Changemakers

John Adee (1893-1967)

John Adee was a World War I veteran active in the American Legion Post 99. He was involved
with real estate, insurance, and the grain business – known as a highly successful. He was known
for his community involvement including being a life member of the Elks Club and a member of
Sycamore’s Harmony Club.

Cookie Aldis has served as Cortland Town Clerk since 1985. This office maintains accurate files of minutes and other official town records. The office is also responsible for issuing certain permits and completing requests for public records. She is a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, the Municipal Clerks of Illinois and the Northwestern Illinois Municipal Clerks Association.

However, she is also known as the “unofficial historian of Cortland.” As Cortland does not have a historical society, she is the person that many go to for assistance with local history records

Margaret Ann Baack (1951 – 2023)

Margaret Baack, only daughter to Wolfram and Doris Becker Baack, was known for her philanthropic work around Sycamore. She was most known for her restoration of three historical buildings, the Old East School, the Dr. Olin Smith residence, and the “Green House.”

Throughout her childhood, Baack had been interested in architecture. In high school, she was the only female student taking a drafting class, which required her parents’ permission to participate with male students. Outside of architecture, Baack spent much of her time performing in band and singing in her school choirs, often placing in state competitions for ensemble performances. She was active in many extracurricular activities and organizations, a trait that followed into her adulthood.

After graduating in 1969, she attended University of Wisconsin at Madison and became an architectural adviser. For some time in 1971, she moved to Aspen, Colorado and attended Rocky Mountain College while working. A year later, she moved back to Sycamore, where she would continue her work, drafting renovations for historical homes.

In 1989, she began her most famous work when she bought the “Green House,” formerly known as the James Ellwood House, which was originally being used as an administration building by the Sycamore Hospital. The hospital planned to demolish the house for a parking lot, but Baack won a bid for the house and began designing the house’s restoration, using photos and books as reference. The house was then lifted onto its new plot on 708 Somonauk St, where Baack and her family resided before her retirement. 

Baack once also sat on the board of IDEAL Industries, a company founded by her maternal grandfather, for 40 years. During her time, she was a voice for women and advocated for safe working conditions and fair wages.

She retired in 2007 with her husband Michael McAdams to Land O’ Lakes, a place of personal significance to her family, where they designed and built their home. She passed away on June 13, 2023, to cancer.

Judy (or Julia) Beard (1852*-1942) 

Judy Beard, a Sycamore resident from 1871 until her death in 1942, was born a slave in Texas. Details about Julia Beard’s life were shared in a Sycamore True Republican article from February 21, 1942. Note, Judy was a slave in Texas in 1865, which means she would have been in Texas for the first Juneteenth celebration. 

She recalled, “My mother was owned by the master of the place where I was and my father was owned by another master who was situated a few miles away. When I was but a little girl the only kind of work I could do is to pick cotton and I was put to this task when I was very young. When I turned ten years of age, I was brought to work in the house, waiting on members of the household in the master’s home.”  

“When slaves were freed” as the Civil War ended, “our family had to go out and make a living,” she later recalled. “I was hired out to work for one man at $35.00 a year, and he put me to work plowing his fields when I was but 12 years old. I did not like this very well and I was happy when I later learned that our family was to leave for the North.” 

In 1865, her family was part of a caravan of eight wagons and about 70 people “who were some of the first to come out of the south for a new land.”  The group “would camp by the side of the road at night” until they reached Kansas City, Missouri. Later, at Ft. Scott, Kansas, she met Henry Beard, who would become her husband. After their marriage, the couple settled in Sycamore.  

Stephen Bigolin (1949-2026)

Steve Bigolin was born Thursday, September 22, 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois, to John J. and Mary C. (Fortunato) Bigolin. He was their only child. Steve grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. His family moved to Wonder Lake, Illinois, in June of 1963; he graduated from McHenry Community High School in 1967. After graduation, he relocated to his adopted hometown of DeKalb, attending Northern Illinois University. Steve earned a BSEd degree in History in 1971 and an MSEd degree in Secondary Education in 1975. He stayed in DeKalb and volunteered for many local organizations, beginning with the Ellwood House Museum. 

For over 50 years, Steve fondly said “my life revolves around all things historical.” He served a three-year term on the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council, a State of Illinois Review Board. He was also a prolific local author: a series of articles in The DeKalb Daily Chronicle, the Sycamore True Republican, and Cornsilk magazine as well as various barbed wire newsletters; A Journey Through DeKalb County; editor for Landmarks of the Barb City; and with Nancy Beasley, Sycamore: A Walk Through History. In addition, Steve gave numerous lectures for many local organizations on local history topics, most recently for Barb City Manor. Steve received many local awards and citations for his work, culminating in 2024, when mayor Cohen Barnes of DeKalb declared September 22 officially Steve Bigolin Day. 

Locally, he may be most fondly remembered for his insightful and entertaining walking tours of both DeKalb and Sycamore, and he worked with the Sycamore History Museum, and then with the DeKalb County History Center, on the annual Pumpkin Festival Historic Homes Tour, serving from 2012-2023. The County of DeKalb and especially the cities of DeKalb and Sycamore owe Steve a huge debt of gratitude for preserving our history and promoting the organizations responsible for celebrating it. 

Stephen John Bigolin of DeKalb passed away peacefully at DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center in the early morning of March 12, 2026.

Dr. Alonzo Dexter Blagden (1851 – 1926)

Dr. Alonzo Blagen was born in 1851 in Genoa, Illinois, where he lived with his large family until attending the University of Illinois to study pharmacology. He practiced as a pharmacist in Genoa for nine years until returning to school to become a doctor. He graduated from the Bennett Medical College of Chicago in 1886. He settled in Sycamore upon graduation and founded a hugely successful medical practice.

Dr. Blagden was one of the earliest physicians in Sycamore and was best known for delivering the most babies in the county, including many of the future leaders of the community. His office was in downtown Sycamore on the north side of State Street above Buehl’s jewelry store. He was known as an especially caring doctor, often bringing patients to his own residence on High Street, where he maintained a first-floor room for those who needed a bit of extra care. He was a devoted husband and father of four and was also involved in many philanthropic organizations, including Modern Woodsmen, Masons, Elks, Illinois State Medical Society, and DeKalb County Medical Society. 

Dr. Blagden kept extensive journals, chronicling every transaction with every patient throughout his career. These journals were recovered from the attic of the house on High Street and recently donated to the DeKalb County History Center. These journals contain amazing demographic details, including address, family size, what the illness was, and how much was paid for the services. After many years as a leading doctor in the county, he died quietly at his home from complications of influenza in April of 1926.

Melissa Blake is a writer, journalist, disability activist and social media influencer. A lifelong DeKalb resident, she first fell in love with journalism and writing during her time on the school newspaper in high school. She went on to study journalism at Kishwaukee College, where she became editor-in-chief of the student newspaper the Kaleidoscope — interestingly, Melissa returned to the Kaleidoscope a decade later as the adviser and thoroughly enjoyed molding future journalists. She completed her studies at Northern Illinois University, where she also worked on the Northern Star, first as a copy editor and then as a campus reporter.

Since graduating from NIU with a journalism degree in 2005, she has worked as a freelance writer. She wrote a weekly newspaper column for the DeKalb Daily Chronicle. Her writing on disabilities, relationships and pop culture has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, CNN Opinion, Health, HuffPost, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Glamour and Cosmopolitan, among others.

She attracted worldwide media attention in September 2019 when she stood up to online bullies who tried to drive her off social media because of her appearance. Her tweet went viral and was followed by interviews with the BBC, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, PEOPLE magazine, Good Morning America and E! News.

That viral tweet became the basis for her first book “Beautiful People: My 13 Truths About Disability,” published in 2024 by Hachette Book Group.

Henry L. Boies (1830-1887)

Henry Lamson Boies played a key role in the preservation of DeKalb County’s history. His History of DeKalb County, Illinois written in 1868 is an influential work consulted by many who have dedicated their time to researching the early history of DeKalb. Additionally, Boies served as the editor of The True Republican newspaper from 1862 to 1887.

Boies was born in 1830 in Massachusetts to a Congregational minister and was brought up in that faith as a child. He spent most of his youth in Massachusetts, but due to declining health had moved in 1850 to Charleston, South Carolina where he was a school teacher. He soon moved back north, to Catskill, New York and became involved in the manufacturing of gunpowder. Again, because of poor health, Boies was forced to move, this time he came west settling in DeKalb County in 1854. Like most who came to DeKalb in these years, Boies took up farming on his new land. However, he soon moved on to soliciting contributions to build a railroad connecting Sycamore with the main line of the Chicago & North Western Railroad, known as the “Five-Mile Spur”  which was completed in 1859.

It was around this time that the Sentinel, the only newspaper published in the county, was bought by the supporters of Stephen A. Douglass. As the rift created by slavery had worsened, many were upset that the only paper in the County was leaning towards pro-slavery. Although writing ten years after the fact, Boies declared that “the liberty loving people felt that their interests required the establishment of a journal which would counteract and expose the insidious counsels of those who would leave slavery to run”. Because of the sentiment of the people of the County, a new newspaper, The True Republican was created in 1857. It was not until 1862 that Boies would become the editor of this paper but he continued to be the paper’s editor until his death in 1887.

When the Civil War ended, Boies was determined to document the history of DeKalb, primarily as a way to preserve the memory of life in the county’s early history and document the experiences of the men of the County who served in the war. This history is a succinct, but well written documentation of the county prior to the year 1868, and today proves to be a valuable resource for researchers. Boies died in 1887, at 57 years old due to his recurring battle with illness, which is believed to be peritonitis. Although living a brief life, Boies played an influential role in the preservation and documentation of DeKalb County’s history.

Samuel E. Bradt (1861-1938)

Samuel. E. Bradt is considered one of the original builders of DeKalb County. From Illinois’ 5000 miles of hard roads to the head of the First National Bank and secretary of the DeKalb Building and Loan Association to treasurer of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to director of the U.S. Fastener Company, Bradt was instrumental in the development of all of these important components of building Illinois.

In 1899, the need for road improvements on the Lincoln Highway from the bridge over the Kishwaukee River and past the teacher’s college fell into the hands of S. E. Bradt. The college’s future depended on a solid road leading to what is now Northern Illinois University. This would result in the “good road movement” to which Bradt was appointed chair. Under his leadership, “the banker’s committee worked out and drafted the road program which was adopted by the state legislature in 1912 . . . for developing the highway construction work.” Bradt was named as  a member of the state highway commission. His knowledge of funding and developing a road system here led to him becoming a member of the committee on federal highway development. Illinois was a model for road development across the country. 

His work in banking was the reason the roads were funded. He was instrumental in strengthening the First National Bank. As it grew, the bank became responsible for financing “some $5,000,000 worth of building . . . and thus enabled hundreds of working people to own their own homes.”

Marlyn Lenschow Burkart (1932-2016)

Marlyn founded Marlyn’s Majorettes and Drum Corps in 1950 and ran it until she retired the group in 2014. Among numerous honors, Marlyn served as the 2009 Pumpkin Festival Parade Grand Marshal, and has been awarded the Clifford Danielson Outstanding Citizen Award, Sycamore Athena Award, and the 2003 AYOP Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Members of Marlyn’s Majorettes and Drum Corps did not take their practices lightly. Hard work, commitment, and high expectations were a winning combination. Marlyn’s Majorettes won over 25 State Championships, 25 National Championships, plus several international championships, the Disney parade championship, and even a World Championship. They also performed at the Orange Bowl, Indy 500, Grand Ole Opry, the Chicago Christmas Parade, and New York’s World Fair. These unique experiences led to life-long friendships.

However, Marlyn not only stressed working hard on routines. She saw the big picture, “One of the fathers, Bill Nelles, told me, ‘This baton twirling thing is just a side thing. You are really developing citizens for tomorrow.’ And that’s true.” She provided opportunities to travel and to see museums and cultural centers that many of her students who traveled from around the county and beyond would not have otherwise been able to experience. 

Joseph Bussone (1926-2016)

Joe Bussone was born in Woodford County, Illinois. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific. After returning home in 1947, Bussone earned an engineering degree from Bradley University.

His first job with General Electric brought him to Sycamore in 1954. He quickly became an active community volunteer, supporting numerous nonprofit, church, and civic organizations, including Ben Gordon Center, the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, Sycamore Municipal Hospital, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He became especially well known for his talent in fundraising and his dedication to community service.

Bussone was also active in the VFW, Voice of Democracy, and local Veterans and Memorial Day programs. In addition, he helped the Sycamore History Museum (now the DeKalb County History Center) with its first capital campaign during the organization’s move to the former Engh Farmstead.

Harry Carlson (1898-1984)

Harry Carlson was a local farmer born in Genoa Township. 

From 1938-1956 the Carlson family worked at the Engh Farm. They preserved many records and photos that help visitors at the DeKalb County History Center have a better understanding of this property as a working farm. 

Harry was very active in the community, especially the Grange.  Harry and his wife Wilda Grange activities were regularly covered in the local papers. He also participated in the Pure Milk Board,  the Sycamore Farmer’s Club and was a member of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

Bryan Carter (1990 – )

Bryan Carter, born July 11, 1990, in St. Louis, is an acclaimed drummer, vocalist, composer, arranger, orchestrator, and bandleader. Raised in Sycamore, Carter began playing drums at age two under the influence of his father. At age four, he started formal musical training in violin through the Suzuki method.

While attending high school, Carter performed with the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble, where he met future collaborators including Emmet Cohen, Benny Bennack III, Grace Kelly, Cody Fry, and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard School in 2012.

Carter is widely recognized for his work in jazz and improvisational music. He has performed and recorded with celebrated artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, and Kurt Elling. He also tours with his ensemble, “Bryan Carter & The Swangers,” along with its larger companion group, “The Swangers Orchestra.”

