Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 56

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 56

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).

ichael J. O'Connor, farmer, section 7, Clinton Township, is from the State of New York. His parents, John and Mary (Joyce) O'Connor, natives of Ireland, emi- grated to America in 1825, settling in the State of New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

The subject of this sketch, the youngest of a family of 10 children, was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1844. Lived at home till about 17 years old, when he entered service on the lakes, which he followed for 11 summer seasons, in differ-

ent relations. He first came to De Kalb County in the summer of 1865, but did not settle permanently in the county until 1872. In 1874 he purchased 160 acres of land in Clinton Township, on section 7, where he has since lived. He is now the owner of 240 acres, 200 of which is in a good state of cultiva- tion. In politics he is a Democrat, and. in religion both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. O'Connor was married in Chicago, Ill., July 5, 1873, to Maria Lynch, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Feeney) Lynch, natives of Ireland, and came to La Salle Co., Ill., about 1856; in 1866 they removed to this county, settling in the township of Paw Paw. Mrs. O'Connor, the second child in a family of seven children, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., March 17, 1851. She has become the mother of four children, named Minnie, Thomas, John and Margaret P. Thomas died when two and a half years of age.

ames B. Harper, farmer, section 35, Paw Paw Township, was born in Argyle, Wash- ington Co., N. Y., June 19, 1819. His father, James Harper, was of Irish descent, and his mother, nee Elizabeth Black, of Scotch.

He came to Paw Paw Township Dec. 3, 1853, locating at Ross Grove, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1860, when he removed to his present farm, which comprises 240 acres.

Politically Mr. H. is an earnest Democrat.

He was married in Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Mary (Brown) Smiley. She was born at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1826. By this marriage there were five children, namely : Mary E., born Sept. 26, 1845, died aged eight years ; Andrew G., born March 25, 1847, married Emma Wallace and resides in Aurora, Ill .; Dewitt C., born Dec. 18, 1848, married Cora Rice and is a resident of Sedg- wick Co., Kan .; Thomas A., born Dec. 18, 1850, married Carrie Gorton and lives also in Sedgwick Co., Kan .; and Alanson C., born Oct. 14, 1852, died at the age of five years.

Mrs. Harper died Oct. 20, 1852, and Mr. Harper was again married, March 18, 1854, in Oswego Co.,

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Septimus Storey

DE KALB COUNTY.

527

N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Chancy and Sally (Scott) Comins. She was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 1833, and by this marriage there have been seven children, viz .: James H., born June 22, 1854, married Jennett Hubbel, and lives in La Salle Co., Ill. ; Alice E., born Dec. 7, r855, is the wife of Reuben Baxter, of Paw Paw Township; William, born April 7, r857 ; Robert, Aug. 10, 1862, died Dec. 5, 1864; Mary J., born Feb. 13, 1864 ; Margaret A., Nov. 29, r865 ; and Charles, April r5, r867.

Mrs. H. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

K rank O. Van Galder, associate editor and junior member of the firm of Hix & Van Galder, publishers of the City. Weekly, Sycamore, Ill., was born in La Prairie Town- ship, near Janesville, Wis., on the 6th day of January, 1855, and is the son of Truman W. and Mary (Phelps) Van Galder. The father was a native of Niagara Co., N. Y., and was born July 3, r822. The mother is a native of Mt. Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., and was born March 9, 1822. The parents of the former were natives of Vermont, and those of the latter of Pennsylvania. The Van Galders came originally from Holland.

Truman W. Van Galder and Mary Phelps were united in marriage at Montville, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1843, and were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom survive with the excep- tion of the youngest daughter. From Ohio. they removed to Michigan at quite an early day, and from the latter State to Wisconsin in 1851. Mr. Van Gal- der was a cooper by trade and carried on the busi- ness extensively in the city of Janesville. His establishment, in fact, was the first of the kind in the place. While a citizen of Wisconsin, during a large portion of which time he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, he held several offices of trust, having served as a Justice of the Peace and' Supervisor of his town. In 1868 the family removed to Sycamore, where he became a manufacturer of brick on a large scale, a business which he followed until his death, Jan. 24, 1882, and is continued by his sons, Philo H. and Fred W. While a resident of New York, Mr.

