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 90
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W. Tyrrell, the ednor of the paper, is a practical newspaper man, and wields a trenchant pen. The Review is constantly increasing in circulation.
Genoa Index.
PAPER, under the above caption, was started in 1884, at Genoa, the first issue bearing date Oct. 23, with D. W. Hartman & Co. as publishers. The Genoa Index is a mently printed newspaper, bearing evidence that it is controlled by one who understands his business. In size it is a five-column quanto, well filled with original and miscellaneous matter. The business men of Genoa seem to appreciate the paper, as its advertising patronage is first-class. In the few months in which the paper has been published it has worked ap a good circulation and bids fair to be long-lived.
Among the papers that have had a brief existence in the county are, Western World and De Kalb Re- nicze, published in De Kalb in 1858, by Mr. An- drews; the Genoa Siftings, at Genon, by Lee Tomblin, in 1882; the Daily Free Press, Sycamore; the Daily News, Sycamore; Daily Herald, Sand wich.
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Inventions.
ONLY a few, if any, counties in the State can at all be compared with De Kalb in the number of useful inven- tions. Among the number worthy of special mention in this volume are the Marsh Harvesters, Whitney Self-Binder, Glidden Barbed Wire, "S " Barbed Wire, the Ellwood Cultivators, the Powers, Corn-Shellers and Cultivators of the Sandwich Man- ufacturing Company. Among the in- ventions made by citizens of De Kalb County, that of barbed wire for fenc- ing has probably given the county its greatest reputation. While wire for fencing pur- poses was used as early as 1821, when the first patent was granted, it was not until 1874 that any- thing practical was invented. As early as 1873, J. F. Glidden began to experiment with barbed wire. Having upon his farm a large quantity of smooth wire fence, the thought occurred to him that he could place barbs upon the wire in a more satisfactory manner than had yet been done. With very simple instruments he twisted the barb around the wire and made the first practical test upon his own farm. Eu- listing the interest of I. L. Ellwood, the two formed a partnership and made application for a patent, which was granted in May, 1874, the essential fea- tures being that of "coiling a short piece of wire between its ends around the fence wire," a device
which has never been deviated from in the slightest particular in the construction of the now world- famous Glidden Steel Barb Fence Wire.
At the time Mr. Glidden was making his practical tests, Jacob Haish, of De Kalb, was also experiment- ing in the same line. The first patent secured by him was Jan. 20, 1874. The specification read as follows : "Two strands of wire twisted together, said wires cut into lengths of about one-sixth of a panel, their ends lapping so far as to permit hooking by turning each end back and then projecting them laterally upward and downward to serve as barbs." Other patents followed and improvements were made until the efforts of the inventor were crowned by the invention and introduction of the justly celebrated " S" Barb Wire.
Reuben Ellwood has led a busy, active life. His mind seems never at rest. As an idventor he has presented to the world many useful articles, some of which are here enumerated :
I. The Ellwood Riding Cultivator was first pat- ented July 1, 1873. Machines of this kind are made, either four or six blades, from which, together with the attachments, four complete cultivators are made, -four, five, six or nine blade cultivators. This style has more good points with less complication than any other cultivator made.
2. The Ellwood Walking Cultivator is the out- growth of a demand for a first-class implement of that kind. It was patented by Mr. Ellwood Aug. 21, 1883.
3. The Ellwood 400-Pound Sulky Plow was pat-
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ented Aug. 22, 1879. Its weight is much less than any other, while the strongest.
4. The Ellwood Self-Discharging Sulky Rake was patented April 22, 1879. It is simple, strong and durable.
5. Ellwood's Barrel Cart is one of the most con- venient things about a farm. It was invented by a practical farmer to lighten the labor of carrying slops and milk from the house and dairy. It was patented April 3, 1877.
