USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a record of its settlement, organization, and three-quarters of a century of progress > Part 69
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For two years Dr. David Littlejohn, of Chicago, was on the staff of physi- cians of the White Sanitorium. Soon after his departure his place was filled by Dr. C. C. Kost, of Dixon. Dr. Kost stayed in Freeport about a year. He has been since succeeded by Dr. R. H. Shaw and Dr. W. C. Leeper. Dr. Shaw is a graduate of Iowa State University, and of the College of Physicians and Surgeon of Chicago. Dr. Leeper graduated from Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tennessee, and finished his medical training at the Illinois Medical School, and at Columbia University, New York. Under the management of these skilled and competent physicians the career of the institution has been one of marked success.
The latest addition to the group of buildings forming the White Sanitorium was the commodious west wing known as the Hospital Annex, which was erected in 1907, at a cost of $21,000. Another edifice to the west of this is now contemplated, and when the whole is finished the sanitorium property will comprise the greater part of the land bounded by North Galena avenue, Walnut street and Clark avenue. The land west of the sanitorium is already in the hands of the sanitorium directors and plans for building have been made.
The White Sanitorium also conducts a nurses' training school known as the Christian Training School, which was established by Miss Winifred Tay- lor and Dr. J. T. White in 1905. Miss Taylor has always taken a deep inter- est in the affairs of the training school, and is now its president. Fifteen nurses of the training school are in the service of the sanitorium all the year round.
The management of this corporation is unique and unlike that of any other hospital doing business in this section of the state in that its physicians are en- tirely in its employ, receiving only a salary for their services with an idea that no patient's financial condition will influence their diagnosis or treatment. In this way it is all the same to the physicians whether the patient pays much or nothing as he is wholly dependent upon the corporation and the patient receives an entirely independent opinion.
The institution is up to date in every respect, in equipment, methods, and all the appurtenances thereto. The buildings are at present one of the boasts of the city, and when the new addition is completed, the White Sanitorium will be a permanent monument to the indefatigable zeal and energy of its founder. The institution has facilities for caring for forty-five patients. The property assets of the corporation have grown until they almost reach the $100,000 valuation.
Globe Hospital. The newest of the Freeport hospitals is Globe Hospital. The hospital is an incorporated association, under the act of February 22, 1900, the incorporators being the first directors. The hospital was opened July I,
GLOBE HOSPITAL
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1902, on West Stephenson street, and occupies the building formerly owned by the late Horatio Burchard, who sold it to the Globe Hospital about seven years before his death. He had occupied it himself for fifteen years, and previous to that time, it had been the residence of Colonel Shaffer, who was afterward appointed governor of Utah. As the original building was somewhat small, it was enlarged, and fitted up with the latest and best modern hospital equipments, including fine operating rooms, an X-ray room, elevator, heating plant, electric lights, etc. There are forty-two beds in the hospital, and on an average twenty patients are being cared for at the hospital at all seasons.
The hospital was originally a part of the Knights of the Globe Home, and it was intended that the hospital should supplement the larger institution. The hospital has, however, become the most important part of the home, and has taken an important place among the hospitals, not only of Freeport, but of northern Illinois. Dr. W. W. Krape was the founder of the hospital, as he was of the Order of the Knights of the Globe, and has since continued to be identified with the directing staff.
There is no regularly appointed medical staff. The physicians of Freeport and of the county have all been considered as members of the staff, and every physician within a radius of fifty miles is considered as a member of the med- ical advisory staff. The work of the hospital is strictly charitable. No person suffering or needing care, whose disease is not a prohibited contagious one, has ever been turned away from Globe Hospital because of inability to pay. The institution was founded with charitable work in view, and has since done yearly charitable work to the extent of about $500 per annum. The nurses of Globe Hospital are at the, command of rich and poor alike outside of the hospital whenever needed.
There is a great demand for an old people's home and orphanage in con- nection with Globe Hospital, and in the near future the management expects to erect a cottage for old people on the hospital grounds. A number of rooms have been set aside at the hospital for the accommodation of old people, but arrangements are not yet entirely satisfactory. It would indeed be a public ser- vice if some philanthropic citizen were to give money for the erection of a home and orpahanage,
There is also a nurses' training school, founded in 1903, which is conducted in connection with the hospital. Nineteen nurses have graduated from the school since its foundation. Miss Anna R. Pengilly, superintendent of the hos- pital, is in charge of the school, assisted by Miss Emma Bluhm, head nurse. A nurses' cottage of eight rooms has been erected on the grounds adjoining the hospital.
