USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 70
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
Henry Seavey came to Kane county, Illinois, when but four years of age. In its public schools he received his education, at- tending the same during the winter months, and assisting on the farm in the summer, until fifteen years of age. He then left home and commenced working by the month, on various farms, some seven or eight years, when he purchased a place of one hundred acres, which was partly fenced
680
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and broken, and on which were some very inferior buildings. With commendable en- ergy, he began the further improvement of the place, and feeling the necessity of a helpmeet, he was married in Kane county, January 5, 1868, to Nancy Chapman, a na- tive of southern Illinois, but who was reared in Kane county, and a daughter of J. H. Chapman. After marriage, he lived on the old family homestead and operated that and his own place adjoining for three years. His wife dying in April, 1871, he sold his farm and commenced dealing in stock at Big Rock and Hinckley, for two years. He then went to Plano, Kendall county, Illi- nois, and worked for Stewart & Hemming Breeding Association, breeders of fine stock, and remained there three years.
On the 2nd of March, 1880, Mr. Seavey was married in Plano, to Miss Eliza M. Craig, a native of Kendall county, Illinois, and a daughter of George Craig. Her mother dying when she was a child, she was taken to New York, where she grew to womanhood, and then returned to her home in Kendall county. After their marriage, he located on a farın in Kendall county, on the line dividing it from Kane county, where he purchased eighty acres, and later bought eighty acres more, adjoining, and improved and developed both places. Tiling the land, and erecting various buildings, he there resided some thirteen years. In 1890 he purchased about seven acres in the vil- lage of Big Rock, and erected one of the neatest residences in the village. Renting his farm he removed to Big Rock, where he has since lived a retired life, enjoying a well- earned rest. Since coming to the village, however, he has engaged more or less in the real estate business, having purchased and sold several well-improved farms.
Politically Mr. Seavey is a Democrat on national issue, but on local issues he is in- dependent, supporting the men he considers best qualified for the office. His father and grandfather were Republicans in their political faith. Mr. Seavey never sought, nor would he accept, office, until after his removal to the village, when he was elected a member of the school, board. He united with the Masonic lodge at Kaneville, with which he retained membership until it ceased to exist in consequence of their lodge building being destroyed by fire. The fifty- four years that he has spent in Kane coun- ty have been eventful ones. In the great changes that have been made he has done his part and is certainly entitled to the rest which he now enjoys ..
EVELYN L. STARKS, who resides on section 30, Rutland township, is the son of the first settler of that township, and is descended from one of the oldest New England families. His grandfather, Stephen Starks, was a near relative of the famous Revolutionary general. Stephen Starks moved from Williamstown, Massa- chusetts, to Rutland county, Vermont, shortly after the Revolutionary war. He died at the age of about sixty years in San- gamon county, Illinois. He married Abigail Rich, who came west with her son, and died in Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1845, at an advanced age.
Evelyn R. Starks, the father of our sub- ject, was the son of Stephen and Abigail (Rich) Starks. He was born at Williams- town, Massachusetts, March 19, 1813, and with his parents moved to Rutland county, Vermont, when he was a child, and there he was reared. He worked on the lakes in
68 1
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
connection with farming until the age of in 1786, and a daughter of Cyril Guernsey. twenty-two, when he came west in the fall of 1835, and entered a tract of wild land, on section 30, Rutland township, Kane county, becoming the first settler of that township. When the township was or- ganized, he was elected its first supervisor and named it for his old county in Vermont. Locating on section 30, he staked his claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and then went to spent the winter with a friend from Vermont, living two miles from where Na- perville now stands. In the spring of 1836, he was joined by his uncle, Elijah Rich, who took up a claim on sections 30 and 31. The two kept "bach " one year, and Mr. Starks being the younger, acted as cook and housekeeper. The year following Mr. Rich returned to Vermont for his family, and, on their arrival Mr. Starks gave over cooking ing and housekeeping. In 1838, he him- self went back to Vermont for a wife, and there married Esther Doty, a native of New York. Their happiness, however, was short lived, Mrs. Starks dying in 1840. On the 6th of December, 1845, Mr. Starks married in Rutland township, Miss Saloma Gage, a native of Arcadia, Wyoming county, New York, born ·June 4, 1819, and who died April 24, 1890. She was the daughter of Solomon Gage, Sr., who located in Hamp- shire township, section 32. For ten years prior to coming west, she had been a teach- er in the schools of New York state, and, after coming here with her brothers in 1844, she taught one year in a log school house, where the village of Hampshire now stands. Her father, Solomon Gage, Sr., was born in New Hampshire, in 1788, and died on the farm in Hampshire township, Kane county, Illinois, October 21, 1851. He married Miriam Guernsey, born in New Hampshire,
She died December 17, 1866. To Evelyn R. and Saloma Starks, six children were born as follows: Evelyn L., our subject; Milton J., who resides on a fine farm in Mc- Henry county, Illinois; Frank A., John W., and William H., deceased; and Willie H., who resides in the village of Hampshire, and is serving as justice of the peace.
