USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 62
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On the 24th of August, 1904, Mr. Sowers was married in Genoa to May L. Renn, who was born, reared and educated here. By a former marriage he has four children, namely : Nina V. ; Floyd A .. who is now engaged in railroading ; Josephine ; and Andrew M. Mr. Sowers is a stalwart republican, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, though he is a very progressive and public-spirited citizen and takes a deep interest in public affairs.
HENRY GROVES.
Henry Groves is now living a retired life, de- riving his income from the safest of all invest- ments-real estate. Ile is the owner of four hun- dred and forty-four acres of valuable land in De Kalb and Mayfield townships, De Kalb county, and his possessions are proof of a life of well di- rected industry and judicious use of his means. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 27. 1863. His parents were also natives of that coun- try. The father, James Groves, was born October 14, 1814, and on attaining his majority. wedded Miss Susan Nelson whose birth occurred March 26, 1824. They became the parents of ten children of whom the subject of this review was the youngest. The father died March 22, 1901, while the mother survived him until September 25, 1904, both passing away in England. An unele of our sub- ject, Thomas Nelson, came from England to De Kalb county in 1834, being one of its first settlers, for at that time, there were only two log cabins in the entire county, one of which stood on the present. site of the city of De Kalb. He established his home in the northern part of the county and re-
mained a resident of this portion of the state throughout his remaining days, his death being occasioned by injuries sustained in a runaway on November 1 and November 8, 1888. As a pioneer settler he bore his share in the work of early de- velopment and improvement and well deserves mention in the history of the county.
Henry Groves came to the United States in 1884, when but twenty-one years of age, arriving in De Kalb on the 29th of June of that year. Since that time he has been more or less actively iden- tified with farming pursuits in De Kalb county. He obtained his education in the common schools of his native land and by reading and observation has always kept a well informed man. As his financial resources increased, he added to his prop- erty until he is now the owner of four hundred and forty-four acres in De Kalb county, part of which is in Mayfield township and the remainder in De Kalb township. He is the founder of Elec- tric park which is located a mile and a half from Sycamore and is also owner of a fine base-ball ground in the park. where are played the only Sun- day games in the county. Mr. Groves has erected a very attractive residence at the park, where he is now living retired, renting all his land to tenants. He has nine times crossed the water, having visited England on four different occasions since he first came to the new world.
On February 17. 1891, Mr. Groves was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Gooch, who was born in England, April 11. 1870. Her parents were also natives of that country, having spent their entire lives there. The father lived to be seventy-four years of age and the mother is still living, at the age of seventy-five years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Groves have been born seven children : John Henry, who was born July 14, 1894; Dallas Olive, born September 1, 1896; George I., born August 23, 1898; Clarence L., born October 23, 1900; Gertrude I., born Septem- ber 23, 1902: Lester Elroy, born December ?. 1903; Gladys Irline, born October 24, 1906. Of this family, Gertrude I. died in infancy, and the others are all living.
In his political views Mr. Groves is a republican having supported the party since he became a naturalized citizen of America. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world for here he found the busi-
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
new opportunities which he sought and which he has improved to good advantage until he has risen from a humble financial position to one of alllu- once. He possesses good business ability and en- torprice and as the years have passed he has so labored that he - now able to enjoy a well earned rest. He's a gentleman of gemal and cordial des- porsttion and has made many friends in the county where he has bved continuously since coming to the. I'mited States.
JOSEPH S. WILTBERGER.
Joseph S. Waltherger, who occupies a promment position in industrial ordes in De Kalb, was born m Munfordville, Kentucky, on the 5th of Jaa- uary. 1841, and located in De Kalb in 1862. Il- parent- were Joseph Warner and Amelia ( Finley ) Wiltberger. Their ; & children reached adult ag. Int only two are now living. The brother of our subject. William H. Wiltberger, is a resident of Waterman. this county.
