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 53
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
He was united in marriage to Parmelia J. Wharry, on the 25th day of August, 1880, at Sycamore, III. Mrs. Bishop is the daughter of Major Evans Whar- ry, who was the first to make a practical attempt to found a town at this point, and who is inseparable from its earliest history. In May, 1836, he came to De Kalb County as the representative of a company of capitalists who had formed the plan of establish- ing a city on the Kishwaukee River, and where he entered vigorously into the projected work, of which a description is given in the historical portion of this work. The scheme came to naught through the col- lapse attendant upon the undue inflation of values which precipitated the financial stress of 1837, but Major Wharry continued his individual effort for the progress of the place, and established a mercantile enterprise, which was probably the first in that ave- nue of business in the vicinity of Sycamore. Almost his first work was the building of a saw-mill on the river, and he constructed the first dam across the stream. Major Wharry was a prominent and influ- ential element in securing the establishment of the
497
DE KALB COUNTY
county seat at Sycamore, and he contributed liber- ally of money and effort to that end. He continued his exertions in behalf of the place as long as they were needed, interesting himself in the systematic arrangement and naming of the streets. He is a member of the family of his daughter. He was born Aug. 23, 1801, at Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and is the son of Hon. Evans and Phebe (Bel- knap) Wharry, both of whom were members of the distinguished families in the Empire State. The earliest known ancestor in the paternal line went from Scotland to the North of Ireland, and after one or two generations Robert or David Wharry, a Prot- estant, came to the New World, landing at the city of New York, whence he proceeded to Goshen, and there married Polly Peacock, who was of the same national lineage, coming from Ireland to Goshen when she was six years of age. Of her marriage Io children were born, of whom Evans, afterward Judge, Wharry was the second. He was born in 1749, in Orange Co., N. Y. He was early orphaned and devoted his abilities, which were of a superior order, to the study of navigation; but one trial of a seafaring life sufficed, and he abandoned the project to become a surveyor, a business which tended to interest him in the contingencies of the Colonial re- volt against the mother country, and in which he be- came personally active. The details of his military service are meager from obvious reasons, but it is matter of record that he was in command of a com- pany at the siege of Quebec. His services obtained recognition from the Government, and he was the recipient of a pension which was continued to his wife, who survived him nearly 20 years.
After the Revolution he settled in Herkimer Coun- ty and passed the remainder of his life in honorable and useful citizenship, serving as a judge to the ex- treme of the constitutional limit. He was the friend · and associate of Washington, Franklin, Knox, Ham- ilton, Burr, Governor Clinton and others whose names are on the " eternal roll of fame." He died at Little Falls, in April, 1831. His wife, who was greatly his junior in years, was an acknowledged beauty. She was the daughter of Joseph Belknap, of Newburg, one of the intimate friends of General Washington and in whose family circle he was a frequent guest during his residence at Newburg. It is well known that Washington was a great lover of children, and the younger members of the families of his friends
were the objects of his special attention. Miss Phebe was in comparative childhood, and was a spe- cial favorite of the distinguished guest of her father. Of her marriage to Evans Wharry, nine children were born, and she died about 1850, at a great age. The record of Herkimer County states that Judge Wharry had " one or two sons who left the country many years ago," but he failed to discover that one of the individuals of indefinite ultimatum became a pioneer of De Kalb County. Major Evans Wharry married Mrs. Martha Smith. Mrs. Bishop, only daughter of her parents, was born April 2, 1856, at Sycamore, where she was brought up to the age of 15 years, when she was sent to Fairfield Seminary in the State of New York. She was a pupil at that institution three years, and in 1874 entered Wells College at Aurora, N. Y., completing a course of study there in 1877. She possesses superior literary abilities, which were recognized and appreciated dur- ing her collegiate course, as she was made Presi- dent of the " Phoenix Literarum," a literary society : she also conducted the Chronicle, the Wells Col- lege journal. She returned to Sycamore in 1878. Mrs. Bishop is acknowledged to be a lady of excep- tional brilliancy and attainments, and is a valuable member of the social circles in which she moves.
lark Nichols, farmer, section 13, Squaw Grove Township, is a citizen of that town- ship of more than 40 years' standing, hav- ing accompanied his parents hither in 1844. He was born Nov. 3, 1841, in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is the son of Eli G. and Phebe (Horton) Nichols. His parents were natives of New York and came thence in the fall of 1844 to make a permanent residence in De Kalb County. Their deaths occurred respectively Oct. 2, 1851, and Oct. 24, 1873. Huldah A., Phebe A. and Clark are the names of their children.
