USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 25
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Col. James M. Strode, a tall Kentuckian, who had seen service in the Black Hawk war, and was for one term Judge of this county, was a man of some peculiar characteristics. After the old courthouse was burned, courts were held in the halls of the briek bloeks on the publie square. One morning soon after opening court, Judge Strode, who doubtless felt the need of a stimulant to fit him for the arduous duties of the day, said to Mr. M. L. Joslyn, then a young lawyer, "Mr. Joslyn I wish to step down stairs for a few moments, will you preside in my absenee until I return?" Thereupon Judge Strode retired and Mr. Joslyn assumed the position of County Judge pro tem. for a span of about two minutes, when
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he said, "Mr. Sheriff adjourn this court until nine o'clock tomorrow morning." Whereupon the sheriff: "llear ye, hear ye, hear ye, this honorable eourt is now adjourned until tomorrow morning." The judge pro tem. then confirmed the proelamation of the sheriff. Judge Joslyn put on his hat, and proceeded down stairs from the court room, at the head of a hilarious crowd. Meeting Judge Strode at the foot of the stairs descending the stairs, he said, "Mr. Joslyn, what does this mean ? I left yon to preside during my absenee." Joslyn replied-"You did Judge Strode and I adjourned court until tomorrow morning at nine o'clock." Of course Judge Strode was furious. Ilis wrath was appeased upon an invitation to come and have "something" and he eame! Judge Strode was an orator and indeed eloquent and pleasing. He repeated himself in his perorations, and frequently eoneluded his remarks thus: "But ladies and gentlemen I will not elaborate further. The few remarks I have made have been entirely without premeditation, and thanking you for your kind attention I will eonelude."
Capt. Charles G. Tryon was the owner of a large farm in the south- west corner of Richland Township. The Tryon home was a hospitable one and a social eenter. The captain relates an incident showing the lawless condition of the country at that time (about 1840). One day as the family and some neighbors were in the front yard, Henry M. Wait the sheriff of MeHenry County, rode in on horseback. A horse saddled was standing in the yard. "One of you men get onto that horse and follow me," was the sheriff's order, which was obeyed and they rode out to the highway, where a short distance ahead was a man on horseback riding towards the Wisconsin line. They galloped up to the man and Mr. Wait, the sheriff caught him by the collar, turning him around and headed for Woodstock. This man was a horse thief, canght with the goods!
Captain Tryon had one old Irishman working for him named Pat Dooley. One day in returning from the village of Richmond five or six miles distant, he was met by Pat who said: "Mr. Tryon there were siveral gintlemin from Woodstock here to see you." "Oh, probably a lot of politicians," said the captain. "No sir, they were not," said Pat, "they were perfeet gintlemin."
In the year 1852, Mr. George Gage of West MeHenry was a candidate for state senator and was duly elected to that honorable position. During his eanvass, in company with Hank MeLean, he held a meeting at the village of Alden. At the eonelusion of their speeches they were invited to spend the night with a wealthy farmer, Mr. Asahel Disbrow, which
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invitation was accepted. The wife of the farmer provided a good luncheon. An hour was engaged in pleasant conversation. Their host then said: "Gentlemen, we usually retire at this hour, after having prayers and reading a portion of the scriptures. You may retire now if you wish to, or we would be happy to have you join us in our devo- tions." An invitation which they were glad to accept. There was a son in the family who was not quite right mentally. However he certainly had a brain of some use as will presently be observed. The good farmer knelt down in prayer and among his requests prayed the Lord to remem- ber the strangers who sojourned within their gates, temporarily for a season, and especially him who would soon represent us in the Legislature and make laws for our government. "And O Lord, we pray that thou will give him wisdom, make him honest, Amen." "Dad, that's what he needs, make him honest, make him honest," shouted the young man who was supposed to be mentally defieient.
