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 103
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The Church has had 18 pastors. The following have been licensed to preach by the Church: Cyrus F. Tolman, Gilbert E. Pratt, Henry R. Hicks, Ed- ward Sedgwick. Also Rev. W. H. Eddy, ordained. There have been, altogether, about 625 additions to the Church ; 286 by baptism. The present member- ship is 176. The officers of the Church in the spring of 1885 were Rev. E. W. Hicks, Pastor; Julius Ives and R. B. Jackson, Deacons ; Luther Kent, Frank Kent, O. S. Hendee, Seneca Culver, Dr. C. L. Misick, Trustees ; R. B. Jackson, Clerk.
The First Presbyterian Church of Sandwich was organized at the house of Charles Merritt, at Free- land Corners, Dec. 15, 1851, with eight members. Milo Tuttle was the first elder. In December, 1853, the eldership was composed of Milo Tuttle, William T. Morey, Henry S. Langdon. H. T. Merritt was clerk of the sessions. The first regular minister was
Rev. A. Johnson, who began his labors in the fall of 1854, and occasionally preached until June, 1856. On the 26th day of May, 1856, a meeting of the Church was held at Freeland's Corners and a vote was taken on removal to Sandwich. Eleven voted to remove and two against. It was also voted that the Church be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Somonauk, which name was subsequently changed to First Presbyterian Church of Sandwich. At one of its first meetings in Sandwich, a com- mittee was appointed to confer with a like committee from the Church of South Somonauk, to secure the services of a regular pastor. Rev. L. P. Crawford was called and began his labors July 1, 1856. On the breaking out of the war, he enlisted and served for a time, but subsequently returned and served until the spring of 1865. In April of that year Rev. G. H. Robertson began his labors for the Church, continuing until the spring of 1867, when he resigned . to accept the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield. Rev. I. D. Henning was the next pastor. He served but about six months, when Rev. R. M. Overstreet accepted a call in the spring of 1868, serving one year. In the fall of 1869, Rev. E. L. Hurd came and served three years. In Jan- uary, 1873, Rev. G. W. Crofts entered upon his labors for the Church. He was succeeded Feb. 1, 1875, by Rev. G. B. Black. In the fall of 1878, Rev. D. W. Fahs began his labors as supply, and in June, 1880, was called to the pastorate. He still remains with the Church.
On its removal to this place services were held in the old Academy. In the summer of 1857, steps were taken to erect a house of worship, and in the spring of 1858 a church edifice was completed and occupied. In 1866 an addition was built, and sub- sequently a fine organ costing $1,300 was put in. There has been a total membership of 297, with a present membership of 125.
The Congregational Church .- The Congregational Church of Sandwich was originally organized at Little Rock, Kendall County, April 17, 1853. In addition to the articles of covenant usually adopted by such bodies, the Church adopted resolutions by which they refused to fellowship individuals or Churches that were guilty of holding their fellow men in bondage; and also une requiring total abstinence from intoxi- cating liquors as a beverage as a means of admission into the Church.
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Soon after its organization the Church engaged the services of Rev. H. G. Warner, who preached for it one year. Eighteen persons were added under his ministration. From July, 1854, till the spring of 1855, Rev. I. Mattison supplied the Church. For the next year no religious services were held. The village of Sandwich having come into existence, and several of its members having moved thereto, at a meeting May 10, 1856, it was unanimously re- solved that the " location of the Church be removed to Sandwich, De Kalb Co., and the name changed to the Congregational Church of Sandwich." Two weeks later the first meeting was held in Sandwich at the residence of Deacon Hubbard. Subsequently and until the 14th of June, 1857, services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church. On the day mentioned, a small chapel having been completed the first services were held therein.
In July, 1857, Rev. James Kilbourn commenced his labors with the Church. He served six years, during which time 84 persons were received into the Church. In August, 1863, Rev. C. A. Harvey entered upon his duties as supply, and on the 4th of Janu- ary, 1865, was called to the pastorate. Until now the Church had worshiped in the chapel, which had become too small for the congregations. It was then sold to the Lutherans, and the present neat and commodious building (exclusive of the lecture-room and transepts) was erected. It was dedicated Jan- uary 26, 1865. During Mr. Harvey's pastorate, which terminated April 1, 1866, there were 39 addi- tions. Soon after the Church invited Rev. John W. Cass to labor with them. The invitation being ac- cepted, Mr. Cass began his ministry September r, 1866, the pulpit being supplied in the meantime by Rev. N. C. Clark. During that and the following year a parsonage was built, costing, with lots, $2,000. Mr. Cass served two and a half years, receiving into the Church 121 persons. On account of failing health he resigned, and June 1, 1869, Rev. C. A. Towle became the pastor, continuing as such until July 1, 1873. In that time 73 were added to the Church. In November, 1873, Rev. John L. Granger became acting pastor, and remained three years, with 43 additions. On the resignation of Mr. Granger Rev. G. W. Crofts was called to the pastor- ate. He served until March r, 1885, during which time there were 114 added to the Church. The present membership is 208.