Mr. Nichols has been engaged all his life in farm- ing. He is the owner of 78 acres where he resides, and also of 30 acres in Kane County. He has held the office of School Director and politically affiliates with the Republican party.
His marriage to Mary A. Schryver took place Sept. 27, 1866, in Kane Co., Ill. Her parents, William
498
DE KALB COUNTY.
and Martha (Amerman) Schryver, were born in the State of New York and were of mixed German and English descent. Mrs. Nichols was born Sept. 16, 1844, in the city of New York. William E. and Mary A. are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols.
-
2
enry S. Dickinson, wagon-maker and deal- er in carriages at East, Paw Paw, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., April 27, 1833, his parents being Oliver H. and Olive (Brooks) Dickinson. He was brought up in his native county and was educated in the public and select schools of the day.
He learned the wagon-maker's trade in the East, came to East Paw Paw, Ill., in the fall of 1855, and worked as a journeyman at his trade until Jan. 18, 1856, when he bought out his employer, since which time he has carried on his business continuously and with success.
As to politics, Mr. Dickinson has always been a Republican.
He was married at East Paw Paw, Ill., Dec. 9, 1856, to Miss Nancy S., daughter of Jacob and Mary (McCoy) Wirick. She was born at Far West, Mo., March 5, 1839.
m
B ernard C. Allbee, retired farmer at Hinck- ley, is the son of Joseph and Electa (Crip- pen) Allbee. They were natives of the State of New York, and had a family of 13 children, Mr. Allbee of this sketch being sec- ond in order of birth. He was born June 10, 18II, in Cayuga Co., N. Y. When two years old his parents moved to Ohio, where he lived till 1838. In that year he came to De Kalb County and settled in the township of Squaw Grove. He arrived here pre- vious to the land's coming into market and located on what is now section 15. He has been the owner of several different farms, and has lived in Squaw Grove Township since 1840.
In 1883 he retired from active farm labor, and re- moved to the village of Hinckley. He is a Republi-
can in political sentiment and relations, and has held several official positions.
Mr. Allbee was married Jan. 4, 1840, in the town- ship of Sugar Grove, Kane Co., Ill., to Mary E., daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Vanbelger) Jones. Her parents were natives of Connecticut and had sev- en children, of whom Mrs. Allbee is second in order of birth. She was born June 5, 1823, in the city of New York. She has been the mother of 16 children, -Sarah, Catherine, Joseph P., Eleazer and Electa (twins), Emma E., John B., Charles F., Ella M., Ber- nard C., Anson G., Phebe J., Willie H., Carrie A., Lil- lie M. and Edgar.
-
A dam Haish, farmer, section 26, Pierce Township, is a pioneer of that township. He is a native of Bonddish, Germany, where he was born Aug. 12, 1830. Two years after his birth his parents emigrated from "das Faderland " to the United States. They made a short stay in the State of Pennsylvania, where his mother died. After that event his father settled on a tract of land in Crawford Co., Ohio. There were five children in the family, of whom Mr. Haish is the youngest. In 1850 the family came to De Kalb County, and settled on a farm in Pierce Township.
Mr. Haish made his home with his parents until 1856, when he made a purchase of 40 acres of prairie land at $5 per acre. Two years later he sold the same for three times the original price. He then purchased 80 acres of wholly unimproved land on section 35, and has now 40 acres on section 36, which he bought at $15 per acre, and later bought 40 acres additional for which he paid at the rate of $44 per acre. In 1877 he bought the Eberly farın, comprising 160 acres, paying therefor $8,000. In 1883 he bought the place known as the Lintner farm, containing 82 acres, at $50.60 per acre. These farms are all supplied with excellent buildings.
Mr. Haish was married May 17, 1853, to Lydia Kuter, and they had five children,-Lucy Ann, Henry, William and Jacob G. Jeremiah died in in- fancy. Mrs. Haish was born Feb. 9, 1828, and is the daughter of John and Lydia Kuter.
Mr. Haish is one of the substantial citizens of Pierce Township, and is a fine sample of what a man
DE KALB COUNTY.
501
of foreign birth may accomplish in contrast with the possibilities open to him in his own country, where every foot of soil is crowded, and all opportunities of advancement closed long before they reached to the class to which he belonged. In the United States all he needs is energy, perseverance and under- standing.
