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 86
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
The total receipts and expenditures of the county this year amounted to $452.15.
In 1840 the principal duty was to devise ways and means to run the county without money. The license for grocery-keepers was raised to $25 per year.
For some years about all that was done by the County Commissioners was to lay out and locate new roads. In 1848 the increasing population demanded the division of the county into more election precincts. Squaw Grove precinct was formed out of what is now Squaw Grove Township and the south half of Pierce. Somonauk precinct was changed so as to include Somonauk Township and part of Victor. The name of Wooster precinct was changed to Genoa.
In March, 1849, commissioners were appointed to provide for the building of a new court-house. At the same time an order was passed authorizing the erection of a jail.
At the December term, 1849, William A. Miller, William J. Hunt and Robert Sterrett were appointed to divide the county into townships for a new organ- ization under the township organization law. They divided the county into thirteen townships, to which were given the following names : Genoa, Kingston, Franklin, Vernon, Liberty, Sycamore, Richland, Orange, Shabbona, Clinton, Squaw Grove, Somonauk and Paw Paw.
The following comprises the list of those who have held the office of County Commissioner : R.
774
DE KALB COUNTY.
Colton, Levi Lee, Robert Sterrett, Burrage Hough, E. G. Jewell, H. Hicks, M. M. Mack, David Merritt, Sylvanus Holcomb, A. Hayden, George H. Hill, Joseph Newberry, W. Young, A. Hill, John S. Brown.
Board of Supervisors.
AVING adopted the township organization law, a Board of Supervisors was elected in 1850. The first meeting was held at Syca- more, Oct. 7, 1850. James Harrington, of Sycamore, was chosen Chairman. Among the first acts of the Board was to change the name of the townships of Orange to De Kalb, of Richland
to Pampas, of Liberty to Mayfield, and of Vernon to South Grove. From 1850 to the present time the township organization system has been in vogue and has generally been acceptable to the people. Wise counsels have usually prevailed in the Board, and much has been accomplished by the members to advance the welfare of the county. Especially during the perilous times of the Rebellion was the Board active in providing means and measures to aid the Government and the people at home.
For a list of Supervisors, see the respective town- ship histories, where a full list of the Supervisors of the county, serving the various townships in this capacity, is given.
County Buildings.
HE County Commissioners, in 1838, when the seat of jus- tice for the county was deter- mined upon, after providing for the survey and the plat- ting of the village, issued an order requiring Eli G. Jewell to sell certain lots at public auc- tion, the proceeds to be applied to the erection of a court-house and jail. The auction was held and some 15 or 20 lots were sold at prices ranging from $20 to $50 each. Among the purchasers were Fred- erick Love, J. C. Kellogg, James S. Waterman, Harvey Maxfield, Dan- iel Bannister, Almon Robinson, Erastus Barnes and Timothy Wells. Steps were at once taken to erect a court-house, and accordingly a building 20 x 30 feet was erected on the south side of the public square, in which the June session of the Circuit Court, in 1839, was held, although incomplete at the time. This building was
used until the winter of 1850-1 as a court-house, and afterwards used for various purposes until 1881, when it was torn down and the lumber removed.
In consequence of increase in population, and in the volume of business transacted by the county officers, it was but a few years before a larger and better building became absolutely necessary. The people throughout the county felt unwilling to bear the expense of the entire building, believing that the count seat, which they thought would be benefited thereby, should bear a large proportion. After much discussion, at the March term, 1849, of the Commis- sioners' Court, three commissioners were appointed to contract for building a new court-house. The commissioners were E. P. Koring, Kimball Dow and J. C. Kellogg. The building was to be erected in the center of the public square, to be of brick 60 x 40 feet, two stories in height, and cost not to exceed $6,000. Of this amount individual citizens, presum- ably of Sycamore, were to contribute $1,500, being allowed to pay in notes, two-thirds of which should be paid Nov. 1, 1849, and the remainder one year thereafter. The County Commissioners further or-
DE KALB COUNTY.
