Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 31

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 31

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Presidential ballot in 1860 for the 'Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, a strong Union man and before his death a strong war Democrat. It was his first and last ballot for a Democratic candidate for President. When a young man just attaining his majority an opportunity was offered him of seeing a portion of the South, as it was in the days of slavery. His obser- vations during a somewhat protracted stay in Ten- nessee, the trip leading him into Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, as well as Tennessee, supplemented by the events of the War of the Rebellion, and by the attitude of the two chief political parties following the war, both in relation to measures of reconstruction and other matters of national import, caused him to identify himself with the Republican party, when, at the time indicated, he made his paper an exponent of party principles and party policy. The success and popularity which signalized the journalistic en- terprise of Mr. Hix was the result of his own energy, ability and perseverance under the weight of ob- stacles which would have prevented like effort on the part of most men. He had the disadvantages of small capital, obscurity, and influence which at best was but nominal. He had, moreover, to encounter the active and determined opposition of a rival paper long established. The first number of the City Weekly was received with manifest favor, and it has attained to an enviable position in the ranks of country journals. In September, 1878, F. O. Van Galder acquired a half-interest in the paper, and has since continued to be associated with its management.

On Nov. 17, 1864, Mr. Hix was united in marriage to Louisa Parker, of Kingston, where her parents removed in 1854 and still reside. She is a native of Hammond, Spencer Co., Ind., born May 9, 1843, and is the daughter of Henry N. and Mary A. (Stillwell) Parker. Her father is a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., while her mother is a native of Campbell Co., Ky. The father of the latter was a member of a slave'- holding family of position and influence, but refused to own property in his fellow man, being opposed theoretically and practically to the institution. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hix are five in number, named May, Lewis P., Eva L., Floyd and Arthur W.

Naturally unpretending in his ways and unambitious politically, Mr. Hix has never put himself forward as a seeker after political preferment, but has been con- tent to devote his whole time and energies to the

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upbuilding of the paper which he successfully founded. He was made the last Secretary of the De Kalb County Farmer's Association in 1873-4, and is now Secretary of the Farmers' Picnic Asso- ciation. In 1875 he was chosen to fill a vacancy in the office of City Clerk of the city of Sycamore.

red S. Mosher, banker at Sandwich, was born July 18, 1841, in Ballston Spa, Sara- toga Co., N. Y. His father, Silas B. Mosher, was a native of the same county and passed his whole life within its borders, follow- ing his business as a builder and dying at Ballston Springs. The mother, Caroline E. (Castle) Mosher, was born in the city of Albany and died at Ballston. Their six children are all living. Sarah is the wife of a capitalist at Alexandria, Minn .; Eliz- abeth married William Garrett, foreman of the Axe Works at Ballston Springs; Cynthia C. is the wife of Samuel Gould, Jr., a merchant at the same place; Caroline S. is Mrs. John W. Allison (the latter is a stockman near Denver, Col.); Mary J. is unmarried. Mr. Mosher is the only son and is third in birth of his parents' children. He was a pupil at the ex- cellent schools of his native place, and completed his preparatory education at the well known Gilmore's Academy at Ballston, where he closed his studies in 1861, and he read law thenceforward until the ad- vent of civil war with its terrors and disasters. Pre- ceptor and pupil alike rose to the emergency and a recognition of the responsibilities inherited frour the founders of the nation. Associated with Hon. Geo. S. Batchelor, with whom he was studying for a pro- fession, Mr. Mosher raised a company of volunteers, which was attached to the 115th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and of which he was made First Lieutenant on its organ- ization. Among the first engagements in which he took part was that at Harper's Ferry, where 11,000. men were captured. Mr. Mosher was among the number, and was, with the rest, paroled. The com- mand was soon in the field again and participated in the siege at Sumter, and in the actions at Olustee, Fla., the battle of the Mine, Cold Harbor, the siege and capture of Fort Fisher, at Fort Gilmore and throughout the Potomac campaign. Early in 1864 he was promoted to a Captaincy, and when he re-

ceived his discharge and was mustered out of the army at Raleigh N. C., he was operating as Judge Advocate of the Second Division, 10th Army Corps, under Gen. A. Ames, Division Commander, and Gen. A. H. Terry, Corps Commander.