German Baptist Church, composed of citizens speaking the German language, was organized Aug. 16, 1855.
SOCIETIES.
Sandwich is well represented by secret and benev- olent societies.
Meteor Lodge, No. 283, A. F. & A. M., held its first meeting May 14, 1858. The petitioners for dis- pensation were N. E. Ballou, A. C. Frick, James Clark, Thos. R. Treat, John H. Lowe, Silas H. Town- send and A. J. Thomas. The lodge has had an un- usually successful career, with a membership in 1885 of 94, with the following named officers : L. D. Woodruff, W. M .; C. H. Pratt, S. W .; "T. R. Polglase, J. W .; M. Carpenter, Treas .; Fred. S. Douglas, Sec.
Sandwich Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M., was granted dispensation December 21, 1866. A charter was granted October 4, 1867. Its first officers were Geo. W. Culver, H. P .; Jos. H. Furman, K .; B. C. Whit- comb, S. Its present officers are Ed. S. Johnson, H. P .; Van R. David, K .; Gustave Walters, S .; George H. Whitcomb, Sec .; M. Carpenter, Treas. Present membership, 137.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 67, A. O. U. W., was organ- ized March 23, 1877. Its first officers were C. D. Reed, P. M. W .; F. E. Griffith, M. W .; Jacob Burk- hart, jr., Foreman ; John A. Armstrog, Recorder .. Few lodges in the State have had a more prosperous existence. It now numbers 80 members, and has lost by death five -- Henry M. Rogers, December 7, 1881 ; H. F. Bloodgood, April 4, 1882 ; A. H. Hills, July 1, r883 ; L. M. Shrewsbury, December 6, 1883; A. Brandenburger, December 28, 1883. The officers in March, 1885, were F. A. Howe, M. W .; R. F. White, F .; E. L. Ingersoll, Recorder. Those who have represented this lodge in the Grand Lodge are F. E. Griffith, T. W. Orr, Geo. Kleinsmid and M. Dickinson.
Sandwich Legion, No. 40, Select Knights, A. O. U. W., was organized August 13, r884, by Alex. Mc- Lean, Grand Commander of the State of Illinois. The Legion meets on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings in each month. The present membership is 32. M. Dickinson is the representative to the Grand Legion. The officers in the spring of 1885 were as follows : W. J. M. Fish, S. C .; Geo. Green- field, V. C .; Thos. McNeice, L. C .; Robert White, Rec.
Sandwich Lodge, No. 39, I. O. M. A., was organ-
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ized April 16, 1879, by M. L. Ross, D. G. P. of the State of Illinois. The first officers were Thos. Wright, W. P. P .; A. P. Crapser, W. P .; J. M. Steele, W. V. P .; F. 1). Bailey, R. S .; P. M. Wallace, Treas .; J. W. Allison, F. S.
The lodge has been unusually successful, having enrolled 81 members, and having a present member- ship of 60. The present officers are W. J. M. Fish W. P .; E. A. Beardsley, W. V. P .; W. H. Van Fleet, R. S .; J. M. Gates, F. S. : G. J. Fish, Treas.
Grand Prairie Encampment, No. 138, I.O.O. F., was instituted at Onarga, Iroquois Co., Ill., June 28, 1872, and by order of the Most Worthy Grand Patriarch, Amos Kemp, was removed to Sandwich, Ill., March 7, 1885, and has now a membership of 40. The charter members numbered about 30. The order is progressing rapidly. Its officers in the spring of 1885 were E. E. Stebbins, C. P .; Chas. H. Pratt, H. P .; J. A. Durbin, S. W.
MANUFACTORIES.
