USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > The voters and tax-payers of De Kalb County, Illinois; containing, also, a biographical directory a history of the county and state, map of the county, a business directory, an abstract of every-day laws > Part 11
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The echoes of the first guns that were fired upon Fort Sumter had scarcely died away, when, in the principal towns of DeKalb County, hundreds of her sons sprang to arms, began drilling and preparing for service, and earnestly demanded the privilege of being led to battle against the rebel foe. Their earnestness was constantly repressed by the govern- ment, which, embarrassed by the want of suitable laws to meet such an unlooked-for emergency, and apparently failing to appreciate the real magnitude of the contest. hesitated and drew back from the impending conflict, refused to call out a sufficient number of troops, and checked instead of encouraging, the patriotic ardor of the people.
When at last two companies of volunteers from this county gained permission to serve in her armies against the rebellion, their privilege was at a premium. Some of those who had been accepted, but from various causes found it difficult to disentangle themselves from the ties which bound them to their homes, sold out their places in the ranks to others whose eagerness could not be repressed. But as the conflict broadened and deepened, as our armies met the enemy and failed to conquer their legions, the government found use for all the men who were willing to serve her. The calls of the President for troops were as follows:
April 16, 1861-75,000 for three months.
May 4, 1861-64,748 for five years.
July, 1861-500,000 for three years.
July 18. 1862-300,000 for three years.
August 4, 1862-300,000 for nine months.
June, 1863-300,000 for three years.
October 17, 1863-300,000 for three years.
February 18, 1864-500;000 for three years.
July 10, 1864-200,000 for three years.
July 16, 1864-500,000 for one, two and three years.
December 21, 1864-300,000 for three years.
It must ever be a source of pride to the county of DeKalb, that each successive demand made during the first three years of the war, was promptly filled by volunteers. The Summer of 1862-how memorable and exciting ! In the July previous half a million of men were called out, and DeKalb County promptly met the call. In August, 1862, 600,000 more were asked for. It was in the midst of the busy harvest season. The county had already been drained of more than fifteen hundred of its able-bodied men, and was suffering for help to gather its bountiful harvest ; vet. without a murmur, six hundred of the very . best men of the county sprang into the ranks of the 105th Regiment, and perhaps half as many more into other organizations. It was not until July, 1864, that a draft
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was finally required in this county, to fill the repeated and exhausting demands of the service.
What gallant and honorable service these citizen soldiers performed for their country ! * * ** Not one of the great battles of that long and bloody war was fought in which the loyal sons of DeKalb did not bear an honorable part. The history of their campaigns is a history of the war. DeKalb County boys opened the first battle in the seven days' fight on the Virginia Peninsula, and were the first to attack Lee's rebel host at Gettysburg. Some loaded their guns for the first time while under the fire of Fort Donelson. They swept with the great Sherman on the grand march to the sea. They were the heroes of the day at the first assault upon Vicksburg. They bore a most honorable part in its final capture. They saved, by a gallant charge, the defeated army of Banks on Red River. They were first at the capture of Mobile. In the cam- paigns in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and indeed wherever a rebel army was to be found, there were men of DeKalb County to meet them in the deadly confliet."
SKETCH OF THE U. P. CHURCH, SOMONAUK.
The first white man's house in DeKalb County stood on the east bank of Somonauk Creek, near the present United Presbyterian Church. This was the station between Chicago and John Dixon's residence on Rock River. This station was a five-room log house, known as the " Five-room Tavern." Mr. George Beveridge, from Washington County, New York, purchased this house and the elaim on which it stood, in 1837.
His house became the nucleus around which seceders seeking a home in the West, gathered. It was for many years home, hotel and church for all such, and was always open to them. In a year or two others came, and by the years 1841-2, when Mr. Beveridge returned from the East with his family, enough had arrived to petition the Synod of Illinois for an organization. Two years after, in 1844, the Rev. James P. Miller, a minister from New York, preached a few Sabbaths for them. The Summer following a Mr. McMillan preached here. In the Fall the Rev. R. H. Pollak, late of Wooster, Ohio, was sent to this church by the Home Mis- sion Board, and in the Spring the Rev. R. W. French. He organized the church on the 18th of March, 1846, with nineteen members, seven of whom are living-five of these are still in the congregation, viz: William Patten, David M. Dobbin, John Walker, William French and Mrs. Mary Patten. Rev. William Oburn came the following Summer and Fall, remaining a greater portion of the Winter. Rev. R. W. French returned in the Spring of 1847, and administered the first communion. At this time services were held in the school house then situated about one-half mile east of the church. The organization had been effected in the house of Mr. Beveridge, and all services had been held here. A call was made at this communion for the Rev. Oburn, which he held for some time, but finally decided in the negative. In the Spring of 1849, Rev. French returned from his charge in North Henderson, Illinois, and accepted the call given him here. He was installed as pastor November 19, 1849, Rev. G. D. Henderson preaching the installation sermon. At this time the number of members had increased to twenty-nine, with Messrs. David M.
