USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 43
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Having acquired his preliminary education, Thomas M. Hopkins became a student in Wash- ington Academy, at Salem. New York, and after completing his course there he took up the study of law in the office of Judge Fairchild, receiving his license to practice from the supreme court of the state of New York, January 14, 1842. In early life he displayed most industrious and studi- ous habits and his reading covered a wide range. He possessed a very retentive memory so that in later life. as an advocate and public speaker, he strongly impressed his hearers with his intellect- ual depth and breadth. After finishing his law course he went to St. Louis county, Missouri; where he engaged in teaching school for three years.
It was during this period that Mr. Hopkins was married. on the 22d of May, 1846. to Miss Julia 1. Hawken, the daughter of a prominent St. Louis business man. She was born November 27. 1828. in St. Louis, was there reared and ac- quired her education in her native city and in St. Charles Seminary. With his young wife Mr. Hopkins, immediately after their marriage, came to De Kalb county, where he acquired a piece of land from the government, to which he added from time to time in later years until he became known as an extensive land owner. He practiced law successfully in this county for nearly forty years and was recognized as an advocate of unusual force and brilliancy. Ile possessed not only a logical, analytical mind but also superior powers of oratory which enabled him to present his cause with clearness, force and eloquence. and he never failed to give a thorough preparation-which is the real basis of success at the bar. A large and distinctively representative clientage was ac- corded him and his name was associated with the prosecution or defense of the large majority of the important suits heard in the courts of the district.
Mr. Hopkins was a life-long and militant dem- ocrat in a community which had an overwhelming republican strength and he could always bo counted upon as a speaker for his party in politi- cal campaigns. He was a natural orator, hi» theme always arousing him and kindling within him the fire of eloquence. For a number of terms he filled the office of supervisor. but the numerical weakness of his party made it impossible for him
ThoseHopKurs
AGFMARY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
to gain the offices for which nature and acquired ability well fitted him. He did not care, how- ever, to enter political life and gave his attention to his practice, his farms and his social interests. In religion he was non-sectarian but believed in the divinity of Christ and the inspiration of the scriptures. Ile was a man who possessed the highest sense of honor and great dignity of char- acter. His career, in both public and private life, was marked by the strictest honesty and integrity, and this was manifest in his professional service. He could not be urged into a case for the sake of the fees, but made it his rule to aid the court in winning justice.
Mr. Hopkins was. moreover, a man of domestic taste, most devoted to his family. By his mar- riage there were five children: Montgomery, now deceased, who was married to Mary Brundage, of Sycamore, Illinois ; Charles O., who died unmar- ried ; Christopher M., who married Miss Viola Reynolds, of Lake City, Iowa, and has passed away; Alice, the wife of Charles E. Bradt, of De" actively and closely associated with agricultural Kalb : and Jacob 11. Hopkins, who is practicing interests, bringing his fields under a high state of law in Chicago. Mr. Hopkins was a faithful auth"cultivation and annually harvesting good crops. loving husband and father, and his interest in life. 'T# 1894 he retired from active business and re- centered in his family, it being his great desire that his children should be well educated and trained along the lines of an honorable citi- zenship.
Mrs. Hopkins still survives her husband at the age of seventy-eight years and appears much younger, retaining undimmed her mental facul- ties. She lives with her daughter, Mrs. Bradt, at No. 218 South Fourth street, and owns a bean- tiful residence across the road at No. 215 Fourth street. She is an excellent Christian lady, long prominently known in social circles of the city and today she receives the love and veneration of lier many friends and acquaintances, among whom she has lived for so many years.
FRANK E. WRIGHT.
Frank E. Wright, filling the office of eity elerk of De Kalb, his native city, was born March 19, 1856. His parents were Thomas and Amanda R. (Richardson) Wright. The father was born on the 11th of March, 1833, in St. Charles, Illinois.