Van Galder was engaged in operating a number of salt wells. He was a man of great industry and en- ergy, and a citizen of sterling worth. He was a member of Lodge No. 105, I. O. O. F., and of the Patriarchal Circle, No. 2. Truman Temple was organized in 1882, and was named in honor of Mr. Van Galder. The subject of this sketch is also a member of Lodge No. 105, I. O. O. F., and of the Good Templars' Lodge.

The educational advantages enjoyed by him were those of the common school. In 1874 he entered the office of the Free Methodist, with a view of learning the printing trade. He also worked for a time in the office of the News, at De Kalb, and the True Republican, at Sycamore. As local editor of the Daily News he was employed a few months. On the 14th of January, 1878, the firm of Van Gal- der & Davis commenced the publication of the Daily Free Press, Mr. Van Galder retiring in August following. In September, 1878, he became associ- ated with V. Hix in the publication of the Sycamore City Weekly, the partnership then formed continuing to the present time. From 1881 to r883 the firm also was engaged in the publication of the Daily Re- corder.' He is at present the Sycamore representa- tive of the Chicago Times. Frank O. Van Galder and Florence M. Talbot, daughter of Charles and Harriet Talbot, of Cortland, early settlers of this county, were united in marriage March 17. 1881. She was born in Cortland, Jan. 17, r861. They have two children,-Annie Claire and Cora May.

eptimus Storey, farmer, owning 400 acres of prairie land and four and one-half acres of timber in Shabbona Grove, and residing on section r7, Shabbona Township, was born in the parish of Harthill, Yorkshire, England, Feb. ro, 1829.

He is a son of Barnabas and Sarah Storey, natives of England. He was reared under the parental roof- tree and attended the schools of his native country, alternating his study therein by learning the trade of a wrought-nail maker until he attained his majority. His forefathers were wrought-nail makers, and after learning the trade he continued to follow it until r6 years of age. He emigrated to the United States in

528

DE KALB COUNTY.

1850, spent one year in Kendall County, this State, and then came to this county.

He was one of the four emigrants from England who in the fall of 1851 selected the western parts of Shabbona Township for their future homes, while the land was in its original natural condition, and thus established the foundation for what has since been known as the " English Settlement." His com- panions were George Glossup, Thomas Wright, Joseph Billam and William Cutts. Mr. Storey located on the land on which he is at present residing, in the fall of 1851. He procured it from the Government in its wild state, and entered vigorously upon the laborious, task of cultivating and improving it. How well he has succeeded, the splendid condition of his farm will testify.

Mr. Storey was married in Shabbona Township Dec. 23, 1856, to Miss Mary, daughter of Robert and Sarah Mullins. She was born in Sheffield, England, June 10, 1839, and came to the United States with her parents in 1852. Nine children, six sons and three daughters, have been born of their union: Robert M., Jan. 1, 1857, died Jan. 5, 1861 ; Sarah S. Aug. 3, 1860, is the wife of Harvey Greene, a resident of Victor Township, this county ; Annie M., born Sept. 14, 1862, died April 24. 1865; John L., born April 3, 1865 ; Charles E., May 14, 1867; William H., Aug. 3, 1869; George T., Aug. 14, 1871 ; Lillian M., Nov. 22, 1873; De Forrest L. C., April 19, 1876.