On being relieved from army service, Mr. Mosher came to Sandwich and entered upon the duties of cashier of the Sandwich Bank, and also be- came interested financially in the lumber and coal trade at Sandwich in company with his uncle, Hon. M. B. Castle. He is now one of the banking firm and continues to act in the capacity of business manager. Mr. Mosher has served one term as Mayor of Sandwich, and has performed efficient ser- vice in school affairs, having officiated several terms as member of the Board of Education. He is one of the Grand Trustees of the I. O. M. A. of Illinois, and belongs to the Congregational Church at Sand- wich.

He was united in marriage at Litchfield, Mich., Jan. 12, 1869, to Libbie V. N. Smith, and they have four children,-Caroline P., Edward Castle, Nellie Wing and Mary Louise. Mrs. Mosher is the daugh- ter of William and Pamelia Smith, and was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich. She is a graduate of Hillsdale College.

ohn N. Culver, Supervisor of Somonauk Township and dealer in general merchan- dise at Sandwich, was born Feb. 18, 1840, in Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., and is the son of Nathan and Eliza (Gilmore) Culver. He was reared on a farm until he reached his majority, attending school winters. He finished his educational course in the academy at Cambridge, the place of his nativity. He came to Sandwich in the fall of 1860 and entered the employment of his brothers James and George, who were then mer- chants and located at the stand where his own busi- ness is now situated.

Mr. Culver became a soldier in the military service of the United States during the War for the Union, enlisting at Sandwich in Co. H, Tenth Ill. Vol. Inf., and went to the field under Captain Carr. His period of service terminated with the end of the war, lasting three years and three months; and he was under fire at Shiloh, Corinth, Kenesaw Moun-

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tain, siege of Atlanta and in numberless engage- ments of minor importance during the several cam- paigns in which his regiment was involved. On obtaining his discharge he returned to Sandwich and passed four months in his former employment. In 1870 he embarked in the sale of general merchan- dise, in which he met with satisfactory results from the outset. In 1875 he became the owner of the stock and business relations of his brothers, since which date he has prosecuted a substantial and pop- ular business. Mr. Culver is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He is serving his second term as Supervisor of Somonauk Township, in which he has proved the wisdom of his selection for the position and his integrity and ability in official relations.

He was united in marriage Sept. 21, 1866, in Go- shen, Ind., to Imogene Miller, and they have four children : Harvey M. and Maud M. (twins) were born March 22, 1868; George W. was born June I, 1870; Bessie L. was born March 16, 1872. Mrs. Culver is a native of New York, and is the daughter of George and Margaret Miller.

eter H. Helmer, farmer, section 12, De Kalb Township, was born April 15, 18to, in Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y. He was a farmer in his native State until 1862, the year in which he removed to the township where he has since been a resident. He first made a purchase of 125 acres of land, to which he added 10 acres by a later purchase, and the entire tract is un- der a good quality of cultivation. His stock com- monly includes 20 head of cattle and several head of horses, besides other varieties.

In political views and actions he is a Republican, and has held the office of Path Master. Mr. Helmer was married March 25, 1841, in his native county, in the township of Columbia, to Rosanna House, and they have had five children,-Celinda, Elizabeth, Frances, Clarissa A. and Florence L. . Mrs. Helmer was born Sept. 3, 1822, and is the daughter of John and Fanny (Welch) House, and were natives of Con- necticut. The parents of Mr. Helmer, Adam F. and Margaret (Harter) Helmer, were of German descent and passed their entire lives in the Empire State,

where they were born. Mr. and Mrs. Helmer are members of the Congregational Church, of which Church Mr. H. has been a Deacon for 20 years.

199 ra Douglass, farmer, section 12, Mayfield Township, is from New York State. His parents, Joseph and Hannah (Symonds) Douglass, natives of Vermont, settled in Gene- see Co., N. Y., and afterward in Cayuga Coun- ty, that State. The senior Douglass died in Canada, Dec. 6, 1839, and his widow came to Illi- nois and finally died in Winnebago County, July 23, 1839. They had 10 children,-Mary, Joseph, Sarah, Joel, Abigail, Hannah, Patience, Warner, Lucy and Ira.

The youngest in the above family, the subject of this biographical outline, was born in Caledonia, Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1814, and made his home with his parents until the fall of 1835, when he came to Ottawa, Ill., and in the fall of 1836 to this county, settling in the township of Mayfield, where he built a log house, near where his present fine residence is located. Here the venerable pioneer has lived ever since his first location on the place, excepting four years which he spent in Rockford, Ill. He now owns about 450 acres in this county, keeping about 50 head of cattle, 20 horses and fattening 50 to 100 hogs and 50 to 100 sheep annually. He has held the office of Overseer of Highways and School Director. In his political views he is a Republican, and in religion he belongs to the Methodist Church.