Sandwich Manufacturing Co .- Sandwich is noted for its manufactories. The Sandwich Manufacturing Co. is the oldest as well as the most extensive. In 1856 Augustus Adams, then living at Elgin, started a branch of his manufactory at this place. It was but a small affair, but like the acorn it has developed quite extensively. In 1857 his advertisement read that A. Adams & Co. had a foundry and machine shop in which they were prepared to do casting of every description. But little was said about the manufactures that have given the firm its wide reputation. Still the idea was kept in view to de- velop a practical, portable corn-sheller. The first engine blew up and was replaced by a larger and better one. In 1857 Mr. Adams moved his family here, and urged the work as fast as his means would admit. By 186r the reputation of the Sandwich Adams Corn-Sheller had so extended that calls for it came from all over the Northwest, and to supply the demand, gave employment to about 100 men. It might be well to say that in that year a company for the roth Regiment Ill. Vol. Inft. was raised here and about 70 of the company went from these shops. Just at the opening. of the trade, in the face of a greatly increased demand, the shops were burned down, but with the characteristic energy of the pro- prietors, then A. Adams & Sons, they were rebuilt, larger and better than before, and by working extra
men and time the trade was supplied. By this time it had been demonstrated that the Sandwich corn- sheller was a necessity and a staple, and in 1867, capital at home was readily found to combine with the firm of A. Adams & Sons to increase the manu- facture, and the Sandwich Manufacturing Co. was organized.
They soon found that there must be more shop room, men and machinery to supply the growing de- mand, and so they commenced to build, and from this commencement has grown the spacious and complete set of shops. These buildings, with the necessary yards adjoining, now cover about two blocks of ground, with railroad tracks running to every point, so that all materlal is unloaded from the cars just where it is needed, and all shipments are made direct from the store-rooms. The shops are fur- nished throughout with the latest improved machin- ery, much of which was designed and made at home for the specialties of their manufacture. The paid up capital of the company is $250,000.
The Sandwich Enterprise Co. is the outgrowth of a business established by Kennedy Bros., and was incorporated under the general laws of the State, Nov. 5, 1868. The following named were the in- corporators : W. W. Sedgwick, M. B. Castle, Win. Davis, O. S. Hendee, B. F. Latham, E. A. Kennedy, R. E. Howe. The capital stock was originally $50,- ooo, but was subsequently increased to $100,000. The buildings and grounds of the company cover more than two blocks and a half of ground, having a frontage on Main Street of 200 feet and on Eddy of 140 feet, with a large warehouse. The manu- factures of the company are windmills, force pumps, cultivators and feed-grinders. The following named are the officers and directors in the spring of 1885 : I. L. Rogers, President ; J. H. Culver, Vice-Presi- dent; Wm. Radley, Secretary and Treasurer ; T. R. Polglase, Superintendent ; I. L. Rogers, J. H. Cul- ver, O. C. Ainsworth, E. Doan, Wm. Davis, G. R. Wallace, H. Latham, directors. In ordinarily good times about 140 hands are employed.
The Tile Works of Dieterich & Ebinger is one of the institutions of Sandwich, though situated about one mile west of the city. L. Dieterich had been man- facturing brick some 12 years or more, and in com- pany with Mr. Ebinger commenced in 1882 the manufacture of tiling. The main building of the
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factory is 36 x 93 feet, three stories high, with two wings, one 36 feet square and the other 24 x 69 feet. A large and increasing business is being done.
Among the other manufactories in Sandwich are the wagon and carriage shops of G. Walter and Kehl Bros., the pump factory of D. J. Cook, and the cigar manufactory of Thos. Emerson.
WATER WORKS.
On the 28th day of July, 1883, it was voted to ap- propriate $13,000 for a system of water works. The contracts were let and work commenced September 28, and on the 12th of January, 1884, everything was complete, a satisfactory test made, and the job ac- cepted by the city. The stand-pipe rests upon a sub- stantial foundation, in the construction of which 42 cords of stone were used, and laid with great care, Milwaukee cement being used. The base of the wall is 257/2 feet in diameter, and the top 15 feet. The stand-pipe is 12 feet in diameter and 100 feet high, made of the best shell iron, with a tensile strength of 45,000. The pump is situated in the basement of the engine-house, and draws the water from the well and forces it into the stand-pipe, or through the water mains direct, at the will of the engineer. It has a steam cylinder 181/2 inches in diameter, and the water plungers are 91/2 inches in diameter. The length of the stroke is 10 inches, and it makes from 100 to 150 strokes per minute without the least jar or noise. Its pumping capacity is 850 gallons a min- ute, but it has made 1,000 a minute. The engine- house is a substantial building of stone and brick, 14 × 28 feet, with a basement 9 feet deep, and 14 × 14 feet. The well is 291/2 feet deep, 14 feet in diameter. Its tested inflow is 300 gallons per minute. There are now three miles of main, with 32 hydrants.
FIRE COMPANY.
