USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 36
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In 1904, Mrs. J. C. Tureman, president of the Woman's Club and also president of the library hoard, wrote the first letter to Mr. Carnegie, asking him to help our struggling little library. Later the mayor took up the correspondence with the result that Mr. Carnegie agreed to give $14,000 for a building. The sum of $500 had been given to the library by the will of Mr. A. G. Barnes; this was added to the Car- negie gift, making a total of $14.500 which con- stituted the building fund. The lot, on which the building stands, was the gift of Mr. Eugene Vandeveer, who expressed a feeling of delight and sentiment, in the donation, because it is the site, upon which he was born. Being fortified by these gifts of money and ground, the building committee, consisting of C. M. Parker chairman, A. T. Kinney, James Bourne, F. A. Zimmerman, and Miss Anna Foy went to work with de- termination. No committee ever did better or more conscientious work, with the result that Taylorville has one of the best and most up to date libraries in the state. The rooms are large, finished in fine wood, with several fire places, and a decided air of comfort and progress pervades. The new building was dedicated on December 20, 1904. The shelves contain 9,765 volumes of worth while literature. The average daily attendance is 132 visitors. Miss Aline Emery still continues as librarian and has filled the place in the most graceful and efficient man- ner and has contributed much toward making this the best small library in the state.
Death has three times claimed a member of the board of trustees. Mrs. M. Bonbrake was the first to fall asleep: she had accomplished much as a member of the book committee and is deeply mourned. Mr. A. T. Kinney next an- swered the call. Mr. Kinney as mayor and also member of the building committee, was a source
The trustees at this date are, Dr. S. P. Bowyer, president; Mrs. Anna M. Foy McDonald, vice president ; Mrs. Emma Oplinger, secretary ; Mrs. Chas. Evans, treasurer ; Mrs. Melle Williams, chairman of the book committee; Mrs. Lon E. Martin. Mr. Ben Britton, Mr. L. G. Grundy, and Dr. Turner. Miss Aline Emery is librarian and Miss Lottie Patterson, assistant librarian.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Taylorville has a very efficient volunteer fire department at present consisting of the follow- ing men: O. E. Walker, chief; Claude Luster and R. E. Buckler, drivers who are regularly employed and the following firemen: Cyrus Jones, Benjamin Jones, George Milligan, James Munson, Robert Wade, Parnell Stokes. The firemen each receive $50 a year and are expected to report at all fires. The equipment consists of a truck and hose wagon, which carries a , forty-gallon chemical tank and two others of ten gallons capacity each, valued at $1,800, a well trained team worth $500 and 1,800 feet of hose in good condition. The city council has pur- chased a La France auto truck costing $5,000. This truck has a capacity of 400 gallons of water per minute. The pressure is obtained from power engines, the old water tower, erected in 1886, being held in reserve. It is interesting to note that the foreign insurance taxes which are turned over to this department, amounted to $200 in 1917.
TELEPHONE COMPANIES.
The first local telephone company in Taylor- ville was organized and owned by J. N. C. Shumway. The Central Union Telephone Com- pany operated the toll lines and later took over the business of the local company. In 1905 the Christian County Telephone Company owned and controlled by local interests was organized with the head office in Taylorville. This com- pany purchased all the interests of the Central Union except the toll lines in 1908 and since that time, has enjoyed a remarkable growthi.
. Margaret Linhart
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
At present the company is operating 4,700 tele- phones through seven exchanges, located at the following places : Taylorville, Edinburg, Pana, Stonington, Morrisonville, Owaneco and Kincaid. The company has in use 4,828 miles of wire and 718 miles of poles, the latter numbering 22,844. In 1916 the main office building was erected in Taylorville. It is a two story and basement fire-proof structure, costing $15,000. The main offices are located on the first floor. A rest room for the use of employes, while off duty, a kitchen, locker room, toilets and the operators' room are on the second floor. The new switchboard which cost $12,000 is of the latest and most complete pattern with all the automatic features on it. Seven girls now work at the switchboard, giving constant attention to the 12,000 calls daily made by Taylorville patrons. The service is most excellent and the visitor is caused to wonder how such a volume of business can be handled so promptly with so few mistakes.
