Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885
Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

George de Bey, general merchant, also senior partner of the hardware firm of De Bey & Van Dallen, at Fulton City. Mr. de Bey in his individual store carries an extensive stock of general merchandise and is also agent for ocean steamship lines, and for the Germania and New York Underwriters’ Fire Insurance Companies. The firm of De Bey & Van Dallen carry a well assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware and agricultural implements.

Mr de Bey is a native of Holland and was born July 21, 1848, and is the son of John and Angeline (de Junge) de Bey. He emigrated to America in May, 1868, came directly to Chicago, where he learned the trade of mason and plasterer, at which he worked in that city for eight years.

In the fall of 1876 he came to Fulton and engaged as contractor and builder. Among the buildings which he erected may be mentioned the new dormitory of Northern Illinois College and others. In April, 1877, he established his mercantile house and has carried it on continuously since. The following year he added hardware and farm machinery to his other business, and in April, 1881, formed the existing partnership with Mr. John Van Dallen in the hardware and farm implement business. Mr. de Bey’s stock in his general store averages about $7,000, while in the hardware store the stock holds at about $3,500.

He was married in Chicago in September, 1869, to Miss Teitje de Graff, daughter of Franke de Graff. Mrs. de Bey was born in Holland and came to America in 1869. They have five children, three boys and two girls, - Lena, Frank, Jennie, John and Joe.

Mr. and Mrs. de Bey are members in full standing of the American Reformed Church, of which Mr. de Bey has been an Elder nearly eight years.

Mr. de Bey votes with the Republican party, of which he is an earnest supporter. He is a thorough business man in all his ways, and has succeeded in his undertakings so well that he is reckoned among the leading merchants of Fulton.