USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 100
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ply were, Revs. J. Moxom, W. W. Webb, G. D. Summers, John Young, M. E. Arkills, L. L. Gage, Alvah Sabin, S. Cornelius, R. A. Shattuck, G. H. Brown, A. C. Keene, F. M. Williams. There are now 105 enrolled in list of members.
The Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church, of Syca- more, was organized in 1870 and a house of worship erected in 1872, on Charles Street. In 1873 a par- sonage was erected on Somonauk Street. The pas- tors have been Rev. A. Hult, who was instrumental in the organization of the Church, Revs. N. Nordgren and S. G. Larson, the latter the present pastor. There are now 323 communicants.
SECRET AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
Masons .- The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Sycamore was Blue Lodge No. 134, which received its charter Oct. 4, 1853. Its first officers were, Robert Dott, W. M .; H. H. Rowe, S. W .; D. B. James, J. W. This lodge now has 112 members. Its present officers are, W. B. Spain, W. M .; J. E. Parker, S. W .; H. T. Lawrence, J. W. The Masonic Order here is divided into three bodies : First, Blue Lodge, three degrees; second, the Chap- ter, four degrees; third, the Commandery, two orders. In the order of St. John is Knights Templars.
The Commandery was chartered Oct. 24, 1865, and its present membership is 123. Its officers are : A. W. Sawyer, Em. Com .; E. C. Lott, Gen .; G. B. Wiseman, Cap. Gen .; Daniel Dustin, Prelate; M. S. Timmerman, S. W .; W. B. Spain, J. W .; Charles T. Stuart, Treas .; George B. Morris, Rec. Past Com- manders : A. W. Sawyer, Dan'l Dustin, Frank Smith, S. O. Vaughn, G. B. Wiseman.
Odd Fellows .- The Lodge of I. O. O. F. was first organized in 1852. In 1861 so many of its members enlisted and entered the army it was obliged to sur- render its charter. It was re-organized in 1872 and now has 150 members. Since 1852 it has initiated 307 into its Lodge. The Sycamore Lodge has furn- ished one Grand Master of the State, in the person of Mr. Alonzo Ellwood, who has also been Grand Representative all but two years when the Lodge has been running. The present officers are, A. C. Sivwright, N. G .; Philip Webber, V. G .; A. J. Thompson, R. S .; E. M. Phelps, P. S .; John Tucker, Treasurer. Its regular meetings are on Tuesday nights.
Ellwood Encampment has 52 members, and meets
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on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The Circle, an order distinct from the I. O. O. F., yet composed of its members, has a membership of 44 and meets on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.
Potter Post, No. 12, G. A. R., was chartered July 14, 1874, and the Post mustered Aug. 4, of the same year. The following named comprised the first offi- cers: J. W. Burst, Com .; H. W. Atwood, S. V. C .; G. M. Bell, J. V. C .; Jefferson Stark, O. D. The Post was mustered and officers installed by Gen. H. Hilliard, Department Commander. The Post, in the II years of its existence, has had its seasons of pros- perity and adversity. When organized, it was re- garded as a semi-political organization, and many old soldiers therefore held aloof. For some years it hovered between life and death, but through the un- tiring zeal of Capt. J. W. Burst, it was kept alive, and to-day it is one of the strongest posts in the State, with an active membership of 86. During its ex- istence it has mustered 152 persons. In 1881 one of its members, Capt. Burst, was elected Department Commander of the State, and in 1882 he was In- spector General of the United States. The present officers are, A. J. Blanchard, Com .; R. C. Brown, S. V. C .; W. F. Peters, J. V. C .; Daniel Dustin, Adj .; W. U. E. Sivwright, Q .; Dr. O. M. Bryan, Surg. The past commanders are J. W. Burst, R. A. Smith, W. H. Allen, William Graham, A. J. Driver and A. J. Blanchard. The Post was named in honor of Dr. Horace S. Potter, surgeon of the 105th regiment, killed near New Hope Church, Ga.
Insurance Lodge, No. 43, I.O. M. A., Was organ- ized May 26, 1879, with 27 charter members. The present membership of the Lodge is 24. The follow- ing are the present officers : C. H. Hoyt, Pres .; J. N. Brunson, V. P .; Walter Waterman, Treas .; H. T. Lawrence, Sec. Those who have held the posi- tion of President are, G. B. Wise, F. W. Lott, H. T. Lawrence, L. M. Currier, A. L. Draper and C. H. Hoyt.
