USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 52
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stead place on his own account. Here he has since resided and the farm is under an excellent state of cultivation, owing to the care and labor which he bestows on the fields, He has eighty acres of land and he manages the home property, carrying on agricultural pursuits and the dairy business. The place is well improved, has good buildings upon it, and everything about the farm is indicative of his careful supervision and progres- sive methods.
In March, 1899, occurred the marriage of Walter 11. Townsend and Miss Lettie Townsend, of De Kalb, and a daughter of William Townsend, an early settler here. In his political views Mr. Townsend of this review is a republican and without aspiration for office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs. Ile belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Syca- more and in this order and outside of it he is favorably known, having good qualities which have won for him many warm friendships.
REV. A. W. STARK.
Rev. A. W. Stark, a leading and able divine of the Swedish Lutheran church, now located at De Kalb, was born in Sweden on the 2d of November, 1854. His parents, John G. and Martha Chris- tina Johnson, were also natives of that country. The father was born in 1824 and came to Amer- ica in 1875, settling first in Pennsylvania, where he remained for twelve years, when in 1887 he came to Illinois. His remaining days were passed at Roekford, where his death occurred in 1897. his wife surviving him until 1905. They were the parents of seven children, of whom three are now ordained ministers.
Rev. A. W. Stark spent the first eighteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and then bade adieu to friends and country, coming to the new world in 1873. He established his home in Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, and then removed to Jamestown, New York, where he attended the public schools for a time and later was employed as salesman in a dry-goods store. In January, 1878, he came to Illinois and en- tered Augustana College, Rock Island. He was graduated from the college in 1883 and completed
the regular seminary course in 1885. Soon after his graduation he was ordained to the ministry at Rockford, Illinois, and his first charge was at Round Rock, Texas. In the fall of 1886 he accepted a call from the church at Des Moines. Iowa, where he remained for five years, or until 1891, when he came to De Kalb. Since that time he has been pastor of the Swedish Lutheran church in this eity, covering a period of sixteen years.
On the 14th of January. 1886, in Chicago, Illinois. Rev. Stark was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Peterson, who was born in that city on the 5th of November, 1862. Her parents were natives of Sweden but both are now deceasco. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Stark was act- ing as nurse at Augustana Hospital of Chicago. She is a lady of culture and refinement, who nas been of mueh assistance to her husband in his churen work, possessing a kindly disposition and genial manner which makes her popular with the parish- ioners. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stark has been blessed with eight children: Minnie E., born January 12, 1882; Carl F. E., May 1. 1889: Paul W., January 29, 1892 ; Luther N., September 23. 1893; William J. Melanchthon, who was born December 30, 1896, and died in 1897; Esther Corona, born May 14, 1898; Ebba Marie Lillian, born March 31, 1901 ; and August William, March 26, 1903.
The church of which Mr. Stark has charge has , large membership, numbering about eleven hundred, and is a very strong and potent influence for good in De Kalb and throughout this part of the county. In his various relations of public and private life Rev. Stark has always been the same earnest. upright, capable and courteous gen- tleman. winning and retaining the confidence and esteem of all who know him and gaining the love of his people. Hle possesses good business ability. which is a valuable factor in church work, and added to this is his untiring zest and zeal in be- half of the eause which he preaches. At various times he spoke in both English and Swedish and is an earnest and effective speaker, possessing good oratorical ability and rare powers of exhortation. bringing home to the hearts and eonscience of his hearers a knowledge of the truth and a recog- nition of their shortcomings. Under his guidance the church at De Kalb has made substantial growth, not only numerically but in spiritual de-
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velopment as well. and the various societies and working forces of the church are now in well or- ganized condition. Always deeply interested in philanthropic work, especially the care of or- phans. he has been connected with the Swedish Lutheran Orphan's Home for many years and has been president of the board of that institution for the past seven years. serving in that capacity at the present time. There are nearly one hundred children in the home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stark are greatly beloved and their influence for good can scarcely be over estimated.
GEORGE P. WILD.
