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 83
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Luke A., Jr., was reared on the farm in Allegany Co., N. Y., and alternated his labors thereon with at- tending the common schools. He was married in 1841, to Miss Ursula Foster, born in Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y. Soon after marriage, they located on a farm of 20 acres near Rushford, Allegany Co., which he increased by subsequent purchases. He resided on that farm until 1869, when he sold it and came to this State and settled on a farm in White- . side County. In 1866 he moved to Monroe Town- ship, Ogle County, where he purchased a farm on which he resided until 1871. In April of that year he removed to this county and two months later (June) he purchased a farm on sections seven and eight, De Kalb Township. In 1882 he sold the farm and removed to Sycamore, where he has since lived. In July, 1883, he purchased a farm located on section 3, Cortland Township, which he still owns and rents.
He has seven children, namely : William, in the Government employ at Grand Forks, Dak .; Mary, wife of J. E. Southworth, resident of Santa Clara, Cal .; Sarah, wife of William Wilber, resident of Clinton,
Iowa; Alta, wife of William A. Campbell, resident of Mason, Ingham Co., Mich .; M. F., jeweler at De Kalb; John, resident of Galveston, Tex., and George O., jeweler at Sycamore. Mr. Warren's grandfather, Thomas Warren, was one of the very first settlers in Delaware Co., N. Y .; was a shoemaker by trade, a farmer by occupation, and died in Allegany Co., N. Y.
charles E. Bradt, member of the firm of Bradt & Shipman, glove manufacturers at De Kalb, was born near Gloversville, Fulton Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1852 ; and when he was about two years of age his parents, Andrew and Amy A. (Sweet) Bradt (see sketch), re- moved with their family to this county, where he grew up to manhood, working on the farm and attending the city schools. Since setting out in life for himself he has employed himself in the manufacture and sale of gloves, in which business he is doing well. The firm of Bradt & Shipman prosecute an extensive jobbing business, their goods being sold by traveling salesman in the Northwest.
Andrew Bradt, farmer, De Kalb Township, was born in the town of Ephratah, Fulton Co., N. Y., May 15, 1824, and was the son of Anthony J. and Hannah (Peek) Bradt, both natives of the State of New York. He was reared on the farm and edu- cated at the district school. At the age of 17 years he commenced teaching, in his native township. This profession, alternating with farming during the summer seasons, he followed, with one or two excep- tions, in Fulton County, until 1856, when he came to Illinois. Here he purchased 140 acres of land on sections 23 and 24, De Kalb Township, and settled down to agricultural pursuits. During the winter seasons, however, he was engaged in selling gloves and mittens to dealers in the northern portion of this State, purchasing his stock from the manufactories at Gloversville and Johnstown, N. Y. In 1870, in com- pany with his son, he started the glove factory in De Kalb, which is now conducted by his son and Mr. Shipman. He now devotes his time exclusively to his farming interests.
He was married Jan. 31, 1848, to Amy Ann Sweet, who was born in Ephratah, Fulton Co., N. Y., Jan.
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20, 1828. They have had nine children,-Jennie S., deceased, Luella, Charles E., deceased, Ada F., Hiram A., Abraham L., Samuel E., deceased, and Laura Luella, deceased.
Mr. Bradt is a Class-leader in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which denomination all the rest of the family are also members.
ugustus C. Thompson, general farmer on section 11, South Grove Township, was born Feb. 2-, 1830, in Delaware Co., N. Y. Mat- thew Thompson, his father, was a native of the Empire State, where he pursued farming until 1842, the year of his removal to De Kalb County, where he was one of the earliest of the pio- neer settlers of South Grove Township, having been preceded by only four other permanent residents. He was born in 1800 and died in 1868, on the home- stead. Rebecca O. (Schryver) Thompson, the mother, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1805, of German parentage, and resided in her native State until her removal with her husband and children to De Kalb County. She is living, at 79 years of age, with her son, is still in possession of her mental and physical faculties to a surprising degree, being able to fulfill a considerable proportion of the duties of the household.
Mr. Thompson was an inmate of his father's house until his marriage in February, 1852, in Ohio Grove, Kane Co., Ill , to Mary E. Hatch. She was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, and came to Illinois when very young. Her father located in this State previous to 1840. She died at her home, Dec. 6, 1880, and left two surviving of four children that had been born to her. Her death was the result of sciatic rheumatism, and her sufferings from that terrible disease were severe and were borne with patience and calmness.
