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 78
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Lawrence Curts, Principal of the De Kalb Schools, was born in Benton Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1852, and is a son of John and Elmira (Leist) Curts, natives of Ohio. His father is a Methodist Episco- pal preacher, though formerly connected with the United Brethren Church.
The parents of Mr. Curts moved from Crawford County when he was an infant, and settled in Henry County. They lived there 11 years and removed to Linn Co., Iowa. Remaining there five years, they removed to Sterling, this State, then to Manteno, then to Mendota. Between the ages of 13 and 18, three years of his life were spent working at the shoe- maker's trade, and one year on a farm,
In 1870, his father purchased a farm in Dickinson Co., Kan., and moved his family upon it. He was absent from the farm a greater portion of the time, at- tending to his professional duties, and the manage- ment of the place and necessary work required to successfully cultivate it in a great degree devolved
on the son. He.nevertheless was ambitious to ac- quire an education, and managed to alternate his labors on the farm with attendance at the common schools and study at home. His energy soon ad- . vanced him sufficiently to teach. He taught his first term of school near Abilene, Dickinson County, and then returned to Henry Co., Ohio, and taught in the first school-house in which he had received in- struction, His object in teaching at this time was to
THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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procure means in which more thoroughly to prepare himself for the calling of teacher, and he was suc- cessful. He taught two winter terms at the place last mentioned, and during the remainder of the time attended the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, Ill. In 1876 he returned to Kansas and engaged in teach- ing at Ellis, in Ellis County, that State. He taught there two years, and from his savings was enabled to matriculate at Cornell College, Iowa. He completed the curriculum of that institution and graduated in June, 1881. He then came to De Kalb and ac- cepted the position which he at present occupies. He is one of those who believe "a person never gets too old to learn," and devotes considerable time to study. That his efforts at De Kalb have proven a success, the present flourishing condition of the schools will testify; and that they are appreciated by the citizens, is demonstrated by the length of time he has served and the terms of praise connected with his name when he is spoken of as an educator and gentleman.
Mr. Curts was married in June, 1881, to Miss Clara Holroyd. She was born in Wyanet, Bureau Co., Ill., and is a daughter of Mark and Cordelia Holroyd. 'Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curts : Boyd G., Oct. 2, 1882, and Paul H., July 3, 1884.
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ichard Dee, manufacturer of bottled soda- water and ginger ale, bottled beer, ale and porter, and dealer in ice in any quantities, at De Kalb, was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, Oct. 31, 1829, was brought up to agri- cultural pursuits, and in 1851 left his native land and came to America, locating first in Racine, Wis., where his employment for a few months was in a pork-packing establishment. He next engaged at chopping wood at three shillings per cord, walking twice a day the four miles which lay between his boarding place and the woods! This was not the kind of life he had dreamed of enjoying in America, and he felt like returning to his native land ; and he probably would have done so had he sufficient means in his possession.
In the spring of 1852 he came to Illinois and en- gaged in coal-mining in La Salle, Ill., six years; then
was three years in McDonough County, managing a saloon at Colchester two years of that time; then he continued the same line of business in Chicago until 1863, when he came to the village of De Kalb. For the first year here he kept a saloon; the succeeding three years he conducted a meat market ; selling out the latter, he built a brewery at Dixon; but during the following winter he again crossed the ocean and for a couple of months visited friends in his native land. Returning in the spring, he sold his interest in the brewery, came again to De Kalb and re-pur- chased the meat market, which he operated for some years. In 1878 he established his present business as above stated.
He was married March 3, 1851, to Miss Augusta Trower, who died May 4, 1855. Mr. Dee was again married Feb. 25, 1865, to Miss L .. S. Bennett, and by · the present marriage there are two sons,-Richard D. and William H.
arshall Stark, deceased, a pioneer of De Kalb County, first came to Illinois in 1834, and spent the summer of that year. He returned to his native State to engage in teaching during the winter, and in 1834 lo- cated a claim of land near Rockford, Winne- bago County, but made no permanent settlement there. He came soon after to De Kalb County and located a claim on sections 20 and 21 in what is now Sycamore Township. He built a log house near the · timber and began to make improvements, and as soon as the land came into market took the neces- sary steps to secure the' claim.