In 2024, Carter premiered a seven-movement jazz oratorio dedicated to civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. Critic Will Friedwald of the New York Sun praised Carter as “the young musician who is doing the best job of anyone at navigating between the worlds of jazz and musical theater.”

Carter has also built a distinguished career in musical theater. In 2022, he contributed orchestrations to A Strange Loop, the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Michael R. Jackson. In 2025, he served in seven creative roles for Good Night, and Good Luck, which became the highest-grossing play in Broadway history, and also worked on its live televised presentation on CNN.

Carter has received numerous honors for his work. He became the first Black orchestrator to win the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Orchestrations. Alongside collaborator Charlie Rosen, he won the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Tony Awards in a single season for Some Like It Hot. Their work also earned a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. In 2026, Carter won Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for “Super Mario Praise Break” and for his work with The 8-Bit Big Band.

Beyond the stage, Carter has appeared as house drummer for NBC’s “Maya and Marty,” guest drummer on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and contributor to “The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo” and “Sesame Street.” He has also written music for major awards programs, including the Tony and BAFTA Awards.

In 2019, Carter founded “Jazz at Pride,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting performances and educational programs featuring artists from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Hon. Miles Beach Castle (1826-1900)

Miles B. Castle was born in Albany, New York, on August 11, 1826. In 1855 he moved west to Illinois where he opened a lumberyard in Sandwich.

In 1856, Castle founded the Sandwich Bank, now known as First National Bank. He later established the Kendall County Bank in Yorkville in 1870, managing both institutions until his death in 1900. On January 21, 1857, he married Freelove Kinney Hubbard.

Castle also became active in publishing. In 1878, along with his son, John B. Castle, founded the Sandwich Argus. Through his work in journalism, he became a member of the Illinois State Press Association and the Press Club of Chicago. 

A dedicated Republican, Castle was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1872 and re-elected twice, serving six years. During his time in office, he chaired the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, overseeing work on the Illinois Executive Mansion and the new State Capitol building in Springfield. He also introduced early legislation to protect fishing rights in Illinois and later served as chairman of the Illinois State Equal Suffrage Association in 1891.

Beyond business and politics, Castle was active in civic life as a member of the Royal Arch Masons. He died on August 10, 1900, one day before his seventy-fourth birthday.

The Castle family continued his legacy of public service and leadership. His son, John B. Castle, managed the family businesses and newspaper, earned a law degree, and later served in the Illinois legislature. His grandson, Latham Castle, served as Illinois Attorney General during the 1950s and later as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 1960s.

Marjorie (Gilbert) Danielson (1908 – 1998)

Born in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Clara Gilbert Danielson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and journalism from the University of Iowa in 1929. In 1932 Danielson began her 20 year career at Sycamore High School. 

She played an important role in student publications. In 1932, she introduced Leaves, a magazine-style publication featuring student writing, poetry, editorials, photographs, and school news. The publication replaced The Oracle as the school yearbook, and Danielson served as its advisor until 1935.

In the summer of 1935, she married Clifford Danielson at the Federated Church in Sycamore. The couple raised two daughters, Anne and Jane. After returning to Sycamore High School in 1959 to teach English, Danielson continued her commitment to education and community service. She was active in numerous organizations, including the Sycamore-DeKalb Panhellenic, the Sycamore Woman’s Club, the Sycamore Historic District Committee, the Ellwood House Museum Board, and the Northern Illinois University Associates Steering Committee.

Maude Dennis (1886-1954)

Dennis organized the county’s first Women’s Republican Club in 1925. She paved the way for women to become involved in the political process, often making the rounds in her neighborhood to pick up other women and get them to the polls.

Dennis also worked hard to promote women serving as jurors. Even though they got the right to vote in 1920, women could not serve on a jury until 1930. It was not until 1938 that DeKalb County had both men and women jurors.

Dennis also became the county’s first woman bailiff in 1938.

She also started the DeKalb County’s Republican Woman’s Club in 1925. Five years later, Dennis became the first woman delegate to the Illinois State Republican Convention. In November 1938, she was appointed to the executive committee in the Woman’s Division of the Illinois Republican State Committee. Maude Dennis left her position as bailiff in 1960.

Terry Desmond (1944 –2023)

Terry Desmond started his career as a much-loved middle-school teacher. Then, he moved on to serve three terms as DeKalb County Clerk from 1978 – 1990. He helped to convert the manual operation of the clerk’s office to a digital format. Later, he worked as the Senior Vice President of Governmental Business Systems, Inc. and served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of County Officials and as an Elections Consultant. Desmond was also a dedicated Rotarian.

It was during his tenure as County Clerk that he supervised the creation of the Joiner History Room with the assistance of Phyllis Kelley. While modernizing the role of the County Clerk, he also understood the importance of preserving DeKalb County’s historic documents. With Kelley’s passion for local history and Desmond’s support, the numerous boxes labeled “for the museum” were organized and made accessible to future researchers. It was their collaboration and dedication that led to the creation of the Joiner History Room.

Helena Dolder (1882  -1974)

Helena Dolder was the first female sheriff in the state. Prior to her husband Fred’s death in January 1928, the family lived at the county jail, as was customary at the time. The county jail was originally on Main Street and Sycamore Street, where the DeKalb County Administration Building now resides. As the sheriff’s wife, she was responsible for feeding the prisoners and advising youth and female prisoners.

After Fred’s death, Helena obtained the position of sheriff, and appointed former sheriff Edwin E. Crawford as first deputy and her son Arthur “Fritz” as chief deputy. Dolder made headlines across the country after stopping a prison riot by using a fire hose on the prisoners. As sheriff, she did not do any physical apprehension like her husband, but she served all summons, worked in the kitchen, and dealt with office business. During the prohibition, many Chicagoan prisoners were sent to other county jails as a result of overcrowding. Most of the prisoners Dolder oversaw were involved in drug smuggling, and gambling. The jail was nicknamed the “lace curtain jail” due to the curtains Dolder hung up on the windows.

Originally, she was to serve the rest of Fred’s two-year term before stepping down, but she ran for a second term and won an overwhelming victory. Dolder stepped down in 1932. She passed away May 5, 1974, at age 92. She and her husband are buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich.

George Donnelly (1942 – 2022) 

George Donnelly was a standout athlete, attorney, and proud graduate of DeKalb High School, Class of 1960. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and later a law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law, Donnelly built a distinguished career in both athletics and law.

At the University of Illinois, Donnelly was a three-year varsity football letterman and served as co-captain of the 1963 team alongside Dick Butkus. That season, he tied the NCAA record with eight interceptions and earned All-Big Ten and All-American honors. Donnelly played a crucial role in Illinois’ victory over Washington in the 1964 Rose Bowl, recording two interceptions, including a game-saving interception near the goal line that helped secure the Illini’s 17–7 win. The team finished the season with an 8–1–1 record and a No. 3 national ranking.

In 1965, Donnelly was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, where he played defensive back for three seasons.

Following his football career, Donnelly returned to Illinois and practiced law for many years as a member of the Chicago Bar. Remembered for his athletic achievements and professional accomplishments, George Donnelly remained a source of pride for both DeKalb and the University of Illinois community until his death.

Flora Jeannette Dow (1855  -1905)

Flora Jeannette Dow was Sycamore’s first Public Librarian. She held her high position for nearly thirteen years. During her career she also became a charter member of the Chautauqua Literary Society and the Athena Literary Society.

Flora Jeanette Dow attended the Sycamore schools. She studied the pipe organ in Chicago for two seasons, taught for about three years, and for twelve and a half years  she served as the head librarian of the Sycamore Public Library. 

In her obituary it explained, “In this useful labor she was an expert, and the donor of the lot and furnishings of the beautiful new library building now in course of construction, realizing Miss Dow’s capability, made his liberal gift only upon the condition that Miss Dow should be the first librarian.” 

The obituary continued “Gentleness , modesty, conscientiousness were combined with a certain positiveness and clearness of ideas which made Miss Dow a real force in this community , where no one was more respected and admired for those qualities.”

Sycamore True Republican July 1, 1905.

Daniel Dustin (1820 – 1892)

Daniel Dustin was born in Topsham Vermont, October 5th, 1820. As a young man, he spent his time studying medicine attending lectures at Dartmouth college where he graduated in 1846. Soon after his graduation, he began practicing medicine in his home state, but moved west in pursuit of greater fortune. 

Dustin began his movement westward by steamship, where he landed at Charleston, South Carolina. It was here that he was introduced to southern slavery which likely influenced his views as tensions on the issues rose in the coming years. When Dustin arrived in California he continued his medical practice but also was involved in mining operations and was legislature of the county of Nevada. 

In 1858, Dustin was influenced by friends to move to Illinois, arriving in Sycamore working with James Ellwood until the outbreak of war. Dustin was involved in the raising of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, organized in St. Charles and assigned to the Army of the Potomac.

In January of 1862, Dustin was made Major of the 8th Cavalry and was involved in battles at Manassas, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Barretts Ford, Chickamahony, and the Seven Days Battle. In July of 1862, Dustin became the commanding officer of the 105th Illinois Infantry having been raised in Lincoln’s call for volunteers. The 105th was part of the Atlanta campaign and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. His service in the battle of Averasborough earned hom the position of Brigadier General, but the war ended a month later and the 105th was mustered out of service in June 1865. 

The recollection of General Dustin’s service in the army is of the highest regards. He was stern in discipline, but when necessary he displayed sympathy for his men. His enthusiasm in the cause of the Union Army spread and made him a favorite in command. 

After the war Dustin was involved in local politics being elected county clerk for four years and then treasurer. In 1880, Dustin was elected circuit clerk and remained in the position for 10 years before becoming the state treasurer until his death in 1892. His funeral is remembered as an imposing funeral where the Sycamore Grand Army of the Republic attended and discharged 10 volleys of fire over his grave after the sounding of taps.

Everell Fletcher Dutton (1838-1900)

General Everell Fletcher Dutton was one of Sycamore’s most distinguished Civil War veterans and civic leaders. Born in New Hampshire, he moved with his family to Illinois in 1844, eventually settling in Sycamore. His father, William Dutton, initially opposed abolition and even moved the family to Kansas during the heated free-state and slave-state conflicts of the 1850s. Witnessing the realities of slavery changed the family’s views and deeply influenced Everell’s commitment to the Union cause.

At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Dutton was elected Captain of Company F of the 13th Illinois Infantry. After recovering from a serious illness, he transferred to the 105th Illinois Infantry, a regiment known for its discipline and effectiveness. During the war he rose rapidly through the ranks, serving as Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and finally Brigadier General of United States. Dutton fought in major campaigns at Resaca, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, and other battles during Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and March to the Sea. While stationed in Nashville, he also served on a military board responsible for examining and assigning officers to Black regiments. 

Dutton’s wartime letters to Rosina Woodmanse, whom he married in Sycamore on December 31, 1863, provide a vivid glimpse into Civil War life. Their correspondence described both the hardships of army camps and the realities of home-front life in Sycamore. Rosina wrote about fundraising efforts for wounded soldiers, rising prices, local gossip, and hopes for the war’s end. Everell described the exhausting drills of camp life, the dangers of trench warfare in Georgia, and the grim losses suffered by his regiment. He also reflected on rare moments of peace between Union and Confederate skirmishers, when temporary ceasefires allowed soldiers on both sides to emerge from their trenches without firing.

Sycamore contributed 307 men to the Civil War, and Dutton became one of its most accomplished officers. After the war, he returned to civic life and remained an influential figure in DeKalb County. He served as Circuit Court Clerk beginning in 1868 and later as Clerk of the Northern Grand Division of the Illinois Supreme Court. In 1883, he became president of the Sycamore National Bank. Proud of his military service throughout his life, Dutton remained active in the Grand Army of the Republic until his death in 1900.

Jane Dutton (1873-1952)

Jane Wellings Dutton was born in rural New York. She trained as a teacher. Her aunt Mary Stevens convinced her and her sisters to move to Sycamore. In 1901 she married George E. Dutton. 

She was very active in the Sycamore community serving as a charter member of the Sycamore Woman’s Club and the Gen. John Stark Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of the Columbian Literary Society, the Sycamore Business and Professional Women’s Club, Sycamore Garden Club and held a membership in the Chamber of Commerce. 

Yet, she also played a unique and significant role in the banking industry. Jane Dutton emerged as one of Sycamore’s most important financial leaders during the Great Depression. After the sudden death of her husband, George Dutton, in 1929, she assumed leadership of First Trust & Savings Bank to ensure that the institution remained under strong local guidance. Working closely with banker Clifford Danielson, Dutton helped steer the bank through one of the most unstable financial periods in American history. While banks across the country failed, First Trust & Savings remained stable due to decades of conservative management by the Pierce, Townsend, and Dutton families.

The crisis deepened in 1931 when Sycamore’s other bank, the First National Bank, closed unexpectedly, creating panic throughout the community. Depositors feared losing their savings, city officials worried they could not meet payroll, and local businesses faced financial uncertainty. Under Jane Dutton’s leadership, First Trust & Savings helped stabilize the city by purchasing tax warrants so Sycamore could continue operating and schools could remain open.

When President Franklin Roosevelt ordered a temporary nationwide bank holiday in 1933, Dutton reassured anxious residents by personally offering loans to anyone in need while the bank’s doors were closed. Her calm leadership strengthened public confidence, and when the bank reopened, customers returned in large numbers. Later that same year, Dutton and Danielson successfully guided the institution into the national banking system, reopening it as The National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore.

Though she stepped down as president in 1938, Jane Dutton remained chairman of the board and continued to influence the bank’s direction. Her leadership during the Depression preserved Sycamore’s financial stability and cemented her place as one of the community’s most significant civic and business leaders.