The present board of directors is composed of the following men: President, Warren Pen- well, Pana ; vice president, L. D. Hewitt, Taylor- ville; secretary, O. E. Daggett, Taylorville ; treasurer, D. W. Johnston, Taylorville; J. S. Eaton, Owaneco; W. S. Ridgly, Decatur ; Julius Broehl, Pana; W. B. McBride, Taylorville; and Frank Brewer, Taylorville. C. M. Parker, who served as an officer of this company for many years, died in 1916.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Taylorville has recognized the value of proper police protection and although fortunately there is very little crime within its confines, its safety is effectively guarded by a police force of four men, of whom Lee Traylor is the present chief.
OAK HILL CEMETERY.
The place of interment for Taylorville's dead is the beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery, which is lo- cated in the southern part of the city over- looking Flat Branch. It contains a large concrete mausoleum and a comfortable house for the use of the custodian and public. One of the interesting sights in Oak Hill is the hand- some Soldiers' Monument located near the main entrance. It is guarded by four old cannons presented by the government. This cemetery is beautifully laid out, and kept in fine condition
by M. B. Leach the present custodian. On Memorial Day, the soldiers' graves are given extra attention, and all during the mild weather the grounds bloom with flowers so that instead of awakening melancholy feelings, this cemetery soothes with its suggestions of peace and floral beauty.
PARKS.
Taylorville has two parks, known as Manners' Park and Jayne Park, which are cared for by a park board appointed by the mayor. The present board is composed of the following men : Charles W. Morton, Fred H. Kinney, Samuel Ainsworth, Walter M. Provine and Frank Morrison.
Manners' Park is a beautiful tract of fifty- four acres lying south of the Wabash Railroad tracks at the southern limits of the city. It was purchased from the Charles Manners' estate in 1913 at a cost of $30,000, bonds to that amount being voted by the city to pay for it. The tract is ideal for park purposes and it gives the people of Taylorville and the surrounding country a breathing place and recreation center that is unsurpassed in Central Illinois. In 1916 a large steel auditorium with a seating capacity of 5,000 was erected in the park by the Chau- tauqua board and the Taylorville city council. Here is held each year the Taylorville Chau- tauqua, one of the best in the state. When the weather permits, the auditorium is used for practically all public gatherings. The park con- tains a wading pool, swings, and other appara- tus for the children's pleasure. For those of larger growth, there are a baseball field and a tennis court. In May, 1917, a flag pole was erected by the Woman's Relief Corps on the grounds with appropriate ceremonies and do- nated to the city. A beautiful artificial lake 300 feet by 1,000 feet in dimensions has been formed by building a dam across the south end of a wide ravine. This lake is fed by springs and affords much pleasure to lovers of boating. It abounds in fine fish which the people are al- lowed to catch at certain times. Marion C. Brents, the present custodian, lives on the grounds.
Jayne Park, which lies on the west side of the city limits, was donated to the ctiy by Dr. H. Jayne. It consists of ten acres which has
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
been set out in trees. As it is being well cared for, in a few years it will be one the city's most beautiful possessions.
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF ISSO.