Dan Sweeney was a good hearted Irishman, who never in his life harmed anyone. lle unfortunately was addieted and wedded to the use of the "ardent." and didn't believe in divorees. He evidently adhered to the advice given by Timothy (I-5-23) "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." Dan was taking eare of an old hermit who lived in a little hut in Hartland and was very ill. Doctor Windmuller was sent for. Answering the eall he went to the hut and going in saw at once that the man was dying. IIe sat down and in a few minutes the old hermit died. At that moment a woman opened the door, looked in and said, "Dan Sweeney, how's the mons?" "Well, Madame by the grace of God and the help of Doctor Windmuller, he's dead," was Dan's reply.
MUSICAL REMINISCENCES OF HALF A CENTURY
No better index of the musical talent that has been displayed in Me- IIenry County ean be given here than to insert portions of a lengthy, and highly interesting "paper" read before the Woman's Club in Wood- stock, in the winter of 1918-19, the same being by pioneer E. E. Richards. the gifted composer, director and tenor singer, who has been at the head of musie as leader sinee the days of the Civil War:
"Mrs. Kathryn M. Fields, Chairman of Committee of Musie and Art of the Woodstock Woman's Club-
"My Dear Mrs. Fields: I must thank you for the compliment paid me in this assignment. It is a task worthy of one more competent than
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myself. Therefore I have called to my aid some musical friends to wit : Miss Agnes Quinlan, Mrs. Olive Wright, Mrs. Jessie Charles, Mrs. Mary Buck. Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton would, I know, have joined me as a collaborator in this work had her bodily health permitted.
"If this write-up reads like an autobiography and if the personal pronoun, 1, obtrudes itself too persistently, please remember that I am writing of what I have seen and what I have heard and many times have had a part in the performances of the years long ago.
"In this history, we begin at the years 1853-4-5, when the only Protestant church here was a small wood building where Dacy's lumber yard now is. The Presbyterian Church, and I remember the Catholic Church nearly on the site of the present splendid edifice now owned by that society. Other societies held their services in halls.
"In 1852-3-4-5 musical instruments were not numerous. Churches did not have organs. I remember that Fidelia Belcher (now Hamilton) had a melodion that was played in the lap of the performer. The Bap- tist Church at a later date secured a bass viol, presented to them by the Baptist Church of Sharon, Massachusetts, where my father played it.
"When I was fifteen or sixteen years old, I began playing the violin in the choir of the Baptist Church. One old lady, a member, objected, saying, if she saw a fiddle in church, she didn't know but she would want to danee. My mother, also a member of the Baptist Church, and a worthy one, said to this disciple of terpsichore, that if her thoughts were on sacred things, she would not be thinking of dancing.
"It was not many years before the church organ was introduced, then the pipe organs.
"Professor Tower of Greenwood was the singing teacher, and taught us rurals to sing do, re. me, fa, sol, etc. and then hymns and anthems and choruses. A revival of old fashioned singing schools would be of value to many who now become members of church choirs, knowing little or nothing of pitch, rhythm, the value of notes, whole, half, quarter, etc., but gifted by dynamics especially in the fortissimos, and who demoralize choirs, and suggest bad language to the leader of the choir.
"Mrs. Martha Clover Todd, wife of Rev. Richard K. Todd, was a gifted woman and did much for the advancement of musie in those early days. Dr. C. B. Durfee and Harvey Durfee were prominent in musical affairs. Harvey Durfee was a gifted musician and had a voice of great sweetness and power. He did much for church music. Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton and the writer of this paper were in charge of the Presbyterian choir at this period, and labored early and late in the attempt to furnish
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acceptable music, sometimes with very poor material, but usually with satisfactory results.
"In those days of fifty and sixty years ago, the choir of the Catholic Church was composed of singers, most of whom have since joined the heavenly choir above. Among those singers were Mary Quinlan, now deceased, Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy, and a tenor, a brother of Mrs. Quinlan. The daughters of these noble women have since that time taken the places of their mothers in the musical services of the church and it has been wonderfully blessed by the talents and ability of their daughters, given willingly and with sincerity and fidelity.
"Miss Agnes Quinlan for many years had charge of the music of her church and was an able and faithful director of the musical services. Miss Eveline Murphy, a danghter of Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy, was a lovely young woman. Her musical education was thorough. Her compositions for the piano were of great merit and were portrayals of the fineness and loveliness of her character.
