Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 69

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 69

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ev. Benoni Harris, deceased, the pioneer minister of Paw Paw Township, and one of the very earliest settlers of the township, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., and was the son of John Harris. He united with the Method- ist Episcopal Church in early life, was or- dained a minister and labored many years in the discharge of his duties. He was married in New York, to Thankful Miles, who was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. They had a family of 12 children, six boys and six girls.

In 1831 he removed to Michigan, and in July, 1835, came to De Kalb Co., Ill., and settled in what is now

Jacob Spansail

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Paw Paw Township. He was the first Methodist circuit preacher in this region, and also labored as a mission preacher. He was a Mason of high standing and a good citizen. His wife was the first white person to die in the new settlement in Paw Paw Township. Her death occurred in 1836. Mr. Har- ris died in 1845.

His sons, Benjamin and Joseph, were among the very first settlers. of this township. The Rev. Benoni Harris, Jr., came several years later. Ben- jamin Harris came to Paw Paw in the summer of 1835 and settled in the western part of the township. He was married and removed to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, in 1854. He enlisted in the late war and died at his home in Iowa, from disease contracted in the army. Joseph Harris came to Paw Paw with his father and brother. In 1853 he removed to Iowa and later to Kansas, where he now resides. Rev. Benoni, Jr., moved to Iowa in 1853, and died in that State.

Charles D. Patch, of the grocery and pro- vision house of Rowe, Norris & Patch, at Sycamore, was born Dec. 25, 1855, in North- umberland Co., Pa. He is the son of Sala- thiel C. and Margaret A. (Watson) Patch. The former was born Aug. 17, 1812, in New: ark, N. J. The latter is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born March 7, 1831. Both are still living at Sycamore.

Mr. Patch is an only child. He passed the years of his minority on the homestead farm, 7 miles east of Sycamore. Before he was 21 years old he taught school during two winters in this State, and in the spring of 1877 came to Sycamore, and entered the store of which he is now one of the proprietors, and acted two years in the capacity of clerk.

In September, 1879, he entered the Law Depart- ment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he studied, one term. Returning to Sycamore, he assumed editorial charge of the Daily Free Press during the Presidental campaign of 1880, continu- ing in that avenue of business until November. In April, 1881, he again entered the provision house of which he is a member, as a salesman, and operated

in that capacity until April, r883, when he bought a third interest in the stock.

Mr. Patch was married June 1, 1881, in McGregor, Iowa, to Rosa B., daughter of Seymour and Laurinda Chilson. She was born east of Cortland, in De Kalb County, Feb. 28, r86r, and died Dec. 23, 188r, six months after marriage.

Mr. Patch has been for some time the regular cor- respondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and has a decided taste and ability for newspaper work.

acob Spansail, a farmer situated on section 24, Genoa Township, was born Dec. 16, 1833, in Germany. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth D. Spansail, were natives of Germany and in 1850 emigrated to America, locating in Ohio. They had a family of seven children,-Jacob, Sebastian, Rosa, George, Dora, Catherine and Fred. The father died in Michigan while en route to Illinois to visit his son : the mother survives.

Mr. Spansail was about 17 years of age when he accompanied his parents to America, and he lived in the Buckeye State. three years, coming thence to Kane Co., Ill. Two years later, in 1855, he removed to De Kalb County'and became the owner by pur- chase of 40 acres in the township of Genoa, and has since maintained his residence thereon. His home estate now includes 320 acres and nearly the entire acreage is under improvement. His herd of cattle includes 50 head on an average and he fattens about 65 hogs yearly.

Mr. Spansail was married March 29, 1857, to Elizabeth Vote, and they have seven children,-Mary E., George H., John M., Rosa (died when three months old), Dora J., Katie M. and Frederick W. Mrs. Spansail was born March 30, 1837, in Craw- ford Co., Ohio, and is one of 10 children born to her parents,-Elizabeth, Mary A., John M., Anna W., Susan, William H., Jacob G., Margaret, Charles F. and Franklin P. The parents, John and Anna M. (Karn) Vote, are natives of Pennsylvania and Ger- many.

, Mr. Spansail is a Republican in politics and has been a prominent man in the local offices in his township, having held the position of Road Com-

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missioner 15 years and also that of School Director. He is a man of acknowledged business abilities and acted as salesman for the patrons of the New Lebanon cheese factory for three years. In 1882 he was ap- pointed Postmaster of New Lebanon.