He was first married in the township of Sycamore, in May, 1845, to Miss Cyrena, daughter of David and Robey (Campbell) Goodrich, who were natives of the State of New York. By that marriage there were four children,-Sarah, Ariadna C., Dilana L. and Carrie. Sarah died in infancy; Ariadna is now the wife of Henry Townsend, and resides in Cortland Township; Dilana is now Mrs. Charles Nichols and resides in the township of Kingston, this county; and Carrie, the wife of O. S. Young, resides in Bureau Co., Ill. Mrs. Douglass died in Rockford, Ill., Oct. 30, 1856, and Mr. Douglass was again married, in Pecatonica, Winnebago Co., Ill., Feb. 27, 1857, to Hannah J. Powell, daughter of David and Joanna (Parry) Powell, natives of Wales who emigrated to

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America in an early day, settling in Pennsylvania, where they passed the remainder of their life. They had a family of six children,-Llewellyn, David, Wil- liam, Samuel, Mary A. and Hannah J. The last mentioned (Mrs. D.) was born in Clearfield Co., Pa., March 13, 1825, and has had by her present mar- riage, four children, namely: Cyrus A., who was born March 18, 1860; Ella V., Jan. 30, 1862 ; Wil- liam H., Nov. 27, 1863; and Ira W., Jan. 16, 1866. Ella V. died at the age of two and a half years.

Among the portraits of pioneers of De Kalb Coun- ty presented in this volume may be found that of Mr. Douglass. None are inore worthy a place in this record of the county's representative men than he. He has not only witnessed the transformation of the wilderness into a fruitful and prosperous country, but took an active part in the arduous and self-sacrificing work necessary to achieve such great results. Pos- terity will long to see likenesses of the faces of these grand old pioneers, who did so much for it, and we are glad to be able to present so many of them as we do.

rlando Carter, liveryman at De Kalb, was born Jan. 29, 1830, in Chenango Co., N. Y. When he was 11 years of age his parents, Jared and Lydia (Ames) Carter, removed to Ohio, where they continued to reside two years, at the end of that time making another trans- fer to Iowa. In 1848 they came thence to Illinois and settled in what is now the township of De Kalb, engaging in farming. The father died in July, 1855; the demise of the mother took place in November, 1872. Their children were, Evaline, Ellen, Orlando, Clark, David, Lydia, Jared and Joseph.

Mr. Carter accompanied his parents to De Kalb County, which has been his home and field of busi- ness operation for nearly 40 years. He has led a life of activity and is one of the solid men of the town- ship, owning a fine farm of 320 acres, all under ex- cellent improvements. Besides, he is proprietor of Valuable property in the city where he is a resident. In 1881 he became the owner of the livery property and its relations, and has continued its management since.

Politically, Mr. Carter is a Democrat. He is a

leader in the local branch of the Odd Fellows at De Kalb, of which he was a charter member. He was first married July 4, 1852, to Elizabeth Campbell, a native of the State of New York. She was the daughter of William and Sally Campbell, formerly residents of Afton Township, De Kalb County. In 1879 they removed to Nebraska. Mrs. Carter died April 6, 1853, and her husband was again married in De Kalb, Dec. 25, 1855, to Huldah White. Their children were born as follows: William, Charles D., Jessie, Ernest, Eva, Mabel and Cleo.

100 enry Augustus Adams, Mechanical Super- intendent of the Sandwich Manufacturing

Company, was born in Pine Valley, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1837, and is the third son of Hon. Augustus and Lydia A. (Phelps) Adams. An extended account of the career of his father may be found on other pages of this volume. He obtained such education as the schools of Elgin af- forded at the time his father was engaged in busi- ness at that place, whither the family had removed in 1840, and he obtained a practical knowledge of the details of the machine shop under the direction of his father in the foundry at Elgin, becoming a competent iron-molder. On the establishment of the business of A. Adams & Sons at Sandwich in 1857, he accompanied the family hither and engaged in the manufacture of the corn-sheller of which his father is the inventor, taking charge of the foundry department, which he conducted about ten years. At the expiration of that time he assumed control of the entire mechanical department as Superintendent, and has since continued to discharge the duties of the position. The working force includes from 100 to 250 men, and the products comprise the 'Adams Corn-Sheller and the Reliance Harvester and Binder. Every variety and capacity of sheller is constructed, from 60 to 3,000 bushels per day (capacity), also power machines; and they are in demand for hand, mill and warehouse work.