In October, 1884, Mrs. Haish was attacked by a painful disease which proved to be cancer of the stomach, from which she suffered for 24 weeks. Her death occurred Feb. 23, 1885. In calm resignation she arranged the details of her burial, and her fu- neral sermon was preached from Isaiah, 35th chap- ter, 10th verse, which she selected herself.
ohn Palm, retired farmer, residing at Shab- bona, was born in Austin Township, Trum- bull Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1812, and is a son of David and Mary (Shivley) Palm. His father followed the vocation of a farmer, and Mr. Palm grew to manhood on the farm, re- ceiving the advantages afforded by the common schools.
He was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Flick, daughter of George and Margaret (Randolph) Flick, Oct. 13, 1831. She was born in Bald Eagle, Center Co., Pa., Aug. 31, 1811. Four years after marriage, in 1835, Mr. Palm moved with his family to Southington, same county, and engaged in farm- ing, which vocation he followed in that county for some years. He then removed to Middlefield, Geauga County, State of Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1845, when he removed to Shabbona Grove, this county, and entered 160 acres of Govern- ment land on section 14, township 38 north, of range 3 east. In 1850 he went by the overland route to California, where he was engaged in placer-mining; but, contracting typhoid fever, he was not able to work for about three months, yet afterwards accumu- lated a moderate amount of means before returning. He came home in a little less than two years and paid for his land and made some substantial im- provements on it. In 1862 he leased his farm and moved to Leland, La Salle CJ., this State. He re- mained seven years at the latter place, and then, in 1869, he returned to his farm, which he continued to
cultivate until 1877. At this time he was afflicted with the partial loss of his eye-sight, and again rented his farm and moved into Shabbona, soon af- ter commencing treatment for his eyes, having built a fine residence before moving to the village. Noth- ing that money could procure or skill accomplish did him any good, and about 1879 he was hopelessly deprived of one of the greatest gifts to man, his power of vision.
At this writing (1885) Mr. Palm is in full posses- sion of all his other faculties. He is cheerful in dis- position and vigorous and clear in his mental faculties. He still owns an extensive farm of 236 acres in Shabbona Township, which he rents, besides a com- fortable residence and 13 lots in the village of Shab- bona.
Mr. and Mrs. Palm are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, only two of whom are living. The eldest, Margaret, was born Aug. 13, 1832, married Alonzo Olmstead and died in her 25th year. The second child, Adam, was born Jan. 7, 1834, lived to maturity, married Miss Almina Fuller, is a farmer by vocation and resides at Shabbona. Mary J., born Sept. 3, 1837, lived to maturity and became the wife of Henry Husk, a farmer of Shab- bona Township. Hannah, born July 30, 1839, grew to womanhood, became, the wife of William Husk, Postmaster at Shabbona, and died in August, 1865. David, fifth child, was born May 3, 1842. He grew to manhood under the parental roof-tree, and on the breaking out of the late Civil War, enlisted in Co. E, 105th Ill. Vol. Inf., and died in November, 1862, in the hospital at Bowling Green, Warren Co., Ky., from disease contracted in the army. John, sixth and youngest child, was born Jan. 21, 1845, and died when five and one-half years of age:
While a resident of Leland, La Salle County, Mr. Palm held the office of Trustee four seasons in suc- cession. On coming to Shabbona he was elected a member of the first Board of Village Trustees, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected and held the office four years. It was largely due to his lib- erality and public enterprise that the railway station was established at this place. He generously gave the undivided one-half interest in 40 acres of land for a village plat, besides giving the right of way through 160 acres to the railroad company. He also gave away quite a number of lots to encourage the
DE KALB COUNTY.
502
growth and settlement of the village. His gift to the railroad company was double that of any single individual, and was the means of inducing others to give. Truly, he is entitled to the honor of being credited as one of the founders of the village of Shabbona, as well as one of her most respected citi- zens.
