USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 9
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FREDERICK J. AVES.
Frederick J. Aves, living on section 10, Franklin township, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 11th of December, 1854, and came to America in 1867 when a lad of thirteen years. His parents were Frederick and Johanna ( Hanspator) AAves likewise natives of Prussia in which country they were reared and married, the father following the occupation of farming in his native land until he brought the family to the new world in 1867. Landing on the American coast, he at once con- tinued his journey westward across the country to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he established his home and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in this country April 15, 1894, at the age of eighty-one years, while his wife passed away in 1884, when sixty years of age.
Frederick J. Aves, the oldest of their five children, acquired his education in the public schools of Germany and after coming to America
assisted his father in carrying on the home farm being thus employed until he attained adult age. He afterward worked out as a farm hand by the month for several years and thus made a start in life. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Julia Haller to whom he was married on the 15th of January, 1880. She was born in America.
After his marriage Mr. Aves rented land, which he cultivated for a year and then invested in eighty acres which he began to cultivate, thus mak- ing a home of his own. He later bought forty acres more and continued farming that property until 1904 when he sold out and purchased his present farm of two hundred and seventy-eight acres, which is located on section 10, Franklin township. This is a highly improved tract of land lacking in none of the accessories and con- veniences of a model farm. Mr. Aves also owns and operates a steam thresher and shredder and has continued in this line of business for several years. Ile raises a good grade of cattle and hogs, which he feeds for the market using all of his grain for feed. The various branches of his busi- ness are bringing to him well merited prosperity and he is accounted one of the enterprising, prac- tical and successful farmers of his township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aves have been born seven children: Walter, who is employed as a loco- motive engineer in Chicago; Charles and Ida, who are upon the home farm ; Frank, also a locomotive engineer in Chicago: Edna, Clara and Donald, all at home. The parents are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Kirkland, in the work of which they are most deeply and actively inter- ested, Mr. Aves serving on the official board and also as one of the teachers of the Sunday school. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and in 1906 was a delegate to the county convention. For several years he has been a school director and trustee and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, while every progressive movement for the benefit of the city receives his endorsement. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Globe. He has been a resident of De Kalb county for forty years and has therefore been a witness of much of its growth and development. Though he had no financial assistance at the outset of his career he is now owner of one of the large and
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valuable farms of the county and his life record shows the force of thrift and untiring diligence in an active business career.
J. H. ROGERS.
J. H. Rogers, son of Rev. Thomas B. and Abby (Allen) Rogers, was born April 16, 1835, at Cor- inth, Saratoga county. New York, and the first sixteen years of his life was spent at home, where he attended school and lived the life common to boys of that time. Before he was seventeen he embarked upon the career that finally brought him success beyond the lot of most men who had a mer- cantile career. He clerked in a store in Troy, Nex York, for a time and later conducted a business of his own. Ile then located in New York city, where he was similarly engaged, and in 1855 came west to look over the prospects for the young man starting in life. Although the contrast of pioneer life with that of the American metropolis was great he saw the possibilities of the future in the Mississippi valley.
In 1858 Mr. Rogers located in Sycamore, which became his home and in whose welfare he ever manifested a lively interest and contributed lib- erally to its industrial growth. During his life here no church was built. no industry promoted but Harry Rogers, as he was familiarly called, was a leading contributor. llere he became a member of the firm of Rogers, Wild & Smith, but later assumed charge of the dry-goods store that was known far and wide, for in those days the pat- ronage of this city took in a scope of country cov- ering an area twenty-five miles in every direction from Sycamore.
Mr. Rogers continued in business until 1891. when he retired and his son took charge of the store. He was interested in other enterprises an l was noted for his close application to business and in course of time accumulated a fortune. Unlike most men he enjoyed the fruits of well earned thrift and made a tour around the world. which he most thoroughly enjoyed, and his observations were intelligent and a source of interest to those who enjoyed his companionship.