His parents, two brothers and a sister were natives of England and came to the United States about 1830, the family home being established in St. Charles, where William Wright, the grandfather of our subject, died about 1834 or 1835. In 1837 his wife and children removed to De Kalb county, locating on a tract of land that now constitutes the county farm. They were among the earliest settlers of this part of the state and aided in its pioneer development and improvement. Mrs. Wright, the grandmother of our subject, afterward married a Mr. Cartwright, by whom she had one child.
At the age of twelve years Thomas Wright be- gan earning his own living as a farm hand, work- ing for four dollars per month. He was em- ployed in this way until his twenty-first year, when he entered one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land a mile and a half south of De Kalb, comprising one hundred and forty-seven acres which he still owns. For many years he was
moved to De Kalb, where he is now living in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. In politics he is a stalwart republican and for six or eight years he served as road commissioner. In the county where he has so long resided he has a wide and favorable acquaintance and the Masonic fraternity finds in him a worthy exemplar. He belongs to De Kalb lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M. ; to De Kalb chapter. No. 52, R. A. M. : and to Sycamore commandery, No. 15, K. T. His wife, who was born August 18. 1836, probably in De Kalb, is a representative of an old New England family, her parents having come from Vermont at a period when the work of improvement and cilivization had scarcely been begun in this portion of Illinois.
Frank E. Wright, an only child, was reared upon the home farm and after attending the public schools pursued a business course in the Worthing- ton school in Chicago. Through the summer months he aided in the work of the farm and con- tinned to engage in the task of cultivating the fields until 1880, when he went to Clinton, lowa, where he engaged in the grocery business. Two years later he disposed of his business there and returned to De Kalb, Illinois. He then engaged
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in fanning for two years upon rented land and in 1884 he invested in ninety-four acres adjoining the home farm, which he still owns. There he re- sided until 1891. when he became a resident of Chicago, where he spent five years, being employed for four years as a Pullman conductor, running out of that city. Once more he took up his abode in De Kalb county in 1896. purchasing a residence and locating in the city of De Kalb, where he was variously employed until December 14. 1901. when he was appointed city clerk. He has since been twice regularly elected to the office, serving con- tinuously in this capacity since his appointment. In the discharge of his duties he is prompt, meta- odical and accurate and the fact that he has twice been elected since first called to the office indicales the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens and the able manner in which he discharges his duties. He is a stalwart republican. unfaltering in his advocacy of the principles of the party.
In his social relations Mr. Wright is a Mason and has attained a high degree in the York rite. He belongs to De Kalb lodge. No. 144. A. F. & A. M .: De Kalb chapter. No. 52, R. A. M .: and Sycamore commandery, No. 15. K. T .: and is serving as worthy patron of the Eastern Star. Pleasantly situated in his home life, he was mar- ried October 12, 1881, to Miss Ida M. Cheasbro, a daughter of Jabez and Mary A. ( Ingersoll ) Cheas- bro. of De Kalb. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been born a daughter. Jessie E., who is a graduate of the De Kalb high school and of the Metropolitan Busines- College of Chicago. In the city of his nativity Mr. Wright has a wide acquaintance and many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood.
IINGHI MCQUEEN, JR.
Hugh McQueen, Jr., is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 21. South Grove township. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, October 22. 1854. ITis paternal grandparents were Francis and Mary ( McMillen ) McQueen. while his father, Hugh MeQueen, Sr., was also a native of the land of hills and heather, his birth having occurred near Ayrshire, the home of Robert Burns, the famons
Scottish poet, his natal day being July 29, 1829. The father was feared and educated in his native country, and was there married at the early age of eighteen years, to JJane Mckenzie, a native of the same shire, and a daughter of John and Ellen K. MeKenzie. Mr. McQueen was superintendent of a brick and tile factory in Scotland but having heard favorable reports concerning the oppor- tunities to be enjoyed in the new world, he de- vided to try his fortune in the United States, and accordingly, in 1861. accompanied by his family, he embarked on a vessel at Glasgow and emigrated to the new world. Landing in New York, he at once made his way to De Kalb county, where his wife's parents had located some years previously. He took up his abode on land in South Grove township, where he made his home for thirty years, or until his death, which occurred January 12. 1892. llis widow still survives and now makes her home with her son, William A. McQueen, in South Grove township. In the family of this esti- mable couple were ten children, of whom seven still survive, namely : John : Hugh, whose name in- troduces this review : Mary: Ellen; Frank; Jane: and William A. Those deceased are Jane, Eliza- beth and Ellen.
