Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 17

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 888

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 17

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& Charles D. Carter, M. D., physician and surgeon at De Kalb, is a native of De Kalb County, having been born within its limits Nov. 19, 1858. He is the son of Or- lando and Huldah (White) Carter. (See sketch of O. Carter.) Mr. Carter passed his early life in the manner common in the training and rearing of farmers' sons, and he obtained a fair edu- cation in the common schools which he attended as opportunity served, until he was 19 years of age, after which he began the study of medicine with the purpose of making it the vocation of his life. He alternated his periods of study with farm labor, and studied three years at Rush Medical College in Chicago, receiving the authority of that institution to enter upon the practice of medicine in 1882. He established his business at De Kalb, and is steadily gaining a substantial repute as a practitioner and founding a successful career in his profession.

Dr. Carter is a Democrat in his political convic- tion, and is one of the foremost in character and promise of the young men of De Kalb County on whom is the dependence of the future generation.

rederick S. Crane, farmer and stock-raiser, sections 15, 14, 22 and 23, Cortland Township, was born in the town of Mar- vin, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 6, 1833, and was only two years old when the family moved to Du Page Co., Ill., in 1835, coming in a two- horse wagon, and settling on a tract of land before it was surveyed. When it came into market his father purchased it, and it is now owned by his brother.

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He was brought up on the farm. When 16 years old his father died, and when of age he commenced to establish himself near his father's homestead, where he lived until the spring of 1869, when he purchased 225 acres of land where he has since re- sidled. To this purchase he has since added, until he now has a total of 400 acres. He received a common-school education at Naperville; has been School Trustee and Director; and in politics he is a Republican. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

He was married Dec. 20, 1855, at Naperville, Ill., to Miss Mary A. Bristol, who was born Feb. 18, 1834, in Wethersfield, N. Y., and was brought by emigration of her parents to Naperville in 1843, where they have ever since lived, excepting the last few years. Mr. and Mrs. Crane have five children, as follows : Hiram D., born Nov. 3, 1856; Frank H., May 13, 1858; Myron F., March 7, 1860; S. Jennette, April 5, 1865; and Carrie M., Feb. 5, 1869,-all at Naper- ville.

Mr. Crane's father, David Crane, was a farmer, and died in Naperville in 1849, at the age of 42 years. His mother, Catherine W., nee Stolp, was born Jan. 21, 1814, in Pultneyville, Wayne Co., N. Y., and is now living in Merriam, that county. Mrs. Crane's father, Hiram Bristol, was born March 22, 1800, in Fairhaven, Vt., and is now living in Aurora, Ill. Her mother, Sarah, nee Spink, was born June 17, 1804, in Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y., and died May 9, 1869, at Aurora, Ill.

enry H. Wagner, merchant at De Kalb, was born July 6, 1847, in La Salle Co., Ill. He passed the years of his early life on the homestead of his grandparents in De Kalb County, coming to De Kalb in 1863. After operating a few months as a clerk, he entered the army of the United States, enlisting in Co. K, 132d Regiment of Illinois Infantry. After a service of five months, he received his discharge and re- sumed his former occupation of salesman for Win- ship Brothers, of De Kalb, operating in their interests but a short time, the business of the firm being inter-

rupted by the death of the senior partner. Mr. Wagner entered the employment of R. K. Chandler, whose death in 1875 terminated the business, and Mr. Wagner embarked in a mercantile enterprise in his own behalf. He began on a limited scale, pro- ceeded safely and secured a permanent foundation for his present extensive relations. He is the lead- ing dealer in general merchandise at De Kalb. Politically Mr. Wagner is a decided Republican and is a member of Merritt Simonds Post, No. 283, G. A. R.

His marriage occurred March 24, 1871, to Nancy E. Waite, a lady who was born in the State of New York, April 14, 1847. Of six children born of their union, four survive, namely, Eva L., Cora F., Elvin H. and Nina L. Those deceased died in infancy.

dolph Elten, of the firm of Deily & Elten, builders and dealers in coal at Sycamore, was born Dec. 15, 1841, in Germany. His parents, August and Bertha Elten, were born in Germany and died there. They had three children,-Adolph, August and Gustave. The latter is a builder in Chicago. The second son is deceased.

Mr. Elten was instructed in his business by his father, who pursued the trade of builder through his life. He came to the United States in March, 1865, and embarked in his business in Chicago. He was occupied three years in that city as foreman in the .sash and door factory of Frederick Schroeder, who tranferred his business from the Garden City to Sycamore, whither Mr. Elten accompanied and offi- ciated three years in the same capacity. In the spring of 1878 the latter formed an association with Jacob Deily for the prosecution of a joint relation as builders, and a year later began to deal in coal. They employ about half a dozen men commonly and have erected a number of prominent buildings at Sycamore and vicinity.

