USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 24
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The Kiwanis Club of Bloomington voted to turn over the proceeds of their summer chautauqua toward the purchase of this burial ground. The site is set apart from the rest of the cemetery by means of parkways and shrubbery.
The local Post of the American Legion was, in a large measure, re- sponsible for the culmination of the wishes of John McBarnes in the erection of the McBarnes Memorial. It was through the activities of the Post that the plan was presented to Mr. M Barnes which resulted in the present structure. The lease for the site vas secured for the supervisors by the Post on condition that a building svitable to the desires of Mr. Mc- Barnes be erected thereon.
During the regime of Mr. Harwood, the state department of the American Legion of Illinois was persuaded to change its headquarters from Springfield to Bloomington and this arrangement was subsequently made permanent by constitutional amendment. The state department and the local post have co-operated in every way possible for the benefit of the organization. The local post by its fair dealing secured the good will and hearty co-operation of all the civic bodies and the public gener- ally and has always maintained a high standard of ideals in all their dealings. The Post always endeavored to be fair with the masses as well as the classes and in this way has merited the good will of all.
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The local Post was also active in getting the $50,000 appropriation for the hospital at the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. The Post also adopted and are sponsoring two troops of Boy Scouts at the Home.
The officers of the Post are: Commander, Oscar J. Hoose; First Vice-Commander, Edward A. Donnelly; Second Vice-Commander, Cath- erine S. Brooks; Finance Officer, C. E. Dimmett; Adjutant, Paul Gott- schalk; Service Officers, Harry Riddle, Wayne Townley, H. A. Rhodee; Executive Committee: Charles P. Kane, H. L. Howell, T. F. Harwood, C. E. Yeager, Dudley Smith, Wayne Townley, W. C. Murphy, E. A. Don- nelly, Ben S. Rhodes and T. D. Carroll.
The present Commander is Kaywin Kennedy, and the present Adju- tant is Erwin Albee.
First permanent officers of the Women's Auxiliary to the Louis E. Davis Post 56 were: President, Mrs. Irma Greiner; Vice-President, Mrs. Thomas B. Foster; Secretary, Miss Ina Rhodes; Treasurer, Mrs. Louis Wollrab; Executive Committee, Mrs. J. A. Goodwin, chairman; Mrs. Harry Howell, Miss Winifred Elliott, Mrs. W. W. Gailey.
Numerous other posts of the American Legion later came into being after the first post formation in Bloomington, including Ruel Neal, Le- Roy; Erwin Martensen Post, Anchor; Ben Roth Post, Chenoa; Elmo F. Hill Post, Lexington; Benedict-Crutchley Post, McLean; David Humphrey Daniel Post, Saybrook; Grant Post, Bellflower, and Saybrook Post 427, Saybrook.
Committees from the Louis E. Davis Post 56, organized the Steven- son-Lewis Post 556, of the American Legion, as the second post in Mc- Lean County, which was solely for former service persons of the colored race. Lincoln Page was named as temporary chairman, and started the organization safely on its course.
Ruel Neal Post was named in honor of Ruel Neal, the first LeRoy boy to lose his life in the war, he being killed in action, in a front line trench on the Meuse river on October 2, 1918. The officers of the Post first elected were: Commander, Dr. O. M. Thompson; Vice-Commander, Herman L. Thomas; Adjutant, R. E. Kimler; Finance Officer, Miles C. Grizzelle; Chaplain, Rev. H. R. Browne; Sergeant-at-Arms, Charles Bane. The present officers of Ruel Neal Post are: Commander, Dr. Owen Thomp- son; Adjutant, J. K. Kincaid.
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David Humphrey Daniels Post, named in honor of the first soldier from Saybrook to give up his life in the war, had the following officers: Commander, Cecil Rhodes Hudson; Vice-Commander, Fred G. Cary ; Treas- urer, Roy Return Cheney; Adjutant, Ora Francis LaTeer. The present Commander is Fred G. Gary ; Adjutant, Earl Crotinger.
The organization of Ben Roth Post No. 234, took place at Chenoa in May, 1919. It was named in honor of Ben Roth, a Chenoa soldier who died in France. There are about sixty-five members of this Post, and they have been active in promoting the interests of the soldiers, giving several entertainments, maintaining teams in athletic sports and other activities : The officers were: Commander, Pierre Turck; Vice-Com- mander, Frank Hogan; Adjutant, Calvin R. Gentes. The present Com- mander is Dr. L. V. Daniels; Adjutant, Joseph Watchinski.