The portrait of Mr. Spansail accompanying this sketch is a representation of a worthy citizen of De Kalb County.

li W. Lloyd, farmer, section 21; Malta Township, was born Dec. 14, 1836, in Hartford, Mass. His parents, Artimus W. and Parthenia (Haskell) Lloyd, changed their residence from Hartford to Old Stockbridge in the same State when the son was in youth, and went thence soon after to Washington in the Bay State. Mr. Lloyd was educated in the common schools, and at the age of 20 years found himself at liberty to enter upon his unaided struggle with for- tune. He set out westward and finally reached Rockford. He had friends in that city, and he ob- tained employment in that locality, where he re- mained two years. Meanwhile, his father had re- moved to De Kalb County, then comparatively new, and here Mr. Lloyd rejoined the family in South Grove Township. He remained at home but a short time, as he believed that the promises of the farther West foreshadowed opportunity for a venturesome and energetic man to get on in the world, and he ac- cordingly pressed on to the gold regions of California. He operated in mining two years, and then went to San Francisco, where he engaged in the livery busi- ness. Two years later, in 1863, he returned to De Kalb County and located on 160 acres of land, which he purchased and where he has since operated as a fariner. He has 120 acres of his original pur- chase, and has added to his estate until he is now the proprietor of 200 acres, in the best possible agri- cultural condition. Mr. Lloyd was one of the first to consider the feasibility of a permanent settlement in Malta Township, and he has been active in gener- al affairs since he has been one of it's citizens. In addition to general farming he is largely interested in stock, and has home herds of cattle and hogs of ex- cellent grades. Mr. Lloyd is an ardent Republican,

and has officiated in the local offices of his township.

He was united in marriage March 5, 1865, in Malta Township, to Kate Spickerman. She was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of John and Mary E. (Rowley) Spickerman. While she was yet in her childhood the family removed to Spencer, N. Y. Her mother died when she was eight years of age, and she was then placed in the care of her grandparents in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., where she obtained some degree of common-school education. Her grandparents removed, while she was still a very young girl, to Oak Park, Cook Co., Ill., where she had the advantages of excellent school privileges for two years. When she was 14 years old another transfer of residence, to the village of Malta, was made, and she was sent next to school at Rock- ford. On completing her studies she engaged in teaching in Milan Township, De Kalb County, when 16 years of age. Of her marriage to Mr. Lloyd, five children have been born. Frank B. is a student at the Commercial College at Rockford, Ill. ; Walter E., Artimus A., Kittie E. and Olive O. are busy in ac- quiring their education. One of their sons-Arti- mus A .- is a boy of remarkable physical proportions, developed in stature and weighing 130 pounds, though only nine years of age. The family attend the Congregational Church, to which the mother be- longs.

illiam H. Keene is a farmer in Victor Township, and is pursuing his agricultural operations on sections 4 and 9. He was born March 4, 1820, at Esperance, Schoharie Co., N. Y. His parents, Bartholomew and Fanny (Van Schoonhoven) Keene, were also born in the State of New York.

Mr. Keene passed the years of his minority in the manner common to farmers' sons, obtaining an educa- tion and a knowledge of farm labor. After reaching the period of his legal freedom, he worked three years on a farm. In 1844 he accompanied his parents and grandmother to Illinois. They first settled at Aurora and spent five years in farming, four miles north of that city. The cash capital of Mr. Keene on his arrival at his point of destination was $15. In 1849 he purchased 46 acres of land on

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section 4, of which he took possession and bent his en- ergies to such good purposes that he was enabled in 1850 to purchase 160 acres additional. He contin- ued to prosper, and in 1856 bought another 40 acres. He increased his possessions in 1881 by the pur- chase of 40 acres more, making an aggregate of 286 acres, lying in an unbroken body. In addition to his several investments named, he has purchased and given 160 acres to his oldest son. He is a typical farmer, and has engaged continuously in the pursuit of mixed husbandry. He has trafficked in short- horn cattle for the past 20 years. In 1850 he began to raise black-walnut trees, which are now in fine bearing order.

Mr. Keene is a Republican and greatly interested in the political affairs of his town, county and State, and also in national matters. He is one of the most prominent citizens of Victor Township, and has been active in local official positions.

He was married, Oct. 17, 1848, to Emily Pulver, a native of New York, and to them have been born eight children,-six of whom are still living : Julia E., Martha A., George M., Nancy M., Lewis A. and Laura B. Julia is the wife of S. L. Brewer, of Frank- lin Co., Kan. George married Malinda Merritt, and lives in Victor. Nancy M. married Jonathan E. Davis, and resides in Victor Township.

