Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 98

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

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 98

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Mr. Tolman came soon after and started the first lumber yard in the place.

While these business enterprises were being set on foot the railroad company was engaged in the erec- tion of the depot buildings, completing them in the winter of 1853-4.

Lyman Bacon about the same time purchased 10 acres of land from Mr. Gage with a view of building a hotel. For some cause he failed in his purpose, but erected a building which he used as a dwelling and as a shoe shop, being the pioneer shoemaker of the village.

In the fall of 1853 David Hunt laid the found- ation for the present hotel building, and in the spring completed and occupied it as a hotel, being the first in the place.

The first blacksmith was Noah Kelley, in 1855. During the same year, Mr. Guyer started the first harness-shop.

Somonauk Bank was established in February, 1880. It is a private institution, with John Clark as president and H. Wright, cashier. T. J. Wright and C. V. Stevens are also associated in its management and business. A satisfactory business has been done by the bank since its organization.

Some months after the railroad was completed, Buck Branch postoffice, located about one mile north, was removed here and its name changed to Somo- nauk Station, the latter word being added from the fact that there was a postoffice called Somonauk in the township. Confusion arising in forwarding and receiving mail, Somonauk postoffice was subsequently changed to Freeland, and in due time the word " Station " was dropped from this office. Lyman - Bacon was the first postmaster and served until 1861, when Henry Curtis was appointed, and for 24 years has handled the mail at this place.

The village of Somonauk was organized Jan. 4, 1859, by incorporating it under the " Town Corpora- tion Act." At the election to vote on such incor- poration, 49 votes were cast for and 10 against the same. The first trustees elected were Lyman Bacon, E. W. Lewis, E. Hoxey, William Heun and D. F. Andrus. Lyman Bacon was chosen President and D. F. Andrus, Clerk.

By special act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 1

16, 1865, said corporation was changed from a vil- lage to a town, and incorporated as " The Town of Somonauk.

On the 18th day of July, 1872, the question of or- ganizing as a village under the general law of the State was submitted to a vote of its citizens and adopted. The first board of trustees under the new organization was constituted as follows : J. Poor, President ; H. Potter, T. B. Blanchard, F. Schort, J. B. Brigham, W. W. Hathorn, Clerk.

The following named have served the village as members of the Board of Supervisors: John M. Goodell, 1867 ; William Heun, 1868; Edward W. Lewis, 1869; N. L. Watson, 1870-1 ; Jeremiah Poor, 1872; John Clark, 1873.

The first school in the village was in the winter of 1855-6, and held over the hardware store, by D. F. Andrus. The present school-house was erected in 1856 and occupied in the winter of 1856-7. Addi- tions have since been made to the building to meet the wants of increasing population. No thorough grading of the schools was made until 1880, when P. K. Cross was elected principal. Two classes have since been graduated, diplomas being given to the graduates. Mr. Cross continued as principal until 1884, when Miss Leah Delagneau was appointed. Four rooms are occupied, Miss Delagneau having charge of one, with Miss Lizzie Benedict, Anna R. Hunt and Ella Howe, respectively, in each of the others. The graduates are as follows :

In June, 1883-Emma M. Ames, Julia B. O'Brien, Simon D. Hess, S. May Thomas, Anna R. Hunt, Anna M. Hoffman, Maggie McNamara, Otis D. Wood- ward.

In June, 1884-Jennie M. Dubrock, Franklin Hess, William J. Dubrock, Clara M. Lowman, Jen- nie J. Hathorn, Lillian M. Rose, Clara E. Wright.

RELIGIOUS.

The religious welfare of the people is attended to by the following denominations, each having houses of worship -- Protestant Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist Episcopal.