George P. Wild, deceased, was for many years one of the successful and prominent business men of Sycamore. He was born in Valatie, Columbia county. New York, May 18, 1836, and was a son of Nathan and Sarah ( Henry) Wild. His father was a native of Manchester, England, and on coming to America early in the nineteenth century located on the Hudson at Valatie, New York. where he engaged in business as a cotton print manufacturer. He brought from England all the machinery for his cotton mill and in after years made frequent trips to that country for repairs and material for his business, which was carried on for many years by the family. His wife was born in Providence, Rhode Island.
George P. Wild devoted most of his time to the acquirement of an education until he was seven- teen years of age. He then entered business life as a salesman in the mercantile house of Freeland. Squiers & Company, of New York city, where he remained until the spring of 1857, when he came to Sycamore, Illinois. Ile is numbered among the pioneer merchants of the city. Soon after his arrival the firm of Rogers, Wild & Smith was established and afterward became Rogers & Wild. Another change induced the adoption of the firm style of G. P. Wild & Co. From an early age he was recognized as one of the prominent merchants of De Kalb county and conducted a business which grew proportionately with the development of this part of the state and its increase in population. In later life he became interested in the bank- ing house of Daniel Pierce & Company and in the Pierce Trust and Savings Bank, of which he was
a director from the time of its organization until his death, though he took no active part in the business. His name was ever recognized as valu- able in the growth, development and material pros- perity of the county.
Mr. Wild's business career was of the truly pioneer character. Ilis field for trade extended over De Kalb, Ogle, Boone, Mellenry and Kane counties. The goods in his earlier business career were hauled from Cortland to Sycamore by wag- ons. It was not until 1859 that trains ran into Sycamore. The firm of Wild & Rogers was one of those pioneer establishments that laid the foun- dations of the fortunes of the individuals of the company. Success came to him because of his known integrity and of a cheerful cordiality that was a marked trait of character during his whote life, even after ill health had compelled retire- ment from business.
Ile was a man who made lasting friends, wa- loyal to his city. and a mover in many of her enterprises. He was an officer in the Universalist society for years and unless prevented by ill health was a constant attendant at its church service. Mr. Wild died in Sycamore. August 26, 1906. The day of the funeral all business was suspended as a mark of respect to the man who contributed his energy and business capacity to the upbuilding of his city.
At Sycamore, December 19. 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wild and Miss Sarah Pierce, who was born in Sullivan county, New York, August 12, 1841, and was a daughter of Daniel and Phebe J. (Brundage) Pierce, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Wild be- came the parents of a son and two daughters: Daniel Pierce; Eleanor ; and Elizabeth, now the wife of Joseph A. Crum and a resident of Oslt- kosh, Wisconsin.
Mrs. Wild was an exemplary woman in social life, an exceptionally good woman in business affairs, being a member of the firm of Daniel Pierce & Company, which for solidity and con- servative business principles excels that of any other like institution in our county. She main- tained active membership in the Universalist church during her life in this county, and while unassuming in character was no less forceful in exerting an effective influence. In her home she was an ideal wife and mother, and hospitality was
THE NEW VORKI
MARY
-- NJX NUATIONS.
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especially a reigning virtue in their home. When this benevolent woman passed away June 11, 1896, not only those associated in the closer ties of life, but those who had felt the charitable impulses of this good woman mourned her loss most deeply.
LEWIS C. GRANART.
The work of the farm. with its manifold duties and diversity of labor, claims the time and atten- tion of Lewis C. Granart, now living on section 23, Clinton township. He was born in Germany, No- vember 10. 1852. his parents being natives of the same land. Attracted by the broader business opportunities of the new world, they sailed for the United States with their family in 1856, locating in Kendall county, Illinois. The father was __ a farmer by occupation and carried on that pursuit in order to provide for his family, until fifty-eight years of age. while his wife survived him and died at the age of sixty-two years. He had met with the success which he hoped to achieve in the new world and as time passed by added to his property umtil at his death he was the owner of valuable farming land to the extent of three hundred aeres. Unto him and his wife were born six children, of whom Lewis C. is the eldest. the others being Louise : Ferdinand, who died in 1901 : Ernest : and two who died in infancy.