A ndrew J. Johnson, farmer, section 35, Mal- ta Township, was born March 15, 1842, in the province of Smolen, Sweden. His mother died when he was in childhood, and not long after that event the father came with two sons to America, leaving behind a son and two daughters. They located at De Kalb, and Mr. Johnson entered the employment of a Mr. Stephens, with whom he remained nearly two years, after which he went to Franklin Township in the employment of Thomas Nelson, a farmer for whom he commenced to labor in ¡June, 1855, remaining until October, 1863. In the spring of 1867 he purchased 80 acres of land on section 35, Malta Township. At the time of the purchase, the place was in its original natural condition, and Mr. Johnson at once interested him- self in its improvement. He purchased 80 acres ad- ditional and has now the entire amount under im- provement. He is a skillful and industrious farmer,

and besides fully improving his property has erected excellent farm buildings and good fences. His farm is stocked with good varieties of cattle and swine. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in political principle and is a Trustee in the Lutheran Church, to which he and his wife belong.

He was married May 24, 1873, to Louise Samuel- son, who was born April, 15, 1851, in Sweden, and came to America in 1870. She died at her home in Malta, Feb. 16, 188 1, leaving four daughters : Minnie V., Mary and Martha (twins who bear to each other so close a resemblance that theia mother frequently made a mistake in their identity), and Martin M., Andrew J., Jennie M. and an infant child are de- ceased. The latter, after it was born, died with its mother.

Mr. Johnson was again married in De Kalb, Dec. 13, 1883, to Matilda Peterson, born in Sweden, March 18, 1860. She is the daughter of Jonas and Christina (Holkenson) Peterson, and came to the United States in August, 1882. Gusta E. is the name of her only child.

homas Nicholson, farmer, section 15, Paw Paw Township; postoffice, East Paw Paw, De Kalb Co., has 240 acres. He was born in Phillipstown, Putnam Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1807, and is the son of Joshua and Rebecca (Henyan) Nicholson. He removed to Dutch- - ess Co., N. Y., with his parents when 14 years of age, and five years later to Tompkins Co., N. Y., where he was married, June 1, 1833, to Eunice, daughter of Abram Clark. MIs. Nicholson was born in Con- necticut Aug. 20, 1812. They had 13 children, the seven older ones born in New York and six born in Illinois. There were ten boys and three girls, as follows : Joshua, born March 8, 1834, and died aged 46 years, still unmarried. David H., bom Oct. 18, 1835, married Mary J. Jones and lives in Paw Paw Township; John W., born May 11, 1836, married Carrie Emmons, and lives in Chicago; Charles W., born Oct. 18, 1837, married Mary J. Roff, and lives at Aurora ; Clark, born June 10, 1839, died in child- hood; Lydia A., born Dec. 6, 1841, wife of Cyrus Fristoe, lives at Hot Springs, Ark. ; Susan R., born May 26, 1843, is the wife .of Dexter V. Pratt, and lives in Paw Paw Township; William L., born Jan.

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20, 1845, married Rachel Dunton, and lives in West Paw Paw; Catharine J., born Sept. 21, 1847, is the wife of J. P. Hampton, and lives in Greene Co., Iowa; Edward J., born Jan. 15, 1849, married Maria Greves, and lives at Sandwich, Ill .; George M., born Feb. 16, 185t, married Laura Braithwaite, and lives in Cal- houn Co., Iowa; Thomas C., born April 22, 1853, is deceased ; Fremont, born June 22, 1856, lives in Paw Paw Township. Mrs. Nicholson died Nov. 28, 1879. Mr. Nicholson came to Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., Ill., in 1846, bought his land of the Government, on section 15, where he has made his home ever since.

ev. Levi H. Davis, farmer, section 30, town- ship of Paw Paw, postoffice, Earlville, La Salle County, has 108 acres of land. He was born in the town of Providence, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Aug. 2, 1837, and is the son of Richard C. and Susan E. (Pawling) Davis. He removed in the spring of 1846 with his par- ents to Oswego, Ill., and in December of that year came to Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., Ill., and located on the same section on which he now resides. He was brought up a farmer, and was married at Buchanan, Mich., Oct. 7, 1869, to Mrs. Mary J. Davis, widow of his brother, Alexander P. Davis, who, was drowned in the Illinois River, July 24, 1864, and daughter of Thomas B. and Eliza (Hoag) Sawyer. Mrs. Davis was born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1834, and came to Illinois in April, 1857. She had one son by her former marriage, Charles A., born Feb. 8, 1858. He married Sene Hanson and resides in Paw Paw Township. One child was born of the present marriage, namely, Wyman P., Jan. 16, 1871.