The Baptist Church was organized May 19, 1857, a preliminary meeting being held Jan. 10, 1857. The constituent members of the Church were William Patten, Perry G. Jones, Frances A. Jones, John Shailer, Elizabeth Shailer, Ashbel Stockham, Be- linda Stockham, Enoch Stockham, J. N. Braddock,

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William Bond, Frances Bond, Elder B. Hicks, Mrs. B. Brayton, Belinda B. Farley, Mary P. Bucking- ham, Martha S. Russell. A house of worship was erected in 1858, at a cost of $3,000, with a seating capacity of 300. The following named have served the Church as pastors : Revs. D. Shailer, D. N. Kin- nie, L. L. Gage, Thomas Reese, J. L. Benedict, G. C. Vanasdel, William Wilkins, W. H. Cord, John Shepherd, J. C. Johnston. The Church has about 75 members.

The Catholic Congregation was organized in the year 1865. Previous to that time the number of Catholic families was comparatively small and their spiritual wants were supplied at certain times during the year by the resident priests of Naperville, Men- dota and Ottawa, who held religious services either in a private house or in the hotel of the village, where the Catholics would assemble to comply with their duty and have their children baptized and the other sacraments of the Church administered.

In the year 1863 a hall was purchased for their house of worship, but as the number of Catholics began to increase rapidly, it was soon found to be incompetent to meet their requirements, and the building of a new frame structure for a church was commenced in 1866. This church was 40 x 80 feet in dimensions, with a steeple 100 feet high, contain- ing a bell, weighing 800 pounds. This church cost about $4,000. From this time religious services were held every two weeks, the church being in charge of Rev. D. Nieder Korn, S. J. Still the Catholic people were not permitted to enjoy the comfort of their new church very long, the building being totally destroyed by fire in May, 1868. It was on a Sunday. A funeral service had just been held, and when the people returned from the cemetery they saw at a distance how dense clouds of smoke were issuing from the roof, and in less than 15 minutes from the time that smoke was seen the whole building was enveloped in flames and totally destroyed. How the fire originated is a mystery, even to this day.

After this Rev. J. Dale, a Belgian by birth, visited the Catholics of Somonauk and held services for them. He resided at Leland and remained nine months. The congregation lost no time to replace the old building by even a finer and costlier edifice, built of brick, 40 x 80 feet in dimensions.

Just at the time when the walls and roof of the

new church were finished, the Rt. Rev. J. Duggan, Bishop of Chicago, gave the congregation a new pastor of its own, in the very young priest, Rev. C. J. Huth, who had just been ordained two weeks previous. He was the first residentipriest of Somon- auk. He took charge Feb. 14, 1869.

He succeeded in completing a very fine church and purchasing a parochial residence. The congrega- tion grew larger from year to year under his admin- istration and numbers now 1,000 souls. Father Huth attended, besides Somonauk, the churches of Leland and Bristol, and visited occasionally the Catholics of Shabbona Grove.

He purchased for the church three beautiful altars with statues, one grand pulpit, costing $325; one beautiful and large pipe organ, costing $1,100; a bell and tower, costing $850.

Father Huth was pastor of Somonauk 15 years and three months, and left the place May 1, 1884, having built up one of the finest parishes in this part of the country. He joined in marriage 200 couples, baptized about 800 infants, and buried 200 dead.

Father Huth's successor, the present incumbent, Rev. L. A. R. Erhard, is a gentleman of recognized ability, filled with zeal for the Church. He has im- proved the church property and succeeded in win- ning the good will of his people and of the public.

SOCIETIES.

South Somonauk Lodge, No. 181, I. O. O. F., was organized July 25, 1855, with T. R. Mack, W. B. Hough, Isaac Hatch, Edward Thomas and John M. Goodell as charter members. The early records and charter of this lodge were destroyed. In 1875 it began working as a German lodge, continuing as such till the present time. It has a membership of 20. The officers in the spring of 1885 were Jacob Spach, N. G .; Ernest Steuping, V. G .; A. Rumple, Sec. ; A. Meyers, Treas .; John Betz, Deputy and Representa- tive to Grand Lodge.

