USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 50
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"A Little Girl Three Years Oldl Lost on the Prairie.
"Quite an excitement was created in our neigh- boring town of Malta by the announcement at an early hour on Friday morning last. that a little girl aged about three years, a daughter of Mr. Jacob Willrett. a farmer residing about four miles north of Malta, had wandered from home during the morning of Thursday and had not been found : though diligent search had been made by Mr. Will- rett and his neighbors all through Thursday even- ing and night. As soon as the distressing fact was made known, prompted by that humanity which is so characteristic of the great hearted western man. nearly one hundred carnest hearts volunteered to prosecute the search. At an early hour in the day,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
they had gathered at the point where the little one was last seen.
"Through the suggestion of Captain Corbett we believe the plan of search was arranged by forming a line with a space between the men of about five vards and thus sweep the prairie from side to side. Hour after hour passed in this labor of mercy and though the day was fearfully hot and the deep prairie grass sometimes impassable, these noble men labored on determined to save the little wan- derer if yet alive and relieve the awful anxiety of the distracted parents. Once the tracks of little bare feet (it was bonnetless and shoeless) were perceptible in the edge of a cornfield but it pene- trated only a short distance. It is supposed that night was coming on when it reached the corn- field and the heavy shadows in the thick corn had terrors for the little one which drove it back to the prairie again. Now and then marks on the heavy prairie grass were discernible where possibly ex- hausted and wholly overcome it would fall down and lie until rest and the cool grass would again revive it. and then off it would move to repeat time after time these efforts which probably before
"These traces of the little one of course gave re- newed energy to the sweltering and wearied search- ers-there was no resting, no faltering-a minute lost might be the death knell of the little one. At last, about five o'clock a shout was started from one end of the line that the lost was found. As soon as it was known to be a fact and the little one was alive then a shout went up from a hundred Inngs. which could only be given by men whose hearts throbbed with the consciousness of having done that which they deemed a duty from Divine injune- tion and the promptings of their own manly bosoms. The poor little creature was found in the deep tangled prairie grass, with its face resting on its little hands, conscious but overcome by hun- ger, exhaustion and exposure, it probably could never have risen again. The exposure to one of its tender years was enough to cause the parents to fear that if found on Friday it could hardly be alive. We will not attempt to describe the demon- strative joy of the mother and the tearful happi- ness of the father ar the recovery alive of their lost one. Nor will we attempt to imagine what the
agony of the little one must have been during the lonely, terrible hours-its unanswered wailings- the terror of the night with no one near to give a soothing word. When we pray that we may be spared this terror, where is the parent who will not join us in deep earnestness in this supplication ? Monday, August 26th: The child is gradually gaining strength and will recover."
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born eight children, as follows: Edith C., who was born September 1. 1885 : Florence M .. born October 20. 1881; Anna E., who was born June 2, 1889: Esther S., November 21, 1894 : John E., November 26. 1896 ; Mildred C .. June 28. 1899 : Harold W .. January 31. 1903: and Marjorie E., whose birth occurred October 20. 1904.
Mr. Wright gives his political support to the republican party and for nine years served as road commissioner, while for a similar period he filled the office of school director. His fraternal rela- tions are with Modern Woodmen camp, No. 217. at Malta, the Royal Neighbors, and the Foresters. belonging to lodge No. 140, Both he and his wife hold membership in the Evangelical church. He the rising of another sun would have released its' 'and his family are highly esteemed in the com- spirit from the suffering clay and its wanderings ended in Heavenly sleep.
munity where they reside, and their eldest dangh- ter. Edith C., has engaged in teaching for two ternis.
THE HAISH FACTORY.
We presume a history of De Kalb county would not be completed without a sketch of one of the greatest industries of modern times, originating in the city of De Kalb in the year 1872. and known as the barbed wire industry. It is true that prior to this date patents had been issued and attempts made to produce a merchantable barbed wire, yet nothing had been evolved of this character until Jacob Haish, in a building shown with this article, after a long and persistent effort proved to the world that a stock-proof fence such as had been a dream through the years of herds- men and cattle growers was an accomplished fact. In this structure you see the first barbed wire factory in the world. wherein the first attempt was made and successfully completed in the pro- duction of a barbed wire-simple in design. eco-
YUNG LIBRARY
M LENOX CONMINDATIONS.