Mr. Elten was married June 27, 1869, in Chicago, to Caroline Evers, and they have had four children : Hermann was born May 2, 1870, and died Sept. 19, 187 1; Julia was born Feb. 9, 1872; Charles, April

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19, 1875; George, Aug. 31, 1877. The latter was born in Sycamore and died Nov. 14, 1880. The others were born in Chicago. Mrs. Elten was born in Baltimore, Md., and is the daughter of John and Hermine (Buttner) Evers. The family attend the Congregational Church.

hubal T. Armstrong, Deputy Clerk of De Kalb County, resident at Sycamore, was born Dec. 14, 1834, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His parents, Dr. Thomas and Joanna (Terry) Armstrong, were natives of Washington Co., N. Y., and in 1831 removed thence to Chautauqua County. When the son, who is the subject of this sketch, was nine months old, the family transferred their residence to Erie Co., N. Y., settling in Evans Township. In 1840 they went to Wisconsin and settled in Union, Rock County, where they were pioneer settlers. The father practiced his profession there 12 years, re- moving with his family thence to Sandwich, De Kalb County, where 'he established his business and has since continued its prosecution.

Mr. Armstrong accompanied his parents in their varied migrations, and was an inmate of the parental household until 1861. When he was 16 years of age he became interested in civil engineering and began the practical pursuit of the business of operating as flagman. While in Wisconsin in 1852-5, he was employed at intervals in the Government survey. In the year named he set out for an overland journey . to California. He prospected on the route and arrived in the Golden State in February, 1862. He had acquired a thorough knowledge of civil engineer- ing and entered into the prosecution of that business, in which he operated until 1865. In that year he returned to Wisconsin and engaged in farming in Rock County, in which he was engaged three years, coming to De Kalb County in 1868. He interested himself in agricultural operations in Milan Township, in which pursuit he passed three years, removing at the expiration of that period to Sycamore.

In 1871 Mr. Armstrong was elected County Sur- veyor and continued to discharge the duties of the

incumbency until 1884. During four years. of the included period he operated in the interests of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, surveying lands in Iowa and Dakota. In 1884 he was appointed to the position whose duties he is discharging with entire satisfaction to all concerned.

His marriage to Eunice Richardson took place in 1855. She is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Seven children have been born of their union- Hattie, May, Annie, Elizabeth, Carlotta, Nevada and Arthur.

avid Wood, deceased, formerly a farmer on the south half of section 1, Cortland Township, was born April 21, 1808, prob- comme ably in Connecticut. His parents were John and Phebe (Bradford) Wood, both of whom died in Union Co., Ohio. His father was a farmer.

The subject of this sketch spent his early life in Union Co., Ohio, and emigrated thence to the place in this county where his widow now lives, and where he died, March 24, 1861; he was buried in Ohio Grove Cemetery. Having been brought up on a farm and received a common-school education, he continued working his father's farm on shares for a time, and in September, 1835, in. company with George Gandy and four or five others, came to this county. He made a claim on section I, township 40 north, of range 5 east, now known as Cortland; he erected a log house and lived here until 1841, when he returned to Ohio, where he was married. He re- turned to this county in the fall of 1843, at which time the land came into market, and he entered it. In 1855 he built a frame residence, which his family is still occupying.

Once in early day, he went to St. Charles with an ox team to get provisions, and on his return his team gave out. He remained over night under an oak tree, but could get no sleep, as he had to stir around continually to keep from freezing. He had some beef with him in the wagon, and the wolves were near by, howling around, all night. The next morning he had to break the ice to get his team over.

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Henry Ho. Sandy

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He was married Oct. 27, 1842, in Union Co., Ohio, to Miss Ruth Cary, daughter of Ephraim and Matilda (Gandy) Cary, both of whom died in that county, the former Dec. 12, 1878, and the latter July 21, 1855. Mr. Cary, a farmer, was born April 9, 1790, in Pennsylvania, and Mrs. C. Dec. 15; 1801. Mrs. Wood was born Sept. 24, 1825, in Madison Co., Ohio, and was two years old when her parents moved with her to Marvin Township, Union County, where she lived until her marriage. In her younger days she attained great skill in the art of spinning,- flax in winter and wool in summer. Would often do two day's work in one, without becoming very tired. Indeed, she followed this business more than ordinary house-work.

