USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Among those who have served the club as president, are the following : Mrs. Harris G. Otis, Marengo; Mrs. Gertrude Dorman, Colorado; Mrs. James Ingersoll, New Haven, Conn .; Mrs. C. W. Hart, Seattle, Ore .; Mrs. Henry Rehbock, Fort Worth, Tex. ; Mrs. Ellsworth Seward, Maren- go; Mrs. Caroline Coon, Marengo; Mrs. C. L. Lundgren, Ann Harbor, Mich. ; Mrs. C. B. Whittemore, Marengo; Miss Nellie Fillmore, 5918 W. Erie Street, Chicago, Ill .; Mrs. A. A. Crissey, Marengo; Miss Kate Blood- good, Marengo; Mrs. Frank Hackley, Marengo; Mrs. Charles Talbott, Duluth, Minn .; Mrs. Jarvis Heath, Marengo; Mrs. J. M. Patterson, Marengo; Mrs. C. Dyke, Crystal Lake, and Mrs. A. W. Kelley, the pres- ent ineumbent. MRS. H. G. OTIS.
MC HENRY COUNTY FEDERATION OF WOMAN'S CLUBS
An invitation was extended to the different woman's elubs of Me- Ilenry County, by the Woman's Club of Woodstoek, to meet on their regular day, February 6, 1906, to discuss the forming of a county federation. Other county federations were explained by Mrs. A. S. Wright of Woodstock, and after careful consideration, the president of each club retired and formulated the resolution, on which to federate. "Resolved to federate as a county federation; our aims being a higher social, moral and intellectual influenee in the county."
Signed by the Marengo, Harvard, Hebron and Woodstock elubs.
The first officers elected were as follows: Mrs. King of Hebron, presi- dent ; Mrs. McEwan of Woodstock, vice president ; Mrs. Wellington of Harvard, recording secretary; Miss Groesbeek of Hebron, corresponding secretary ; and Mrs. Whittemore of Marengo, treasurer.
On May 12, 1906, the constitution was adopted. The federation meets every June in the city which invites it.
After the business of the meeting is transaeted, a literary program is given. We have heard the following speakers: Mrs. Harriet Vittum, "Civics ;" Clifford Roe, "White Slave;" Miss Brooks of the Illinois University, "Home Care of the Sick;" Carl Wentz, president of the Academy of Fine Arts, "Line and Color in Dress;" Minnie Starr Gran- ger, state president, and Jessie Spafford, Illinois president, federated clubs and Christine Tomlin, "War Work."
328
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
The clubs now belonging to the federation are: Harvard Woman's Club, Harvard Fortnightly Club, Harvard Civic Club, Woodstock Woman's Club, Marengo Woman's Club, Hebron Woman's Club, Rush Creek Woman's Club, Crystal Lake Woman's Club, Algonquin Woman's ('lub, Huntley Woman's Club, and the Seneca Domestic Science Club.
The officers are: Mrs. Frank Tanner of Harvard, president : Mrs. Watkins of Marengo, vice president ; Mrs. Cameron of Hebron, recording secretary ; Mrs. Seelye of Harvard, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Flora Richards of Woodstock, treasurer. MRS. E. C. ROBB.
RICHMOND WOMAN'S CLUB
In the fall of 1911 a group of the Richmond women organized, in order to study domestic science. The following year they voted to become a woman's club, at the same time increasing the membership of the original organization. The charter members were as follows: Mrs. M. R. Cole, Mrs. J. U. Benton, Mrs. F. H. MeAssey, Mrs. F. B. Mc- Connell, Mrs. E. M. Stewart, Mrs. W. C. Heck, Mrs. C. Otto, Mrs. Nellie Phillips, Mrs. Ella Lang, Misses Nellie Rehorat, Clare Hobart, Elizabeth Ward. There are now twenty members. The following have held the office of president : Mrs. M. R. Cole, 1912-1914 ; Mrs. Gertrude Burgerzei. 1914-1916; and Mrs. F. B. MeConnell, 1916-1919. Elizabeth C. Ward is now serving as president.