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Dobbin and William Patten as ruling elders, In 1852 Mr. Joseph Thomp- son was added to the session.
The following ministers had preached to this little band prior to their organization : In 1842, Rev. James Templeton, a few Sabbaths, afterwards Rev. J. N. Smith and Rev. George Vincent, next Rev. George Law ; in 1843 and in the Summer of 1844, Rev. J. P. Miller, after him the Rev. Forsythe ; and in the Fall of 1845, Rev. McMillan and Rev. R. H. Pollock, Rev. R. W. French coming the time stated.
A short time after the settlement of Mr. French, the church was built, and in this they worshiped until about the year 1866, when it was enlarged, and was used in that condition till July, 1875, when the congre- gation having grown large, and wealthy, the present beautiful building was erected. It cost the congregation in all near $12,000, and is said to be one of the finest country churches in the State. Rev. French remained as pastor until the years 1859 or '60, when he gave up his charge and removed to Peotone, Illinois. The present pastor. Rev. W. T. Moffitt, was called in 1861 or '62, and is still in charge. This church now has near 300 communicants, and is most favorably known in the church at large. It has given many thousands of dollars to the various church boards, and to benevolent charities, besides always paying a liberal salary to its ministers. It has sent three ministers into the field, all of whom are doing good work. A division at one time occurred in the church, which resulted in the forming of the Reformed Church, whose building still stands ; but the members have almost all returned, and the division is now most happily healed.
SYCAMORE.
The township of this name, containing the thriving city of Sycamore, the county seat, is agreeably diversified in surface, and unusually favored with an abundance of timber and running streams. Its soil is particu- larly rich, black and unctuous, destitute of sand or gravel, and hardly as productive as that of some other portions of the county. This, how- ever, may be due to its having been longer tilled ; for when Erasmus Walrod first came here, in 1835, he raised ninety bushels of corn to the acre, on the upturned prairie sod.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The first settler of the township was probably Lysander Darling, who came in 1835. Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, came the same year, and claimed Norwegian Grove, which thus received its name. Also Mr. Chartres, a Frenchman, who gave name to Chartres Grove. J. C. Kel- log. E. F. White, Zechariah Wood, and Peter Lamois, were also among those who made their homes within the borders of what now constitutes this township, in the first year of its settlement by the whites.
In 1836, the New York Company, composed of Christian Sharer, a wealthy New Yorker, Evans Wherry, Clark Wright, and Mark Daniels, under the firm name of Sharer & Co., claimed two square miles of land, running from Marshall Stark's farm on the north to the south line of the town. They laid out a village plat at the north of the creek, dammed the Kishwaukee River, built a mill, enclosed with a high, heavy rail
HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY. 103
fence a tract of sixty rods wide and two miles long, whose west line was on what is now Somonauk Street, and prepared to build up a town.
This was in the flush times, when wild-cat money in abundance filled every one's pockets, and the speedy growth of great cities in the West was confidently expected.
When these bubbles had burst, and hard times came on, the company, although they had expended a large amount of money, abandoned their claim, dissolved their co-partnership, and never " entered" their land.
VILLAGE OF SYCAMORE.
The old town of Sycamore, north of the creek, consisted of two or three log cabins, in some of which Esquire Jewell kept a blacksmith and wagon shop, and J. C. and Charles Waterman kept a store. It was aban- doned next year for the higher land where the present village of Syca- more stands.
Capt. Eli Barnes built the first house in this village-the large tavern now the Sycamore Hotel. The construction of so extensive a structure was considered a wild, extravagant expenditure of his means ; but it did much to establish the town, and retain the county seat, which it was then thought would soon be removed. The captain was full of zeal for the welfare of this village, and for years labored, perhaps more than any other man, to secure friends and votes to counteract the numerous efforts to procure the removal of the seat of justice.
