Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 72

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

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670

DE KALB COUNTY.

Robert S., Mary J. and William C. William C. died at Albany in 1873, aged 24 years. Robert is living with James L. on his farm on section 11, Malta Township. Mary J. is married and lives on the old homestead in Delaware Co., N. Y.

James L. Hamilton, the subject of this notice, was brought up on the old homestead in Delaware Co., N. Y. He remained on the farm assisting his father in its cultivation and attending the village school at Andes, that county, until he attained the age of ma- turity. On arriving at this age he went forth to bat- tle against the trials and difficulties of life's journey, single-handed and alone. He came to this county and remained for a year at the village of Malta when, in 1870, he and his brother purchased 120 acres of land in Malta Township. He then went to Iowa where he remained nearly a year. From Iowa he came to Chicago, thence back to Malta. Re- maining in the latter 'place one summer, he went east to the old homestead again. His next move was to Albany, N. Y., where he engaged with Messrs. Wilcox & Gibbs, in the sewing-machine business, and with whom he remained for three years. Severing his connection with the "Wilcox & Gibbs," he engaged with the Domestic Co., and dur- ing a greater portion of his time was engaged in their office. After leaving the latter company he traveled for the Burlington Cork Co., New York. His deal- ing was with wholesale houses throughout the East- ern and Western States. Remaining in the employ of the company for about a year, he severed his con- nection and again came to this county.

On arriving in the county, he at once purchased his brother's interest in the land they had jointly owned in Malta Township, which he traded for 120 acres on section 11. He has since added, by a sub- sequent purchase, another 120 acres to his landed possessions and is at present the owner of 240 acres. His entire acreage is in a good state of cultivation, ex- cluding pasturage, and well stocked. His time and resources are divided between cereal production and stock-raising, and of the latter he is [a considerable shipper.

Mr. Hamilton was married at Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1873, to Miss Hattie A. Spicker- man, daughter of John V. and Mary (Rowley) Spick- erman, a native of New York and of German descent. Her father was a horse dealer and trader. He died

at Oak Park, Ill., on his way home from St. Louis, Mo., where he had been to dispose of a shipment of horses. Her mother died in York State when Mrs. H. was only 18 months old.

Mrs. H. was the youngest of a family of four chil- dren, was born in 1855, and after the death of her mother lived with her grandfather. She remained in his family, attending the common schools and as- sisting in the household duties, until her marriage.

Four children are the issue of the marriage, name- ly: John C., born Nov. 7, 1874; Mary G., born May 28, 1876 ; Alma B., born Dec. 11, 1879; and Hattie L., April 29, 187 -.

The family attend the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. H. is a member.

Mr. Hamilton, politically, is a Republican. He has been chosen delegate to the County Convention, has been Township Collector and held other minor offices.

illiam Dowling Atchison, Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sycamore, was born Feb. 19, 1832, at West Salem, Mercer Co., Pa., and is the son of Matthew Calvin and Mary (Dowling) Atchison. His parents were of Scotch descent and were both natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a land- holder and combined agricultural pursuits with the duties of a carpenter and millwright. He died when his son was five years of age. He and his wife were devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church, the sect formerly known as Scotch Seceders. They had five sons and four daughters. After the death of the father and husband, the children were kept to- gether and brought up with care by their mother.

Mr. Atchison was brought up on the farm and attended the district school until he was 18 years of age. He joined the Church of which his parents had, been zealous members, when he was 16 years of age. At the age of 18 years he began his career as a pub- lic lecturer, speaking on the subject of temperance reform and giving Bible readings. He attended school, taught school and studied classics with pri- vate tutors. He also studied languages at Beloit College, Wisconsin.

In 1854 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church

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at Mt. Pleasant, near Galena, Ill., and at the same time was licensed to preach. In 1858 he was or- dained an Elder at Waukegan, Ill., and has been constantly in the ministry since that date. In 1859 he was appointed to Belvidere, Ill. In 1864 he was made Chaplain of the 45th Regt. Ill. Vol. Inf., and accompanied the Army of the Tennessee through Georgia and the Carolinas to Washington. He was mustered out of the service in July, 1865, at Louis- ville, Ky. His ministerial appointments since that date have been Elgin, Kankakee, Aurora, Oak Park, Waukegan, Sterling and Princeton, where he officiated three years respectively except at Oak Park, where he preached one year. In 1864 he assumed pastoral charge of the Methodist Episcopal society at Syca- more.