Lewis C. Granart was only four years of age when brought to the United States by his parents and was therefore reared upon the old homestead fann in this county. He worked in the fields as his strength permitted when not occupied by the duties of the schoolroom and more and more large- ly became acquainted with the task of successfully carrying on general farming. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey, be chose Miss Carrie M. Leifheit, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, January 6, 1854. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1850, settling in Kendall county. where they lived until their removal to Squaw Grove township. De Kalb county. They became the parents of eleven children : William L .; Ernest A. : Edward F .; Carrie M .; Adolph F .; Charles F. ; Julia L., deceased ; Harvey H .: Emma L .: Anna II., de- ceased ; and Mary A. The marriage of MEr. and
Mrs. Granart was celebrated on the 14th of Janu- ary, 1875. They have no children of their own but have reared an adopted daughter, Lydia May. who was born August 3, 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. Granart own a good farin of one hundred and forty acres of land on section 23, Clinton township. It is in keeping with ideas of modern agricultural progress and is a productive place, the fields annually returning good harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Granart works persistently and energetically in his farming interests and has met with a measure of success which has been honorably won. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the German Lutheran church of Squaw Grove town- ship and since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his political allegiance to the democracy. For nine years he served as school director but otherwise has held no public coffice, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs.
JAMES A. FAIS.
James A. Fahs, editor and senior partner of the Hinckley Review, was born in Frederick county. Maryland, in 1835. His father, Tobias Fahs, was a native of the same state. The ancestors of the family in America came from Switzerland early in the seventeenth century and settled at Little York, Pennsylvania, becoming farmers of that portion of the country. The family was repre- sented in the Revolutionary war and patriotism and loyalty have ever been numbered among the salient characteristics of those who bear the nanie. Tobias Fahs was a farmer and removed from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 1843. following the ocenpation of farming in Perry county until 1856. when he came to Will county, Illinois, and pur- chased land in Peotone township. Here he spent his remaining days, passing away in January. 1900. in his ninetieth year. He gained a goodly competency in his farm life and, moreover. won the esteem and confidence of neighbors and. friends. He held membership in the Presbyterian church and for many years was one of its officers. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks
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of the new republican party. For two terms he served as supervisor of Peotone township and also filled other local offices. A review of his life shows much that is commendable, for he was pro- gressive in citizenship, active and reliable in busi- ness and trustworthy in his friendships. He mar- ried Araminta Willard, a native of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. She died in Novem- ber. 1900. in her eighty-eighth year. Mr. and Mrs. Fahs were married in Frederick county, Maryland, and they were devoted Christian people. holding membership in the Presbyterian church. Of their family of ton children eight reached years of maturity.
James A. Fahs, the second in order of birth, was reared upon the old homestead farm and attended the district schools, no event of special impor- tance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. After he put aside his text-books his entire time and attention was given to the work of the fields and he was thus engaged until 1857, when he came to Illinois with his parents and worked upon a farm in this state. In 1867 he removed to De Kalb county and for six years was engaged in farming on his own account in Squaw Grove township. He then began merchandising at Amboy, Lee county, and for three years was with a partner in a general store. Later he returned to the farm in Squaw Grove township, where he remained until 1890, when he bought the Hinckley Review of James A. Easter- brooks, since which time the paper has occupied his entire attention. The Review was established by Marion and Lee Tomblin in 1878 and they were succeeded by H. W. Fay, who in turn sold out to James A. Easterbrooks. The paper was originally a six-column quarto with patent insides, but in 1900 Mr. Fahs made it all home print. The jour- nal has a fine subscription list and a splendid ad- vertising patronage, and under the able manage- ment of Mr. Fahs has long proven a profitable in- vestmeni. In May, 1906, he admitted his son-in- law, Arthur Willis Hubbard, to a partnership under the firm style of Fahs & IFubbard. The paper is published in the interests of the repub- lican party and is a champion of local progress and improvement-in fact has been the means of in- augurating many reforms and progressive meas- ures through its advocacy of such in its columns.