A little framed house had before this been moved down from the Hamlin farm, and was occupied by Dr. Bassett, the first physician of the place. It stood, till 1855, where D. B. James subsequently built a hand- some residence, and was then burned down, on suspicion that it had been used for the sale of liquor.
The old court house was built in 1839, nearly opposite the present structure, and in 1840 the dreary little village consisted of a dozen houses, scattered over considerable land, but without fences, and with but one well. John C. & Charles Waterman, were the first merchants, 1839.
The town was laid out in 1839, by Capt. Eli Barnes, county surveyor. In 1840 it was quite a little village, containing, among others, the follow- ing houses and buildings: The main streets were State, running east and west, and Main Street, north and south. On the northeast corner at the intersection of State and Main Streets stood the old Mansion House, built by Capt. Eli Barnes ; opposite was a house built by Charles Water- man; east of this, on the same side of State Street, was the house of D. Bannister ; and south, on the next block, the residence of Jesse C. Kellogg; across Main Street, opposite Kellogg's, was the house of E. H. Barnes; north of this was the residence of Eli G. Jewell; and on the northeast corner, at the intersection of State and Main Streets, Stood the building of F. Love ; west of this, on State Street, was the court house : and farther west, , Wells' and Barnes shoe shops. C. Lattin had a house farther west on the north side of State Street, and a few rods farther west were the houses of Joseph Sixbury, and L. D. Walrod.
The Mansion House, called the Nunnery, at this time contained a large part of the population of the place.
A Congregational church was organized in 1840 with eleven mem- bers. In 1841, Rev. David Perry became pastor, and held service in the
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
court house. Capt. Barnes gave the church the lot on which their edifice now stands ; the building was erected in 1844, but not completed till two years later!
A Methodist church was built the same year, on a lot given by Carlos Lattin. The Episcopal church was built in 1856, and the Baptists, Uni- versalists, and Roman Catholics, built churches two or three years after.
Marcus Walrod was the first boy born in the place, and Mrs. W. R. Thomas the first girl.
Eli G. Jewell and Capt. Barber did most of the law business for many years : but in 1841 Andrew J. Brown opened an office-the first regular lawyer. He was succeeded by Mr. Masters, and he, in 1842, by E. L. Mayo. W. J. Hunt practiced law here in 1844. There were then eighteen houses in Sycamore.
In 1848 the population of the village was 262; in 1849 it was 320 ; in 1850, 390; and in 1851, 435.
Much of the land now included in the village was still owned by government in 1843. During that year, Mr. J. S. Waterman entered his fine farm, and W. J. Hunt took up a quarter-section north and east of the village, and eighth-seetion in 1848.
In 1855 there were in Sycamore six dry goods stores, two hardware stores, two cabinet ware-rooms, one drug store, four grocery and provi- sion stores, two saloons. three taverns, one banking and exchange office, two wagon shops, one livery stable, two harness shops, two tin shops, one jeweler shop, three shoe shops, four blacksmith shops, one shingle manu- factory, one tailor shop, one meat market, one cooper shop, seven lawyers, four physicians, ten carpenters, four painters, three circulating libraries, three churches, and one steam saw-mill. The population of the town- ship at this time was 1646.
In 1858 Mr. D. B. James erected the fine brick block now called George's Block, which was dedicated with an old-settlers' celebration and festival. During the same Winter a series of interesting lectures was delivered there by Horace Greeley, Bayard Taylor, George Sumner, and other distinguished speakers.
In the following year the Sycamore and Cortland Railroad was built, at a cost of about $75,000. Its cost was a heavy expense to the citizens, for the times were hard and money scarce ; but it has proved a source of great advantage to the business and growth of the town, which has steadily flourished and increased from that time to the present. The receipts of the road, which were only $4,500 in 1860, have increased to over $12,000 in 1867, and to $17,000 in 1875.
THE CITY.
The City of Sycamore is one of the most attractive of its size in the western country. It contains many fine residences, and a population wealthy, enterprising and remarkably social. Present number of inhabit- ants 3,500.
Among its leading citizens are the brothers Waterman, six of whom have, at times, resided here, and been among its most active business men, since the first settlement of the county. Mr. James S. Waterman, the first banker in the county, has become its wealthiest citizen, and
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
his elegant mansion has ever been the seat of a hospitality almost unlimited.
Of the Ellwood family of six sturdy brothers, noted for unbounded energy and enterprise, shrewdness and bonhomie, four have resided here, and two at DeKalb. Mr. Reuben Ellwood was a citizen of the place in 1838, but subsequently removed to New York, where he filled some important publie positions. He was presented as the candidate of this county for Congress, in 1868.