"It was the enstom in the years prior to the Civil War to hold musical conventions, singers coming to Woodstock from all parts of the county, sometimes to the number of 200 and hold their conventions for a whole week, the citizens of Woodstock taking the singers into their homes willingly.
"Eminent musicians were engaged to conduct the meetings. Such men as William B. Bradbury, George F. Root, Everett L. Baker, Mr. Wheeler of Boston, Dr. Fargo and Dr. Palmer came and under the direc- tion and instruction we sang the musical compositions of Mozart, Beeth- oven, Franz Abt. Also those of William Bradbury, George F. Root, Lowell Mason and many others, thereby becoming familiar with better music than we had known and being greatly benefitted thereby.
"The cantata of Esther, composed by Mr. Bradbury was sung under his direction and instruction, my sister Mrs. Harper, taking the part of Esther. George F. Root was with us at Marengo, and a most interesting meeting was held. At Marengo a quartette composed of Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton, Mrs. Lorietta Harper (my sister), John Harper, her husband, and myself sang for George F. Root, he playing our accompaniments. In the midst of one of our pieces Mr. Root stopped playing, stood up and said : 'Young ladies and gentlemen you sing splendidly.' Of course we were proud of such a compliment from such a man.
"Professor Fargo and Dr. H. L. Palmer were here, also Professor Wheeler of Boston. Everett L. Baker of Buffalo, a fine pianist and singer was also here. Professor Tower of Greenwood was here and acted as
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master of ceremonies. As was his usual custom he called on some of the lawyers to make remarks, knowing that they would say something complimentary about our singing. Among those called was Rev. Adoni- som Joslyn, brother of M. L. Joslyn, who referred to the chorus we sang, ' Hail, Hail, This Happy Day,' and said that he didn't quite understand the allusion to happy and sappy days. Mr. Baker was always ready at repartee, quickly replied that the reverend gentleman must admit there was some sap and some snap in the singing of the chorus, that no one would go to sleep while the chorus was sung, and that he was very well satisfied with the singing.
"The cantata of Queen Esther was given here several times, ineluding one when A. R. Murphy acted as king, Mrs. Belle MeEwen as Queen Esther, Mrs. Chollar as Zeresh, James R. Reynolds as Haman, E. E. Richards as Mordecai the Jew, and with other officers personated and with a fine chorus we gave three representations of the cantata, which netted us $400. After paying our expenses, however, we had the princely sum of $75 left. We rented costumes in Chicago which were valued at $700.
"The Oratorio of Belshazzar's Feast was sung at Greenwood, under the direction of Professor Tower. Mrs. Mary Buck and Mrs. George Hunt took solo parts.
"The brothers Frank and Jule Lumbard were heard in coneerts here. The celebrated Baker family, with George Baker as lion bass, often gave eoneerts in Woodstock, and these were great mnsieal events."
Among the musicians of this place Mr. Richards mentioned in detail, in his paper above quoted from, the following :
"Mrs. Bell MeEwen and her daughter Mrs. Winnie Curtis; Mrs. Olive Wright, for years organizer in the Congregational Church; Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton, organist in the Presbyterian Church for many years; Mrs. Sadie Murphy, pianist and organist ; Mrs. Ethel Greenleaf, pianist has studied under eminent instructors; Mrs. Florence Sherwood once prominent here was a fine pianist and harpist. Alois Dryer, leader of the choir at the Presbyterian Church many years, had a beautiful tenor voice. Charles W. Lammers, basso, was always publie spirited and ready to do his part in music. Walter T. Wheeler and his wife Fanny, have at all times contributed of their talent. Mrs. Bessie Allen and Mrs. Jessie Charles, and Anderson Murphy have all been faithful workers in the interest of good music. A. Dwight Iloy is a fine pianist as well as organist. Mrs. Rollo Andrews Southworth has on more than one occasion delighted Woodstock audiences."
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On April 25, 1895, the Operetta, "The Reception," the libretto and music being composed by E. E. Richards of Woodstock, was given before a large audience in the opera house, under direction of the composer. This was a musical success with all home talent and was greatly appre- ciated.
