USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 17
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War Savings Stamps 840.80
Overdrafts
7.37
Total Resonrees
$230,441.88
LIABILITIES
Capital Stock
$ 25,000.00
Surplus
7,500.00
Undivided Profits (net)
4,930.26
Individual Deposits
75,712.66
Other Deposits
10,350.80
Time Deposits
28,254.35
Savings Deposits
78,653.81
Unpaid Dividends
10.00
Total Liabilities $230,441.88
The present officers are: T. II. Wulff. president ; C. W. Stenger, vice president ; and Joseph A. Stenger, cashier. The board of directors
193
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
is composed of : T. II. Wulff, C. W. Stenger, HI. Newbold, E. L. Wag- ner and N. B. Kern.
A banking business was formerly conducted by L. E. Menteh under the title of the Cary Exchange Bank, but after several years went out of existence.
STATE BANK OF RICHMOND
The Bank of Richmond was organized in 1890 by George and John MeConnell, who associated with them John W. Haythorn. The original officials were: George McConnell, president ; John McConnell, vice president ; and John W. Haythorn, cashier. The officials immediately prior to its organization as a state bank in 1920, were: Susan Me- Connell, president; Cora H. Covell, vice president ; May L. Parsons, vice president ; Frank B. MeConnell, eashier; and William A. MeCon- nell, assistant cashier. The present officials are: Frank B. McConnell, president ; Charles Kruse, first vice president; M. R. Cole, second vice president ; and W. A. McConnell, eashier.
The original capital of $10,000 had not been increased up to 1920, but the bank had a surplus of $45,053.76. On March 31, 1921, shortly after re-organizing, its resources and liabilities were $399,280.76, and at the same date its deposits were $349,280.76. In September, 1890, the present substantial bank building was erected at a cost of $5,000, by George and John McConnell. It is our understanding that the present State Bank of Richmond will occupy the building under lease.
The newly-incorporated state bank has a large number of the most influential and substantial citizens for stockholders, together with the former owners, and it is our belief that the institution will continue to enjoy, to the fullest extent, the confidence of the community. The present capital is $50,000.
'The official statement of March 31, 1921, follows:
RESOURCES
Loans and Discounts $251,157.13
Overdrafts 122.44
U. S. Government Investments. 12,768.47
Other Bonds and Stocks. 53,758.68
Banking House, Furniture and Fixtures. 1,633.57
Due from Banks, Cash, Exchanges and Collections 79,840.47
Total Resources
$399,280.76
194
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
LIABILITIES
Capital Stock
$ 50,000.00
Deposits 349,280.76
Total Liabilities
$399,280.76
VICTORY LOAN SUBSCRIPTIONS
The following is a complete list of the subscriptions received from each bank in MeHenry County for the Victory Loan issued by the gov- ernment, which drive was on during April, 1919. These subscriptions foot up to 110.25 per cent of the county's quota. This list is given in full to prove that no section of the county failed in doing its full patriotic duty at a time when the country had need of real Americanism.
Bank
Subscribers
Amount
Algonquin State, Algonquin
282
$ 68,000
Cary State, Cary Station.
174
36,300
Home State, Crystal Lake.
144
40,300
United State, Crystal Lake.
378
61,750
First State, Harvard
846
160,600
Harvard State, Harvard.
377
63,450
Bank of Hebron, Hebron
300
89,900
State Bank, Huntley
350
72,250
Dairyman's State, Marengo
298
79,300
First National, Marengo
234
54,550
Hoy Banking Co., McHenry .
154
27,600
Bank of Richmond, Richmond.
191
74,200
Bank of Ringwood, Ringwood.
139
29,150
Spring Grove Bank, Spring Grove
120
22,400
State Bank, Union
186
56,350
West MeHenry State, West MeHenry
306
74,250
American National, Woodstock
520
95,000
Farmers' Exchange State, Woodstock
629
82,000
McHenry Co. State, Woodstock.