William George Eckhardt (1879-1959)

William Eckhardt was an agronomy professor at University of Illinois, who was hired by the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association (now the DeKalb County Farm Bureau) on June 1, 1912, to be a soil scientist and the country’s first farm advisor, or agriculturist. As advisor he was tasked to develop and improve farming practices to be “permanent and profitable.” He gained the trust of the county’s farmers by treating the county’s naturally acidic soil with limestone and planted alfalfa, which thrived in the treated soil. As farm advisor, he delivered speeches on farming practices to farmers’ clubs and farmers’ institutes around Northern Illinois, and he would often recommend farmers plant certain crops due to seed quality, prices, and the county’s soil quality. Eventually, he urged the formation of DeKalb Agricultural Association Inc., which would supply farmers with products and services with their own money. Once, after a freeze in 1918, Eckhardt was tasked to find and distribute undamaged seedcorn to farmers in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. Eckhardt’s efforts informed and advanced the hybridization of corn.

In 1919, he bought a house on West Roosevelt Street, DeKalb, and he located his seed house to the north of his home. He dedicated his life to advancing agricultural technology, developing and patenting a forced-air drying technique and creating drying bins and storage silos to address seed corn rotting. In May 1920, he was appointed head of the Grain Marketing Department at the Illinois Agricultural Association, prompting his resignation as farm advisor in July that year. Five years later, he founded the Corn Belt Seed company, where he developed and sold his own seed corn.

Isaac L. Ellwood (1833 – 1910) from the Ellwood House Museum website

Isaac Leonard Ellwood was born in Salt Springville, New York on August 3, 1833. His parents were people of modest means. Already ambitious as a young man, he drove a mule team on the Erie Canal. In 1851 he made his way west to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California. He clerked in a hardware store in Sacramento and saved his earnings hoping to establish his own business. In 1855, Ellwood made his way to DeKalb County, Illinois, where several of his brothers had already settled. Here he found work on the large farm of William Miller near Kingston. Isaac married Miller’s daughter Harriet in 1859 and soon established a hardware store on Main Street in DeKalb.

Keenly aware of the needs of farmers for a cheap durable fencing material through his hardware business, Ellwood began to tinker with ways to improve fencing. In 1874 he abandoned his own idea and purchased a one-half interest in DeKalb farmer Joseph Glidden’s barbed wire patent for $265. The two soon formed a partnership and established the world’s first barbed wire factory. By 1879, fifty million pounds of barbed wire were being produced annually and Ellwood was well on his way to becoming one of the wealthiest men in Illinois. This wealth enabled him to build a palatial home for his family on a large property at the edge of DeKalb.

In the 1870s, three men from DeKalb, Illinois began tinkering with an idea for cheap, durable fencing. They were: Joseph F. Glidden, a farmer; Jacob Haish, a lumber dealer; and Isaac L. Ellwood, a hardware merchant. With a simple twist of metal, the lives of these three men and the future of the American West were changed forever.

Joseph Glidden made his first barbed wire in the kitchen of his farmhouse, using a coffee mill to twist the barbs into shape. Working in his barn he then utilized a grindstone to twist two strands of wire together after placing the handmade barbs on one strand of the wire. After making several hundred feet of wire in this manner, he fenced his wife’s vegetable garden to keep stray animals out.

Glidden applied for a patent in October 1873; however, it was not granted until November 24, 1874. Meanwhile, Ellwood quickly recognized the superiority of Glidden’s concept over his own, and in July 1874 he purchased a one-half interest in Glidden’s yet-to-be issued patent for $265. DeKalb folklore relates that it was Mrs. Ellwood who saw the promise of Glidden’s wire.

Glidden and Ellwood soon formed a partnership called the Barb Fence Company and began the manufacture of barbed wire in DeKalb. In the first year of 1874 only 10,000 lbs. of barbed wire were produced, largely by hand. The following year the company built its first factory with a steam engine and machines to mechanize the barbing of the wire. Output rose dramatically and in 1875 more than 600,000 lbs. were manufactured.

In 1876 Glidden sold the remaining interest in his patent to Washburn & Moen Co., the largest U.S. wire manufacturer, for $60,000 plus royalty rights. Backed by ample capital, the barbed wire business soon began to assume gigantic proportions. According to The DeKalb County Manufacturer, 2,840,000 lbs. of barbed wire were produced in 1876, 12,863,000 lbs. in 1877, 26,655,000 lbs. in 1878, and 50,337,000 lbs. in 1879.

To preserve their monopoly, Washburn & Moen and Isaac Ellwood & Company purchased the rights to many prior and subsequent patents related to barbed wire. Years of litigation followed between the holders of the Glidden patent and other patentholders, including Jacob Haish, over priority in the invention of the first practical barbed wire. In 1892, the United States Supreme Court awarded precedence to Joseph Glidden because of his original claim that the twisting of the two strands of wire holds the barbs in place. The Court declared: “In the law of patents, it is the last step that wins.”

Before barbed wire could achieve widespread use throughout the West, it had to be accepted by ranchers and farmers. Sensing that Texas would be the largest single market for the new invention, Ellwood sent the team of Henry Sanborn and J.P. Warner to Houston in 1875 to promote and sell barbed wire. They found Texas seething with controversy between the free grassers, who wanted to maintain the open range, and the nesters, who advocated fields protected by fences. Even those who were in favor of fencing scoffed at the idea that a light-weight barbed wire fence could restrain the wild Texas Longhorn cattle. There was also concern that the sharp barbs would inflict wounds on cattle. If the cuts became infected, the cattle could become diseased and die.

Because of these controversies, Sanborn and Warner failed to sell much barbed wire. This situation changed when a 21-year-old sales-man named John W. Gates was hired by Ellwood. Arriving in Texas, Gates obtained permission to build a barbed wire corral in San Antonio’s Military Plaza. He announced that he intended to demonstrate that this fence could contain even the most wild Texas longhorns and offered to take all bets on the outcome. Gates’ bravado soon aroused the interest of many cattlemen. When the fenced enclosure was complete, he had wild Longhorn bulls driven into the corral. The animals, aroused by the taunts of the onlookers, were provoked repeatedly to charge the barbed wire. The fences held and Gates soon began to sell barbed wire to the cattlemen by the railcar load.

Today, the Ellwood House property consists of about ten-acres which includes the wooded area north of the mansion. In the 19th century First Street was at the edge of DeKalb. The original Ellwood estate totaled more than 1,000 acres, extending north and west of its current boundaries. The majority of the property was pasture and farmland devoted to the Ellwood stock farm “Ellwood Green” for the breeding of Percheron draft horses.

The Ellwood House has undergone several major transformations since the the time of its original construction in 1879 given the family’s willingness to invest their wealth in improving their home. The only hints of the first iteration of the home are the mansard roof, and the interior central hall and rotunda plan.

Harold Engh, Sr. 1893-1978 and Helen Whittmore Engh 1895-1997

Harold Engh Sr. came to Sycamore with the promise of a job as an office boy in Chicago, but instead built a life and career in Sycamore. He worked for Illinois Wire and Cable Company, later Inland Wire Company, and eventually Anaconda Wire & Cable Company. In 1927, Engh purchased farmland from Caroline Stark, creating what became widely known throughout the county as “Engh Corners.”

Although the Engh family never lived on the farm itself, they employed farm managers to oversee the land and livestock for many years. Harold Engh later rose to executive vice president at Anaconda and was transferred to manage the company’s plant in New York. During those years, the family divided their time between New York and Sycamore, returning to their home on Merry Oaks Drive for summers and holidays.

After 17 years in New York, Engh returned to Sycamore. In 1947, he became head of the Pyle-National Company in Chicago before returning once again to Sycamore in 1955 to serve as president, and later chair, of Turner Corporation. His son, Harold “Bud” Engh Jr., also worked at Pyle-National before succeeding his father as president of Turner Corporation. Bud Engh later founded North American Plastics in Aurora, where he completed his career before retiring.

The Engh property continued operating as a farm until the early 2000s. In 2066, the family donated it to the City of Sycamore.

Harold and Helen Engh also left a lasting legacy in Sycamore through their support of local education and athletics. In 1969, their donation helped Sycamore High School build a new football field. Engh reportedly told community leaders, “Sycamore has been good to me. Why don’t you fellows go out and match this $25,000 to build that athletic field.” People donated time, money and their talents to make a field that is still enjoyed by student athletes.

Rob Feldecker

Rob Feldecker’s journey into the Jewish community of DeKalb County began somewhat unexpectedly. When he first moved to the area in August 2003 for a job opportunity at Northern Illinois University, he had no initial intention of becoming involved in the small local Jewish community. However, that quickly changed. Members of the community warmly welcomed Rob and his wife, offering them a tour of the local Jewish Community Center. During the visit, his wife mentioned that Feldecker enjoyed singing, a detail that would ultimately shape his future path. Music and singing have long been central to Jewish religious and cultural life, and through this shared tradition, Feldecker found an entry point into the community. By 2004, he had joined both the choir and Congregation Beth Shalom, marking the beginning of his deep and lasting involvement.

Feldecker’s commitment to the community steadily grew over time. In 2010, he took on his first leadership role as the Adult Education Chair on the congregation’s board. Through this position, he began to play a more active role in shaping the intellectual and spiritual life of the community. A key influence during this period was Avi Bass, who demonstrated the strength of the bonds that can form within a close-knit group of like-minded individuals. Avi Bass showed Feldecker that in a smaller community, there is a powerful sense of family and belonging, especially in a place like DeKalb County, which has proven to be supportive of religious and ethnic minorities. Inspired by these relationships, he developed a strong personal connection to the community and a desire to give back.

In 2013, Rob Feldecker became president of Congregation Beth Shalom, a role that marked a significant milestone in his leadership journey. His parents took great pride in his growing involvement, and his commitment deepened further as he began raising his own children. Leading a Jewish congregation, however, came with increasing challenges, particularly as antisemitism began to rise in the United States and around the world. A turning point came in 2018 with the tragic Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, which sent shockwaves through Jewish communities nationwide. In response, Rob took proactive steps to ensure the safety of his congregation, including arranging for armed security during services. Despite these concerns, he remained steadfast and unafraid to openly express his Jewish identity in DeKalb County.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented another major challenge. Like many religious communities, Beth Shalom was forced to adapt quickly to unprecedented circumstances. Under  Feldecker’s leadership, the congregation transitioned to virtual services using Zoom, allowing members to stay connected despite physical isolation. Congregants humorously referred to themselves as the “Jews of the basement,” reflecting both the difficulties of the moment and the resilience of the community in maintaining their traditions.

For Feldecker, his service as president is more than a leadership role, it is a form of spiritual expression. He views his work for both the Jewish community and the broader DeKalb County population as his own version of prayer. Over his 13 years of leadership, he has faced numerous challenges that could have led him to step away, yet he remained committed. Drawing strength from his family’s connection to Judaism and inspired by the enduring perseverance of the Jewish people, Feldecker has continued to foster a welcoming and supportive environment. Through his dedication, he has helped ensure that Jewish life in DeKalb County not only persists but thrives.

Icilda and Richard Flournory

To say that Richard A. (Dick) Flournory and his wife Icilda Catherine (Icy) Flournory were a force in DeKalb County History would be an understatement. They came to Northern Illinois University (NIU) in the 1960s to complete their advanced degrees and make a difference in the community.

According to the NIU website, Dick was born in Atlanta and earned his bachelor’s degree at Tuskegee University. He then earned a master’s degree and worked in personnel, responsible for training programs at the university. He later supervised civil service workers and affirmative action programs. He retired in 1994, but his contributions to the community did not end with his employment.

“Flournory created the Minority Faculty and Staff Reception to introduce and celebrate underserved NIU faculty, staff and allies. The first reception was held in Chicago on March 20, 1990. It later moved to the Holmes Student Center and became aligned with Homecoming,” according to the NIU Website.

“This reception was Richard’s brainchild and was an opportunity for faculty and staff of underserved populations to come together and meet and greet. It was open to all who wanted to join in the festivities.” The event was named after him in 2019. “The Richard A. Flournory Engagement Award was created in 2020 to recognize individuals who have worked to promote inclusivity at NIU over an extended time period. This annual award is . . . presented to recipients at the Richard A. Flournory Homecoming Inclusion Reception,” according to the DeKalb Daily Chronicle in October 2023.

Icy Flournory followed a somewhat different path to NIU and DeKalb. She was born in Jamaica where she taught before coming to the United States to pursue a degree at Tuskegee University where she met Dick. She earned a master’s degree in home economics at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. They married in 1958 and eventually had four children. Her work at NIU differed from her husband’s as well.

“She taught for many years as an associate professor in the Department of Home Economics at Northern Illinois University before her retirement in 1987. She received her doctoral degree from NIU and also completed course work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,” according to her obituary. Icy also served the community in many capacities such as an election judge in DeKalb County and a welcome home for international students studying at NIU

Together Icy and Richard were part of a group of faculty who arrived at NIU in 1959 during an enrollment boom. “During the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, Icilda and Richard were effective ambassadors for understanding and appreciation of differences in the diversifying DeKalb community, emulating the “beloved community” philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They built many of the programs and services that have continued to this day as well as serving as a strong social network out of necessity. In 2002, Icilda was recognized as a “Woman of Accomplishment” by the DeKalb Athena program for her lifetime personal and professional accomplishments,” according to her obituary.

Perhaps the Flournory’s greatest historic contribution to the community came with their effort to change the housing laws in DeKalb. They became the first family to purchase a home in the city of DeKalb after the city council approved the Open Occupancy Ordinance in 1967. The following year they moved into their home on Pheasant Run. According to an editorial in The DeKalb Journal on July 3, 1968, “it is refreshing to note that a Negro family is able to purchase and live in a home in DeKalb without encountering violence. . . . In addition, their neighbors should be congratulated for attempting to establish harmonious, rather than hostile, relations with the Flournorys.”