Sandwich Fire Co., No. I, was organized Jan. 22, 1884. Samuel Mitten was appointed fire marshal by the City Council. William Hickok was elected first, and W. A. Williams second, assistant to the fire marshal. John Eberly was made foreman, with Jo- seph Francis first, and John Van Winkle second, as- sistant. At that time there were two hose . carts, with 900 feet of hose, and one hook and ladder truck, with the necessary apparatus. New officers were elected in the spring of 1885. Samuel Mitten was re-appointed chief, with William Hickok first and John Eberly second assistant. W. A. Williams was
made foreman, with Joseph Francis first, and John Van Winkle second, assistant. Charles Johnson is secretary and Frank Moore treasurer. New hose carts have been provided and 500 feet of hose added. The company is composed of 30 men, having five officers, 17 men on hose and 8 on hook and ladder truck.
Hose Co. No. 2 is composed of youths of 18 and under. While not subject to the city, yet in case of fires it acts under direction of the fire marshal. It was organized Sept. 2, 1884, with Norman Mattison, foreman, A. Shepard, Jr., first assistant and Daniel Dickinson, second assistant. The company was or- ganized at the request of the fire marshal. It has a hose cart, with 350 feet of hose. The company is composed of 17 men.
IN THE WAR.
The war record of Sandwich, and in fact the town- ship of Somonauk, is one in which the citizens take a just pride. On the 14th day of April, 1861, Fort Sumter fell, and on the 15th the President issued his proclamation for 75,000 men. On Thursday eve- ing following, a meeting was held for the purpose of giving expression to the views of the people upon the troubles. While the meeting was in progress, L. H. Carr, who had been a soldier in the Mexican War, walked in witli a paper in his hand, which proved to be an agreement by which those who signed offered their services to the Government. Mr. Carr had placed his name at the head of the list. He was quickly followed by others, and before Saturday night a company of 112 men was raised and accepted by the Governor. On Sunday, the ladies of the village met for the purpose of preparing uniforms for the company. On Monday the company was on its way to Cairo. Thus within one week the little village of Sandwich raised, uniformed and sent on its way to the front one of the first companies raised in the State. All honor to the brave men who, at their country's call, offered their lives for its sake. All honor, too, to the noble women, who, without a mur- mur, though doubtless with breaking hearts, bid the loved ones go, and with willing hands prepared them for the field. This company was assigned to the Ioth Reg. Ill. Vol. Infantry, and did valiant service during the war. Mr. Carr was chosen Captain, and at Island No. 10 met his death from the bullet of a rebel sharp-shooter.
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F. W. Partridge soon after raised another company and was chosen Captain. This company was made a part of the 13th Infantry. Captain Partridge was twice wounded, rose to the command of the regi- ment, and was brevetted Brigadier-General. William Patten also raised a company which became a part of the 156th Infantry. But these were not all. In other regiments were to be found the men of Sand- wich and Somonauk Townships, who were numbered among the bravest of the brave. From the township
3II men went to the war. To meet necessary war expenses the township voted $27,843.
. SUPERVISORS.
The following named have served the village and city as members of the Board of Supervisors: W. Walker, 1860; George Culver, 1861 ; W. Walker, 1862 : Perley Stone, 1863 : W. L. Simmons, 1864 ; J. H. Carr, 1865; George W. Culver, 1866; James H .. Culver, 1867; W. W. Sedgwick, 1868-70; J. P. Adams, 1871-2.
ISCELLANEOUS.
Railroads.
HE County of De Kalb is well supplied with railroads, but unfortunately has none running from north to south, though at present writing, in the spring of 1885, one is being surveyed which strikes the county on the southwest corner, and leaves it in the north- east, passing through the cities of De Kalb and Syc amore. The new road, while ostensibly being built by the Illinois Coal Company, is supposed to be backed by the Northwestern Railroad Company.
The citizens of De Kalb County were much inter- ested in railroad building even at an early day, and realized the necessity of using them for the develop- ment of the county. The Chicago & Galena Union Railroad Company was chartered in 1836 and au- thorized to build a railroad from Galena to Chicago. In 1838 a small amount of grading had been done on the prairie west of Chicago, and active operations were suspended. In the latter part of 1845 the sub- ject was again agitated in regard to the road, and a new company organized which purchased the charter
with the design of completing the work. A meeting was called at Rockford Jan. 7, 1846, to be composed of delegates from each of the counties along the line of the proposed road. De Kalb was represented in the convention by James S. Waterman. The road was subsequently built, but north of this county.