376
63,050
State Bank, Woodstock
675
97,350
Total
6,679
$1,347,850
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
It has been carefully estimated that the total amount subscribed in this county during the several drives of the World War amounted to over $5,000,000.
PATRIOTIC SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
"Woodstock, Ill., May 24, 1919.
"We, the undersigned banks of Woodstock, desire to take this means of extending our thanks to the committee, which handled the drives of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Liberty Loans, of which Charles F. Renich was chairman, for the manner in which they conducted the solicitations for subscriptions. The entire amounts were taken by the patriotic people of this community, thus relieving the banks from subscribing and carrying the bonds.
"We believe that this was only made possible through the efforts of Chairman Renich and his committee, who worked continuously in the interest of the loans, many times at the expense of their own private business.
"Woodstock and vicinity has 'gone over the top' on every Liberty Loan, and this 100-per-cent-record was made by the hearty co-opera- tion extended to the banks by the above-mentioned committee. We feel that public acknowledgment of all due credit to these loyal workers should be made, now that the war is over and the government has an- nounced the Victory Loan to be the last issue of Liberty Bonds.
"Signed, "The State Bank of Woodstock, E. C. Jewett, president. "The American National Bank, G. L. Murphy, president.
"MeHenry County State Bank, J. D. Donovan, president,
"Farmers' Exchange State Bank, G. H. Hoy, president."
WAR WORK EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The executive committee which had charge of these various campaigns in Woodstock, working always under the direction, leadership and in- spiration of national, state and county direction, were Charles F. Renich, chairman, D. R. Joslyn, O. G. Mead, F. J. Green, F. A. Walters, F. B. Bennett, A. J. Mullen, G. E. Still, C. Percy Barnes, F. E. Howe and F. W. Hartman. Carl W. Stenger, of West MeHenry, was county chair- man of the four campaigns, while D. R. Joslyn was chairman of the Fifth or Victory campaign.
196
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
All the subscriptions were made cheerfully by the people, even when the making of them entailed heavy personal sacrifices and the assuming of obligations through the borrowing of money to meet the payments.
BANK SUMMARY
The following summary of the banking interests as shown below gives a very ereditable report on the financial conditions in Me Henry ('ounty. From statements of March 31, 1921.
Capital, Surplus & Un-
Name
Established divided Profits
Deposits
State Bank of Woodstock.
1889
$ 108,307.44
$ 546,604.26
Farmers' Exchange State Bank.
1887
101,284.77
586,759.55
American National Bank.
1903
115,697.87
713,574.13
Woodstock National Banak.
1901
67,168.02
399,638.72
First State Bank of Harvard.
1877
147,345.31
1,432,549.69
Harvard State Bank
1866
122,120.12
630,842.27
Home State Bk. of Crystal Lake.
1915
33,155.77
338,082.29
U. S. State Bank of Crystal Lake
1895
63,153.62
571,296.27
First National Bk. of Marengo ..
1871
110,341.60
701,565.76
Dairyman's State Bank
1890
75,244.96
419,322.38
State Bank of IIuntley
1901
85,602.51
390,670.68
Algonquin State Bank.
1913
41,625.70
214.238.67
West MeHenry State Bank
1906
69.873.12
414,241.70
Sp. Grove State Bank.
29.452.21
80,544.06
Cary State Bank.
1914
37.430.26
193.001.62
Hebron State Bank.
1897
80,445.63
407.009.91
Ringwood State Bank
1916
25,429.26
101.640.59
State Bank of Union.
1911
34,819.53
247.005.61
Fox River Valley State Bank. . .
1888
51,176.66
253.216.13
State Bank of Richmond.
1890
50,000.00
249,280.76
Total
$1,449.674.36
$8,991,085.05
Total Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits
$ 1,449.674.36
Total of All Deposits.
8,991.085.05
Total of All Banking Assets Employed
$10,440,759.41
. .