Sycamore Camp, No. 47, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized Aug. 6, 1884, with 25 char- ter members. The present officers of the Camp are, Charles C. Brown, Consul; S. H. Townsend, Ad- viser; C. G. Meeker, Banker; Charles C. Pond, Clerk. The Camp meets the second and fourth Monday evenings each month, in G. A. R. Hall. The present membership is 28.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
It was not until 1876 that Sycamore had a regu- larly organized fire department. The City Council, February 17, 1876, passed an ordinance providing for the organization of the department, which was to consist of one superintendent, one fire marshal, and two volunteer companies, each to be composed of twenty-two " able-bodied and respectable residents " of the city. Bonds to the amount of $12,400 were at once issued, the proceeds of which were applied to aid the department. Ground was procured, a well sunk, mains were laid, and other necessary arrange- ments were made. A. W. Sawyer was the first fire marshal.
The City Council has always been liberal in its ap- propriations in aid of the department, and the depart- ment has sought to be worthy of the confidence placed in it. The fire companies have always been com- posed of good men, many of them in active business. At the present time there are three companies, with- the following named captains : No. 1, John Schnit ; No. 2, Theodore Weitzel : No. 3, Charles Anderson. N. R. Harrington is superintendent and P. K. Jones marshal. There is now three-fourths of a mile of main, with ten hydrants, and the department has three hose carriages, 1,500 feet of hose, and all other necessary appliances for extinguishing fires.
Since its organization in 1876 there have been sev- eral fires, and a number of alarms responded to by the department. Among the fires have been the fol- lowing: Levi Hodges' dwelling, partly destroyed; Freidman's clothing store, inside and rear end of building and stock totally destroyed ; S. P. Partridge's dwelling, with loss of $3,000 ; Spain's tailor-shop, partly destroyed, with loss of stock; Hansgrohn's dwelling, with small loss; Shrader's planing-mill, total loss; Ellwood's warehouse, with loss on building of $4,000 and grain $5,000. Had it not been for the efficiency of the department many of these fires would have extended, with large loss to the property owners.
BANKING.
The first banking business was inaugurated by James S. Waterman in 1852. For some years he ran the business in connection with his mercantile trade, but in 1857 he turned his attention exclusively to banking, continuing the same until 1864. About this time steps were taken to open a national bank, but were soon abandoned.
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Edwin T. Hunt and John R. Hamlin commenced the banking business about 1860 under the firm name of Hunt & Hamlin. Early in 1861 Mr. Ham- lin retired and James H. Beveridge became a part- ner, and the business was continued under the firm name of E. T. Hunt & Co. After operating about two years the firm organized under the general bank- ing law as a bank of issue. James H. Beveridge was President ; Wm. J. Hunt, Vice-President; Edwin T. Hunt, Cashier. The bank suspended business in I866.
Early in 1867 Daniel Pierce, Moses Dean and R. L. Divine formed a company under the firm name of Pierce, Dean & Co., bought the building aud fixtures used by the Bank of Sycamore, and commenced the banking business, with Emmett Clements as cashier. At the expiration of four years Mr. Divine withdrew, and the business was continued by Pierce & Dean until March, 1883, when Mr. Dean withdrew, the business being transferred to Daniel Pierce & Co. The bank has always been regarded as a substantial one, each of the partners being wealthy, and person- ally responsible for all of the liabilities of the con- cern.
On withdrawing from the firm of Pierce, Dean & Co., R. L. Divine immediately formed a partnership with C. O. Boynton, and under the firm name of Divine & Boynton opened another banking house, erecting the building now used by the Sycamore National Bank for that purpose. Mr. Boynton some time afterwards withdrawing, the business was con- tinued by R. L. Divine & Co. till his death in 1883.
The Sycamore National Bank was organized in 187 I, its charter bearing date November 11 of that year. The capital stock was $50,000. J. S. Water- man was elected President, H. H. Mason Vice-Pres- ident and P. M. Alden Cashier. The first Directors were J. S. Waterman, H. H. Mason, C. W. Marsh, C. H. Cowper and P. M. Alden. Mr. Waterman con- tinued to act as President until his death in July, 1883, when E. F. Dutton was elected, and continues to serve as such. Mr. Alden has been the only cashier. Its present directors are E. F. Dutton, P. M. Alden, I. N. Perry, J. P. Van Voorhis and Albert Sawyer. The business was conducted in the Water- man Block until January 1, 1884, when the bank was removed to its present location, the building formerly used by . R. L. Divine & Co. The bank has had a
very successful career, and, in addition to being a safe depository, has been profitable to its stock- holders. At present there is $33,000 surplus and undivided profits.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Marsh Binder Manufacturing Company .- Syca- more has long been noted for its manufactories, and among those none have a wider reputation than that of the Marsh Binder Manufacturing Company, originally the, Marsh Harvester Manufacturing Com- pany. Aug. 17, 1858, while residing as farmers in Shabbona Township, C. W. and W. W. Marsh ob- tained a patent for an entirely new method of har- vesting by machinery. Their first machine was substantially the same as all harvesters made to this day. From the time the Marsh Brothers built their first machine in 1858 to 187 1, no other harvester was put upon the market, but thousands of their ma- chines were manufactured and sold by them and their associates, beginning in a small way in a little shop on their farm, then founding the Plano shops and thereafter the extensive shops in Sycamore, which latter were established in 1869. It can be said without fear of contradiction that C. W. and W. W. Marsh were the inventors of harvesters. After the success of the harvesters had been secured, in- ventors began to turn their attention to the manu- facture of self-binders.