Somonauk Encampment, No. 62, I. O. O. F., was chartered Oct. 9, 1866, with George Shafman, Robert Fish, Moses West, Fred. Schwanz, S. J. Girodat, A. J. Wright and Geo. W. Wolverton as charter members. The Encampment is in a pros- perous condition, with a membership of 44. Its present officers are E. Suppes, C. P .; E. Graf, H. P. J. F. Poplin, S. W .; S. E. Beelman, J. W .; G. W.

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Beelman, G .; Henry Banzet, S .; G. W. Beelman, Deputy and Representative to Grand Encampment.

Rising Sun Lodge, No. 634, I. O. O. F., was organized Oct. 10, 1877, with the following officers : S. E. Beelman, N. G .; J. J. Murphy, V. G .; A. E. Ames, Sec .; C. Rohrer, Treas. There has been an enrollment of 55, with the present membership of 48. The present officers are J. F. Poplin, N. G .; A. Wingart, V. G .; G. W. Beelman, Sec .; John Law- man, P. S .; C. Suppes, Treas.

Home Lodge, No. 134, Rebekah Degree, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 27, 1884, by G. W. Beel- man, with 27 charter members.

The sisters in the Order have taken hold with a will, and Home Lodge has been prosperous from the start. It now has a membership of 41, with the fol- lowing named officers : G. W. Beelman, N. G .; Miss Amelia Suppes, V. G .; Miss Carrie M. Beelman, Sec .; John Lawman, P. S .; Mrs. Bertha Faltz, Treas.

Somonauk Lodge, No. 646, A. F. & A. M., was chartered by the Grand Lodge in October, 1870. Previous to receiving the charter the lodge worked under dispensation from March, 1870. Death has taken two members-R. H. Thomas, N. Mollier. The lodge has had a prosperous existence, having enrolled 82 members, with a present membership of 49. The P. M.'s of the lodge are Wm. M. Potter, Geo. S. Robbins, J. S. Poplin, H. W. Burchim. The present officers are P. H. Evans, W. M .; S. Town- send, S. W .; H. F. Hess, J. W .; C. Banzet Sec .; D. E. Wright, Treas.

Somonauk Lodge, No. 33, A. O. U. W., was organ- ized December 14, 1876. Its first officers and mem- bers were Mr. Griffith, P. M. W .; F. J. Girodat, M. W .; I. Mooring, Foreman: T. Boos, Recorder; T. G. Hanson, Fin .; P. H. Thomas, Receiver. The lodge has a present membership of 32. It has lost one by death-P. H. Thomas. Its present officers are James Connelly, M. W .; G. W. Newton, Foreman ; Joe. Hollweck, Overseer; S. Townsend, Recorder; F. J. Girodat, Financier and Receiver ; S. Townsend, Rep- resentative to Grand Lodge.

The Illinois Catholic Order of Foresters, a benevo- lent society, has also been inaugurated May 26th, 1884. The court was organized by the High Chief Ranger as St. John the Baptist Court, No. 17.

SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP.

HIS is an excellent township, being well supplied with timber "and prairie, and watered by the Kishwaukee River. The Sycamore Branch of the Chicago & Northwest- ern is the only railroad within its borders. The country is quite flat-even along the river banks there are no steep bluffs. The soil is a rich black loam, and highly productive. Lands here are valued from $50 to $75 per acre, according to improvement.

Lysander Darling, and Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, for whom Norwegian Grove is named, were doubtless the first settlers here, although Mr. Chartres, a Frenchman, came about the same time. This was in the spring or summer of 1835. Peter Lamois also settled here the same year, and it is claimed for him that he broke the first ground and raised the first crop. These pioneers were followed by Elihu Wright, J. C. Kellogg, E. F. White and Zachariah Wood, who came in 1836.