775
dered that it should be agreed that in case the county seat should ever be removed from Sycamore the county should return to the persons the amount paid by each. It was ordered that the notes be registered on the court records and be evidence of the liability of the county for the re-payment of this advance. An active canvass was at once made to secure the required amount from the citizens of Syca- more, with flattering results. Among those con- tributing, with the amounts given, are the following named: E. B. Barnes, $roo; Amos Story, $20; John Mayfield, $40; Thomas Woolsey, $20; Kim- ball Dow, $50; E. P. Young, $150; W. H. Beavers, $37; W. J. Hunt, $50; Ellsworth Rose, $25; E. Hall, $25 ; E. H. Barnes, $25; Alonzo Brown, $20; O. P. White, $25; Z. B. Mayo, $50 ; E. L. Mayo, $50; John Chatfield, $20; J. S. & J. C. Waterman, $150; M. Stark, $50; O. M. Bryan, $30; Thomas H. Wood, $25; E. Wharry, $20; E. G. Jewell, $20; Darius Williams, $25; R. Wyman, $20; William Connell, $20; J. C. Kellogg, $25; R. Hopkins and W. P. Dutton, $75 ; D. Easterbrooks, $25 ; A. Jack- man, $20; Homer Roberts, $20; Sylvanus Holcomb, $25 ; W. Fordham, $30; G. W. Kretsinger, $20.
The agents for building were also authorized to sell the old court-house and all town lots owned by the county at auction, and apply the proceeds in payment of the $4,500 in bonds issued by the county" for the new building. In the winter of 1850-1 the new court-house was completed and occupied by the county officers.
No changes were made to this building until 1863, when a fire-proof addition was made upon the west side for the use of the offices of of the circuit and county clerks, at a cost of $4,500.
At the same time in which the order was passed appointing agents to superintend the erection of the court-house, one authorizing the erection of a jail at a cost not exceeding $1,500 was passed. Nothing, however, was done under this order.
In 1855 another attempt was made to secure an appropriation and an order authorizing the erection of a county jail. After much discussion an order was passed appropriating $3,500 for this purpose, provided the citizens of Sycamore would subscribe $1,500. An effort was made by interested persons to secure this amount, but without avail. At the January term of the Board of Supervisors, in 1856,
the committee appointed to solicit subscriptions re- ported no success in their mission, and recommended that the county proceed to build the jail without their aid. After considerable discussion, the Board appropriated $5,000 for the purpose, and appointed J. S. Brown, James Harrington and Alonzo Ellwood a building committee. The work was at once begun and soon completed. Thus the first jail in DeKalb County was not erected for 19 years after its organi- zation.
In 1853 the Board of Supervisors appointed W. C. Tappan and Jesse Tindall a committee to contract for a tract of land for a poor-farm, the expense of keeping the poor becoming quite burdensome to the county. A loan of $3,000 was called for with which to purchase it. In September, the farm of A. H. Cartwright, between Sycamore and De Kalb, was purchased for the purpose. Suitable buildings were erected and for a number of years met the wants of those for whom it was intended.
At the November term of the Board of Supervisors, in 1870, Moses Dean, W. L. Simmons, C. W. Brough- ton, J. F. Glidden and Curtis Smith were appointed a committee for the purpose of taking into consider- ation the purchase of a new farm for the poor and the erection of more suitable buildings. The com- mittee at the January, 1871, term, reported against a change of location, but urged the erection of new buildings, according to certain plans and specifica- 'tions filed with their report. The report of the com- mittee was adopted and recommendations concurred in. Moses Dean and J. F. Glidden were appointed a committee to superintend the erection of new buildings. An appropriation of $9,500 was made for the purpose. At the September term, 1871; the committee reported the cost of improvements would amount to about $14,000. An additional appropriation of $1,500 was made. The buildings were completed before winter. In that year there were 33 inmates in the poor-house. For the year 1884, the cost of operating the farm and caring for the poor was $2,263.38. The average appropriation annually is $1,800. For the year 1884 it was reported there were 26 inmates in the house ; three deaths and one birth had occurred. The cost of each inmate for the year, exclusive of farm products used, was $1.59 per week. The institution is well and economically managed, all parties being satisfied with it.
DE KALB COUNTY.
776
Judicial.
N its organization De Kalb County was made part of the 7th Judicial Circuit. The first session of the Court was held at the house of Rufus Colton, in Coltonville, on the 9th day of October, 1838. There were present Hon. John Pearson, Judge of the Circuit, Joseph C. Lan- der, Sheriff, and Rufus Colton, Clerk. The first suit on record was that of Erasmus D. Walrod vs. Stephen Sherwood. This was a case of appeal from a justice's court, the plaintiff having obtained a judgment for the same of $Ico. The judgment of the lower court was sustained.
