Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 37

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 37

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Nokomis camp No. 273 is a large and flourish- ing camp. It was organized in 1886, with a small membership and has had an uninterrupted growth, at this time having a membership of 180. The officers now in the chairs are: v. c. F H. Bost; w. a. L. A. Preiss; banker, P. Q. Evans; escort, T. H. Woodson; clerk, Frank Yackle; watchman. J. J. Collins : sentry. H. M. Sleeth ; physician. Dr. E. E. Burnwell ; trustees, J. W. Wihl, L. A. Priess and William Dude.

Witt Camp No. 5628 is one of the younger camps in the county, but being in a town where the many laboring men need the protection the order affords for their families, has grown and used its opportunities with commendable zeal. It has a membership at the present of 130. Its present official board consist of the following : v. c. Lee Hammock : w. a. Edward H. Speiser ; clerk. R. M. Short : banker, J. M. Lounsbury ; watchman, William Ransdall ; sentry, John Wil- son : and physician. Charles H. Lockhart.

Harvel Camp No. 386 is an active and interest- ing one. Its membership, though not large, is in proportion to the size of the town. It has a pre- sent membership of sixty-one with the following officials in charge: v. c. E. W. Bockwitz; w. a., R. H. Jarrett ; banker, Charles A. Tulpin ; clerk, H. J. Holmer : escort. H. O. Holmer ; watchman, J. H. Matley ; sentry, Andrew Walker; man- agers, F. C. Matli. H. I. Fahrenholtz and George J. Klein.

Butler Grove Camp. No. 39S. is one of the most active camps in the county. Though in a small town the camp has had a greater degree of suc- cess than most of the other camps of the county. It has now on its rolls, members to the number of 106 and its present officers are : v. c.,

J. H. Rainey ; w. a., J. A Wallis; banker, Scott Hoes; clerk, E. Busby; escort, W. O. Storey ; watchman, A. M. Washburn; sentry, Frank Rob- inson ; trustees, J. H. Ward; R. O. Brown and H. A. Fish.

where a large membership can be expected, and yet it has been fairly active, and has a present membership of forty-six. Its official roll at present consist of the following: v. c., Albert Tiffin ; w. a. Grant Boyd ; banker, Elbert Shields ; clerk, C. C. Barlow.

Coffeen Camp No. 1143, is in a very live little town, and has at the present time a membership of 117. Its present officers are : v. c., F. P. Bost ; w. a., J. E. Moore; banker, E. Harris; escort, Jesse Hanner ; watchman, Albert Huber ; sentry, B. P. Donaldson; physicians, Doctors Turney and Barry; managers, C. J. Thompson, W. E. Prater, and J. J. Beckham ; clerk. O. A. Edwards.

Donnellson Camp No. 462, though in a small town, has quite a good membership, having at this time on its rolls members to the number of seventy-eight. Its present officers are : v. c., A. I. Bunn; w. a., R. L. Smith; banker, Roy Brown; clerk, J. L. McCracken; escort. C. A. Kesinger; watchman, E. C. Boone; sentry. O. H. Jones; managers, C. J. Jett, W. D. Voiles and T. Donaldson.

Hurricane Camp No. 2230. is perhaps the youngest and the smallest camp in the county, having on its rolls at the present only twenty- one members. Its present officers are : v. c., Matthew Smith ; w. a., George Romilin; banker, William Blankinship; clerk, F. M. Miller ; esort, C. Rupp; watchman, J. H. Rupp; sentry, M. T. Richardson ; managers, Matthew Smith. W. C. Greenwood and W. C. Greenwood.

Irving Camp has a present membership of 160. Its present officers are ; v. c., James Drew ; w. a., William L. Marks; e. b., Frederick W. Keisling ; clerk. Frederick L. Fowler.

Waggoner Camp No. 677 has a membership at this time of seventy-nine. W. R. Lewis, is the venerable counsel ; C. S. Norvell is the clerk ; N. D. Burch is the banker. The ladies of these Woodmen also have a camp of the Royal Neigh- bors. of sixty members of which Mrs. James McAtee, is the present oracle, and Mrs. H. Shop- taw the recorder.