In the year 1870 Charles Whitney and his brother, John H., built two original and complete machines for cutting and automatically binding grain with wire at the Sycamore Marsh Harvester Company's works. These worked very well and were being perfected from year to year, but the lingering sickness and death finally of John H. Whitney interrupted and for a time put a stop to further progress in this direction. Meanwhile Charles Whitney had con- ceived a plan for a very simple platform binder, and in February, 1878, he made arrangements with C. W. and W. W. Marsh for building and perfecting the same. Their first machine was used in the harvest following. In 1879 considerable further advance had been made and several machines were put out with general satisfaction. In 1880 about 40 of them were introduced, but all these were wire binders, and meantime it had been demonstrated that twine was better material and cheaper than wire for the pur- pose ; hence it became necessary to throw aside the
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wire-binding machines which had taken several years of hard study and work, besides a large outlay of money to develop and perfect. The new circum- stances were met promptly and vigorously and oper- ations upon a new twine binder were immediately begun. It was completed and tested, and from it to more made in time for the harvest of 1881. From the first acre cut, the success of the machine was assured. It gave such extraordinary promise that when its proprietors proposed to organize a company for its manufacture, $300,000 of capital stock was subscribed in a few days. The new company, en- titled the Marsh Binder Manufacturing Company, bought the works of the Sycamore Marsh Harvester Manufacturing Company, and immediately began to manufacture the new binder in quantity for the gen- eral trade.
The R. Ellwood Manufacturing Company was or- ganized in 1876, with the Hon. Reuben Ellwood at its head and general manager. The capital stock of the company was $25,000, and the business of that year was confined to the manufacture of the Ellwood Riding Cultivator, of which 600 were made. At the close of the year 188r, owing to the rapidly increas- ing demand for the goods made by this company, the capital stock was again increased to $111,000.
The buildings are large and handsomely arranged to expedite the work, erected with the recent addi- tions, at an expense of $40,000, and with facilities of turning out 50 complete cultivators every day, in addition to the other goods.
The sales of the riding cultivators, sulky plows, harrows and dumping rakes have largely increased, and these, together with the line of hardware goods, such as barn-door hinges, track stay rollers, barrel cases, churns, horse-powers, etc., etc., have estab- lished a reputation for the firm that is a sufficient guarantee of the quality of their goods.
The Sycamore Preserve Works is one of the benef- icent industrial establishments of the city, giving em- ployment during the active season of work to a large force of men, women and children. It has been in active operation since 1881, and the results have been gratifying to those financially interested and to the people of the place generally. The number of cases of goods put up in 1884 were as follows: 10,- 000 of corn, 7,000 of tomatoes, 1,500 of pumpkins, 800 of squash, 1,000 of peas, 1,000 of beans, and 300 of apples; making in all something over 500,000
cans. The establishment is under the active man- agement of A. F. Mason, a man of large experience and thoroughly competent in every respect. The original stockholders were R. Ellwood, J. H. Rogers, D. A. Syme and William Byers. Mr. Mason has now an interest in the works, also George and Will- iam Rogers. The company is a strong one financially.
The Sycamore Soap Factory is also one of the lead- ing industries of the place. The present proprietor is E. B. Shurtleff. A superior quality of laundry soap is manufactured.
The Helmet Paint Manufactory is doing an excel- lent business. It has been in operation some years.
The Tuerk Hydraulic Power Co. commenced busi- ness in this city in 1883, removing here from Chi- cago. A joint-stock company was formed, with a cap- ital stock of $60,000. The company manufacture the Tuerk Water Motor, one of the most useful in- ventions of the day. W. W. Marsh is superintend- ent of the works.
