HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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land and of this union have been born nine children-five boys and four girls. Two sons and one daughter are now deceased.
WILEY W. STEPHENS, President Stephens-Adamson Manufacturing Company, Aurora, Kane County, Ill., born at Altona, Ill., Oct. 12, 1867, and, when two years of age, removed with his parents to Gowrie, Iowa, where he attended school until 1880. His first business engagement was with William Glaus, in a general store at Gowrie, where he remained until 1886, when he removed to Chicago to accept a position with the Webster Manufacturing Company of that city, remaining with this establishment in various capacities until 1896, having charge of the city sales department for five years previous to the latter date. Severing his connection with this company in the latter year, he engaged in the machinery business under the firm name of W. W. Stephens & Co., the venture proving very successful. In 1898 the Webster Manufacturing Company purchased his entire business, and he returned to that company as stockholder, Vice-President and Director. In 1901 he removed to Aurora, and with Frederick G. Adamson of Chicago established the Stephens-Adamson Manufacturing Company, of which he is now President. This company manufactures a complete line of power-transmitting, elevating and conveying machinery, and their plant, is one of the most complete in the United States for the manufacture of this class of machinery. Mr. Stephens is Secretary of the Pox River Valley Manufacturing Association, having headquarters at Aurora, and is also a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. In 1892 he was married to Frances S. Salisbury, daughter of Leroy Salisbury, a merchant of Chicago.
SAMUEL STERLING (deceased), pioneer, Geneva, Ill., born in Connecticut; was reared and educated in his native State, and removed to New York, where he married Cornelia Latbruf, also Connecticut born. They became pioneers in Michigan as well as Illinois, settling in the former State prior to 1830, and removing to Kane County, Ill., four years later. The farm, which was their home near Geneva for many years and where they died, is now the home of their grandson, John S. Moore. It was bought directly from the Government by Mr. Sterling, and there he erected the first house in Geneva, and constructed the first dam across Fox River for water-power. Mrs. Sterling was the first teacher in Geneva. Their farm was a notable country home in their day, and they there reared a family of three children. Mr. Sterling died August 30, 1871, at the home of his son-in-law, J. B. Moore, Sr., in Grundy County, Ill.
THOMAS STERRICKER (deceased), farmer, Elgin, Township, Kane County, was born May 20, 1818, in Yorkshire, Eng., came to Canada, where he lived for five years, and then moved to Otsego County, N. Y., and made his home there until the spring of 1852. The latter year he sought a home in Illinois, and purchased a farm two and a half miles southwest of Elgin. He was married Dec. 25, 1840, to Elizabeth Fitzgerald, born in Otsego County, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1821, and who became the mother of four children: Irving W., Mary E., William H. H., and Alice J.-the latter the only child now living. Mr. Sterricker died March 2, 1900.
WILLIAM H. STERRICKER. Farmer, Elgin Township, Kane County, was born Nov. 16, 1846, in Otsego County, N. Y., and was brought by his parents to Kane County, Ill., when six years of age. His education was secured in the public schools and Elgin Academy, and in his man-
Dundee Area History