The Oliver Typewriter band organized by E. E. Richards, we believe, has always been one of musical features of Woodstock. Mr. Richards retired from active part in musicals several years ago hence he leaves the history of music in this county at the point where he quit, but certain it is, he has had wonderful experiences in MeHenry County along the line of voice enlture, and instrumental music, both as composer and per- former. But few communicants can point to so great a number of excel- lent musicians, some of whom are still living while many of the earlier ones have gone beyond.
CHAPTER XIX
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
FREEMASONRY-ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR-INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH -- KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA-MYSTIC WORK- ERS OF THE WORLD-KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-BENEVOLENT AND PRO- TECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS.
TEMPERANCE UNION
During the early days of this county's history, only two fraternities flourished, and they have come down to us today, the Masons and the Odd Fellows. Several others came into existence but were in existence for only a brief period and were not worthy of a permanent place in the community. New seeret and semi-secret societies have been organized, generally along the lines of temperance workers or mutual beneficiary societies or lodges. These have found many supporters and are doing excellent work today.
FREEMASONRY
SAINT MARK'S LODGE at Woodstock was organized under dispensation September 20, 1847, by John F. Gray, Worshipful Master; with Luke Coon senior warden; Calvin Serl, junior warden, as appointed by the Grand Master. This lodge was instituted under eharter by R. W. Card- ing Jackson, D.D. G.M., November 23, 1848. The charter members were as follows: John F. Gray, A. Reynolds, Jonathan Kimball, Benjamin B. Brown, Sidney Condit, D. W. P. Tower, Joseph F. Blevin, Derriek C. Bush, Patrick T. MeMahon, Enos W. Smith, Edward 1. Peckham, Andrew J. Haywood, Henry M. Wait, E. I. Smith, Alexander H. Nixon, Elias E. Wightman, Alex S. Lansing, C. Eggleston, Z. W. Burnham, James R. Mock, Levi Sherwood, James MeCanna, Thomas M. White, Parker Il. Pierson, Calvin Searl, Luke Coon, I. Bliss, Henry Petrie, and Geo. W. Dana. The first offieers were : John F. Gray, worshipful master ;
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Luke Coon, senior warden; Calvin Serl, junior warden; Elzaphan I. Smith, treasurer ; D. C. Bush, secretary. The present officers are : Edwin F. Meyer, worshipful master; Elmer E. Carlson, senior warden ; Ilenry F. Bennewies, junior warden ; Edward A. Rogers, treasurer ; and Walter T. Wheeler, secretary. The membership of this lodge is 110.
Among the past masters of this lodge may be mentioned the fol- lowing : John F. Gray, 1848; Derriek C. Bush, 1849-51; Enos W. Smith, 1852; Z. W. Burnham, 1853; H. T. Rice, 1854-55-57; C. M. Willard, 1856; Il. M. Wait, 1858-62; Leander Church, 1859-60-63-64-71-72-73; John S. Pierce, 1861; W. N. Willis, 1865; B. F. Church, 1866-67-69-74; E. E. Thomas, 1868-75-76; E. E. Richards, 1870; George L. Sherwood, 1877-78-79; Alex L. Salisbury, 1880-81; Asa W. Smith, 1882-88-89; C. N. Kendall, 1883-84; W. E. IInghes, 1885-86; E. C. Jewett, 1887-90; L. T. Hoy, 1891-92-93; L. C. Waters, 1894; J. S. Andrews, 1895; D. T. Smiley, 1896; George B. Richards, 1897-98-99; F. W. Buell, 1900; H. J. Dygert, 1901-02-03-04 : Theo. Hamer, 1905-06; C. F. Renich, 1907 ; E. J. Heimerdinger, 1908-09; L. W. Richards, 1910-11; J. R. Kingsley, 1912-13 : II. R. Buckley, 1914-15; C. HI. Buckley, 1916; W. S. Blanchard, 1917 ; F. D. Wynkoop, 1918.
WOODSTOCK CHAPTER No. 36 was chartered October 6, 1856, with char- ter members as follows: John D. Pence, Ephraim I. Smith, Benjamin Carter, G. W. Pooler, L. S. Church, R. G. Schryver, E. W. Smith, and G. A. Austin. The first officers were: John D. Pence, high priest ; Ephraim I. Smith, king; Benjamin Carter, seribe; G. W. Pooler, L. S.
