USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 8
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Mr. Condon was married in De Kalb, August 18, 1849, to Miss Margaret Carton, who was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1854, and came to America at the age of sixteen years, settling in De Kalb county. Her father was James Carton, a farmer of this county, and her mother was Mary Dougharty. Both were born in Ireland, where their marriage was celebrated. They became the par- ents of four children. Mrs. Condon being the youngest, and by her marriage she has also four children, John Emmett, Mary E., James Henry and Andrew H.
In politics Mr. Condon is an independent demo- erat. He has never sought office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon business interests. His industry and genius have been the key which have unlocked for him the portals of success, and he has made his way in the world by his diligence, perseverance and inventive power until today he has an ample income from his royalties. He and his family live at No. 141 John street. in a beautiful home, where comfort and hos- pitality are the leading factors. Mr. Condon is a
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man of broad, general information, possessing a very retentive memory and a wonderful store- house of knowledge. He can give the day and date of the most important inventions of the world and interesting data concerning the men who have brought these forth. He is quick to recognize and improve opportunities, is generous in his sympathy and manifests in his life the traits of a true and noble gentleman.
DANIEL PIERCE.
Few men who attain the age of eighty-eight years bear so few of the marks and scars of the warfare of business life as did Daniel Pierce. In a vast majority of cases those who attain a large measure of snecess cannot justly claim that their paths have not been strewn with the wreeks of other men's fortunes. Daniel Pierce. however, was one who from a most humble financial posi- tion worked his way upward to wealth and promi- nence and at the same time enjoyed in full meas- ure the honor and respect of his fellowmen by reason of the straightforward business policy which le ever followed. Coming to De Kalb county when there were still many evidences of frontier life here, he figured for almost a half century as one of its leading citizens, becoming known throughout northern Illinois as an able financier, Moreover. his word was as good as any bond sol- emnized by signature or seal and today his name is honored and his memory cherished by all who knew him. His was a stalwart manhood and as the years passed he grew in that intellectual and moral strength which makes a life record an example to the young and an inspiration te the aged.
Mr. Pierce was a native of the town of Never- sink, Sullivan county, New York, and the date of his birth was July 18, 1814. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Cargill) Pierce. the former a native of Westchester county. New York, whence he removed to Sullivan county when fifteen years of age. Having attained his majority. he was there married to Miss Elizabeth Cargill and as the years passed six children were added to the family-William. Polly. John, Daniel, Penelope
and Catherine. The father, however, died in March, 1819, at the comparatively early age of thirty-one years, and three years later Mrs. Pierec became the wife of Edward Porter.
Daniel Pierce was but five years of age at the time of his father's death and when a youth of but twelve years started out to earn his own liv- ing. He worked for seven months at a wage of three dollars per month. The opportunity which most boys enjoy of attending school and thereby preparing for the later responsible duties of life was denied him, owing to the necessity of pro- viding for his own livelihood. His youth was a period of unremitting toil and labor, such as was common to the farm hand of that day, who rosc early in the morning and continued his labor: in the fields until night came. Desirous of en- joying educational privileges. he would work dur- ing the winter months for his board and the oppor- tunity of attending school. In the summer months his undivided attention was given to farm labor and when he attained his majority he rented land and began farming on his own account.
Mr. Pierce sought and obtained a companion and helpmate for life's journey through his mar- riage on the 17th of December. 1835, to Miss Phebe J. Brundage, a native of Orange county, New York, born August 12. 1818. Her parents were Abijah and Sarah ( Lane) Brundage. The father, whose birth occurred April 23. 1181, served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and followed farming as a life occupation. continuing in that pursuit until his death, which occurred ir. Sullivan county. April 23. 1850. His wife. who was born September 23, 1786. died October 21. 1837. Abijah Brundage was the son of lohn and Martha (Ogden) Brundage, the former born February 12. 1:33, and passing away February 9. 1296. while the latter. born December 10. 1:38, died October 28, 1299. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce be- came the parents of three children but the first born died in infancy. Eleanor became the wife of A. W. Townsend and died December 20. 1904. Sarah became the wife of G. P. Wild. cashier o the banking house of Daniel Pierce & Company, and died June 11. 1896. The mother, Mrs. Pierce. passed away October 4. 1826. leaving many friends to mourn her loss. She had indeed been a faith-
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ful companion and helpmate to her husband for more than forty years.