Erwin Martensen Post No. 164, at Anchor was named in honor of a soldier from that community who was killed in action. The post is one of the newer ones, being organized in 1920. The officers are: Com- mander, Henry L. Simpson; Service Officer, John A. Schmidt; Finance Office, Joe Garrett; Adjutant, Albert Brandt. The present Commander is Arthur Gantz; Adjutant, August Brandt.
Burger-Benedict Post No. 973, of the American Legion, was formed at McLean at a meeting held on Feb. 26, 1920. It was named from Dewey Burger and Ernest Benedict, two McLean boys who were killed in battle in France. The officers elected were: Commander, C. R. Van Ness; Vice-Commander, Ray A. Bowers; Past Commander, Ansel Stubblefield ; Adjutant, Grant V. Wilcox; Finance Officer, Martin W. Hildebrandt; Ser- geant-at-Arms, Otto Humble; Service Office, George N. Snyder; Historian, George Benedict; Chaplain, Dan McFarland; Athletic Officer, Harry Mat- thews. At present the Commander is Lyle E. Wilcox; Adjutant, Martin W. Hildabrant.
A post was organized at Colfax in June, 1920, and was named the Davis-Kerber Post in honor of Bernard Davis of Martin Township who was killed in action, and Albert Kerber, who died of pneumonia in France. The officers elected were as follows: Commander, Reid Horney; Vice- Commander, Fred Scholl; Finance Officer and Adjutant, C. R. Steven- son ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Edsell B. Downey. The Commander in 1923 was Smith McHatton; Adjutant, Roy Stevens.
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Gridley Post No. 218 was organized in 1919 with the following offi- cers: Post Commander, Lynn C. Sieberns; Adjutant, Everett F. Kent; Sergeant-at-Arms, John D. Rediger. The present Commander is Ever- ett F. Kent, the Adjutant, Mckinley Benedict.
Elmo Hill Post at Lexington is among the larger and more active posts in McLean County, with a big membership and enterprising officers. This post has engineered several affairs for the good of the service men of Lexington and the general public. The present Commander is Elmer J. Roy ; the Adjutant, A. E. Pritt.
Danvers Post is well represented with the service men of that com- munity. The Commander is George A. Kraus, and the Adjutant, Morris Rockwell.
Grant Post No. 202, at Bellflower, was named in honor of Earl and Erwin Grant, sons of Richard Grant, both of whom gave up their lives in the war. Earl died in Jefferson Barracks, and Erwin died in France after the close of the war, when he was returning with his regiment from Germany. The first officers of the post were: Commander, S. W. Haig- ler; Senior Vice-Commander, J. Warner Carlyle; Finance, A. G. Gooch; Adjutant, B. F. Hinshaw; Service Officer, DeWitt R. Gooch, III; Ser- geant-at-Arms, John Jensen. The present Commander is Levi Barnhart; the Adjutant, Harry Shornick, Jr.
The Witt-Webber-Carroll Post at Arrowsmith was named after James Carroll, Warren K. Webber, and Charles T. Witt, all Arrowsmith boys who lost their lives in the war. The present principal officers are: Com- mander, Elmer Paxton; Adjutant, Glenn Raney.
Corporal Carl Miller Post at Heyworth was organized in 1920 and flourished for a few years, but at this writing it was not active. The of- ficers at its last election were: Commander, Elmer L. Bell; Adjutant, Donald Cruikshank.
Cropsey Post was named for William F. Barnes, who died in the war. The present officers are: Commander, Meedie Buck; Adjutant, Harvey L. Meeker.
Redd-Williams Post in Bloomington was made up of colored ex-service men, and the officers are: Paul Turlington, Commander; Taylor Cisco, Adjutant.
There was organized in Bloomington during the winter and spring of 1920 a local post of World War Veterans, an organization composed
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of service men as its name indicates. It was named the Hauptman, Morgan, Conley Post, from the name of three Bloomington men who had been slain in battle. These men were Joseph A. Hauptman, David Thomas Morgan, and Eugene Conley. The first list of officers for the post ยท were these: Commander, W. F. Witty; Senior Vice-Commander, Robert Switzer; Junior Vice-Commander, E. P. Downey; Chaplain, Lee Crosland; Adjutant, William A. Sammon; Quartermaster, Arthur Garbe. The board of trustees were: William J. Hull, J. P. Murray and Wade H. Fielder. The post holds monthly meetings.
CHAPTER XXVII.
HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL-BROKAW HOSPITAL-MENNONITE SANITARIUM-JESSA- MINE WITHERS HOME-VICTORY HALL-DAY NURSERY-HOME FOR COL- ORED CHILDREN-THE BABYFOLD-GIRLS' INDUSTRIAL HOME-FAIRVIEW SANITORIUM-SALVATION ARMY-BUREAU OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
McLean County is noted for its number and the quality of its elee- mosynary institutions, which show the care of the portion of the popula- tion who are self-supporting for that smaller portion which is afflicted with disease or suffers from misfortune and disaster. Chief among such institutions are the two large hospitals in Bloomington, one of them under the auspices of the Catholic Church, and the other under the patronage and management of non-sectarian organization, although mostly com- posed of representatives of the Protestant churches.
St. Joseph's Hospital, located in the southwestern part of Blooming- ton, occupies a tract of two blocks of land, and the building as it now stands is the result of several additions made to a large central structure which was the original hospital. The hospital project was started in the fall of 1879, when Rev. Mother Frances and Sister Augustine from St. Francis Hospital in Peoria came to Bloomington to look over the ground with a view to establishing a hospital here. They met with Dr. Sweeney and Dr. C. R. Parke, who went with them from house to house for funds. The money was secured to make the first payment on the home of Sam- uel W. Waddle, which was purchased for a nucleus of a hospital. On March 22, 1889, the hospital opened with Sister Augustine and Sister Joseph Aloysia in charge. The medical staff first appointed consisted of
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ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, BLOOMINGTON, ILL.
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Drs. Sweeney, Parke, A. Luce, Worrell, Lee Smith, Elder and Wunderlich. In two years the first unit of the present building was erected, costing $22,000. In 1889 the second wing was built, costing $11,000. In 1885 the first operating room was created and named for Dr. Parke, and in 1899 the beautiful chapel was erected. In March, 1905, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the hospital was celebrated. Up to that time more than 5,000 patients had been treated in the institution, of whom 1,672 were charity cases.
The last and perhaps the greatest addition made to the hospital was that of the year 1922, when $60,000 was expended in building a large wing to the west, fronting on Morris Avenue, which makes a western front for the institution and adds to its impressive appearance. This newer structure is five stories in height, and it includes a modern operat- ing room with every known facility for the latest surgical treatments. St. Joseph's Hospital now represents a total investment of nearly a half million dollars. The medical faculty of the hospital includes many of the best known physicians and surgeons in the county. The hospital takes care not alone of those who come to it with ability to pay for a portion of the cost of their treatment, but it also receives some who are abso- lutely without means. For instance, in the years of its existence it has housed, fed and given medical attention to scores of men and women who otherwise would have had to go to the county farm to spend their last days.
Brokaw Hospital-In May, 1893, there was organized in Bloomington a society for the establishment and maintenance of a Protestant hospital, the only hospital then in the city or county being the one under the direc- tion of the Catholic Church. Subscriptions to the amount of $5,000 were pledged and in part collected, and an option obtained on a certain piece of property in the city as a start on the hospital. The house was found to be unsuitable for the purpose, and the project was allowed to lapse for the time being.
In 1895 some of the doctors in Bloomington and Normal organized to found a hospital, and secured an option on a tract of land just inside the corporate limits of the town of Normal, located on Franklin Avenue at the corner of Virginia Avenue. This is the present location of the hos- pital known as Brokaw Hospital, a large and modern institution. The
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
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BROKAW HOSPITAL, BLOOMINGTON, ILL.
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earlier organization then turned over to this newer society what funds it had and its pledges so far as renewable. By 1896 the original or cen- tral building was erected and opened for patients. The hospital had been turned over for management to the Mennonite Deaconess Nurses, under the charge of Rev. Mr. Sprunger, and the hospital was first called the Deaconess Memorial Hospital. In this form it was continued until Au- gust, 1897, when it was taken over by the Methodist Episcopal Deaconess society of Chicago. With comparatively meager facilities and a small staff, the hospital was operated successfully under the Deaconess man- agement until the year 1901, when it was the recipient of a large bene- faction from I. Abraham Brokaw, at which time the name was changed to Brokaw Hospital and its management turned over to an incorporated society for that purpose.