CHAPTER XIII AGRICULTURE AND COUNTY FAIRS
BY GEORGE A. HUNT
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE-MC HENRY COUNTY FARMERS' INSTITUTE- MC HENRY COUNTY FARM BUREAU-BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK- MC HENRY COUNTY HOLSTEIN BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION-MC HENRY COUNTY HOME BUREAU - AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES - OTIIER FAIRS - MARENGO AGRICULTURAL BOARD-KISHWAUKEE FARMERS' CLUB-FARM STATISTICS-REGISTERED FARM NAMES.
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
When the pioneer settlers who came to MeHenry County during the years 1834 to 1838, inclusive, secured their original farms, they were able to obtain the land from the government for the entry fee of $1.25 per acre. The settlers who followed a little later bought many acres of fertile land at prices but a little in advance of the government fee. Oftentimes they were able to purchase farms upon which considerable improvements had been made for sums so small as to seem incredible in these days of high prices. While they were engaged in tilling the soil, the importance and dignity of agricultural labor had not been recog- nized, and the farmer operated his farm to obtain a living, not as a business proposition. For this reason, and the facts that land was plenty and transportation poor, the best acreage sold at low figures, and there was no special inducement to anyone who had the inclination to go into farming on an extensive scale.
With the building of the great railroad systems, thus bringing the farmer into closer touch with the centers of demand; the installation of cars built upon the cold storage plan; the invention of labor-saving machinery, and the appliance of motor power, a complete revolution occurred, and the man who owned farm land began to realize that he had a plant which, if properly conducted, would yield him a handsome
197
198
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
income, and give him a prominent place among the producers of the country.
Many men who had been born and reared on farms, but later left them, lured to the cities by ambition and hope of riches easily obtained without the strenuous labor of the rural districts, returned to the soil, and put to practical use the lessons they had learned many years before. Those who had been sensible enough to remain on the farm expanded in every way, buying more land, put in modern equipment, and took advantage of the opportunities offered by federal and state government experimental stations. In fact, although somewhat late, the agriculturist came into his own.
With this expansion came an appreciable advance in land values. Twenty years ago the prophecy that Illinois farm land would sell for at least $200 per acre, was laughed at. Now many MeHenry County farmers arc refusing $250 per acre and over for their holdings.
Within the past few years new conditions have arisen which will make the agriculturist still more important, for npon his shoulders rests the burden of feeding the world. It will be many years before the war-devastated area can be brought back to its former productiveness and it is to the United States that the rest of the world is looking, and will have to look for some years to come, for its very subsistence.
No manufacturer, banker, merchant, or professional man is today of more actual value to his generation than is the farmer who under- stands his work and takes an interest in it, and in rendering to humanity the service that lies in his power. Organization of the agricultural forces of the state and nation have, during the past few years, exerted a very marked and powerful influence upon the country's development. Granges, Farmers' Institutes, Agricultural Fairs, Farm Bureans, Farmers' Elevators, Shipping Associations and other farmer organiza- tions have all had much to do in placing agriculture in the higher position which it now holds in relation to the other industries.
MC HENRY COUNTY FARMERS' INSTITUTE
The Farmers' Institute of MeHenry County is a potent factor in progressive agriculture in the county. It holds one or more successful meetings each winter. The speakers engaged to address these meetings are men and women of recognized authority on the subjects they present and much good has been accomplished through the inspiration and enthusiasm engendered. In arranging excursions to the agricultural
Isabella Fleming.
Allan & Fleming
199
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
colleges, securing agricultural scholarships for the boys and girls, in encouraging improved methods and in many other ways the Farmers' Institute has been an influence for good to the agricultural interests of the county.
The Officers of the McHenry County Farmers' Institute since 1896 were as follows:
1896-1897-President, M. Zimpelman, Marengo; vice-president, O. M. Hale, Nunda; secretary, Frank T. Barnes, Woodstock; treasurer, Thomas Ocock, Union.