Evelyn R. Starks was a man of unusual prominence, and was the first supervisor of Rutland township. He participated in all movements for the advancement of public good. A hard worker, he gave too little time to recreation and rest in his early life, and for twenty-five years endured the misery of broken health. By his industry he acquired eight hundred acres of land, to which he gave almost his undivided attention. His death occurred in 1880. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a stanch Re- publican. An abolitionist in sentiment, prior to the war he was interested in free- ing slaves. When the railroad was built, in 1874, which passes through his old farm, Starks Station was named in honor.
Evelyn L. Starks, our subject, was born February 2, 1847, on the farm where he has always resided. He attended the dis- trict schools until the age of sixteen, and worked for his father until of legal age, when, on attaining his majority, he worked for him one year for wages, then rented a part of the farm, and began life for himself. After the death of his father, his mother made her home with him until her death. . Mr. Starks has been twice married, his first marriage being solemnized in Elgin, December 3, 1868, when he wedded Helen M. Weed, daughter of Elijah Weed, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this
·
682
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
book. Two children were born to this union-Mabel A. and Eveline E., the latter being deceased. Mr. Starks was again mar- ried September 25, 1889, at Edinburg, John- son county, Indiana, with Miss Magdelene Hartman, a native of that place, and a daughter of Michael and Julia A. (Pickens) Hartman. By this union one child was born which died in infancy.
Mr. Starks has never had any desire to leave the farm. While others flock to cities and villages when sufficiently well-to-do, to retire, he prefers the wholesome life of the farm. He has five hundred acres of as fine land as lies in Kane county, and runs a dairy farm, milking about ninety cows and ship- ping to Chicago. Fraternally, he is a Mas- ter Mason and a member of the lodge at Hampshire. In politics he is a Republican. From the time he attained his majority he has served as school director or road com- missioner. Prominent and influential in his township, liberal and public-spirited, he has many friends in Kane county, of which he is a lifelong resident.
A RCHER B. PHELPS, who resides on section 24, Kaneville township, on a farm of two hundred and thirty acres, has been a resident of the township and county since October, 1861. He was born in Chenango county, New York, February II, 1845. His father, Pliny Phelps, and his grandfather, George Phelps, were also na- tives of the same county and state. Both were by occupation farmers. Pliny Phelps, who was born in 1819, married Elmira White, also a native of New York. By this union there were five sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, except one, who died in
childhood, named Herbert. They were Archer B., our subject; Lyman, who mar- ried and settled in Kaneville township, and later died in Sterling, Illinois; Agnes, wife of Charles Dadds, of Kaneville, Illinois; George, who is married and resides at Pull- man, Illinois, is engaged as a traveling sales- man; John, of Geneva, who holds a position in Chicago; Estella resides in Geneva; and Ella, wife of Doctor Fred W. Goding, now consul in Australia. In the fall of 1861, Pliny Phelps came to Kane county, Illinois, with his family, and located on the farm where our subject now resides, which he had purchased the previous year, at which time he made a visit to this section. The place was fairly well improved, and to its further improvement he bent his energies, and was actively engaged in farming until his death in March, 1868. His wife sur- vives him, and now resides with a son in Geneva.