6. Ellwood's Barn Door Hanger is simple and sub- stantial in construction. The patent was issued July 4, 1876.
7. The Little Giant Wire Stretcher, for stretching barb-wire fences, was patented in 1882. Two hun- dred thousand made and sold.
Among other inventions of Mr. Ellwood are the Hinge Harrow, One-Horse Power, Revolving Box Churn, Iron Fence Picket and Rolling Coulters, all practical inventions and in use throughout the coun- try.
C. W. & W. W. Marsh have a national reputa- tion. Their inventions are in use throughout the Union and even in foreign lands. The following comprises a part of what has been invented by them :
Harvester, patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, Feb. 14, 1865, consists of an open inside divider. This has generally been adopted by all harvester companies.
Harvester, patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, June 7, 1865. A re-issue to cover the binding table and receptacle and the position of the binder. Vir- tually used by all harvester companies.
Harvester, patented June 18, 1872, by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, a simple device for hurrying forward the butts of the grain.
Harvester, re-issue patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, Jan. 12, 1875. Consists of an elevating mechanism reaching forward of the sickle bar. This invention has been adopted by all manufacturers of harvesters.
Harvester, patent re-issued Jan. 12, 1875, by C. W. & W. W. Marsh. Patent consists of folding or re- moving the hand-binder table, in order to narrow up the machine in passing through narrow places. This is virtually used by all the harvester companies.
Harvester, patent re-issued March 9, 1875. Claim, the hand-binding tables on the outside of the drive-
wheel, in order to balance the machine. This inven- tion was practically adopted by all the hand-binding harvesters manufactured in this country.
Harvester, patent re-issued March 9, 1875, by C. W. & W. W. Marsh. This patent consists of a cover for holding the grain down on the lower elevator can- vass. This virtually has been adopted by all manu- facturers of harvesters, the only difference being, they use a canvass revolving cover.
Harvester, patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, Feb. 21, 1876. A devise for protecting the finger- bar.
Harvester, patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, June 13, 1876. This consists of a device for level- ing the hand-binder's foot-board table while the ma- chine is in motion. A useful invention.
Harvester, patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, June 13, 1876. Consists of a raising and lowering device.
Harvester, patented by C. W. and W. W. Marsh, Feb. 20, 1877. Consists of an adjustable reel.
Harvester Reel, patented by C. W. & W. W. Marsh, April 17, 1877. The claim consists of an ad- justable reel.
Grain-Binding Harvester, patented by W. W. Marsh and M. E. Blood, April 10, 1883. Claim, a re- volting adjuster wheel for straightening and working grain back to the binder in proper position for bind- ing.
Grain-Binding Harvester, patented Feb. 10, 1885, by W. W. Marsh and M. E. Blood. Claim, a vertical canvass placed over the drum of the platform can- vass, in order to force grain to the binder, thereby straightening the same. The vertical canvass is in a frame which is held down by a spring to accommo- date itself to the different thickness of the grain. Claim, also a vibrating butter used to square up the butts of the grain, together with a raised wall for re- sisting the flow of the grain in order to straighten it.
These patents virtually cover the Marsh-Blood machine.
Harvester and Binder, patented March 18, 1884, by Charles Whitney & W. W. Marsh. This patent covers rotating butts; combination of the trip and compresser ; rotating bundle-discharging fingers; straight-sliding cord guide and knife.
Grain-Binding Harvester, patented by C. Whitney
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& W. W. Marsh, Jan. 1, 1884. Claim, combination of the binder arm and packer fingers by connecting link, so that as the binding arm goes into the grain the packer fingers are raised out of the grain.
The two last patents cover virtually the Marsh- Whitney Platform Machine.
Back Belt, patented Nov. 12, 1869, by C. W. & W. W. Marsh. This invention is used by almost all the harvester companies and was very profitable to the inventors.
Painting Machine, patented by W. W. Marsh in 1876. For painting straight work by the use of rub- ber rollers.
