Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 25

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 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

His marriage to Eliza Dennis occurred April 13, 1826, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She was born Oct. 4, 1801, in Tiverton, R. I., and is the daughter of Major and Eunice Dennis. The record of the five children born to Captain and Mrs. Davis is as follows: William, Jr., was born May 29, 1829, and

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

E. B. Gilbur ٠

DE KALB COUNTY.

275

died Sept. 27, 1831; Eliza was born March 8, 1834, and died Aug. 27, 1881 ; Mary A. was born June 2, 1836; George W., born July 30, 1838, is a farmer in Sandwich; Amy, born Dec. 25, 1842, is the wife of John Armstrong, of Marseilles, La Salle Co., Ill.

li B. Gilbert, attorney, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace at De Kalb, was born in Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 12, 1822, and is the son of Abner and Betsey (Balcom) Gilbert. The former was born in Massachusetts, the latter in New York. They had four children,-George M., Eli B., Elizabeth E. and Martin M.

Mr. Gilbert was about eight years old when his parents removed to Norwich, Chenango County, in his native State, and he was a resident there until his removal in 1847 to the county of which he has since been a citizen. He was an attendant at the common schools of his native State until he was 16 years of age, when he became a student at Norwich. Academy, which was then under the management of Benjamin F. Taylor, who has since won a distin- guished reputation as a poet. After studying there about two years he engaged in teaching, which con- stituted his vocation for six years, pursuing it three years at Sycamore, where he located on coming to Illinois. In early life he had acquired a practical knowledge of the trade of builder. In 1850 he began its pursuit as a vocation and was occupied as a car- penter until 1856. Meanwhile he had devoted his leisure to the study of law. In the year named he first entered upon the career of an attorney and two years later secured admission to the Bar of Illinois by application to the Supreme Court. He has since prosecuted the practice of his profession in De Kalb and adjoining counties without intermission.

In April, 1854, he established his business at De Kalb. Two years afterward he was elected Justice of the Peace and has officiated continuously in that position since. In 1866 he was elected President of the Village Board and became ex-officio Supervisor of De Kalb Township. He is a Republican in politics, and is.the owner of considerable city property.

A most commendable feature of Mr. Gilbert's labors as Justice of the Peace is his desire to amicably set-

tle all differences between litigants. He ever lends his influence to make peace, which he has often done, and many are the differences he has thus caused to be settled without suit and sent the parties home happy.

What a blessing it is to a community to have such men as public officials and guardians of the public peace and promoters of good will and harmony be- tween neighbors ! Thus, when the true character of Mr. Gilbert 's official life is made known it is easily understood why he has been continuously elected to fill the office for almost 30 years.

In the summer and fall of 1860, Mr. Gilbert was editor of the De Kalb Leader, and advocated the election of the celebrated Mr. Lincoln to the Presi- dency.

Mr. Gilbert was married Dec. 25, 185 1, to Lois A., daughter of Benjamin C. Needham. She was born in Vermont, which was the native State of her par- ents. Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gil- bert, only one survives. In 1853 the family resided about six months in the village of Huntley's Station, McHenry County, he owning a house and lot there. During that time Josephine L., eldest child, was born. Her birth occurred Dec. 29, 1853. She grew to womanhood and married John S. Orr, a resident of De Kalb. B. Viola M. was born Sept. 23, 1858, and married Edward E. Spooner, of Steward, Lee Co., Ill., where she died July 10, 1875. Jessie Luella E. was born July 9, 1863, and died Sept. 6, 1865, of diphtheria. I

· As Mr. Gilbert, the subject of the foregoing sketch, is a representative citizen in the legal profession of - De Kalb County, the publishers place a lithographic likeness of the gentleman in this work, which may be found in close proximity.

lijah Stiles, retired farmer at Genoa, was born Nov. 8, 1829, in Sudbury, Rutland Co., Vt. His parents, Asahel and Fanny (Smith) Stiles, were natives of Vermont and removed to Canada, leaving the Dominion sev- eral years later to'come to De Kalb County, where they settled in the fall of 1850, locating in the township of Genoa. The mother died there Jan. 9, 1881; the demise of the father occurred Feb. 7, 1883.

eve

DE KALB COUNTY.

276

Their children were named Elijah, Mary, Aaron, Margaret, Martha and Araminta.