Following their marriage Mr. Pieree operated the old homestead farm for four years and then purchased the lease of a farm in a different loeal- ity, which he operated five years, and upon a third farm he remained until 1848, when he pur- chased the titles of three farmns in Sullivan county, New York, including the old homestead. At a later date he became a resident of Deeming, Ulster county, New York, where for two years he owned an interest in a tannery. Reflection concerning the business conditions of the country led him to the belief that he might have better opportunities in the new but rapidly growing west and accord- ingly he made his way to Illinois after selling the greater part of his possessions in his native county. He arrived in De Kalb county in 1855 and through the succeeding year cultivated a rented farm in Mayfield township. In 1856, however, he took up his abode in Sycamore, where he engaged in the real-estate business, buying and selling both improved and unimproved farm property. His time was thus occupied until 1867, when he be- lieved a still more advantageous field was opened to him and he organized the banking firm of Pierce, Dean & Company. He became the active manager of the new institution, which operated under the original name until 1883, when it be- came Pierce & Dean, to be succeeded in 1888 by Daniel Pieree & Company. Mr. Pierce remained at the head of the institution for a long period but in the later years practically lived retired although he devoted considerable time to the supervision of his investments in Iowa property. The bank from the beginning was regarded as one of the safest financial institutions in the state He inaugurated a conservative policy and his per- sonal integrity and enterprise won for the bank uniform confidence and trust from the public. The patronage therefore grew to gratifying pro- portions and from the beginning the enterprise was very profitable. A contemporary biographer, writing before his death, said of him, "For more than forty years Mr. Pierce has ranked among the ablest financiers of northern Illinois. Sue- cessful beyond even his own highest expectations. he has added to his possessions until he is the owner of many large and productitve farms in De Kalb county and several thousand acres in
Iowa and other western states. While his early education was limited, by reading and observa- tion he became well informed and his judgment of men and affairs, especially as affecting financial interests, has been almost infallible. He always knew when to buy and when to sell a piece of real estate and the fluctuations in the money mar- ket were generally foreseen by him. His word was always kept inviolate and a promise made by him was fulfilled to the letter."
Daniel Pieree continued to make his home in De Kalb county until he was called from this life on the 27th of April. 1902, when in the eight7- eighth year of his age. For forty-seven years he had lived in Illinois and throughout this period had borne an unassailable reputation for strict, unswerving business integrity. He was recog- nized as a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, in his purpose and in his accom- plishments, and his work was so closely associated with the financial history of this part of the state as_to render it. imperative that mention be made of him in this volume, else the history of the county will be incomplete.
NATHANIEL BUZZELL.