Mr. Storey, politically, is a Republican. He has held the office of Overseer of Highways, School Director and Trustee, and Supervisor, which latter office he is at present holding. Religiously, he and his wife, together with his two oldest children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

A portrait of Mr. Storey, printed from a fine stone engraving, appropriately accompanies this sketch and embellishes this work.

saac Potter, farmer, section 17, Clinton Township, is a son of James and Margaret (Thorne) Potter, who were natives of New York State. They came to Illinois in 1853, settling in Kane County, and a year afterward in the above named township, where they spent the remainder of their days. In their family

were the following children : Silas, William, Theron, Isaac, Seneca and Fanny.

The subject of this sketch was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., May 7, 1831. When about 15 years of age he moved to Wyoming County, that State, where he lived until the spring of 1867. He then came to Kane Co., Ill., and in 1876 to this county, purchas- ing 169 acres of land, on which he now resides. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, and other official positions. In his political views he prefers the principles of the Republican party.

He was married in Allegany Co., N. Y., May 30, 1855, to Miss Mary, daughter of Moses and Polly (Lebrett) Robinson, natives of Massachusetts, who passed the latter portion of their lives in the Empire State. Mr. R. died April 2, 1852, and Mrs. R. Dec. 27, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have had ten children, namely, Sally, Rufus, Joseph, Hubbard, Philena, Hosea, Harvey, Matilda, Cordelia and Mary. Mrs. Potter was born in Hume, Allegany Co., N. Y., Feb. 18, 1834. She is the mother of one child, Florence E., who was born July 3, 1858. She became the wife of Henry B. Bridge, Feb. 6, 1884. He is a farmer residing in Clinton Township.

sher Downer, farmer, in section 32, Milan Township, is the son of Abel and Lucinda (Loomer) Downer, and was born in the vil- lage of Naperville, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 30, 1832. His mother was born July 4, 1799, on Grand Isle, in Lake Champlain, belonging to Vermont. His father was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in February, 1789. Their ancestral lineage orig- inated in Connecticut. The family came to Illinois in 1840 and located in Aurora, then a small village having but two stores, and there the parents passed the remainder of their lives. The father died in June, 1864, when 73 years of age. The demise of the mother occurred May 27, 1884, she being at the time nearly 85 years of age. They had nine chil- dren, seven of whom were born. previous to their removal to Illinois. Six of the number are yet living. With one exception they are residents of the State of Illinois. One son is a farmer in Nebraska.

Mr. Downer acquired a good education and attended school at odd times until he was 25 years of age. He was married March 27, 1858, in

529

DE KALB COUNTY.

Batavia, Kane Co., Ill., to Elizabeth Curtis. Mrs. Downer was born Dec. 9, 1828, in Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y. When she was 22 years of age she accompanied her father, Ephraim Curtis, to Illinois. He was born in Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 3, 1802. He came to Aurora, Ill., in 1852, where he remained until 1857, when he moved to Clinton Co., Iowa, where he died, Jan. 29, 1866. His first marriage was to Miss Sybil M. Brooks, by whom he had three children. She died in New York, in 1836. Mr. Curtis was again married, his second wife being Miss Sarah Wickwire. Mrs. Downer continued the occupation of teaching, in which she had previously engaged in her native State. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Downer are Fred C., born July 21, 1859; H. Curtis, Aug. 22, 1860, and Mary S., June 27, 1862.

Mr. Downer removed to Milan Township in August, 1858, and located on a piece of property of which he became proprietor through inheritance from his father. To this he has added until he owns 360 acres of fine land, all of which is situated in the same township. The improvements, buildings and stock are all of creditable character, and the owner is con- sidered one of the leading farmers of Milan Town- ship. He is a Republican, and is actively engaged in promoting educational interests, and has for a long time been connected therewith in an official capacity. Mrs. Downer is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

acob Kunes, an early settler in Pierce Township was born Dec. 18, 1825, in Lebanon Co., Pa., and is the son of Law- rence and Eve (Meyer) Kunes. He grew to manhood in the Keystone State and learned the trade of carpenter, besides passing one year as a coal miner. He was married Nov. 14, 1849, to Eve, daughter of John and Lydia (Keler) Kuter, and in 1851 they accompanied her parents to the township of Pierce. The two families lived together one year after their arrival, when Mr. Kunes bought 80 acres of prairie land on section 25 and began the career of an independent farmer. He has reaped the reward common to industry and good judgment, and his fine farm of 240 acres is all under excellent improvements and devoted to the cultiva-

tion of grain and raising of stock. When he bought the place, Mr. Kunes paid $3 per acre for it and borrowed the money to buy the claim, at 10 per cent; but, being delayed in his plans by sickness and heavy expenses, by the time the place was paid for it had cost $70 an acre.