While Mr. Rogers applied himself closely to business, yet we learn that he enjoyed healthful
sport and was one of the organizers of the first base ball club of Sycamore. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and his vacations were a relaxation from business cares, and he would return to work refreshed, invigorated, and infuse new life into his increasing business. He died December 28, 1900, after an illness covering a period of two years.
No citizen of Sycamore was more respected than Mr. Rogers. A man of energy, acumen, force of character. liberality of views, and, above all. sterl- ing integrity. he had all those qualities which in- spire confidence. He was a model man of busi- ness. It is said that he was the only merchant who ever become wealthy in Sycamore from the profits of merchandising.
Mr. Rogers was the largest contributor to the erection of the Congregational church ; he was the largest stockholler in the Preserve Works when that now prosperous industry was established here. To each member of his family Mr. Rogers was a near and dear companion. In their great grief over his death their friends sympathize with then, while the whole community mourns the loss of an honest, useful citizen.
WILLIAM E. DOLE.
William E. Dole is one of De Kalb county's native sons and the attractiveness of this part of the state as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that he and others who claim this distriet as the place of their nativity have continued to re- main here, recognizing the value of the natural re- sources of the county and the opportunities here offered along many lines of advancement. Mr. Dole was born in Paw Paw township, August 18, 1857. His father, Alonzo Dole, was born near Deerfield, Massachusetts, October 25, 1808, and was married to Miss Jane Griffin, whose birth oe- curred near Athens, Pennsylvania. in 1819. They came westward in 1848, making an overland trip with team and covered wagon, being over forty days on the road. On reaching De Kalb county they established their home upon a farm and spent their remaining days in this district. They had a family of six children : John D., born December 5, 1839; Mary, in 1841; H. Griffin, in 1843; Lidie, in 1815: Timothy Alonzo, in 1847; and
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William E. The eldest son was killed at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862, and was the first soldier buried in South Paw Paw cemetery.
On his father's farm William E. Dole spent the days of his boyhood and youth and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He .studied law for nearly two years with his brother T. A., but on account of the failing health of his parents and at their earnest solicitation he re- turned to take charge of the old farm, where he has since resided. He engaged in teaching for a few terms and proved a capable educator. He now owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land in Paw Paw township and his farm is a valuable property, located on section 31. It gives every evidence of the care, supervision and pro- gressive spirit of the owner, who owes his pros- perity entirely to his own endeavors.
Mr. Dole was married to Miss Minnie Heslop, whose birth occurred in Canada, September 7, 1858. Her parents, William and Jane (Brigham) Heslop, were born in England and on crossing the Atlantic settled in Canada, whence they after- ward went to Chicago, Illinois. Subsequently they bought a farm in Wyoming township, upon which they lived for a few years and at a later date they removed to Webster City, Iowa. Iler mother died there in March, 1901, and her father in April, 1907. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dole was celebrated December 6, 1883, and has been blessed with eight children : Clara Irene, who was born September 24, 1884, and is the wife of William Winchell, now located at Earlville, Illinois; Ida May, who was born October 25, 1886, and is the wife of Charles Belt, a resident of Chicago; Lidie, who was born May 1. 1888, and is now deceased ; Mildred, who was born February 12. 1892, and is a high school student in Paw Paw, Illinois; Sarah Ellen, who was born August 5, 1894; Alice, born February 8, 1899; one who was born in 1901 and died in infancy ; and Timothy Alonzo, born Febru- ary 15. 1903.
Mr. Dole gives his political support to the re- publican party and is prominent in its local ranks. He is now assessor of Paw Paw township, which office he has filled for five terms, and he has been school director for twenty-four years, the cause of education finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 183, at Eariville, Illinois, and he and his wife
attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church. As a native son and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county he well deserves representation in this volume.
SAMUEL A. MILLIGAN.