A lithographic portrait of the venerable subject of the foregoing sketch is given on the page opposite the beginning, and doubtless will be pleasurable appre- ciated by a very large circle of acquaintances. It was engraved from a photograph taken in 1870.
oseph Henry Denton, Clerk of Pierce Township, was born Aug. 25, 1837, in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His earliest traceable paternal ancestor, Solo- mon Denton, was born in Greenwich, Conn., in the year 1700, and from him Mr. Denton is the fifth in the line of descent. Solomon Denton (3d), great-grandson of the first Solomon Denton and grandfather of J. H. Denton, was born Aug. 4, 1754. He entered the Colonial service during the Revolu- tionary War and was connected with the Federal army until the expiration of the term for which he enlisted. On obtaining his discharge he made an attempt to cross Long Island Sound, was captured by the British soldiery and held prisoner of war about 18 months. On obtaining his liberty he went to Nova Scotia, where he became acquainted with and mar- ried Clara Anderson. She was born in a town on the banks of the Hudson River, near New York city. After marriage they settled (about 1792), in the town of Beekman, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where Fowler Denton, father of J. H., was born, April 10, 1803. The latter was twice married: Sophia Caldwell, his first wife, was the daughter of Joseph and Anna Caldwell and granddaughter of Col. Henry Luding- ton, who became distinguished in the War of 1776. To them were born four sons and three daughters. The second wife was Amy G., daughter of Oliver and Zilpha (Guild) Arnold, and granddaughter of Nathan Morgan, who lived during the Revolutionary War at Royalton, Vermont. On becoming his "own man," Fowler Denton was employed for a short time as a clerk in a store, and in the spring of 1824 he entered
the Hudson River service and conducted a sailing vessel in the transportation of freight from Cold Spring, Putnam Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1831 he embarked in a mercantile enterprise at Carmel in the same county, which he prosecuted until the winter of 1833, when he sold his business and its appurten- ances. In the fall of 1834 he purchased a farm in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he resided until his death, which occurred March 30, 1874. Three of his children are now living: Julia A., wife of J. M. Hardenburg, resides at Brockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Cecilia, widow of Norman Safford, lives at Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill.
Mr. Denton is the youngest surviving child of his parents and is the fifth in order of birth. He was brought up to a knowledge of the methods of farm- ing, and was educated in the common schools. When he was 18 years of age he entered the employment of a seed house in his native county, for whom he trav- eled five years, and subsequently engaged in farm- ing. In 1864 he came to De Kalb County and settled on section 14, Pierce Township, where he has since operated as a practical farmer. All his land is well improved and he has built a commodious frame house, with other large and well constructed farm buildings, and has set out an orchard and a number of shade and ornamental trees. The farm is drained by 900 rods of tile.
Mr. Denton was married Dec. 9, 1862, to Maria McCoul. She was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Triphena (Arnold) McCoul. Their five surviving children are named Mary, Alta, Frank, Blanche and Solomon. George, oldest child, was born July 13, 1865, and died Dec. 9, 1877.
hineas Joslyn, deceased, a pioneer of De Kalb County, and formerly a resident on section 16, Cortland Township, was born in 1791, in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y. His parents removed in his youth to Genesee County, where they were pioneers of Western New York, and where they improved a farm and estab- lished a home. His father died there.
Mr. Joslyn was married in Genesee County, to Lorinda Woodworth, a native of Bennington, Vt., and
DE KALB COUNTY.
5º3
after marriage they settled in a portion of Pembroke Township, now included in the township of Darien, buying a farm lying within the tract of land in the State of New York, sold by Robert Morris, first Secretary of the Treasurer of the Colonial Govern- ment of America to an Amsterdam company and known for a long term of years as the "Holland Purchase." In 1830 he sold the property and re- moved to Erie County, locating on a farm in the . township of Alden. In 1838 he severed all his busi- ness relations with his native State and set out for De Kalb County with a team of horses and a wagon, accompanied by his wife and nine children. He drove to Buffalo, where he embarked on a steamer for Detroit. Arriving at the City of the Straits, he again set out as originally, and drove to De Kalb County. They carried with them their domestic im- plements and lived en famille, as a Frenchman would say, on the route, which was thereby converted into a picnic of some days' duration. On reaching Cort- land, Mr. Joslyn secured a claim of land on section 9, in Cortland Township. The land was still un- surveyed and was not yet in market, but the proprie- tor resided thereon some years and improved a fine farm, which he sold later on and went to Sycamore to pass the last years of his life, and died there in 1868. The mother died Nov. 1, 1881.
Harry A. Joslyn, the oldest son, was born Dec. 10, 1816, in the township of Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., and when he was 14 years of age removed thence with his parents to Erie County. He obtained a common-school education, and in the winter of 1837-8 he engaged in teaching in Alden Township. In the spring of 1838 he came to De Kalb County, reaching Chicago by the lake route, and thence. on foot to Cortland Township. He secured a claim of land and returned to the State of New York. In the fall of the same year he came back to Cortland, ac- companied by the entire family of his parents, as has been stated. He lived at home and engaged alter- nately in the labors of the farm and in teaching.