Mr. Fahs was married in 1867 to Miss Ruth E. Winslow, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island. August 13, 1835, a daughter of David L. and Abigail C. (Hlawks) Winslow, of Massa- chusetts, who came to Illinois in 1855. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and his first Illinois charge was at Syca- more. He spent his days in active connection with the Rock River conference and died in 1875 upon his farm in Squaw Grove township in his sixty- second year. His wife survived until 1902 and was in her eighty-sixth year when called to her final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Fahs have but one daughter, Helen L .. who became the wife of Ar- thur W. Hubbard in 1896, and they have two children : Ruth M., eight years of age; and Warren, five years of age. Mrs. Fahs is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fahs he- longs to the Elks lodge and has always been a republican. He has held some minor township offices but his ambition is not in the line of official service and yet no man is more loyal to the prin- ciples in which he believes. His position as editor has brought him a wide acquaintance and a social. genial nature has rendered him popular.
WILLIAM S. THORPE.
William S. Thorpe, who in his agricultural in- terests is making a specialty of the raising and feeding of hogs at his farm on section 24, Clinton township, was born in England. September 25. 1866. His parents, William and Rebeeea Thorpe, were natives of that country and the mother died at the age of thirty-six years, while the father's death occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. They came to the United States in 1872 and located on a farm in Victor township. At the time of his death he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he had brought under a high state of cultivation, con- verting it into an excellent farm. Unto him and his wife were born four children, namely : William S., of this review: George F .: Frank R .; and Emma E.
William S. Thorpe spent the first six years of his life in the land of his nativity and was then brought by his parents to the new world. He was
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reared upon the old homestead farm in Victor township and no event of special importance occurred to vary for him the routine of farm life. During the winter seasons he was a pupil at the public schools and in the summer months he worked at farm labor, following the plow from an early age. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work and he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and pro- ductive land on section 24 in Clinton township. This he operates and from the fields annually gathers good crops, while another important source of income to him is his hog raising inter- ests. for he makes a specialty of the raising and feeding of hogs.
On the 25th of January, 1893, Mr. Thorpe was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Reid, a sister of William Reid, of Clinton township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe have become the parents of one son, Harvey W., born March 2, 1894.
Politically Mr. Thorpe is a republican and was elected school director for one term. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seek- ing, however, yet keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day. He and his wife support the Methodist Episcopal church at Water- man and they have a wide and favorable acquaint- ance throughout the community.
EARLE R. MORRIS.
Earle R. Morris connected with the Fay Print- ing Office in De Kalb, was born in Sandwich, this county. January 21, 1888. His father William fleury Morris, a native of New York state, was born February 22, 1852. lle became a resident of the middle west in 1859, and spent the greater part of his life in Sandwich, being for twenty years a teamster for the Sandwich Manufacturing Company. He married Amy F. Joles, who was born May 9, 1858, in Sandwich, and who has always lived in that city. Her father, Harvey Paul Joles, was born in Bethany, Genessee county, New York. August 17, 1815, and died at Sand- wich, July 25, 1876. In 1837 he came to the west buying land from the government, for which he paid one dollar and a quarter per acre. This
was in a primitive condition being entirely un- cultivated, and in its midst he built a log cabin- a typical pioneer home of the period. In 1842 he erected a frame dwelling upon his place and this is still standing, having been remodeled, upon what is known as the Joles farm one mile west of Sandwich. As the years passed he carried on his farming operations, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation, and in 1868 he built a large carriage shop known as the Kehl shop. but continued to live upon the farm until 18;0. In the early days he hauled grain to Fort Dear- born and experienced all the hardships and priva- tions of pioneer life while aiding in the opening up of this region for the use of civilization. He was married to Lydia C. Dolph in Pennsylvania. on the 21st of February; 1839. She was born in Hector, Schuyler county, New York, April 25. 1822, and in 1839 came to Illinois with her hus- band. The old Indian chief Shabbona, slept often in their kitchen in those carly days. With a grunt he would roll up in his blanket and go to sleep. He was always friendly with the white people and they therefore willingly accorded him shelter and food.
