DANIEL G. KALB. A visitor to Rochester Township would not long be ignorant of the name and fame of this aged citizen, who for more than forty years has been connected with the development of this section in all that is most worthy. He was born in Frederick, Md., December 4, 1815, and is a son of Absalom and Susannah (Larkin) Kalb. In the paternal line he is descended from German Poles whose love of freedom was manifested in many ways and at length led members of the family to fight on American soil for the blessing denied them in its fullness in their own land. The renowned Baron DeKalb was of the same stock.

In 1849 Mr. Kalb came to this county, his parents and several brothers coming at the same time. He was at that time engaged in teaching, a profession that he followed from the fall of 1837 until 1854 with satisfactory results. About 1847 he entered the ministry and until 1864 was occupied in local work, doing all in his power, under God, to save sinners and strengthen saints. When war spread a dark shadow over the country, he gave his strength to uphold the flag, enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and did valiant service three years. He shunned no duty, but was ready and prompt at every call, courageous in action and cheerful under privations.

In 1841 Mr. Kalb was married to Mrs. Eliza S. Shutt, nee Bennett, widow of George W. Shutt, of Virginia. This lady came to Sangamon County after the death of her first husband, in 1836, and was thus numbered among the old settlers, remaining here until 1841. While on a transient visit to her former home she was married to our subject, with whom she lived happily until called hence, February 3, 1881. By Mr. Shutt she had one daughter who married Philip Shutt formerly editor of the Edgar County Times. The children borne to Mr. Kalb were five, three sons and two daughters, named respectively, Ethelbert, William, Edward B., George B., Mary Abner and Julia Maria. The last named died in 1859, at the age of four years. William, who enlisted in the same company and regiment as his father, March 26, 1864, gave his young life to his country, being killed in the battle of Guntown, Miss., June 10, 1864. Ethelbert was also a soldier, having joined the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, August 20, 1861, and served nearly four years, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war.

Mr. Kalb is a law abiding, reliable citizen, and a man who takes much interest in the welfare of future generations, and the means taken to ensure good institutions to posterity. He presented one hundred volumes to the Young Men's Christian Association of Springfield, on its organization and recently gave one thousand volumes to the Soldier's Home and Chaddock College in Quincy. Modest and unassuming, he is not inclined to speak of his own deeds, but the testimony of his acquaintances, assures strangers that he is held in high esteem.

Back to Home