Mr. Stiles was about two years of age when his parents removed to Canada, and came with them to De Kalb County. His education was obtained pre- vious to the age of 16 years in the public schools of the Dominion, where he was also engaged on the farm of his father. His parents were members of his family through the last year of their lives, as he owned half the home farm and finally became pro- prietor of the entire estate, which included 160 acres located in Genoa Township. He remained there resident until the fall of 1880, at which time he rented his farm and became a resident of Genoa. In politics he is identified with the Republican party and has been active in local official matters for a long period of years. From 1863 to 1865 he was resident of De Kalb and associated in business with his brother, Aaron K. Stiles, now a resident of Chicago.

His marriage to Mary A. White took place at De Kalb, March 25, 1865, and they have three children : Mary D. was born Jan. 15, 1866, Asahel A., March 26, 1868, and Nettie, June 25, 1870. Mrs. Stiles was born June 8, 1846, in Tioga Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Alfred and Ruth (Gould) White. The former was born in Dutchess County, the latter in Tioga County, in the State of New York. About the year 1862 they came to Illinois, locating primarily in Kane County, and came thence a year later to De Kalb County, settling in the city of the same name. In 1877 they removed to Kansas, where the father died, Jan. 1, 1881. The mother is still resident there. Their children, seven in number, were named as fol- lows: Edward D., Mary A., Benjamin S., Perry G., Mahala, Melissa and Sarah.

eorge P. Wild, of the firm of G. P. Wild & Co., merchants at Sycamore, was born at Valatie, Columbia Co., N. Y. His father, Nathan Wild, was a native of Manchester, Eng., and was by vocation a print manufact- urer, following that calling at Valatie after his ren:oval to this country. The mother, Sarah (Henry) Wild, was born in Providence, R. I. They became the parents of nine children, five of whom are living (1885).

Mr. Wild was a pupil at school until he was 17

years old, when he became a salesman in the mer- cantile house of Freeland, Squiers & Co., of New York, where he continued until the spring of 1857, the date of his removal to Sycamore. Soon after, the firm of Rogers, Wild & Smith was formed, which afterwards became Rogers & Wild, and later was constituted as at present. The house is prominent in mercantile circles of De Kalb County, and their stock represents an average of about $15,000.

Mr. Wild is and has been a leading business man of Sycamore. He is a member of the banking firm of Daniel Pierce & Co. In political connection and movements he is a Republican, and has officiated in several of the local city offices.

He was married at Sycamore, in December, 1862, to Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Phebe Pierce, a native of Sullivan Co., N. Y. Three children are now (1885) included in the family,-Daniel, Eleanor and Elizabeth.

phraim Depue, farmer, section 13, Genoa Township, is the son of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Ogden) Depue, and is one of a family of 10 children. Ose, Sarah, Benjamin, Jesse, Phebe and Theo C. are the names of his brotlt- ers and sisters who reached mature life. Three children died in infancy.

Mr. Depue was born Oct. 11, 1816, in Sussex Co., N. J. At the age of 18 years he was apprenticed to acquire a knowledge of the wagon-making trade, and served an indentureship of three years. He em- barked independently in the business, in which he operated about 20 years. In 1848 he became a citizen of Illinois, taking up his residence at Elgin, Kane County. He passed three years there in the pursuit of his trade, and about 1851 entered the em- ployment of the old Galena, Chicago & Illinois Cen- tral Railroad Company, his route extending from Chicago to Freeport and from Dubuque to Centralia.

He came to De Kalb County in 1861 and bought 90 acres of land in Genoa Township, moving his family hither in the autumn of the same year. His homestead farm now comprises 360 acres, with 230 acres under improvement, supplied with suitable and creditable farm buildings and well stocked. In political faith and connections Mr. Depue is identi-

DE KALB COUNTY.

277

fied with the Republican party; he has officiated as School Director and other local offices.

He was married April 21, 1838, in New Jersey, to Catherine M. Dennis, and they have five surviving children,-Lucy, Elizabeth, Henry C., Allen and Emma. Anna M., Catherine M., and Caroline A. and a child unnamed died in infancy. Mrs. Depue was born Sept. 26, 1813, in New Jersey, and is the daughter of John and Lucy Dennis. She had two brothers and two sisters, born in the following order : Elizabeth, Henry C., Allen and Emma. She is the oldest of her parents' children, and is a member of the Congregational Church.

ustus Preston, one of the pioneers of De Kalb County, now deceased, was born Dec. 28, 1793. He married Sina Hall, who was born Jan. 30, 1802, in Wallingford, Conn. They settled in Ohio, whence they came in 1836 to De Kalb County, and settled on a claim on section 29, Genoa Township, where he was the first permanent resident. His land was part timber and part prairie. He built a log house on the border line between the two, and the primitive char- acter of the locality may be inferred from the fact that during the first year from the front door the deer and wolves might be seen wandering at will over the prairie. After the Government survey, when in 1843 the land came into market, Mr. Preston went to the land office in Chicago, where he proved his claim and received his title. He improved the entire acreage, built suitable and necessary farm buildings, and a comfortable frame house, where he resided, and where his death occurred.