Farmersville Camp No. 666 was organized in June, 1SSS, with a small membership. The camp has been efficiently managed, and now has a

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

membership of eighty-five. The counsel is F. O. Burns and the clerk is G. C. Browning.

The Woodmen only receive men into the camp but the ladies have an auxiliary organization known as The Royal Neighbors. We give such of these as we have the information regarding them.

Golden Rod Camp No. 2075, R. N. of Nokomis, was organized Septemebr 22, 190S, with a mem- bership of twenty. At present it has a member- ship of eighty. The names of officers at present with positions they fill are : oracle, Mrs. Jennie E. Todd; vice oracle, Mrs. Lena Yackle; past oracle, Mrs. Hattie Evans ; chancellor, Mrs. Joe Williamson; receiver, Mrs. Joseph Brenner; recorder, Mis Stella Yackle; marshal, Mrs. Minnie Liticker; assistant marshal, Mrs. Dora Kerr; inner sentinel, Mrs. Edna Ernst; outer sentinel, Mrs. Elizabeth Singler ; managers, Mrs. Ella Patterson, Mrs. Carrie Weakley, Mr. William Dude, faith, Mrs. Nora Vandever; courage, Miss Margret Bottemley ; modesty, Mrs. Ada Haller; unselfishness, Miss Hannah Keiser; endurance, Mrs. Elizabeth Bottemley.

Irving Camp, R. N. has a present membership of 150. Its present officers are: Mrs. C. F. Laws, oracle; Mrs. Jessie Bost, vice-oracle ; Mrs. J. L. Gregory, recorder; Mrs. L. H. Gregory, treasurer.

Coffeen Camp, R. N. has a present member- ship of sixty-two. Its officers are: Ida Green, oracle; Mrs. S. Harris, recorder.

Hillsboro Camp No. 127, R. N., is perhaps the most active camp of the order in the county. The camp has a membership of over one hun- dred members and holds meetings with commend- able zeal. The present officers are: Mary Nail, oracle; Sarah Greenhalgh, v. o .; Valleda Lanag- han, p. o .; Sophia Tobias, chancellor; Lura Clark, recorder ; Ella Jones, receiver; Mary Warf, marshall; Lottie Brant, i. s .; E. Lewey, o. s .; Emma Weingand and Emma Moore, man- agers; Doctor W. W. Douglas, physician ; Della Henry, musician ; Emma Best and Jennie Little, corresponding secretaries.

Fillmore Camp, R. N. is an efficient and active camp. The officers for 1917 are as follows : oracle, Jennie Fessor,; past oracle, Addie Mat- kin; vice oracle, Lydia Fish ; chancellor, Julia Wolcott; recorder, Sarah Finley ; receiver, Mary Livingston ; marshal, Goldie Livingston; inner sentinel, Laura Toberman; outer sentinel, Sophronia Sanders; managers, Maggie Sanders,

Zella Wolcott and musician, Ethel Weller; phy- sician, Dr. O. A. Fish.

At Litchfield, the Woodwomen have a camp of the Royal Neighbors known as Silver Leaf Camp No. 197, it being one of the oldest and largest in the county. The officers elected in 1916 for the ensuing year are as follows: oracle, Mary Calcott ; vice oracle, Anna Anderson ; chancellor, Nellie Borror ; recorder, Jennie Barton ; receiver, Laura Duncan; marshal, Zena Angle; inner sentinel, Ella Potts; outer sentinel, May Cline ; manager, Francis Jackson ; physician, Dr. T. W. Williams; musician, Winnifred McNamara ; delegate to state convention, Lula M. Logsdon ; alternate, Mary J. Smithson.

THE MOOSE.