1897-1898-President, M. Zimpelman, Marengo; vice-president, George A. Hunt, Greenwood; secretary, F. T. Barnes, Woodstock; treas- urer, E. H. Cook, Huntley.
1898-1899-President, George A. Hunt, Greenwood; vice-president, William A. Saylor, West MeHenry ; secretary, George L. Murphy, Wood- stock; treasurer, E. H. Cook, Huntley.
1899-1900-President, George A. Hunt, Greenwood; secretary, M. Zimpelman, Marengo; treasurer, H. T. Thompson, Huntley.
1900-1901-President, George A. Hunt, Greenwood; secretary, M. Zimpelman, Marengo; treasurer, H. T. Thompson, Huntley.
1901-1902-President, H. T. Thompson, Marengo; secretary, J. H. Turner, Hebron; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1902-1903-President, H. T. Thompson, Marengo; secretary, J. H. Turner, Hebron ; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1903-1904-President, H. T. Thompson, Marengo; secretary, J. H. Turner, Hebron ; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1904-1905-President, M. Zimpelman, Marengo; secretary, J. H. Turner, Hebron ; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1905-1906-President, M. Zimpelman, Marengo; secretary, J. H. Turner, Hebron; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1906-1907-President, M. Long, Woodstock; secretary, F. E. Thayer, Woodstock; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1907-1908-President, F. E. Thayer, Woodstock; secretary, J. F. Westphall, Alden ; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1908-1909-President, F. E. Thayer, Woodstock; secretary, J. F. Westphall, Alden; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1909-1910-President, F. E. Thayer, Woodstock ; secretary-treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1910-1911-President, George A. Hunt, Woodstock; secretary, E. F. Booth, Woodstock; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
200
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
1911-1912-President, George A. Hunt, Woodstock; secretary, E. F. Booth, Woodstock; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1912-1913-President, M. J. Wright, Woodstock; secretary, Elmer Standish, Marengo; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1913-1914-President, M. J. Wright, Woodstock; secretary, Elmer Standish, Marengo; treasurer, F. C. Wells, Harvard.
1914-1915-President, M. J. Wright, Woodstock ; secretary-treasurer, , C. W. Colton, Woodstock.
1915-1916-President, M. J. Wright, Woodstock; secretary-treasurer, C. W. Colton, Woodstock.
1916-1917-President, M. J. Wright, Woodstock ; secretary-treasurer, C. W. Colton, Woodstock.
1917-1918-President, M. J. Wright, Woodstock; secretary-treasurer. H. E. Whipple, Harvard.
1918-1919-President, B. L. Thomas, Ringwood; secretary-treasurer, H. F. Echternach, Marengo.
1919-1920-President, B. L. Thomas, Ringwood; secretary-treasurer, H. F. Echternach, Marengo.
1920-1921-President, B. L. Thomas, Ringwood; secretary-treasurer, H. F. Echternach, Marengo.
1921-1922-President, B. L. Thomas, Ringwood ; secretary-treasurer, Clarence H. Ocock, Union.