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OLD HAISH FACTORY.
JACOB HAISH COMPANY DE KALB ILLINOIS
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F14
VEVAHATOR WORKS
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INLAND -WALTON ENG CO.
POWER
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WIRE FACTORY
HE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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nomically manufactured and put up in such form as to make it commercially valuable, as it provided a way whereby it could be shipped safely and expeditiously to any point where man lives and thrives. From the womb of this factory all other factories gathered their nourishment. From the simple two strands of twisted wire with a barb wrapped around both wires, came the impulse that has been felt the wide workl round. This old factory building has witnessed many a struggle of brain and muscle to overcome the difficultie .. hedging the way. As no one had trodden the path before. it seemed to fall to the lot of Mr. Haish to pioneer a route, which led to a process ot dipping the wire-the production of a spool over which no advance has been made since, and finally in the introduction of an automatic ma- chine for manufacturing barbed wire, which be- came the pattern from which all others drew their inspiration. The patents on this machine were considered the foundation patents and materially; assisted in adjusting the legal status of Me .. : laish's rights in a court of equity in one of the hardest fought legal battles of a generation ago. These patents, together with the patents and claims upon barbed wire which he owned, won for him a substantial victory, as it finally settled all difficulties and contentions among the various licenses and gave to him the right to conduct hi: business without let or hindrance, which was the only thing in controversy with him. Of that famous coterie who trod the boards thirty years ago, he is the only living representative in the barbed wire business today. With one or two exceptions the others have been "gathered unto their fathers."
Leaving the old structure and its memories of men and things, let us note what has transpired since in the advancement of trade and commerce and behold the growth and enterprise shown ir wire and kindred industries in the size and extent of the various departments devoted to mechanical pursuits as shown in the buildings erected and portrayed at the conclusion of this article, which is convincing proof of the rapid stride made by the Jacob Haish Company under the leadership of its veteran president who is favorably known wherever barbed wire has a foothold-whose repu- tation as a philanthropist is beyond question, while his local reputation as a landlord with a
numerous tenantry under his control, attest his kindness of heart in deeds of charity. To the ncedy poor he always extends the desired help and the welcome sympathy-but woe botide the one who seeks to prey upon his generosity or question his integrity; it were better a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, etc. In the created indus- tries which he fostered and maintained and which will pass on to bless posterity, his memory will ever be cherished. So "Requiescat in Pace" thou scion of sturdy German parentage-whom the king delighteth to honor.
DANIEL HOHM.
On the roster of county officials in De Kalb county appears the name of Daniel Hohm, who is occupying the position of sheriff in a most capable and. satisfactory manner. lle was born in New York City, on the 15th of September, 1860, and is a son of Vincent and Charlotta (Snyder) Hohn, both natives of Germany. There the father was reared and early learned the shoemaker's trade. As a young man he came to the United States about 1855 and for a time worked at his trade in the east, but in 1863 came to Illinois, locating at Plano, Kendall county, where he conducted a shoe shop for several years. It was in 1828 that he came to De Kalb county and settled on a farmi. devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits for a time. Later he removed to llinekley, where he followed his trade until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-four years. llis widow now makes her home with our subject and another son, at the age of seventy-tive years. She came to the new world in girlhood.
Daniel Hohm passed his boyhood in Plano, Hli- nois, where he attended the public schools until ten years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood. his parents being in limited circum- stances. He is therefore mainly self-educated. He was engaged in farm work and the care of horses both before and after coming to this county. being foreman of the Glidden stock farm for a couple of years. He was engaged in the livery business at Hinckley for a time and also served as city marshal.
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In 1885 Mr. Hohm was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Bastian. a native of De Kalb county. and to them have been born four children, namely : Vae L., Lola Charlotte, Harley D. and George E., all at home. Politically he is prominently identi- fied with the republican party and has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs. Since coming to De Kalb county he lived con- tinuously in Hinckley. with exception of two years passed in De Kalb, until 1898, when he removed to Sycamore, where he now owns and occupies a beautiful home on North Locust street.