Nathaniel Buzzell, a retired farmer residing in Sycamore, was born in Kane county, Illinois, Jan- mary 18, 1850. His father, Daniel P. Buzzeil, was a native of Vermont and died at the age of sixty- five years upon a farm about seven miles from Sycamore. He had been left an orphan at the age of six years and afterward made his home with an uncle, with whom he came to this state in 1835. Only three years before the Black Hawk war had occurred, which practically ended the reign of the Indians in this state, but there were many evidences of pioneer life and the family had to endure all of the hardships and privations in- cident to settling on the frontier. They took up their abode where the city of Elgin now stands, but the place at that time contained only three log houses. Daniel Buzzell was reared in that locality upon a farm, sharing in all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and aiding in the arduous task of developing new land. He was married there on the 15th of December, 1846, to Miss
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Lucina Henry, who was born December 1, 1829, and was therefore about eight years his junior, for his birth had occurred on the 27th of June, 1821. In 1852 they removed to De Kalb county, where Mr. Buzzell purchased eighty acres of land upon which only slight improvements had been made. He bought the crops and land for three hundred and fifty dollars and began the further develop- ment of the place, making his home there until his death. Ile was a practical farmer, accom- plishing what he undertook, and as the years went by he met with success, leaving an estate valued at twenty thousand dollars. He was born June 21, 1821. and died on the 1st of May. 1886, being at that time about sixty-five years of age. His wife survived him for about three years, passing away March 23. 1889. They were the parents of ten children : Lydia J., the wife of Abram Cook of California : Nathaniel, of this review ; Henry, a resident farmer of Franklin county, Iowa; George, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Orrin, who is living on a farm in Sycamore town- ship : Fra, a resident farmer of Tracy. Minnesota ; Mary, the wife of S. J. Mason, who is near Iowa Falls. Iowa; Lottie, who is living in Iowa Falls; Otis S .. a farmer whose home is in Sycamore town- ship; and Ada, the wife of George Bumb of Iowa Falls.
The boyhood days of Nathaniel Buzzell were passed upon the home farm, the pleasures of the playground, the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the fields occupying his time and atten- tion. In the fall of 18:1 he bought twenty acres of land. Later he sold that property and invested in one hundred and twenty-two acres on sections 10 and 15, which at that time had been improved but little. He still owns the farm, which is now an excellent property. In its midst stand fine buildings, including an attractive residence and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. These are a monument to his thrift and enterprise, having been erected by him. He also laid over three miles of tiling on his place. He engaged in dairy farming until about a year ago, when he retired from active business life and removed to Sycamore, where he now owns and oc- eupies a nice home at No. 413 East Elm street.
On the 4th of October, 1871, Mr. Buzzell was married to Miss Nettie A. Lawrence, whose birth occurred in DeKalb county, a danghter of Will-
iam C. Lawrence. one of the carly settlers of this part of the state. Six children graced this mar- riage but the youngest died in infancy. The others are: Carrie May, now the wife of John E. Perry, who is living near Elgin in Kane county, Illinois; Nora Edna. the wife of Arthur Helson, of Cort- land township, this county; Mary, at home ; Jesse, who married Miss Loraine Hall and lives upon his father's farm: and Florence, at home. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Buzzell gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has no aspiration for office. The rest which he is now enjoying is richly mer- ited, for in former years he led a most active and energetie life and his diligence and industry con- stituted the basis of an honorable success.
ABRAM ELLWOOD.
The name of Ellwood has figured in connection with the history of De Kalb county since 1837, when Reuben Ellwood, father of Abram Ellwood. came to Illinois and entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Sveamore. He was then a youth of but sixteen years and during the fonr succeeding years he was employed upon dif- ferent farms in the locality and at the same time secured the title to his own claim by meeting re- quirements of the law in regard to entering land. For many years he was spoken of as the most dis- tinguished citizen of De Kalb county.
His birth occurred in Minden, Montgomery county, New York, February 17. 1821, his parents being Abraham and Sarah (DeLong) Ellwood. At the usual age he entered the public schools, but his opportunities for attendance were somewhat limited. and the more extended and valuable les- sons of his life were learned in the school of ex- perience. He was an apt scholar, however, and his ready adaptability to the changing conditions which life brings enabled him to make the most of his opportunities and win for himself a promi- nent place and an honored name in business cir- eles in the county in which he so long lived. He was ambitious, resolute and determined. and it was these qualities which enabled him when only six- teen years of age to leave his home in the Empire
ABRAM ELLWOOD.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
state that he might enjoy the broader business op- portunities of the new but growing west.