Hon. E. L. Mayo, a lawyer of marked ability, moved to this place from Vermont in 1842, has held many public offices, and was a candidate for Congress in 1854.
Hon. D. B. James, formerly a lawyer in Lyndon, Vermont, removed to this place from California in 1852. He built a number of the best buildings in the place ; has been an especially active member of the Republican party of the county since its organization ; was appointed aid-de- camp to Gov. Oglesby, with the rank of colonel, delegate to the National Convention of 1864, and was chosen judge of the County Court in 1865.
Gen. Daniel Dustin, formerly of Lyndon, Vermont, removed to Cali- fornia in 1850; was a member of the Legislature of that State, moved to Sycamore in 1856; raised a company for Farnsworth's cavalry in 1862; was chosen colonel of the One Hundred and Fifth Infantry in 1863; served two years as commander of a brigade, and made one of the most faithful and popular officers in the service.
Gen. Charles Waite, one of six worthy sons of Hon. Daniel Waite, of Sycamore, enlisted at twenty-three years of age as a private in the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry, fought his way up to the colonelcy of that rough, ungovernable band of miners, whom he alone ever suc- ceeded in reducing to proper discipline, was severely wounded in service in Virginia, and received the star of the brigadier for gallantry displayed in the battle of the Wilderness.
Gen. E. F. Dutton enlisted at twenty years of age in Company F, of the Thirteenth Infantry, of which he was made first lieutenant. In 1863 he was chosen major of the One Hundred and Fifth, rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served through the war with that regi- ment. He was breveted brigadier for gallantry on the march to Atlanta, and in the battle of Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Sycamore is credited on the State record with 307 men furnished for the suppression of the rebellion. Many gave their lives to their country, and many have returned maimed and crippled ; but the record of casual- ties is not now attainable.
Among other prominent and worthy citizens may be mentioned Judge Luther Lowell, of the County Court, who came from Vermont and became a resident in 1855.
Charles Kellum, Esq., was born in Pennsylvania, and came to the town in 1855. He has been a prominent lawyer for many years, and stands high as a public speaker.
Hon. R. L. Divine, now Mayor of the city, came here in 1858. He has been prominent as a lawyer and a man of remarkable energy. Is now proprietor of one of the banks of the city.
Rev. W. S. Harrington came here when a child about five or six
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
years old-in 1843. He is a son of Dr. James Harrington, and one of a large and worthy family ; was educated at Mt. Morris, Illinois ; entered the ministry of the M. E. Church at an early day ; has been presiding elder for some years ; and in 1876 was put forward by his county as a candidate for Congress from the fourth congressional district. He resides at Sycamore and is presiding elder of the Dixon Conference.
Jesse C. Kellogg-Deacon Kellogg, as he is familiarly called-who died in 1873, was for nearly forty years a prominent citizen of Syca- more. No man was better informed in the early history of the county, and no man had its interests, both moral and physical, more at heart. He came from Vermont and settled here among the first, in 1835, and his example throughout his long life was worthy of imitation. As a zealous and consistent supporter of the moral and religious interests of the town, he was especially active in connection with the Congregational Church and the temperance cause. He served as clerk of the first board of county commissioners in 1837, and in 1842 was clerk of the Circuit Court, holding the office till 1849.
Henry L. Boies, now Postmaster and editor and proprietor of the True Republican, came to the county in 1854, and to Sycamore in 1858. He is a native of Massachusetts, and a man of marked integrity and ability. He has conducted the True Republican consecutively for thirteen years, and in 1868 prepared and published a History of DeKalb County, from which considerable of the matter in this History has been taken. In 1871-72 he was Secretary of the State Senate.
James S. Waterman began life here as a surveyor under the gov- ernment. He has been a very liberal and enterprising citizen-a mer- chant, a banker, and a dealer in real estate, and has accumulated the most ample fortune of any man in the county ; and he has also benefited it as largely, probably, as any other man.
John C. Waterman, his brother, has also been a prominent and influ- ential merchant in the place for at least forty years.
Marshall Stark, living on a farm near the city, is one of the remain- ing worthy pioneers. He came here September 14, 1835; was one or two terms Sheriff of the county. Besides his beautiful and valuable farm near the city, he owns large tracts of pine land in Michigan, and is engaged extensively in the lumber business at Sycamore.