It is interesting to note that as early as 1878 Taylorville showed its appreciation of dramatic art by organizing what was known as the Taylor- ville Dramatic Company with the following officers: James B. Ricks, president and man- ager ; Arthur Crooker, assistant manager ; V. B. Kelly, treasurer; and William H. Kaup, secre- tary. These officers and Charles E. Johnson, C. A. Parish, William McCaskill, William T. Vandeveer, and the Misses Retta Ricks, Lillie Clark, Minnie Kittle, Jennie Goudy and Adalı Hay formed the membership. This company at- tracted considerable local celebrity, and pro- dueed a number of plays which were largely attended. Among the business houses of 1880 may be noted the following: H. M. Vandeveer & Company, Anderson & Shumway, and A. G. Barnes, bankers; J. M. Richardson, H. P. Shum- way. G. A. Deterding, Chamberlain & Barnes and S. M. McKnight, dry goods merchants ; Marblestone Bros., Kuder Bros., Samuel G. Mossler, H. Cohen and J. Wertheimer, clothiers and merchant tailors; Wilkinson & Company, Young & Anderson, L. R. Hedrick & Company, James Bourne, Calloway & Torrey, and J. H. Fowler, grocers; S. A. Low, Case Bros., C. Barnes, and W. E. Smith, hardware and tin- ware ; Barnes & Williams, A. Seaman, Jayne & Rockwell, and Crooker & Son, druggists; Long lIouse, Globe Hotel, Traylor House, Railroad lIouse and the People's House, hotels; H. M. Powel, and Paddock, Greenman & Company, lumber dealers; B. F. Long. G. W. Torrance and George Waggoner, livery stables ; Moore & Bach, and John Reed, shoe and boot dealers; Drs. J. H. Kitzmiller, L. H. Clark, J. H. Clark, C. V. Rockwell. A. L. Perry, L. B. Slater, J. E. White- craft, D. K. Cornell, H. C. Chapman, A. J. Roe, J. M. Johns, C. Pierce, William McNeill and J. J. Firey, physicians and surgeons ; Drs. T. L. Brown and M. Bonbrake, dentists; Miss Dora Allen and the Kelley Sisters, milliners; G. N. Burleigh and Wheelen Bros., photographers; G. Anderson and Jayne and Rockwell, jewelers; Post and Barton, Sattley Bros., and F. Cook, dealers in agricultural implements ; John Reed and Alexander McClain, dealers in saddlery and harness; J. F. Westenberg and Anderson
and Shake, furniture dealers ; Whitzell & Morris, J. Medford, and Riesmy & Opperman, barbers ; Samuel Milligan and T. E. Sexton, butchers ; A. J. Woolington, Mrs. Margaret Murphy. Richard Bourne, James Bird, Peter Michaels & Co. and Wendling & Company, restaurants and bakeries; G. A. Brua, cigars and tobacco; J. S. Culver, marble cutter ; Ruth Mills, Price & Wilkinson, proprietors; S. S. Sprague & Com- pany and C. H. Davis, mills and elevators; F. Cook, J. Shelter, Linhart & Hunker, wagon and carriage manufacturers; The Democrat, Repub- lican, Saturday Republican and Farmer's Journal, newspapers ; J. N. C. Shumway, Kinney & Peck and A. T. Kinney, insurance agents ; N. D. Ricks and J. M. Taylor, abstractors of titles ; Simpson & Squier, book and news store; and C. A. Morrison, confectioner.
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN OF 1917.