Mr. MeQueen of this review acquired his educa- tion in the common schools of his native country. and was there reared to the age of thirteen years. when, in 1861. he accompanied the family on their emigration to the new world. Following his ar- rival in De Kalb county he was employed at farm labor in South Grove township. During his youth he worked persistently and diligently to acquire a competence That would enable him to engage in farming on his own account, and as the years passed he lived frugally and economically and at length was enabled to embark upon an independent business venture. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, South Grove township, which is well improved with good building>. while the land is all under a high state of cultivation. He is here engaged in general agricultural pursuits, following only the most practical and progressive methods in carrying on his work, while he uses the latest improved ma- chinery to facilitate his labors.
Mr. McQueen further made arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own, when, on the 30th of November. 1892. he was united in
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marriage to Miss Mary Florence Harkness, a daughter of J. B. Harkness, who was at one time a very prominent business man of Sycamore and for two years served as mayor of that city and held a number of other city offices. His death occurred in 1811. lle held membership with the Knights Templar at Sycamore. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children but the eldest, Willie Douglas, who was born August 24, 1894, is now deceased. The two surviving children are : Jean II. Elizabeth, who was born February 22, 1892; and Rosa Mary, born August 15, 1899.
Mr. McQueen gives his political support to the republican party. and his wife holds membership with Eastern Star lodge at Sycamore, while both attend and support the Methodist church at Es- mond, although Mrs. McQueen is a member of the Episcopal church, and her husband was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church. They are highly respected in the community where they re- side, having won many warm friends not only in their locality but in Sycamore as well.
JAMES H. LATIMER. SR.
Among the residents of foreign birth who have become valued citizens of De Kalb county is num- bered James II. Latimer, Sr., who owns and culti- vates an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has lived since 1890. He has, however, resided in the county for about forty years. His birth occurred in Ireland, March 9, 1845, and having spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that country, he was married there on the 15th of February. 1866, to Miss Matilda Scott, whose birth occurred in the same country on the 10th of June, 1843. Her parents were like- wise natives of the Emerald isle and there spent their entire lives. For a brief period after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Latimer remained in their native country but on the 14th of May, 1866, bade adieu to their friends and the old home and started for the new world. They landed in New York and Mr. Latimer was employed as a farm hand in the Empire state for about five months. He then came westward to De Kalb county, Illinois, and for one year was employed by Mr. Corey. He also spent one year in the employ of Captain Drake,
after which he rented land from Mr. MeMullan, which he cultivated for one season. Ile afterward rented from Asa Beyers and farmed that place for four years. Ile next removed to the farm owned by W. M. Beyers, which he operated for one sea- son, and then, with the capital he had acquired through his well directed labors and his economy, he purchased one hundred and five aeres of land lying on section 6, De Kalb township. There he resided until 1890, when he sold that property and bought another one hundred and sixty acre tract on the same section. Taking up his abode on liis new farm, he has since made it his place of resi- dence and has converted it into a splendidly im- proved property. In addition to this he owns a good residence in the city of De Kalb on West Main street.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Latimer have been born ten children. Those still living are: JJ. W., who was born November 26. 1866; J. II., April 17, 1868: Robert C., August 14, 1871; Thomas C., Maren 14. 1823 ; Herbert D., May 6, 1825 ; and Jennie M .. April 6, 1880. The parents attend the Congrega- tional church and contribute to its support. Mr. Latimer is a stalwart advocate of republican prin- ciples, having always supported the party since he took out his naturalization papers. He held the office of school director for sixteen years. He is interested in all that pertains to the general wel- fare and is a public-spirited citizen, manifesting loyalty and allegiance to his adopted country un- surpassed by that of her native sons. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he has enjoyed good business opportunities here, which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetie men, and as the result of his carefully directed labor he has gained a place among the substantial citizens and representative farmers of De Kalb county.