Mr. and Mrs. Kunes have six children living- John, William, Wilhelmina (Mrs. Alfred Phillips, of Aurora), George, Adam and Ella. Mr. Kunes is a Republican in political belief, and belongs to the Evangelical Church, of which his wife is also a mem- ber.

illiam Bowers, farmer, section 5, Clinton Township, is a son of John and Ursula (Brooks) Bowers, natives of New Hamp- shire. They removed. from that State to Vermont and thence to " York State," where they resided until their death. They were the parents of 12 children, namely, Elizabeth, John, Abi- gail, William, Isaac, Ursula A., George, Loren, Mary, Charles, Sanford and Charlotte.

William Bowers, the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., N. H., Jan. 18, 1814. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Field, Feb. 6, 1836, in Jefferson Co., N. N. She bore him two children, namely : Helen and Corinne. Helen is the wife of Albert Dickey and resides near Columbus, Ohio. Corinne is deceased.

Mr. Bowers came to this county in 1848, bringing his wife and two children. He purchased 108 acres of land in Clinton Township, on which he moved and resided three years, until 1851, when, Nov. 16 of that year, his wife died. He then sold his land and returned on a visit to "York State." While in this county, for about two years, he followed " trafficking in produce."

Mr. Bowers purchased two farms, and in the spring of 1865 purchased 220 acres of land on sec- tion 5, where he at present resides. He is at pres- ent the owner of 225 acres, nearly all of which is in a first-class state of cultivation.

On his return from New York, Dec. 7, 1853, Mr. Bowers was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Laura E. Allen, daughter of Reuben and Nancy (Andrews) Allen, natives of New England.

530

DE KALB COUNTY.

They moved to this county in 1845 and located in Shabbona, where they resided until their death. They were the parents of six children, namely: B. F., Henry E., Elmira M., Hiram P., Laura E. and Martin V.

Laura E. Bowers was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., April 11, 1830. She lived at home with her par- ents, assisting the mother in the household duties and attending the common schools, and accompanied her parents to this county in 1845 and continued to reside with them until her marriage. She is the mother of seven children by Mr. Bowers, namely : Lillian A., Ada L., Herbert W., Nancy C., Albert A., Mina E. and Grant H. Ada L. died in Clinton Township, Nov. 16, 1869, when 13 years of age.

Mr. Bowers is a believer in the principles advo- cated by the Republican party, has held the office of Assessor of his township and other minor positions of public trust.

gavid Hughes, baker and grocer at Sand- wich, was born Oct. 24, 1839, in Ayrshire, Scotland, the cottage of his parents being situated on the road where the home of Robert Burns was located, and about one-fourth of a mile from the birth-place of the poet. His father, James Hughes, after his birth went to Glas- gow, the capital city, where he was employed on the municipal detective force, and he died in his native country. The mother, Margaret (Hendry) Hughes, is also deceased.

Mr. Hughes learned the business of pastry baker and confectioner in the city of Glasgow, and in 1866 he came to the city of New York. After a brief tarry there, he came to Chicago, where he lingered a short time, going thence to Elgin. He next proceeded to Aurora, Ill., and conducted a steam bakery there until June, 1874, the date of his coming to Sandwich. He became possessor of the bakery and confectionery business already established, and has since contin- ued its management with the exception of one year. He is conducting a prosperous and profitable busi- ness. He is interested in local politics, and is a member of the fraternities of Masons and Odd Fellows.