In contrast to the above mentioned list is the following which embraces the leading business and professional men of Taylorville : First National, Taylorville National, Farmers' Na- tional, II. M. Vandeveer & Co. and John B. Cole- grove & Co., banks; Hoover-Patterson, owned and managed by Grover Hoover, Slatten Bros., Frank Morrison, Calloway & Long, and Theodore Durr, dry goods merchants; H. Cohen, Minnis & Weitzel, Oberman, Sol Marblestone, Emery Rosengrant, Robert Phillips and Henry Frisch, gents' furnishings ; Fred Koppeser, F. J. Kotschi. C. G. Horn, C. B. Davis and William Daigli, tailors; B. C. Ballow, H. E. Basham, James Bourne, R. W. Bourne, Henry Burchfield, Cal- loway & Sons, Doc Day, Gabbert Bros., F. B. Hershey, Mrs. Josie Hill, J. C. Hunter, Ida Larson, Andy Lowkiters, John Mizeur, Mrs. Lee Neece, Harry Pearson, R. I. Smith & Sons, W. M. Soice, Spot Cash, L. C. Williams, grocers ; J. F. Henson & Co., B. F. Molohon, Frank W. Orr & Co., E. J. Hiller, Thos. L. Cheney, hard- ware and tinware dealers; Bert Bach, Jerry Hogan, Chas. W. Morton, G. T. Meacham, Keller Bros., and Jas. A. Humphreys, druggists ; Ant- lers, E. V. Condon, proprietor, Klondike, Geo. Kelly, proprietor, hotels ; Carlin & Jones, Lumber Co. and the Alexander Lumber Co., lumber dealers; Colegrove & Smith, cement manufac- turers ; E. V. Condon, Wm. Bangert, and Ed Allton, livery stables ; Cornbelt Auto Co., Ralph D. Ricks, J. R. Michel, Bodendeck & Zimmer- man, W. B. Wood & Son, John A. Kimball,
Mary Ida E. Harrison
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Baughman Bros., automobile dealers, garages and automobile supplies and repairing; Scott Bros., E. Bach & Sons, C. C. Esslinger, Maurice Sewell, Harry Summers, dealers in boots and shoes; Drs. G. L. Armstrong, D. D. Barr, C. L. Carroll, D. K. Cornell, W. H. Frazer, Sam B. Herdman, T. A. Lawler, W. II. Mercer, D. F. Morton, J. N. Nelms, M. H. Solliday, HI. M. Wolfe, physicians and surgeons; Drs. M. Bon- brake, S. P. Bowyer, R. E. Henshie, E. C. Horr, W. H. Houser, H. C. Pence, W. M. Shaw, den- tists ; Theo. Durr, Mrs. L. A. Price, Mrs. H. R. McDaniels, Mrs. C. N. Miller, milliners and dressmakers; Gul Anderson, C. W. Slaybaugh and J. W. Stout, jewelers; C. E. Pope & E. E. McKnight, photographers; Baughman Bros., R. J. McWard, Christian Co., Implement Co., dealers in agricultural implements ; H. Bier- mann, J. R. Smith, saddlery and harness; F. S. Bulpitt & Sons and L. Chesnut & Sons, furniture dealers; Chesnut & Craig, B. E. Bulpitt, Con- nolly & Wallace, undertakers; John Allmann, Griffiths & Son, Oscar Haines, Plowman & Son, Spot Cash, Loren Travis, meat markets; W. H. Dorrah, Dickie Large, J. E. Kirkland, Klondike, D. J. Lemmons & Son, Calloway & Sons. Vienna Bakery, restaurants and bakeries; Royal Con- fectionery, ice cream, fruits, confectionery and sodas; William Curtis, Ora Home Milling Co., John S. Baker, feed dealers; Taylorville Ice & Utility Co., ice dealers; Peabody Coal Co., W. E. Garrison, E. E. Stockon, coal dealers : Wood & Fust, John B. Colegrove & Co., Taylor Ab- stract Co., and John Perry, abstracters ; Hirsch- field & Piper, N. F. Hollis, machine shops ; Frank Denton, John Kader, J. K. Rhoads, Eli Cooksey, Geo. Allen, Roy Kennedy, Geo. V. Lee, Morris & Son, A. J. Stevens, carpenters ; R. E. Morris, Wm. Gooch, Harold Gruber, John C. Curry, A. D. Kinnell, Samuel C. Logan, Joseph Merritt, Aubrey Speer, Jos. Layzell, R. Schuessler, Harry Richmond, Robert Turton, Wm. H. Moore. Theo- dore Dixon, Ewing & Sons, Fred Neece, painters ; M. P. Coady, H. M. Powel & Son, H. E. Winslow, plumbers; Adam May, W. C. Klingsick, Oscar Sailors, T. E. Hobson, J. E. Wade, George Nar- ramore, blacksmiths; William Roberts, Chas. McMillan, Frank Mallach, William Opperman, Frank Taylor, Reisemeg's Shop, O. N. Piper, Antlers Shop, E. V. Condon, prop., barbers; The Model Laundry, J. W. Bowdick, prop., Reliable Laundry, Hiram Vollentine, prop., laundries ; T. J. Teaney, Ed Parks, Fred Langley, O. B. Hewitt, Levi Murray, T. J. Ashbrook, Walter