In 1841 . he returned to Pennsylvania and was married Oct.5., of the same year, to Louisa S. Tyler, daughter of Royal and Mary Tyler. She was born Dec. 16, 1820, in Dimock, Susquehaiina Co., Pa. Her parents were born in Connecticut and settled in Pennsylvania in the fall of the year in which the daughter was born. Two weeks after their marriage : Mr. and Mrs. Stark started for their new home in the West, and drove through with a pair of horses. They occupied the log house three years, when they re- moved to a frame house that had been built on sec- tion 21. Mr. Stark has been School Director. In 1848 he was elected Sheriff and removed to Syca-
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more. He served in that office three years, and during the time he built a hotel at Sycamore. He con- ducted it as a house of public entertainment six years, after which he returned to the farm. During the period of his business career he became extensively interested in the lumber business in Michigan and spent two winters there. He also owned and man- aged a lumber yard in the city of Sycamore. His connection with official matters in the township be- gan at an early date, and he fulfilled the obligations of many offices of trust. His homestead farm included 800 acres of land, all of which was improved, and he owned 360 acres of land in the township of Kings- ton, which was all under tillage.
Mr. Stark was born Aug. 12, 1813, in Luzerne Co., Pa. His parents, Oliver and Betsey (Dixon) Stark, were both natives of that State, and gave their son a good education, which at as early a date as possible he utilized in teaching winters, spending the remain- der of the years in agricultural pursuits. He died Dec. 26, 1882, leaving 10 children, - Harmon M., Martha S., Mary E., Jefferson O., Henry J., Theron M., Adah Louisa, Ella A., Emma J. and Hattie M.
As a representative pioneer of De Kalb County, as well as of this section of Illinois, and a gentleman who was honored with public office and esteemed by his fellow-citizens and worthy to be classed with the representative men of the county, we place the portrait of Mr. Stark in this volume.
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eorge Spickerman, farmer, section 34, Malta Township, was born Oct. 14, 1833, in Columbia Co., N. Y., and is the son of · Andrew A. Spickerman, a farmer and native of the State in which his son was born, and where he married Catherine E. Budd, a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y. The father is of German ex- traction; the mother also, with a slight admixture of French. She former died in Columbia County, March 16, 1883, and in June of the same year the mother died. Mr. Spickerman, Sr., was a man of influence and position, and possessed a fine estate. He was 85 years of age when he died, which was also the age of his wife. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Spickerman is one of 10 children born to his
parents, seven of whom are living. He was educated in the public schools of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., ad- joining that of his nativity. He remained at home, assisting on his father's farm until 1859, the year of his removal to Illinois and of his locating in Malta Township, where he operated as a farmer on his own account, making frequent visits to his native county.
He was married there March 27, 1880, to Annie M. Pulver. She was born March 6, 1842, in Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Sarah (Stupplebeem) Pulver, farmers, and of German descent. Mrs. Spickerinan is one of six children, and was but nine years of age when her father died. Her mother died April 26, 1877. She has one child-Harry, born May 13, 1881.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. S. took posses- sion of their home in Malta Township, where the former has an undivided interest in his father's es- tate and also 160 acres of land in Iowa. He is a Republican, and has served a term as Tax Collector. Mrs. S. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
charles S. Hunt, retired farmer, De Kalb, was born in the town of Murray, Orleans Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1811. His parents, Joseph L. and Lydia (Davenport) Hunt, natives of Vermont, moved to Western New York in 1811, making the journey with a one-horse wagon, containing all their worldly possessions. They were early settlers in what is now the town of Murray. The senior Mr. Hunt soon made a contract with the Holland Company for a tract of timber land. Being too poor to pay cash, he followed the plan of purchas- ing, clearing and improving a few acres and selling what he had thus reduced from the wild forest, pro- ceeding to contract for and clear a few more acres, and so on. Residing there until 1836, he moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and after a few years to Fulton Co., Ill., and after several years more to Mason County, this State, where he spent the remainder of his days, passing from earthly scenes in 185 t.
In his family were 1 1 children, nine of whom grew up to years of maturity, namely, Charles S., Betsy P., Harvey, Hiram, Abel, Warren, Joseph L., Sarah, Curtis, Sophia and Louisa J. Abel died in Ohio, at
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the age of 20 years, and Sophia died in Havana, Mason Co., Ill., in 1884.