Wheel Cultivator, patented by W. W. Marsh and H. Mclntyre, July 16, 1872. This patent consists of an adjustable seat and foot rest for high and low corn.
Corn-Husker, patented by W. W. Marsh in 1870. Consists of rubber rollers for husking corn out of the shock.
Wind-Mill, patented by W. W. Marsh and O. E. Miles, July 15, 1873. This patent consists of a mov- able shaft giving a graduating stroke to the piston.
Wind-Mill, patented by W. W. Marsh, May 25, 1875. A shifting device in combination with a mov- able shaft.
These patents cover the Marsh mill.
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Wind-Mill, patented by W. W. Marsh, Aug. 15, 1876. Consists of a mechanism for folding the wheel in combination with an adjustable shaft.
Sulky Plow, patented by W. W. Marsh, Dec. 17, 1878. Claim, an improved mechanism.
Wire-Stretcher, patented by W. W. Marsh and Charles Burquist, in 1877.
The Sandwich Manufacturing Co., at Sandwich, are owners of a large number of valuable patents, the inventions principally of some member of the com- pany. Augustus Adams and H. A. Adams deserve honorable mention in the list of De Kalb County in- ventors. Their inventions are of a practical charac- ter and for practical use, and have been brought out in the shops of the Sandwich Manufacturing Co. The following is a partial list :
Horse-Powers, patented July 2, 1861, by A. Adams, No. 32,637.
Corn-Shellers, patented by A. Adams, Aug. 6, 1861,
No. 32,971. Re-issued March 20, 1866, No. 2,205. Another patent on same issued May 15, 1866, No. 54,659.
On the 15th of October, 1872, H. A. Adams re- ceived a patent on corn-shellers, No. 132,128.
The foregoing were the inventions making tlie foundation of the great corn-sheller manufacture which made A. Adams & Sons, and their success- ors, the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, known throughout the whole country and many parts of Europe and South America.
Other sheller patents were granted to A. Adams, No. 123,758, Feb. 20, 1872 ; No. 135,306, Jan. 28, 1873. H. A. Adams also secured one, No. 252, 594, Jan. 24, 1882.
Of harvester patents the following have been issued :
To Adams & Low, No. 99, 451, Feb. 1, 1870.
To H. A. Adams, No. 144,179, Nov. 4, 1873; No. 191,217, May 29. 1877 ; No. 191,631, June 5, 1877; Nov. 191,632, June 5, 1877 ; No. 256,812, April 25, 1882; No. 306,891, Oct. 21, 1884.
To Shogren & Adams, No. 187,159, Feb. 6, 1877.
On grain-binders, several patents have been se- cured :
To H. A. Adams, No. 214,980, May 6, 1879.
To W. H. Payne No. 191,776, June 2, 1877 ; No. 234,372, Nov. 9, 1880; No. 214,790, April 29, 1879 ; No. 219,304, Sept. 2, 1879.
To Shufelt & Adams, Nc. 265,159, Oct. 17, 1882; No. 306,184, Oct. 7, 1884.
On cultivators, A. Adams secured a patent, No. 139,752, June 10, 1873, and H. A. Adams, No. 103,- 537, May 21, 1870.
On key-making machine, A. Slogren received a patent, No. 186,437, Jan. 23, 1877.
The company has also bought rights and interests in a large number of other valuable patents. There has also been produced by them from time to time many improvements and inventions not patented, such as the circling side gears now so much used in threshing and shelling machinery and the like, and flexible iron cob spines for corn shellers. Nearly all the popular forms of hand shellers and many of the best devices used in both hand and power corn- shellers originated in this establishment.
The feed-grinders, manufactured by the Enterprise
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Company of Sandwich, are the invention of T. W. Beal and patented in 1883. The frame is of iron and can be bolted to the floor at any convenient place, the legs being provided with lugs and holes for that purpose.
The climax cultivators are the invention of Harvey Packer, and were patented in 1876. They are manu- factured by the Enterprise Company, Sandwich, Ill.