Flax Mills-Loomis & Luther are proprietors of the flax mills. But little flax now being raised in this vicinity, the mill is not run on full time. Reuben Ellwood was the pioneer in this branch of business. Dr. Bryan and Chauncey Ellwood were also inter- ested in the work for a time after the close of the war.
The Sycamore Roller Flour Mills do a fine busi- ness. The mill was erected in 1854, by A. S. Cox and Mr. Powers, and known as the Citizens' Mill. It contained two run of buhrs. In the spring of 1859 Powers sold his interest to Cox, who subsequently sold to John Black and Charles T. Pierce a one-third interest each. In 1863 Ralph Wyman bought out the interest of Mr. Pierce, and in the same year Wil- liam C. Black bought out Cox. The mill, in the meantime, had been improved and one run of buhrs added. John C. S. and William C. Black were each interested in the mill during the succeeding 20 years. In 1882 John Black bought the interest of William C. Black and also that of the Wyman heirs, and is now the sole proprietor of the mill. In 1883 he com- menced its improvement, enlarging it to a dimension of 48 x 52 feet, with engine-room attached. The mill now has four run of buhrs, nine sets of rollers, and all modern machinery for making first-class flour. The capacity is 100 barrels per day. Mr. Black has also a roller for making buckwheat flour equal to the New York make.
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City of De Kalb.
HE enterprising city of De Kalb furnishes an excellent field for the pen of the histo- rian. From a mere hamlet early in the " fifties," it has grown to a bustling, thriving city of about 3,000 inhabitants, and is known far and wide as the " Barb City," a name given it from the fact that it is the great depot for the man- ufacture of barb wire, which is the leading industry of the place.
In 1836, Russell Huntley made claim to a large tract of land in this vicinity, including a part of the site of the city. The selection was made with a view of locating here a town, which he had ardent hopes would occupy a leading position among the many which were springing up in the West. He erected upon his claim a large log house, which was used for many years and was known as Huntley's tavern. Here the weary traveler found rest and Huntley dreamed of the future that was in store for him.
The tavern was all alone in its glory for many years. It was not until 1849 that any further steps were taken to locate here a village. At that time John M. Goodell and Dr. Ruby started a small store on the north side of what is now Main Street, near First Street. Their stock was of a miscellaneous character, including " wet groceries," for which there seemed to be a demand, as a preventive to chills and snake bites. In 1850 Ruby sold his interest to his partner, and having erected a house upon the oppo- site side of the street he opened another store for the
sale of groceries and drugs. In 1853 he purchased the stock of Mr. Goodell and ran both stores.
The next addition to the prospective village was the erection of a shop and its occupation by P. W. T. Vaughan, the " village blacksmith." This was in 1850, and the shop was located on the site of the Glidden House, northeast corner of Main and Sec- ond Streets.
In 1852 Cartwright & Hayden opened a stock of general merchandise ; and, now having three stores, a tavern and a blacksmith shop, the village of Buena Vista, as it was then called, began to put on airs. A village was platted about this time, but never put upon record. When the survey was made by the railroad company in 1851, Dr. Ruby took the census of the village and found 29 persons, old and young.
Before the location here of any mercantile inter- ests, a postoffice had been established, with Russell Huntley as Postmaster. The office was supposed to be at his tavern, but the old settlers say it was kept either in his hat or pocket handkerchief, and was what might be termed a traveling office, which was very convenient to those receiving mail at Buena Vista. Russell Huntley continued to act as post- master for some years, when Jackson Hiland received the appointment and the office was removed to Ruby & Hiland's store, where it remained some years. Mr. Hiland having disposed of his interest in the store, retired from business, leaving the office in charge of Dr. Ruby, whom he had made deputy. The doctor
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being a strong Free-soil man, it was displeasing to the Democrats who were then in power; therefore Mr. Hiland was removed and the commission given to J. W. Smull. This was about 1858. On the ad- vent of the Republican party, Hiram Ellwood was appointed, and held the office some years. His suc- cessor was Matilda Sickles, the widow of a soldier in the War of the Rebellion. Mrs. Sickles served un- til 1873, when Lucien H. Post was appointed. Mr. Post served until 1883, when he resigned and A. S. Jackson was appointed.
In 1850 a small house was erected on what is now block 4, of the city in which Jonathan Stone taught a term of school in the winter of 1850-I, at a salary of $16 per month, teaching alternately five and six days per week. This was the beginning of the educational history of De Kalb. The salary of the teacher was raised by subscription.