MC HENRY COUNTY FARM BUREAU
McHenry County was the third county in Illinois and among the first twenty in the United States to organize a Soil Improvement Asso- ciation, or Farm Bureau, as it is called in many of the counties. This organization in McHenry County, which is a unit of the state and national associations, has had a very important part in the agricultural development of the state. A great many marked changes have taken place in the agricultural conditions in this county during the time which has intervened since the organization of the McHenry County Soil Im- provement Association. This association was organized in February, 1913. Several members of the County Farmers Institute were instru- mental in perfecting this organization. Among those most active in promoting this movement may be mentioned M. J. Wright and C. W. Hart of Woodstock, J. H. Turner of Hebron, H. E. Whipple, F. C. Wells, R. F. Marshall and T. H. Murray of Harvard, and Bert Thomas of Ringwood. Funds for the support of this organization have been received from the following sources :
201
HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
For the year
1913 U. S. Dept. of Agriculture $ 400.00
County Board of Supervisors 2,000.00
2,400.00
1914-U. S. Dept. of Agriculture $ 400.00
Board of Supervisors 2,000.00
County Bankers Association 2,000.00
4,400.00
1915-Smith-Lever Fund $ 400.00
Board of Supervisors
1,500.00
1,900.00
1916-Smith-Lever Fund $1,200.00
Board of Supervisors
2,000.00
3,200.00
1917-Smith-Lever Fund $1,200.00
Board of Supervisors
2,200.00
3,400.00
1918-Smith-Lever Fund $1,200.00
Board of Supervisors
2,200.00
3,400.00
1919-Smith-Lever Fund
$1,150.00
State Appropriation
872.86
Board of Supervisors
2,200.00
4,222.86
1920-Smith-Lever Fund
$ 975.00
State Appropriation
1,187.00
Board of Supervisors
1,666.66
3,828.66
Total of appropriations above sources
$26,751.52
For the year 1920 the supervisors appropriated $5,000 to be divided equally between the Soil Improvement Association, the Home Bureau and the Boys' and Girls' Club work. Additional funds for the work of the association are received from the membership fees. This fee was first placed at $5 per year, and afterward increased to $10 per year, one-half of the fee being paid for membership in the Illinois Agricultural Association. The membership fee was again increased at the beginning of the special drive for members in July, 1919, to $15. This fee of $15 also included membership in the state association, and in the American
202
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Farm Bureau Federation. During this drive a membership of 1,350 was obtained.
Soon after the organization was formed, Delos L. James, a resident of the county and a graduate of the Illinois College of Agriculture, was employed as advisor for the association. IIe served in this capacity for three years. At the beginning of 1916 he left to accept the position of superintendent on ex-Gov. Frank O. Lowden's Sinnissippi Farm at Oregon, Ill. He was succeeded by Arthur J. Gafke, of Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Mr. Gafke is a graduate of the Wisconsin College of Agriculture, 1910, and was agricultural advisor in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, several years. He came to MeHenry County in 1916 and is still advisor for the county at the present writing.
Before this organization was formed not over five percent of the grain sown in the county was treated for smut. At the present time probably not five percent is untreated. This treatment has resulted in a gain of approximately 500,000 bushels of grain per year for the past two or three years, showing a good gain each year. The number of pure-bred sires used in the county is four times as great as were used five years ago. Iu one cow testing association only fifty percent of the members were using pure-bred sires at the beginning of the work. At the close of the year's work in 1917 all but one of the members had pure-bred sires.
The census of 1910 showed au acreage in the county of ten times as much timothy as alfalfa. The assessor's book for 1920 showed more than 5,000 acres seeded to alfalfa, the wonder crop, in MeHenry County. More than 1,000 acres of this acreage being reported from MeHenry Township. The wisdom of this is very apparent this season of 1921 when the first cutting of alfalfa is yielding one and one-half tons or more to the acre, while clover right beside in the same fields is yielding not over half a ton to the acre. This first cutting on some farms is being sold standing at prices ranging from $15 to $25 per acre. Along with alfalfa culture was begun the use of limestone.
In 1917 between 30 and 40 cars of limestone were used to correct the acidity of the soil and to permit the growth of bacteria on the roots of the legumes, the function of which is to draw nitrogen from the air and make it available for the use of the plants. Excellent results have also been obtained by the judicious use of rock phosphate,' of which nearly three thousand tons have been used in the county during the past five years.