The Climax Spring Walking Cultivator has an equalizer, the invention of T. R. Polglase, the fore- man of the Enterprise Company, of Sandwich. The object of this equalizer is to require each horse to do its own share of the work, as well when one is slightly in advance of the other as when they are even. It works like a charm.
Wind Mill .- The invention of Harvey Packer, patented in 1876, and manufactured by the Enter- prise Company, of Sandwich, Ill. The claim made for this invention is a solid wheel, made without joint or pivot, with hard-wood arms bolted into a strong cast-iron hub, hard-wood circles, into which the fan slats are securely fastened, the whole firmly bolted together, and forming a strong and durable wheel ; the vane is large and strong, made so as to hold the wheel at all times steadily and firmly in the wind, and when folded keeps the wheel with its edge to the wind, enabling it to withstand the fiercest gale. A revolving post and multiplying governor are also strong features.
In 1870 Richard Emerson, of De Kalb, a practical machinist, began experimenting with a view of con- structing a reaping machine that would be an im- provement upon all then in use. In 1871 he had a complete machine manufactured and gave it a thor- ough test in the harvest field. The result was not satisfactory. In 1872 he constructed another, which likewise proved a failure. He did not yet despair, but believed that he would still succeed. Being a poor man, he could not pursue his investigations as he desired, and three years passed before he could build his third machine. Unfortunately, this too was condemned as being impracticable. In 1376 he in-
vented and patented an adjustable binding table, to be used on any of the machines then made. This invention was adopted by the Marsh Harvester Com- pany and by McCormick, and used until displaced by the self-binder. In 1877 Mr. Emerson turned his attention to and invented and patented a wire self- binder. For some years past Mr. Emerson has had the active co-operation of H. H. Mason, who has furnished him the means to continue his experiments, investing several thousand dollars for that purpose. For the confidence reposed in him by Mr. Mason and for the kindly aid furnished, Mr. Emerson is in- deed grateful, realizing his inability to continue with- out it. Wire binders being found objectionhble, Mr. Emerson, as well as other inventors, turned his at- tention to the construction of a binder using twine instead of wire. In 1884 he constructed another machine almost entirely different from any others, which he gave a thorough test in the field, with the best satisfaction. A patent for this was ob- tained. For this machine, which he terms the Emerson & Mason Harvester and Table Rake Spring Binder, Mr. Emerson makes the following claims : A reaper with a table rake to a diagonal ele- vation. By a swinging apron the grain is greatly compressed before reaching the elevator, which is comparatively short and from which the grain is de- livered into the packer. By a new and simple device a knot is formed after the twine has been made to encircle the grain, which by a swinging binder is dis- charged from the rear of the drive wheel. A further claim is made that the machine is lighter by 300 pounds than the ordinary harvesters, at the same time equal in strength and more durable, in conse- quence of its principal part being of iron.
In 1883 William C. Watkins secured a patent on an invention for stretching wire upon the posts. The stretcher is so constructed that it will stretch from either or both ends, while being unwound from the spool.
In 1880 Watkins & Ellwood secured a patent for a wire-stretcher. The R. Ellwood Manufactur- ing Co. now own the patent.
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TOWNSHIPS
atesto ata sta ate
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OWNSHIP history is an es- sential and prominent part of the county history. The various parts of De Kalb County were settled by men most of whom have repre- sentatives now living in the county, or are still living here themselves. A careful reading of the incidents relating to the early settlement of the several town- ships will repay the reader, as each one contains the names of the first settlers, and many other items which are required to make the history complete. The township histories are given in their alpha- betical order, and the sketches of the villages are included in their respective town- ships. The cities of Sycamore, De Kalb and Sand- wich follow the townships.
AFTON TOWNSHIP.