The present officers are : Guy E. Still, high priest ; Elmer E. Carlson, I:ing ; Byron D. Chesbro, seribe ; Emilus C. Jewett, treasurer, and Walter T. Wheeler, secretary. .
CAVALRY COMMANDERY No. 25 was organized October 27, 1867, and adopted in November. The charter members were: Enos Smith, John J. Murphy, Holbert Nickerson, John S. Wheat, Benj. F. Church, Edwin E. Thomas, James Northrup, J. S. Miller, Alex. L. Salisbury, Leander Church. The present membership is 189, and its officers are: Chester 1. Nelson, commander; Henry T. Bennewies, generalissimo; William Ilyde West, captain general: Edward Albert Rogenrs, senior warden; B. D. Chesbro, junior warden; James S. Andrews, prelate; Erastus E. Richards, treasurer; Guy E. Still, reeorder.
The past commanders have been as follows: Sir Knights, Erastus Emery Richards, Luman Thomas Iloy, Emilus Clark Jewett, Ed. Vernon
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Anderson, David Templeton Smiley, Hiram Judson Dygert, James Stephenson Andrews, Fred Burt Bennett, George Albert C'utteridge, Angustus Wilbur Wagner, Geo. William Lammers, Hugh Houston Megran, James Heeht.
HARVARD LODGE No. 309 was allowed to work under dispensation from March 15, 1859 to October 5, 1859, when it was granted a charter. The following were the charter members: Henry T. Rice, Elbridge G. Ayer, Alonzo E. Axtell, Benj. Lowell, Thaddeus B. Wakeman, Henry B. Minier, Hiram Jackson, Enos Kellogg, Lyman Backus and a few others. The first officers were: master, Henry T. Rice; senior warden, Elbridge G. Aver; junior warden, Alonzo E. Axetell. The present membership of this lodge is 277. Its present offieers inelude W. II. Coburn, worshipful master : Ray E. Lush, senior warden ; Raymond G. Oreutt, junior warden ; Thomas P. Marshall, treasurer : Hugh HI. Megran, seeretary : John C. Diener, chaplain ; George B. Lake, senior deaeon; Frederick L. Fisher, junior deacon; Albert Whaples, senior steward: Edward D. Fuller, junior steward; James D. Clark, marshal ; John P. Lang, tyler.
The following is a list of all presiding officers-worshipful masters : Henry T. Rice, Thaddeus B. Wakeman, Abraham Carmack, James M. Nichols, Alonzo E. Axtell, Horatio B. Coe, J. B. Rosenkrantz, Herbert S. Williams, Lot P. Smith, Remus Coventry, Albert W. Young, Wallace C. Wellington, Hngh H. Megran, Silas H. Callender, Herbert D. Crumb, David Davidson, Austin L. Darling, John H. Crawford, John C. Diener, Ploney E. Whittleton, Judson E. Haneoek, Frank E. Beck, William R. Ferrier, William A. Mueller, John C. Harris.
The Masonic Order at Ilarvard recently erected a Masonic Temple costing abont $50,000.
HARVARD CHAPTER No. 91 was organized at Harvard October 5, 1866. The first officers were as follows: J. G. Callender, high priest ; H. B. Minier, king: Holland Norton, seribe. During all these years since the elose of the Civil War, this degree of Masonry has flourished at Harvard and is today in an excellent condition. Many of the Masons at Harvard and immediate vicinity hold membership in the Commandery at Woodstock.
The present membership is 230 and the officials are: R. E. Lush, high priest ; W. HI. Coburn, king: G. B. Lake, seribe: G. A. Burney, captain of the host ; H. W. Lanning, prineipal sojourner: H. E. Olson, royal arch captain; S. M. Kirshner, master of the third vail; R. G.
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Oreutt, master of the second vail; W. R. Diener, master of the first vail ; W. Il. Ward, sentinel; J. H. Diener, chaplain ; J. C. Diener, secretary ; C. F. Barker, steward.