The Richmond woman's club has always taken an active part in promoting progressive movements along civic, educational and patriotic lines. Among other things, the club has co-operated with the University of Illinois in two publie demonstrations, the first a five day domestic science school, with two instructors; the second, a wheel of lectures on household seience illustrated by practical demonstrations in the state demonstration car.
The most enterprising undertaking was the exhibition of paintings by the Chicago Water Color Club and curious local collections, which lasted for five days, with entertainments cach evening. The proceeds, amounting to $400.00, were expended for pictures and books for the schools.
Two civic tag days have been held at Richmond, the ultimate result being a keener interest in bird protection and shrub planting around the town hall. One winter a successful lecture course was directed by the club. During 1918-1919, the club activities have eentered upon the work of the Woman's National Council of Defense.
329
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
From the first it has been the poliey of the elub to hold several open meetings each year, on various subjects of interest to the community.
Miss ELIZABETH WARD.
RUSH CREEK WOMAN'S CLUB
On October 24, 1901, the ladies of the Rush Creek neighborhood met at the home of Mrs. Horace Porter and organized the Rush Creek Aid Society to promote charity and sociability, realizing that by united ef- fort a great deal of good could be accomplished. The first officers were as follows: Mrs. T. Graves, president ; Mrs. Fred Tanner, vice presi- dent; and Mrs. Clark Porter, secretary and treasurer. The charter membership was fifty, and great enthusiasm was aroused.
Many changes have taken place sinee the organization of that first society. Eight of the charter members have passed on, and only six now remain active in the club work.
The day of October 26, 1911, marked the beginning of a new epoch for the Rush Creek ladies, when the Rush Creek Aid Society was re- organized into a full-fledged Woman's Club, under the guidanee of Mrs. Charles Talbot of Marengo, as the Rush Creek Woman's Club, and federated with the state, district and county Woman's elubs, in Novem- ber, 1911.
The following are among those who have served as presidents of the elub : Mrs. Ira Puls, Mrs. C. A. Porter, Mrs. F. C. Curtis, Mrs. F. J. Miller, Mrs. Earl Swan and Mrs. Fred Watkins, and they have kept the various activities of the club very much alive. During 1917 and 1918, with a membership of thirty-two, the departments of the club united in doing war work. The sum of $500.00 was raised and expended for urgent calls for money. The club's war orphans have been eared for. The elub sent to France 599 articles of clothing for the use of refugees. Seven barrels of clothing and food were sent to Chicago. Individual members bought generously of Liberty bonds and thrift stamps, and all in every way assisted in the war work.
At the beginning of a new year and a new era of peace, the members of the elub realize the many blessings God has bestowed upon them, and pledge themselves to be in the future, as in the past, worthy of the trust reposed in them.
MRS. F. J. MILLER, HISTORIAN.
330
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
SCHUMANN CLUB
On February 12, 1906, six music lovers of Harvard, Ill., met to organize a club "to promote interest in the study of and cultivate a taste for the better class of music." These six ladies, who named their organization The Schumann Club, were Mesdames Aubrey Cook, Law- rence Norton, Robert Minshull, James Keeler and Misses Nella Williams and Lora Waters.
The Schumann Club has grown in numbers and power until it has won for itself a distinctive place in the city's life and has become federated with both the state and national Federations of Music Clubs. The club now has twenty active members. It meets fortnightly and the afternoon is divided into study and choral practice.
This club has given numerous musicales and has furnished music for many of the other clubs' programs. It has also brought to the community many musicians of note in lectures and concerts, among whom were the following: William L. Tomlins, Maude Fenlon Bolman, Mabel Corlew Schmid, Day Williams, Helen Brown Read, Jessie Daggett, Helena Bingham and Alberto Salvi.
During the two years when the members have been devoting them- selves to war activities of various kinds, the outside work of the club was largely the sponsoring of many community sings, which have been such a potent factor at Harvard, as elsewhere, in winning the war.