The following named composed the first grand ury: George H. Hill, Nathan Billings, William A. Miller, Lysander Darling, John Whitney, John Easta- brooks, William Miles, Henry Madden, Eli Barnes, Phineas Stevens, Alpheus Jenks, Russell D. Crossett, John Maxfield, William Davis, Maltby B. Cleveland, D. S. Ballard, Zachariah Wood, Ralph Wyman, Ben- jamin Stephens, Joseph A. . Armstrong, Henry B. Barber, Reuben Nichols, Justin Crafts.
The petit jurors for the same term were C. W. Branch, E. F. White, Abner Jackson, Peter Lamois, Clark Wright, John Elliott, Clark L. Barber, Joseph A. McCollum, Russell Huntley, Ora A. Walker, John Corkins, Solomon Wells, H. N. Perkins, Jacob Cox, Lyman Judd, Henry Durham, F. A. Witherspoon, John Sebree, Marshall Stark, Jeremiah Burleigh, John
Riddle, Wm. Russell, W. Y. Pomeroy, Ezra Hanson.
There were 20 cases on the docket at this term. The only indictment found by the grand jury was one against William Taylor for passing counterfeit money. Taylor was supposed to be one of an organ- ized gang that was then infesting the country and swindling honest citizens. Not being ready for trial he was retained until the next term of court. After being boarded for some weeks by the Barber family the County Commissioners ordered him sent to the Will County jail, to do which cost the county $45. ·When he was next brought out for trial he escaped from the guard and was never afterwards heard from.
The June session of the Circuit Court convened at Coltonville with Hon. Thomas Ford, Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit, presiding. While in session the Board of County Commissioners ordered its clerk to notify the Judge that a court-house had been erected at the county seat and was ready for occupancy, re- questing that he direct the Circuit Clerk to there keep his office. Boise thus speaks of this matter : "Cap- tain Barnes served the order upon the Judge, and the crowd of attendants, augmented by a large body of citizens, assembled to see what action would be taken upon this order, awaited with great interest the argument upon the proposition to remove to Sycamore. When the Judge decided that the court must be re- moved thence a shout of triumph went up from the Sycamore party, while the opponents of removal were correspondingly depressed. Judge Ford took his record under his arm, State's Attorney Purple bundled up his papers, the Sheriff, the lawyers, juries, parties and witnesses followed suit, and, led by Captain
DE KALB COUNTY.
777
Barnes on that well-known spotted horse that he rode upon all public occasions for more than 20 years later, all took up their line of march through the thick woods and across the green prairie, to the new seat of empire at Sycamore. The assemblage was enter- tained at a grand public dinner at the new tavern, when all the luxuries that the country afforded were freely provided by the successful party. When the Court repaired to the new court-house, it was found that the declaration of the Commissioners that the court-house was ready for occupancy was rather more than its condition warranted. It had a frame, a roof, and some siding upon it, but there were no doors or windows, and the only floor was some loose boards covering one half of the upper story. When the officers of the Court had clambered up to the seat of justice in the second story, they found furniture somewhat scarce. A tilting table was the judge's desk, and a broad, rough board was provided for the clerk's and attorney's tables. It was a rough and primitive arrangement for the entertainment of the blind goddess, and if she had had her eyes about her she would have fled from the spot in alarm. A question arose whether processes having been made returnable at Coltonville, suits could be tried at an- other locality, and except a few agreed cases no liti- gation was carried on. William Taylor, the only criminal, having fortunately run away, and the arrest of all others carefully avoided, there was no use for a grand jury, and it had been at once dismissed, and the court speedily adjourned."
Judge Ford presided at each session of the Circuit Court from 1839 to 1841, inclusive. The Judge sub- sequently became Governor of the State, a biograph- ical sketch and portrait of whom will be found upon other pages of this work.
Hon. J. D. Caton, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, was assigned to circuit duties, and presided here from 1842 to 1849 inclusive. Judge Caton is well known to be one of the ablest judges ever upon the bench in the State of Illinois.
Hon. T. Lyle Dickey was assigned to the circuit in 1850. He is at present a popular Judge of the Supreme Court.
Hon. Isaac G. Wilson was the first Judge elected to the new 13th Circuit, under the Constitution of 1848. He was commissioned in June, 1851. Judge Wilson was born in Middlebury, N. Y., April 26,
1815. He received a good collegiate education, and in law few men are better read. Of a fine, dignified, personal appearance, a cultured gentleman, he re- ceives the respect of all. As a judge, he ranks among the best, and in his long career upon the bench, he has never been accused of corruption or favoritism.