The subject of this sketch came to Kane county when sixteen years of age, and as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. His education began in the public schools of his native state, was com- pleted in the schools of Kaneville. He re- mained with his father until the latter's death, when he took charge of the farm and business, and later purchased the interest of the other heirs, being now the owner of the entire estate. He was married in Jan- uary, 1869, to Miss Maria E. Hartwell, a na- tive of Chautauqua county, New York, who came to Kane county when a child with her father, Willard Hartwell. She was here reared and educated and previous to her marriage engaged in teaching in the public schools. By this union are six children, as follows: Lynn, who is married and is en- gaged in farming in Kaneville township; Lee,
.683
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
who died September 16, 1897, at the age of very oldest pioneers in this section of the twenty-four years; Jennie, at home; Earl, who is assisting his father in carrying on the farm; Alice and Clinton, students in the Kaneville schools.
In addition to his own farm of two hun- dred and thirty acres, Mr. Phelps rents an adjoining farm of two hundred acres, and for several years has been operating both farms. In the spring of 1898, he had one hundred and twenty acres in corn, over sixty acres in oats, and the balance in meadow and pasture land. He makes a business of feeding several carloads of hogs and cattle annually, and usually feeds stock enough to consume the crop. Polit- ically Mr. Phelps is a stanch Republican, and cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868. While always taking an active interest in political affairs, and while giving unswerving allegiance to his party, he has never asked or accepted office. A man well known in his section of the coun- ty, he is held in high esteem by all, and while giving strict attention to his business interest, has yet manifested an interest in public affairs and has ever shown his desire to do all he could for his adopted county and state.
S AMUEL E. POULEY, dealer in agri- cultural implements, carriages and har- ness, Elburn, Illinois, is one of the leading and active business men of that city. He is a native of Kane county, born November 27, 1851, and is the son of Samuel and Al- mira (Hitchcock) Pouley, the former a na- tive of England, and the latter of Vermont.
Samuel Pouley, the father of our sub- . ject, isa native of Nottinghamshire, England, born April 17, 1808. He was one of the
country, at the time of his settlement there being no roads or bridges, and but two houses between his place and Geneva, which was then a cluster of but a few houses. His parents were Robert and Han- nah (Godfrey) Pouley, the former, who fol- lowed farming, being nearly one hundred years old at the time of his death. In his native land, Samuel Pouley followed gar- dening, and had but limited advantages for an education, and what he afterward ac- quired came by his own efforts while in touch with the world in business. In 1840, he came to America, landing in New York, where he remained one year, then moved to Illinois, settling in Blackberry township, Kane county, where he remained until 1892, when he moved to the village of El- burn, where his death occurred December 16, 1893.
While yet residing in England, Samuel Pouley entered the ministry of the Baptist church, and upon coming to Illinois, held meetings in school houses and dwelling houses, being one of the pioneer min- isters of the county. He was a man of chaste life and habits, of irreproach- able character, of gentle and lovable dispo- sition, and efficient in the service of his Master. His life was pure, simple and ca- pable of no double interpretation. He left behind him the character of one who was ardent, honorable, prudent and persevering in the interest of those who entrusted their rights to his keeping.
Samuel Pouley was married January I, 1844, to Almira Hitchcock, who was born in Vermont, November 9, 1810, and a daughter of Amos and Achsah (Hendee) Hitchcock, who were also natives of Ver- mont, where they lived until their death,
684
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the former at the age of ninety-two years. Of their six children, five are yet living- Martha A., (Mrs. Charles A. Baker), Robert F., Eliza J. (Mrs. John Winters), Sam- uel E., Emma L. (Mrs. Martin Withey.) The first born died in infancy. In early life Mr. Pouley was an abolitionist and later a Republican. Mrs. Pouley is yet living at the age of eighty-eight years.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. He assisted his father in farm work until his marriage, when he moved to Wheaton, DuPage county, Illinois, and there worked as a carpenter for more than three years, then returned to the farm, where he re- mained nine years. He then moved to the village of Elburn, worked one year at his trade, and was then five years as the junior partner of the firm of Matheson & Pouley, druggists. He sold his interest in that es- tablishment March 1, 1898, when he com- menced his present business, keeping at all times a large assortment of agricultural im- plements, carriages and harness, and is working up a good trade.