His widow died there Feb. 25, 1869. Their chil- dren were named Henry, Augustus, Charles, George L., Norman and Julia E. The homestead is now owned and occupied by the youngest son.

George L. Preston, son of the above, was born April 23, 1835, in Ohio, and was a little more than a year old when his parents removed to the home of their adoption. He received an elementary educa- tion in the district schools of Genoa Township, and he afterward studied at Mt. Morris Seminary, and spent six months at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Chicago. After completing his studies at

the latter place he engaged in farming. In 1854, associated with a brother, he purchased 200 acres of land located on sections 17 and 20, in Genoa Town- ship, for which they paid $4 per acre. After improving the land considerably they sold it a few years later. Its present market value is $65 an acre.

Mr. Preston was married Sept. 19, 1864, to Lucinda May Wadley, and they have one child, Effie Iona. She was born near Toronto, Ont., and is the daugh- ter of Samuel B. and Hannah (Caswell) Wadley. Her father was a native of Vermont, and was a pen- sioner of the war of 1812. During the latter part of his life he removed to Lower Canada, where he was married, and later went to Ontario. After a short residence there the family removed to Canada Corners, Kane Co., Ill., where the parents died.

After marriage Mr. Preston located on section 32, Genoa Township, on an improved farm which he had previously purchased. He erected an excellent class of frame buildings, where he lived until 1869. In that year he fixed his abode at Sycamore, where he owned the fine residence his family now occupy. On removal hither he engaged in the lumber trade, in which he operated four years. In 1874 he embarked in the sale of groceries and provisions, prosecuting that avenne of business eight years, when he retired. He still owns and rents his farm in Genoa Township, also his store at Sycamore.

In his character as farmer, merchant and citizen, Mr. Preston commands the respect and good will of the generation of which he is a member. He is unobtrusive, considerate and hospitable, and in his retirement from the turmoil of active business life, is passing the years in the simplicity and quiet that befits his character.

assius M. Conrad, County Clerk of De Kalb County, was born in the town of North East, Erie Co., Pa., March 27, 1845, and is the son of John M. and Mary E. (Smedley) Conrad. The former is a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter was born in Connecticut. They are living in Erie Co., Pa.

Mr. Conrad passed his youthful days in his native. place, and obtained his elementary education at the

DE KALB COUNTY.

278

academy at North East, and subsequently attended the Erie City Academy, in the State of his nativity. In 1863 he made his way to De Kalb County, reach- ing the township of Kingston April 7 of that year. Six days later he came to Sycamore, and immediately entered upon the duties of Deputy County Clerk. He fulfilled the duties of the appointment continu- ously until Jan. 26, 1872, with the exception of a few months in 1869. At the former date he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Wallace M. More. In April following he was elected County Clerk, and has since been his own successor. He has also officiated as City Clerk from July, 1870, to April, 1872. The quality of the service rendered by. Mr. Conrad is fully attested by the length of time he has retained his relations to the position of deputy and chief official, at this writing (1885) covering a period of nearly a fourth of a century ; and the fact stands as a testimonial to the discretion and wisdom of the people of De Kalb County as it does to his integrity and efficiency. Politically, Mr. Conrad is a Republican of inflexible type.

He was married Dec. 27, 1870, in Chester, N. J., to Anna H. Beauers, and they have had two children, both of whom died in early infancy. Mrs. Conrad was born at Chester, Morris Co., N. J. Mr. Conrad and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, and he is a Trustee of the society

athaniel A. Haile, miller, at Lodi, Cortland Township, was born March 8, 1840, in Brooklyn, Vt., and is the son of Charles and Drexie (Balch) Haile, both of whom are natives of the Green Mountain State. His parents came to Illinois when he was an infant of six months, making the route hither by way of the railroad and lakes to Detroit, coming from the latter place to Kane County with a team. His father pur- chased a tract of unimproved land in the township of St. Charles, paying therefor $2.50 an acre. The family are resident of St. Charles.