The father was born in Philadelphia. Pennsyl- vania, and for three years was an apprentice to . mercantil business, being employed in a large wholesale and importing house. He afterward uuslisted for service in the war of 1812 and when hostilities had ceased returned to Philadelphia, where he engaged in business on his own account. Subsequently be engaged in business for himset at Munfordville, Kentucky, where lo remain "] until 1846. For a year or two thereafter he was in business- in Chicago and next bought a farm south of the city. He afterward settled on a farmi eight miles south of De Kalb, where he lived until 1.is death in 1881. In polities he was a whig and afterward a republican and in religious faith he was an old school Presbyterian.
Joseph Samuel Wiltberger began life empty- handed save for a small inheritance he received from his mother. Hle acquired his education in the public school-, bring reared at the family home in Chicago from his fourth year. After leaving school he worked with his brother, on a farm for two years and then went south for a year. In carly manhood he beg in work at the carpenter's trade and in 1869 he commeneed the contracting and building business on his own account in De
Kalb, where many substantial structures -tand as monuments to his skill and enterprise. He has also conducted a planing-mill for many years.
On the Ith of June, 1868, Mr. Wiltberger was married in De Kalb to Miss Harriet Wilcox. a native of the state of New York and a daughter of William Cordelia ( Merritt) Wilcox. The children born of this marriage are Louis Warner, William Finley. Roy. Margaret C., Carl E., Grace 1 ... Helen M .. Laura L., Charles A., and James Howard. Of this number Roy died in childhood and Helen at the age of twelve years. Mr. Wilt- berger is a member of the Modern Woodmen and als of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. Ilis wife and children are members of the Con- gregational church. In politics he is a stalwart republican and is recognized as one of the sub- >tantial citizens of De Kalb. He is noted for his integrity and his temperate habits and he and his wife have many fine traits of character. which Have gained for them the warm regard of the proph of In Kalb.
JOHN HELSON.
John Hel-on, deceased. for many years all honored resident of Sycamore, was born on the 2 1th of November. 1519, in Plymouth. Devonshire. England, and during his boyhood and youth worked upon a farm in his native country. At the age of twenty-one he began working in the mines of Cornwall and was thus employed for nine war- or until his emigration to America.
Before leaving England. however, Mr. Helson was married in Devonshire to Mi -- Elizabeth Jane. a danghter of William and Catherine (Johns) Jane. By thi- union eight chi dren were born and seven of the number are still living and with one exception reside in De Kalb county. They are a- follow -: George, who resides on a farm in Syca- more township: Mary. the wife of William W. London, of Sycamore: John. who lives in lowa : Elizabeth. the widow of William Short and a resident of sweamore: Louisa. the wife of William Seaman. of Sycamore: Catherine, the wife of Nicholas Johnson. of Sveamore: and Thomas. who is engaged in the livery business m that city.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Deciding to try his fortune in the United States, Mr. Helson sailed from Plymouth, England, on the 4th of April, 1848, and after a voyage of six weeks and three days landed in Quebec, Canada, whence he made his way to Erie, Pennsylvania, and from there to Newcastle, that state, by way of the old Pittsburg & Erie canal. He remained in Newcastle until the spring of 1851, when, be- lieving that he would have better business oppor- tunities in the growing west, he came to Illinois and bought a farm of one hundred and fifty aeres, which was divided by the boundary line between De Kalb and Kane counties, his home being in Sycamore township. Leaving his family on the farm he made his way to the copper mines of the Lake Superior region, where he was employed for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned home and was afterward engaged in farming, adding to his property until he had three hundred acres of well improved land. In the fall of 1870 he retired from agricultural pursuits and removed to Sycamore, where he made his home until called to his final rest on the 1st of March, 1901. ITis wife had died June 22, 1896. Both were faithful members of the Methodist church and were honored and respected by all who knew them.