During the same period nearly 5,000 tons of limestone have been
203
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
applied to McHenry County soils. As a result of the use of lime and phosphate a much better quality of small grain, clover and corn has been produced. The yields have also been greatly increased. In some instances the yields have nearly doubled those of five and six years ago. Herbert Kiltz just doubled the yield of alfalfa on his farm south of Woodstock by the use of lime and rock phosphate. Good results have also been brought about by the proper spraying of orchards. Where it has been done thoroughly the codling moth, curculio and apple scab have been practically destroyed. This is particularly true in the orchards of Henry Street, Homer Whipple, Jacob Olbrich, R. E. Cor- lett, Bert Thomas, Wm. George, Frank Gustafson, E. G. Turner, and others.
Two standard varieties of corn adapted to the soil and climate have been established in the county, namely Murdock (yellow) and Wis- consin No. 7 (white), known also as Silver King. This is the outgrowth of the Boys' and Girls' Club work which was started in 1917 with 190 plats. The boys and girls sold 800 bushels of seed corn from these plats. The yield, even in 1917, a very poor corn year, were as high as forty bushels per acre of dry corn. This corn was acknowledged to be the best corn raised in the county that year. In the spring of 1918, when good seed was very scarce, the Farm Bureau distributed 2,800 bushels of seed corn among the farmers of the county at cost plus the actual expense of handling the corn. This project was financed by the Amer- ican National Bank of Woodstock, the corn being selected from sections where it would be best adapted to McHenry County conditions. Much improvement has been made in the general yield of farm crops by the increased use of improved seed.
BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK
Much interest was manifested in the Boys' and Girls' Club work. In 1917 135 girls canned between 8,000 and 9,000 quarts mostly vege- tables, a large part of which would otherwise have been wasted. The girls did this work themselves. The Boys' and Girls' Club work in- creased to such an extent that it became necessary to have a special man to take charge of it. T. H. Murray, of Harvard, Illinois, was selected for the club work in which he has been very successful. In 1918 there were 210 boys and girls growing Murdock corn; 350 boys and girls in canning clubs; 125 boys and girls raising pigs, most of them being pure-breds and being raised for breeding purposes. In 1918 an exhibit
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
of the MeHenry County Club work was made at the Illinois State Fair. This exhibit won a number of the best prizes, including first on Corn Club Demonstration work by Chemung Township Team. Second, on canning demonstration work by the Ringwood team; fourth place by the McHenry County Club in the pageant representing the different phases of the work; first on canned fruit, exhibit by the Chemung club; fourth on canned vegetables by the Ringwood team. In 1920 more than 700 boys and girls were enrolled in the club work which included Calf Club, Pig Club, Tractor Club, Corn Club, Potato Club, Cow Testing and Judging Club, and Garment and Canning Club. The major work with the boys consisted of the dairy problems, the object being to teach them how to select, judge, buy, feed and care for the cows. There were thirty- eight entrants in the judging contest at the county fair. Then prizes were awarded. A later contest was held at Walcowis Farms, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Five of the best in this contest were sent to the University of Illinois for three days' training. Four of these were selected to repre- sent the state at the National Dairy Show against nineteen other states. The boys in this team were from ten to fifteen years of age. This team won first on judging Holsteins; second on all breeds; third on Guernseys. One of the boys, Edward Schutt, of Harvard, won sixth on Holsteins; Carl Anderson, MeHenry, third on Holsteins; Clarence Doran, Harvard, won first on Holsteins; second on Ayrshires, third on all breeds. The team representing McHenry County won more places than any other team at the show. Clarence Doran won more places than any other boy in the contest. The major work with the girls was sewing. The Corn Club raised over 2,000 bushels of corn and sold 387 bushels for seed. The Pig Club produced 5,000 pounds of pork. The Potato Club raised 760 bushels of potatoes. The Canning Club canned 6,103 quarts of fruits and vegetables. The Garment Club made 631 garments. The Dairy Club kept records on feed and milk production on 437 cows. The club work of McHenry County ranks first in Illinois. This has been splendid training for the boys and girls aud Mr. Murray is entitled to great credit for the success of the club work.
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