The latest activity of the club has been the collections of vietrola records, nearly one hundred of which have been sent to the military hos- pital at Ft. Bayard, N. M.
During the years of the club's life, the following members have served in the capacity of president : Mrs. Aubrey Cook, Miss Adeline Brainard, Mrs. Howard Ferris, Mrs. F. A. Barter, Mrs. Robert Minshull, Miss Frances Kees, Mrs. Howard Eaton and Mrs. II. B. Megran.
KATHERINE I. EATON.
SENECA ASSOCIATION OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
The Seneca Association of Domestic Science was organized in the fall of 1908. The first president was Mrs. Kate Andrews, and the first secretary was Mrs. Frances Greene. The charter members were as follows: Mrs. Kate Andrews, Mrs. R. M. Bean, Mrs. Charles Broek, Miss Ella Boekman, Mrs. Delos Diggins, Mrs. Henry Echternach, Mrs. Frances Greene, Miss Mabel Greene, Mrs. L. Hand, Mrs. Fred Hill, Miss Mary Purvis, Miss Aggie Purvis, Miss Grace Redpath, Mrs. Elizabeth Standish,
C.M. Johnson
HW Johnson
331
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Mrs. Charles Standish, Mrs. G. Stewart, Mrs. Henry Torman, Mrs. A. G. Waterman and Mrs. Charles Weiss.
The club was first a social organization, and as such it always met the needs of the community. Among the customs was that of holding monthly an all day meeting at the homes of the members. A dinner, to which all contributed, was served at noon. The families of the members were entertained formally four times a year, and visitors were always welcome. Picnics, socials, suppers, etc., contributed to the neighborhood enjoyment.
The motto of the club is that of the State Household Association, "For Better Health, Better Homes and Better Schools." The work of the elub is expressed in the motto, and might be classified as social, educa- tional and charitable. The social activities are outlined above. Under the head of educational, may be mentioned the frequent publie meetings, addressed by speakers and demonstrators from both the University at Urbana, and the State Institute, and also by local speakers, including doctors, lawyers, teachers and other professional people who have a message for the club members. The organization has always encouraged all work in the schools which comes under the aims of the society. Among them may be mentioned school gardens, hot lunches for rural school children, sewing in the school, and special attention to health study. The election of at least one woman on the board of directors for country schools has been urged.
The charitable work of the club consists of contributing both money and supplies to needy persons or causes, and sewing for those in need. During the war the members have worked collectively and individually in the Red Cross and also for the Woman's Committee of National Defense. Money has been contributed to war work and two French orphans have been adopted.
The club has affiliated with the Household Science Department of the State Farmer's Institute, and also with the county and district federation of woman's clubs.
The present membership numbers eighteen. The officers are as follows : Mrs. Mary Witson, president ; Mrs. Verna Boekman, vice presi- dent ; Mrs. Ilelen Wright, secretary ; and Mrs. Nettie Standish, treasurer. MRS. II. F. ECHTERNACH.
WOODSTOCK WOMAN'S CLUB
Two years before the actual organization of the Woodstock Woman's Club, the idea of such a club was born in the mind of the first president,
332
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Mrs. A. S. Wright, and it found fruition on the afternoon of the first Tuesday of October, 1905, which saw an organized club of four depart- ments, a membership of fifty-seven and a printed calendar.
The Woodstock Woman's Club was incorporated in 1905; joined the state federation in 1906, the MeHenry County federation in 1906, and the Eleventh district federation in 1909.
During the first three years the club secured the erection of a shelter at the Woodstock depot ; the adoption of mannal training in the public schools, and the gift of pictures and statuary to the schools; the passage of the anti-spitting ordinance; and began the agitation for the establish- ment of a hospital for Woodstock which paved the way for the building of the one now standing. In 1908. the club secured the installing of the rest room in the conrthouse, which during the Great War was used for Red Cross headquarters for the county, but following the elose of hostilities, was returned to the publie for its original purpose. The club in 1910 issned a cook book, which in 1917, was revised, although the original name of The Woodstock Woman's Club Cook Book, was not changed. The establishment of a nursery in the Industrial Home, the adoption of domestic seience in the public schools, and an addition to the public school library, are among the organization's recent activities.