We have not space for a complete list of all the old settlers, but mention, in connection with those above given, Zechariah Wood (deceased) and his two sons, Thomas H. and Henry Wood; E. D. Wal- rod, G. A. Maxfield, Alvin Dayton, Spafford Smith, and Joseph Sixbury.
SUPERVISORS.
Of the supervisors of this town Dr. James Harrington served from its organization in 1850, until 1856, when E. L. Mayo was elected. D. B. James succeeded him, serving in 1857-58 ; James Harrington followed in 1859-60-61 : Roswell Dow in 1862-63-64; Samuel Alden in 1865-66; Henry Wood in 1867; N. S. Cotrell in 1868; Henry Wood in 1869; John G. Smith in 1870-71; E. B. Shurtleff in 1872-73; Nathan Lattin in 1874-75-76.
INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS.
In 1858 the Village of Sycamore was incorporated ; and, in accord- ance with the provisions of the charter, has been represented upon the
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Board of Supervisors by the president of its board of trustees. These have been : For 1859, E. L. Mayo; 1860, C. M. Brown ; 1861, Alonzo Ellwood; 1862, C. O. Boynton ; 1863, Alonzo Ellwood ; 1864-65, Chas. Kellum ; 1866, Luther Lowell; 1867-68, C. O. Boynton; 1869-70, Reuben Ellwood ; 1871, Moses Dean ; 1872, Richard A. Smith ; 1873-74, John B. Harkness ; 1875-76, Richard L. Divine.
Incorporated as a city March 4, 1869.
CITY COUNCIL FOR 1876. Mayor-R. L. DIVINE. Clerk-PRESTON K. JONES. Treasurer-A. C. COLTON. Aldermen. First Ward-JOHN S. BROWN, MILO DAYTON. Second Ward-N. C. WARREN, WM. C. BLACK. Third Ward-MOSES DEAN, J. C. FULKERSON.
GRADED SCHOOLS.
The public school of the city is graded in ten departments, culmi- nating in a high school, according to the Chicago plan. It has a fine building, erected in 1863, which cost about $16,000. It is a wooden structure, well furnished and fitted up for school purposes.
The number of persons of school age in the city is about 1,200 ; enrolled, 729; average attendance, 510.
WILLIAM WHITESIDE, Superintendent.
MISS ADELIA HUNT, Principal High School.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HON. LUTHER LOWELL, President. P. M. ALDEN, Secretary. DANIEL DUSTON. CHARLES BROWN.
CHARLES O. BOYNTON.
WILLIAM BLACK.
CHURCHES.
Sycamore has eight churches, viz. : St. Peters (Episcopal)-Rev. W. E. Toll, rector. Methodist Episcopal-Rev. J. H. Moore, pastor. Wesleyan Methodist-Rev. J. L. Clark, pastor. Baptist-Rev. Watson Clark, pastor. Congregationalist-Rev. W. F. Gallagher, pastor. Catholic-Rev. Father Dun, pastor. Universalist-Rev. S. F. Gibb, pastor. Swedish Lutheran-
NEWSPAPERS OF SYCAMORE.
The True Republican-Weekly and semi-weekly; Republican in politics. Boies & Armstrong, publishers.
The City Weekly-A weekly newspaper, published by V. Hix.
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
The Free Methodist-Organ of that denomination in the United States : Baker & Arnold, publishers.
The De Kalb County Democrat-Weekly Democratic paper ; published by Waite & Bassett.
The Pearl, The Lily, and The Pilgrim-Monthlies, published by Baker & Arnold.
BANKS.
First National-James S. Waterman, President ; C. W. Marsh, Vice President.
Private Banks-Divine & Co .; Pieree & Dean.
GROWTH OF THE CITY.
The following from the True Republican of January, 1876, shows the progress of building in Sycamore during the preceding year :
One Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars Expended .- In making up our annual record for 1875 of the new buildings erected in Sycamore during the year, we have been surprised to find that both in number and in value the list has rarely, if ever, been exceeded during any previous year of the existence of the town. The work has been done so quietly, and to such a large extent, in the suburbs and outskirts of the city, that it has not attracted so much attention as in years previous, when the center and all parts of the city seemed alive with new structures, but the new buildings are nevertheless both numerous and valuable ; and considering that it has been a time when money was scarce and hard to be obtained ; that all over the country business has been depressed, and here especially the farmers (on whose prosperity we all depend) had been impoverished by the loss of their usual grain crop, it is really remarkable that so much has been done. The vitality of the place is really wonderful.
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