The Loyal Order of Moose organized a lodge in Hillsboro, in August, 1913, known as Forest Lodge No. 1377. Those who signed its incorpora- tion papers were C. B. Wiley, Frank M. Ramey, William H. Auble, G. V. Bickner, J. C. Paden, Louis Barringer, Earl Price, Louis Kortkamp, Thomas Maxwell, Joseplı Dort, M. B. Fultz, W. H. Wagner, J. F. M. Greene, A. W. Lindberg, Henry Kasten, Charles Richardson, E. P. Win- cliester, James Flannagan, W. H. Pack, James Knox, Lemuel Howard, Orrin A. Clark, E. F. Clark, Guy Huber, Louis Howe, L. Ray Newton, P. W. Ohlroyd, J. T. Zellman, Amos H. Dort, J. Rhodes, Ephraim Green, R. C. Moomaw, E. J. Hendricks, George Craouch, George L. Den- ton, W. L. Winkleman, Charles Suits, W. O. Frame, L. L. Paden, Chester Ott, Louis E. Werner, Charles Shelton, George G. Cooper, C. Alfred Davis, Alfred F. Maul, Benjamin F. Wood, Edgar Hope, U. G. Huffman, William Rinker and Park L. Perkins. This organization now has a splendid club house, well fitted with conveniences for pleasure and entertainment, on Main Street, and seems to be in a thriving condition.

A strong and thriving lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose is also in active operation in Litchfield. We have not at hand the data to give full description. J. E. Fite is dictator and V. R. Fellers is secretary. These two lodges we believe are the only ones in the county. The order boasts of one of the finest and best equip- ped homes for the indigent and those members in need of charity in the country, which if they manage in a philanthropic spirit, and free

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE H. McGEE

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

from the common scramble for position that so commonly attends these institutions, will be deserving of a liberal patronage.

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS.

Some twenty or more years ago, a lodge of the Order of Elks was organized in Litchfield. It was made up largely of the fun loving young people of the city, and has been a very popular fraternal lodge. It has large and sumptuously fitted clubrooms, where the weary Elk may re- fresh himself while in search of fresh pastures. At the present time the lodge has about 300 members, and many are the worthy entertain- ments they put before the appreciative people of Litchfield, the proceeds from which invariably go to the relief of the poor and needy. The present officers are : Harry C. Gorin, exalted ruler ; D. W. Maddox, esteemed leading knight ; Harry Butler, esteemed lecturing knight ; J. J. Murray, esteemed loyal knight; P. M. Cox, sec- retary.

This list of lodges, and fraternal and bene- ficiary orders is in no way complete, nor do we deem it sufficiently important to enumerate, much less describe, the many mushroom organi- zations that spring up today and after a brief period of inefficiency, pass away and are soon forgotten. To spend hard earned dollars in the support of many of the so called orders, organ- ized by seekers for notoriety with rituals that are actually silly, when viewed from the literary standpoint, is a waste of time, cash and oppor- tunity. Such institutions exert no uplifting influences and should be shunned by the young men and women who are in search of the social and fraternal benefits and pleasures that a properly organized and conducted order affords.

RETROSPECT OF LODGE INTEREST.

We have briefly described, as far as our infor- mation enabled us to do so the fraternal and beneficial organizations, and the industrial clubs of the county, which show evidence of perman- ency and stability. The leading fraternal organi- zations, of age and important size, stand for and inculcate that cooperative individualism that has characterized them as liberty lov- ing, democratic and progressive citizens of philanthropic incentives, in contrast with cer- tain organizations ostensibly organized with good motives, but which are promoted in the

interests of certain hierarchic bodies, which in purpose oppose that free individuality that is essential to a free democracy such as ours. Of the modern beneficiary orders, we have only men- tioned a few of the stronger. Some have been organized, in part, by selfish promotors, who seek personal gain, rather than from humane purpo- ses, and though they are numerous and strong, and in their organized charities are doing untold good, yet the fact remains that they have no assurance of long life, and have little of that mutuality and fraternal spirit that character- izes the true patriot and devotee of high ideals. We have some organizations, posing as bene- ficiary bodies, which have as a concealed motive certain unethical practices, such as the illegal use of "booze" and other debaucheries, which soon fade into insignificance as soon as they are deprived of the opportunity they seek. These we have not seen proper to include in this volume. Then again we have a vast number, in the urban districts of labor organizations. These organizations, in so far as they strive to improve local conditions by mutual cooperation and along moral lines, are very necessary and should be encouraged. To the young man seek- ing the benefits of social organizations we should say, seek only those which by long standing have shown that they stand for fraternity and a high standard of ethical culture, which is the safeguard of our American Liberties.