Although initially there was some resistance to them buying the home, it wasn’t from their neighbors. “The day after we moved in, the neighbors came over to welcome us,” said Mrs. Flournory . . . . “Many of them helped us move in.”

During an interview she recounted other incidences of generosity from the community. When they suffered the loss of their four-month-old daughter, she remembered the many cards and well wishes they received, but also a donation of a burial plot from one family. She also shared,

“When Martin Luther King was killed about 60 people came to an open house we held, to express their sorrow and regret to us.”

Icy also emphasized her belief that racial problems stem from a lack of communication. “’We have to learn about each other. . .’ blacks don’t know enough about whites, whites don’t know enough about blacks. . . .” she added. “Prejudice is not inborn, it is indeed taught.”

Apostle George Washington Flowers (1854-1923)

The Israel of God Church, White Horse Army was first established in St. Louis, Missouri in 1891 by Apostle George Washington Flowers. 

The Sycamore Israel of God Church was established by Apostle George (as Flowers was called), who also established churches in the Illinois towns of Litchfield, Bunker Hill, Peoria, Springfield, and Chicago. In 1918, at the annual conference, Apostle George deemed that Sycamore would be the national headquarters of the Israel of God Church. In 1929, the Church built a 30-room masonry barracks at the intersection of California Street and North Avenue, specifically to house delegates and members during a six-day conference in August of each year. During this time, Black people were not allowed to use any motels in Sycamore or in the neighboring towns in the area. Therefore, this building was essential. The barracks is still in use today for the church’s national events. 

In 1958, the church erected an apartment building on North Avenue to house Black people who worked at Northern Illinois University, Anaconda, and other places in the Sycamore-DeKalb area. 

In 1966, the church built another apartment building on Lucas Street. This expanded the church’s ability to house people in the community, including white tenants. The church has always taken a progressive view to help all those in need, no matter the color of their skin.

The Israel of God Church has a long history in Sycamore. At one time, several church members served on City of Sycamore committees. During the 1980s and through the 1990s, Wesley Coats was the Human Relations Committee President for two terms; Rev. Henry Wilson and Vernon Alexander also worked on the Human Relations committee. George Bridgewater sat on the zoning committee, and Wesley Coats also worked on the planning committee. The Israel of God Church has always been and continues to be very involved in the city of Sycamore.

 (1909 – 1997)

In 1909, Madame Raya Garbousova was born in Tiflis, Georgia, Russia where she graduated from Tiflis’ conservatory.  After becoming a highly sought after cello soloist in Europe, she began an extended concert tour in the United States in 1939, performing as a soloist with virtually every major orchestra in the USA.  Her first husband died fighting with the French Resistance in 1943 during World War II.  In 1946 Dr. Kurt Biss attended a concert at NIU where Raya Garbousova was the guest soloist, playing cello.  They ended up marrying in 1948 and she joined him in DeKalb. 

Raya began playing cello at age 6.  Considered a child prodigy, she studied with Pablo Casals (among others in Europe) who later wrote, following a concert in 1993, “Without a doubt, she is the best cellist I have ever heard”.

After marrying Dr. Kurt Biss, a cardiologist, she continued performing and taught at Hartt College of Music in Connecticut and Northern Illinois University.  She taught at NIU from 1973 until her retirement in 1991.  In April 1988, Madame Garbousova was presented with the second annual Altrusa Club’s award to honor a person or organization who has made a significant contribution to the cultural growth of the DeKalb Community.  Dr. Biss and Madame Garbousova lived in DeKalb on West Lincoln Highway, where they raised their two sons. 

Raya Garbousova lived to be 87 years old and died in DeKalb on January 28, 1997.

Dr. Kurt Biss

Dr. Kurt Biss was born in Russia on March 17, 1912.  As they were Jewish, he and his wife and two children emigrated to Basel, Switzerland to escape the Nazis in 1938.  He completed his M. D. degree in 1939 while in Switzerland.  In 1946, while living in Switzerland, his wife passed away.  After his wife passed away, he was assisted in emigrating to the USA with the help of a relative and took a job at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.  Wanting to open a private practice, Dr. Biss found DeKalb to be a desirable location and, with two other physicians (Dr. Paul Carney and Dr. Grant Suttie), founded the DeKalb Clinic in 1950, then located on Franklin Street.

In 1946, when he attended a concert at NIU featuring guest cello soloist Madame Raya Garbousova, he began a relationship with her and they married in 1949, making their home in DeKalb, Illinois at 524 W. Lincoln Highway where they lived with his two sons (Gregory and Paul) from his first marriage. 

Kurt Biss passed away in DeKalb on February 9, 2003 at the age of 90.

John Warren Gates (1855 – 1911)

John Warren Gates may not have spent much time in DeKalb, his connections to the barbed wire barons and his influence in popularizing the fencing spurred rivalries throughout the nation’s barbed wire industry.

As a young man he hated working on his family’s farm located in Winfield, west of Chicago. Instead, he offered different business propositions to his neighbors, such as selling firewood or starting a local grain brokerage. Gates, also known as “Bet-a-Million,” would gamble on anything, poker, stock markets, horses, and even raindrops dripping down a window.

After marrying Dellora Baker in 1874, he was met with worry over how he would provide for his family. After attending Wheaton College and North Central College, he started and failed at running a hardware store. His mother, distantly related to Lucinda Glidden, recommended him to Isaac Glidden.

In 1876, Gates met with Ellwood in San Antonio. Ellwood hired Gates into the Washburn-Moen Company as salesman to market barbed wire fencing to Texas ranchers, who were suspicious of northerners in the aftermath of the Civil War. Gates resorted to spectacle (?) and set up a barbed-wire enclosure of 40 longhorns in Military Plaza, showcasing the strength of barbed wire fencing. During his success, barbed wire manufacturers in the north dealt with bankruptcies in the aftermath of Ellwood’s price cutting.

Despite Gates’ success, Ellwood refused to grant him partnership in Washburn-Moen. Gates eventually met with Haish to fight against the Ellwood and Washburn-Moen combine, but he was met with apathy and refusal. In retaliation, Gates started the Southern Wire Company with Alfred Clifford. They were the largest manufacturer and distributor of unlicensed barbed wire. Ellwood and Washburn-Moen filed for an injunction, but as Southern Wire Company grew, Washburn-Moen eventually sold their patent rights to Gates.

He owned or controlled Consolidated Steel and Wire company, Illinois Steel company, American Steel and Wire Company of Illinois. Gates was also president of Republic Steel and of Texas Company (Texaco).

He passed away in July 1911 after a surgical operation in France.

Joseph Glidden (1813 – 1906) from the Joseph Glidden Homestead and Visitor Center website

“Joseph Farwell Glidden was born January 18, 1813, in New Hampshire. He and his brother, Josiah, arrived in DeKalb County, Illinois, during the farming season of 1841-1842. Through the custom threshing of grains and the profit it brought, Joseph purchased 600 acres of land about a mile west of the young village of DeKalb. He built a log cabin and began life as a Midwest farmer. Through the years, Joseph pursued various areas of agriculture and regarded the art of farming as a most congenial way of life. The 1873 application for a patent for barbed wire, his generous contribution of land for location of Northern Illinois State Normal School, and his civic responsibilities in the area, all substantiate why he was called “the Grand Old Man of DeKalb County.”

Lucinda Warne Glidden was Joseph’s second wife and had been his partner for more than 20 years when the patent for “The Winner” was approved. Her marriage to the widower Glidden was an event of interest to all in the DeKalb community. A short time after their marriage, the red-brick home replaced the log cabin. It became a spot for friendly gatherings and challenging discussions. The problems of black earth farming were constant subjects.

Lucinda, in later recollections, told how during the winter of 1872-73, she found her large wire hairpins were disappearing from a milk-glass dish on her dresser. At first she thought Elva Frances, her 20-year-old daughter, was taking them. When asked, Elva replied, “No, Mother.” The puzzle continued to bother Lucinda, until one evening after supper when she noticed her husband reach in his shirt pocket and take out two of her missing hairpins. “Joseph, what are you doing with my hairpins?” she asked. He replied that he was working on an idea for a fence.”

“On November 24, 1874, he received Patent #157,124 for “The Winner” barbed wire. The invention helped reshape agriculture across the American West and made Glidden one of DeKalb County’s most influential citizens. In 1876, he sold a half-interest in the Glidden & Ellwood Wire Company to Washburn and Moen Company, expanding production nationwide. By 1877, Glidden left his 800-acre homestead and moved into the City of DeKalb, where he became increasingly involved in civic and business affairs. He became owner and publisher of the DeKalb Chronicle in 1879 and helped establish the DeKalb National Bank in 1883. By 1885, he owned approximately 1,500 acres of land in DeKalb County. Although the final royalty from his barbed wire patent was paid in 1891, Glidden’s influence continued to grow. In the mid-1890s, he donated $14,000 and 64 acres of land to help establish the State Normal School, now known as Northern Illinois University. In 1903, family and friends celebrated his 90th birthday, honoring a man whose invention and generosity helped shape both DeKalb County and the nation.”

Ben Gordon (1908 –1971)

Ben Gordon was born in Russia in 1908 and emigrated to the United States with his family. He was a graduate of Genoa High school and then Northern Illinois State Teacher’s College (now NIU). In 1946 he started a Hardware store in DeKalb with his brother Max which still exists to this day; Gordon Hardware. Ben and Max were known to be kind and generous people.

Customers included local residents, as well as those from Chicago and the surrounding communities. However, some visitors needed more than a hammer or some penny nails – they were facing personal struggles. Gordon would offer them a kind word, a cup of coffee, or a sandwich, and try to connect them with possible local resources that could provide support.

Seeing an increased need in the community, he was instrumental in securing funding by creating the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board and recruiting the first mental health professionals for DeKalb County. In July 1968, the DeKalb County Mental Health Clinic commenced operation. Now known as the Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center, the clinic serves numerous people in many capacities throughout the DeKalb County area. 

Sources: Obit from Daily Chronicle 6/1/1971, Obit from DeKalb County Journal 6/2/1971, BenGordonCenter.org and GordonHardware.com

George Gurler (1844-1940) and brother Henry Gurler (1840-1927)

George H. Gurler’s family came to DeKalb County in 1856 where they lived and worked on a farm. After 1881, Gurler and his brother Henry went into the creamery business and, in the next few years, they owned creameries in Mata, Five Corners, Hinckley, Shabbona Grove, and Shabbona.

In 1893 George moved his family to a house on 205 Pine Street, which became known as the Gurler House. It was occupied by Bea Gurler until her death in 1977, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
George and Henry worked together for many years in the dairy/creamery business. George served for 12 years as part of the Elgin Board of Trade, which regulated the price of butter for the northern prairie states, and he served as the president of the State Dairy Association.
George died in 1940 with the distinction of being the last DeKalb Civil War veteran.

Henry Gurler
In 1895, Henry Gurler started Cloverleaf Dairy, in DeKalb, that by 1900 had “advanced to a place in the foremost ranks and its reputation is a national one.” This Dairy was a meticulously clean operation where the animals were routinely tested and a special milk bucket of Gurler’s own design was used to collect milk. He gave it “his personal supervision, every part of it coming under his eye, nothing being too trivial for his notice, hence his success.” This milk stayed fresh for at least two weeks.
H. B. Gurler was “at the front in all the progress and advancement of dairy” in his time. In the 1890s, milk could carry illnesses and was often contaminated, spoiled, or tampered with by unscrupulous sellers. Gurler led the fight to provide “certified milk,” milk pure enough for doctors to give to infants and hospital patients. He quickly extended this “perfectly clean and healthful” milk to all consumers.

Gurler taught dairy practices in universities in Wisconsin, Vermont, and Pennsylvania all while “his home business making rapid strides, and his reputation extended far and near.” In 1894, Gurler wrote, American Dairying. The book sold internationally and became the textbook for up-to-date dairy practices. His systems and ideas were “adopted by leading dairymen all over the world.” Gurler followed that in 1908 with The Farm Dairy, where he detailed how to produce Certified Milk. This established Gurler as the “Father of American Dairying.”

In 1900, dairyman Henry B. Gurler of DeKalb was invited to furnish samples of the milk for the
Paris Exposition. “The milk was seventeen days in transit and kept sweet four days after its arrival. The French chemist would not believe that it had not been doctored until it was analyzed.”
Gurler was awarded a gold medal at that exposition. His work “has given him a national and international reputation and he has been visited by people from all over the world by those interested in advanced dairy work, having visitors from England, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Russia.”

That year, Illinois had 1,050,000 cows. Some 28,000 of them were in DeKalb County. County farmers invested an estimated $5,880,000 in the daily industry, more than $180 million in today’s money.

Jacob Haish (1826 – 1926) from A Twist in History: The Story of Jacob Haish

Jacob Haish was an early inventor of barbed wire in DeKalb, Illinois.

He was born in 1826 in Brandische, near Carlsriche, Germany and came to the United States with his family as a young child. They first lived in Ohio and he learned the carpenter trade from his father.

He came to Illinois when he was 19 years old, first living in Naperville (in DuPage County) and marrying Sophia Brown there in 1847.

After they wed, they purchased a farm in Pierce Township, and in 1853 they moved to Buena Vista, which today is known as DeKalb.  DeKalb was very small at the time and Haish saved $100 to purchase lumber and start his work as a carpenter. He would later build many prominent homes in the city of DeKalb, some of which still stand today, according to “Oxen to Jets.” 

