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 41
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
In his political views Mr. Schmoldt is a Repub- lican. He was married in Mayfield Township, April II, 1866, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Charles and Phebe (Nichols) Townsend, natives of the State of New York. The father was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1808, and came to this State in 1837. The mother was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1810. They were married Oct. 10, 1834. They lived in this county until their deaths. Mr. T. died in May, 1879, and Mrs. T. April 26, 1880. They had I I children,-Mary A., Edwin, Francis, Marinda, Erastus, Harrison, Clarissa, Caroline, Orrissa, Charles
DE KALB COUNTY.
401
N. and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Schmoldt was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., July 11, 1836, and the children now in her family are William A., who was born Oct. 19, 1869; May was born April 26, 1872, and one died when an infant. Mrs. S. is a member of the Advent Church.
aptain Joseph W. Foster, real estate and loan agent, residing in Kingston Town- ship, on section 9, has lived chiefly in that township since the age of eight years. His father, Moses Foster, was born in Adams Co., Ohio, and married Anna B. Robb, a na- tive of Allegany Co., Pa. Subsequent to their mar- riage, they passed three years in Adams County, and removed thence to Fountain Co., Ind. There they resided a similar period of time, when they made another transfer, to Warren County in the same State, and thence removed to De Kalb County, this State, and settled in 1836, in Kingston Township, where they were among the earliest of the first permanent settlers. The mother died in January, 1878, at a greatly advanced age. The father went in 1882 to spend some time with a son in Colorado, and is now residing there. The children included in their family were Joseph W., Thomas P., Robert R., Rebecca, Esther E., Harriet A. and Mary C. One died in infancy.
Joseph W. was born Jan. 17, 1828, in Adams Co., Ohio. He was educated in the common schools, and remained at home until he was 22 years of age. In 1850 he became an independent land-holder by the purchase of 100 acres of land in Franklin Town- ship, where he prosecuted his agricultural projects two years previous to his settling thereon. Two years later he removed to Belvidere, Boone County, where he formed a partnership with A. F. Powers, and engaged in the sale of groceries and farm prod- uce, under the style of Powers & Foster. At the end of two years the former withdrew, and the latter continued the purchase and shipment of grain about one year alone. Some time afterward he engaged in trade in general merchandise and operated in that avenue of business about three years. He then re- turned to Franklin Township and rented his father- in-law's farm one year. In the fall of 1860 he em- barked anew in the grain trade, in which he was
interested until the business and all other interests of the people of the United States were interrupted by the event of civil war.
Mr. Foster was one of the first to rally to the standard of union and loyalty. He enlisted in April, 1861, and in August following, his company was as- signed to the 42d Ill. Vol. Inf. In July previous he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Co. K, and during the month of November, 1862, he was pro- moted to the command of his company as a reward for meritorious conduct at Stone River. He con- tinued the chief officer of his company until his cap- ture at the battle of Chickamauga, on the afternoon of Sept. 20, 1863. He had received a terrible gun- shot wound in his face, the traces of which he will bear to his dying day; and he was held prisoner of war on the field 19 days after the action. He was taken thence to Richmond, Va., where he was in close confinement seven months. He was removed thence to Danville, Va., and afterwards to Macon, Ga. While at the latter place, a plot was laid which was intended to result in a wholesale escapade of the Union prisoners; but, owing to the failure of some of the soldiers in the fulfillment of their assigned duties, the scheme came to naught, and soon after- ward they were removed to Charleston, S. C. Two months later a second removal, to Columbia, S. C., took place, where they were held several months. In the spring of 1865, they were paroled at Annap- olis, Md., and Captain Foster returned home after an imprisonment of 17 months and 11 days. Pre- vious to that event he was in charge of the paroled and convalescent soldiers of Johnson's Division at Nashville, Tenn., six months. While en route to Charleston, subsequent to the failure of the plan to escape, Captain Foster and two comrades endeavored to effect an escape by jumping from the train. The success of the venture was only thwarted by blood- hounds, which the Confederate villains let loose after their absence was discovered. At Columbia, Cap- tain Foster made a second attempt to regain his freedom, by endeavoring to pass the lines- as a paroled soldier. He passed 16 days in the swamps and marshes, and at the end of that time was again retaken and returned to prison. He was mustered out at St. Louis, Mo. In 1870 he was made United States Census Enumerator, and performed the duties of his office in seven townships in De Kalb County. He has acted as Assessor of his township six years.
402
DE KALB COUNTY.