Of her seven children, only one is deceased. The names of all and dates of birth are as follows: John, Jan. 9, 1844; Matilda J., Dec. 5, 1845 ; Phebe, April 21, 1848; Mary A., March 25, 1850, and died Dec. 23, 1880; Elizabeth, May 14, 1852 ; Rhoda, Nov. 3, 1854; and Malinda E., May 1, 1859.

Mrs. W. is a member of the Church of the United Brethren, as was also her husband, and in his political views he was a Republican. The landed estate now comprises 134 acres.

orman Preston, farmer, section 29, Genoa Township, is a native citizen of the place of which he is a resident, and was born Oct. 12, 1840. His parents, Justus and Sina (Hall) Preston, were natives of Connecticut and became pioneer citizens of De Kalb County in 1836, settling in Genoa Township. The father died there June 2, 1847, aged 53 years, 5 months and 4 days; and the mother's demise took place Feb. 25, 1869, in that township. She was aged 67 years and and 26 days. Their children were named Henry, Augustus, Charles, George, Norman and Julia E.

Mr. Preston acquired a common-school education and remained a member of the parental household until he was 25 years of age, when he was married and became the head of a family, settling in inde- pendent life in Genoa Township. Mrs. Preston, formerly Mary A. Hathaway, was born in the State

of New York, March 4, 1846, and is the daughter of Edwin and Millicent (Rowley) Hathaway, who had seven children, viz .: Alonzo, Lydia J., Nathan R., Mary A., Alonzo E. and Joel B. One child died in extreme infancy, and also Alonzo, the eldest child, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Preston were married at Sycamore, Jan. 1, 1866. They have one child, Sina M., born Aug. 31, 1872, in Genoa Township. Mr. Preston is identified with the Republican party in political views and connections.

Kenry H. Gandy, farmer, section 10, Cort- land Township, occupying 115 acres on the southwest quarter, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, April 16, 1810. Both his parents were natives of New Jersey. His father, H. H., was born Feb. 24, 1768, and died March 27, 1849, in Union Co., Ohio; and his mother, Sally, nee Harris, was born Feb. 7, 1785, and died Sept. I, 1846, in Union Co., Ohio. Mr. G.'s paternal grand- father died in the service of his country during the Revolutionary War, in a hospital at Valley Forge, and his maternal grandfather was also in the Revolu- tionary Army.

When the subject of this sketch was only two years of age his parents removed with him to Madison Co., Ohio, where they lived 18 or 19 years, when his father bought land in Union County, same State, moved his family there and lived five or six years. Mr. Gandy, of this sketch, moved to this township when he was 27 years of age, arriving on the very anniversary of his birth-day, in the spring of 1837, and has lived here ever since. To this place his brother George W. had preceded him in the fall of 1835, and also his brother-in-law, Henry Smith. Isaac Gandy, a nephew, was also here: he has since died. Only one man is now living who was a member of this first settlement on this side of the Grove. All the other settlements at that time were in the timber.

Mr. Gandy was married Sept. 12, 1833, to Lucinda Meacham, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Snow) Meacham. Her mother was born in 1808, and died in Windham Co., Conn. Mrs. G.'s father was born about 1772, and died in April, 1857, also in Windham

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County. Mrs. G. was born Sept. 5, 1806, in the above county, probably of Puritan English descent. Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Gandy, all are living, namely: Joseph, born Nov. 1, 1834, in Union Co., Ohio; Julia A., Oct. 7, 1836, same county ; Marcus, March 8, 1839; Jerusha, Feb. 15, 1841; Matilda, June 4, 1843; Francis M., June 27, 1845 ; and Andrew J., March 15, 1848. The last five were born in this county.

Mr. G. has been Assessor for many years, and has been School Director. In politics he is a Democrat. The portrait of Mr. Gandy, accompanying this sketch, will doubtless be welcomed in this ALBUM by the people of De Kalb County, and accordingly it is with great pleasure that the publishers insert it in this connection.

enry Lamson Boies, editor of the True Republican, published at Sycamore, was born July 5, 1830, at South Hadley, Mass , and is the son of Artemas and Susan (Lamson) Boies. In the paternal line of descent he comes of Huguenot ancestry. His patronymic also unmistakably proclaims his French origin and refers to the estates which his earliest progenitors received "from the sovereigns of France. By the persecution of the Huguenots under Cardinal Richelieu they were driven to Scotland, and, enlisting under Crom- well, were sent to Northern Ireland, from which as Scotch-Irish they emigrated to Massachusetts about 1680.