Mr. Davis united with the Baptist Church at the age of 10 years. In 1861 he began laboring for the conversion of souls. He soon after joined the Sec- ond-Advent Christian Church and became a preacher of that faith in 1863, since which time he has labored continuously in that cause. Mrs. Davis united with the Baptist Church in early life, and since 1868 has been connected with the Second-Advent Christian Church. Mr. Davis has served his School District (No. 1) nine years as Director. In politics he is an earnest Republican, with prohibition sympathies.

In connection with the family history of Mr. Davis and the following named cousins, now resident of De Kalb County,-Mrs. Cyrenius Bailey, Mrs. Mary J. Y. Fonda, Mrs. Jane E. Sturgeon, Mr. Pawling A .. Morey and Mr. A. Pawling Young-the following references to their relation to well known historical characters of Revolutionary times forms an appro- priate and interesting feature :

Their great-grandfather, Alexander Wilson, was a cousin of Alexander Hamilton. The Wilsons were connected by marriage through Col. Pawling (an officer in Washington's army), with Governor James Clinton, of New York. This Alexander Wilson, of New York city, was of Scotch descent, and married Jane Armour, of Scotland. Their daughter, Jane, married Levi Pawling, whose brother, Col. Albert Pawling, was an officer in Washington's army, subse- quently the first Mayor of Troy. The children of Levi and Jane Pawling were the parents of the persons first named in this sketch. Their eldest daughter, Helen Pawling, married Winthrop Young, of New York, and was the mother of Mrs. Mary J. Y. Fonda and of Mr. A Pawling Young. Amanda Pawling married Jesse Morey, and was the mother of Mrs. Cyrenius Bailey and Pawling A. Morey. Susan E. married Richard C. Davis and was the mother of Alexander P. Davis, who was drowned in the Illinois River, July 24, 1864, and of William J. Davis, of Missouri, Albert P., of Livingston, M. T., and his twin brother, the Rev. Levi H. Davis, of Paw Paw Township, and of Jane E., wife of John D. Sturgeon, also of Paw Paw.

An interesting anecdote of their great-grandmother, Mrs. Jane Wilson, is traditionary in the family, and deserves preservation in connection with the fore- going. Mrs. Wilson, who was a devoted patriot, hav- ing lost her husband in New York city, removed to Salem, Washington County, where she married one Moffat, of Tory sympathies. They carried on a store and farm, and among their employees had several Tories. One day Mrs. Moffat discovered that she had been robbed of some valuables, including a gold watch. The absence of some of her Tory workmen led her to believe them to be the thieves and to sup- pose that they had sought safety in Burgoyne's camp at Saratoga. Mounting her horse, she rode to the British camp and demanded an audience of Gen. Burgoyne, which was granted, when she demanded | a search for her property, which was at first refused,

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Lewis Bent

Jane Bend

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAMINNS

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whereupon she threatened to report the General. Burgoyne coolly asked to whom she would report him. Her answer was, "To the Congress of the United Colonies." The General, much amused at this storming of his camp by a patriot in petti- coats, he ordered a search. The stolen articles were found and restored to her with the exception of the watch, which an officer pocketed, with the remark that he would keep it for Mr. Moffat.

At another time her husband, under pretense of danger to her safety in her home, packed their goods, mounted her on a horse with her baby in her arms and . started for Albany. On the way she surmised, from a mysterious conversation between her husband and some well-known Tories, that she was being taken to

the camp of the British army. Watching her oppor- . tunity, she ordered her attendants back, while she led them and returned to her home.

The tradition of these incidents go to prove the courage and patriotism of this lady ancestor, and is very properly remembered with pride by her descend- ants.

ewis Bend, farmer, section 29, Victor Town- ship, was born Jan 5; 1831, in Lincolnshire, England, of which country his parents, William and Sarah (Watson) Bend, were also natives. He received the education common to his class, and was reared at home through the years of his minority. On leaving home he came to seek a wider field of operation than that afforded by the conditions which surrounded him in his native country. He made his way to Scottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y., where he worked by the month as a farm laborer a year and a half. He proceeded next to Ohio, where he remained six weeks only, the situa- tion not suiting his taste. He came to Illinois and passed three years in farm labor at various places, after which he located in De Kalb County, taking land in Victor Township to work on shares. After operating in this manner eight years, in 1866, he bought 160 acres of land, where he established his homestead, and which he still retains in his posses- sion. He also owns 97 acres on section 30. He has erected substantial and valuable buildings on his farm, and has a fine stock and grain barn constructed

at an expense of $3,000. He is interested in raising, and in the sale of, fine graded stock, In political views and actions, Mr. Bend has until the election of 1884 affiliated with the Republican party; in that year he cast his vote for the Democratic ticket. He has officiated as School Director.