In the 3Ist General Assembly of Illinois in 1879, he acted in the capacity of Under-Policeman. In Au- gust, 1879, he was made door-keeper for the State Board of Equalization, and in 1881 he was made as -· sistant in the same position. He acted during the 33d Assembly as a Messenger of the Senate.
Captain Foster was married June 19, 1850, in Sycamore, to Alidah, daughter of Martin and Mary A. (Ives) Barringer. He was born July 19, 1806, and the latter was born in Sand Lake, N. Y., Dec. II, 1810, and removed thence to Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1845 they came thence to Illinois and settled in Franklin Township, in De Kalb County. After a residence there of six years they went to Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill. 'The mother died June 27, 1874. The death of the father occurred at Lake City, Flor- ida, Nov. 15, 1877, where he had gone in quest of health. Edward, Alidah, Mary E., Fidelia and Susan J. are the names of their children. Mrs. Foster was born Aug. 30, 1821, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Three children have been born to her and her husband: J. Wesley, Charles M. and Thomas P.
Captain Foster is an earnest Republican and is at present the Commander of Barnes Post, No. 395, G. A. R. He has been for four years Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, to which he and his wife belong. Since his return from the army he has en- gaged principally in farming, but has combined his operations in that line with trade in real estate.
rentiss D. Worthley, farmer, section 28, Kingston Township, was born Nov. 20, 1850, near Bangor, Maine, in Kennebec County. His father, Conrad C. Worthley, was a native of the same State, as was his mother, Esther A. (Bradbury) Worthley, The father was born in October, 1801, and died Sept. 29, 1877. The mother was born Oct. 11, 1804, and died May 19, 1884. They had four sons and two daughters, and the son who is the subject of this sketch is the youngest. He came with his parents when five years of age to Michigan City, Ind., removing thence two years later to Porter County, in the same State. The family were resident there about 12 .years, and came thence to McHenry Co., Ill. The son sought an independent home and career in De Kalb County
in the spring of 1870, when he located in Kingston Township. He is now the manager of 140 acres of improved land. In political faith Mr. Worthly is a Republican.
His marriage to Amelia Uplinger occurred Dec. 10, 1878, and they have one child, Ralph, born Oct. 26, 1879. Mrs. Worthley was born April 18, 1857, in Luzerne Co., Pa., and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wood) Uplinger, residents of Kingston Township, whither Mrs. W. came when she was nine years of age.
orace B. Johnson, mechanic, resident at Fielding, Franklin Township, was born Oct. 20, 1829; in Wilton, Kennebec Co., Maine. John Johnson, his father, was a ship carpenter, and married Mehitable Dacy. Both parents - were natives of the Pine-Tree State, and there they died, the former when Horace was in youth, the latter in 1880.
When Mr. Johnson was 13 years of age, he was apprenticed to a man named Cyrus Dunn, to acquire a knowledge of brick-laying, and remained under his instructions until he reached his majority. He be- gan his independent career by the practice of his trade in Oxford Co., Maine, going thence to Lewiston in the same State. He was married while there to Nancy Nash, who died in 1855, leaving one child, Walter E., who is a resident at Lewiston. After the death of his wife, Mr. Johnson came to Illinois and settled in Franklin Township. He passed some years in working at his trade and in farming, remov- ing eventually to the village of Fielding, where, in 1876, he purchased a sight for his home, consisting of two and a half village lots, on which he erected a pleasant residence. Since his removal hither he has followed his trade.
His marriage to Sarah J. Van Dresser occurred in Franklin Township, Jan. 1, 1856, and they had three children. Liona R. is the single survivor. Nancy A. died when four years old. Charles W. died at the the age of four months. Mrs. Johnson is. the daughter of Gilbert and Nancy Van Dresser. Her parents were natives of Allegany Co., N. Y., and came West in 1845, first locating in Erie Co., Ohio. After a residence there of seven years they removed
DE KALB COUNTY.