J. W. BUSBY.
J. W. Busby is a self-made man who, undaunted by difficulties and obstaeles which confronted him at the outset of his career. has worked with per- sistency of purpose and unfaltering energy until he is now numbered among the substantial farmers of De Kalb county. He is living retired from active business life and now makes his home in Malta. He was born in Lyons, Wayne county, New York. July 2, 1865, a son of George and Frances Busby, who were natives of England and came to the United States in 1863. They first settled in Lyons, Wayne county, New York, where the father followed farming for twelve years and in 1875 he removed to De Kalb county, Illinois, working by the month for six years in De Kalb and Malta townships. He then rented a farm and, taking up his abode thereon, he began the further develop- ment and cultivation of the fields. carefully and
successfully conducting the business until his death, which occurred in 1888. His wife had passed away in the previous year. In their family were ten children, seven sons and three daughters. J. W. Busby was reared to the occupation of farming. Ile has spent his life since 1875 in De Kalb county and when but a boy began assisting his father in the work of the farm, doing more and more of the labor of the fields as his age and strength increased. At an early age he was east upon his own resources, but his willing hands and aetive brain enabled him to overthrow all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. His future was bright with hope and on the very threshold of life he formed a firm resolution to win success by virtue of those inherent and intrinsic qualities which are in his nature and which are wholly in- compatible with failure. Unfaltering diligence has been the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity and he has gained the con- fidenee of all who know him by reason of methods which neither seek nor require disguise.
On the 25th of January. 1888, Mr. Busby was married to Miss Mary Keast, who was born in De Kalb county and is a daughter of AAmos Keast, a farmer of Malta township, who owned three hun- dred and three acres of valuable farm land. Ile was born in England. came to the United States when a young man and, locating . upon a farm, continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1885.
Following his marriage Mr. Bushy first rented land for two years and, living economically and frugally, he saved a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres upon which he now resides. He has developed this into a splendid property which yields to him a good an- nual income. He also owns six hundred and forty acres of land in Canada which is tillable and well improved. On the 1st of March, 1907, he retired from active farming and removed to the village of Malta, having rented his land. His income from the rental will be sufficient to enable him to enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries "of life without recourse to further labor save the supervision which he gives to his business.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Busby have been born two children: Percy W .. September 16, 1892; and Estella F., April 3, 1900. Mr. Busby is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 217, and
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Mysthe Workers. No. 12. Imth of the village of Malta. He and his wife support and attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Bu-lo i- a re- pub ican in politics and has hell the office of as- sessor for five wears. being still the inembent. He is now a member of the township board of health, and was also collector for a year. Those who know him recenze hi- many good qualities and give him their friendship, and he has a wide acquaintance in Malta and throughout the sur- rounding district.
ISAAC ARNOLD
laat Arnold, living on a farm on section 20. Victor township, has prospered in his undertaking- and now own- and conduct- the Cedar Lawn stock farm, devoted to the raising of cereals and the breeding of pure blocked -forthorn cattle and Chester white lings. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of cultivated land about four miles north of Leland and everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision of the practical owner.
Mr. Arnold was born in Victor township. June 11. 1862. his parents being John and Jane ( Pal- mer) Arnold, both natives of Lincolnshire. Eng- land. the former horn December 11. 1523, and the latter on the 20th of January. 1825. They em- grated to the new world in 1851, settling in the state of New York, and after about a year came to Illinois, taking up their abode in Kane county. Mr. Arnold worked at Batavia until 1x58, when he removed to Vietor township. purchasing land near the southern line of the county. The commeneed with only eighty acros, which he cleared and im- proved, but subsequently sold that property and bought the farm where his son Isaac now resides. He owned several different tracts of land and be- came a prosperous farmer, owning land in Iowa as well as in Hlinois. Hi- last days were spent in the village of Leland, where he died March 12. 1903. his wife surviving him only until the 20th of April following.