Mr. Adams is a Republican in political faith and relations, and has served several terms as an Alder- man of the city. He is a member of the Mutual Aid Society, and, with his wife, is connected with the Congregational Church.

He was married Sept. 29, 1859, 'in Sandwich, to

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Augusta Carpenter; and they have four children, all of whom were born in Sandwich, as follows: Min- nie G .. Dec. 31, 1862; H. May, March 19, 1867; Charles, July 28, 1869; and Jessie, July 13, 1872. The residence of Mr. Adams is on Main Street, and the grounds include two lots. He also owns two acres in the north part of Sandwich.

Charles A. Brown, banker, member of the firm of Brown & Brown at Genoa, was born Jan. 12, 1858, in Genoa Township, where he obtained his elementary education in the common schools, and at 19 years of age entered the High School at Genoa, where he was a student four years, and was graduated in 1881. He went thence to Bryant's Business College at Chicago, where he studied one term. Returning to Genoa, he spent several months in farming. On the first of May, 1882, he formed a partnership with his brother, D. S. Brown, and they established the banking enterprise in which they have since operated. (See sketch of D. S. Brown.)

In political connection Mr. Brown is identified with the Republican party, and is Treasurer of Genoa Township, to which position he was elected in the winter of 1883-4. He is the proprietor of an im- proved farm in Genoa Township, containing 240 acres.

ames H. Beveridge, ex-Treasurer of the State of Illinois, is a farmer on section 4, Somonauk Township. His father, George Beveridge, was born March 16, 1785, in Hebron Township, Washington Co., N. Y., and married Ann Hoy, by whom he became the father of nine children. She was born in Jackson Township, Washington Co., N. Y., June 17, 1788, and died in Somonauk, May 18, 1865. The senior Beveridge removed to Illinois in 1838, and in 1839 settled in Somonauk Township. He bought a large tract of land, including both prairie and timber, the latter comprising over 100 acres. He brought his family here in 1842 and fixed his location on section 4, where he died, May 10, 1870. He was a man of

radical views and an active Abolitionist. His 85 years of life covered the most monientous and inter- esting period of the history of the American people, and he lived to note the splendid development of this country. He fixed his abode in De Kalb County in its pioneer period, and was a prominent member of his generation. His home was the first white man's house in De Kalb County, and was located on the east bank of Somonauk Creek. It was on the claim when it became his property, and it was for many years a haven of rest and refreshment, both physical and spiritual. All new comers found a hospitable welcome at the "Five-room Tavern." It was the scene of the first meeting of the local branch of the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Beveridge and his wife were the first members and aided in its organization. A small church was built in 1849, on the site of the present elegant edifice,-one of the finest country churches in the State. While Mr. Beveridge was yet alive, he was gratified by being a personal observer of the increase of the society from a membership of about a score to one of the largest and wealthiest and most useful and influential relig- ious organizations in the ecclesiastical body of which it forms a part. The character of George Beveridge, as a man, pioneer, philanthropist and Christian, merits perpetual remembrance. Six of his children are living. Jeannette is the wife of James Henry, a prominent citizen and agriculturist of Somonauk Township. Isabella is the widow of William French, formerly a wealthy and influential citizen of Somo- nauk Township. James H. is next in order of birth. Andrew M. is a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church and resides in Lansingburg, near the city of Troy, N. Y. Thomas G. is deceased. He was a farmer, and his widow is still a resident of Somonauk Township. John L., ex-Governor of Illinois, is a resident at Evanston, Ill., and is a general broker and real-estate dealer, having his office in Chicago. Agnes is the widow of Alexander Patten, and resides in Chicago. The youngest child died in infancy.

Mr. Beveridge was reared on his father's farm, and received a liberal education, attending school in Cambridge, N. Y., in Grandville, and at Mt. Morris, Ill. In the institution at the latter place he studied two years preparatory to entering college, but he was needed on the farm at home. He came to Somonauk in 184' and took part of the claim of his father and

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brother Thomas, where he pushed forward his agri- cultural interests until 1852.

Mr. Beveridge was, from the beginning of his political career, outspoken in his preference in favor of the Liberty party, and he was an influential factor in achieving for De Kalb County its proud prerogative as one of the foremost Republican counties of the State of Illinois,-a distinction approached only by its splendid resources and development. In 1849 Mr. Beveridge was elected one of the Associate Justices of the county, and in 1852 was elected Assessor. In 1854 he was instrumental in calling the Anti-Ne- braska Convention which was held at Sycamore and which developed the true sentiments in the hearts of the majority of the voters, and the movement resulted in giving strength to the Republican party. Mr. Beveridge was made a Delegate to the first Repub- lican State Convention of Illinois, which was held at Bloomington in 1856.