He was married April 12, 1865, in Glasgow, Scot-

land, to Isabella M. Shaw, and they have had seven children, born in the following order: James (de- ceased), Margaret, David, Samuel (deceased), Alex- ander (deceased), Maude and Raymond. Mrs. Hughes is the daughter of James and Margaret Shaw, and was born in Scotland.

avid Gerlach, deceased, was a pioneer of De Kalb County. He was born March 27, 1796, in Wurtemburg, Germany, where he was brought up under the personal super- vision of his parents. He was married there to Wilhelmina Oover, a native of the same State. They left their native country in 1830 and came to the United States, landing at the port of New York, after a passage of 57 days on a sail vessel. They made their way to Erie Co., Pa., where Mr. Gerlach bought 80 acres of timber land; but owing to the hard times and advanced price, he was obliged to surrender his claim from inability to pay for it. After a struggle of nine years, the family came to Naper- ville, Ill., traveling with their own teams and camp- ing nights in their wagons. On arrival at the latter place the father rented land about one and a half years, subsequently going to Geneva, Kane County, where he rented farms until 1849. In that year he came to De Kalb County and entered a claim on the northwest quarter of section 24, in township 39, range 5, now Pierce Township. On this he es- tablished his homestead and vigorously prosecuted the improvements until his death, Feb. 8, 1873. Mrs. Gerlach died April 27, 1883. Their children, eight in number, are all living, and are recorded as follows: Henrietta, is the widow of Gotlieb Buerer, of Pierce Township. Amanda is the widow of Nathaniel Lintner, of Naperville. Elizabeth married Peter Ramer (see sketch). Sarah survives her husband, Jacob Eberly, and resides at Hinckley. Caroline is the wife of James Boston, of Pawnee Co., Neb. Samuel is the manager of the homestead. Regina married John Lintner, of Sibley, Osceola Co., Iowa. Andrew is the youngest child.

Samuel Gerlach was born April 9, 1836, in Erie Co., Pa., and accompanied his parents to Illinois. He was married in 1857 to Catherine, daughter of John and Sarah (Shultz) Shoop, and they have six

Chief Shabbana

533

DE KALB COUNTY.

children living: Lucy, wife of Henry Zeigler; Mary, wife of Louis Zeigler; Elizabeth (Mrs. Oliver Snyder); Frances, Carrie and Mattie.

Andrew Gerlach was born in Erie Co., Pa., July 7, 1841. He was less than two years of age when his parents came to Naperville, Ill., and but eight years of age when they came to Pierce Township, where he has since resided. His marriage to Mary J. Har- ter took place Oct. 5, 1862. She was born in Center Co., Pa., and her parents afterward removed to Naperville, Du Page County, where they are now resident. When he was married he located for life on the farm on which he now resides, situated on the southeast quarter of section 14. He owns 240 acres of land, a large proportion of which is under improve- ments, with excellent farm buildings. He is chiefly engaged in raising grain and stock. Franklin E. and Harrison G. are the names of his children. He is a Republican, and, with his wife, belongs to the Evan- gelical Association.

- habbona, the celebrated Indian Chief and friend of the whites, was born near the. Maumee River, in Ohio, about the year 1775. Some published accounts differ as to the place of his birth, but he gave to the late William Hickling, formerly of Ottawa, but later of Chicago, and who was a warm personal friend of his, the above as correct. The father of Shabbona belonged to the Ottawa tribe, and was one of that numerous band of Ottawas who fought with the great Ottawa Chieftain, Pontiac, throughout his wars, and upon his defeat returned with him to the Illinois country in the year 1764.

In early manhood Shabbona married the daughter of a Pottawatomie chief, whose village was on the Illinois River bottom, near Ottawa. He lived at this village a few years, when he moved with his family, or band, to Shabbona Grove, De Kalb County. Here he and his band had their village and council-house, and resided until the fall of 1837, at which time they numbered some 130 souls.