Ballow, Deterding & Ferris, E. U. Vollentine, real estate, loans and insurance; Benjamin Dixon, Theodore Gahr, Lynn Moore, Russell Price, Chas. Stroh, Frank Zimmerman, M. F. McCarthy, cigar manufacturers; M. A. Coplin, Chas. Milligan, cigars and tobacco; The Pugh Stores Co., A. D. Payton, ingr. Noah's Ark, Chas. Sharp, mgr. The N. & L. Co., L. F. Neu- bacher, mgr., and the Illinois Variety Store. Earl Overholt, mgr. Department Stores; C. T. Moore & Co., Wm. Loveless, mgr., Ora Home Milling Co., Twist Bros .; The Daily Breeze, Frank Reed, editor ; The Daily Courier, Lon E. Martin, editor, The School News and Practical Educator; W. S. Rounds, Christian Church ; M. G. Coleman, M. E. Church ; J. H. Spindler, Baptist Church ; John Rugh, Presbyterian Church ; clergymen.
FRATERNITIES.
MOUND LODGE No. 122, A. F. & A. M., was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, December 1, 1851. The charter members and first officers were: Jerome R. Gorin, W. M .; William R. Funk, S. W .; E. J. Rice, J. W .; W. R. Frink, treasurer ; D. D. Shumway, secre- tary; James Ashton, tyler. The present officers are as follows: Milford Bates, W. M .; Dr. W. M. Shaw, S. W .; C. J. Baker, J. W .; Clarence Hewitt, treasurer; Harry Johnson, secretary ; Burl Milligan, tyler; Grover Hoover, chaplain. The present membership is about 200. Maj. William T. Vandeveer, Charles Young and. Joseph Torrey are the oldest members of Mound Lodge at this writing.
HYPERION LODGE No. 1006, I. O. O. F., was organized July 15, 1911, with ninety-two charter members. The first officers were : Albert Davis, N. G .; C. A. Moxley, V. G .; John Mc- Curdy, recording secretary; C. B. Britton, financial secretary ; Warren Baugliman, treas- urer. The present officers are as follows : George Lovell, N. G .; R. M. Allen, V. G .; Walter Hord, recording secretary ; Thomas Lusk, financial secretary. The membership now numbers about 240 and is steadily grow- ing.
TAYLORVILLE LODGE No. 413, I. O. O. F., was organized and instituted March 8, 1870. The first officers were D. S. Wolfkill, N. G .; Francis Sauter, V. G .; William H. Barr, secretary ; Peter Neu, treasurer; Chris Neu. guard. The present officers are : George Narramore, N. G .;
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Isaac Barnes, V. G .; W. R. Dexheimer, record- ing secretary ; L. E. MeClughan, financial secre- tary ; J. H. Forrester, treasurer. The present membership is about 160.
SOCIAL REBEKAHI LODGE No. 257 was instituted in Taylorville on May 24, 1889, by the Taylor- ville Lodge No. 413, I. O. O. F. Officers were elected as follows: W. K. Nicodemus, N. G .; Priscilla V. Black, V. G .; Mattie McBride, re- cording secretary ; Kale Nicodemus, correspond- ing secretary; S. E. Salander, treasurer. Since its institution this thriving lodge has initiated 342 persons and twenty-one members have been removed by death. The present membership is 190. Mrs. Laura Meredith and Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Black are the only charter members of the lodge who still retain their membership. Social Lodge boasts of six Veteran Jewels, i. e., members who have been in good standing for fifteen years. The present officers are: Mrs. Edna Kelley, N. G .; Mrs. Carrie Baughman, V. G .; Mrs. Ruth McMillan, recording secre- tary; Mrs. P. V. Black, financial secretary ; Mrs. Gertrude Whitsell, chaplain; Mrs. Charles McMillan, treasurer ; Mrs. Earl Garrison, pianist; Mrs. James Sharp, deputy.