As stated, he came to De Kalb county and se- cured a claim of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, working for four years at farm labor until he had secured the title to his property. Ile then returned to his old home in New York and after a brief period entered the Cherry Valley Semi- nary, where he remained a student for six months, desirous of acquiring a better education than had been previously permitted him. He then went to Glenville, Schenectady county, New York, where he engaged in raising broom corn and in the man- ufacture of brooms, continuing in that line of business for about eight years. The year 1857 witnessed his return to De Kalb county and he joined his brother Alonzo in the conduct of a gen- eral hardware store at Sycamore. He also began operating in real estate and in 1870 he began the manufacture of agricultural implements in Syca- more. Five years later work was begun on the construction of the large buildings which were afterward used by the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company, in which Mr. Ellwood invested about fifty thousand dollars. To the development of his manufacturing industries he gave undivided at- tention until the enterprise became one of the fore- most business institutions of Sycamore and the county. He also extended his efforts into other fields of industrial and manufacturing activity. realizing the importance of such business con- cerns as factors in the upbuilding and material prosperity of the community. He displayed keen discernment and ready understanding of business conditions, and this, together with his unflagging energy, constituted one of the strongest elements in his success.
On the Sth of August, 1849, Mr. Ellwood was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Vedder, who was born in Schenectady county, New York. Their family numbered six children: Abram, Albert, Frank, Kate, Jennie and Alida.
While still residing in the east Reuben Ellwood became deeply interested in political questions and was elected to represent his district in the New York legislature in 1851. He became one of the stalwart advocates of republican principles upon the organization of the party and never swerved in his allegiance thereto throughout the remainder of his life. In De Kalb county his
worth and ability were soon recognized and he was called to public office, becoming the first mayor of the city after its incorporation. In 1866 he was appointed United States assessor of internal rev- enne and filled the position until it was abolished by law. In 1868 he received the support of the republicans of De Kalb county for representative in congress and in 1882 was nominated by his party for congress, being elected by a large ma- jority and re-elected in 1884, thus serving until his death in July, 1885. His official record was characterized by the same qualities that were so marked in his business life. He was capable, earn- est and trustworthy and in the legislative councils of the nation gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement and stood loyally in support of whatever he believed to be right.
His eldest son, Abram Ellwood, added new luster to an untarnished family name. He became his father's successor in the R. Ellwood Manufactur- ing Company and yet he did not depend upon in- heritance or family aid to secure a start in the business world. On the contrary, he displayed a spirit of self-reliance such as is always a source of real worth in the individual. Born in Scotia, Schenectady county. New York, March 26, 1850, he was a youth of only seven years when brought by his parents to De Kalb county. Here he wa> educated in the public schools and he afterward en- joyed the advantages of training in a military col- lege at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he re- mained to the age of sixteen years, when he started out in life on his own account. He at once displayed a spirit of undaunted energy, self- reliance and stalwart purpose, qualities which characterized him throughout his entire business life and made him one of the strongest, most prominent and most honored representatives of in- dustrial interests in De Kalb county. He began earning his living as a brakesman on the railroad and was thus employed for two years, when he went south and assumed a more responsible position- that of contractor on the New Orleans, Mobile & Texas Railroad. He was afterward a passenger conductor on that line and later he was engaged on the construction of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad with headquarters at Green Bay, Wis- consin. That work completed, he became United States mail agent on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Railroad, from which he was transferred to the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, running between Chicago and Cedar Rapids. llis last run in the mail service was between Chicago and Cincinnati.