The first above mentioned, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents until 16 years of age, when he found employment in a hotel at Holly, Or- leans Co., N. Y., continuing there five years. In 1836 his father proposed to him to go to Ashtabula, Co, Ohio, and select a tract of land, for which he (the father) was about to trade. Accordingly, in the month of February, in company with five others, he started on foot and walked all the way to his destina- tion, a distance of 200 miles. He soon selected a tract of land, in Rome Township, near the turnpike leading from Ashtabula to Warren, and fell to work clearing the same. In the meantime he had to do, two days' work each week at Rogers' Hotel, to pay for his board there. The following May his father and family moved to the place, when they all com- menced work together.
Here Charles S. lived with his parents until 1838, when he sold the 50. acres of land which his father had given him, and with the proceeds, $300, started out to seek a home farther West, accompanied by his wife and child, and his brother-in-law, wife and two children. Coming by way of Lake Erie to Detroit and thence by wagon to Fulton County, this State, they, in company with seven others, started a village which they named Bernadotte, building a hotel, dis- tillery, etc. : they also bought two farms. Mr. Hunt soon sold his interest in the village and purchased 80 acres of farming land in the vicinity ; but this he sold in 1847 and he moved to a point on the Illinois River in the sante county, and conducted a "tavern" a year in a rented building. In the spring of 1849 he moved to Havana, Mason County, purchasing a farm on the banks of the Illinois River; but he leased the land and kept a hotel in the village, in a building he rented for the purpose. In 1854 he sold the farm and moved to this county, and, in company with Israel Nichols, engaged in the business of buying and shipping grain. In 1857 he bought a farm on section 19 of De Kalb Township, where he resided from 1860 to 1882, when he bought his present resi- dence in De Kalb, which he has since occupied.
Mr. Hunt was married May 4, 1837, to May A. Woodard, who was born Feb. 5, 1815. They had eight children, namely: Horace D., Mortimer A., Amanda M., Harriet A., Charles M., William Arthur,
Darwin J. and Carrie Edna. Mortimer A. and Har- riet A. died in infancy, and Arthur died in Colorado, at the age of 66. Mr. Hunt's second wife was Mary Cooper, a native of Summit Co., Ohio, whom he mar- ried July 10, 1865.
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A rthur Mozley Stark, of Sycamore, was born Jan. 31, 1849, in the city of London, Eng- land, and is the son of John M. and Harriet Jane (Guy) Stark. He attended school until he was 15 years of age, when he became a clerk in the store of his father, who was a'sta- tioner, continuing in the situation two years, when he accepted a position as assistant in the 'publishing house of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., in London, where he remained until he was 21 years of age.
In 1870 he came to the United States and fixed his first residence at Beloit, Wis., whence he came four months later to Sycamore and became' book- keeper in the employment of the Marsh Harvester Company. Subsequently he was made" secretary and treasurer in the same business, and is still offi- ciating in that capacity.
He was married May 20, 1873, to Ellen, daughter of Fleming and Louisa (Stone) Holcomb, of Syca- more. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have two children,“Guy and Emily.
eorge W. Savory, farmer, resident at Cort- land, was born Aug. 20, 1818, at Orford, Grafton Co., N. H., and is the son of John and Abiah Savory. His father was born in Plymouth, Mass., and descended from. Eng- lish ancestors. His mother was born in. Ver- mont. The senior Savory served an apprenticeship with a shoemaker when a youth, with whom he: re- moved to New Hampshire, and he became a soldier of the War of 1812. He died at Orford in 1820, and his wife died there in 1827. . Mr. Savory was taken in charge by the authorities, who' bound him to a farmer named Willard Jaquith, who lived in Orford and with whom he resided until 15 years of age, when he became the charge of a man named Webster Hall, who was his guardian three years. At 18 years of age
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he bought his time for $100. He remained in Orford variously employed until 1844, when he came to Perry Co., Ill. After spending a few months there he went to Chicago. He obtained employment at the lime kilns in the vicinity of that city, where he remained until the spring of 1847, when he enlisted in the Third United States Infantry and went to Mexico. He was a participant in the battle at Contreras and at Churubusco, where he was wounded Aug. 20, 1847, by a gunshot in the right thigh. (He has a bamboo cane, which was cut on the battle-field of the last named engagement.) After the capture of the city of Mexico he was conveyed to the hospital there, and was honorably discharged Jan, 13, 1848. He returned to Chicago, where he remained until 1857, variously employed. In that year he came to Cortland, where, in company with James Burbank, he bought the Cortland Hotel property, He sold his interest in that about two years later to his partner, and in 1860 bought two lots at the east end of the village and built a house. He has since purchased additional land, and has now a valuable farm. He was engaged for a time in market gardening, but for the past few years he has been interested in the dairy business.
