Family:Unknown and Bessie Stephens (1)

Sycamore True Republican
Friday, July 01, 1949
Page: 6

Neighborhood News ... Cortland
Received by a former pupil Marilyn Jenkins in Sawyer School Dist. 54, on Monday, was this announcement; Mrs. Bessie E. Valentine and Mr. Everett P. Maitland announce their marriage on Saturday, June 18, in Wesley Chapel, Minerva, Ia. At home at La Plata, Mo. Mrs. Valentine was a very successful and much loved teacher in Sawyer School for three years, before leaving to accept a grade school job in Central School, Sycamore. Before that she had taught in Five Points school for seven years. All this time she was rural critic teacher for N.I.S.T.C. DeKalb Her many friends wish her much happiness in her new home.

Sycamore True Republican
Wednesday, April 27, 1938
Page: 1

John Valentine Taken By Death

Widely Known Resident of DeKalb County Stricken at Grange Meeting in Malta; Lived in This Vicinity Many Years

John Stanton Valentine, 53 years old, a widely known DeKalb county resident, died suddenly at a meeting of the Malta Grange in that village at about 9;30 o'clock Monday evening. He had been in his usual good health, and was seated in a chair when he slumped back, death striking before aid coul(d) reach him.

Mr. Valentine was born in Polo, Ill., June 8, 1884, a son of George Howard and Mrs. Harriet Shaver Valentine. He spent his boyhood in Polo and Beatrice, Neb., where the family resided for some time. They returned to Polo, he completing his education at Dixon college.

Live Here Many Years

He moved to Sycamore when he was 19 years old, and married Miss Bessie Stephens, daughter of the late Atty. and Mrs. Joseph Stephens, Dec. 8, 1910. They resided near Sycamore since that time with the exception of two years spent in Lewistown, Mont., returning to this vicinity in 1918, locating near DeKalb.

He was a member of the DeKalb

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Methodist church and vice-president of the Men's class of that church.

Besides his widow he is survived by one son, Merle, DeKalb; two sisters, Mrs. Roland Butler of Iowa and Mrs. Eric Rhode now residing in California, and two brothers, George of Aurora, and Richard of Sycamore.

Tentative funeral arrangements have been made. The services probably will be held Thursday afternoon, at 2 o'clock from the home in Oakland subdivision on the Sycamore-DeKalb road, and at 2:30 o'clock from the DeKalb First Methodist church. The body will lie in state at Wirtz and Wirtz parlors in DeKalb until Wednesday afternoon.

Sycamore True Republican
Saturday, Dec 10, 1910
Page: 1

Miss Stephens Married

Miss Bessie Eleanor Stephens and Mr. John Valentine, both well known young people in this city, were united in marriage at the home of the bride's father J. B. Stephens, on Thursday morning, December 8, at 10:30 o'clock Rev. J. P. Brushingham officiating.

On account of recent bereavement in the home, only immediate friends and relatives witnessed the ceremony.

The bride wore a white lace gown, with bridal veil, and natural wreath of flowers, carrying a bouquet of bridal roses.

The ceremony was performed beneath a beautiful arch of smilax and roses, from which was suspended a bridal bell, the entire arch being lighted with small incandescent electric lights.

After a short trip Mr. and Mrs. Valentine will be at home during the winter in Sycamore.

Sycamore True Republican
Wednesday, March 17, 1965
(Joiner History Room Obituary DB)

Bessie Maitland Dies Saturday In DeKalb Hospital

Impressive final rites were accorded Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Van Natta Funeral Home for Mrs. Bessie Valentine Maitland, 79, very well known and highly esteemed resident of Sycamore, where she lived all of her life, with the exception of a few years, passed away Saturday at the DeKalb Public Hospital. She had been in frail health for sometime (sic.)

Dr. C. Wesley Israel officiated and interment was in the Elmwood cemetery. During visitation hours Monday afternoon and evening at the local funeral home many friends called to pay their final respects.

She was born in Sycamore February 5, 1886, daughter of Attorney Joseph B. Stephens and Martha Cook Stephens. Growing up here, she attended and graduated from the Sycamore Public Schools, later taking a two-year graduating course at DeKalb normal, now the Northern Illinois University. She then taught in the Waukegan Schools, also the Sycamore Schools, following which, she returned to Northern Illinois University and completed her year course there, and also attended Columbia University.

She was married to John S. Valentine in 1910, and they first farmed northwest of Sycamore later moving to Montana for a area (sic - possibly "year") making their home in the while (sic) and then returned to this Oaklands addition between DeKalb and Sycamore, where Mr. Valentine passed away.

Her second marriage was to Dr. E. P. Maitland and they lived in La Plata, Mo., until his death, when Mrs. Maitland returned to Sycamore. Due to her frail health, she has resided at the Driscoll Home for the past three years.

Mrs. Maitland was a faithful member of the Methodist Church and a former member of General john Stark Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Surviving her demise are one son, Merle S. Valentine of Phoenix, Ariz, a brother, Attorney Samuel J. Stephens of Aurora; a sister, Mrs. Marian S. Brown of Sycamore; two grandsons and one great grandson; also a stepson, Howard Maitland of La Plata; and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Adah Ator of Des Moines, Iowa.