In was in 1898 that Mr. Hohm was first chosen to the office of sheriff and after filling that position for four years he was elected county treasurer for a term of four years. On his retirement from that office he was re-elected county sheriff in No- vember, 1906. his prompt. faithful and fearless discharge of duty during his former incumbency giving evidence of what might be expected in his present term.
CAPTAIN E. P. SAFFORD.
Captain E. P. Safford, an honored veteran of the Civil war. and at one time prominently identified with the political work of De Kalb county, has made his home for forty-eight years in Illinois. For a long period he was classed among the sub- stantial agriculturists of Mayfield township. where he still owns one hundred and sixty acres of land but he is now living retired in Sycamore. He was born at Gilmanton. New Hampshire, a son of Charles and Mary Safford. From his native state he removed to Massachusetts, where he lived for a time. but on attaining man's estate and believing that in the new and rapidly developing western country he might more readily acquire a com- petence, he made his way to Illinois forty-eight years ago, and has since made his home in this state.
Arriving in Hlinbis Mr. Safford was employed at farm labor and was thus engaged until the out- break of the Cho war, when his patri mie spirit being aroused, he missed. in 1502. as a meal T of Company A, One Hrabra at. . Fift .. IlLib.s Volunteer Infantry vier . Captam H. D. Brown and Colonel Dustin. Goingto th front Le partici-
pated in many important engagements and on the field displayed great valor and courage, so that he was soon promoted from the ranks to the position of captain and given command of colored troops. Captain Safford was wounded at Decatur. Ala- bama. After three years' meritorious service, he was mustered out in March, 1865, being incapaci- tated for further duty.
Returning from the war. he once more took up his abode in De Kalb county, where he was soon afterward married to Miss Sarah Safford. who was likewise a native of the east. Mr. Safford was elected sheriff of De Kalb county, which position he capably filled for one term. He finally pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mayfield township, which he cultivated and im- proved, carrying on general agricultural pursuits throughout a long period. In his work he aiways followed the most practical methods of farm labor and was classed among the substantial citizens of his locality. He still retains possession of this property but is now living in well earned case in a pleasant home in Sycamore. In addition to his realty in De Kalb county. he also owns land in other western states.
Mr. Safford gives stalwart support to the repub- liean party and has taken an active part in local political affairs. From 1858 until 1861 he served as deputy sheriff of De Kalb county and al-o served for one term as sheriff. He has also filled the office of supervisor. assessor, school director and treasurer and in these various capacities he has discharged his duties in a most prompt and ethi- cient manuer. He holds membership in the Con- gregational church at Sycamore. Mr. Safford has been as loyal to the duties of citizenship as he was when on southern battle-fields he followed the stars and stripes. Ile is honored and respected wherever known and no one is more deserving of mention in this volume that he whose name intro- duces this record.
GEORGE TERWILLIGER.
George Terwilliger, senior partner of the firm of George Terwilliger & Company. dealers in coal, Vommber and building materials in De Kalb, is a La ive of Ulster county. New York. having been
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
born in the town of Shawangunk, on the 11th of May, 1842. His father, Levi H. Terwilliger, also a native of Ulster county, was there reared and spent his entire life. On reaching manhood he engaged in farming and in the operation of a saw- mill, continuing his connection with those lines of business until his death. He was a democrat in political views but without aspiration for office. HIe married Fannie Terwilliger and died in the year 1874. His wife is also deceased. They were the parents of five children, all of whom survive. namely : Leander, a resident of Humboldt, lowa ; George; Mary, the wife of C. W. Baker, of Ulster county. New York; Rachel, the wife of William Robertson, of Minnesota ; and Emma, the wife of a Mr. Brock, of New York city.