His idea for barbed wire stemmed from complaints from local farmers. According to “Oxen to Jets,” “Mr. Haish first tried to use osage orange with its thorns for fencing but that proved impracticable … He tried one wire, then two, then rather abandoned the idea as impractical. One day a farmer, F.W. Pierce, came into [Haish’s shop,] saw the wire and purchased it for fifty-two cents.”

That transaction is believed to be the first purchase of barbed wire.

Haish would experiment more with the design, and found improvement when he created his soon to be famous “S” barb. He applied for a patent for the design in 1874, but was not awarded the patent until 1875, which was almost 10 months after his rival, Joseph F. Glidden, received a patent for his own design, according to documentation at the Ellwood House Museum. Haish had earlier filed for patents on other designs, so until his death, just shy of his 100th birthday, he would proclaim to be the first inventor of barbed wire.

From his first patent, he would spend most of his life dedicated to his work, such as creating barbed wire and building a grand mansion to call his home. He would also spend countless dollars on charitable projects in DeKalb, along with his rivals Isaac Ellwood and Joseph Glidden. One of their greatest accomplishments as a team was bringing Northern Illinois State Normal School, now known as Northern Illinois University, to DeKalb.”   

Haish was known as a philanthropist for these projects throughout his life, but some of his greatest contributions to the community came after his death. Because Jacob and his wife Sophia did not have children of their own, they chose to let their wealth benefit the community. 

Donations funded projects such as the Haish Memorial Library, now known as the DeKalb Public Library, the first books in the Northern Illinois Normal School Library, Haish Gymnasium and the DeKalb Public Hospital. His contributions even reached as far forward as 2006, when the final $450,000 of his estate went to fund part of Kishwaukee Community Hospital. In return, the emergency room wing was named after him.

Rosa Hanson (1884-1973)

Rosa Bodeen Hanson, who was born in 1884, was only 26 years old when she became the first woman elected to office in DeKalb County government. She served two terms as county treasurer. 

While Hanson was treasurer, she took pride in the fact that DeKalb County was the first county to pay their distribution of state taxes. This happened because she personally went to Springfield to pay them. Hanson served the county for nearly two decades.

Additionally, Hanson was a 50-year member of several freemasonry organizations, past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Sycamore, former Worthy High Priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem in DeKalb, and past Novel Grand of the Sarah Rebekah Lodge. She also worked for the Selective Service Board in Sycamore in 1942. Hanson died in 1973.

Dr. Grant Henry

Julius Montgomery Hummel (1841 – 1931)

Julius Hummel was a merchant, a banker, and the mayor of Sandwich from 1877-1881. He is most known for overseeing the building of the City Hall & Opera House and the Hummel Building.

He was the son of Peter F. and Bathsheba Hummel, who moved from Pennsylvania in 1837. East of the old Freeland school, Peter built a small tavern where both parents worked.

The Hummel Building was erected on Main and Center Streets. Under Hummel, the building was a store and a community building. The ground floor showcased farm implements, carriages, and musical instruments for sale. The second floor, a billiard hall, and the third floor, which was originally a roller rink and bowling alley, were known as “Hummel’s Parlors” and were advertised as family-friendly spaces for the community to gather. Hummel was the sole owner of his agricultural equipment business. He operated differently from other small town businesses, utilizing volume purchasing and competitive pricing for his shop. Hummel was known for his efforts in advertising his business, often paying for full-page ads in papers. Allegedly, he would spend $1,000 on advertising, and would gain over $70,000 back in sales.

Since 1931, it has been under the management of several different companies, including Sandwich Free Press and the “Pants Factory” managed by John Taxis.

Hummel ran for Sandwich mayor in 1877 against W. L. Sinamons. He ran for a second term in 1880 against James Bibbs, a former slave living in Sandwich at the time.

After his mayoral election in April 1877, work on the City Hall & Opera House began. Hummel issued a bond of $10,000 for its completion, and construction started in 1878 under the leadership of local architects Enos and Israel Doan. The building officially opened in January 1879, with an additional $2,000 in overruns. It was built in the “second empire” style, popularized during the Civil War, and was intended to be a government building on the first floor and a community center on the second floor. The theater became the site of plays, graduations, church events, temperance meetings, and more. The building joined the list of National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Opera House was renovated by Michael Dixon in 1986.

In 1877, Hummel also served as president of the Sandwich Fair Association, which dedicated themselves to reorganizing the infrequent Union Agriculture Institute fair. The association purchased the fairgrounds, and later that year, the first Sandwich fair was held. The association disbanded in 1884, but in 1888, the Sandwich Fair was reinstituted and had its first official start date on September 18.

He died on November 3, 1931, of pneumonia. His funeral was held in the Opera House.

Harold “Red” Johnson (1917 – 1991)

Harold L. Johnson, known throughout the community as “Red” Johnson, served as mayor of Sycamore from 1957 until his death in 1991, making him one of the city’s longest-serving mayors. Before becoming mayor, he served eight years as an alderman and dedicated more than four decades to public service and community leadership.

Born in Maple Park on June 15, 1917, Johnson became a successful local businessman as co-owner of Gullberg and Johnson Furniture Store and founder of Johnson Auctioneering Service, which he established in 1956. Known for his energetic personality and commitment to Sycamore, he was deeply involved in civic organizations, including the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club, Moose Club, Odd Fellows Lodge, and the board of Barb City Manor Retirement Home.

Johnson was the first recipient of the Clifford Danielson Outstanding Citizen Award, recognizing his dedication to the Sycamore community. During his years as mayor, he worked to modernize city services, expand police and fire protection, and oversee the construction of a new City Hall. 

Sycamore City Clerk, Gail Brantner, recalled, “He tried to please everyone and make Sycamore more progressive by giving it more police, more firemen, a new City Hall and giving it better city services. He accomplished so much over the years it is hard to remember it all.” 

Following his death in 1991, the City of Sycamore dedicated the “Red” Johnson Memorial at “Johnson’s Junction” near the Sycamore Municipal Building in honor of his lasting contributions to the city.

Harold L. (Red) Johnson, 74, of Sycamore, died Sunday, Sept. 29, 1991, at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. He was born June 15, 1917, in Maple Park.

He was the mayor of Sycamore for the past thirty-three years and an alderman for eight years prior to being the mayor. He was an owner in Gullberg and Johnson, Inc. Furniture Store and had been affiliated with the store since 1946 when it was known as Gullberg and Haines Furniture Store. In 1956 he began Johnson Auctioneering Service, and he has been constantly active as an auctioneer.

He was married to Mae Isham in Sycamore in 1960.

He is survived by his wife; an aunt, Edith Johnson of Delavan, Wisconsin; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Hoover of Sycamore and Walsa Hoover of California; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded by his parents and three brothers.

He was a member of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassador Club He was the first recipient of the Clifford Danielson Outstanding Citizen Award, an annual honor of recognition from the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Sycamore Elks Club, the Sycamore Moose Club, and a member of the Sycamore Odd Fellows Lodge. He was a member of the board of Barb City Manor Retirement Home.

Harold “Red’ Johnson was mayor of Sycamore from 1957-1991. He was also owner of Gullberg and Johnson Furniture, as well as Johnson Auctioneering Service. Johnson was also very active in community organizations and was recognized with the first Clifford Danielson Award . In 1992, the City dedicated a “Red” Johnson Memorial stands at “Johnson’s Junction” across from the Sycamore Municipal Building.

“He tried to please everyone and make Sycamore more progressive by giving it more police, more firemen, a new City Hall and giving it better city services. He accomplished so much over the years it is hard to remember it all.” Sycamore City Clerk, Gail Brantner, Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1991

Yvonne Johnson

Yvonne Johnson is one of Sycamore’s educational icons. She taught and mentored students for over 50 years. Some of her accolades include: Outstanding Science Teacher in Illinois, Certificate of Honor for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teacher, Clifford Danielson Award, and in 2013 she was inducted into the Sycamore High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Not only was she committed to educating students, but she also established a scholarship for teachers called the DeKalb County Excellence in Education Award Fund. Although retired from teaching, Johnson remained very active in the community. She was one of the leaders behind the  Sycamore Public Library addition and the creation of the Midwest Museum of Natural History.

“If you want to know your community and you want to know your kids, get out in the community.” 

Sycamore News, September 21, 2006

Jennifer Joiner

Jennifer Joiner’s story highlights the continuing presence and traditions of Native American families in DeKalb County. Her family is connected to the Quapaw Nation, whose history stretches back centuries along the Mississippi River. 

The Quapaw originally lived near present-day St. Louis, where tribal history tells of a river crossing that divided the people. One group traveled upstream, while the Quapaw moved downstream, which led to their name becoming the “downstream people.” In the 1600s, French explorers Father Marquette and Louis Joliet encountered the Quapaw, and an Illini interpreter referred to them as “Akansea,” a name that later became “Arkansas” which influenced their naming of the river and state. 

Like many Native nations, the Quapaw were forced west through treaties and removal, eventually settling in Oklahoma. Jennifer’s family traces its ancestry through these generations and continues to participate in Quapaw Nation traditions today. Each July 4, family members attend the Quapaw Nation’s annual meeting in Oklahoma, where they take part in formal roll calls, genealogy activities, and tribal gatherings as seventh-generation Quapaw descendants.

For many years, Jennifer’s mother and aunt said their Native heritage was rarely discussed within the family. Only after older generations passed away did younger family members begin researching and reconnecting with their Quapaw roots. Their family history also reflects migration tied to mining work in the Midwest. Jennifer’s grandfather, Vernon Ray, moved from Oklahoma to Galena, Illinois, to work in the lead mines before eventually settling in Clare. Later generations of the family were raised in the Sycamore area, many who still live in DeKalb County. 

Jennifer keeps an active relationship with the Quapaw. She participates in powpows and even spent a summer in Oklahoma to build a deeper connection with this part of her past.

Rupert Jordan  (1907 – 1994)

 Moses and Betsey Jordan arrived in Sycamore from western New York state in October 1852. In 1853 they built their main two-story house located on Barber Greene Road just west of Fenstermaker Road. Twenty seven Jordan family members lived on the 57-acre farm from 1852 to 1996. Rupert Jordan lived there the longest – 74 years. 

In addition to the daily responsibilities of farming, Rupert was very active in the community. He served as a Cortland Township Supervisor  and on the DeKalb County Board from 1948 to 1972.  He was the Secretary (chief administrator) for the Ohio Grove Cemetery Association starting in 1934 and continuing for at least 40 years (his father, grandfather, and great grandfather served in this same capacity from the 19th century founding of the cemetery). Rupert also was an active leader, member, and recruiter for the Ohio Grove Grange from the late 1920s throughout the rest of his life.   

Jordan might be best known, however, for his role with the Northern Illinois Steam Power Show. He was always fascinated with steam power. In 1954, Chuck Raymond and LeRoy Levine bought a steam engine and showed it in the DeKalb Centennial Parade in 1956. That showing created interest among steam engine buffs who got together and compiled a list of people they thought would be interested in forming a club. On February 16, 1957, this group met at Halverson’s Implement Company in DeKalb to organize. Rupert Jordan was elected chairman, and the name “Northern Illinois Steam Power Club” was officially adopted.   

In 2026 the Northern Illinois Steam Power Show will be celebrating its 70th anniversary. Thousands of people come to Sycamore every year from all over the Midwest to enjoy this family-friendly event from the past. 

David and Suzanne Juday

David W. Juday, a member of the Sycamore High School Class of 1962, devoted his life to business leadership and community service in Sycamore. A lifelong resident of the community, Juday studied at Shimer College and completed graduate work at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business before joining IDEAL Industries in 1972. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he held leadership roles in manufacturing, sales, marketing, and information technology before serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1984 to 1999. Under his leadership, IDEAL expanded into a global manufacturing company with products distributed worldwide.

Dave and his wife, Suzanne Juday, became widely recognized for their commitment to education and civic service. Dave served on the Illinois State Board of Education, the Sycamore Board of Education, and numerous local nonprofit and business boards, including the DeKalb County Community Foundation, Kishwaukee Hospital Foundation, Sycamore Rotary, and the NIU President’s Advisory Council. He also helped develop the Senior Business Leadership Academy, encouraging local students to explore careers in business and leadership.

Suzanne Juday built a distinguished career in education policy and public service. She served on the Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2009, including as chair from 2005 to 2008, and was president of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Her work in education finance and policy extended across Illinois and the Midwest through leadership, consulting, and research roles with educational organizations and state agencies.

In 2011, David and Suzanne Juday received the John C. Roberts Community Service Award from Kishwaukee College in recognition of their leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to expanding educational opportunities for future generations.

Richard Katz

The history of the Jewish community in DeKalb County is one of resilience, opportunity, and a deep commitment to giving back. For Richard Katz, growing up in DeKalb shaped both personal identity and professional ambition. DeKalb provided what Katz described as a “garden place of the world,” offering strong support systems, meaningful relationships, and access to excellent educational opportunities. Attending local schools and later earning both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA from Northern Illinois University reinforced the importance of education as a pathway to success. These experiences helped lay the foundation for Richard to build a career on hard work, responsibility, and community engagement.

Maintaining a Jewish presence in DeKalb County has long been significant, even as the size of the community has fluctuated. Historically, Jewish life in the area consisted of both university-affiliated individuals and a strong merchant class. Jewish families owned clothing stores, ran manufacturing businesses, and contributed to the local economy in visible and lasting ways. Although there was no synagogue in DeKalb itself, the Katz’s maintained their religious traditions by attending services in a reformed temple in Rockford. This commitment to preserving identity, even without centralized institutions, reflects the adaptability and determination of the Jewish people. It also underscores the idea that a community’s strength lies not only in its numbers but in its willingness to stay connected and engaged.

The Katz family’s contributions to DeKalb County extend well beyond business success. Guided by a belief in the American Dream, they have consistently worked to enrich the lives of others. Their efforts include providing scholarships to local high school seniors, sponsoring youth sports teams, and offering direct assistance to families in need.