CHARLES HENRY MAYNARD, D. D. S.
Dr. C. HI. Maynard, a member of the dental pro- fession of Sycamore, was born in Springfield, South Dakota. August 8. 1814. Ilis father, Henry H. Maynard is a native of Rockford, Illinois, and is now living in Oregon. Illinois, at the age of sixty- one years. He was a butcher by trade and followed
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that pursuit in early life. He afterward engaged in farming in Ogle county, Illinois, for about ten years but is now living retired. Ile won a goodly measure of success that enabled him to put aside business cares and yet enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and is true to the teachings of the craft. At the time of the Civil war he proved his loyalty by enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army at Rockford and was mustered in under command of Colonel Bush. With his regiment he went to the south and participated in a number of important battles. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and gives his political support to the republican party. In early manhood he married Frances Josephine Tripp, a daughter of Patrick and Cornelia Tripp. She was born in Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, about fifty-three years ago. She is a member of the Lutheran church and is a most estimable lady. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children : Harvey E., who is with the International Harvester Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Clyde, deceased ; Cornelia E., a trained nurse now at Rockford: Fred B., who is with the Interna- tional Harvester Company in Milwaukee, Wiseon- sin : Frank E., who is in an abstract office in Oregon, Illinois; Alice M .; and Henry Curtis who is attending school.
Dr. Maynard of this review lived upon the home farm until eighteen years of age. He was a student in the public schools of Oregon and after com- pleting his education was engaged in the restaurant business in Oregon for two years. Later he was employed in a mercantile establishment in Chicago but determined to make the practice of dentistry his life work and entered the Chicago Dental Col- lege in 1901 and was graduated on the 3d of May. 1904. He began the practice of his profession the same year at Sycamore and has here conducted his office with excellent success. He has made a specialty of orthadontia and porcelain work, is thoroughly progressive in all of his methods and possesses that mechanical skill which is essential to success in the practice of dentistry. Moreover, he has an intimate knowledge of the science of dentistry and keeps in touch with the advancement that is continually being made by the followers of this calling. Dr. Maynard is prominent in social
cireles and belongs to the Royal Areanum. Ile is likewise a member of the Chicago Dental College Alumni Association and the Delta Sigma Delta, a college fraternity. His political duties are in accord with the principles of the republican party. In manner he is social and genial and is recognized as a popular eitizen who has many friends in Syca- more.
GEORGE EDGAR BRISTOW, D. V. S.
Dr. George Edgar Bristow, engaged in the prac- tiee of veterinary surgery at De Kalb, was born in Creston, Ogle eounty. Illinois, ou the 12th of June, 1860. His father, Joseph Bristow, was a native of Oxfordshire, England, born in 1823. There the grandparents of our subject lived and died and in the place of his nativity Joseph Bris- tow was reared and educated. In that country he was married to Miss Ann Jones, also a native of that locality, and two of their children were born in England. In 1854 they emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. They then started to De Kalb county, but while on the way their daughter Fannie died and was buried at Dunkirk, New York. Following his arrival in this county Mr. Bristow worked for some time on the railroad and at various other oeeupations that would make immediate provision for his necessities. He was industrious and ambitious, and with the savings accumulated from many months of work he was at length enabled to engage in the meat business on his own account, being one of the pioneer butch- ers of De Kalb. He brought to this undertaking the energy which characterizes him in all life's relations and his business prospered. He con- ducted a meat market until 1890, when he retired from active life. being succeeded by his sons. George E. and W. L., in the ownership and eon- duct of the store. He was a man of genial per- sonality, who numbered his friends by the scores. He was popular in business circles and through his eareful management and well directed enter- prise acquired a competence. His death occurred September 26. 1898. He had been an active and helpful member of the Baptist church for many years and for a long period had served as one of the officers. He held membership with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, was a republican
LABRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONE.