Mr. Haile grew to manhood, engaged, as is the custom with sons of farmers, in farm labor and attending school. He entered the military service of the United States when he was 22 years of age,

enlisting in August, 1862, in Co. E, 127th Ill. Vol. Inf. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the West, and was a portion of the command under Sherman in the campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas, marched under the triumphant banners to the sea, and took part in the final review at Wash- ington, D. C. Mr. Haile was under fire at Arkansas Post and at Vicksburg, and in the numerous engage- ments of the arduous campaign in which his regi- ment was involved. He obtained his discharge in July, 1865, and returned to his father's farm, where he was occupied with its duties until 1882, the date of his removal to Maple Park: He is pleasantly sit- uated, and has an elegant residence.

He was married March 8, 1870, to Jane Morgan, a native of Indiana.

ohn Betz, dealer in lumber, agricultural implements and builders' supplies, at Somonauk, was born Feb. 23, 1831, in the Duchy of Nassau, Germany. His parents, Jost Henry and Margaret Betz, died previous to his re.noval to the American Continent. Four of their children are now living. Two sons reside in Germany. Margaret, only daughter, came to the United States with her brother and is now the wife William Heun, a farmer in Clinton Township, De Kalb County.

They came to the city of New York in 1854 and two months later proceeded thence to Chicago, where they remained a like length of time. In Jan- uary, 1855, Mr. Betz came to De Kalb County and was occupied one year in farming, after which he went back to Chicago and passed a year in the dry- goods house of Bowen Brothers. He went next to Burlington, Iowa, and was there employed six months in a lumber yard. He came subsequently to Somon- auk, where he spent several years in various avenues of employment. In February, 1876, in company with P. H. Thomas, he opened a lumber yard, their joint relation existing one year, and at the end of that time he bought the interest of his partner and has since operated alone. In the spring of 1883 he added a stock of agricultural implements, wagons, plows, etc., his investment in stock averaging about $1 1,000.

DE KALB COUNTY.

279

His trade is in a satisfactory condition and requires usually several assistants.

Mr. Betz was married July 23, 1857, in Burlington, Iowa, to Barbara Koetha, a native of Bavaria. They have one child, Ida, born Nov. 20, 1867. Mr. Betz is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows. With his wife, he is a member of the Evangelical Luther- an Church.

ohn Ward, a farmer of Cortland Township, occupying the east half of the northwest quarter of section 34, and owning 72 acres on the east half of the east quarter of section 27, and 161/2 acres on section 14, of Ohio Grove Township,-in all 1681/2 acres,-was born in Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1816. His father, William Ward, was born in Fayette Co., Pa., emigrated to Ohio when he was 13 years old, where his father soon died, and he died in Squaw Grove Township, this county, Feb. 3, 1870. He was born Feb. 24, 1790, and participated in the War of 1812. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Phebe Ward, nee Beem, was born near Hagerstown, Md., Dec. 14, 1795, and died Aug. 27, 1883; her father was of English descent and her mother of Dutch. Both the latter lived to a great age,-father 96 years and mother 87.

At the age of 20 years Mr. John Ward, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents, first locating in Squaw Grove, in 1837; eight years afterward he bought 80 acres of land, which he subsequently sold to his father, and he moved to his present farm of 120 acres in October, 1845, where he has since re- sided. He has added to his original acreage. Since his location here, however, he has spent 20 years go- ing to, operating in and returning from California. He went over the plains, with a single-horse team, as far as Salt Lake, where he joined a company from La Salle Co., Ill. After traveling 700 miles with them, he and It others separated from them and completed their journey on foot, crossing the Great Desert and arriving in the gold-mining region Aug. 28. The company whom they had abandoned did not reach the mines until the 15th of September. They were 12 in number, having a wagon and three horses, the extra horse to be used in case of emer-

gency. Mr. Ward operated on Old Soldier's Gulch and part of the Poor Man and Nelson Creek, and his success was much better than farming. Three of Mr. W.'s brothers went with him to the land of gold, and returned with him; but in four months afterward went back to California, selling their farms here and taking their families with them. They have since lived there and prospered.