Judge Wilson was succeeded by Allen C. Fuller, who is widely known as the Adjutant General of the State during the Rebellion, discharging the duties of that office in a most acceptable manner. Judge Fuller was and is a man of great force of character, with indomitable will and energy, and, as a lawyer, ranked high. He remained upon the bench but a few months, resigning to accept the appointment of Adjutant General. He has become immensely wealthy.
Hon. Theodore D. Murphy was elected to succeed Judge Fuller, his commission bearing date Sept. I, 1862. He was re-commissioned June 27, 1867, and served until 1879 as Judge of the 13th and of the Second Circuit as re-organized under the Constitution of 1870, and again as one of the Judges of the 12th Circuit created by the act of 1877, of which De Kalb County forms a part. Judge Murphy is of Irish de- scent, born in Virginia. He was very popular with the people.
By the act of 1877 three judges were elected to to each circuit, and at present Judges Clark W. Up- ton, Isaac G. Wilson and Charles Kellum serve the circuit. No circuits in the State have more popular judges. Isaac G. Wilson has already been men- tioned. He is now one of the Judges of the Appellate Court also. Of Clark W. Upton much could be said in his praise. He is a native of Vermont, a man of great and diversified experience, well read in litera- ture and law, an upright judge and well liked by the Bar. In personal appearance he is one to attract at- tention, having a smooth face, florid complexion, and, to sum it all up, is a handsome man.
Of Charles Kellum it is unnecessary to speak in this connection. A full biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, accompanied by a well ·executed portrait. Suffice it to say, as a lawyer he is regarded highly ; as a judge, among the best, hav- ing the confidence and respect of the Bar and peo- ple alike; as a citizen, ever ready to do all in his power to advance the best interests of the commu- nity in which he lives.
778
DE KALB COUNTY.
2 ..
BAR.
to stastanto atento testo Text
A MONG the learned profes- sions, none rank higher than the legal. Its members exert probably a greater influence upon a community than that of any other. The lawyer is expected to occupy a leading position upon all questions af- fecting the well-being of the peo- ple. In all public assemblies he is expected to take a promi- nent part and his views are often accepted and endorsed. The Bar of De Kalb County has always ranked high, embracing among its members some of the brightest legal talent in North- ern Illinois.
Mr. Crothers, a young attorney, located at Colton- ville shortly after the village was laid out, in 1837, and has the honor of being the first lawyer to reside in the county. He was a man of great natural abil- ity and well read for one of liis age. He remained until about the time the county seat was removed to Sycamore, when he moved to Ottawa, became the law partner of T. Lyle Dickey, and became quite dis- tinguished at the Bar.
Andrew J. Brown, who is usually supposed to have been the first lawyer to locate in the county, was doubtless the second. He remained here but a short time and then moved to Chicago, where he
subsequently became quite distinguished. He is now dead.
Mr. Masters is said to have been the next attorney to locate here. He did but little if any business, and has been forgotten by most of the older resi- dents.
E. L. Mayo and W. J. Hunt were next in order. The latter did little or no business at the Bar, but the former became quite distinguished.
Among those who have lived and practiced here at the Bar, whose names are readily recalled, and who now reside elsewhere, have quit practice, or who have since died, are John L. Beveridge, a man of sterling worth, who has been Governor of the State of Illinois; Mr. Favor, J. A. Simons, A. C. Allen, D. B. James, Z. B. Mayo, A. C. Babcock, R. L. Divine, John J. McKinnon, William Fordham, O. S. Webster, A. C. Bryant, Gilbert Winters, Volney Owen, Charles Balliette, H. D. Willis, F. W. Part- ridge, Mr. McBroom, George Kretsinger, J. H. Sedg- wick, L. E. Hay and Frank Stevens.
D. B. James was admitted to the Bar in his native State of Vermont about 1847. In 1849 he dropped his law books and went to California, where he re- mained some two years engaged in mining, but with poor success. Returning to Vermont, he made his arrangements to come to Illinois, arriving in De Kalb County in 1852, where he at once formed a partner- ship with E. L. Mayo, which continued until 1858. He then formed a partnership with Luther Lowell
DE KALB COUNTY.