The members of the Woodstock Woman's Club took upon themselves the work of assisting during the World War, in addition to the regular routine, beginning in 1914, with the Belgium Relief activities, and continuing as long as there was any need of their assistance. Among other things, the elub assisted in seenring the Soldier's rest room at Camp Grant ; Furlough Home in France, and finding homes for the fatherless children of France.
The scope of the elub work was broadened continuously. The mem- bership average seventy-eight. The best to be obtained has been fur- nished in the programs, and other cultural opportunities have been afforded by the Shakespeare Study Class, organized at the very beginning, and later an Opera Study Class, and during one year, The Modern Drama Class. With the organization of the club, came a club chorus. Recrea- tions and hospitality have not been neglected. Reaching out into un- selfish service, the elub is moving on to enlarge and better its already important function in the community, and its influence is such as eannot be ignored. Its proposed service will include the agitation for a new publie library building and community house.
PAULINE Mc MANUS.
CHAPTER XXII
MISCELLANEOUS
TAXABLE PROPERTY-EARLY RATES-GOING TO MARKET-PRICES BY PERIODS -VILLAGE PLATS-CEMETERIES-POPULATION-SELECTED NATIVITY-IN- TERESTING ITEMS-TORNADO OF 1862-CYCLONE OF 1883-UNUSUAL AND UNFORTUNATE OCCURRENCES-FROZEN TO DEATH-AN EARLY TEMPERANCE SOCIETY MEETING-CENTENARY DRIVE-HOME BUREAU-CIVIL WAR RELICS -INSTALLING A NEW TYPESETTING MACHINE-WAR WAGED ON CANADIAN THISTLES-WORLD'S FAIR CORN EXHIBIT-SPRING GROVE FISH HATCHERY.
In this chapter will be found many items of historic interest, which in and of themselves, would scarce make a chapter, but when coupled together make one replete with interest to almost all classes of readers.
TAXABLE PROPERTY
When this county was first organized its rate of taxation was one per cent, on the following schedule : slaves or indentured or registered negro or mulatto servants, stock in trade, horses, mules, asses, and meat cattle above three years of age, swine, lumber, and one-horse wagons, clocks, watches, ete, but no revenue was raised on bank or rail- road stock, pianos or silverware. The tax of 1837 realized $370.86.
EARLY RATES
Among the curiosities of ancient legislation is a tavern license of 1837, for which the fee was $8. There was a provision that the landlord should not overcharge his "dry" customer for the price asked for drinks. The license stipulated the rate he might charge, which was as follows : brandy, rum or gin, twenty-five cents a pint ; wine, thirty-seven and one- half cents a pint; whisky, twelve and one-half cents per pint; beer or cider the same rate last mentioned. Meals were not to exceed thirty- seven and one-half cents each; lodging, twelve and one-half cents each ; while a span of horses might chew hay all night for twenty-five cents.
333
334
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
But be it remembered that the shillings charged then were harder to obtain than at this date, if commodities were cheaper.
GOING TO MARKET
In the thirties and forties the nearest market was Chicago, and the only means of reaching there was by wading through mud in warm weather, and riding over frozen trails in winter. The wagons were for the most part drawn by oxen, the trip taking at least three full days, and the priees received for all kinds of produee was what farmers today and even for the last thirty years, would regard as not worth consider- ing. The seed, sowing, eultivating, harvesting and marketing eost more than the amount received in many eases. Thirty to forty cents a bushel for wheat, and that was the only artiele the farmer was certain he could sell at all for eash, after he had hauled it to the lake, camping out on his trip to and from the market place. The great yield of the early wheat crops was all that helped the pioneer out. He many years realized as high as forty-five bushels per acre for his spring wheat. Twenty teams in a line, thus going to market with their only staple product, was no uneommon sight.