During this year the New York Company, com- posed of Christian Sharer, Evans Wharry, Clark Wright and Mark Daniels, under the firm name of C. Sharer & Co., located a large tract of land with the intention of locating a town. They laid out a vil- lage plat north of the creek, dammed the Kishwaukee River, built a mill and inade other preparations for effecting a large settlement. Eli G. Jewell opened a small store, and George Wilson began to do a little blacksmith work. Mr. Crawford, some time in 1837, opened a cabinet shop a little north of Jewell's store, and for a time engaged in the manufacture of tables and chairs, supplying the greater number of the early settlers with these useful articles.

When the New York Company began operations times were flush, and everybody had money, such as it was. But the hard times of 1837 · set in, so well remembered by old settlers, and, notwithstanding they had expended a large sum of money, the com- pany abandoned its claim, and one more embryo vil- lage was numbered with the past.

The first settlers of the township were from the East, mostly from the Green Mountain State, and, like all New Englanders, the first thing to be thought of, after becoming settled, was to look after the edu- cational interests of the coming generation. There- fore, early in 1837, the few neighbors then here met

DE KALB COUNTY.

851

together and erected a log school-house about four miles north of the present city of Sycamore, and in the summer of that year Mary Wood taught a term of school. She was followed by J. C. Kellogg, who taught the winter term. To Miss Wood belongs the honor of being the first teacher in the township of Sycamore.

The County Superintendent, in his report for the year ending June 30, 1884, gives the following in- formation in relation to the schools of the township: There were ten school districts, three graded and nine ungraded schools. The school property was valued at $29,384. In the ten districts were five brick and seven frame school houses. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 1,843, of whom 1,213 were of school age, 971 being enrolled. The average wages paid teachers was $37.37 per month, the highest being $140, and the lowest $25. The tax levy was $1 1,275.

It has been said that the first thing thought of by pioneers from the East was the educational interests of their children. This should be amended by say- ing, after the moral welfare of the community had been attended to. After becoming settled Mr. White and Mr. Daniels at once began to look for some one to hold religious services. Levi Lee, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was induced to make an appointment, and in May, 1836, preached the first sermon in the township. A class was soon afterwards organized.

Caroline, daughter of Edward F. and Mary White, was born Aug. 1, 1836. She is said to have been the first white birth in the township, though some assert a child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Elihu Wright, prior to this time. The child was born in a wagon. An- other early birth was that of Emily Jane Kellogg, who was born Jan. 28, 1837.

The first male child born was James W., son of Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Walrod, in 1838.

The first marriage now remembered was that of Daniel W. Lamb and Julia Maxfield, March 16, 1838. Eli G. Jewell, J. P., performed the ceremony.

The second marriage was that of Erastus Barnes and Elizabeth Barnes, Sept. 30, 1838, by Eli G. Jewell, J. P.

The third was Decatur Eastabrooks and Mary Wood, Jan. 3, 1839.

The first 4th-of-July celebration in the county, as

well as the township, was at the house of Ephraim Hall, in 1837. Jesse C. Kellogg read the Declara- tion of Independence and Levi Lee delivered the oration.

Death came among the little band of pioneers, and on the 29th of May, 1837, Lorinda (Wood) French breathed her last. She was buried near the family residence, but her body has since been removed to the Sycamore Cemetery.

The pioneers of this township experienced much difficulty in having their grain ground. The first mill- ing remembered by Thomas H. Wood was in the fall of 1837. His father, Zachariah Wood, and a few others, clubbed together and hired a man named Graves to take some wheat to Joliet to be ground. After performing his duty, Mr. Graves provided him- self with a liquid stronger than water and returned to the settlement without wagon or flour, but glori- ously drunk. Several men started to Joliet to see what had become of the team. It was found some miles away in a slough, where it had been left by the " inebriated " man.