Mr. Atchison was married Jan. 4, 1855, to H. Jen- nie, daughter of John and Martha (Bennett) Cook. Her parents were born in England, and she is a na- tive of Elizabeth, Jo Daviess Co., Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Atchison have six children, viz .: John E. is a lumber merchant at Scandia, Kan .; Wilbur F. is officiating as Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Des Plaines, Ill .; Hugh is a student at the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill .; Florence J., George B. and Robert H. are the names of the youngest chil- dren, and they are at home.

nos Whitmore, deceased, a pioneer of De Kalb County, was born Nov. 27, 1805, in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., Vt., and he there passed the years of his minority, acquiring a common-school education and a knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He also passed some time in a woolen factory in his native town, of which he was proprietor. He was married April 7, 1836, to Celina Reed. She was born at Windsor, Windsor Co., Vt., Nov. 23, 1815. Five years subsequent to their marriage they went from Weathersfield to Pom- fret and located on a farm. The place was sold in 1847 and the family removed to De Kalb County, coming by canal and steamboat on the lakes to Chi- cago, whence they traveled to their destination in a private conveyance. Mr. Whitmore purchased 160 acres of unimproved land on section 35, Mayfield Township, where he built a good frame house and

at once set about improving his estate. He lived to see De Kalb County rank in development with the best counties in Illinois, and was a factor in its progress. His death occurred May 1, 1877. His first wife died Aug. 16, 1861. He was married in 1867, to Lovonia Skeels, who died Dec. 1, 1876. Fol- lowing is the record of their children : Louisa mar- ried A. G. Weeden (see sketch). Howard resides in Mayfield. Harrison is a lawyer and lives in Frank- lin Co., Neb. ; Harry O. is a farmer in Mayfield; Lavi- na was born March 2r, 1858, and died Feb. 6, 1861.

an. F. Peas, merchant and farmer, residing in Malta, was born in Middlefield, Hamp- shire Co., Mass., Dec. 30, 1826. His father, Dan. Peas, Sr., was also a native of that State and was born in the same town. He was of New England parentage, a farmer by oc- cupation and resided in his native county until the date of his death, July 8, 1883, at which time he had attained the venerable age of 81 years. The mother of our subject, Mary (Root) Peas, was a native of the same State and county as her husband and son, and there resided until her death, which occurred July 12, 1872.

Dan. F. Peas was the oldest of seven children, four boys and three girls, all of whom are living. He lived on the homestead, in Massachusetts, assisting in the cultivation of the farm and attending the com- mon schools until he arrived at the age of maturity.

On arriving at man's estate, Mr. Peas purchased a farm in his native county, which he successfully cultivated for about six years and worked out five years, or until he arrived at the age of 32 years, when he came to this county. He purchased a farm of 40 acres in Malta Township, which he added to and sold from at subsequent purchases and sales, owning at times some 700 acres in the county. He is at present the owner of 80 acres of land in a good state of cultivation.

In the spring of 1867 Mr. Peas moved to the vil- lage of Malta. He there engaged in the general mercantile business, in 1873, in a store room he had previously purchased. His stock averages about $5,000 and his annual trade amounts to 820,000. He has also three houses and lots in the village.

Mr. Peas was united in marriage Aug. 7, 1860, to

672

DE KALB COUNTY.

Miss Rachel Burgess in the village of Malta. She was born in Buffalo, Erie Co., N. Y., May 18, 1836. Her parents were natives of France and emigrated to Canada Her father died at Genoa, this county, in 1873, and her mother is still living, with her son at Genoa.

Mrs. Peas came to this State with her parents when she was about eight years of age, and lived with them in Genoa Township, this county, attend- ing the common schools and assisting in the house- hold duties, until she attained the age of maturity. She is the mother of 11 children by Mr. Peas, four of whom are deceased. The living are : Julia, wife of H. H. Morris, editor of the Rochelle Herald; Jennie, Frank, Charles, Nettie, Emma and Henry. All the children received the advantages of a good educa- tion and Henry is exceptionally learned in mathe- matics.