George Terwilliger spent the first fourteen years of his life in the place of his nativity and then came to Illinois with his brother Leander, settling in De Kalb county about twelve miles south of the present city of De Kalb. The brothers began work- ing as farm hands. This was in 1856 and George Terwilliger was employed for about ten years at farm labor, spending the winter months, however. as a pupil in the Broughton school. In the winter of 1866-7 and also through the following winter he taught in the district schools, while through the summer months he traveled as a commercial sales- man for C. W. & W. W. Marsh, selling the Marsh harvester. In the fall of 1869 he came to De Kalb and in partnership with Captain A. B. Pol- lock built a grain elevator and engaged in the grain business. Soon afterward he began dealing in voal, lumber and building materials under the firm style of Pollock & Terwilliger. Two years later Captain Pollock died and in 1873 L. M. Me- Ewen became a member of the firm and from that voar until 1900 the business was conducted under the firm style of L. M. MeEwen & Company. In 1900 Mr. MeEwen retired from active business and F. L. Terwilliger, the second son of George Ter- williger, became a member of the firm and business has since been carried on under the name of George Terwilliger & Company. They conduct the leading business in their line in De Kalb, having a large trade in coal, limber and building ma- terials. Success in a mercantile venture is never the result of chance. It results from the fact that the merchant carries goods which the publie de- mands, that his prices are reasonable and his
methods honest, and added to this he must possess energy, enterprise and executive ability. Lacking in none of these requisites, Mr. Terwilliger has long maintained a prominent position as one of the leading business men of De Kalb.
In 1873 occurred the marriage of Mr. Terwilli- ger and Miss Ginevra D. Snow, a daughter of Pearley and Lois ( Gurler ) Snow of De Kalb. They have become the parents of five sons and a daugh- ter : Roy L., who is chief of the designing depart- ment in the retail store of Marshall Field & Com- pany of Chicago: Fay L .. who is associated with his father in business : Pearley S .. who has recently located and resides upon a homestead claim in New Mexico: George Covell, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of De Kalb : and Ginevra E. and Percy E., both at home. The family is prominent in social circles of the city and to the members of the household is freely accorded the hospitality of many of the best homes of De Kalh.
Mr. Terwilliger is a stanch republican in politics, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and for two terms has served as alderman of this city. 1le is not, however, an active politician in the sense of office seeking but he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and in matters of citizenship is progressive and publie spirited, with- holding his support from no movement or measure which he deems will prove of general benefit.
THOMAS JEFFERSON WINDERS.
Thomas Jefferson Winders, editor and proprie- tor of the Malta Record and Creston Obserrer, was born in Nevada City, Colorado, January 20, 1863. a son of John N. and Susan ( Powell) Winders. both of whom were natives of Washington county, Maryland. the former born in 1829 and the latter in 1834. 1n 1855 the parents came to Illinois, settling in Polo, but after two years removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they remained for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period they removed to Nevada City. Colorado. The father was both a civil and mining engineer and he opened and conducted a gold and silver mine, which he owned for some time, later disposing of it to an English syndicate. He remained in Nevada City until 1825 and then removed to Silver Plume,
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Colorado, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1892. In 18:1. Mrs. Winders, accom- panied by her little son, returned to Polo, Illinois, and there resided until called to her final rest March 28, 1905. at the age of seventy-two years, four months and ten days.
Mr. Winders of this review was educated in the public schools of Polo and in the Northern Illinois College of Fulton. this state. Subsequently he spent one year as a student in the Northern Indi- ana Normal College at Valparaiso. Hle remained a resident of Polo until 1882, after which his time was divided between Clinton and Chicago until 1894. When the printing office was removed from Creston to Malta Mr. Winders came to the latter place and has since been editor-in-chief of the Malla Record and Creston Observer and is like- wise the owner of the paper. He made this a bright, newsy sheet. well edited and carefully con- ducted. also from the mechanical and financial standpoints, so that the enterprise is proving a success viewed in every way. In addition to his printing plant and the business connected there- with. Mr. Winders is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Thomas county, Kan- sas, and a residence in Malta.
On the 15th of July, 1896. in Malta, Mr. Win- ders was united in marriage to Mrs. Alice Anna Chapell, who was born in Egremont. Berkshire county, Massachusetts. November 3. 1865. Her father, Irwin DeWitt Baldwin, was born in Tyring- ham. Massachusetts, January 20. 1815, and spent a great many years of his life in Great Barrington. that state, but afterward removed to Egremont, where he built a large furniture factory. lle served as state senator and was very prominent and influential in public life. leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon the state legisla- tion and upon public thought and action. Ile was a most active worker in the ranks of his party. also took a prominent part in church matters and possessed considerable musical talent. Ile married Clarissa Smith Booth, who was born in Chatham. Columbia county, New York, October 16, 1817, and died at Malta. Illinois, March 9, 1904. Mr. Baldwin died at Eurosport. Massachusetts, on the 20th of April, 1889.