CHAPTER XIX,

CLUBS AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.

CLUBS IN GENERAL-PURPOSE OF CLUBS-CLUB OF THE PIONEER-GENERAL PROGRESS-RELIGIOUS AND FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS-THE WOMAN'S CLUB-HILLSBORO MATHEMATICAL CLUB-HILLS- BORO COMMERCIAL CLUB-HILLSBORO WOMAN'S CLUB-BUTLER GROVE HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE CLUB -WOODSBORO COUNTRY LIFE CLUB-DONNELLSON HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE CLUB-ZANESVILLE HOUSE- HOLD SCIENCE CLUB-IRVING IMPROVEMENT CLUB -COFFEEN HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE CLUB-HOME COMFORT CLUB-HILLSBORO GUN CLUB-SNOW BIRDS-ANCIENT HILLSBORO CLUB-MONTGOMERY HISTORICAL SOCIETY-OTHER CLUBS.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

CLUBS IN GENERAL.

Every community in every age has had its clubs ; political clubs at periodical times; clubs for all sorts of games; clubs for the regulation of labor problems ; clubs for the advancement of farm interests; clubs for the school, the debat- ing society, for church work, and numerous other purposes. But in looking back over the history of the past of this county, we find that the most of those of past days, accomplished their mission in whole or in part and the enthusiasm abating, gradually went into the quietness of dessuetude, and that now their existence is only a reminiscence. To describe the hundreds of clubs that have injected spice into life, and method into aspiration, would hardly be of sufficient importance to enter into the pages of permanent history, though many im- portant things and prominent personages owe their inception and start in club life. It is pro- posed to mention only a few of the present day clubs, that are now before the public and give promise of important accomplishments, or of in- fluences that will be felt in the future of our county.

PURPOSE OF CLUBS.

Not the least of the activities of life which lead to better things are the privileges furnished by the club. The social organization is the medium through which man may come into com- munion with his fellows, broaden his own views while gaining a knowledge of the views of others, and thus acquire profit while at the same time experiencing pleasure from companionship with his kind. In its present form, the club stands for more in a community than a mere gathering of units. It represents a progressive factor in the development of education, religion, com- merce, the professions, politics and charities. The club has been a very important part of our entire social scheme, and through its develop- ment have come benefits lasting and helpful.

CLUB OF THE PIONEER.

Naturally, in the early days of Montgomery County, social organizations were of a very primitive character. The pioneers, for a large part. were too busily engaged in taming wild conditions as they found them, to do very much

toward the founding and establishment of clubs, but a sort of a· club existed, although without officers or by-laws. This gathering included every able-bodied man in the community, and each was supposed to be in attendance at the meetings, which were held to husk corn, roll logs or raise a barn or house. On these occa- sions the ladies also attended, engaging them- selves busily with a quilting or sewing-bee and the feast which universally was provided while the young people would have a dance, games or plays. Games were then indulged in to much greater extent than today, and one of the earliest indications of the social spirit was the old- fashioned spelling-bee or singing school, which was participated in by both young and old of both sexes.

GENERAL PROGRESS.