Mr. Pouley was married March 28, 1878, to Miss Emma J. Humphrey, daughter of Mil- ton and Minerva (Miller) Humphrey, both of whom are natives of New York, and who were then residing in Blackberry township, Kane county, Illinois. By this union are seven children-Edna M., Edwin A., Avis M., Mary J., Verna A., Vida E. and Edith C. Religiously, Mrs. Pouley is a member of the Congregational church, and, frater- nally, Mr. Pouley is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active inter- est in state and national campaigns. He conducts his business upon methods which commend him to the favor and confidence
of the people, and he is most justly num- bered among Elburn's prominent and influ- ential citizens.
D E. LAMSON, who resides on section 7, Big Rock township, is one of four brothers who now own and operate a farm of three hundred and eighty-four acres of well improved and valuable land. All are natives of Kane county, Illinois, L. J. being born December 12, 1856; D. E., July 13, [858; A. W., February 4, 1860; and L. L., December 4, 1861. The father, L. J. Lamson, was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1817, under the shadows of Bunker Hill; his father, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was also a native of Massachusetts, and there died about 1819. The family are of English descent, and originally settled in Massachusetts.
L. J. Lamson, the father of our subject, was but two years old when his father died. He was then taken to Maine, where he grew to manhood, and then returned to Massa- chusetts, and later went to New York City, where an elder brother was engaged in mer- chandising, and for whom he clerked a short time. In 1836 he came to Kane county, Illinois, and located in Big Rock township, being one of the first four families to settle in that township. He first entered a tract of land, and bought other land, locating where his sons now reside. He cleared the land, fenced the same, and opened up the farm, in due time erecting a substantial house and good barns, and otherwise devel- oped the place. He was one of the most active and prosperous farmers in the town- ship. By his fellow-citizens he was honored with various official positions, being elected the first township clerk.
-
685
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Lamson was married in Big Rock township, to Jane Dale, a native of England, born at Piddington Hill, Durham county, and a daughter of Thomas, who located in Big Rock township, Kane county, in 1852, when his daughter was in her maidenhood. The four children born of this union have already been mentioned. Politically the father was a Republican, and was quite active in political affairs, but gave the greater part of his time to his farming interests. Upon the old homestead he reared his family, and passed to the un- seen world April 11, 1889. His wife sur- vived him some years, dying February 28, 1895.
D. E. Lamson, our subject, grew to manhood on the home farm, and was edu- cated in the public schools of Big Rock township and at Sugar Grove. With his brothers, he remained with the father until his death, when they took charge of the farm and business. On the death of the mother, they succeeded to the farm, and in addition own one hundred and fourteen acres adjoin- ing the old place, where our subject makes his home.
In 1888, the Lamson Brothers began to breed and deal in Hereford cattle quite ex- tensively, and for some time had a herd of forty head of pure blooded stock. In 1890 they began to breed and deal in Poland China hogs, and have also been engaged in breeding Dorset Horn sheep, mostly im- ported stock. · They have worked up a large business in fine stock and ship to various the ten years in which they have engaged in the breeding of blooded stock, they have acquired a splendid reputation.
Politically the brothers are all Repub- licans, and give earnest support to the men
and measures of that party. For eight con- secutive years, D. E. Lamson served as as- sessor of the township. Fraternally the . brothers are members of the Modern Wood- men of America, D. E. being a charter mem- ber of the camp at Big Rock, in which he has served two terms as head consul. He has also served as delegate to the state en- campments. L. L. was banker of the camp in 1897, and L. J. has also served officially in the camp. L. J. and L. L. are also members of the Knights of the Macca- bees. Enterprising and progressive, the brothers are doing much to advance the ma- terial interests of the county, especially of Big Rock township. They are well and fa- vorably known as men of exemplary habits and upright character.