Mr. Ward was first married March 25, 1835, to Parmelia A., daughter of Jacob and Susan (Ayers) Rolison; her parents died in Licking Co., Ohio, many years ago. Mrs. W. was born in that county, Nov. 22, 1816, near Newark, and died, of a spasmodic at- tack, Dec. 3, 1871, at a neighbor's where she was visiting. By this marriage there were seven children, as follows : Elmira, born July 22, 1837 ; William B., Dec. 21, 1838 ; Susan, April 10, 1840; Louisa, Nov. 7, 1843 ; Phebe A., Aug. 27, 1850; Delila J., June 14, 1853; and Elmer C., Sept. 6, 1856. Phebe A. is not now living. Mr. Ward was married a second time June 8, 187-, to Mrs. Laura N. Palmer, widow of Isaac H. Palmer, who died March 25, 1865. By her first husband she had five children, namely : Galen E., born Aug. 12, 1849 ; Alice E., Aug. 1, 1850; Clara A., June 1, 1853; Frank H., Nov. 4, 1862; and Etta E., Nov. 28, 1864. Mr. Palmer was born Nov. 3, 1825, in Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Mrs. W. was born at German Flats, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1828, a daughter of Henry R. and Clarissa (Tennant) Gay. Her father was born April 4: 1805, in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and is now living in retirement, in the town of Ripley. Mrs. G., who was born June 5, 1804, in the town of Warren, Columbia Co., N. Y., is also still living. Mrs. Ward's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Mr. Ward is a Republican in his political views, has been Justice of the Peace, School Director, and for six years Constable.

eorge M. D. Wright, hardware merchant at Somonauk, was born July 23, 1845, in the township of Northville, La Salle Co , Ill., two miles east of the village where he is now a resident. He is a son of Levi and Es- ther (Whitmore) Wright, and his father was a native of New Hampshire. The latter came to LaSalle

DE KALB COUNTY.

280

Co., Ill., about 1843, and bought 160 acres of land, which he converted into an excellent and valuable farm. He died on the homestead in 1865. The mother and ten children yet survive.

Mr. Wright is the ninth in order of birth of 12 children in his parents' family, and was a member of the household until he was several years past his majority. His first independent business venture was in the drug business, associated with C. E. Wright, in which he engaged in Somonauk two years. On the termination of their relation he entered into a copartnership in the hardware trade with C. R. Frank. Two years later the latter sold his moiety to the brother of Mr. Wright, the new relation existing two years. Afterward the latter became sole propri- etor, and has since transacted his business singly. Mr. Wright is conducting a prosperous trade, in which he has one wagon running on the road in the country. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter at Sandwich.

He was united in marriage Jan. 8, 1876, in Som- onauk, to Hattie H. Bloom, and they have had three children : George R. was born Oct. 13, 1876; Helen M., Feb. 28, 1878; and Clifton, Sept. 23, 1883. Mrs. Wright is the daughter of Charles and Nancy Bloom, and was born in the State of New York Aug. 4, 1854.

rank W. Lott, jeweler, at Sycamore, was born Aug. 4, 1843, in Sycamore Township. His parents, Zephaniah and Amanda (Roberts) Lott, were pioneer residents of ·De Kalb County, and he was reared under the parental authority until he was 17 years of age, when he entered upon the prosecution of his career of independence. He was first employed as a farm- er, and followed that calling until 1873. Having decided on the calling of a jeweler as a vocation in life, he bought a half interest in the jewelry estab- lishment of M. F. Warren, at Sycamore, where he acquired a knowledge of the business. This relation was in existence three years, and in 1876 he suc- ceeded to the sole proprietorship of the affairs of their joint business by the purchase of his partner's interest. He has since been engaged in the prose- cution of his business, and carries a full stock of goods common to similar establishments, including

watches, clocks, jewelry, plated ware, cutlery, optical goods, etc. He also combines a repair business with his other relations.

Mr. Lott was married in February, 187 1, to Jennie Woodworth, a native of Auburn, N. Y., and a daugh- ter of John and Mary Woodworth. Their two chil- dren are named L. Warren and Frank W.

Charles F. Greenwood, Treasurer of De Kalb County, and a citizen of Sycamore, was born April 6, 1835, in New Berlin, Che- nango Co., N. Y. His parents, Thomas J. and Sally (Fairchild) Greenwood, were natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. In 1844 the family came from the Empire State to Sugar Grove, Kane Co., Ill., removing thence in August, 1847, to the township of Clinton, De Kalb County. Land was then in comparatively small demand, and the father secured at first a small claim of 80 acres, estimating that he could always find pasture land in close proximity, settlers being exceptions. He passed his life in the pursuit of agriculture, and died on his farm May 22, 1852. At the date of his demise he was the owner of 330 acres of land in Clinton Township, 80 acres in Kane County, and 20 acres of timbered land in the township of Sugar Grove. The mother died on the homestead Feb. 23, 1859. They had three sons : Nathan S., since de- ceased; George, a retired farmer, resident at Water- man, in Clinton Township; and Mr. Greenwood, of this sketch.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 25

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

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