Earlier generations of the Katz family also made lasting civic contributions that helped shape the community itself. The Katz family donated land for public use, including school property and recreational spaces such as Katz Park. They played a role in organizing the local YMCA and were among the founding contributors to Kishwaukee Community Health Service, which would become a cornerstone of local healthcare. Their impact demonstrates a long-standing commitment not just to personal success, but to building institutions that benefit the entirety of the DeKalb Community.

The Katz family’s journey to DeKalb County is rooted in the broader story of Jewish immigration. On the paternal side, David Katz (Richards grandpa) emigrated from Eastern Europe, modern-day Belarus, in 1908 at just sixteen years old, arriving with nothing and building a life through determination and hard work. On the maternal side, relatives came from Germany in the late nineteenth century. Like many Jewish families, they were driven by the need to escape antisemitism, and in some cases, the devastating losses of the Holocaust. Upon settling in northern Illinois, the Katz’s established successful businesses, including car dealerships that became fixtures in DeKalb and surrounding towns throughout the early and mid-twentieth century.

Service and sacrifice also define the family’s legacy. During World War II, Raymond Katz (Richard’s dad) served in the military. Raymond fought in the European theater, was wounded twice, and received a Purple Heart along with several battle stars. After the war, the family continued to invest in the future of DeKalb County, developing housing, supporting education, and strengthening community institutions.

Despite the challenges faced by Jewish communities elsewhere, DeKalb County has been and remains to be welcoming and inclusive. Instances of antisemitism were minimal in Richard’s life, though not entirely absent. One early experience of exclusion, being denied participation in a Boy Scout group, stood out, but it did not define the overall experience. Instead, it reinforced an important lesson: to remain proud of one’s identity while continuing to treat others with respect and kindness.

Richard Katz has generously supported a community that he cherishes.

Judy King (1942 -2018)

Judy King Bechdolt made history in 1977 when she became the first woman elected mayor of DeKalb at age 35. Running as an independent candidate, King won the election through a grassroots campaign. Before entering public office, she taught English and theater at Kaneland High School and Northern Illinois University. 

As mayor from 1977 to 1981, King focused on economic development, reducing unemployment, and improving city government. She played a key role in transforming the former DeKalb Public Hospital into Barb City Manor, a project that provided long-term benefits for the community. She was also instrumental in preserving the historic Egyptian Theatre.

Following her term as mayor, King continued her public service as a special administrative assistant to Senator Alan J. Dixon and later served on the DeKalb Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Throughout her life, she remained active in politics, theater, music, and community organizations.

In 1997, she married Burley V. Bechdolt. Together they shared a passion for theater and the arts, performing in and directing stage productions in DeKalb before relocating to Sarasota, Florida, in 2002. Friends and colleagues remembered King as a deeply dedicated public servant whose work left a lasting impact on the DeKalb community.

Lake Kwaza (1993– ) is an Olympic athlete and six-time World Cup medalist in bob sledding.

She was raised in Sycamore, and she began track and field during middle school. She later attended Sycamore High School. In her senior year, she broke the previous Class 2A records. At that competition, Sycamore High School placed second, despite her leg injury at the time. Local newspaper reporter, Anthony Zilis called her the “fastest female sprinter in Sycamore history.” 

After graduating Sycamore in 2012, she attended University of Iowa, where she continued sprinting. She was recruited for two years by Coach Mike Dionne, and joined the USA bobsled team in 2017. She paired with Elana Meyers Taylor in the 2018–19 Bobsleigh World Cup. 

In 2019, she joined the US Army as part of the World Class Athlete Program at Fort Carson with hopes to compete in the 2022 Olympics.

In the 2018–19 Bobsleigh World Cup, Kwaza won two bronze medals (Winterberg, Altenberg), one silver medal (Konigssee), and one gold (Lake Placid). She won a silver medal in the 2019–20 World Cup at Iglis, and she won a gold medal in 2021–22 World Cup at Sigulda.

Shoon Lee

Shoon Lee’s story begins with the  Yee Sing Laundry that was a DeKalb business from 1890 to 1960. The laundry remained in service from the 1890s until at least the 1960s. Originally located along Lincoln Highway, it moved to Girard St. in 1953. 

Yee Sing immigrated to the United States from China in 1883. He first resided in San Francisco.  By 1890 Sing and several family members moved to DeKalb starting a laundry business.  “Yee Sing Laundry” was in a small house where at times there were four or five boarders who also worked in the laundry. 

Research shows some additional details about his family. In the early 1900s two of Yee Sings nephews; Won Shoon Lee and Boo Ah Lee attended the DeKalb Schools. Shoon Lee graduated in 1917 from DeKalb High School and his brother Boo Ah Lee in 1916. They both enlisted in the Navy in 1917 and became seamen during World War 1. After WW1 Shoon Lee came back to DeKalb and graduated from Normal College (NIU).  Shoon Lee then went to Chicago and eventually became the editor of the Chinese Newspaper San Min. His brother Boo went to Chicago and managed a large grocery importing company.   

Their uncle Pack Lee operated the Laundry until his death in 1956 and for a few years after that his brother Fran Lee continued until approximately 1962 when it appears to have closed for good.

Julia Mattera

Julia Mattera was the first woman firefighter in DeKalb County, serving with the DeKalb Fire Department. Her interest in firefighting began in childhood after experiencing a house fire in her own home, an event that inspired her future career path.

Before entering firefighting, Mattera worked in advertising and bookkeeping, but ultimately left office work to pursue public service. She completed required lifesaving and training courses before applying to a fire department. 

After a two-year hiring process, Mattera joined the DeKalb Fire Department. Her arrival marked a significant moment for the department as it adapted to the growing presence of women in this field. She was assigned the same duties and schedule as her colleagues, working long shifts in a physically demanding and emotionally challenging profession.

Mattera has described the emotional impact of emergency calls as one of the most difficult aspects of the job. She has expressed a commitment to a long-term career in firefighting with the department.

Cora Miner (1889-1988)

Cora Miner was an art teacher in the Sycamore schools from 1915-1960 as well as a private art instructor. She graduated from the Valparaiso Fine Arts Academy and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. One of the highlights in her life was having a painting exhibited in the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. Miner died at the age of 99.

During a presentation in 1955, Miner explained how she had a desire to draw from the time she was old enough to hold a pencil. While attending an art school in Chicago her ambition was to be a children’s book illustrator, but she was advised to first be a teacher. This would allow her to earn money to go on with her studies while learning more about children and their likes and dislikes. She ended up teaching most of her life. She explained, “the popular conception of art is that it is spontaneous, but she advised careful planning. . . Learning to draw with imagination and skill is like raising a garden, the planting coming first, then hoeing and weeding before a good crop is obtained 

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, art students under the direction of Cora Miner, Sycamore grade and high school art instructor, designed, prepared and painted the nativity murals that were displayed in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

(Sycamore Tribune 3.4.1955).

Arthur Montzka (1933-2002)

Arthur Montzka earned music degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music. From 1980 through 2002, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s (KSO) rehearsals, concerts, and development were directed by the KSO’s first official conductor. His talents included performing as a violinist and organist, conducting, and sharing his administrative experience with several musical organizations. He also touched the lives of future musicians as he taught instrumental music from elementary school though college levels

While not comprehensive, here are a few highlights of his accomplishments:

Conductor of the:

•       Livingston Community Symphony in New Jersey
•       Rockford Area Youth Symphony
•       DeKalb School District

Performing with the:

•       Seventh Army Symphony
•       Livingston Community Symphony (NJ)
•       Fine Arts Orchestra (NJ)
•       Baroque Performance Institute (OH),
•       Pro Art Orchestra of Oberlin (OH)
•       Rockford Symphony Orchestra (IL)
•       Rockford Chamber Orchestra (IL)
•       DeKalb Arts Quartet (IL)
•       Organist at the Federated Church in Sycamore.

Administrative positions include:

•       New Jersey School Music Association
•       All New Jersey Orchestra
•       New Jersey All State Orchestra
•       New Jersey American String Teachers Association
•       Oberlin Chapter of the Music Educators National Conference
•       Illinois American String Teachers Association
•       Illinois Music Educators Association
•       Board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas
•       Official photographer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas

He was honored as the Suzuki Chairholder and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1994.

Art Montzka was instrumental in creating the KSO Young Artists Concerto Competition in 1986. After his sudden death in 2002, the competition was renamed Arthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto Competition to continue his legacy and passion for music for future generations.

Paul A. Nehring (1882 – 1974)

Paul A. Nehring founded Nehring Electrical Works in Sycamore in 1912 after beginning his career as a farmer and later working for Chicago Insulated Wire Company. Originally known as Nehring Insulated Wire Company, the business quickly expanded, opening factories in DeKalb by 1916. Over the following decades, the company grew into one of the Midwest’s leading wire manufacturers and became one of the few American companies producing both copper and aluminum conductors. By 1963, the company employed 150 people and produced more than 50 million pounds of wire and cable annually.

In addition to his success in manufacturing, Nehring was active in banking and civic leadership. He served as a director of the First National Bank in DeKalb beginning in 1927 and founded the Genoa State Bank in 1934.

Nehring was also widely remembered for his generosity and community service. His philanthropy supported local churches, the Salvation Army, and many local causes. Employees recalled his tradition of providing holiday turkeys and assistance to workers and their families.

Today, his legacy remains visible through P.A. Nehring Forest Preserve, a 28-acre preserve along the Kishwaukee River that was once part of his private property. Nehring Electrical Works, now located in DeKalb, continues as one of the longest continuously operating wire mills in the Midwest.

Gilbert Nelson (1909 – 1964)

Gilbert Nelson connected with the Sycamore community through food and hospitality. As a caterer, he organized meals for countless local events and was frequently mentioned in newspapers as the “caterist” for picnics hosted by Turner Brass, Anaconda, and local service clubs.

Nelson also owned the Little Store, a neighborhood grocery store that served local families, and later worked for the Suter Company.

Beyond his work, Nelson helped build community through events such as the annual Halloween Party at the Community Center, which attracted more than 200 children.

Henry H. Parke

Henry Parke was an instrumental figure in agriculture and farmer organization for the county. He was born in Genoa on February 4, 1876, and received a Bachelor’s in biology at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He received his master’s in June 1900, and continued studies on marine biology. Then, he received a fellowship at University of West Virginia and attended agriculture courses in Iowa. In 1903 he attended agriculture classes in Urbana, and finally decided where to apply his education.

Parke wanted to assist farmers by advocating for agricultural regulations which would lead to the growth of healthy, thriving farms. He helped organize the DeKalb Soil Improvement Association (a precursor to the DeKalb County Farm Bureau) and other organizations, which prioritized quality and inspection of seeds. Eventually this perspective helped develop hybrid corn. 

Parke was part of many farmers’ and agricultural organizations, often having official positions. He was secretary of DeKalb County Farmers’ Institute in 1907, president of Country Life Progressive Movement in 1912, elected to the board of National Live Stock Producers, director and president of Chicago Producers’ Commission Association, among other organizations.

Frederick W. Partridge (1824-1889)

Frederick W. Partridge was born in Norwich, Vermont on the 19th of August 1824. He attended the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy and also Dartmouth College. In 1845 Partridge left Vermont for Pennsylvania where he took charge of the Harrisburg Military Academy, which was established by his cousin Alden Partridge. 

In January of 1847, Frederick enlisted in the United States Army just in time to participate in the Mexican war. Sources suggest, Partridge was assigned by President Polk to report on operations at the front to the Secretary of War. On this assignment, Partridge was captured and imprisoned at San Juan and later released to Washington having never completed his assignment. 

After the war, Partridge moved to Illinois and settled on a farm in Kendall County, where he completed his studies. He was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Sandwich around 1857. Although initially active in politics as a Democrat, he joined the Republican Party soon after its formation. During the Lincoln-Douglas debates, which Partridge attended, he hosted both men in his home and told Stephen Douglas that he could no longer support the principles of the Democratic Party. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Partridge was assigned the captaincy of Company E of the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry and served in this regiment for three years. In June 1861, he was promoted to major, and then to lieutenant colonel in December 1862 following the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou. He remained in this position until June 1864, when he was mustered out.

Upon returning home, Partridge resumed his law practice in Sandwich and served as postmaster for several years. In the spring of 1869, President Grant appointed him Consul General to Siam (today’s Thailand). During his time there, he made extensive notes about his experiences; however, they were lost in a house fire in 1879.

In 1882, Partridge was appointed Special Examiner of Pensions in Indiana and Ohio, a position he held until resigning in 1889. He then lived a quiet life in Sycamore for the next ten years before falling ill in late 1898 and dying in January 1899.

Fanny Ruth Patterson (c1900 – 1920)

Fanny Ruth Patterson’s story is one of hope, perseverance, and courage. A graduate of Hinckley High School, Patterson became the first Black woman to graduate from Northern Illinois State Normal School, now Northern Illinois University, in 1915. Despite the racial and gender discrimination Black Americans faced during the early 20th century, she remained committed to her education and career, paving the way for future generations of students.

Born to William and Matilda Durette Patterson, Fanny moved with her family to Illinois in 1903 and later settled in Hinckley, where she graduated from high school in 1913. At age 21, she enrolled at Northern Illinois State Normal School and earned her two-year degree in 1915. Her achievements impressed school president John Cook, who described her in a recommendation letter as intelligent, modest, and highly respected by those around her. He recommended her for a teaching position in English and History within the St. Louis school system. Patterson later taught in Cairo, Illinois, before contracting tuberculosis and passing away in 1920. She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Hinckley, Illinois.