403
to Lake County, in the same State, where the father died. The mother removed with her children in 1853 to Illinois and now resides at St. Charles.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican and as officiated 22 years as a Constable. He has also held other local offices in his township.
eonard Aurner, a retired farmer and mer- chant, resident at Kingston, was born July 6, 1811, in Sugar Loaf, Armstrong Co., Ohio. His parents, Henry and Betsey (Billick) Aurner, were natives of Pennsylvania, and when their son was in his early childhood they re- turned to Lycoming County, in that State, removing thence to De Kalb County, this State, where they were among the pioneer settlers. His father died at 90 years of age; his mother was 88 years old when she died. On attaining his majority he be- came his "own man," and he went to Livingston Co., N. Y., where he spent two years as a farnı as- sistant, working by the month. In 1832 he came to St. Joseph, Mich., for the purpose of enlisting to aid in expelling the Indians; but the difficulties there were at an end before his arrival. He obtained em- ployment on the "turnpike," which was then being built through that country, and he spent three years in that vicinity, operating a part of the time as a lumberman. . At the end of that time he bought a farm in the township of Sherman, St. Joseph County, where he operated as a farmer two years. The location did not agree with his health and he sold his farm, coming thence to De Kalb County. He purchased a large tract of land of a man who had made a claim, and he was at one time the possessor of 406 acres of land in the county. He is the present owner of nearly 200 acres of land and also of quite an amount of village property.
Mr. Aurner was first married Feb. 4, 1836, in St. Joseph Co., Mich., to Margaret Dibble, a native of Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y. They became the parents of nine children,-Orlando J., Eliza C., Wil- liam R., Jane M., Harriet L., Charles L., Joseph F., Emma and Marcus D. The death of their mother occurred in 1864, in Kingston Township, and Mr. Aurner was a second time married Aug. 3, 1874, at De Kalb, to Ellen (Carter) Burkhardt, daughter of
Jared and Lydia (Ames) Carter, and widow of John Burkhardt. Her first husband died Dec. 25, 1865, leaving nine children,-Caroline, Mary E., Josephine A., Robert O., John S., Jared H., George H., Carrie V. and Claude A. Four of the latter are deceased. Mrs. Aurner was born Nov. 16, 1827, in Vermont. Mr. Aurner is a Democrat, and has officiated in sev- eral positions of responsibility and trust in his town- ship.
rancis Rote, farmer, section 35, Franklin Township, was born June 9, 1820, in Ly- coming Co., Pa., and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Kitchen) Rote. His father, Daniel Rote, was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, May 27, 1792, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age, but for honest difference of views he left it, and in 1831 or '32 he joined the Christian Church, and was baptized by Elder John Case in 1832. He soon after began to exhort, and was ordained at Fairfield, Lycoming Co., Pa., March Within 9, 1833, by Milliard Marvin and others.
one year afterward he organized four Churches in his own neighborhood, of 143 members in the aggregate. . He continued his labors in Pennsylvania for many years, and was one of the leading men in the organiza- tion of the Pennsylvania Christian Conference, of which he became a member. In 1846, he left his home and work in Pennsylvania, and moved to De Kalb County. In his new locality in the West, he entered heartily into the work of the ministry, and was very useful in the cause. About 1860 disease and old age came upon him, so that he was not able to do much labor; but his heart was in the work to the last. In 1862 he received a stroke of paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered. He died May 24, 1864, aged 72 years, leaving an aged companion in a dying state with the same disease. He had been 'a successful man in his day. He married Mary Kitchen, Nov. 1, 1814, who was born in New Jersey, July . 4, 1787, and died Feb. 26, 1865. Mr. R. was the son of David Rote, a native of Holland, who was born in that country April 12, 1740, and came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he was a successful farmer.
Mr. Rote of this sketch is the third child of a
DE KALB COUNTY.
404
family of nine children born to his parents; they were named as follows: Henry, Sarah, Francis, Hannah, Rachel, Mary and Martha (twins), Amos H. and Margaret.
Mr. Rote was married Sept. 4, 1861, in Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill., to Catherine E. McCarty, who is the daughter of Edward and Mary A. (Sherman) Mc- Carty. Her father was born in Illinois and went in early life to Ontario, Can., where he married. His wife is a native of New Brunswick, and after their marriage they located in Franklin Township, and are still residing there, aged respectively 77 and 72 years. They had 14 children, of whom Mrs. Rote was born sixth in order. Ten of her brothers and sisters sur- vive. She was born in Ontario, April 28, 1843, and was ten years of age when she accompanied her parents to Boone Co., Ill., where they settled in Cale- donia Township. She is the mother of 10 children, who were born as follows: Albert D., March 17, 1862; Mary E., June 30, 1863, and died Sept. 20, 1863; Sarah A., born May 26, 1865; Libbie J., Dec. 2, 1867 ; Frank, Feb. 13, 1870; Hattie, Jan. 13, 1872; Charles, Sept. 14, 1874; Eddie, Aug. I, 1876 : Freddie A., Jan. 8, 1878; and Jessie E., June 13, 1880.