Mrs. Winders is the vonnous, of the four chil- dren in the Baldwin family and two of the num- ber are now deceased. She was aderated in the
public and high schools of Massachusetts. com- pleting her education at a private young ladies academy. She studied music under the best Ger- man professor- and held lucrative positions as organist in the Congregational and Methodist churches of Berkshire county. She was also leader of a large chorus choir. After coming to Malta, Ilinois. she united with the Congregational church and was appointed organist, which position she held for seven years, and she has been clerk of the church for twenty-two years. She is very active in all church work, is a leader in social affairs and a great reader. having a beautiful library in her home. She is a woman of progressive ideas and is possessed of unusual intellect. culture and ability. On the 24th of August. 1884, she became the wife of Clarence E. Chapell. who died March 8. 1893. and three years later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Winders.
Mr. Winders is also a member of the Congre- gational church of Malta and belongs to Creston lodge. No. 328. A. F. & A. M .; to the Knights of Pythias lodge. No. 501: to the Knights of the Globe. No. 152: to the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 212 ; and to the Mystic Workers. No. 52. 1Ie is a stalwart advocate of republican principles. publishes his paper in the interests of that party and is chairman of the county republican com. mittee. lle is serving his second term as justice of the peace. He is an advocate of all that tends to secure reform, progress and improvement in the city and is accorded a foremost position in journal- istic ranks in this part of the state. Ile is also meeting with financial success in his venture. He and his wife live in a beautiful home on Main street and are among De Kalb county's best citi- zens.
LOUIS HAROLD MARSTON.
Louis Harold Marston is an architect whose work needs no other proof or recommendation than the evidence presented in the fine structures he has designed. In various parts of the county are found beautiful and substantial buildings mo.]- (Jed after the plans he has executed. and he is now closely associated in his profession with the Imilding interests of De Kalb.
Louis H. Maraton.
HE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDER FOUNDATION'
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Mr. Marston is a native of Grant county, Wis- consin, born December 19. 1859. His father, John R. Marston, was born in Kentucky in 1834, and in carly manhood wedded Minerva Manlove, whose birth occurred in Schuyler county, Ilinois, in 1836. The father engaged in carpentry and also in operating in the lead mines. He was a son of James Marston. a captain of the Black Hawk war, who entered the army from Wisconsin. Three un- eles of our subject in the maternal line fought in the war of the Rebellion, so that the family has a creditable military record. John R. Marston is still living, but his wife passed away in Indiana in October, 1904. In their family were six chil- dren, of whom Louis Harold is the second.
In taking up the personal history of our subject we present to our readers the life record of one who, in his business connections, is widely known not only in De Kalb but also in northern Illinois. Honored and respected by all who know him, he has made an excellent reputation as a business man. not only by reason of the success he has achieved, but also owing to the straightforward policy he has ever followed. He acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the common schools of Wisconsin and Illinois, and completed his course at the Northern Indiana Normal School of Valparaiso as member of the class of 1881. He afterward entered the contracting business with his brother, operating at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 1883 he went to Chicago, where he entered the office of W. A. Furber, with whom he remained four years. He next became an employe of the well known firm of Holabird & Roche, architeets, with whom he continued for three years, when, in 1890. he formed a partner- ship with R. B. Hotchkin. This connection was maintained until 1895, since which time he has been alone in business. He has followed his pro- fession in Indiana, in the state of Washington, in Chicago and now in De Kalb. and is known as a foremost representative of his profession in northi- ern Illinois and in the northwest as well. He has designed important and beautiful buildings in sev- eral cities, including the Tacoma building at the corner of Madison and La Salle streets, Chicago. at which time he was in the employ of Holabird & Roche : also the Sheridan Military post, including the barracks' hospital, commandant house and the colonels' and captains' residences. This work was
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