FTON Township lies in the third tier from the south, and is bounded on the east by Pierce, on the north by De Kalb, on the south by Clinton, and on the west by Milan. The land is a beautiful rolling prairie, well adapted to all the cereals peculiar to this lati- tude. The head-waters of Little Rock Creek are on
section 14. It is said that John A. Hayden, one of the early settlers of the township, was a great admirer of the song, "Flow gently, sweet Afton," and persisted in calling this stream " Sweet Afton," from which the township derived its name.
W. R. Campbell is given the honor of being the first settler and John A. Hayden the next. Among other early settlers were Daniel Washburn, Timothy Pierson, John McGirr, Benjamin Muzzy, Charles Ward, Francis Bemis and Alexander Folger.
Afton was one of the last townships in the county to be settled, on account of there being no timber in proximity to it. While having no village within its boundaries it is considered one of the best town- ships in the county.
On the adoption of the township organization law, in 1850, and the creation of civil townships, the northern half of Afton was attached to De Kalb and the southern half to Clinton. The township was organ- ized in 1855. The first election was held at the house of Sanford A. Tyler, on section 14. Timothy Pierson and Orson Pearl were elected Justices ; San- ford A. Tyler, Town Clerk; Clark Glidden, Assessor and Collector. Since that time the following named have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors :
Sylvester W. Patten . ... 1881 C. W. Broughton .1869-72
John A. Ryon ... -1878-80
David B. Stryker. .. 1884
In 1855 the first school was held in a house belong- ing to Mr. Goodell. Mr. Lord was the teacher. In
E. Noble .1856-68
John A. Ryon .... ... 1882-83 Henry Kingsley. .1873-77
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DE KALB COUNTY.
1856 the school section was sold, the township was divided into two school districts and a good school- house was built on the northwest corner of section 24, in district No. 1, which comprised the east half of the township. The township was subsequently divided into nine school districts.
The following items in regard to educational mat- ters in the township are gleaned from the report of the county superintendent of public schools for the year ending June 30, 1884: There were 387 per- sons under 21 years of age, of whom 307 were over six and under 21, of which number 269 were enrolled in the public schools. In each of the nine districts lying within the township was a good frame school-house, the total value of which was $5,850. During the year 16 teachers were employed, at an average salary of $35-75 per month, the highest being $45 and the lowest $25. A tax was levied for school purposes amounting to $2,529.
In 1867 the Second Adventists built a churchi at Afton Center.
In reference to the part performed by this town- ship in the War of the Rebellion, Boies remarks : " Afton manfully did its part in the war. Eighty- one men went from that thinly populated township to fill the ranks of the Union Army. Its total popu- lation by the census of 1860 was but 516. Fifty- nine men had volunteered when the necessity of the Government called for more men, and seven more. were procured. In the summer of 1864 an additional tax was voted upon the township, amount- ing in all to $14,000, and 15 more recruits were enlisted. Among those who gave their lives in defense of their country were Charles Elliott, Denip- ster Wheeler, Alexander Campbell, Emerson T. Knight, Lewis Olverson and L. De Forest."