Mr. Thompson was about 22 years of age when he made his first purchase of land, which included 80 acres on section 16. On this he lived and labored in its improvement some years, when he sold out and bought 176 acres on section 1 1, of this township, and has since made it his home and expended his efforts and energies in its improvement, and has placed the entire acreage under cultivation. In the early days
the grain was all cut with " cradles " and hauled to Chicago by teams, that being the nearest point of shipment and market.
Mr. Thompson is a Republican and has held all the offices of the township.
illiam W. Brown, deceased, was a pioneer of Sycamore Township in 1838, and en- tered his claim of about 200 acres of land on section 14 of Congressional township 41, range 5. On this he settled and began the usual pioneer improvenients. When the land in the State of Illinois was put into market he se- cured a large acreage in addition, a considerable pro- portion of which he bought for the benefit of his sons. The nearest markets were Chicago, Milwaukee and Sheboygan, and Mr. Brown drove an ox team with his wheat crop to the former place. One fall he sent a load of dressed beef to Sheboygan. He improved quite a considerable portion of his land, and was a resident upon his homestead until his death.
He was born on the North or Hudson River in the State of New York in 1782, and grew to mature life on his father's homestead. He was in early manhood when his parents settled in the township of Rock- land, in Sullivan County, where they were pioneers. He was there married to Sally Hall, the first white child born on Mutton Hill in Sullivan County. He became a land-holder there and cleared 104 acres of his farm. He sold the place in 1831 and removed to Cortland County, where he lived until 1835, in which year he bought a farm in La Grange, Lorain Co., Ohio. He sold it in 1838, and set out with his family and household goods in a wagon with an ox team as a means of locomotion. They were on the road four weeks, and during the trip passed but four nights under the shelter of a roof. The remainder of the time they camped.
Mr. Brown died in 1850. His wife survived him 32 years, dying in 1882. Following is the record of their II children : Mary is deceased ; Sally A. and Obadiah, the youngest son, live on the homestead ; Lucinda is dead ; Isaac lives in O'Brien Co., Iowa ; John lives in Lac-qui-parle Co., Minn. ; Betsey J. and Mehitable are deceased ; Amy lives in Bour-
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bon Co., Kan .; Deborah resides in the township of Genoa; Bradley is deceased.
Obadiah Brown was born Nov. 27, 1834, in Ohio, came to Illinois with his parents, and was mar- ried in January, 1877, to Lavina Harms, a native of Grahamville, N. Y. He is a Republican in po- litical faith.
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imon Suydam, farmer, section 23, Victor Township, is a native-born citizen of Illi- nois, being born Aug. 8, 1839, in Fulton Co., Ill. Simon B. and Johannah (Cortelyou) Suydam were natives of New Jersey (see sketch.) In 1838 they left their native State to make a permanent home in Illinois.
Mr. Suydam was brought up under the care and authority of his parents, acquiring a common-school education and laboring on the farm. After attaining his majority he spent two months in farm labor and resumed his former position on his father's farm, where he remained until 1861. He had determined on renting a farm preparatory to entering upon an independent career, but his plans were mixed with desires to take a share of the risks in the soldier's fate, and he enlisted the same fall in which he made his arrangements for a farm, Sept. 18, 1861, in the 8th Ill. Cav., General Farnsworth. The organization re- mained but a short time in camp and departed for Washington, where it remained until the next April, when it was sent to Bull Run in skirmisli service. Five days afterward it returned to Alexandria, and after a stay there of two weeks, went down the Potu- mac. The first engagement in which it participated took place at Williamsburg, followed by the fight at Mechanicsville under General Mcclellan. Mr. Suydam was in 22 battles and skirmishes, and after a continued service of three years was honorably dis- charged Sept. 28, 1864, at Chicago.
In 1865 he purchased 80 acres of land on section 27, in Victor Township, on which he operated suc- cessfully for 20 years. In 1885 he bought his pres- ent homestead. He is a business man of good ability, and is justly respected. He is a Republican in political affiliation. He has held the office of School Director 12 years, and been Collector four years.
Nov. 7, 1866, he was married to Sarah O. Brown,
and they have eight children-Charles H., Adella J., Johannah, Mary, Nellie G., Amy, Lorenzo G. and Sarah J.
B urton E. Pratt, merchant at Sandwich, was born July 6, 1855, in Deep River. Middlesex Co., Conn., and is the son of Henry H. and Mary J. (Comstock) Pratt. On the removal of the family to De Kalb County from Connecticut, they located three miles northeast of Sandwich, where his father bought a farm of 320 acres. They resided on it and improved it until it was converted into a fine and valuable farm, which was afterwards sold and. the family re- moved to Sandwich, where the father is now living; the mother died in 1871. They had seven children, five of whom survive. Merritt C. is a hardware merchant at North Loup, Neb .; Wilbur and Ashley W. are druggists at West Paw Paw, Ill .; the firm is known as Pratt Bros .; and Burton E. is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Pratt, Sr., was again married in Oswego, Ill., to Sylvia C. Collins.