JOSEPH BRISTOW.
DR. GEORGE E. BRISTOW.
W YORK AC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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in politics and was recognized as one of De Kalb's most honored and respected citizens. His wife, who was born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1823, was a daughter of Joseph Jones, a prominent farmer of that county, where he lived and died. She was one of five children, four daughters and a son, all of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Bris- tow was a Baptist in her religious belief and for many years was an active worker in the church and charities, her many kindnesses and her good qualities of heart and mind endearing her to all who knew her, so that her death was deeply re- gretted when on the 26th of Angust, 1890. she passed away. In the family were six children, but only three are now living: Sarah Ann, who re- sides with her brother George; and Willard Lin- coln, of De Kalb.
Dr. Bristow, who is the second of the surviv- ing members of the family, was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his education in the pub- lic and high schools of De Kalb. He was prac- tically reared in the meat business, for from early boyhood he assisted his father in the shop and upon the father's retirement in 1890 he and his brother became partners in the conduct of the enterprise, which they carried on for three years, selling the business in 1893 to B. A. Steuben. From carly manhood Dr. Bristow had been a stu- dent of veterinary surgery and in the fall of 1889 he entered the Chicago College of Veterinary, from which he was graduated on the 24th of March, 1891. Immediately afterward he began the prac- tice of his chosen profession, opening his office in De Kalb, and in this vocation he has been very successful, securing a remunerative practice. Moreover, he has been prominent and active in public affairs and in the spring of 1902 was elected to the office of township assessor, in which posi- tion he has since been continued by re-election. He also served as deputy township collector for eight consecutive years. He became a member of the first hose company organized in De Kalb and for a quarter of a century was identified with that organization, acting as its captain for fifteen years. He is a member of De Kalb lodge. No. 215, K. P., and also of the Improved Order of Redmen. In politics he is a republican and one of the stalwart champions of the party.
On the 30th of March, 1898, Dr. Bristow mar- ried Miss Lucy M. Stevens, a daughter of Sidney
M. and Mary Ella ( Austin ) Stevens, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Rhode Island. Her father came to Illinois when a youth of thirteen years. Being of humble but respecta- ble parentage, he was early thrown upon his own resources and took up the life of a machinist, becoming an expert in that line. He patented ser- cial mechanical devices, among them being a machine for making barb wire. He was a resident of De Kalb for twenty-eight years and for many years was a member of the board of aldermen of the city. He was employed for years in the wire factory of Jacob Haish and set up the machinery in the plant upon its construction. In June. 1906, he purchased a farm near Petersburg, Virginia, to which he removed and there he is now residing. His daughter, Mrs. Bristow, is a graduate of the De Kalb high school and for some years was a teacher in De Kalb. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son and two daughters: Joseph Sidney, Dorothy Lurena and Ella Mar- garet. The family are well known in De Kalb, Dr. and Mrs. Bristow having an extended circle of friends here.
GEORGE W. HUBBARD.
George W. Hubbard was born December 29, 1855, upon the farm in Pierce township which has always been his home. The place is therefore endeared to him through the associations of hoy- hood and youth as well as late manhood. At an early day his parents, Charles A. and Eunice (Apthorp) Hubbard, took up their abode upon the old homestead. The father was a native of Massa- chusetts, born June 2. 1827, and came to Illinois in the fall of 1852, settling in Pierce township, after which he was closely identified with the farm- ing interests of that locality for many years. His wife was also a native of the old Bay state, and was born on the 4th of June, 1830. They cele- brated their golden wedding, May 1. 1900.
In retrospect one can see George W. Hubbard as he trudged off to the district school during the winter season, while in the summer months he as- sisted in the farm work, and as his years and strength would permit, gradually becoming more and more active in the duties of the fields.
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