From the abstract of assessments in the office of the County Clerk, the following facts are gleaned : In 1884 there were in this township 21,130 acres of improved land, valued at $338,595, an average of $16.02 an acre. With the exception of Somonauk, the average value was above that of any other town- ship. The town lots were valued at $366,861 ; per- sonal property, $347,109. A total amount of $1,052,- 565, which was reduced by the State Board of Equal- ization to $919,285. Among the items of personal property assessed that year were the following: Horses, 1,037 ; cattle, 2,702 ; mules and asses, 2; sheep, 969; hogs, 2,028; steam engines, 12; safes, 30 ; billiard tables, 10; carriages and wagons, 616; watches and clocks, 822, sewing and knitting ma- chines, 478 ; pianos, 86; melodeons and organs, 1 27. De Kalb Township alone exceeded Sycamore in the number of horses. In carriages and wagons, watches and clocks, sewing and knitting machines, and in pianos, Sycamore leads every other township in the county.

On the organization of the township James Har- rington was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Supervisors. He was succeeded in 1856 by E. L. Mayo, who served one year, when D. B. James was elected. He was succeeded by James

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Harrington in 1859, who served three years. Ros- well Dow was first elected in 1862, and was twice re-elected. Samuel Alden was his successor in 1865. He served two years, when Henry Wood was elected, and served one year. N. L. Cottrell was the mem- ber for 1868, Henry Wood in 1869, and John G. Smith in 1870-1; E. B. Shurtleff, 1872-3; Na- than Lattin, 1874-7; Marshall Stark, 1878-80; William W. Marsh, assistant, 1881 : Henry C. Whit- temore, 1882-4; Byron F. Wyman, assistant, 1883-4.

VICTOR TOWNSHIP.

HIS township lies upon the south line of the county, being bounded on the south by La Salle County, on the east by Somonauk Township, on the north by Clinton, and on the west by Paw Paw. The land is exclusively prairie, rich and productive.

Among the first settlers were Jeremiah Mulford, W. H. Keene, Aruna Beckwith, James Green, New- ton Stearns, Peleg Sweet, Jerome Baxter, George N. Stratton, Simon Suydam, H. C. Beard and W. R. Prescott. In 1847 and 1848 some of the land of this township was taken up, and during the next five years all was entered. In 1851, on the completion of the C. B. & Q. R. R. south of the township, a large number of people came in, and soon all of the rich prairie was filled with a thrifty and industrious people. Many Germans and Irish were among the number, and also quite a colony of Norwegians.

Victor is exclusively an agricultural township, having no village within its borders. Its people trade in the village of Leland, upon the south, and Somo- nauk, upon the southeast. Van Buren and Victor Center postoffices were established in an early day. The first school-house is said to have been built

in 1850, by Newton Stearns, on section 8. In 1855 the school section was sold. From the report of the County Superintendent of Schools for the year end- ing June 30, 1884, are gleaned the following interest- ing facts : There were 380 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 275 were over six years of age. Each of the districts had a frame school-house, the total value of which was $3,750. School had been held in each district, with a total enrollment of 240. Seven male and eight female teachers had been em- ployed, the highest monthly wages paid any being $50, and the lowest $23. The tax levy was $2,055.

Boies says: "This township gave 103 soldiers to the War of the Rebellion, and taxed itself $10,858 for war purposes. Those who lost their lives in the service were Ferdinand Vanderveer, who died at Louisville, Ky., March 30, 1865; E. T. Pierce, at Alexandria, Va .. April 23, 1861; C. T: Bond, at Pittsburg, Pa., March 17, 1865; C. R. Suydam, at Alexandria, Va., Jan. 26, 1862."

Victor township was organized in 1853. Previously it had been, with Clinton and part of Afton, in one civil township.

In 1884 the assessor reported 20,913 acres of im- proved land, valued at $295,594; personal property, $55,128; total, $350,7 22. The State Board of Equal- ization reduced the total amount to $309,319. Among the items of personal property listed were the follow- ing: Horses, 678; cattle, 2,151; mules and asses, 21 ; sheep, 186; hogs, 2,864 ; carriages and wagons, 158; watches and clocks, 119; sewing and knitting machines, 40; melodeons and organs, 28.