Isaac Arnold was one in a family of ten sons and three daughter -. of whom six sons are Vet living. He was reared to manhood on the old home place which his father improved. creating
the building thereon. He continued to assist his father until he attained his majority and in the common schools of the neighborhood acquired a fair English education. On the 17th of October. 1565, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Ella M. Barnes, who was born and reared in Lland. a daughter of Thomas Barnes, a native of England. who came to the new world when a lad of eleven year -. Ile was reared in La Salle county. For a considerable period he was a farmer and business han and served as postmaster of Leland. Following hi- marriage Mr. Arnold took his bride to the old home place and became the owner of the tract of land upon which he now lives. He has fenced the fields, remodeled the barn and poultry house, has built a has shed and has otherwise improved the property. He has been raising good stock and for a number of year- has raised pure blooded -horthorn attle and registered stock. He is also now raising Chester white hogs and feeds, fatten> and chips both cattle and boys.
I'mto Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have been born three children: Hazel B .. Ethel and Margaret Ella. The parent- attend the different churches and are highly esteemed people of the community. enjoying the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Arnold i- a member of the Masonic lodge and also of the Modern Woodman camp at Leland. In politics In is a stanch republican but has never sought or desired office. He is one of the trustees of the Victor Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company and is now serving as president of the district school board, in which connection he has done good service for the interest of the public -chools. He and his wife have been residents of this part of the county nearly their entire lives so that they have a wide acquaintance here and the many sterling traits of character which they have displayed have gained for them an enviable place in public regard.
MATHIAS AULT.
Mathias Ault. a retired farmer now making his home in Kirkland, where he owns an interest in the bank of M. Anlt & Son. is classed among the pioneer settlers of De Kalb county, owning a fine farm of two hundred acres in Mayfield townshin.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Mr. Ault was born in Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, April 26, 1827. His parental grand- father. who also bore the name of Mathias Ault, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and reared his family in the Keystone state, where he was engaged in milling pursuits. The father, Samuel Ault, was reared in his native state, Pennsyl- vania, and was there engaged with his father in the milling business. Upon reaching man's estate he was married in the east to Miss Catherine Page, likewise a native of Pennsylvania. Aban- doning his operations as a miller in 1847, the father then located upon a farm, where he made his home until 1850, when, attracted by the broader business opportunities of the new and rapidly developing west, he made his way by team to Illinois, settling on a farm near Elgin in Kane county. In 1854 he continued his journey to De Kalb county, where he carried on farming pur- suits, having purchased a tract of land here. He died on his farm, November 16, 1868, while his wife had preceded him to the home beyond. her death having occurred in 1866.
Mathias Ault pursued his education in the com- mon schools of his native county and there re- mained with his father until he was twenty- three years of age, when, in 1850, he accom- panied his parents on their removal to the west. He continued to reside with his parents for a few years subsequent to their arrival in this state, and in 1856 purchased a farm in Mayfield township, first having a tract of forty acres. He added to his original holdings from time to time until he became the owner of two hundred acres of land, which he placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, and he also improved the place with a good residence and substantial ontbuildings. He car- ried on the work of the farm for many years, each year harvesting rich and abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor which he had bestowed upon the fields, and he thus became a prosperous and well-to-do man. In 1901 he left the farm and removed to Kirkland, where he has since made his home, and he is here conduct- ing a bank in partnership with his son, the busi- ness being carried on under the firm style of M. Ault & Son, the latter acting as cashier and manager.
Mr. Ault was married in Wisconsin, in Sep- tember. 1858. to Miss Sarah Gross, a native of
Inzerne county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of George Gross, who was born in Northampton county, that state, and was there married to Mary Keithline, a native of Sussex county, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Ault have four children who are living, while they lost one daughter, Amelia, who died at the age of two years. Those who survive are: William Irvin, a farmer of Mayfield town- ship, who is married and has four children, Fred, Bessie, Nellie and Marion; Frank S., who is operating the old homestead farm; George W .. who is interested with his father in the banking business, and whose sketch appears below; and Mary C., the wife of Elias Woodbury, a traveling salesman.