He was united in marriage Sept. 1, 1852, to Jane Sturges, and they have had 12 children, three of whom are deceased : Mary A., Lewis W., John T., Emma L., Esther E., Rosella, Joseph J., Metta J. and Lucy E. are still living.

The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Bend appear on other pages of this work.

nton Stollberg, farmer, section 25, Malta Township, was born Aug. 24, 1834, in Prussia, Germany. He attended the schools of his native country as the law required ; and, as the same regulation provided, on finishing the prescribed studies he learned the trade of wea- ver, commencing his apprenticeship when 14 years of age. When he was 20 years old he took leave of all his kindred in Germany and came alone to Amer- ica, to seek a livelihood under more favorable circum- stances than his native land afforded. His parents were quite aged and have since died. He first set- tled in Ontario, Canada, where he was engaged as a general laborer on farms in various places for a per- iod of six years.

He was married in Petersburg, Canada, Jan. 4, 1857, to Bertha Sass. She was born Dec. 13, 1840, in Mecklenburg, Germany, of German parents. Her mother died when she was 14 years of age, and dur- ing the year following she came alone to America, whither her father had preceded her a short time. She failed to find him as she expected, and she went to Waterloo Co., Ont., and lived there with an ac- quaintance. She afterward ascertained that her fa- ther became a soldier in the Union army, and that he was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. He en- listed in Chicago in an Illinois regiment.

Mr. and Mrs. Stollberg have three children. Mary married Lewis Johnson, a Norwegian, and they live on a farm in Malta Township. Louise is the wife of August Bahr, a mechanic in the barb-wire shops at De Kalb. Bertha married Charles Johnson, and they reside in De Kalb. After marriage the parents

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located in Petersburg, Ont., which was their residence seven years, and they came thence to Detroit, Mich. Three years later they removed to Somonauk. After their removal to De Kalb County, Mr. Stollberg worked as a farm laborer at various places until 1875, when he bought 80 acres of improved land in Malta Township, in which he has since prosecuted his ag- ricultural labors with satisfactory results. He is a Republican, and he belongs to the Baptist Church, as does also his wife.

on. George Stewart Robinson is a resi- dent of Sycamore. He was born June 24, 1824, in Derby, Orleans Co., Vt., and is the son of George and Harriet (Stewart) Robinson. His father was a native of Connecticut, the son of Eber Robinson, a Captain in the War of the Revolution. His mother was a native of Vermont, the daughter of Rufus Stewart, a Major in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native town and acquired such education as was attainable in the public schools and semi- naries of the place at that period. He is the only survivor of a family of three children. His younger brother, Charles, died in Cuthbert, Ga., April 9, 1860, and his brother Lucius died at Newport, Vt., Jan. 8, 1882.

When 19 years of age he entered the law office of Hon. S. B. Colby, at Derby, and began his profes- sional studies. After reading under Mr. Colby's instruction for two years he finished his legal course with Hon. Lucius B. Peck, of Montpelier, and was admitted to practice in the Courts of his native State, November, 1846. On account of close application to his studies, his health failed, and, with the hope of its restoration, in 1847, he went South, where he was occupied in teaching. In 1853 he returned to Derby, and on the r3th day of October, 1853, was united in marriage with Olive A. Colby, the daughter of Ne- hemiah M. and Melinda (Larabee) Colby, born Dec. 20, 183r. Her parents were natives of New Hamp- shire.

Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Robin- son removed to Cuthbert, Ga., where they resided until 1866, Mr. Robinson engaged in the practice of his profession. On leaving Georgia they came direct

to Sycamore, where Mr. Robinson formed a partner- ship with Charles Kellum, at present Judge of the Circuit Court, which partnership was continued four years. He then continued alone until his election as County Judge, in 1877, which position he con- tinued to hold until 1882, when he resigned to attend to private business in Vermont. When Sycamore was organized as a city, he was elected one of its Aldermen, and held the position two terms. He was also City Attorney and drafted the ordinances under which the city was governed for years, many of which are still in force. For several years prior to his elec- tion as Judge of the County Court, he held the posi- tion of Master in Chancery, which position he resigned soon after his election. In 1869 he was appointed on the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities for the State of Illinois, by Gov. John M. Palmer, was re-appointed by Gov. John L. Beveridge in 1874, and again by Gov. Shelby M. Cullom in 1879. He continued upon, and was an active member of, the Board until March, 1884, when he resigned, being unable to attend to the duties of the position by reason of absence from the State on business demanding his entire time. He was a member of the Board for nearly 15 years, and was its President for nine years, devoting from two to three months of his time each year to its work without compensation.

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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 69

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

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