Mr. Brokaw was one of the leading characters of McLean County in its early days. He came here when land was cheap and started a wagon and plowmaking shop, which grew to prosperous proportions for those times. Having become interested in the charitable work of the Deaconess Hospital, when he sold the building where his plow works had been lo- cated for many years, he created a trust fund of $30,000 for the use of the hospital. At that time the name of the hospital was changed to Brokaw, and this name was carved in the stone capping over the main entrance. When Mr. Brokaw died in 1905, he willed to the trustees of the hospital a fund amounting to $200,000, and a large and rich farm located in Dale Township. This endowment fund placed the hospital on a more substantial basis than it had ever before been. A third building was erected, attached to the others on the south. This structure was designed with the very latest ideas in hospital architecture, and included an operat- ing room which was the very latest word in such equipment. An X-ray room of the most modern design was also included. . The Brokaw endow- ment yields an annual income of considerable size, although not enough to meet the expenses of the institution.
A number of the leading business and professional men of Blooming- ton and Normal have been untiring in their efforts to build, equip and maintain this institution on the very highest plane. Among the early loyal supporters was Dr. J. L. White who served as president of the medi- cal staff until his death in 1915.
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C. P. Soper, for many years one of Bloomington's most public spirited and successful business men was president of the board for seven years, and it was largely through his personal attention and executive ability that the hospital was carried through one of its most critical periods and its splendid growth and permanence were made. Mr. Soper passed away in Los Angeles, Cal., January, 1916.
In 1909 Dr. N. K. McCormick, of Normal, was elected president of the board and served most efficiently until his death in 1919.
Although not in robust health there was hardly a day in the year that Dr. McCormick did not visit the hospital and show his deep interest in its affairs.
He gave much time and study to the plans of the new fire-proof building also to issuing and marketing the bonds which made the build- ing possible. From the time of the organization of the hospital until his death, in 1919, Dr. William E. Guthrie was one of the hospital's most active supporters and for five years of this time was Medical Director. Much of the success of the hospital in its whole history was due to Dr. Guthrie's skill, energy, and devotion.
Brokaw Hospital should not be considered strictly a Bloomington and Normal institution. It receives patients from any locality, and its records show an increasing patronage each year by people who live in the country and small Illinois towns who wish to avail themselves of this institution for medical or surgical treatment.
In January, 1902, the directors of Brokaw Hospital established a training school for nurses to be conducted in connection with the hospital. The school, incorporated under the title of the Brokaw Hospital School for Nurses, offers to women desirous of becoming professional nurses, a course of practical and theoretical instruction. The practical knowledge is gained by actual care of patients, under the supervision of the superintendent and her assistants.
Graduate nurses are in charge of the following departments: House- keeping, Operating Rooms, Floor Work, Night Duty and District Nursing.
The superintendent has immediate charge of the Training School, subject to the authority of the House Committee of the hospital. The curriculum has been lengthened to three years, thus fully meeting the re- quirements of the State Registration Board for Nurses. During the year
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1909, a separate building was erected for a Nurses' Home. This provides for the needs and recreation of the nurses when off duty and offers, besides the necessary home comforts, many of its pleasures.
Miss Lula J. Justis has been the resident superintendent of Brokaw Hospital since 1908, and she has managed the institution with noted ability and general satisfaction. The first superintendent after the reor- ganization of the hospital and its accession from the order of Deacon- esses, was Miss Carrie S. Flatt, who was in charge for about six years. Miss Flatt was the person mainly responsible for the organization of the training school for nurses. Miss Flatt, shortly after her resignation, was married to L. S. Rupert, a well-known Bloomington citizen. Under the management of Miss Justus, many notable changes have been made, including the addition of two of the modern additions to the buildings and an entire revolution in the internal management.
Mennonite Sanitarium and Training School .- Since history is in pro- portion to events, and events, in turn, in proportion to time, the Mennonite Sanitarium has a comparatively short record. Nevertheless it perhaps would be fitting in passing, to briefly review the origin of the Mennonite Sanitarium.
For a number of years, it was the conviction of a few of the leaders of the Mennonite Church, that the church ought to do more to meet the needs of the sick and suffering. These convictions with a growing interest led to the organization of the Mennonite Sanitarium Association on the 23d day of January, 1919, with the following named Board of Directors: Rev. E. Troyer, Rev. J. H. King, Rev. John Kinsinger, Rev. Ben Rupp and Rev. Allen Miller.
The Association immediately purchased the Harber property located at 1308 N. Main Sreet, Bloomington, Ill. This building being a large resi- dence property, was remodeled and temporarily fitted for hospital use. The first patients were received May 1, 1919, as soon as the building was ready for occupancy, with Rev. Ben Rupp as superintendent.