In 1856 Mr. Savory was married to Joan C., datigh- ter of Joseph and Catherine (Kelly) Wood. They have four children,-George W., May, Virginia and Lulu.
ewis M. McEwen, one of the self-made men of the county, residing at De Kalb, was born in Crawford, Orange Co., N. Y., Sept. 28, x827. He is a son of Henry and Ann Eliza (Terwilliger) McEwen, natives. of " York State " and of Scotch. and. Holland descent. respect- ively. : At the age of 13 years, Mr. McEwen became an orphan by the death of his father, and continued to reside with. his mother until he was 18 years old.' At this age in his life's history, he set forth to fight the battles of his future unaided except by his own indomitable determination to succeed. He made his way to New York city, and succeeded in obtain- ing employment in a morocco manufactory. He continued in that vocation, laboriously endeavoring to learn the trade, and succeeded.
No sooner had the tidings reached the city of New
York of the discovery of gold in California, than Mr. McEwen determined to cast his fortunes with thou- sands of others and visit the " Land of Gold." He accordingly, in 1849, started for that distant region. He sailed Jan. 30, on board the good ship " Orpheus," which took him round Cape Horn, and in July fol- lowing, over five months after starting, landed him in the country for which he set out. While there he engaged in mining, and was thus occupied for about three years, until the spring of 1852. He then started on his return to New York, and went by way of the Isthmus, arriving at the metropolis in May of that year.
After returning to New York city, Mr. McEwen spent several weeks visiting friends, and then came to this State and located in what is now Milan Town- ship, this county. He entered 320 acres of land, the first land that was entered in the township. On this land he erected a small frame house, or as it might more properly be called, "shanty," in which he kept "bach" and energetically entered on the laborious though pleasant task-of improving the land. The same year he replaced his " shanty " with a good and comfortable frame house, bringing his lumber from Aurora, 30 miles distant.
Mr. McEwen was married Oct. 4, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Ward. She was born in Highgate, Frank- lin Co., Vt., Oct. 25, 1833, and is the mother of six children by Mr. M., namely : Frances, Flora, Annie, Willard, Earnest and Harry.
After marriage, he continued to reside on his farm, and, having great faith in the future development of the country and the consequent enhanced price of the land, he added 80 acres to his 320 and is at present the owner of 400 acres, accumulated through his own endeavors. In 1869 Mr. McEwen rented his farm and moved into the village of De Kalb. In 1871 he, in company with George Terwilliger, en- gaged in the coal and lumber business, and has been continuously occupied in that line ever since.
Mr. McEwen is.a true representative of that class of successful individuals who wasted no time in boy- hood's days and improved each shining moment of manhood's years. His early education was limited, and he accumulated only such as the labors on the farm would permit him to receive from the public schools. As he grew in years, he improved each leisure moment in reading and study, and the ac- cumulated knowledge he possesses to-day, both prac-
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tical and professional,-for he is a practical as well as professional man,-is due to his uncontrollable determination to succeed. He was the first Super- visor of Milan Township, and was its Supervisor dur- ing his entire residence in the township except one year. He has also acted as Supervisor of De Kalb Township several years. In 1870 Mr. McEwen was elected to represent his district in the State Legisla- ture. Politically he is a Republican. For several years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of De Kalb and at present writing is City Attorney.
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dwin P. Rose, conductor on the Cortland Branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, resident at Sycamore, was born April 11, 1827, in the town of Evans, Erie Co., N. Y. He is the son of Chauncey and Salina (Porter) Rose. When he was 16 years old his parents emigrated with their family to Illinois, whither they made their journey with a team and also transported their household effects. After his father's death he assumed the control of the farm af- fairs, where they settled for a time. He then went to Sycamore and was there variously occupied until he obtained his situation as conductor.