The subject of this sketch was educated in Sand- wich, and when he was 17 years of age he entered the store of L. Kent, where he was engaged two years as a salesman. His next employment was ob- tained at Paw Paw, where he was a clerk in a store eight months. At the end of that time he came to Sandwich and engaged as a clerk with Pratt, Good- man & Gurley, with whom he operated several years. Mr. Goodman having withdrawn in 1868, the firm continued as Pratt & Gurley until 1882, when Mr. Gurley withdrew from the firm. Mr. Pratt, of this sketch, then purchased the interest of Mr. Gur- ley, since which date the firm style has been known as Pratt Brothers. Their business in Sandwich and vicinity is prosperous and popular, and their stock of general merchandise is valued at $20,000 on an aver- age. Mr. Pratt is a member of the fraternity of Masons.
He was married June 22, 1882, to Anna J., daugh- ter of William and Anna Turkington, and she was born in the city of New York, Nov. 22, 1862. Her father is an extensive manufacturer of millinery goods on Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Gertrude, only
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child of Mr. and Mrs. Pratt, was born June 4, 1884. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church of Sandwich.
enry G. Bell, farmer, section 9, Sycamore Township, was born Sept. 13, 1808, in Elizabethtown, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and is the son of Ralph R. and Desire (Rey- nolds) Bell. His parents were both natives of Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., his father being in the service of the United States in the second war with Great Britain, during which he operated as a pilot on the lakes. He was captured by the British and taken to Montreal, where he was held about six months a prisoner of war. On being exchanged he . re-entered the service and continued in the army until the termination of the contest.
In 1816 they went to Michigan, and the son, who was then but eight years of age, was left with friends in Genesee Co., N. Y., where he was brought up on the farm. When he was 16 years of age he joined his parents in Michigan, and he remained at Red- ford, Wayne County, until 1837, when he set out westward to seek a location for a home. He started on horseback and proceeded to Michigan City, where he overtook his wife, who had started previously with her brother-in-law. His means of locomotion were there increased by the addition of a yoke of oxen, and they pushed on to Kane Co., Ill., consuming about two weeks on the way. Mr. Bell bought a land claim for $170, near Chicken Grove, and built a log house with a puncheon floor. During the first year he broke 60 acres, and in December following he sold the claim and came to Chartres' Grove, De Kalb County, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1838 he bought a claim of land on Coon Creek, lo- cated on section 29, Hampshire Township, McHenry County. He built a log house, covered it with shakes and set about the work of improving the place, and as soon as the land came into market he received the claim. He then put the place in the hands of a renter and bought a claim on section 5, Sycamore Township, and engaged a man to break 20 acres. The claim was "jumped," but he succeeded in main- taining his rights. He built a log-house and dug a
well 32 feet deep, finding what was known as "float wood " on the bottom. The man who attempted to jump his claim started at early morning for Chicago, and on Mr. Bell's hearing of his intention and action late in the afternoon, he at once started for the land office, driving to Chicago in the night, where he suc- ceeded in entering his claim. Soon afterwards he sold his title and returned to Kane County, where he settled on the land he owned there. In 1874 he again rented the place and came to Sycamore, sec- tion 9, where he bought the farm on which he has since resided and prosecuted his agricultural plans. The farm in Kane County which he still owns com- prises 320 acres of land, chiefly improved, fenced and with good buildings.
Mr. Bell was married March 16, 1837, to Charlotte DeWitt, and they had ten children,-Martinette, Helen, Prudence, George H., Charlotte, John, Annie D., Frank, Charles and Candace. Annie died when a year old. The mother was born Feb. 28, 1815, at Niagara Falls (Canadian side), and died Nov. 21, 1879. Mr. Bell married Annie Kesler, a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
Clinton E. Rosette, editor and one of the publishers of the De Kalb Chronicle, was born Oct. 24, 1850, in Paw Paw Township, De Kalb Co., Ill. He is the son of William E. and Elizabeth (Breese) Rosette, natives of New Jersey, the former being of French descent, his parents removing to this county but a short time be- fore his birth. They were among the early settlers of De Kalb County, locating in Paw Paw Township in 1841.
