De Graff passed away on the 12th of May, 1903. their re- mains being interred at Elmwood, the beautiful cemetery that adjoins the farm upon which they lived throughout their entire residence in De Kalb county. David De Graff was one of a family of seven children and now his son and daughter, Charles H. and Kate H. De Graff, are the only persons who bear the name.
Charles H. De Graff is engaged in farming and stock-raising, paying special attention to the breeding of driving horses. Ile supplies many families with "city broke" horses and finds it a profitable business. His sister. with whom he lives, looks after the home and they are surrounded with many of the comforts of life, the farm being a valuable one and returning a good income. Theirs is a beautiful suburban place standing in the midst of fine shade trees. and the farm com- prises two hundred acres. The family history forms no unimportant chapter in the annals of
404
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
the county. for the De Graffs have for many years been widely and favorably known in this part of the state and it is with pleasure that we make mention of the parents, David and Sarah ( Hoyt) De Graff, who were indeed worthy pioneer people, respected by all who knew them.
.
THOMAS M. HOPKINS.
Advancement is proverbially slow in the ardu- ous and difficult profession of the law, yet rising above the heads of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value who by sheer persever- ance and determination and the fit utilization of the innate powers which are theirs have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to distinction and prominence. Such a one was Thomas Mont- gomery Hopkins, for forty years a leading practi- tioner at the De Kalb county bar. Gifted bv nature with strong intellectual force, he used his talents to the best advantage and hecame conspicu- ous by reason of the measure of success which he achieved as the result of his knowledge of the law and its correct application to the points in litigation.
Mr. Hopkins was a native of New York, born in Salem. Washington county, on the 23d of April, 1818. His parents were Hiram and Sarah ( Mc- Clary) Hopkins, who were strong and sturdy in character. They were of Scotch-Irish extraction and in religious belief were Scotch Presbyterians of Covenanters. believing in the doctrine of election. in the strict observance of the Sabbath and in the most rigid integrity and honor. It was in such an atmosphere that Thomas M. Hop- kins was reared and this undoubtedly accounts in a measure for his unfaltering allegiance to truth. He was known as "an honest lawyer"-a term too frequently undeserved by the follower: of the profession who regard success and not the attainment of justice as the end and aim of legal practice. Mr. Hopkins was the eldest of five children. four sons and a daughter: Thomas, Henry, Rufus, Robert and Sarah. Rufus and Robert were twins and each attained an enviable reputation as a physician, the former practicing in De Kalb county and the latter in Kendall county, Illinois.
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.