Samuel A. Milligan, whose merit and capability have brought to him successive advancement in the business world, is now superintendent of the De Kalb & Union Fence Company. Ilis life rec- ord began in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1856, his parents being William and Isabella (Wilson) Milligan. The father was born in Finley township, Washington county, Penn- sylvania, December 23, 1831, a son of William and Mary ( Kurtz) Milligan. The parental grand- father of our subject came of Scotch-Irish an- cestry and was born on the ocean while his parents were emigrating to the new world from the north of Ireland. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Mary Kurtz, who was a native of Penn- sylvania and came of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. A brother of William Milligan, Sr., was Colonel Robert Milligan, who gained his title by serving under "Mad Anthony" Wayne in the Revolution- ary war. He was a carpenter by trade and built the fort at what is now Fort Wayne, Indiana, it being the first structure put up in that town. William Milligan, Sr., the grandfather, was a tailor by trade, learning and following that pur- suit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
William Milligan, father of our subject, was reared in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there learned the harnessmaker's trade. He has continued to reside in that county throughout his entire life and is still following his trade in Fin- leyville, being now a hale and hearty man in his seventy-fifth year. He was for four years a sol- dier of the Civil war, serving in Company A, Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and he is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He also takes an active and helpful interest in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he has long been identified as a member. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom four are now living, namely : Samuel A .; Harry W., who is a member of the Pittsburg
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Harness & Supply Company, of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, being secretary and treasurer of the firm; Mrs. Elizabeth Apgare; and Mrs. Anna Sheplar, who is a widow.
Samuel A. Milligan spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in his parents home and he and his four brothers all learned the harnessmaker's trade under the direction of their father. In 1882 Samuel A. Milligan was married to Miss Isadora Russell. a daughter of William and Mary ( Flan- nery) Russell, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He afterward worked at the harnessmaker's trade for about five years, when he gave up business and became connected with the woven wire fenee business. He was first in the employ of the IIart- man Steel Company, at Beaver Falls, Pennsylva- nia, and his connection with the woven wire fence industry dates from almost its beginning. He rose in the employ of the house which he repre- sented until he became superintendent of the plant, and upon the removal of the business to Elwood City, Pennsylvania, in 1893, he had com- plete charge of the removal of the plant. In 1891 his employer. E. F. Shellaberger, came to De Kalb and organized the De Kalb Fence Company. In 1896 he severed his connection with the Pennsyl- vania plant and came to De Kalb with Mr. Shella- berger as assistant superintendent of the new plant, while three weeks later he was made general su- perintendent of the plant, and when the second factory was built he was given the superintendency of both. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the business in principle and detail and is regarded as authority upon any subject bearing upon the production of wire feneing. His capa- bility and fidelity have been the cause of his pro- motion from time to time and have gained him today a position of great prominence and responsi- bility in trade circles.
In politics Mr. Milligan is a stalwart republican and he is connected with the First Methodist Epis- copal church of De Kalb. He is also a member of De Kalb lodge, A. F. & A. M., De Kalb chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. and lodge No. 758, F. O. O. F., at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and is a past grand of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows. He is likewise past chief patriarch of the encampment of the same lodge. He is a member of the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Illinois and is past chancellor of De Kalb lodge, No. 215. K. P.
He is also an adjutant of the Third Regiment of the Uniformed Rank of Illinois.
Unto him and his wife have been born five children, Earle F., Ernest R., Laura R., S. Howard and Aileen, all of whom are yet at home with their parents. Mr. Milligan is one of the best known of De Kalb county's citizens and a representative business man whose power and effectiveness in the world of trade have gradually increased until he now occupies a very prominent position, while his sterling traits have gained him the respect and good will of all with whom he has been as- sociated.
ORATOR F. HOLCOMB.