The question of a new building was seriously considered by the board, estimates and plans were already in hand when it became known that the Kelso Sanitarium, a fully equipped institution, was available. At a called meeting of the Association, the board was authorized to purchase the sani- tarium, which was done, the board taking full charge of this institution with its training school, May 1, 1920. Steps were immediately taken to
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reorganize the training school and put it on an accredited basis, recognized by the State of Illinois. All students who finish the course of training required are eligible to the credentials of a State Registered Nurse.
This institution has at its command a medical and surgical staff equal to any in the central west covering the entire medical and surgical field. All departments of the institution are well equipped, the surgical depart- ment being one of the most splendidly equipped in the state. The seriliz- ing rooms adjoining are fitted with the latest devices for sterilizing dress- ings, instruments, utensils and clothing. Much consideration has been given to the equipment of the maternity department to meet the needs of all such cases. For the purpose of making an accurate diagnosis of dis- eases there is a standard X-ray machine and a first-class laboratory.
The bath department situated in the new building is so arranged that it is. easy of access both from the outside and by elevator on the inside. The bath rooms are sunny, cheerful and efficient. As an auxiliary in the building up of physical conditions, this is an important feature. They are able to offer the best in the way of Sitz, Steam, Needle and Shower Baths, Electric Light, Electric Water and Electric Robe Baths, Salt Glows, Oil Rubs, Hot Packs, Fomentations, Scotch Douches and Massage.
The present need is more room and plans are being formulated to enlarge the institution in the near future. The ideal is a Christian insti- tution where service may be given in the Spirit of Him who said, "Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give His life a ransom for many."
The Jessamine Withers Home is an institution designed for the resi- dence of aged women who can fulfill the regulations as to entry, and who, having once become residents, may remain there throughout their lives. The Home is located on the north side of West Locust Street in the 300 block. It was formerly the home of Mrs. Sarah Withers, a well-known woman of Bloomington for many years. She left the property in trust for the uses indicated, and after it was put upon a substantial basis it was named Jessamine Withers Home in her honor. Along about 1913, when the property was first turned over to the trustees of the Second Presbyterian Church for the care of aged women, the house was in a bad state of repair, and there was no funds to repair it. Through the gener- osity of Mrs. Martha Horr and Col. D. C. Smith, a cottage was built on
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the rear of the lot, and here a few women, otherwise alone in the world, were able to secure board and room at reasonable rates. This was in the inception of the Withers Home. In 1914 Capt. S. Noble King and Mrs. King, foreseeing the possibilities of the place, created an endowment for its upkeep by deeding to the trustees the fine farm of Captain King north- east of Normal. Its management was put in the hands of a board of trus- tees consisting of one woman from each of the Protestant churches of Bloomington and Normal. Contributions of money and furnishings began to accumulate, and at the end of the first year the Horr cottage and the original Withers house, now remodeled and improved, housed nine women. From that time to 1923, there were 23 different women who found homes and comfort there in the declining years of their lives.
When a woman, otherwise without a home, invests in one here, she is assured of a real home in every sense of the word for the rest of her life. Whatever she may have beyond the $500 purchase price is invested for her by the trustees, used by her during her lifetime, and at her death is bequeathed to the Home for the benefit of the family. If $500 is the sum of her possessions, all of the benefits of the home are equally hers at that price, whether she lives one year or twenty-five. .
The board of management for the year 1923 was composed of the fol- lowing women:
Members at large-Mrs. S. Noble King, Mrs. Allen Brown, Mrs. F. C. Davison, Mrs. Willis Harwood, Mrs. Guy McCurdy, Mrs. Milton White.
Representing the county at large-Mrs. J. M. Anderson, of Saybrook, Mrs. William McIntosh, of Colfax.
Representing the various churches in Bloomington and Normal-Mrs. Will Barnard, Park Methodist; Mrs. Mahlon Bishop, Second United Brethren; Mrs. Hester Bonnett, First Christian; Mrs. A. L. Chapman, First Presbyterian; Mrs. E. L. Darr, First United Brethren; Mrs. Alonzo Dolan, Baptist; Miss Bernice L. Foster, Grace M. E .; Mrs. W. P. Garret- son, Second Presbyterian; Mrs. John R. Gee, Unitarian; Mrs. Arthur Graves, Episcopal; Mrs. Campbell Holton, Second Christian; Mrs. Edwin Pattison, Congregational; Mrs. C. L. Schneider, Christian Science; Mrs. A. Schwarzman, Synagogue; Mrs. Elizabeth Young, First Methodist; Mrs. E. P. Brand, Normal Baptist; Mrs. John Goodwin, Normal Christian; Mrs. W. H. Johnson, Normal Methodist.
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