It was amidst such pioneer surroundings that Mrs. Morris spent her girlhood days. As stated. she gave her hand in marriage to William Henry Morris, July 6, 1825, and unto them three chil- dren have been born. Ilngh P., who was born May 10, 1877, and was married in 1902; Wilbur M., who was born August 29, 1878, and died the 5th of April, 1886; and Earle R., of this review. The eldest son, Hugh P., has one child who was born in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Morris also have an adopted daughter. Amie Jo- sephine. who was born December 22. 189%.
Earle R. Morris was reared in his native city and was graduated from the common schools in the class of 1902. He afterward spent two years as a high-school student. He then began learn- ing the printer's trade which he has since followed. He was employed on the Sandwich Semi-Weekly Journal for three years; also on the Sandwich Argus for two years: and later, on the Review of De Kalb. He has thoroughly mastered the printer's trade and is a capable workman, faithful and trustworthy. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His entire life has
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
been passed in De Kalb county, and in the city of his nativity and residence he is well known and popular.
PHILANDER MURDOCK ALDEN.
Philander Murdock Alden, of whom it has been said "He has the confidence of every man with whom he has had business relations," is a retired banker. For a long period he was active in the banking interests of Sycamore, and is still a stock- holder but has practically retired from business life, having through capable management, well di- reeted effort and judicious investment in former years gained a financial position which makes rest from further labor possible to him.
Mr. Alden was born in Lyme, New Hamp- shire, January 27, 1835, and is a direct descendant from ancestors who came to the new world on the Mayflower, being able to point with pride through the long generations which have preceded him in this country, making the family one distinctively American in its lineal and collateral branches. Ilis father, Philander Alden, was born in Middle- borough, Massachusetts, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Murdock. They be- came residents of the old Granite state in 1834, locating at Lyme, where the father followed the occupation of farming. His death, however. occurred March 8, 1835. His widow afterward married Latham Conant, and in 1859 they re- moved to Sycamore, Illinois, where they spent their remaining days, Mr. Conant passing away in 1860, while his widow survived until 1888, de- parting this life at a very advanced age.
Philander M. Alden was one of a family of six children and also had a half sister. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, passing through successivo grades until he hecame a high-school student. When he had put aside his text-books he devoted his attention largely to farm work and in fact he was familiar with the duties which fell to the lot of the agrienlturist from early youth. He was a young man of twenty years. when, in 1855, he left New England and made his way westward to De Kalb county, Ilinois, ettling in Sycamore. For two years after his arrival in this county he taught school through the winter
months. He was also employed as a clerk in the recorder's office for three years, and in 1859 he entered the bank of James S. Waterman, where he remained until 1861. He then offered his ser- vices to his country as a soldier of the Union army. Hle recruited and organized the Thirteenth Illinois Regiment Band and went to the front as its leader and was mustered out with the rank of lieutenant. Ile was with the army until honor- ably discharged from the service, after which he re-entered the banking Imusiness, being connected therewith continuously since, save for the brief period between 1866 and 1871, when impaired health caused him to retire temporarily from banking and he gave his attention to the insur- ance business. When five years had passed, how- over, he returned to Sycamore and entered upon what has been his real life work. He was cashier of the Sycamore National Bank from 1871 until 1891, when he was chosen vice president, acting in that capacity until 1901. He then retired from business life but still remains a stockholder and director of this bank. The success of the institu- tion through thirty years was attributable in a large measure to his efforts, his thorough know]- edge of the banking business and his laudable am- bition, supplemented by strong purpose. He made the bank one of the leading and substantial moneyed institutions of the county and as the years passed by won a gratifying measure of success. About 1894 he was called upon to assist in organ- izing several banks in this part of Illinois, among them being the First National Bank of Malta: the Farmers State Bank of Genoa, of which he was cashier for a short time : the Addison State Bank : and the First State Bank of Maple Park, of which he is vice president. He has also been director, trustee, secretary and treasurer of the Elmwood Cemetery Association of Sycamore for twenty- five years.
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