In the citizenship of Sycamore there are not a few who in former years contributed in substan- tial measure to the agricultural development of the county and who are now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of their former toil. To this number belongs Orator F. Holcomb, formerly a farmer of Sycamore township. His natal day was May 18, 1843, and his birthplace Erie county, New York. His father, George Holcomb, was born in Sangerfield, Oneida county, New York, June 8. 1798, while the grandfather, Orator Hol- comb. Sr., was a native of Massachusetts. He mar- ried Hannah Terry, who was born in Connecticut, and they removed from Erie to Canandaigua. On- tario county. New York, in 1805. Four years later they became residents of Genesee county, now included in Attica. Wyoming county. Mr. Hol- comb bought a tract of land ineluded within the immense acreage sold by Robert Morris to the Amsterdam Company and known as the Holland purchase, comprising three million, five hundred thousand acres. lying west of the dividing line be- tween the states of New York and Massachusetts.
It was upon the old homestead farm there that George Holcomb spent the days of his boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the arduous task of clearing the land and developing the fields. In 1819 he wedded Bula Hosingting, and they began their domestie life upon a sixty-acre tract of tim- her land given him by his father. The young eou- ple was soon installed in a eabin built of basswood logs, and Mr. Holcomb continued the cultivation
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of the place for a few years, when he sold that property and removed to Darien, an adjoining town, where he bought another farm. He disposed of this three years later and returned to Attica. purchasing a farm adjoining his father's home- stead. Only a brief period had elapsed, however, when he removed to Orangeville, making another removal not long afterward to Darien. He again became a landowner there and while residing in that place his wife died in 1836. The following year he wedded Caroline A. Hebbard, and they located on a farmi in Newstead, Erie county, where were born their two sons, Hiram and Orator F. In 1848 they sold out, preparatory to going to Illinois. Traveling across the country to Buffalo they there loaded their team and household goods upon a steamer bound for Chicago, and after reach- ing that port proceeded by way of the mainly trav- eled roads to De Kalb county. Mr. Holcomb pur- chased sixty-five acres of land on sections 34 and 35, Sycamore township, for which he paid eight dollars per acre. Upon the place was a log house and a straw stable. After a brief period, however, he erected a comfortable frame dwelling and made other improvements, continuing to carry on gen- eral agricultural pursuits there until his life's labors were ended in death in October, 1878. His second wife died in 1852 and he afterward mar- ried Harriet Stillwell.
Orator F. Holeomb spent his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farm lads of the period and secured a common-school education. When not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields and he remained upon the home farm for many years with his brother Hiram. They added to the place from time to time until they now have two hundred and twenty-eight acres of rich and valu- ablt land, which is well improved, having good buildings upon it, while the fields are carefully cultivated and everything about the place is in- dicative of the care and labor which they have bestowed upon it. Orator F. Holcomb continued to engage actively in farmning until 1898, when he removed to Sycamore, where he has since occupied a pleasant residence that he purchased.
Mr. Holcomb was married to Miss Harriet Stowe, of Sycamore township, a daughter of Henry Stowe, one of the early residents of the township, who came to the middle west from the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb have two chil-
dren : Howard H., residing upon the old home farm, married Gertrude Hilson, and they have one daughter, Marie. Myrtie Amelia is the wife of Norman D. Snelgrove, of Canada. and they have one child, Kenneth Howard. Their home is now in the Englewood district of Chicago and Mr. Snel- grove follows the painter's trade.
Fraternally Mr. Holcomb is a Modern Wood- men, and politically is independent. He has had neither time nor inclination for public office, pre- ferring always to give undivided attention to his business interests. His life, while quietly passed, has been characterized by many elements of good citizenship and honorable manhood, his strong and salient traits being such as have awakened for him the confidence and trust of his fellowmen.
DENNIS E. McGIRR.