NIU leaders and faculty continue to recognize Patterson’s lasting impact. Roosevelt Griffin, Director and Professor of Jazz Studies, explained that Patterson faced challenges tied to both her race and gender, making her success especially groundbreaking. He described her as someone who continues to inspire others by showing what was possible. Similarly, NIU Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill-Walden praised Patterson’s courage, and belief in education as a tool for advancement.

Today, Patterson’s legacy lives on across campus. The NIU Black Alumni Council offers a scholarship in her honor to African American students who demonstrate academic achievement and campus involvement. In 2022, NIU further celebrated her contributions by renaming a residence hall complex the Fanny Ruth Patterson Complex during Homecoming festivities, ensuring her story continues to inspire future generations.

Major Ruth Ashelford Pollock (1918-

Born in Claire in 1918, Major Ashelford Pollock graduated from Sycamore High School in 1936 and quickly began her studies in nursing. She attended Oak Park Hospital School of Nursing until 1939 when she finished her degree, but eventually went back to study pediatrics in 1942. 

While pursuing this degree she worked at St. Mary’s in DeKalb when, in 1944, she began her career as a nurse in the military. During the last remaining years of WWII, Major Ashelford Pollock was stationed primarily at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. However, in 1946 she was stationed in the Pacific and remained there for about a year. In 1950, Major Ashelford Pollock was called back to service when the Korean War began, during which she was again stationed at Camp McCoy for a majority of the war.

In 1964, after a successful career, Major Ashelford Pollock retired. In a letter of commendation from Colonel William Moncrief Jr. she was recognized as demonstrating compassion and kindliness, taking the best interest in patients and medical personnel. In her retirement, Major Ashelford Pollock donated $100,000 to Kishwaukee College Horticulture Department because “the greatest return on your investment is youth.”

She also started two nursing scholarships to honor those who display the human touch, “it’s almost more important than the academics.”

Cassius Poust  

Cassius Poust was born in Kingston on October 15, 1891, but moved to Sycamore in 1910 when his father, Frank, became Sheriff. From 1910-1914, Poust was the Chief Deputy Sheriff under the guidance of his father. In this position, Cassius was responsible for the arrest and sentencing of men who had robbed the Chicago & North Western Rail Road Yard in DeKalb. For some time, there was talk of him becoming the Sheriff, but this never materialized. Instead, he took interest in law, and studied under Attorney James N. Finnegan and States Attorney Lowell B. Smith. In 1915, Poust took the Bar examination and passed. 

However, in 1917, he felt the call to serve his country during World War I. Poust enlisted in the Officers Reserve Corps. He had received high recommendations for the Officers Reserve Corps, specifically a letter from the Illinois Adjutant General. He was accepted into the Officers Reserve Corps in May 1917 and assigned to the 129th Infantry, 33rd Division, Company A, later transferred to Company L. Poust was at Camp Sheridan from May to September 1917 and appointed Sergeant in August. He was moved to Camp Logan in Houston Texas and remained there until May of 1918 receiving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. 

He was sent to France out of New York on the French ship La Lorraine on May 14th and arrived in Bordeaux, France on May 23, 1918. His first introduction to combat was at the Somme between July 26th to August 6th in the Amiens Sector with the Australian Corps then at Albert Sector with the 18th Division B.E.F. from August 11th to the 20th. He next was at Verdun Sector on Hill #304 between the 7th and 26th of September. From the 26th of September to the 11th of November, Poust was at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and after a friend was killed he wrote a letter home reflecting on the combat he had seen. “Our battalion was in support [of Belvidere’s Company M. Major Hemenway’s Division] when [Captain Harold W. Davis] started forward in an attack on the morning of October 10th.” 

On the morning of October 10th, Poust and Davis “were behind a pile of dirt figuring the probable advance of the Americans to Join us on the right. At that time a machine gun sniper was making them sing over us […] shortly after [Captain Davis] went up to his own [Command Post] and was moving one of his platoon to the cover of some bushes […] when he fell killed instantly by a machine bullet through his heart.” Later that afternoon, a German plane flew over Poust’s position trying to direct artillery fire on them which “wounded my sergeant and several others and killed a lieutenant who was touching shoulders with me at this time.” Poust was not injured but his experiences were enough to change his views on the war. He wrote that “nothing that has happened has made us realize the horrors of this war game as Davis’s death. […] None of us knew how soon we may be next.” 

Poust’s experiences also generated emotions of anger. “I only hope that I’ll kill enough of them to feel revenged as far as killing can revenge me, and that if they get me it can be said of me I was as good a soldier and died as bravely as [Captain Davis] did.” Poust remained in Europe until April 28th 1919 remaining with the Army of Occupation, he was discharged on May 22nd. 

He was honored with a Silver Star for his exceptional bravery and a Purple Heart for his wounds he suffered during the War. 

Following his time in the army, Poust continued his career in law and was elected as State Attorney in 1920, serving in that position for eight years. During this time he oversaw trials related mainly to prohibition, theft, and civil issues. In one case, Poust denied probation to a bootlegger who had previously been in violation of the Prohibition Act. Additionally, one of the major talking points in the county during these years was on women jurors. Poust had given many talks on this issue, but it is unclear exactly what side of this discussion he was on. It is likely he was in favor, as the Assistant States Attorney was openly in favor of women jurors. 

When World War II began, Judge Poust was above the age limit for military service. Instead, he contributed to the war effort through military legal work, serving as a judge in wartime cases.

One of the most notable cases connected to Poust involved the 1944 killing of German prisoner Werner Dreschler by fellow German prisoners held in the United States. Dreschler was believed to have provided information to American authorities after his capture, leading other prisoners to accuse him of collaboration.

Seven German prisoners were charged with Dreschler’s murder. Prosecutors relied heavily on written confessions signed by the accused men. During the trial, however, several defendants later claimed their statements had been obtained under duress. Despite those claims, the men were convicted by a military tribunal.

In 1947, the seven prisoners were executed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in what became the last mass execution carried out on United States soil.

In addition to his law career, he served many organizations including the Sycamore School District, was a director of The National Bank & Trust Company, the Elks Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars

A.L. Ramer (1871-1935)

The story of A. L. Ramer is that of an ordinary person, but one whose work touched the lives of many people who lived in the City of DeKalb. He was a well-loved mechanic. 

He lived on a farm east of Cortland until 1913. The local newspaper covered the details of the auction which included 12 horses, 20 dairy cattle, and 10 hogs. He was ready to move to the City of DeKalb. 

Always a handy person, he joined with his friend Nick Klemm to purchase the East Lincoln Texaco Oil Station. When they opened in April 1926, they advertised they would provide auto tire repair work in addition to carrying a complete line to tires, tubes, and other automotive parts. They were open 24 hours. 

He passed away in 1935

Fred Raymond (1865-1940)

Lewis Frederick “Fred” Raymond was born in 1865 in Ohio and moved around a great deal in his younger years. He chose to settle in Sycamore  around 1895 and built a stately brick home on DeKalb Avenue. Fred had an illustrious career in theater and vaudeville. In 1901, he leased the Ward Opera House, using it to showcase his talents for writing and producing plays. His most successful play The Missouri Girl toured America, Canada, and Europe. He wrote and produced several other successful plays as well as acting in many successful local and national productions. He produced everything from world-class plays to vaudeville, live entertainment, and even boxing matches. 

He also had a life-long love of automobiles and road travel, bringing one of the first automobiles to Sycamore from France in 1901, which he would drive through town at speeds that “made the old inhabitants dizzy,” according to the Sycamore True Republican. Raymond opened the Star Garage on Maple Street in 1916. Later, he was the first owner of the Fargo Garage, opening it in 1926. Locally, Fred was well known as a civic-minded leader, serving on the Better Roads committee and the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce where he was instrumental in securing Routes 23 and 64 for Sycamore. 

His passion for the automobile and for good roads served him through the end of his life. He spent the last years of his life driving a mail route between Genoa, Sycamore, and DeKalb. He suffered long-term effects of an illness compounded by an accident he had on icy roads, passing away in September 1940.

Reverend Everett Swanson

Reverend Everett Swanson grew up in Sycamore and attended Sycamore High School. He attended Bethany Baptist Church. He became a pastor and in 1952 he volunteered to go to Korea during the war to preach to the troops. While he was taking a walk, a little boy stole his coat and ran off. While looking for the boy, he discovered there were starving and dying children everywhere.

Eventually Swanson eventually founded Compassion International. In the 1950s he developed a sponsorship program for people to support orphans. By 1961 the program grew significantly as they served 108 orphanages. In 1963 Compassion International was formally established. 

As of 2025, over 2.3 million children have been supported by individuals hoping to make a difference in the lives of hungry children in 29 different countries. For his work, Swanson has twice been honored by Korean institutions for his outstanding work in that country.  In 1961 the Korean government awarded him the Public Welfare medal for this service to children and in 1964 Kon Kuk University in Seoul awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Swanson passed away in 1965, but the organization continues to serve and support children in need throughout the world.

Thomas H. Roberts, Sr. (1892–1967)

Thomas H. Roberts, Sr. helped transform American agriculture through his belief in hybrid corn and the power of agricultural research. Raised on his family’s farm in Waterman, Illinois, Roberts grew up in a family deeply connected to the region’s agricultural and business development. His father, Humphrey Roberts, founded the Waterman State Bank in 1891 on land that later became the center of the village.

After studying accounting at Iowa State College, Roberts returned to DeKalb County and became the county farm adviser, a position he held for ten years. During that time, he worked to improve farming practices through education, soil conservation, and better seed development. His efforts helped lay the foundation for what became the DeKalb County Agricultural Association.

Roberts believed strongly in the future of hybrid corn. Working with researcher C.L. Gunn for nearly a decade, he helped develop hybrid seed corn suited for northern Illinois. Their efforts succeeded in 1934 with the release of DEKALB’s first hybrid corn, a breakthrough that dramatically increased crop yields and helped revolutionize farming.

Under Roberts’ leadership, DEKALB Ag grew into the world’s largest hybrid corn producer. He also helped establish the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and promoted cooperation between farmers, researchers, and businesses to improve agriculture through science and innovation.

A gifted businessman and marketer, Roberts created DEKALB’s famous “Flying Corn” logo and pioneered farmer-to-farmer sales networks, demonstration test plots, and national advertising campaigns. He later expanded DEKALB’s Ag’s research into poultry, wheat, sorghum, and other agricultural products, helping turn the company into an international agricultural leader.

Throughout his career, Roberts maintained a simple philosophy:

“We did it to improve agriculture.”

His leadership reshaped modern farming and made DEKALB of the most influential names in twentieth-century agriculture.

Clinton E. Rosette (c. 1850–1909)

Clinton E. Rosette was a key community member in DeKalb during the late nineteenth century – a time when DeKalb saw many changes. As the founding editor of the DeKalb Daily Chronicle, Rosette worked alongside some of the city’s most influential figures, including barbed wire inventor Joseph F. Glidden and businessman Isaac Ellwood.

Born in Paw Paw Township around 1850, Rosette moved to DeKalb with his wife, Alfaretta LaClaire, in 1875. 

In March 1879, he became the first editor of the newly established Daily Chronicle. When publisher D.W. Tyrrell sold the paper to Joseph Glidden, Rosette continued to guide the newspaper’s editorial voice. Under his leadership, the Chronicle became known for its strong Democratic political stance, adopting the slogan:

“Democratic in all Things and Under all Circumstances.”

Rosette was also deeply involved in DeKalb’s educational and civic development. He helped found what would become Northern Illinois University and worked alongside many of the city’s most prominent early leaders.

Although often overshadowed by the “barbed wire barons” – Jacob Haish, Joseph Glidden, and Issac Ellwood, Rosette was later recognized as one of DeKalb’s original civic patriarchs. In the early 1970s, Northern Illinois University formally honored him for his contributions to the community and the university’s founding.

Declining health forced Rosette to sell the newspaper in early 1909. He died later that year from Bright’s disease (a kidney disease) and was buried in Fairview Cemetery in DeKalb.

His legacy remains visible in the community today. In 1968, DeKalb School District honored his contributions by naming Clinton Rosette Middle School in his memory.

Florence Fiddler Dannewitz Schneider (1908 – 1993) and Marion Bazan (1936 – 2011) 

Florence Fiddler Dannewitz Schneider

Florence came to Sandwich as a nurse at Sandhaven Hospital after her graduation at Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. She was a nurse there for many years and eventually became the administrator. She served as a home health care nurse while raising a family in Sandwich. Her husband, Dale, worked at New Idea Manufacturing until his death in 1959. After his death and her children growing and marrying, she took on the challenge of being a house mother for the girls in the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority at Northern Illinois University. She guided young women there for a couple of years before returning to Sandwich. She married Art Schneider, a widower who had been the proprietor of Art’s Royal Blue grocery store in Sandwich. They lived in Sandwich after retirement and until their passing in the early 1990’s. They raised a family of community servants, with both Dwaine and Harold Dannewitz becoming Sandwich aldermen active in the community.

Marion Bazan

Florence’s daughter, Marion, grew up in Sandwich and her love for her community was reflected in her interactions with her graduating class of 1953 and her involvement with the Sandwich Fair. From a young girl, she entered baked goods and other items in the Fair, spending countless hours there and enjoying being involved there. As a young adult, she worked at several of the food stands, continuing to enter items in the fair. As an adult, she encouraged her children to become involved in entering, as well. Her greatest honor was when the Fair Board selected her to become the only living person to be depicted in the fair logo. Artist Quen Carpenter was commissioned by the Board to come to her home and create a design to be used as the official logo that year. She took great delight in this honor! She was so enthralled by the Fair that, each year, she would enter hundreds of items, mostly baked goods and then collections, in the fair. Her planning began at each fair. She would take her exhibitor’s book and make notes during the judging to plan her entries for the following year.