FRANKLIN P. MIGHELL is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Kane county, and resides on a farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, on section 32, Sugar Grove township. He is a native of New York, born in Tompkins county, June 21, 1837, and is a son of Ezekial and Lucinda (Todd) Mighell, of whom special mention is made in the sketch of Silas H. Mighell on another page of this work. He came with his parents to Kane county, an infant, and here his entire life has since been passed. He was educated in the com- mon schools of the county, and as soon as old enough assisted in the cultivation of the home farm. He remained at home until
localities in several states of the union. In. 1860, when he was united in marriage with
Miss Viola Snell, a native of New York, but who came with her parents to Kane county when a child, and here grew to womanhood. By this union are six children as follows: Estella, wife of Perry Wilder,
686
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Kendall county, Illinois; Frank E., mar- ried and residing in Aurora; Maud, wife of Benjamin Spencer, of Aurora; May, wife of Frank Phillips, of Aurora township; Nat- tie, wife of George Stainfield, a farmer of Sugar Grove township; and Ray, a young man who is assisting in carrying on the home farm. In 1862, Mr. Mighell bade farewell to his family and friends and enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, which became a part of the Army of the Potomac. With that army he participated in the fight at Sugar Loaf mountain, the battle of Antie- tam, second battle of Fredricksburg, sec- ond battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg and Kelly's Ford, together with many lesser engagements, about sixty in all. He en- listed as a private and was promoted ser- geant in his company. He never lost any time by reason of sickness, while in the service. He served until the final close of the war, and was mustered out in July, 1865, at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Mis- souri.
Returning home after receiving his dis- charge, he resumed farming, purchasing forty acres adjoining his present place but locating where he now resides, which is a part of the old homestead. Since that time he has made many improvements in the place, erecting a good and substantial residence, with good barns and other out- buildings. His farm is always kept in the best order and is well supplied with all modern farm implements. He has always engaged in general farming and stockraising and has been fairly successful in everything that he has undertaken.
Politically Mr. Mighell is a Republican, the liberty-loving principles of that party having been instilled in from his youth, his father being an Abolitionist, and for some
years a conductor on the underground rail- road. The first presidential campaign in which he participated was that of 1860, when he cast his vote for " Honest Old Abe." He has been honored by his fellow citizens with various local offices, including collector of the township, road commis- sioner and member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the G. A. R. post, No. 20, of Aurora. An almost life-long resident of the county, he has seen its changes from a wilderness until it is to-day one of the most productive coun- ties in the state. He has seen towns spring up as if by magic, until to-day between Au- rora and Chicago it is almost one continu- ous city. In the work of its development he has done his part.
C HARLES F. SHARP occupies a fine farm of four hundred and eighty-eight acres in Campton township, his residence being on section 32. He is one of the most prominent of the farmers of his township, and his ability and worth is recognized by all. A native of New York, he was born in the town of Ripley, Chautauqua county, May 1, 1839, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah A. (Phillips) Sharp, the former a na- tive of England and the latter of Wales, but who was reared in England. In his native land Joseph Sharp was a farmer, while his father, John Sharp, followed the business of truck gardening.
About the year 1829, the grandfather of our subject, John Sharp, emigrated with his family to the United States, and settled in Chautauqua county, New York, but came west to Kane county, Illinois, about 1843. Purchasing a farm he continued to reside in this section until 1856, at which time he
687
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
proceeded to Benton county, Iowa, with two sons and one daughter. Subsequently , he removed to Floyd county, Iowa, where he died at the age of eighty-nine years.
Both parents of our subject came to the United States in their youth, some years before the emigration of John Sharp. They were married in New York state and resided there where the father engaged in farming until 1858, at which time they came with their family to Kane county. For several years after his arrival here he worked land on shares, and about 1866 purchased a farm in Virgil township and died there.
Our subject got his early education in New York state and in Illinois in the district schools, working on his father's farm in the meantime. On the 21st of February, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Hitchcock, daughter of a prominent farmer of this county and one of a family of eight children. By this union three children have been born, all yet living. They are Fred S., Frank H. and Alice E., the latter living with her parents. Fred H. married Hattie Nash, of Michigan, and they have two chil- dren, Carrie and Mary. They reside on one of his father's farms of one hundred and sixty acres in Campton township. Frank resides on the old homestead near his fa- ther's present residence, situated on section 34, a fine farm and good buildings and which also comprises one hundred and sixty acres. He married Allie Barlow, whose parents are residents of Kane county.
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.