In the fall of 1852 he was elected Circuit Clerk and Recorder of De Kalb County, and in January following removed to Sycamore to enter upon the transaction of the duties of the position at the county seat. In 1856 he was re-elected and served another term of four years, and he resided at Sycamore until his selection to fill a State office.

In the fall of 1864 he was elected Treasurer of Illinois, and removed in the spring following, for ob- vious reasons, to Springfield. He officiated as custo- dian of the finances of Illinois two years. In 1867 he was made State House Commissioner and acted in that position until the office was abolished in 1878, when he returned to his farm in Somonauk. During the period of his last appointment the present United Presbyterian house of worship was erected near his father's early home, and he supplied the plans and specifications for the structure. He has been promi- nent in the county from the outset of his career as one of its citizens. He took a decided position in religion and morality, and has continued in the pros- ecution of a consistent and upright course of life. He has been known as an inflexible temperance man and has been connected with several organizations devoted to the cause. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church at Sandwich.

He was united in marriage, in Somonauk Town- ship, Dec. 24, 1849, to Elizabeth A. Disbrow, and they became the parents of five children, only two of

whom survive. Gertrude, born Aug. 18, 1850, is the wife of Rufus E. Thompson, a mining speculator in the Black Hills. The second child died in infancy. James H., born July 6, 1852, died Sept. 16 following. Lois A., born Feb. 10, 1854, died March 5, 1864. Merritt Hoy, born June 16, 1869, resides with his parents. Mrs. Beveridge was born Aug. 26, 1826, in ' Fairfield Co., Conn., and is the daughter of Levi and Lois Disbrow.

The farm of Mr. Beveridge contains 376 acres, is in admirable condition and the family residence and farm buildings are of an excellent and creditable class. . The proprietor is giving intelligent attention to raising Jersey cattle, and owns a herd comprising II thoroughbreds and a considerable number of ex- cellent grades. The dairy products of the farm are in demand, and are shipped to Chicago.

dwin Townsend, a farmer on section 14. of Mayfield Township, was born Nov. 1I, 1838, in the same township, and is there- fore probably the oldest native-born resident in the county. His parents, Charles and Phebe (Nichols) Townsend, were natives of the State of New York, who settled in this township in 1837, where they both finally died,-he May 11, 1879, and .she April 26, 1880. They had 11 children,-Mary A., Edwin, Francis, Marinda, Orrissa, Erastus, Clar- issa, Caroline, Harrison, Charles. N. and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Townsend, whose name heads this sketch, has resided here all his life, but was nine months in the army. He enlisted in March, 1865, in the Ninth Ill. Vol. Cav. In his politics he is a Republican, and in his township he has been honored with the offices of Overseer of Highways, Highway Commissioner, School Trustee, etc. He is at present the owner of 222 acres of land in this township, with about 200 acres in cultivation.

He was married at Cedar Falls, Iowa, Jan. 20, 1869, to Miss Lorinda M., daughter of Sumner and Sarah (Kelsey) French, the former of whom was a native of New Hampshire and the latter of New Jersey. They came to De Kalb County about 1840, settling in Genoa Township, but removed to Iowa in 1869, where he died Oct. 20, 1873; she is still liv-

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ing. They had seven children,-Sumner, Lorinda M., Whitcomb, Jerusha, Stillman, Rolla and Mary. Mrs. Townsend was born in Genoa Township, June 16, 1850. The children of Mr. and Mrs. T. are Charles S., Orrissa S., Leona C. and Olive A., four in number.

eorge S. Treat, farmer, section 5, Somo- nauk Township, is the son of Thomas R. and Nancy (Seymour) Treat, and was born June 23, 1823, in Mayville, the county seat of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His father was born in that State Aug. 26, 1795. In early life the latter was a hatter by trade, and later a miller. In 1838 the family came to Illinois, and not long after settled near Plano, where the father bought a large farm and was resident there until 1872, when he went to Oakland, Cal. He is still living and is 90 years of age. His wife was a native of New York State, and of their five children four survive. Royal C. is a merchant at Meadow Valley, Wis. Henry B. is a farmer and nurseryman at Atchison, Kansas. Julia is deceased. Emily W. is the wife of Edwin - Brayton, a ranchman of California.

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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 31

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

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