Mr. Peas has been honored with the offices of Supervisor and Collector, and has been Justice of the Peace for some years. Politically, he is a staunch, active and energetic Republican.

ilbert A. Maxfield, of Sycamore, was born May 17, 1828, in Crawford Co., Ohio. His father, John Maxfield, was born in Fair- fax, Vt., in 1791, and removed to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he was married Nov. 27, 1816, to Anna Pond, who was also a native of the Green Mountain State.

He was a pioneer of Crawford County, where he settled after marriage on a tract of timbered land which he bought of the Government. With his wife he took possession of a log house which he built on his farm and entered with energy upon the work of clearing away the forest. In 1837 he sold his prop- erty in the Buckeye State, and, equipped with five yokes of oxen, two wagons, a horse and carriage and the household goods, the family came to De Kalb County, camping at night while on their way hither. On arrival Mr. Maxfield, senior, made a claim on section 16, in town 41, range 5 east, which is now Sycamore Township. The family lived in tents and in wagons until a log house was built for their ac- commodation. The doors were constructed of lum- ber which was purchased in Chicago when they

passed through that city. For a number of years the - nearest market and place of supplies was Chicago. A large farm including nearly 400 acres was placed under excellent improvements by the father, on which he resided until a short time previous to his death, which occurred May 25, 1875. The mother died June 27, 1878.

They had five children, and the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. William Munson, the eldest son, was born Dec. 5, 1817. He accom- panied his parents to De Kalb County, and entered a claim adjoining that of his father on the east. When it came into market in January, 1843, they went together to Chicago and secured their Govern- ment title. He went back to Ohio in 1846 and on the 6th of October was married to Caroline Plummer. He returned to his land on which he lived until he improved the property in a creditable manner, re- moving thence to Sycamore. He died June 27, 1872, in Odin, Marion County, where his widow now re- sides. He left two children-Lymna O. and Forrest. James M., the second child, was born in Ohio in 1820 and died there in 1823. John Nelson was born Sept. 5, 1824. He was married June 1, 1847, to Mary A. Crocker, and settled on the homestead, his parents becoming members of his household. His wife died April 22, 1867, leaving three children- Carlos M., Frank A. and Mary V. He was married a second time in Ohio, to Rebecca Hosford and they had one child-Flora Belle. He died Jan. 23, 1873, and the widowed mother resides in Galion, Ohio. Carlos K., youngest brother of Mr. Maxfield, was born in 1833 and died in 1847.

The senior Maxfield divided his property in 1854 between his three children then living, and after the death of his son, John Nelson, he lived with his remain- ing son until his death. In his political belief and con- nection he was originally a Whig, and on the expira- tion of the issues of that element became a member of the Free-Soil party and later a Republican. The first Abolition meeting held in this county convened at his home. The candidate of the Free-Soil ele- ment for Representative in the State Legislature who was then in the field received only seven votes in Sycamore.

Mr. Maxfield was nine years of age when he ac- companied his parents to De Kalb County, and he attained to man's estate on his father's farm, obtain-

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ing such education as he could in the pioneer schools. Jan. 19, 1850, in company with two others, he started for California by way of New Orleans. They crossed the Isthmus on the river Chagres in a bark canoe, up the river by boat to Cruces, thence to Panama on foot, and to San Francisco in a sail vessel called "Glenmore " (which name he afterward gave to his oldest son). He returned home in the latter part of the winter of 1851.

His marriage to S. Eleanor Crocker occurred Dec. 14, 1852, and they settled on a portion of the home- stead estate. Five children have been born to them -Frederick G., Anna M. and George G., and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Maxfield was born July 21, 1832, in the State of New York.

The family resided on the farm until 1870, when he bought a residence at Sycamore, whither he re- moved. He rents a portion of his farm which in- cludes the original claim, and the remainder is under his own control and operated by hired assistants. Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield were among the earliest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Maxfield, having been a Republican since the party was organized, was one of 20 who cast their votes for prohibition in the town of Sycamore in 1884, out of 900 votes cast ..

hilip I. Cromwell, M. D., homeopathic physician at De Kalb, was born July 12, 1848, at Queensbury, Warren Co., N. Y. His parents, James and Sarah C. (Bradshaw) Cromwell, were born in the same State, where the latter is still resident. His father was a physician and practiced medicine more than 40 years, dying at Lake George, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1876. Their children were born in the following order : Ellen B., Edward A. (killed in the second battle of Bull Run), John B., Philip I., James J. and Mary E.