Afton Township has 22,363 acres of improved land, assessed in 1884 at $315,412. The personal property was assessed the same time at $68,386. A total of $383,798. The State Board of Equalization reduced this to $339,603. Among the items of personal property enumerated were the following : Horses, 666; cattle, 2,738; mules and asses, 23; sheep, 204; hogs, 2,931 ; steam engines, 3; car- riages and wagons, 193; watches and clocks, Ior ; sewing and knitting machines, 75; organs and melodeons, 23.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
CONGRESSIONAL Township 38 north, range 4 east, comprises the civil township of Clinton. It is one of the most prosperous in the country. There is one small grove in the southwestern portion of the township, the remainder being a beautiful rolling prairie. Hon. R. M. Pritchard thus speaks of the first settlement :
"The territory comprising the town of Clinton to the year 1835, was a part of the vast undisturbed, unbroken, and unsettled wilderness of the great North- west. . It is only the haunt of the red man, and the home of the wild beast. The little grove in this town, covering about 100 acres, was up to this year only occasionally seen by the white manas he passed it on his way to some other part of the State. The capture of the old Indian Chief Black Hawk in 1832, and the disposition of his tribe, opened up this wild region to settlement by the white man. On the 22d day of April, 1835, Oliver P. Johnson, a daring young man about 23 years of age, with his young wife Elizabeth and a babe a few weeks old, settled at this grove and gave it the name of Johnson's Grove. Mr. Johnson found at the south end of the grove three Indian houses or wigwams made of elm bark, each in size about 12 x 16 feet. These houses were built by the Indians and occupied by them from time to time as they passed over the country in quest of game and during the summer months while cultivating their corn-fields which they had at this grove. Into one of these houses Mr. Johnson moved and stayed until he could build him a log house, which he commenced at once ; lie soon had a fine, strong double log house erected, into which he moved and where he lived for three years with the Indians alone for neighbors, who occasionally got up their drunken pow-wows or ca- rousals, sometimes to the great annoyance of the young wife, who, in the absence of her husband, would become so frightened she would bar the heavy oaken door to her house, and pile all hier furniture against it, and then brace herself against the whole to keep the saucy, impudent red-skins out. In this way Mr. Johnson lived for three years, without a white man for a neighbor for many miles, and no prospect of any for many years to come. A white traveler would call upon him occasionally, and for a few weeks a young
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Englishman by the name of C. H. Duck stayed with him, with the intention of making this grove his home. He made an excavation into the bank, at the northwest end of the grove, lined it up with split logs (the remains of which can be seen by the visitor to-day) ; this hut constituted the second habita- tion built by white men in this town. Dr. C. H. Duck, as he was called, soon got tired of his claim, deserted it and went to Chicago, where he now re- sides.
Among the earliest settlers after Mr. Johnson, were W. B. Fields, Parker Thomas, Alexander McNish, Silas Hines, John and James Walker, Preston Curtiss, William Robertson, C. B. Whitford, Shelburne J. and Tracy Scott, Felix and Baldwin Woodruff, Sylvester Hall, N. S. and Thomas J. Greenwood, Benjamin Matteson, William Sherman, Sylvester and Elbert Hall, J. L. Bailey, J. L. Mighell, Aruney Hill, John Secor.
Clinton, 'as a civil township, was organized in 1850. At that time it included much more territory, but was reduced to its present dimensions in 1853. The name was applied to the township from the fact a number of the settlers were from Clinton, New York, and were attached to the name.
The following named have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors :
Reuben Pritchard. .1850 James R. Eastman .1851 Arunah Hill. 1852 Cyrus B. Whitford 1853
Arunah Hill: . 1854
Reuben Pritchard. . 1855-56 O. A. Tubbs. .. .1857
N. S. Greenwood 1858-59 R. M. Pritchard 1860-62
R. M. Pritchard .1865
J. L. Mighell .1866
Robert Humphrey. .1867-69
R. M. Pritchard ... . 1870
William C. Macey . . 1877
George Green wood 1872-74
Edwin Fraser. .1875-76
Charles F. Greenwood .. . 1877-79
Edwin Fraser. 1880
James L. Mighell. 1881-83 W. C. Macey . 1863-64
James McCleery .. .1884
The first school is said to have been taught by H. C. Beard, in 1847. In 1885 the educational advan- tages of the township were of a superior character. According to the report of the County Superinten- dent of Public Schools there were nine school districts in this township, with one graded and eight ungraded schools. There were 512 persons under the age of 21, of whom 353 are of school age. Of that number 297 were enrolled in the public schools for the year ending June 30, 1884. Eighteen teachers were employed. The highest monthly salary paid was $50, and the lowest $27.50. Each district is supplied with a good frame school-house, the total value of which is estimated at $9,050. The
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