Clinton was born on a farnı and received his edu- cation at the academy in East Paw Paw, at which institution he graduated, and in which he subse- quently was a member of the faculty for two years. With a view of becoming a physician, he studied medicine for five years as the opportunity was offered, but becoming dissatisfied with it he abandoned the study before receiving a degree. In the fall of 1875 he moved to De Kalb and for one year and a few months was engaged as a teacher in the public
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schools. In connection with his wife, he then opened a private school, which they continued four years with good success, having 125 pupils enrolled at the time of its suspension. The school was closed that he might give his undivided attention to the publica- tion of the De Kalb Chronicle, the publication of which was commenced in 1879 with Mr. Rosette as editor, which position he still occupies. A history of the paper may be found elsewhere in this volume; suffice it to say, in this connection, that under his management it has been an unqualified success. On the 25th day of December, 1874, Mr. Rosette was united in marriage with Alpha C. La Clair, daughter of John and Ann La Clair, of Paw Paw. Mr. Ros- ette is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is a Democrat, the principles of that party being instilled in him in his youth ; and he never has forsaken the way of his fathers.
ilas D. Wesson, farmer, section 17, Victor Township, was born Aug. 22, 1839, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His parents, James W. and Sybil (Hatch) Wesson, were na- tives of Vermont. Until he was 21 years of age Mr. Wesson was at home with his parents and accompanied them to Illinois in 1844, when they lo- cated on section 17, Victor Township. They re- mained there until their deaths. That of his father occurred Aug. 26, 1880; that of his mother, March 26, 1884.
Mr. Wesson enlisted Sept. 18, 1861, for three years in the 8th Ill. Cav., and at the expiration of two years veteranized, receiving a discharge on con- dition of re-enlisting, which he did, and served three years and eleven months longer. He received a wound June 9, 1863. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac except that at Gettysburg. He obtained his release from military service Aug. 1, 1866. In 1872 he went to Kansas, and there entered a claim of 160 acres of land on a soldier's warrant. He was a resident upon it eight years. In 1880 he returned to Illinois and effected a purchase of his father's farm by complying with the terms of the will. He is a Republican, and has been Supervisor two years. He was elected Justice of the Peace but refused to qualify.
Mr. Wesson was married Oct. 15, 1866, to Mag- dalen Suydam. She is the daughter of S. B. and Johannah Suydam. (See sketch.) Ten children have been born to them,-Sybil J., Elvie M., Mason D., Alpha G., Minerva M., Sarah M., Jaques W., Harry W., Floyd F. and Elon W.
S imon B. Suydam, a farmer of Victor Town- ship, resident on section 22, was born Jan. 4, 1803, in Somerset Co., N. J., and is a son of John and Ann (French) Suydam, who were natives of Holland. Mr. Suydam passed the years of his minority in attending school and in labor on his father's farm. When he was 22 years of age he went to Millstone, N. J., and was there for a period of ten years engaged in farming. He went thence to Butler Co., Ohio, where he bought 80 acres of land. Three years later he sold the place and located in Fairview, Fulton Co., Ill., where he became by purchase the proprietor of 160 acres of land. He managed his agricultural affairs there 13 years when he sold, preparatory to a removal to Victor Township. He bought a farm of 160 acres at first and later purchased a similar amount. His home and field of operation has since been on the same place. At the date at which he became a resident in Victor Township, he drew his crops to Chicago and brought back with him lumber and pro- visions.
He is a Democrat and has served several terms in official life in his township. He has been liberal in his support of local religious movements, and when the Methodist church was built he contributed an acre of ground for the site of the edifice. He has exerted a broad influence in the community to which he belongs, and in 1877 was the chief instrument in the organization of a chartered fire-insurance associa- tion in the township of Victor, having a capital of $60,000. It has been in operation eight years, and its capital stock now nets $140,000. It has been called on to pay but $35 in losses by fire since its organization.
Mr. Suydam was married Feb. 16, 1825, to Johan- nah Cortelyou. Six of ten children born to them are living: Anna M., Sarah, Matilda D., John H., Si-
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mon, Jaques C. and Magdalen. Cornelius R. died in the military service of the United States Jan. 20, 1862. John and Simon were also soldiers for the Union. The former was wounded in his ankle and has always been lame. Their beloved mother died July 7, 1881.
avid Alexander Syme, grain dealer at Sycamore, was born Sept. 15, 1841, in Bal- lymena, Antrim Co., Ireland, and is the son of James and Ann Young Syme. His parents were natives of Perthshire, Scotland, be- longing to families long established in that place.