When her daughter, pregnant with her first child, announced her due date Marion’s response was, “But that’s Fair Week!” As a dutiful mother and grandmother, she came to stay with her daughter and did not enter anything in the fair that year. But next year! She came back with vengeance. She won Grand Champion Baker for the next ten years in a row!  When she passed away in January, the family found notes of the things that she was planning to enter in September.

Barry L. Schrader

Barry L. Schrader was born Dec. 27, 1940, the son of Vernon and Margaret (Stryker) Schrader of Waterman. He attended grade schools in Somonauk, Waterman, and Sycamore, then junior and senior high at Genoa-Kingston, Class of 1958. He earned a Journalism degree from Northern Illinois University. He then married Kay Wirsing of Sycamore in September 1963.

His career included being editor of the Byron Tribune, publisher of three weeklies—the Genoa Republican, the DeKalb County Journal in Kirkland and the Sycamore Sun. He was editor of the DeKalb Daily Chronicle from 1969-72 and much later in retirement, wrote a weekly column for the paper called DeKalb County Life from 2008-2020, which are on his website www.dekalbcountylife.com. During that time, he published two volumes of his favorite Chronicle columns: Hybrid Corn & Purebred People. While in California, he published a book of local trivia: Will the Last Person Leaving Livermore Please Unscrew the Bulb in Fire Station One. He also contributed chapters on the news media for two DeKalb County history books over a 50-year span, and videotaped oral histories for the Joiner History Room.

He and his family spent 37 years in California where he was editor of the Tri-Valley Herald and the Valley Times in the Livermore area. In 1980 he changed careers and joined Sandia/CA National Labs, later becoming Manager of Public Affairs and Employee Communications. After 21 years with Sandia, he joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a group leader in community affairs and also served as the Lab’s oral historian. Upon retiring in 2006, he kept a promise to his wife Kay and returned to their roots in Illinois, residing at the Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center.

Barry was active in Livermore Rotary for 33 years, and then later, the Sycamore Rotary. He also helped form the Livermore Heritage Guild, helped organize the Tri-Valley Exchange Club, Society of Professional Journalists, the DeKalb County Historical-Genealogical Society, and the American Amateur Press Association where he pursued his hobby of antique letterpress printing. He was co-founder and first president of the Friends of Vineyards, a viticultural preservation group that sought to save land for agricultural use in the Livermore Valley from developers. Finally, he helped organize the Oak Crest Area Rotary.

He served on the boards of many organizations and received many awards. He was elected to three terms on the Chabot-Las Positas College District Board, serving as board president. He was chosen Grand Marshal of the Livermore Rodeo Parade in 2004, received the Donald R. Grubb Outstanding Journalism Alumni Award from NIU, and the McNish Advocacy Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, among other honors and awards. He cofounded the DeKalb County Citizens for Better Mental Health Care. He was also active in Scouting, serving as a District Chairman in the San Francisco Bay Area Council.

He is most remembered locally for his philanthropic efforts, especially in mental health and in local history.

Cassie Smith

Cassie Smith is the owner of DeKalb Tattoo Company on West Lincoln Highway. They originally grew up in the Chicago suburbs of Bolingbrook and Lemont, before moving to DeKalb at 18 years old to attend NIU.

Tattoo shops were allowed in DeKalb in 2009 as the State of Illinois implemented more standard regulations. DeKalb Tattoo Company originally opened in 2013. Right after moving to DeKalb, Cassie began their apprenticeship in 2015 .However, Cassie described the time there as unsafe and was thankful for the guidance and support of a lesbian coworker. 

Cassie took over the business in 2019, and since then has been able to create a safe space they “desperately needed.” Under their ownership, DeKalb Tattoo company focuses on making clients feel welcome, especially marginalized people. Additionally, they prioritize the artistic aspect of their practices, rather than viewing tattooing and piercings as monetary transactions. Over the years, they expanded the business to include custom tattoos, piercings, and quality jewelry and art. 

DeKalb Tattoo Company has participated in farmers markets, community care, and fundraisers to cultivate safe communities. This past year, the business participated in National Library Week and offered library themed flash tattoos as part of a DeKalb Public Library program.

John Smith

Originally from Burlington, Iowa, John Smith developed a love of music early in life. Though he plays many instruments, he considers himself first and foremost a trombonist.

Smith earned his undergraduate degree in math and science from the University of Iowa and taught for three years in the Bennett Community School District. During that time, a summer research scholarship with General Mills helped him realize that science was not his future.

“I saw their research [team,] and that didn’t fit me,” Smith recalled. “I said, ‘I’m gonna be in music.’”

Smith returned to the University of Iowa to earn a master’s degree in music before moving to DeKalb in 1966. Faced with the choice between joining an established program or helping build one, he chose DeKalb.

“Did I want to go to a Class A school, where everything was ready to go? Or did I want to come to a place and build it?”

At DeKalb High School, Smith helped expand the music program by establishing private lessons and adding jazz band, marching band, and ensemble opportunities. After six years at the high school level, he continued teaching music in DeKalb elementary schools until his retirement in 2001.

Smith’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. For decades, he performed with the DeKalb Municipal Band, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, local jazz ensembles, and the Dixieland group A Wing and a Prayer. Over the course of his career, he performed at hundreds of events across 35 states and Canada.

“No matter what the situation is,” Smith said, “I want to make it better.”

Mary E. Stevens (1850–1914)

Born near Potsdam, New York, Mary Bird Stevens grew up in a musical household and pursued music from an early age. During her teenage years, the Civil War transformed her community and family life. After the war, the Bird family moved from their farm into Potsdam Village so the children could receive better educational opportunities.

In 1874, Mary married Dr. Elliott W. Currier, and the couple moved to Chicago, where Elliott completed medical school before the pair settled in Sycamore in 1878. Their future together was cut tragically short when Elliott died of measles only two years later.

After a period of recovery in her hometown, Mary settled in Sycamore where she rebuilt her life through music. She taught piano, organized concerts, and founded the Sycamore Musicale, a performing group that showcased local talent and enriched the cultural life of the community.

In 1887, Mary married farmer and businessman Horace M. Stevens. Following his death in 1907, Mary devoted herself to philanthropy, using her wealth to support hospitals, churches, music, education, and public programs.

Her most enduring legacy began after her death in 1914. Through the Mary E. Stevens Lecture and Concert Fund, generations of residents have attended free lectures, concerts, and educational programs, continuing her lifelong belief in the power of culture, learning, and community.

Joel Strack (1960–2019)

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, Joel Strack surprised his parents, Jeff and Mary Lu Strack, with his shock of bright red hair. The fourth of eight children in a farming family, Joel grew up immersed in rural life and 4-H activities. He excelled in public speaking, flower arranging, cooking, and clothing competitions – early signs of the creativity and charisma that would define his life.

Performing came naturally to Joel. At just five years old, he organized neighborhood plays. While attending Sycamore High School, he participated in chorus and Madrigals and played cello in the orchestra. He graduated in 1978 and was later inducted into Sycamore High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2021.

To save money for college, Joel worked alongside his siblings in the family garden, tending crops and selling produce. Although, as his family recalled, Joel was often more interested in chatting with customers and handling the money than gardening itself.

Joel attended the University of Illinois, initially majoring in theater before deciding that “entertainment-related public relations” offered broader opportunities.

During a summer visit to California to see his older brother, Joel took a job at Disneyland. That experience became a turning point in his life. When he returned home, he came out to his parents, presenting his mother with a T-shirt that read: “My son came out of the closet, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” Mary Lu Strack wore it proudly.

Inspired by his time at Disneyland, Joel accepted a summer internship at Walt Disney World in Florida. He quickly became deeply involved in Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community. Described by one friend as “not a joiner, but a force,” Strack organized Orlando’s first Pride parade in 1992, even paying for police security out of his own pocket.

He was a founding member of the Orlando Gay Chorus, served on the board of directors for the LGBTQ+ History Museum of Central Florida, and helped establish the first unofficial “Gay Days” at Walt Disney World, where LGBTQ+ guests wore red shirts as a sign of visibility and solidarity. Disney officials told Strack that if a family did not want to be associated with the day’s theme, he should explain the importance of the day and guide the families to a booth to obtain a non-red shirt.

As a Disney employee, Joel began as a character performer before advancing to become a character trainer.

The following story, published in Analog Artist Digital World (2020), recalls one memorable occasion when Joel performed as Tigger.

“One time he was performing as Tigger and a little boy came up to him and kept saying, “I love you Tigger, I love you Tigger, I love you Tigger.” Each time he said that, he would punch Tigger in the leg. Character performers are trained to bring a child in close when they are being aggressive, much like a rope a dope in a boxing ring. When Tigger reached out to the child he saw the child’s eyes grow wide and he flinched. Joel suddenly realized that this child was abused and the only way he could express love was through his fists. He put his paws out in front of the boy so he could feel how warm and fuzzy they were, and he gave him a hug… so the boy could know that love can be warm, soft and fuzzy and he would be OK.”

Joel Strack died on July 15, 2019 leaving a legacy as out and proud as he was.

Walter “Wally” Thurow, also known as Mr. Pumpkin, founded the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, and was known for inspiring creativity in the students of Sycamore. 

Thurow was born in Plano before moving twice, once to DeKalb, and once again to Sycamore. After dropping out of high school, he served in the US Navy from 1945-1946. He owned a few businesses, such as Deco Porcelain enameling and Wally’s Cyclery. Thurow enjoyed cycling and made many trips across the country and in Europe. Once, as a high school student, he bicycled 800 miles in seven days across Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois. As an adult, he and his wife Jan, traveled across Europe on their bicycles.

Thurow was a member of the Sycamore Lions Club, eventually serving as president in 1966. He received a Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1991.

The Pumpkin Festival had humble origins, beginning in 1956 with a small display of student-decorated pumpkins on Thurow’s front lawn. With the help of the Sycamore Lions Club, the small display transformed into a festival and fundraiser for non-profit organizations in 1962. He was known for attending the Festival with his signature top hat and penny-farthing bike, which he rode in the parade. Thurow brought students to Chicago where they appeared on TV to promote the event and showcase their decorated pumpkins.

He moved to Detroit in 1979, and eventually settled in Slidell, Louisiana, in 1982, where he became a regional factory representative for bicycle companies.

Due to health complications after a bicycling accident, Thurow passed away February 3, 2012, at age 84. In October of 2014, a statue was erected in his honor on Sycamore’s Elm Street. A scholarship fund in his name awards graduating Sycamore High School students who display creativity and community involvement.

Peter Vassilogambros (1918–2003) was a prominent figure in the Greek community of DeKalb.

Vassilogambros was born August 15, 1918, in Kerasea, Greece. He served in the Royal Greek Navy before moving to Manchester, New Hampshire. A few months after marrying Stavroula “Cecile” Sakellarios on April 26, 1953, they moved to Chicago, before finding their permanent home in DeKalb in 1954. Together they had three children: William, Dean, and Joan.

In 1955, Vassilogambros established the Uptown Restaurant on 143 North 2nd Street and co-operated the business with Denes and Harry “Bob” Stellatos. Since its opening, the restaurant expanded several times, increasing capacity from 75 to 200 seats. The restaurant changed ownership in 1977. Vassilogambros later worked at the Fyfe n’ Drum restaurant.

In the 1960s, there were few places dedicated to preserving Greek culture in DeKalb. Vassilogambros sent his children to attend Sunday School at St. Paul Episcopal Church in DeKalb, where he befriended the residing pastor at the time. When the Episcopalian church began plans to sell the building at 320 South 2nd Street to build a new church, Vassilogambros and a committee of Greek Orthodox Christians began their own plans to establish St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Despite the support from other Greek-Americans in the county, the Chicago Diocese and Bishop Meletios refused to approve the new church due to its small size and told the Orthodox Christians of DeKalb to travel out-of-town for church services. Vassilogambros visited the Chicago Diocese in person to ask for approval three times. He was denied each time, but the Chicago Diocese eventually approved of the new church.

With the help of donations from other Greek-Americans in the county, the committee bought the old Episcopalian church building for $18,000 in August 1966. He served on the church’s Parish Council as its first president, and he was a trustee member. His wife, Stavroula “Cecile,” taught as a Sunday School teacher.

Vassilogambros was also a member and vice president of the DeKalb chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a grassroots association originally founded in 1962 to advocate for civil rights and fight against the Ku Klux Klan.

Vassilogambros was a member of the Lions Club and was on the Board of Directors of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in 1971. He was a member of the DeKalb Masonic Lodge 144, Tebala Shrine Club, Boy Scout Troop 4 as treasurer, YMCA committee, United Way committee, and the Pan-Arcadian Federation. He was nominated for the county’s Citizen of the Year award in 1971.

He passed away on April 23, 2003, at age 84.

Tom Woodstrup (1925-2008)

Tom Woodstrup was a very active member in the DeKalb County Community. Woodstrup served as a radio man during World War II and continued to be involved in a variety of veterans organizations including the local American Legion, Sycamore Veterans of Foreign Wars post. 

He was very passionate about history, especially local history. He served on the board of the DeKalb County Historical and Genealogical Society. He also wrote several history–based books and articles including “Captain Benjamin Page: A Forgotten Rhode Island Hero of the American Revolution, Rediscovered in Sycamore, Illinois.” This book traces the story of a Revolutionary War hero who served in the Continental Army. Three of his children eventually moved to Sycamore and honored their father with a marker at Elmwood Cemetery (note: he is buried in Rhode Island).

Tom was also a founder of the  Sycamore Historical Society. Working with a small team of volunteers, they put together the by-laws, found supporters, asked people if they had artifacts or archival materials they would like to donate, and got people really excited about local history. He also personally contributed to the hiring of the first employee in 2005. His passion and commitment laid a solid foundation for the DeKalb County History Center as it transitioned from the Sycamore History Museum in 2018.