When Dr. Cromwell was eight years of age he went to live with an uncle in Otsego County in his native State, where he remained three years. At the end of that time he returned to his parents and passed the next five years as an assistant on his father's farm and in attendance at school as his health permitted, unremitted study being inadmissible from a tendency to an invalid condition. At the age of

16 years he attended the academy at Glens Falls, studying there about a year, and going thence to Gil- more's private school at Ballston Springs in his native State. His attendance there was interrupted at the end of two months by the destruction of the building by fire. In the fall following he entered the Medical College at Albany and attended one term of lectures. He went to the University of New York, where he gave his attention to medical instruction during a similar period, after which, his health again becom- ing precarious, he sought relaxation from mental la- bor and recuperation of physical powers in a mackerel fishing expedition, on which he was absent some weeks. After a few months interim he again re- sumed attendance upon the lecture course at Albany, and four months later began his career as a medical practitioner at Patten's Mills, N. Y., operating there several months and returning to Albany for his de- gree and credentials, which he received in December, 1870. He obtained the appointment of resident physician in the Albany City Dispensary, in which position he officiated eight months. He went thence to Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., where he estab- lished hinself in the practice of his profession. He was not satisfied with the location, and after a trial of four months he proceeded to Cleveland, Oswego Co., N. Y., where he embarked in the twofold duties of druggist and physician. He prosecuted his busi- ness there until July, 1873, when he came to Chi- cago, and soon after to De Kalb, where he has since continued the career of a practitioner of homeopathy without intermission, and is the only representative of that school of medicine at that place.

· Dr. Cromwell is a Republican in political views and connections. He belongs to Lodge No. 155, I. O. O. F.

He was married at Cleveland, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1874, to Kate, daughter of Christopher and Sybil Halle- ghan. The latter was born in Maine, the former in Ireland. Mrs. Cromwell was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1854. Following is the record of the chil- dren born to Dr. and Mrs. Cromwell: Edward G. was born July 19, 1876; Harry D. was born Jan. 15, 1880; Clinton B., June 22, 1882; George G., Aug. 2, 1884. A daughter died when four months old.

As one of the prominent and representative pro- fessional men of the county, we give Dr. Cromwell's portrait in this ALBUM and opposite to this sketch.

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DE KALB COUNTY.

artin C. Dedrick, farmer and general stock-raiser, residing on section 11, Malta Township, was born in Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y., April 26, 1824. His father, Christian Dedrick, was born in the same State and on the same farm as his son. In fact, the - farm on · which the father and son were born had been in possession of the Dedricks for three genera- tions. Christian Dedrick, the great-grandfather of the father of our subject, pre-empted it, and it is at pres- ent in the hands of Henry Dedrick, a brother of our subject. The family were originally from Holland. The father of. Martin C. died on the homestead in r833, at the age of 60 years, when Martin was 14 years old. His mother, Hannah (Bener) Dedrick, was a native of New York, of Holland extraction and died in her native State, about 1839, aged 63 years. She was the mother of four children, Martin, Henry, Phillip and Eliza. The last two are de- ceased. Sixteen years elapsed between the birth of the two oldest and the two youngest, and Martin C. is the youngest of the four.

He lived at home, assisted his father on the farm and attended the common schools until the death of his father. At this point in his life's history, when r4 years of age, he started on his journey alone. He engaged with a Mr. Stickles to learn the boot and shoe making trade, with whom he remained for three years. Discovering that his health was failing, he left the shop and returned to the home- stead, and he and his brother worked the same for five years in partnership, at which time Martin sold his interest to his brother and engaged in the grocery business at Kinderhook. He remained at the latter place, successfully prosecuting the business stated, for 12 years.

In 1857 Mr. Dedrick came to this county and purchased 160 acres of land, which he has made his home until the present time. After making some improvements on his land, in r860, Mr. Dedrick re- turned to his native State after his family and brought them to his new home in the West. He has since added 80 acres, by subsequent purchase, to his original tract, and is now the owner of 240 acres. His farm is a gocd one, the land being productive,

with no waste, and all under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has a fine and costly residence, and his barn and out-buildings are eniblematical of good taste and prosperity.

Mr. Dedrick is certainly one of the representative men of the county. He is a man of popularity, as evinced by his constituents electing him for 17 years as their Supervisor. in which capacity he is at present serving. He was also Assessor of his township and three times assessed the same. In fact, every year (except the first) since 1857, the year he came to the county, Mr. Dedrick has held some office. Politically he is an active, energetic working Republican.