Mr. Rose was married in 1863, to Sarah J., daugh- ter of David and Louisa Russell, and they have eight children,-Chauncey D., Lamont F., Effie A, Elmer E. and Elzie E. (twins), Edwin 'S., Fred A. and Frank C.
anford A. Tyler, Superintendent of the Ell- wood Wire Works, was born in Newark, Tioga Co., N. Y., Jan. 11, 1836. His par- ents were Anthony and Harriet B. (Packer) Tyler, both natives of the State of New York. He was reared on a farm in his native town, making his home with his parents there until he was 18 years of age.
He came to Illinois and first stopped at Belvidere, where he attended school one year. In 1854 he came to this county and bought land in Afton Town- ship, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years. March 20, 1864 he started on a jour- ney across the plains, and arrived at Virginia City,
Montana, June 11 following, where he followed gold- mining for about half a year. Returning to this county, he engaged in mercantile trade, in company with R. H. Roberts, and this relation continues to the present. They also buy live stock, which they ship to Chicago. In addition to the above business, Mr. Tyler, since 1883, has been also Superintendent in the Ellwood Wire Works. In all the public enter- prises of De Kalb, Mr. Tyler has been an efficient agent, having held the offices of Town Clerk and Aldermar, and is a member of the Board of Educa- tion. He is a member of De Kalb Chapter of A. F. & A. M.
He was married in November, 1861, to Sarah Louisa. Taylor, a native of Paris, Ky., and they have three children,-Clara Louisa, Squire Allen and Harriet Daisy.
Imon F. Parke, farmer, sections 7, 8 and 9, Sycamore Township, was born Jan. 25, 1838, in Evans, Erie Co., N. Y. He is the son of Larmon Z. and Martha W. (Fenton) Parke, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the public schools at Pontiac in his native county. In 1856 he accompanied his parents to De Kalb-County, where they settled in the township having the same name. He had learned the trade of brick, stone and plaster mason, and after his arrival in De Kalb County pur- sued th .t vocation until he entered the army of the Union. He enlisted Sept. 2, 1862, in Co. K, 105th Regiment, Ill. Vol. Inf., which was for a time at- tached to the 11th Army Corps, and later to the 20th, being assigned to the First Brigade and Third Division. Mr. Parke was a participant in the battles at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, At- lanta and Peach-Tree Creek, and in many others of less importance. At Atlanta he procured a furlough to return home to see his father, who was danger- ously ill, and was absent seven days. On his attempt- ing to return he was cut off from his regiment and stopped at Chattanooga, where he was placed in charge of a company of recruits, with whom he re- turned to Nashville, and' was there on garrison duty at the time of the battle. He went thence with the army to Decatur, Ala., where he was taken sick and
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was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga, As soon as he recovered he was appointed on the military com- mission at Chattanooga. In April following he was sent to join his command at Raleigh, N. C., and pro- ceeded thence for the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. He was mustered out of the United States service with his regiment, June 7, 1865, at Chicago. He enlisted as a private, but on the organization of his company was made Second Lieutenant. Three months later he was promoted First Lieutenant, and in 1863 was made the Captain of Co. K.
Returning to De Kalb, he resumed work at his trade. The same fall he bought a farm in Afton Township, where he combined work at his trade with the labors of his farın. In 1870 he abandoned the vocation of mason, and has since given his atten- tion wholly to farming. In 1873 he settled on the farm on which he now resides, being sections 7, 8 and 9. The place was originally settled by Edward White, was well improved and supplied with good frame buildings. In 1884 he erected a large brick house, one of the best in De Kalb County. The farm contains 250 acres. Mr. Parke is largely in- terested in raising stock and horses, and is giving particular attention to raising Norman horses.
:He was married Sept. 1, 1870, to Ruth, daughter of Ephraim and Caroline Hall, and they have had six children-Nelson, Henry H., Mary E., Mila, Ruth and Eleanor G.
B enjamin Evans, a pioneer of De Kalb County, was born Feb. 21, 1811, in Ash Co., N. C., and was there reared on a farm. He was married April 21, 1833, 10 Frances Perry, also a native of Ash Co., N. C., where she was born Oct. 31, 1814. In the year following they left their native State and journeyed West with a span of horses and a wagon with their household effects, and cooked and camped on the route. They reached La Salle County after long and weary travel, and Mr. Evans made. a claim where the city of Plano is now situated. He built a log house, which had a roof of "shakes " and a floor made of puncheons. He sold out in 1838 and came to De Kalb County and bought a claim on sec-
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