Artemas Boies, the father, was born in 1792, in Blandford, Mass. His natural abilities and educa- tion fitted him for a high sphere of usefulness and activity and he became a clergyman of the Congre- gational Church, attaining distinction in his profes- sion and, dying, left his sons the heritage of the name he bore, ennobled by a life of stainless integrity and eminent devotion to the trusts imposed by the obli- gations of his ministry. In 1835 he moved his family and interests to Boston, and five years later made another transfer to New London, Conn., where he died Sept. 20, 1845. The mother was born in the year 1800, in Keene, N. H. In her widowhood

she returned to the place of her nativity and there passed a score and a half of years, dying in Septem- ber, 1876. Mr. Boies was the parent of seven chil- dren, four of whom have passed to the mystic realms of the life beyond. The oldest surviving son, Will- iam E. Boies, is his father's mantle-bearer, and has been a clergyman of the Congregational Church for a period of years extending nearly to the time of his father's demise. He resides at Long Meadow, Mass. Lauretta M. is the youngest living child, and resides at Rye, N. Y. ,

Mr. Boies of this sketch inherited the consumptive tendencies of his family. He had been trained in- tellectually with much care in his boyhood and youth, and at 20 was seized with pulmonary hemor- rhage. Change from the severe climate of New En- gland was necessary, and he passed the winter of 1850 in the Azores, receiving benefit in more than one respect, and returning to America by the way of Liverpool and London. He went to Charleston, S. C., to pass the winter following and taught school a year in the Palmetto State. His health had improved so much that he returned North with renewed cour- age to engage in business. In 1852 he bought an interest in a gunpowder factory at Catskill, N. Y. Three months later he was again in the toils of his former disease, and he decided on a change of cli- mate and a career which would give him the benefit of open air. With this view he came to De Kalb Co., Ill., in 1854, and became the proprietor of a farm situated in the town of South Grove. In 1858 he located at Sycamore. He now owns 20 acres of land within the corporation of Sycamore, and also a farm of 320 acres in Hand Co., Dak. He platted Boies' First Addition to Sycamore in 1865. In 1871 he laid out a second addition, and a third in 1876. In 1858, associated with John R. Hamlin, he initi- ated the project which resulted in the construction of the Sycamore & Cortland Railroad, connecting with one of the main routes of the Chicago & North- western Railway and now the property of that cor- poration. In 1863 Mr. Boies became connected with the True Republican, and in 1865 became its editor. It is one of the leading journals of the county. He is also the author of "Boies' History of De Kalb County," a valuable compilation for purposes of sta- tistical reference, which was published in 1867.

Mr. Boies has been a valuable and important fac-

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tor in the development of Sycamore. His enterprise and public spirit have added greatly to the rate of progress of this section, and he is widely known and justly esteemed in all his private and public rela- tions. He obtained the appointment of Postmaster at Sycamore and officiated four years. His latest public service was in 1870, when he was appointed Secretary of the Illinois State Senate.

The marriage of Mr. Boies to Harriet S. Holmes took place Feb. 9, 1858, at Springfield, Mass. Mrs. Boies is the daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Rumrill) Holmes, and is a native of Sherburne, N. Y. Edward Irving, oldest son, was born Feb. 20, 1860, and is assistant editor of the True Republican. Charles Artemas was born Jan. 3, 1863, and is a farmer in Hand Co., Dak. Lucy M. was born Feb. 3, 1865.

rasmus D. Walrod, a pioneer of De Kalb County, was born June 16, 1816, at Oak Hill, Montgomery Co., N. Y. His parents, Peter W. and Mary (Wayt) Walrod, as well as his grandparents, were born in the State of New York, but the stock from which they de- scended originated in Germany.

The parents of Mr. Walrod removed to Wyoming Co., N. Y., when he was seven years of age, his father buying a farm in Eagle Township. (The municipality was then Allegany County, which was afterward divided and Wyoming County formed.) In 1835 the family set out for Illinois, bringing with them all their household effects in two wagons drawn by horses. Mr. Walrod was then 19 years of age and drove three horses attached to a heavy wagon. In crossing the Black Swamp in Ohio, they were obliged to double teams with other . immigrants in order to ford the mud into which the wagon wheels sunk to their hubs. The transit consumed six weeks. On arrival in De Kalb County the father and older brother located at Union Grove in De Kalb Town- ship, or what is now thus designated, the date of their location preceding the Government survey. The father and two oldest sons each secured a claim on which log cabins had been erected, which

they occupied, and made puncheon for doors, floors and tables. The senior Walrod retained ownership of his claim about three years, when he sold and ob- tained one in what is now the township of Sycamore. He built a log house, entered vigorously upon the improvement of the property, and died upon his homestead, in 1844. The mother died in 1856. They were the parents of nine children.