-
After liis marriage, Mr. Rote succeeded to the pro- prietorship of the homestead, which comprised 80 acres and a piece of timber land 15 acres in extent and located on section 35. The place is under excellent tillage.
Mr. Rote is a Republican in his political views.
S amuel Knight, farmer, section 9, Mayfield Township, is a son of Peter and Anna (Dell) Knight, who were natives of Mary- land, where they lived until their demise. They had eight children,-Susanna, Samuel, Jacob, Lydia, John N., Michael, Matilda P. and Lilly A. The second-born, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Frederick Co., Md., June 28, 1816, and lived at home until of age, learning the blacksmith's trade of his father, which he followed for many years. In 1837 he emigrated to Adams County, this State, where he continued to work at his trade for eight years, and then, in 1845, he came to this county and pre-empted a quarter of section -
9, where he settled and has since resided, one of the oldest and most honored pioneers of the county. He is now the owner of 175 acres in the township, most of which is in cultivation. He has been Road Commissioner, Overseer of Highways, etc., is Demo- cratic in his political principles, and is a member of the Christian Church, as is also Mrs. Knight.
Mr. K. was married in Columbus, Adams Co., Ill., March 20, 1839, to Miss Mary, daughter of Abel and Mary (Moore) Tower, who were natives of Vermont and the parents of George, John, Charles, Mary (Mrs. K.) and David. Mrs. K. was born in Wil- mington, Windham Co., Vt., Feb. 21, 1815. The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Knight are,-Harri- et, wife of Nicholas Weber, and resides in Kingston Township; Mary, who married H. G. Vandeburgh, .and resides in Kingston Township; Amanda, who was married to H. G. Campbell; Laura married Oliver Low, of Kingston; Augusta L., the wife of F. G. Menter, of Mayfield Township; Sarah, the wife of James Snell; and Charles, who married Martha Swanson. Alice, George W. and John H. are deceased.
A lbert N. Freeland, farmer, located on sec- tion 36, De Kalb Township, was born Sept. 22, 1827, in Tioga Co., N. Y. Joseph and Lydia (Perry) Freeland, his parents, were na- tives of Massachusetts, and went thence to Tioga County, where they passed the remain- der of their lives. Their five children reached ma- ture life. They were named Melissa, Betsey, Ly- man, Squire and Albert N.
Mr. Freeland obtained a good common-school ed- ucation and operated as a farmer in New York. In the fall of 1854 he came to De Kalb County and became a landholder of the township of Pierce. He continued to carry on his farming operations there until 1860. In that year he disposed of his farm by sale and passed the next three years in farming and in other occupations in Sycamore. In 1863 he as- sumed charge of the county poor farm and continued the management of its affairs about seven years. On the termination of his connection therewith he went to Aurora, Ill., and spent three years engaged
THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILAMOIS
0
W. Ward
DE KALB COUNTY.
407
e
in various pursuits, which required little activity, as he was in poor health. In the winter of 1875 he removed his family to Fredericksburg, Va., to pro- cure a change of climate for his daughter, who was in a precarious state of health. He remained there until the next October, when the family went to Tompkins Co., N. Y., and a few months later re- turned to Illinois, settling in De Kalb Township. His farm contains 160 acres of valuable land, all under improvements, and fairly stocked. Mr. Free- land is a Republican of decidedly zealous spirit.
He was married Dec. 24, 1852, in Tioga Co., N. Y., to Jane Bunnell. One child was born to them, Jan. 18, 1864,-Jennie D.,-who died of consump- tion in the township of De Kalb, May 2, 1882. Mrs. Freeland was born Nov. 14, 1829, in Tioga County, and is the daughter of Isaac and Rachel (Brink) Bunnell. The latter died in New York, her native State. The former removed thence to De Kalb County, where he afterwards died.
abez W. Ward, farmer residing on the northeast quarter of section 21, Afton Township, was born in West Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 6, 1829. The Ward family are of the old " Puritan Stock." Four of five brothers came to this country in the Mayflower, and Luke Ward, father of Jabez W., had directly descended from one of those brothers. The fifth brother came over the next year after the land- ing of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. The father of Jabez W. was born in 1795, and died at West Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., April 23, 1876. He was a farmer by vocation. His mother, Fanny (Watkins) Ward, was born May 10, 1804, and is still living in West Rutland, Vt. They are the parents of five children, namely : Charles E., George H., Jabez W., Henry M. and Fanny E.