HIEBRON LODGE No. 604 was organized October 6, 1868, by Jerome R. Gorian and had the following as its charter members: James P. Eran- brack, M. S. Goodsell, P. Eranbrack, C. Brauson, Crandall F. Thayer, William T. Eranbrack, David Rowe, Henry Rowe, D. A. Clary, W. H. Groesbeck, C. Il. Prouth, G. W. DeGraw, R. Regan and George Colborn.
The present membership of the lodge is 110. Its present officers are : G. M. Housholder, worshipful master; M. B. Spooner, senior warden ; James Anderson, junior warden ; J. W. Smith, treasurer; W. M. Millar, secretary ; Chet Button, senior deacon; H. P. Padske, junior deacon; John Sumner, tyler. The order leases its hall.
MARENGO LODGE No. 138 was organized at the village of Marengo October 5, 1853, by John W. Green, Clinton D. Connor and Amos B. Coon. There is now a total membership of 135. Among the present officers are: J. C. Tanner, worshipful master; E. C. Robb, treasurer; C. H. Woleben, secretary.
RICHMOND LODGE No. 143 was organized by the Grand Lodge of Illinois October 2, 1854, and was the second Masonic Iodge instituted within this county. The records from 1854 to 1862 were destroyed by fire, and all that is known locally of this lodge is that among the first offieers and charter members were the following: Charles G. Cotting, Robert F. Bennett, George M. Leaeh and a few others. The lodge now has a membership of eighty. The Order leases its hall. The past pre- siding officers were: Masters Charles G. Cotting, 1854-56; R. F. Bennett, 1857 and 1873; Alonzo Ransom, 1858-1870; George P. Wadell, 1871-72; and 1877 to 1880; William Smaites, 1874; G. B. Carpenter, 1875-76 and in 1883: Josiah R. Hyde, 1881-82; James V. Aldrich, 1884-86; and in 1888, 1902, 1904; Henry J. Christian, 1887; William MeGaw, 1889-91; G. W. Eldridge, 1892-96; R. W. Overton, 1897-98; J. T. Bower, 1899-90; also in 1903 and 1906 to 1908; F. E. Holmes, 1901; G. E. Miller, 1905; A. M. Gibbs, 1909-12; F. W. Sanford, 1913-14; Fred Arp, 1915-16; J. B. Richardson, 1917-18 ; L. E. Sweet, 1919. The secretaries have been : A. F. Bennett, 1854-62; Charles G. Cotting 1863-70; and 1872 to 1883; J. G. Darling, 1871; A. R. Alexander, 1884-88; and in 1892; L. B. Rice, 1889; J. T. Bower, 1890-91; also 1896 and 1910 to 1919; F. E. Holmes,
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1893 to 1895: P. K. Wright, 1899-1901; G. E. Miller, 1902-3-9: S. A. Ward, 1904 to 1908.
The present membership is eighty-nine, and the officers are: W. G. Sandgren, worshipful master; R. G. Richardson, senior warden; F. G. Buchert, junior warden ; W. P. Stevens, treasurer; J. T. Bower, seere- tary: Fred Ark, senior deacon; W. A. Austin, junior deacon; William Elfers, tyler.
ALGONQUIN LODGE No. 256 was organized and a charter granted in October, 1858. The first officers were: Samuel A. French, worshipful master; William Henry, senior warden: Thomas Plumleigh, junior warden ; A. S. Thomas, treasurer ; S. D. Pease, secretary ; James Philip, senior deacon ; J. J. Sears, junior deaeon ; R. R. Sherwood, tyler. This lodge has a membership of seventy-three. Among the present officers are: Peter Serres, worshipful master; Z. A. Susted, senior warden; E. W. Pedersen, junior warden ; George E. Bailey, secretary.
Mc HENRY LODGE No. 158 was organized in 1854, with officers as fol- lows: Z. W. Burnham, worshipful master; J. R. Mack, senior warden ; Il. N. Owen, junior warden; George Gage, treasurer; Horace Burton, secretary ; A. II. Nixon, senior deacon ; G. W. Burnham, junior deacon ; Abner Mack, tyler. With the passing years this lodge has been active in the work of Masonry and now enjoys a fair membership.
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