Mr. Walrod is next to the youngest in order of birth. As soon as he arrived in De Kalb County he made a claim in Mayfield Township, which was "jumped " from him, and he secured another by purchase from his brother in the same township, built a log house and took possession. In 1839 he sold the property for $1,050 and bought a claim of L. D. Walrod situated on section 32 in Sycamore Township, a part of which is now included within the limits of the city. This was previous to its coming into market, and when the opportunity for securing his patent arrived he borrowed money and made the entry according to the regulations made and .pro- vided. With the exception of a period of seven years this estate has since been his residence. In 1850 Mr. Walrod made an overland journey to California, which occupied four months and three days. The party were well provisioned and spent their nights in camp. The route would have been made in entire comfort but for having overtaken three men without provisions, with whom they divided, which necessi- tated rationing the entire party. Mr. Walrod re- mained two years in the Golden State and returned by the isthmus route to New York, coming again to Sycamore, where his family had remained during his absence.

Mr. Walrod was married Aug. 1, 1839, to Melintha Powell, a daughter of Rachel and Ruth (Pierce) Powell. Her father was born in England and was married after his emigration to America, her mother being of Massachusetts origin. Mrs. Walrod was born in the township of Perinton, Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1817. Her father died while she was an infant, and her mother afterwards became the wife of James Cartwright. The family migrated in 1837 to Illinois and located at Union Grove in De Kalb County. The land included in the claim which Mr. Cartwright entered is now the county poor farm and under the finest class of improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Walrod have but one surviving child, Walter

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D., born March 13, 1843. He was educated in the public schools of Sycamore, and has been twice mar- ried. Mary (Watkins) Walrod died three years after marriage, leaving one child, Willie E. W. D. Wal- rod married Amanda Denmark for his second wife, and they have four children,-Malintha, George, Lewis and Walter. Ransom G., the eldest child of E. D. Walrod, was born Oct. 30, 1840. He was ed- ucated at Princeton, Bureau Co., Ill., his health fail- ing while at school, and he died Aug. 15, 1857. Edward died in infancy. George C. was born Aug. 23, 1849. He attained to a fine degree of scholarly advancement and was graduated at a commercial college in Chicago, and afterward engaged in teach- ing. He died Feb. 9, 1875. James R. died in infancy.

C harles C. Pond, member of the firm of Warren & Pond, dealers in watches, clocks, jewelry, plated ware and musical instru- ments, at Sycamore, was born Dec. 24, 1856, in the towi.ship of 'Sycamore. His father, Americus H. Pond, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Sycamore about 1850, where he married Amy Hollenbeck. They have five children : Emily E. is the wife of D. S. Brown, a banker at Genoa ; C. C. was born next in order; William L. is.an attorney at De Kalb; Harry A. is a farmer on the family homestead; and Lizzie is the youngest.

Mr. Pond became a teacher at the age of 20 years, and continued in the pursuit of that vocation until the spring of 1882, operating in this county continu- ously, with the exception of one term, when he taught at Laddonia, Audrain Co., Mo. In April of the year named, he entered into the partnership known as Pond & Bacon, in the sale of jewelry, the business of that firm continuing until March 3, when he purchased Mr. Bacon's interest, and on the 20th of March, 1884, Mr. Pond consolidated his business relations with those of George O. Warren. They are managing a prosperous enterprise, one of the largest in the line in the county. Mr. Pond belongs to the . order known as the Modern Woodmen of America.

He was married Sept. 30, 1880, at Sycamore, to Etta, daughter of Edmond B. and Susan Sivwright

Harned, and they have one child, Ethel C., born Jan. 30, 1883. Mrs. Pond was born Dec. 7, 1858, in the township of Mayfield.

ndrew H. Olmstead, farmer, section 17, Genoa Township, is the son of Caleb and Samantha (Wager) Olmstead, whose biograph- ical notice appears on another page. He was born Jan. 12, 1836, in Delaware Co, N. Y. His parents came to De Kalb County in 1846, and he has been a resident of Genoa Township since he was 10 years of age, with the exception of several months in 1874, which he spent in travel in Colorado and California for the benefit of his health. He is one of the leading agriculturists of his town- ship, where he owns nearly 1,000 acres of land, all under improvements. His stock includes an average of 150 head of cattle, ro horses, and he fattens for market about 75 hogs yearly.

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Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 17

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 888

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 888