TAYLORVILLE CHAPTER No. 102, R. A. M., was organized July 18, 1866, by W. T. Frink, H. P .; B. T. Brown, K .; and W. A. Goodrich, S. The chapter was regularly chartered October 5, 1866. The first three principal officers were: S. D. Shumway, H. P .; B. F. Barnes, K .; and W. A. Goodrich, S. The present officers are: Scott P. Bowyer, H. P .; C. C. Esslinger, K .; Henry Frisch, S .; Alfred Marblestone, secretary; James A. Adams, treas- urer. The present membership is about 110.
TAYLORVILLE LODGE No. 1516, L. O. O. M., A lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose was insti- tuted in Taylorville April 16, 1914, by Supreme Director L. M. Jones. The lodge began ex- istence with a large membership and it soon became very difficult for them to find suitable rooms for their work. Learning that the palatial $35,000 residence of Grover Hoover was for sale a campaign was started to raise sufficient funds to buy it. This task, a gigantic one for a new lodge, was easily accomplished and no lodge has finer rooms than No. 1516. The first officers were: Past dictator. Cud. Wilkinson ; dictator, E. R. Wright; vice dic- tator, C. W. Slaybaugh ; prelate, A. D. Speers ; sergeant, Robert Hilton; guards. M. Rozanski.
Walter Ballow; secretary, J. K. Bumgardner ; treasurer, F. C. Achenbach; trustees, Charles Orr, Glenn Gabert and E. W. Davis. The present officers are as follows : Dictator, E. A. McClelland ; past dictator, Edward Bach; vice dictator, Charles Spindel; prelate, Paul Wil- liams ; secretary, D. Roy Martin ; treasurer, F. C. Achenbach ; guards, Leo Lacy. Edgar Turner ; sergeant, Cale Weitzel; trustees, W. D. Fraley, Ralph D. Ricks, W. L. Taylor. At present this lodge has a membership of 200. Each member contributes $1.00 yearly to the Children's Home at Mooseheart, Ill., for dependent children of members of the order.
TAYLORVILLE LODGE No. 925, B. P. O. E., was organized June 23, 1904. Their first quarters were over the Klondike Hotel on South Main Street. In 1911 they moved to their splendid quarters in the Opera House building. The lodge was organized with 118 members. The present membership is 215. The first officers were as follows : Exalted ruler, Will D. Hoover; esteemed leading knight, J. N. C. Shumway ; esteemed loyal knight, G. A. Deter- ding ; esteemed lecturing knight, F. H. Bly ; secretary, E. R. Wright; treasurer, Ernest White; esquire, R. K. Calloway; tyler, Melle Calloway ; chaplain, R. M. Potts; inner guard, HI. C. Anderson ; trustees, M. J. Hogan, Soloman Marblestone, Ernest Hoover. The present officers are as follows: Robert Carlin, exalted ruler ; W. H. Houser, esteemed leading knight ; B. P. Wooll, esteemed loyal knight; D. A. Michael, lecturing knight; James Hunter, sec- retary; James Adams, treasurer; Charles Strevey, esquire; E. E. Harner, tyler; L. J. Hanauer, chaplain ; R. E. McLain, inner guard ; G. Anderson, J. L. Drennan, Hayes Flesher, trustees.
