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Founded in 1837, DeKalb remained a small community until the arrival
of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in 1853. DeKalb's central location
brought easier shipping of crops and access to larger markets. Agriculture
was the primary economic activity until 1873-4 when farmer Joseph Glidden
developed barbed wire and began commercial mass production of his new
invention. Glidden sold half of his interest to hardware merchant Isaac
L. Ellwood and together the two formed the Barb Fence Company.
Two months
after Glidden filed his application for a patent, lumber salesman Jacob
Haish also applied for a patent and on June 25, 1874 ran interference
papers against Glidden's patent. After several years of legal wrangling,
in 1877 Glidden's patent won and Glidden was declared the "Father
of Barbed Wire".[1] The industry gave DeKalb a place in history
and the nickname "Barb City". In 1865 H. B. Gurler moved to
DeKalb, and later attempted to create high-grade milk. Gurler began shipping
his "Pure Milk" to Chicago in 1895.
The founding of Northern
Illinois State Normal School in 1895 added education to DeKalb's landscape.
It later became Northern Illinois University which is known for its business,
nursing, education, engineering, and music programs. Agriculture again
came to the forefront with the creation of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau
in 1912, one of the first organizations of its kind. In the 1930s the
DeKalb AgResearch Corporation (today MONSANTO) marketed its first hybrid
seed corn.
- Emmy winning actress Barbara Hale was born in DeKalb.
- Supermodel
Cindy Crawford was born here and graduated as a valedictorian from
DeKalb High School in 1984.
- Actor Richard Jenkins was born and raised in DeKalb.
L.A. Rams linebacker Mel Owens graduated from DeKalb High School in
1976.
- 1990s hardcore punk/power violence thrash band Charles Bronson was
formed in DeKalb. Author Richard Powers graduated from DeKalb High
School in 1975.
- Singer/Songwriter Eric Cyr was born here, but moved away at a young
age.
- Black Metal musician Andrew Harris grew up & graduated in DeKalb.
- Porn Star T.J. Hart (real name Amy Damkroger) was born and raised
in Dekalb and graduated from Dekalb High School.[2] TJ Hart.
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