HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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in Batavia, and entered the employ of Isaac S. Stevens, who was operating extensive stone-quarries at that place. For several years prior to his death, which occurred at Batavia, March 24, 1900, he was superintendent of these quarries, and was widely known among those engaged in the building trades. He served one term as a member of the Batavia Board of Aldermen. In 1871 he married Miss Blviza Tracey, of Raisinville, Mich. She died in Batavia, in 1883, and in 1888 he married Miss Elizabeth White, daughter of Charles White, of New York.
HARRY T. HUNTER, lumber and coal merchant and stone-quarry operator, Batavia, was born in Batavia, Ill., Jan. 19, 1875, son of Thomas M. and Elviza (Tracy) Hunter, and obtained his education in the Batavia public schools. His first business engagement was with the legal firm of Alschuler & Murphy, Aurora, after which he was for a time with the Newton Wagon Company, at Batavia. When nineteen years of age he began his business career in the lumber and coal trade, in which he has continued to the present time. Some years since he was elected an Alderman of Batavia, and is the youngest man ever called to serve Batavia in that capacity. In 1898 he married
Miss Katherine, daughter of Major H. K. Wolcott, of Batavia.
DAVID W. KURD (deceased), pioneer and merchant, Aurora, Ill., born in Londonderry, Ireland, Sept. 22, 1823, son of John Hurd, who first came to America as a British soldier during the War of 1812. The father emigrated with his family to America in 1832, locating at Utica, N. Y. David W. Hurd was a schoolmate of Thomas L. James, afterward Postmaster-General, and James H. Roberts, for some years later United States Senator. Later the family removed to Hamilton, Ont., where David W. grew to manhood with an education largely self-obtained. He was trained to business in the house of John Winer & Co., and at twenty-one years of age was sent to New York on the business for the firm, remaining there until 1860. During that year he came to Aurora, Ill., and bought a drug store from Gilbert Walker, which he carried on as long as he lived. In time he became wealthy, and "Kurd's chestnut store," so-called on account of its painting, was a land-mark in the business center. He did much to help in various business enterprises and contributed materially to the growth of Aurora. In politics he was a Democrat and in religion a member of the New England Congregational church. In 1847 he married Miss Maria Gibell, of New York City, who still lives in Aurora. Mr. Hurd died March 13, 1886. Besides his wife three sons and four daughters survive. With the exception of one son in Pittsburg and one in Philadelphia, all are living in Aurora (1903). The present homestead has been occupied by the family since 1865.
DANIEL HYDE (deceased), pioneer settler, Batavia Township, Kane County; born at Straf-ford, Orange County, Vt, March 30, 1819; obtained a common-school education, and was trained to farming; came west in 1838, locating at first in Michigan, but shortly afterwards removed to Kane County, Ill., and purchased a farm near Batavia, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died June 20, 1862. His wife, Ellen C. Hyde, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., June 11, 1825, and came to Kane County in 1844. She was reared and educated in New York State, where she taught school, and after coming to Kane County taught one of the pioneer private schools of the county at Mill Creek. She married Mr. Hyde in 1845 at the