In 1852 the Chicago, St. Charles & Mississippi Air Line Railroad was projected, to run through St. Charles, Sycamore, South Grove and Oregon to the Mississippi River at Savannah. James S. Waterman and Mr. Fordham, of Sycamore, first proposed the matter, and began correspondence with E. S. Litch- field, of the Michigan Southern Railroad, in relation to the matter. The latter favored the project, and a meeting was held at Sycamore in which $20,000 was subscribed in the stock of the new company. The proposal to build this road alarmed the managers of the Chicago & Galena Union road, and they were anxious to prevent its construction. They procured a charter authorizing the construction of the "Dixon Air Line " road, cominencing at a point about six miles east of St. Charles and running direct west to Dixon, through the county of De Kalb. This was to
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be a branch of the Chicago & Galena Union Rail- road. The village of Sycamore was to have been made a point on the proposed line, but for some cause the survey of a line four miles south was adopted. The road was built and in successful oper- ation through the entire county in 1853. Entering the county on the east on section 25, township 40 north, range 5 east, it passes through the townships of Cortland, De Kalb and Malta. Three large towns have sprung up along its line in this county, each bearing the name of its respective township in which it is located-Cortland, De Kalb and Malta. Some years after the road was completed it passed into the hands of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, by whom it is now operated, and is known as the Council Bluffs & Omaha Line of the Northwestern Railroad.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany also completed its line through Somonauk Township, in this county, in 1853. On this line sprang up the towns of Sandwich and Somonauk.
The building of the Dixon Air Line, now the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railroad, some four miles south of Sycamore, the county seat, left that town "out in the cold." Its enterprising citizens, however, were determined not to be without railroad facilities, so a company was organized to construct a road from Sycamore to Cortland, there to connect with the Dixon Air Line. The Sycamore & Cortland Rail- road was built and began operations in 1859. Among the active promoters of this enterprise were James S. Waterman, Chauncey Ellwood and Charles Kel- lum. The road was operated by the home company until 1883, when it was sold to the Northwestern. The township of Sycamore appropriated$1 0,000 to aid in its construction.
The Chicago & Iowa Railroad was the next one constructed in and through the county. The com- pany was incorporated in 1869, and work almost im- mediately began. Francis E. Hinckley was elected President. The road was completed through the county in 1871. It enters the county on section 15, township 39 north, range 5 east, and runs through the townships of Squaw Grove, Clinton and Shabbona. The villages of Hinckley, Waterman and Shabbona are upon this line.
All sections of the county were now represented with railroads, save the extreme northern. The
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old village of Genoa, which, in early days, had been very prosperous, had almost ceased to exist, its trade being virtually ruined. A railroad was a necessity, and this it secured in 1875, when the Chicago & Mil- waukee Railroad Company constructed a branch of its road which crosses the Mississippi at Savannah, and runs west through Iowa to Omaha. This line passes through the townships of Genoa, Kingston and Franklin. The village of Genoa secured in its con- struction a new lease of life while the villages of Kingston, Kirkland and Fielding have sprung into being.
Educational.
E KALB County is at present divided into 165 districts, in which are 170 school- houses, and employs 215 teachers, 62 of whom teach in the 12 graded schools. The old log school-houses of the earlier days have all given place to frame and brick buildings. Many of the buildings are new, well finished and comfortable, some are really elegant. During the past year teachers and pupils have done a great deal toward making their rooms attractive by decor- ating the walls with pictures, mottoes and wreaths of autumn leaves. Many dictionaries, wall-maps and some reference books have been purchased by di- rectors, and there is, in many locations, a growing interest manifested in school matters.
Directors are more careful in the selection of teachers and more liberal in payment of salary when the teacher is found qualified. By means of the an- nual institute and a system of teachers' meetings, together with a general dissemination of professional books and periodicals, the qualifications of the teacher have been raised to a much higher degree.
During the past much time has been squandered in irregular, aimless work. To obviate this, a plan of work was arranged by the County Superintendent, printed in "The School-Room Guide," and distrib- uted to every district in the county, during the sum- mer of 1884. The result has exceeded the most san- guine expectations. Fully 80 per cent of the schools followed the plan laid out during the past winter, and 90 per cent. took the first " general examination." Among the results attained are the following: In -
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creased regularity of attendance; increased interest in the work by both parents and pupils; following the suggestions of the "School-Room Guide," num- bers and language are taught to the children from their entrance to school, and writing is taught in all grades. The plan of work provides for the examina- tion of one grade in each school, each year, by the Superintendent in person. This part of the work will be taken up next year.
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