In the autumn of 1877 Abram Ellwood joined his father in the conduct of extensive manufac- turing interests in Sycamore under the firm style of the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company. This relation was maintained until the fall of 1880, when Abram Ellwood began the manufacture of wire fence stretchers, carrying on the business suc- cessfully for four years. In December, 1884, that enterprise was amalgamated with the business of the R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company and Abram Ellwood became manager of the new con- cern. After the death of his father in the follow- ing July he purchased the entire stock and con- tinued the business under the firm name of the Abram Ellwood Company. It is true he entered upon a business already established, but many a man of less resolute purpose would have failed in enlarging this and carrying it forward to success- ful completion. On the contrary. he recognized and utilized opportunities, introduced many im- provements and developed the business along grow- ing lines. He perfected many of the machines in his plant and succeeded in building up a very extensive trade, employing a large number of men. His success attracted the attention of the citizens of other places and he was offered a bonus of thirty-five thousand dollars if he would remove the plant to De Kalb. This offer he accepted and in 1891 went to De Kalb, looking after the erec- tion of buildings which were constructed upon plans which he made and which resulted in one of the most complete manufacturing concerns in the country. In the fall of 1896 Mr. Ellwood formed a stock company in order that he might relieve himself of much of the hard work which was gradually breaking him down. He possessed such wonderful energy and unfaltering determina- tion that he did not realize what a strain he wa- plaeing upon his own constitution until it was too late. A short time prior to his death he took up quarters at the sanitarium in Battle Creek. Michi- gan. but his disease was too far advanced to re- ceive any permanent benefit and he passed away November 11. 1897. His life span therefore cov- ered hut forty-seven years and yet he accomplished in that time a work such as many a man fails to
do in twice that length of years. From a small beginning he had developed the business to one of large proportions, employing from seventy-five to one hundred workman, and undoubtedly one of the secrets of his success was his justice, consid- eration and kindliness toward those in his employ. His men always knew that faithful service would mean promotion as opportunity offered and Mr. Ellwood. moreover, felt a personal interest in those he employed, realizing fully his individual respon- sibility and obligations toward those who served him.
On the 3d of January, 1876. was celebrated the marriage of Abram Ellwood and Miss Emma L. Garvin, a native of Chichester, New Ilampshire, the wedding. however, being celebrated in Man- chester, that state. Her parents were Jesse and Eunice (Leavitt ) Garvin, the former a native of Garvin Falls, New Hampshire, and the latter of Chichester. her father being Jonathan Leavitt. Mr. and Mrs. Ellwood became the parents of five children, of whom four are living. Mildred G .. the eldest. is the wife of Charles G. Blake, who lives at Morgan Park, Illinois, and is a monument dealer in Chicago. They have two sons. Charles E. and Donald P. Sallie E. is at home. E. Eleanor, an accomplished vocalist. is also at home. A. Leonard is now connected with the automobile business. Reuben died at the age of three and a half years. Mrs. Ellwood was educated at Tilton, New Hampshire, being graduated in June, 1872, and in September of that year she came to De Kalb county, being for three years employed as a teacher in the Sycamore schools. She now ocenpies a beautiful home at No. 421 Somonauk street, hav- ing her three younger children with her. and is prominent in social circles of the city.
Mr. Ellwood was a valued and exemplary mem- Fer of the Masonic fraternity and in his life gave evidence of the principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness upon which the organiza- tion is based. In politics he was a republican and was called to serve as alderman and a> mayor of the city, discharging the duties of the latter office from 1889 until 1891. Ile brought to the mayor- alty the same keen discernment and recognition of opportunity. the same strong and honorable pur- pose that characterized his business life and was found a most trustworthy and capable executive officer. The cause of education also numbered
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him as a champion and his service on the school board, covering a number of years, was entirely satisfactory to the community. He attended and supported the Congregational church, to which his wife belongs, and he was thus associated with the material prosperity, the political, intellectual and moral interests of his community. He was a man whom other men trusted. He ever main- tained a high standard of conduct in all life's rela- tions, had no sympathy with sham or pretense and gave his faith and trust in recognition of the character worth of the individual. He won suc- cess but the most envious could not grudge him his prosperity, for it was so honorably gained and so worthily used. His warmest friends were those who knew him best and he regarded his own self- respect and the favorable opinion of his fellow- men as justly more valuable than wealth, fame or position. His death was a matter of the deepest regret throughout the county, for in his passing the community lost one whom it had come to depend upon as a progressive citizen, a trustworthy business man and a kindly friend. His best traits of character, however, were reserved for his own fireside, for he represented much that is ideal in the husband and father.
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