Jabez W. Ward, subject of this notice, was raised on a farm in Rutland Co., Vt. He spent his early years in farm labor and attending the common schools, and remained on the home farm until he attained the age of 25 years, with the exception of one year which he spent at Castleton, his native county. At that age in life he went forth upon the road of adversity alone, with a firm determination to
overcome the trials of life and procure a competency. Following the promptings of his conscience, and rely- ing on his faith in the future development of the "Great West," he came to this State and located at Joliet, Will County. He arrived there in November, 1854, and during the winter of 1854-5 traveled for his brother in the marble business. In the spring of 1855, he came to this county and purchased the northwest quarter of section 32, Afton Township, the date of his purchase being May I. The land had a frame house on it and 65 acres under the plow. He lived on this farm for nine years, meanwhile culti- vating and improving it, and then, in 1864 sold it to John Sturtevant. Soon thereafter lie purchased 152 1/4 acres on section 21, same township, of the "Tyler estate," on which he moved and has resided ever since. It contained a small frame house, with a locust grove, where his present residence now stands, and a fence (which was a perfect failure) of locust trees. He has now a good frame house, warm and comfortable barn, 26 x 36 feet, good fences, and the farm is under good cultivation.
Mr. Ward was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1850, to Miss Susan, daughter of Chester and Hannah (Peak) Ward. Both parents are deceased. Her father was born in West Rutland, April 10, 1797, and was found dead in his bed Oct. 10, 1884. Her mother was born in Vermont, Jan. 2, 1800, and died at Highgate, Franklin County, same State, Oct. 2, 1842. Mrs. Susan Ward was born Oct. 31, 1828, in Highgate, Franklin County, Vt., and was one of a family of five children, three boys and two girls, namely: Luther H., Erastus W., Susan, Elizabeth and Benjamin. There was also a half sister, Jane.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward are the parents of four chil- dren : Lucy E. was born Dec. 25, 1852, married John Rice, April 28, 1875, and is residing in Forres- ton, Ogle County, this State. Fannie A. was born April 25, 1856, married N. H. Givens, March 14, 1876, and resides on section 7, Afton Township, this county. George L. was born April 4, 1859, and re- sides in Sanborn Co., Dak. Rollin W. was born Nov. 24, 1863, and resides on the home farm.
Politically, Mr. Ward is a Republican. He has been Highway Commissioner two years, Justice of Peace nine years, and School Trustee 12 years, and is at present Township Treasurer, which latter office he has held for three years.
Mr. Ward was one of the pioneer settlers of Afton
408
DE KALB COUNTY.
Township. He moved into it before it was organized and was one of the prime factors in its organization. Prominent among those entitled to be classified as self- made men in this county, men who achieved a competency through honest, energetic effort and good judgment, is Mr. Ward, and while we cannot place the likeness of all of them in this work, we are pleased to be able to give that of the gentleman whose name heads this notice.
illiam R. Low, Police Magistrate at Sand- wich, was born in Hillier, Prince Edward Co., Ont.,, Jan. 30, 1827. He is a son of Charles and Laner (Richardson) Low, who were the parents of 10 children; five of the latter are yet living. Tamar A., second child, is the wife of R. B. Warner, an attorney in Orange, Los Angeles Co., Cal. Charles is a farmer in Sac Co., Iowa. Johnson is a farmer on the family homestead at Shabbona Grove, where the mother is living in ad- vanced age. Wolfred N. is a prominent attorney in Chicago. The father died at Shabbona Grove, Nov. 5, 1863.
Mr. Low is the oldest of his parents' children. He is a born and bred farmer, to which vocation he was trained in his native county, and in which he was there occupied until the date of his becoming a citizen of the United States. He emigrated to De Kalb Co., Ill., in 1856, and became the proprietor by purchase of 40 acres of land at Shabbona Grove. In 1866 he went thence to Plano, Ill., in the capacity. of employee of the Marsh Harvester Company, then engaged in perfecting their machines in the shops of Lew Stewart. He operated there until January, 1869, when he came to Sandwich and completed the invention of the machine known as the Low, Adams and , French Harvester, whose utility has since acquired a wide popularity. He was interested in its manufacture until 1874, and in the autumn of that year he sold his claim in the patents and works to the Sandwich Manufacturing Company and T. L. French, for $25,000, after which he was in no active business until his election to the position of which he is now and has since been the incumbent, whose duties he assumed in the spring of 1882. He is still a landholder of De Kalb County, owning 120 acres
of land near Shabbona Grove, also his residence with four lots adjoining, and four acres within the South- ern part of the corporation of Sandwich.
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.