SUPERVISORS.

The following named have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors :

Benjamin Darland. .. 1854

Samuel Lord. . 1855-57 George N. Stratton. . . .. 1858

H. C. Beard. .1859-61

J. S. Vanderveer ...... . 1862-64

William B. Prescott ...... 1867-69

John C. Beveridge ...... 1870 William R. Prescott ...... 1871

Hiram Loucks. .. 1872-81

Thomas J. Warren .... .. 1881-82

H. C. Beard I865-66 Silas D. Wesson ......... 1883-84

DE KALB COUNTY.

853

City of Sycamore.

HIS is one of the most attractive cities in Northern Illinois. With its wide streets, handsome residences and churches, the architectural beauty of which is indeed com- mendable, it makes a place in which one might well desire to live and enjoy the comforts of a

home. Surrounded by an excellent agricultural country, within a short distance of the great metrop- olis of the West, and having a thrifty and enterpris- ing population, what more could there be desired ?

Almost a half century has passed away since Cap- tain Eli Barnes erected the first house upon the site of the present city. The historian cannot describe this building as of the usual pattern-" an unpreten- tious log-cabin "-for it was not, but a large two- story frame building, still in a good state of preserva- tion, and which has been used from the beginning to the present time for hotel purposes. It stands upon the southeast corner of the Court-House square, and is truly an old landmark, worthy of veneration. It was thought by the people then living in the county a great waste of money for the Captain to erect such a large building; but it was well for the future of Sycamore that it was done, for it doubtless was the means of obtaining and retaining the county seat.

Previous to the erection of this building by Capt. Barnes, an attempt had been made by a company from New York to locate a village north of the pres- ent site. This was in 1836, when wild-cat money was in abundance and when towns were springing up like mushrooms all over the West. When the bubble burst, when it was found that it required a pocket full of such money as was then in existence to buy a meal of victuals, the New York company not- withstanding it had expended a large sum of money

in improvements, abandoned its claim, and old Syca- more was no more.

Although Capt. Barnes erected the first house on the present site of the city, there was yet another here at the time of its erection. A small frame house had been moved from the Hamlin farm and was oc- cupied by Dr. Bassett, the first physician in the place. This house stood until 1855 where D. B. James subsequently built a handsome residence, and was then burned down, on suspicion that it had been used for the sale of liquors.

The village slowly improved for some years. " In 1840," says Boies, in his History of De Kalb County, " the dreary little village consisted of a dozen houses, scattered over considerable land, but without fences, and with but one well."

As times became better; and the county-seat con- tests were in a measure settled in favor of Sycamore, the growth of the village was more marked. In 1848 the population was 262; in 1849 it was 320; in 1850 it had further increased to 390; and in 185 1 it had 435. In 1855 there were in the place six dry- goods stores, two hardware stores, two cabinet-ware rooms, one drug store, four grocery and provision stores, two saloons, three taverns, one banking and exchange office, two wagon shops, one livery stable, two harness shops, two tin shops, one jewelry store, three shoe shops, four blacksmith shops, one shingle manufactory, one tailor shop, one meat market, one cooper shop, seven lawyers, four physicians, ten car- penters, four painters, three circulating libraries, three churches, and one steam saw-mill.

From 1855 to the present time, the growth of Sycamore has been a steady one. There is nothing

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of the mushroom about the place. In population and in wealth its growth has been slow but sure.

The original plat of Sycamore comprised 24 whole and six half blocks. The village was surveyed and platted by Capt. Eli Barnes, County Surveyor, in May, 1839, and immediately placed upon record. To the original plat many additions have since been made, the village of Sycamore assuming city propor- tions. There is one thing the present generation have cause to be thankful for, and to which just praise should be awarded the projectors of the town, and that is, the wide streets. Few cities can boast of such wide and beautiful streets, now adorned with beautiful shade trees, which add a charm to this lovely place.

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Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 98

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

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