PRICES BY PERIODS
Beginning with the year 1885, taken from the Republican Free- Press of Woodstock of January that year, and winding up with quo- tations from the sueeessor of that newspaper the Sentinel of the pres- ent day, may be had the following quotations :
1855-brown sheeting, five to nine eents per yard; bleached shirt- ing, six to fifteen eents; linen pants from sixty-two cents up; linen coats, $1 to $1.50; sugar, twenty pounds for ninety-nine eents; coffee, thirteen to eighteen cents; teas, three to five shillings per pound; molasses, forty eents per gallon; salaratus, eight cents; salt, $6 per barrel.
1862-No. 1 spring wheat, eighty-eight cents; eorn, thirty cents; oats, thirty-four eents; barley, seventy-eight eents; green hides, seven cents per pound; dry hides, fourteen eents; lard, seven eents; eggs, per dozen, thirteen eents; chiekens, per pound, nine cents; turkey, six cents; butter, twelve eents; potatoes, fifty-five eents, per bushel ; onions, sixty eents, per bushel.
April 26, 1865-spring wheat, $1.08; winter wheat, ninety-five
335
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
cents to $1; oats, thirty-five cents; ear corn, fifty-five cents; shelled corn, sixty cents; clover seed, $14.50; beans, choice dull at seventy-five cents to $1; live chickens, $4 per dozen; hides, four and five cents per pound; eggs, per dozen, fourteen and fifteen cents; butter, good roll, twenty-five cents; firkin, fifteen to twenty cents.
September, 1881-cattle, extra choice, $5.90 to $6.20; butcher stock, $2.75 to $3.75; hogs, $6 to $7; sheep, $3.50 to $4.25; creamery butter, twenty to thirty-three cents; fine dairy butter, twenty-one to twenty- eight cents; eggs, twenty cents per dozen; No. 2 spring wheat, $1.31; corn, sixty-eight cents; oats, forty-one cents; barley, $1.13; lumber, (common boards) $15 to $17 per M; fencing, $13 to $15 per M.
Fall of 1885-cattle, $5; hogs, $4.50; mess pork, $9.40; lard, seven cents per pound; cheese, five to eight cents; wool, twenty-seven to thirty-six cents; creamery butter, nineteen cents; dairy butter, fifteen cents; eggs, fifteen cents; No. 2 wheat, seventy-nine cents; corn, forty- three cents; potatoes, forty cents; lumber (common boards), $12.50 to $13.00; fencing, $10.50.
1893-World's Fair Year shipping steers, $3.50 to $5.24; cows, $1.25 to $3.10; hogs, $5 to $6 per cwt .; sheep, $2 to $4; butter, cream- ery, eighteen cents; dairy, fifteen cents; eggs, twelve cents; lard, ten cents; wheat, sixty-seven cents; corn, forty cents; oats, twenty-eight.
In the month of July, 1919-cattle, prime steers, $16.40; medium, $14.25; prime cows for beef, $10; hogs, choice light butcher's stock, $22.50; heavy weight butchers, $22; butter, forty-four to forty-eight cents for best; eggs, thirty-six to forty-one cents per dozen ; cheese, thirty-one to thirty-four cents; poultry, thirty to thirty-one cents per pound; beans, hand picked $7 to $7.50 per bushel; sugar, ten cents; wheat No. 1 Red, $2.28; No. 2 hard, $2.32; corn (Chicago), $1.80 to $1.90; oats, sixty to seventy cents; gasoline twenty-three cents per gallon (small lots) ; Milk, $2.13 per cwt.
A Northern Illinois local newspaper spoke of prices in June, 1919, in language as follows :
"The hog is king. Long live the hog!" Prices quoted now are $22.50 a hundred pounds and still "going strong." Bacon and eggs will soon be on the menus of millionaires only! The 1919 model hog is silver-lined and gold-plated. Who wouldn't be a farmer if he could ?
VILLAGE PLATS
Since the organization of this county the following village plats have been executed, and nearly all are still in existence, though some are long since defunct.