When the village of De Kalb was platted steps were at once taken for the erection of a better school building. A small tax was levied and the house now used by the Congregationalists as a church edifice was erected. There was not money enough raised to complete the building, so a couple of dances were held in the house to secure the remainder of the sum required. Thus it was dedicated to the cause of education. Timothy J. Lyon was the first teacher in this house. The village increasing largely in numbers, this building soon became too small to ac- commodate the attendance ; so in 1856 it was sold to George Wood and others for the use of the Con- gregational society, and a third school building was erected near the present Catholic church. It was a two-story frame structure, 24 x 42 feet in size. By the end of four years this also became too small to accommodate the number desiring admission into the school, and it was therefore sold, T. C. Needham becoming the owner and using it as a dwelling-house.
In 1860 the present fine brick school building was erected on the corner of Third and Prospect Streets. In the fall of that year it was occupied, the schools then being under the supervision of Prof. Crandall. For a quarter of a century this building has been used for educational purposes, and many of the most intelligent young men and women in De Kalb re- ceived therein their first lessons of instruction and graduated thereat. Not alone are they confined to De Kalb, but in a number of the Western States
and Territories have there gone forth from De Kalb public schools those exerting wonderful influence in society.
In 1884 another building was erected on the north side of the railroad on Fifth Street. It is a frame structure and used by the primary and intermedi- ate departments.
The following named have been principal of the public schools from 1862 to the present time : M. Andrews, 1862; J. S. Mabie, 1863; E. L. Wells, 1864; T. W. Dodge, Arthur Wells, 1865; C. H. Crandall, 1866-9; Ella S. Dunbar, 1870-4; S. G. Haley, 1875; T. S. Demson, 1876-7; S. L. Graham, 1878-80; J. L. Curts, 1881 to the present time.
PLATTING THE VILLAGE.
In November, 1853, Daniel W. Lamb, County Sur- veyor, at the instance of John M. and Caroline F. Goodell, Russell, Lewis and Diantha Huntley, plat- ted a portion of sections 22 and 23 of the town- ship of De Kalb for a village, to which was given the nanie of De Kalb. Since that date various additions have been made.
To secure the location of the railroad, Mr. Huntley donated the right of way to the company and also land for the depot. He also assigned an interest in the town site, to Robinson, Van Nortwick and Hol- land, who were largely interested in the railroad.
On the completion of the railroad, the village rapidly increased in population, and continued to increase until the hard times of 1857-8, which put a stop to the improvement of so many towns throughout the land. The war following also re- traded its growth.
INCORPORATION.
In 1856 the village was incorporated under the general act, and in 1861 by a special charter, which made the President of the Board of Trustees a member of the Board of Supervisors. This position was filled by W. H. Allen, in 1861-2; Silas Tappan, in 1863; Leonard Morse, in 1864; S. O. Vaughan, in 1865; E. B. Gilbert, in 1866; W. H. Allen, in 1867-8; William H. Miller, in 1869; L. M. Mc- Ewen, in 1870; W. H. Record, in 1871; J. S. Rus- sell, in 1872; Horace Hunt, in 1873; L. M. Mc- Ewen, in 1874-5-6.
On the 20th day of February, 1877, an election
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was held to ascertain the wishes of the legal voters in reference to incorporation as a city. A majority of the votes being in favor of such organization the first election for city officers was held on the third Tuesday in April. All officers are elected for a term of two years, except the Police Magistrate, who is elected for four years. In the list of officers ap- pended, one-half the Aldermen were elected for one year in order that an equal number should be elected annually thereafter. The following comprises the list :
1877-Harvey E. Allen, Mayor; Benjamin Muzzy, Police Magistrate; S. O. Vaughan, City Clerk ; H. W. Whittemore, City Attorney; J. D. Lott, City Treasurer ; Aldermen-Ist ward, Hiram Eddy, David Barr; 2d ward, P. G. Young, C. Carter; 3d ward, J. A. White, J. B. Aurner.
1878-Aldermen: Ist ward, E. B. Hulett; 2d ward, Levi Wheeler ; 3d ward, Martin Dodge.
1879-A. S. Jackson, Mayor; T. A. Luney, Treasurer ; L. M. McEwen, Attorney; S. O. Vaughan, Clerk. Aldermen-Ist ward, E. L. Mayo; 2d ward, C. Carter ; 3d ward, J. M. Jenkins.
1880-Aldermen : Ist ward, S. A. Tyler; 2d ward, D. D. Brown; 3d ward, M. Dodge.
1881-J. F. Glidden, Mayor; L. M. McEwen, Attorney ; J. D. Lott, Treasurer; S. O. Vaughan, Clerk; N. W. Thompson, Police Magistrate. Alder- men-Ist ward, E. B. Baldwin ; 2d ward, C. Carter; 3d ward, J. Cheasebro.
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