Although reared in the faith of the democratic party. Mr. Ault has for the past forty years been an adherent of republican principles, casting his ballot in 1856 for Fremont, while his first presi- dential ballot was cast for Zachary Taylor. He is a believer in good schools and the employment of competent teachers, and for several years he served as a member of the school board. Mrs. Ault is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she takes an active and helpful interest, while she is also identified with several auxiliary societies. Mr. Ault has been a resident of Illinois for fifty-six years and during the greater part of that period has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. having developed and improved two good farms, while for the past five years he has been identified with the business interests of Kirkland, where he is well known for his reliability and straightforward business methods, thereby gaining the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come 'n contact either in a business or social way.
GEORGE W. AULT.
George W. Ault is a native son of De Kalb county, his birth having occurred on his father's farm in Mayfield township. He was reared by his father, Mathias Ault. to the occupation of farming, assisting in the work of the fields during the summer seasons, while during the winter months he pursued his studies in the common and high schools. Upon starting out upon his
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
own account he came to Kirkland, accepting a position as assistant cashier with the banking firm of French & Lowery, which position he held until purchasing a half interest in the Bank of Kirk- land. He now own- a half interest with his father in said bank, of which he is now acting as cashier and manager. They do a general banking busi- ness and adhere to strict and honorable methods in the conduct of their business affair -. In addi- tion to owning a half interest in the bank, Mr. Ault is likewise the owner of fine farming land near this city, his possessions being divided into three farms, while he also owns an interest in a fourth. having altogether six hundred and eighty-four acres. He is a man of excellent busi- ness ability, carrying on his interests systemati- cally and methodically and is numbered among the foremost financiers of De Kalb county.
Politically he is a republican and for several years acted as treasurer of his village. Having spent his entire life in this county he is well known in business and financial circles and his success has come to him through close application and unfaltering industry and perseverance.
CALEB W. MEZZEY.
Caleb W. Muzzey. who is engaged in teaming in De Kalb, was born July 22. 1833. in Erie county, New York, his parents being Benjamin F. and Susan ( Richerson ) Muzzey. His father was born in the state of Vermont in 1801 and came to Illinois in 1840. settling in Kane county upon a farm which he cultivated until his removal to Afton township. De Kalb county. There he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he offered his service to the government. enlisting in the Sixty- fifty Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Ho then went to the front aiding in the defense of the Union. and upon his return to De Kalb, at the expiration of his term of service, ho took up general work. His death occurred in 1887.
Caleb W. Muzzy is indebted to the public schools for his education. With his parents he came to this state in his youth and through the period of his minority he was largely employed at work by the month. On the 13th of May.
1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Phebe N. Downing, a resident of Erie, New York, and as the years passed children were added to the family to the number of right. as follows: Ben- jamin and Nancy, both now deceased ; Alice, the wife of C. F. Hum. of De Kall: Charles, de- ceased : Frank. who is living in LaGrange, Ili- nois: Emma G .. the wife of George C. Morris. of Dixon : Orlo, of De Kalb: and theorge, at home.
Following his marriage Mr. Muzzey engaged in farming in this county until 1869, when he went to lowa, where he carried on general agricultural pursuns until 1882. He then returned to this state, settling in the city of De Kalb, where he has since lived. The only interruption to his active business life came through his service in the Civil war. He was a member of the Fifty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enlisting at De Kalb in 1861. He took part in the battle of Island No. 10. Larkins Landing. Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg, and wa- honorably discharged on the 25th of August. 1865. having served for nearly four years and taken part in forty battles, skirm- ishes and different engagements. He was indeed a most brave and loyal soldier. never faltering in his allegiance to the old flag and the cause it represented, bearing with fortitude the hardships and privations of military life and standing as a most stalwart advocate of the cause which he espoused. Mr. Muzzey is a member of Merritt Simonds post. G. A. R. of De Kalb, in which he has filled all of the offices, and he takes great delight in recalling with his army comrades the scenes which occurred on the battle-fields. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and in matters of citizenship he is today as true and loyal a- when he followed the old flag upon southern battle-fields.
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