336
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Algonquin was surveyed by J. Brink, county surveyor, September 26, 1844, in the northwest of the northwest of section 34 and the southwest of section 27, bounded by Fox River on the east, and on the south by Crystal Lake outlet, all in township 43, range 8 east. The proprietors were Eli Henderson and Alexander Dawson. Its original name was "Osceola."
Alden was platted September, 1849, by Frances Wedgewood, in Alden Township.
Cary was platted in section 13, township 43, range 8 by John Brink county surveyor June 4 to 7 in 1856, and filed for record February 23, 1859. The proprietor was William D. Cary.
Chemung was platted in the southwest quarter of section 33, town- ship 46, range 5, by Lorenzo D. Dana.
Coral was platted July 16, 1866, in sections 6 and 7 in township 43, range 8.
Crystal Lake was platted by Benjamin Douglas and several others, in August, 1837, but was not really recorded nntil Mareh 31, 1840.
Greenwood, see Troy.
Gatesville was platted near Crystal Lake in section 13, township 43, range 8, by Simon Gates, June 16, 1855.
Harvard was platted in sections 35 and 36 of township 46, range 5, on November 25, 1856, by Amos Page, proprietor.
Hartland was platted in the southwest of section 13 and the south- east of section 14, township 45, range 6. The date was July 26, 1878.
Huntley was platted as "Huntley station" in seetions 28 and 33, in township 43, range 7, by Thomas S. Huntley. The date was April 14, 1853.
Hebron was platted in May, 1860, in the northwest quarter of seetion 16, township 46, range 7, by Henry W. Meno.
Johnsburg was platted in seetion 13, township 43, range 8, by a company of men, the work of surveying being exeeuted on June 4, 5, 6, 1868.
Lawrenee was platted March 9, 1841 in section 30, township 46, range 9, by C. C. Taylor.
Marengo was platted July 21, 1846, by proprietors Amos Daman and Calvin Spencer, September 14, 1846.
MeHenry was platted in section 26, township 45, range 8, in May, 1837. The platters were Messrs. White, Colby and Brown.
Nunda was platted by land speculators and filed for record August 13, 1868. It was platted in the southeast quarter of seetion 32, town- ship 44, range 8.
337
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Ridgefield was platted in section 25, township 44, range 7, January 8, 1855, by William Ilartman.
Richmond was platted in the west half of the southeast quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 9, township 46, range 8, by Charles G. Cotting, September 2, 1844.
Ringwood was platted in section 9, township 45, range 8, July 2, 1878, by John Huermann.
Solon was platted by Henry White, proprietor, November 13, 1840, the tract being situated in seetion 26, township 46, range 8.
Spring Grove was platted May 3, 1855, by John E. and Emily J. Mann. This village is located in section 30, township 46, range 9 east.
Troy was platted by Lewis Boon, September 1, 1847, in the south- west quarter of seetion 12, township 45, range 7. This is now Greenwood.
Woodstock was platted in the south half of the southwest quarter of seetiou 5, township 44, range 7 east. It was at first named by the county commissioners who laid it out, "Centerville" as it was near the exact geographieal center of the county. The plat was executed April 10, 1844, by County Commissioners-Messrs. Troop, Hayward and Tryan, and was received for record June 10, 1844, by Recorder William H. Beach.
Union was platted October, 1851, in the east half of the northwest quarter of section 4, township 43, range 6 east.
CEMETERIES
The burying grounds of the county are numerous, and many of them are well improved and eared for by tender hands. Of course there are several of the older ones that were used in pioneer times which have not been used of later years, and henee have run down and are not eared for as well as the others. The record for several of the cemeteries is not to be found in the county books, but the tombstones speak louder than printed record that the departed dead are within such saered en- elosures.
The principal cemeteries in the county are listed as follows :
Algonquin Township, in sections 27 and 19.
Alden Township, in the northeast quarter of section 23-46-6, and in seetions 14 and 15.
Burton Township, one in section 17, one in section 18, one in section 23.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.