At 15 years of age Mr. Syme entered a wholesale mercantile house in the city of Belfast, where he re- mained till he was 20 years of age. He then joined some friends going to Australia and New Zealand, where he spent a few years engaged in mercantile and other pursuits. On March 28, 1868, he arrived in Sycamore, and formed a partnership with his brother, as dealers in grain and seeds and agricultural machinery. In 1876 he dissolved this partnership, confining his attention to the grain business, which he extended to Kirkland and other towns in the vicinity.
Mr. Syme was one of the incorporators of the Syca- more Preserve Works, of which he is the general manager and treasurer.
February 3, 1873, he was married to Miss Marga- ret E. Morton at Sycamore. Mrs. Syme was born in Montreal, Canada.
hristian Hager, farmer, section 29, Vic- tor Township, was born Feb. 26, 1839, in La Salle Co., Ill. His parents, Oley and Martha (Anderson) Hager, were born in Germany and emigrated thence to America in 1830. Previous to his 19th year Mr. H. was subject to the authority of his parents, and was instructed by his father in the details of a farm- er's vocation, which he has pursued all his life. He was married Feb. 28, 1875, to the widow of Herman Suydam, and is her third husband. She was mar-
ried Nov. 28, 1857, to Enoch Talbot. The latter enlisted Oct. 20, 1861, and was shot and instantly killed July 12, 1863, in a forced battle at Jackson, Miss. At the same time three brothers and two brothers-in-law were in the military service of the United States, but all returned in safety. Herman Suydam, the second husband of Mrs. Hager, was born in Fairview, this State, and settled in 1848 on section 29, Victor Township, where he died, March 7, 1872. At the date of his making a permanent settlement he could ride miles without passing a house. The nearest place of supply for provisions and lumber was Aurora. Chicago was the nearest grain market. He was an enterprising citizen and public-spirited and interested in all projects for the general well-being. In political views he was a Re- publican and held various town offices. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Their only child, Hattie M. Suydam, was born Nov. 12, 1871. At the date of his death Mr. Suydam owned 320 acres of land.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hager-Bertie D. and Alice R.
B athsheba A. Hummel, residing on section I, Somonauk Township, accompanied her husband, Peter F. Hummel, to Illinois in 1838, since which date she has been a resi- dent of De Kalb County. They located first at Freeland, where they kept a hotel some years. In 1849 Mr. Hummel went to California, and died in the year following on his way home. He was born in 1805, and his death occurred Oct. 20, 1850. He was a carriage-maker by vocation, and after he came to De Kalb County he entered the claim of land on a portion of which his widow has since resided. The original tract included 640 acres, all of which was sold excepting the 80 on which she has since resided and conducted her farm- ing interests.
Mrs. Hummel was born in Woodstock, Windham Co., Conn., Aug. 23, 1811, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Estabrooks. Her parents went when she was a little -more than a month old to Orwell, Bradford Co., Pa. Her father had previously been a shoe dealer in Providence, R.
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I. He lost his property during the second Colonial struggle with Great Britain. He beca.ne a farmer in Pennsylvania, where he continued to operate until 1835, when he removed with his family to Squaw Grove Township, where he purchased land. He was the second Postmaster at Somonauk, and for a time was Justice of the Peace. He was one of the earliest pioneers of De Kalb County, and died in Squaw Grove in 1850. Mrs. Hummel was married March 25, 1830, in Orwell, Pa. Three of the chil- dren born to them are living: John H. resides at Hyde Park, Ill .; Miriam is the wife of James H. Harmon, a farmer on section 32, Somonauk Town- ship; Julius M. is a merchant at Sandwich, III.
alentine Ebinger, of the firm of Dieterich & Ebinger, manufacturers of drain-tile and brick, in Somonauk Township, one mile west of Sandwich, was born April 24, 1847, in Baden, Germany. He is the son of George and Margaret Ebinger, and is a half-brother of his partner, Lewis Dieterich. He came in 1856 with his parents to this country, and his father was engaged in brick-making in Ottawa, La Salle County, and af- terward at a place one a half miles north of Sand- wich. The son was employed a number of years in the yard. In 1871 he assumed charge of the ship- ping department of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, and was occupied in the duties of the. position until August, 1882, when he resigned and formed his present business association. In that year they erected their buildings and entered upon the prosecution of their business, in which they have met with gratifying success. Their works demand a working force of 20 men all the year, and they man- facture tile from three to twelve inches in diameter. The brick which they supply to the trade is of a fine quality, and their business transactions amount an- nually to about $20,000. The firm are the owners of the Sandwich Fair Grounds and buildings, and besides their own occupancy they have four families as tenants.
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