An excellent farm property pays tribute to the care and supervision of Dennis E. McGirr, who owns one hundred and seventy-six acres of rich and productive land on section 25, Afton town- ship. De Kalb county. It was upon this farm that Dennis E. McGirr was born on the 2d of March, 1855, his parents being John and Mary (Powers) MeGirr, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the father having been born in County Dublin and the mother in County Waterford. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are now deceased, while the living are Dennis, John, Rose, Patrick, Teresa and Ella. In 1850 the father, with his family, came to America hoping to enjoy better business privileges in the new world. He first settled at St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois, where lie remained until 1853, when he came to De Kalb and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. This was entirely wild and unimproved at the time, but he at once began its cultivation and transformed the raw prairie into rich fields, from which he annually gathered large crops. He added to his property from time to time as his financial resources increased until he was the owner of six hundred and ten acres of valuable farming land. He was an industrious, enterprising man, and was quite successful in all his business undertakings. His life record demonstrates what can be accom-
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plished through unfaltering energy and determina- tion. As the years passed, he overcame all ob- stacles in his path and proved that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously. He died August 12, 1878. and his wife passed away on the 23d of August. 1902.
Dennis E. MeGirr was born upon the old family homestead. was reared under the parental roof and was early trained to the habits of thrift and in- dustry. habits which have borne rich fruit in later days, making him a prosperous farmer of the com- munity. He acquired a common-school education and when not busy with his text-books. worked on the home farm.
On the 25th of November, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Gallagher. who was born in Pierce township, this county, October 21. 1870, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Gal- lagher. natives of Ireland. Mrs. MeGirr is a graduate of the Oak street school of Aurora, Illi- nois, and following her graduation was success- fully engaged in teaching in the public schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, but has lost two. Those still living are Mary. born June 9. 1894: Emmet F., born August 23, 1898; and D. Edward. born December 29. 1903. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic church, believing strongly in its teach- ings. and are devoted to the work of the upbuild- ing of the cause. Fraternally, Mr. MeGirr is con- nected with the Modern Woodman camp and votes with the democracy. He has served as supervisor of his township for five years and is interested in all that pertains to the public welfare. As the years pass he demonstrates his ability as an enter- prising and prosperous farmer and is one of the leading representatives of agricultural interests in Afton township.
B. L. HOYT.
The attractiveness of DeKalb county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her bor- ders, enjoying the opportunities and advantages which he offers. Among this number is B. L. Hoyt, who is engaged in farming in De Kalb township, where he was born July 6. 1859. He is
a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, the name of Hoyt being associated with agricultural interests here for fifty-six years. The father, William Hoyt, was born in Herkimer county, New York, July 4, 1826-the fiftieth an- niversary of the signing of the Declaration of In- dependence. He married when he attained his majority and in 1851 he brought his wife to Illi- nois. casting in his lot with the early settlers of De Kalb county, who were just opening up this region to the work of development and improve- ment. He settled on section 5, De Kalb town- ship. where he transformed his land into richly cultivated fields. continuing in the active work of the farm until his life's labors were ended in death. on the 3d of September, 1894. He has prospered in his undertakings and was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. His wife, who was born December 23, 1833, is still living, making her home with her son, B. I .. Hoyt. In the family were six children : Sarah, who was born December 14, 1851, and died No- vember 20. 1854; Laura, who was born Septem- ber 18, 1853, and died when only three months old: Ester MI., who was born August 27, 1857, and died December 23. 1863; B. L .. of this review ; Frank W., who was born December 24, 1864, and is a lawyer of Chicago; and Susan E., who was born August 19, 18:1. and died October 1, 1900.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for B. L. Hoyt in his boy- hood days. He worked in the fields through the summer seasons and when harvests were gathered attended the public schools, wherein he acquired a good practical English education. He was mar- ried December 19. 1882, to Miss Sarah JJ. Scoit, who was born in Ireland. April 15, 1862, and came to America in 1879, five years before her parents crossed the Atlantic. Her father was born on the Emerald Isle in 1827. and in 1884 came to the new work with his wife. They were the parents of seven children. four sons and three daughters.
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