Shabbona was a great admirer of Tecumseh, and in the war of 1812, with his warriors, he joined the great chief and stood by his side when he fell at the battle of the Thames. He was a warm friend of "the

Sauganash," Billy Caldwell, whom he probably knew as early as 1800. At the memorable battle of the Thames and the defeat of the Indians and the En- glish, both Shabbona and Caldwell lost all faith in the power and promises of their British allies. A short time afterward they visited Gen. Cass, at Detroit, and to him gave their submission to the United States. At the time of the Winnebago war, in 1827, he visited almost every village among the Pottawatomies, and by his persuasive arguments prevented them from taking part in the war. By request of the citizens of Chicago, Shabbona, accompanied by Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), visited Big Foot's village at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, as fears were entertained that they were about to raise the toma- hawk against the whites. Here Shabbona was taken prisoner by Big Foot, and his life threatened, but on the following day was set at liberty. From that time the Indians (through reproach) styled him "the white man's friend," and many times his life was endangered. The next and last attempt made to embroil the Pottawatomies and Ottawas in a war with the " pale faces," was that made by Black Hawk and the Prophet, in 1832. These two chiefs, repre- senting the Sauk and Fox nations, met the Pottawat- omies and Ottawas in council at Indiantown, in February of that year, and eloquently pointed out to the large number of Indians assembled there, the necessity of co-operation, in order to save their na- tions from the further encroachments of the white men upon their hunting grounds. In that large as- semblage the voice of but one Pottawatomie chief was raised in favor of war and union with Black Hawk, and that was given by old Wau-pan-seh. In that council, Shabbona, in answer to that fervent ap- peal of Black Hawk for union, and his figurative as- sertion that such an union would give them an army of warriors equal in number to the trees of the forest, replied : "Yes, and the army of the pale faces you will have to encounter will be as numerous as the leaves on those trees." At the period of this confer- ence, probably no other chief, excepting Caldwell, possessed greater influence with the tribes assembled than did Shabbona, and these two leaders so well knew the power and military resources of the white race, and how futile it would be to engage in another war with them.

Subsequently, when Black Hawk and his band crossed over to the east side of the Mississippi, and

DE KALB COUNTY.

534

just before the commencement of his foray on the white settlements, he made one more attempt to se- cure a union with the Pottawatomies, and sent his runners or emissaries to visit Shabbona, who, at this time, with his band, were encamped and on a hunt- ing expedition in the Bureau timber. Shabbona here again rejected all offers of alliance made by Black Hawk. Seeing that hostilities must soon commence, Shabbona broke up his hunting camp and returned home to his grove. Shortly afterwards, the defeat of Major Stillman's forces followed, and opened a clear path for the hostile Indians to make a foray upon the settlements. This Shabbona foresaw; and here the goodness of his heart, his humanity, and desire to avert the horrors of savage warfare, are shown in the arduous and disinterested efforts made by him in be- half of the few white settlers so soon to be exposed to savage fury. Immediately he sent his son and nephew to notify the scattered settlers on the Fox River and at Holderman's Grove, of their great danger, urging them in all haste to leave their homes and seek the sheltering walls of the fort at Ottawa. The old Chief himself undertook the task on his mission of mercy to warn the settlers of Bureau and Indian Creek of their great danger. His appearance on that 16th day of May, riding at full speed, bare- headed, his pony heated and jaded by the long ride through the scattered settlements, has been well described by other writers. Nearly all the persons interested followed Shabbona's advice and fled in haste to Ottawa, leaving their homes but a few hours in advance of the entry of the hostile Sauk. A few persons, however, in the Indian Creek settlement, took no heed of Shabbona's warning, and paid in a few hours afterwards the penalty of their rashness, by all their party, excepting four persons, being massacred in the one log house in which they had sought refuge, and which they so heroically defended.

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 56

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

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