MYSTIC LODGE No. 64, K. P., was organized December 15. 1875. The first officers were: J. S. Culver, P. C .: William T. Vandeveer, C. C .; S. A. Barnes. V. C .; Alexander P. Osborn, prelate ; E. T. Weston, K. of R. and S .; J. H. Kitzmiller, M. A .; Theodore P. Baxter, M. of F .: Charles A Dean, M. of E. The present officers are: Arthur Yockey, C. C .; J. F. Hen- son, V. C .: Carl Wagahoff, prelate; Cale Witzel, K. of R. and S .; Aubrey Speers, M. A .; Emery Rosengrant, M. of F .; Ray E. Bauder, M. of E. : Henry Emerson, I. G .; W. H. Conner, O. G .: Grover Hoover, M. of W. Mystic Lodge is in a flourishing condition. New lodge rooms
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
were opened in the Powel building on the east side of the square in August, 1917. The present membership is 120.
Haslemere Chapter No. 221, O. E. S. On April 23, 1892, eight Master Masons, in good standing, and ten women, each being the wife, daughter, mother, widow or sister of Master Masons, in good standing, petitioned A. H. Wright, who was then Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in the State of Illinois, for a dis- pensation to organize a subordinate chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in the town of Taylorville. These petitioners were as follows : William T. Vandeveer, J. C. McBride, William Chamberlain, Adam Ritscher, Samuel Ains- worth, J. C. Hunter, H. A. Stearns, N. D. Ricks, all members of Mound Lodge No. 122; and Mrs. Ella Kinney, Mrs. Emma Scaman, Mrs. H. P. Shumway, Mrs. William Chamberlain, Mrs. J. B. Abell, Mrs. I. J. Perkins, Mrs. S. A. Morrison, Mrs. H. A. Stearns, Mrs. Samuel Ainsworth, and Mrs. N. D. Ricks. On April 27, 1892, the dis- pensation was granted, and Worthy Grand: Patron A. II. Wright commissioned John Hair, Worthy Patron of Orient Chapter, Pana, Ill., to institute the new chapter at Taylorville. Consequently on May 6, 1892, Worthy Patron John Hair, with the members of Orient Chap- ter, came to Taylorville and in the evening opened their chapter in form, in the Masonic hall, and organized the Taylorville Chapter under dispensation Order of the Eastern Star. The charter members were as follows: Mrs. Ella J. Kinney, Mrs. Emma Seaman, Mrs. S. L. Chamberlain, Mrs. Margaret S. Abell, Mrs. R. E. A. Perkins, Mrs. Sarah A. Morrison, Mrs. Mary A. Ainsworth, Mrs. Mary Ricks, William T. Vandeveer, William Chamberlain, J. C. Hunter, N. D. Ricks. By a dispensation granted by the Worthy Grand Matron Jane M. Ricketts, the following persons were ordered voted on, and being accepted, were initiated the same even- ing, Friday, May 6. 1892: C. A. Parrish, Carrie E. Parish, A. Seaman, J. B. Abell, J. H. Dicker- son, I. J. Perkins, Columbus White, Mrs. S. M. Bradford, Mrs. Anna Baker, Agnes M. Hunter. The officers of the first year were as follows : Mrs. Sarah L. Chamberlain, worthy matron ; William T. Vandeveer, worthy patron; Mrs. Ella J. Kinney, associate matron; Mrs. Mar- garet S. Abell, secretary ; Mrs. Sarah A. Mor- rison, treasurer; Mrs. Sarah A. Bradford, con- ductress; Mrs. Rebecca Perkins, associate con-
ductress ; Mrs. Emma Seaman, organist ; Mrs. Carrie E. Parish, Adah; Mrs. Ann R. Baker, Ruth ; Mrs. Mary A. Ainsworth, Esther ; Mrs. Agnes M. Hunter, Martha ; Mrs. Mary Ricks, Electa ; Mrs. J. C. Hunter, warden ; J. B. Abell, sentinel. This completed the organization, after which a banquet was given by the new chapter to the members of Orient Chapter present. Since then nearly twenty-five years have elapsed, during which time the lights and shadows of pleasure and sorrow have alter- nately played in the beloved chapter of Hasle- mere dedicated to "Truth, Charity and Loving Kindness." The name "Haslemere" was given to the chapter in honor of one of the liome places of the poet Alfred Tennyson.
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