As the years passed and various men of the county began to realize the need for cooperation in handling the affairs of life, the club spirit began to assert itself. It was probably most clearly indicated at first by the organizations of farmers who banded together for mutual benefit and protection. These associations led to the founding of the exhibits known as county fairs, and finally the Montgomery County Fair Associa- tion became an assured enterprise. The exhibits given under the auspices of this association have been of unbounded benefit, not alone to the agri- cultural class, but to the community in general in attracting interest as to conditions and dis- seminating information of a valuable nature. The various organizations known as commercial clubs had their birth in the knowledge of ex- perienced men that, as "two heads are better than one," then fifty or 100 heads must be worth just that much more. These clubs at the start were frequently ridiculed by the somnolent class in the business world, but as time has gone on they have been compelled to admit the value of organizations, and the commercial club in all live towns and cities numbers in its member- ship the best business men the community can boast. The commercial club it is which attracts new business capital, and new business brains to the town, contributing, through trade and commerce, to the general development, while public-spirited movements are always given im- petus by the efforts of the men belonging to these organizations.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

RELIGIOUS AND FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS.

The various church congregations are, in themselves, something in the nature of clubs, but aside from their organization as an attending body, nearly all maintain affiliated associations, gathered together for mental and spiritual profit and for the purpose of engaging in work of a charitable and benevolent order. And the tre- mendous value of this work may not be gainsaid. The religious clubman occupies a high plane in club life, in that he not only works as a mem- ber of his club as a whole, but invariably carries on outside activities as an individual, thus per- forming a double labor. A number of these worthy associations have been founded in Mont- gomery County in past years and are still to be found engaged in their good and helpful work. Every live center, worthy of the name, has its fraternal societies. It is a mark of good citizenship to belong to one of the fraternities, for unless a man be something more than a nonenity in his community he is not admitted to membership. As a contributing factor to the general welfare. the fraternal organization has an established place, and in numerous ways assists in the life of the community. Mont- gomery County is represented by all the leading lodges, in a number of which its membership has reached large proportions. The fraternities are taken up in another chapter. Among the younger men of the community athletic and pleasure clubs find much favor, and there are a number of these to be found throughout the county. Any organization which encourages participation in healthgiving athletics is promot- ing an excellent work, and in adding to the stability and health of its young manhood is rendering the county yeoman service. Mont- gomery County has also had a number of politi- cal clubs, but, to a large degree, these have been founded only for the course of a campaign. and should not be numbered among the permanent representatives of the county's club life. although they have had their uses during the term of their existence, and in a number of cases have enjoyed large and influential memberships.

THE WOMAN'S CLUB.

One of the most important social organiza- tions in Montgomery County is presented by the woman's club. These organizations are raried in character and their functions cover a

wide field of endeavor and a variety of labors of usefulness. For the greater part they are literary in nature, but the majority do not con- fine themselves exclusively to any one given line, as is shown in the fact that the women's clubs are always among the first to come to the aid of a worthy object and to promote movements of a helpful character. The club woman of this day is one who has realized what may be gained through the self-improvement that is found to come through membership in such a society and who is gaining a deep insight into the finer things of life. As stated in the beginning of this chapter, the main object of these clubs has been of an elevating character. The people who have labored to organize and develop these clubs, have been actuated by the highest of motives, and much of the present condition of the county is due to their intelligent, high-minded purpose, directed along channels which necessarily have led to civic betterment, and moral awakening to the responsibilities of life.

HILLSBORO MATHEMATICAL CLUB.

It is very interesting to have an authentic account of a club that was formed and had a successful existence, having for its object the solution of difficult mathematical problems. Perhaps few of the present generation of Hills- boro, or Montgomery County know that in the halcyon days of yore, there lived in our midst a trio of mathematically inclined students whose delight was to tackle and conquer the most diffi- cult problems. To them no problem was too difficult, or abstruse to undertake, and their spare time was devoted to such study, rather than standing on the street corner and gossiping as many were accustomed to do. These men have all been called to their reward, but their memory is and should be kept alive, and it is with that idea that we make mention of their work briefly here. Emond Fish, father of the senior mail carrier, A. E. Fish, a surveyor of known ability was one of them. Adam H. Bell, the father of Harry Bell and Mrs. Ezra Starr, another sur- veyor and civil engineer by profession, was an- other. George H. Richards, the father of Ed- ward C. Richards, Mrs. Alice B. Barry, and Miss Sue Richards, a reader and student of well known capabilities, was the third of the trio. Coming here from the east where they had re- ceived careful college training, and locating near together : possessing similar inclinations toward