779
and Chauncey Ellwood, under the firm name of James, Lowell & Ellwood, which continued some months, when Mr. Ellwood withdrew. The follow- ing four years the firm of James & Lowell had an existence. In 1864 the partnership of James & Lowell was dissolved and that of James & Jones formed. In the fall of this year Mr. James was elected County Judge. Taking the office Jan. I, 1865, he served four years. Some time in 1866 he received a stroke of paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered, but notwithstanding he continued to discharge the duties of his office. On the expira- tion of his term he was appointed Postmaster and served one term. Judge James was a man of good, native ability and a very popular man. According to his ability he did as much to advance the inter- ests of Sycamore as any man that ever resided here. He did too much for his own good, financially speak- ing. As a lawyer he ranked high during the first ten years of his life in Sycamore. He was not a close student, but was a man of quick perception, a fluent speaker, and as an advocate before a jury met with great success. Like many other lawyers he devoted much of his time to politics. During the war he was very active in promoting enlistments, and was appointed upon the staff of Gov. Oglesby, with rank of Colonel. His wife was Ann George. Col. James died Jan. 29, 1877.
George Kretsinger was a brilliant, though not a profound lawyer. His best work was as an advocate before a jury. He served the county one term in the Legislature. Many years ago he removed to California, where he has since died.
J. A. Simons was a good chancery lawyer. He removed to Missouri Junction, Iowa, and has since died.
A. C. Allen was from Bradford Co., Pa. As a law- yer he ranked high during the second decade of the county's existence. He died here.
John J. Mckinnon was a native of Canada, but came here from Chicago. He was a man of fine ability, well read in literature and law.
A. C. Babcock was a stirring fellow, a fine advo- cate, but while here devoted himself more to the ab- stract business than the law.
R. L. Divine was from Sullivan Co., N. Y. He was a man of great ability, surpassed by few in the State as a criminal lawyer. A good sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Volney Owen was from Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was here a portion of the tinie during the second and third decades of the county's history. He formed a partnership with Chauncey Ellwood after the withdrawal of the latter from the firm of James, Lowell & Ellwood. He was a well read lawyer. After remaining in this State a few years, he returned to New York, was subsequently elected County Judge of Herkimer County, and has since died.
William Fordham was from Montrose, Susque- hannah Co., Pa. He was here in the second decade. Mr. Fordham was a man of more than ordinary abil- ity, a little erratic, but well read in law. He now resides in Morgan Co., Tenn.
O. S. Webster settled at Cortland shortly after the completion. of the railroad through that place, where he remained a short time and then moved to Sycamore. He was regarded as a promising young man. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted, served his time, and then located in Sagamon Co., Ill., where he now resides. He served as County Superintendent of Public Schools of that county for some time.
C
A. C. Bryant was from Vermont. He was a bright young man, but ill health prevented his doing much business in this county. He removed tempo- rarily to Minnesota, but returned and died here.
Gilbert Winters was a lawyer of considerable ability, a fine special pleader. He went into the army, and at the close of his term of service returned to Mans- field, Ohio, from whence he came.
Charles Balliette was a young man, but one who was not content to remain unknown. As a lawyer he was painstaking, with a steadfast determination to succeed. He now resides in Nevada, Story Co., Iowa, where he has attained a fine reputation as a lawyer.
H. D. Willis was a young man of much ability. He remained but a short time, moving to Elgin, where he has since obtained prominence, being State's Attorney for Kane County.
F. W. Partridge was from New York. He located here in 1858, read law and was admitted to the Bar shortly before the war. He opened an office in Sandwich, and was building up a good practice when the President issued his call for the first 300,- 000 men. He dropped his law books, raised a com- pany, was commissioned Captain, and before the
780
DE KALB COUNTY.
close of the war rose to the rank of Colonel and was brevetted Brigadier-General. Returning home, he was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk, was subse- quently appointed Consul to Siam, and now has a clerkship in one of the departments at Washington.
J. H. Sedgwick is a native of Ohio, born in Hartford, Licking County. With his parents he moved to Little Rock, Kendall Co, Ill., in 1844, where he remained until 1856, when he removed to Sandwich. He read law with F. W. Part- ridge, attended a law school in Chicago, and was admitted to the Bar about 1860. Serving his time in the war, he returned to Sandwich, purchased an interest in the Gazette, and for a few months engaged in editorial work. Disposing of his interest in that paper, he removed to Sycamore, and for a time was a partner of Judge Lowell. Again returning to Sand- wich, he became a partner of his brother, W. W. Sedgwick, which partnership continued till the fall of 1879, after which time he practiced alone for two years. He then went to Chicago, where he remained one year and then went to Peoria, where he yet re- sides, and is numbered with the best legal men of that city.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.