May 14, 1849, Mr. Dedrick was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fowler, daughter of Delaware and Polly (Head) Fowler, natives of New York. She was born at Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y., March 24, 1823. Her father followed the occupation of a farmer and the daughter remained under their care, on the farm, assisting her mother in the household duties and attending the common schools until her marriage. She is the mother by Mr. Dedrick of four children, born as follows: Freeling H., born March 26, 1850, was married Sept. 20, r882, to Miss Sarah Modeland, and at present resides at Glidden, Carroll Co., Iowa. Adelphia, born Dec. 25, 1852; Anna Stella, born Jan. 29, r856; and Charles H., born Oct. 24, 1858.

Kiram Holcomb, of Sycamore Township, and President of the De Kalb County Ag- ricultural Society, was born Oct. 30, 1838, in Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y. George Holcomb, his father, was born June 8, 1798, in Sangerfield, Oneida Co, N. Y. Orator Holcomb, father of George, was a native of Massachusetts and married Hannah Terry, who was born in Connecticut. They removed from Erie to Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1805, whence they went after four years to that part of Genesee County, now included in Attica, Wy- oming County. He there bought a tract of land in- cluded within the immense acreage sold by Robert Morris to the Amsterdam Company and known as the "Holland Purchase," which comprised 3,500,000

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acres lying west of the dividing line between the States of New York and Massachusetts.

George Holcomb passed the years of his minority there and assisted his father in clearing a farm. In 1819 he was married to Beulah Hosingting, and he started out in life as the head of a family, settling on 60 acres of timber land given him by his father. A house of basswood logs was built, in which the young pair began their housekeeping.' A few years later the place was sold, and Mr. Holcomb moved to Darien, an adjoining town, where he bought another farm, which he sold three years later and returned to Attica. He bought a farm adjoining his father's homestead, whence he went soon after to Orange- ville, making another removal not long after to Darien. He again became a land-holder there, and in 1836 his wife died. In 1837 he was married to Caroline A. Hebbard. and they settled on a farm in Newstead, Erie County. In 1848 they sold out preparatory to removal to Illinois, whither they made an overland journey from their former home to Buf- falo, and there embarked-team and all-on a steamer for Chicago, coming thence with their team to De Kalb County.

Mr. Holcomb bought 80 acres of land on sections 34 and 35, Sycamore Township, for which they paid $8 an acre. There was on it a log house and a straw stable.' A neat frame structure soon supplied the place of the former, and additional improvements were soon made. Mr. Holcomb continued to occupy the place until his death, in October, 1878. His sec- ond wife died meanwhile, and he was again married to Harriet Stillwell.

Hiram Holcomb is the older of two children born of the second marriage. He was born in the State of New York, and was 10 years of age when he came to De Kalb County with his parents, and there he has lived since, obtaining a common-school educa- tion and a thorough knowledge of agricultural pur- suits. He was married Feb. 4, 1863, to Clara Ben- ton Dow, daughter of Agrippa Dow. He settled on the homestead which he owns and occupies with his brother, Orator F. They own together 227 acres of land, which is improved and comprises 10 acres of timber. The farm contains double sets of frame buildings. The brothers are engaged in raising stock and in the pursuit of general agriculture. Mr. Hol- comb has been a member of the Agricultural Society

since its organization, of which he is now the Presi- dent, and he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He and his wife are the parents of five children, --- George D., Sanford A., Frank T., Arthur H. and Millie Florence.

homas W. Dodge, farmer, section 10, Malta Township, was born in Mt. Holly Town- ship, Rutland Co., Vt., May 30, 1838. His father, Thomas, Sr., was of " York State " par- entage, of English extraction, and was born in the province of Quebec. His parents left Canada for Vermont just prior to the war of 1812, and when the son was but two years of age. Thomas, Sr., came to this county in 1863, and is at present residing here, aged 76 years. The mother of Thomas W. was born in Townsend, Mass., was of New Eng- land parentage, and came to this county with her husband, Thomas, Sr., in 1863. She resided here until March 22, 1875, when death separated her from her loved ones, and 67 well spent years marked the period of her earthly existence. Together they reared a family of three children, all of whom are yet living, and the elder of whom is the subject of this notice.

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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 72

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

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