He was married May 11, 1841, to Lucy A., daugh- ter of John and Deborah (Aldrich) Waterman, a native of Perry, Genesee Co., N. Y. Her parents were natives of Rhode Island, and located in 1837 in De Kalb County, in what is now Cortland Town- ship. Her father first operated as a renter of land, but later bought a claim on section 4, in the same
township. After " entering " the ·land he built a log house and improved the farm, which he conducted four years. Subsequently he sold his place and bought another on section 3, where he was resident seven years. At the end of that time he moved to Sycamore and there passed three years in trade. At the close of the war in 1865, he bought a farm on section 16, where he was a resident until 1883, when he sold again and bought the farm on which he now resides, on section 5, situated one-fourth of a mile from Cortland village.
Mr. and Mrs. Joslyn have had five children : John P., second son, was born March 24, 1850, and died Sept. 2, 1878. Louisa A., Frank M., William L. and James C. are the four who survive.
B enjamin F. Atherton, farmer, section 31, Shabbona Township, owning 180 acres of land (postoffice, Paw Paw, Lee County), is a son of Joseph and Phebe (Vosburg) Ather- ton. The former was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., Feb. 17, 1800. The latter was born in New York about 1810. They both died in Penn- sylvania, she in 1836, and he in 1845.
Mr. Atherton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., Oct. 24, 1828, and was brought up on a farm, alternating his labors thereon by at- tendance at the common schools. He was married Oct. 26, 1858, in Factoryville, Wyoming Co., Pa., to Miss Mira, daughter of Thomas J. and Susan (Cap- well) Maynard. She was born in Factoryville, Wy- oming Co., Pa., Feb. 20, 1835. Her father was born in Marlboro, Mass., March 29, 1802, and moved to Factoryville, Pa. He was married July 16, 1829, to Susan Capwell. They had four sons, all of whom were Union soldiers in the late Civil War. Stephen H. was in the 57th Pa. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. James G. was in Co. L, 3d Pa. Heavy Artillery, and was drowned July 7, 1864, in the James River, at Fort Powhattan, Va. Thomas was a member of the 57th Pa. Vol. Inf .; and Garrick M. was assistant engineer on the steamer " Baltic." The mother was born at Factoryville, March 12, 1804, and died in the same place Aug. 12, 1876; the father came to Illinois in
504
DE KALB COUNTY
1880 and passed his remaining days with his daugh- ter. He died May 21, 1884.
Mr. and Mrs. Atherton have had four children, as follows: Maude E., born March 26, 1860; Blanch, born Jan. 17, 1864, died Oct. 5 same year. Thomas M., born July 22, 1865, died Oct. 14, 1880; and Joseph E., born Oct. 17, 1870.
Mr. Atherton came to this county in the spring and located with his brother Charles, on the land on which he is at present residing. The brothers have been in partnership in the farm and the cultivation of it ever since coming to the county in 1855.
Politically, Mr. Atherton is identified with the issues and principles of the Republican party.
dwin H. Fay, farmer, section 27, Squaw Grove Township, is the son of Horace W. and Roxana (Eaton) Fay. . The latter died in December, 1835, in New York State, where she was born. About the year 1838 the father came to De Kalb County, and, in company with Wells A. Fay, purchased a farm. Subsequently he went to Will Co., Ill .; after a residence there of three years he returned to Squaw Grove. During the course of the war he enlisted in the Union ser- vice, and died at Vicksburg, Miss., in the spring of 1863. For several years prior to enlistment he offi- ciated as Surveyor of De Kalb County. His children were, Edwin H., Mahala P., Mary I., Rhoda H. and Frances C.
Mr. Fay was born Aug. 4, 1826, in Manlius, Onon- daga Co., N. Y. His mother died when he was nine. years old, and he went to Michigan with his uncle, making the route there through Canada with a wagon. He remained there between two and three years, and then came to De Kalb County, where he has since resided with the exception of about 16 months, which he spent in the Mexican war, as a volunteer in the 16th Ky. Inf. He owns 160 acres of land, of which 121 acres are tillable. Mr. Fay endorses and supports the principles of the Republican party. He has held the' office of School Inspector and other public situations of less importance.
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.