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

study of the harder problems of life, they naturally were drawn together, and becoming close personal friends, formed themselves into a sort of association which they saw fit to call the Hillsboro Mathematical Club. Among thie many problems which they studied, they found in ancient Greek literature, what is called the "problem of the cattle." This problem is given not as an unsolvable one, but as one too intri- cate and involved with too many mathematical calculations for the average student to under- take to solve. It is ascribed to the ancient, pro- found scholar, Archimedes, and so far as we know had never before been solved. The prob- lem is too long and complicated to be stated intelligently in this brief space, and possibly would only be comprehended by mathematicians. The Hillsboro Mathematical Club resolved to undertake its solution, and decided that if they were successful, to submit the solution to the mathematical scholars and students of Greek literature of the country. There were nine mathematical conditions to the problem; each one constituting separate calculations, and re- quiring answers that would dovetail into, and complement the other conditions. The numbers required by these conditions were all unknown quantities, and had to be such as would meet the conditions of the entire series. The authors in their description of the enigma say: "The first seven conditions involve eight unknown quantities, and form an indeterminate problem of the first degree." With this knowledge before them, they proceeded to search out such numbers as would satisfy the eight unknown quantities. How many months or years they may have de- voted to this study, we do not know; but that it must have taken much time and thought is evident. The number found to be necessary to meet the very first condition, ran into the mil- lions, and before they had reached the eighth condition, their figures had reached the trillion mark. As stated above, each condition of the problem had to be solved separately, and in such manner as to be in harmony with all the other solutions. When the ninth condition was reached, it was found to be a triangular one, and instead of searching for one unknown quan- tity, they had to hunt for three such quantities in harmony with each other, and all other quan- tities and conditions. In commenting on the difficulties they encountered, the authors say : "This development has been carried through several thousand terms without completing the

first period and a solution by this method is rendered hopeless by the mere iminensity of the numbers." But undaunted, the men worked on, and finally the terms of the various conditions were to be found to be in accord, and like Pythagoras of old, they were ready to exclaim "eureka," we have found it. The final state- ment of their work is a maze of figures too immense for the average mind to grasp. Fifteen periods, of three figures each; a number too large to name according to our usual school arithmetics, are shown on their report to the mathematicians of the world. The authors ad- mit that there are minor details that they did not turn out to their satisfaction, but contend that all material conditions have been complied with, and that their solution must be essentially correct. Their statement of the problem and its solution covers thirty-two pages of mimeograph print, and is an exhibition of figures worthy of thought, if for no other reason than to show the great labor and toil as well as of ability in its solution. The great problems of life are best solved by those whose minds have been trained by deep thought to comprehend them in their immensity, and because of this comes the value of solving abstract problems such as the above. In summing up their work, they say that they submit their solution to the great mathematicians of the country, with the request that they say whether or not they have found the correct solution, and whether a solution has ever been made before. So far as the writer knows, no other solution has ever been reported. The trio who composed the Hillsboro Mathemati- cal Club, is no more, but such thinkers as these men were, are typical of the moving spirit of every great discovery and of every advance made in the world's work since the beginning of time. It may turn out other great minds to compare with those we have described, and from such reflections comes the question, does our present system of education tend to make such deep thinkers? Or does it tend to produce merely surface skimmers and jitney diplomas? Prof. Cassius J. Keifer, editor of the History of Mathematics, which constitutes Vol. VIII of The Science History of the Universe, a new and thoroughly up-to-date work, in speaking of the problem of Archimedes known as the cattle problem, says that the Hillsboro, Illinois, Mathematical Club worked on the problem from 1889 to 1893 and submitted an answer, involving the figures and series above referred to. The fact

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 37

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 810

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810