No hospital has a greater patronage than Globe Hospital. The delightful situation of the hospital, the careful and painstaking treatment which patients receive, and the excellent equipment of the institution have given Globe Hos- pital a name and reputation among every class of citizen in Freeport. The hos- pital is, of course, entirely non-sectarian, and aims to serve every one of its patients without discrimination as to religious belief, or any other consideration of the sort. A large number of patients are cared for annually, and the ca- pacities of the hospital building are taxed to the utmost. An addition to the
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building is contemplated in the near future, if sufficient funds can be secured for its completion. The hospital is in every way an ideally conducted insti- tution, and all who have enjoyed its privileges have testified as to the excellent manner in which the patients are cared for.
KING'S DAUGHTERS SETTLEMENT HOME.
There have been numberless charitable organizations in the city of Freeport, and some of them have put in some really effective work. But, until the found- ing of the King's Daughters Settlement Home, there was a lack of system, an ab- sence of unified and continuous effort, which rendered a great part of the ear- nest and conscientious labor as good as worthless. Since that organization has taken upon itself the bulk of charitable work among the poor of the city, the results have not only been gratifying, but in many cases astonishing. Much of the labor carried on by the settlement home is of the sort that cannot be written about. There is no publicity attached to it, and the vast majority of the towns- people know very little about the deal of good which is being done daily in the little rooms of East Stephenson street. Too much credit cannot be given to the earnest and unceasing labors of the noble women who have given their lives to the work of reclaiming lost souls and bettering the condition of Free- port's poor, socially, morally, religiously, and materially. There has been no "spread eagle" about the settlement work and, in fact, the ladies connected with the project have been so modest concerning their undertaking that the public in general is uniformed as to the achievements of the past six years. A historical sketch cannot pretend to give any idea of the amount of good which has been done by the settlement home, but it may perhaps convey something of the scope of the work, and the branches of activity which have been taken up by the ladies in charge.
The King's Daughters Settlement Home was organized in 1904, but not in- corporated until September 13, 1909. It was an outgrowth of the Deaconess Home, which was carried on under the supervision of the two Methodist churches of the city. The deaconesses aimed to carry on the same sort of work that is at present undertaken by the workers of the settlement home, but the field of their activity was necessarily more limited. The Deaconess' Home was located for a time on the corner of North Galena avenue and West street, and later on · the corner of Van Buren street and Oak place.
For many years the deaconesses had done a good work in Freeport. At length, when, owing to various complications at the time of building the First M. E. Church, that congregation did not feel equal to the task of providing for the maintenance of the work, the deaconesses withdrew from their support al- together, and this wise step enabled them to have the support of all the churches and their congregations, rather than only two of them. A store building was rented on East Stephenson street, in the poorest district of the city, and there under the auspices of the Comforting Circle of King's Daughters, the Settlement Home was established. The three deaconesses who were instrumental in the work were Miss Ollie G. Webster, who has since left the city, Miss Margaret Niblo, and Mrs. Eva M. Bailey.
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The home, which was at first known as the Deaconess' Coffee House and Set- tlement Home, became afterwards known as the King's Daughters Mission and Settlement Home. Nearly two hundred names appeared on the list of subscribers who promised to help provide for the maintenance of the institution-among them many business firms of the city, and the several charitable organizations of the churches, such as the Amity Society, Comforting Circle King's Daughters, Min- istering Circle King's Daughters, Women Workers of the First Presbyterian church, etc.
Various departments of instruction, entertainment and education are pro- vided by the settlement workers for the poor of the city. An innovation of the past year has been a class in manual training for the boys, which met with great favor among the boys-so great, indeed, that they clamored for instruc- tion every night in the week instead of one, as was originally offered. Mr. Lebkicher acted as instructor for a while, and was succeeded by Mr. Barrett, who will teach the class next year. There has been also a "Bird Club" for the boys, under the patronage and tutelage of Miss Marion Clark. The aim of the Bird Club was to awake and stimulate humanitarian ideas in the minds of the boys, and to instill a love for the beautiful feathered creatures which are so beneficial to man.
The regular departments of work included the cooking class, the industrial school, the employment bureau, the Sunday school, the mothers' club, as well as the above mentioned organizations. The cooking class is composed of an enthusiastic club of girls under the direction of Miss Laura Clark. Much good must come from this work, as the girls are taught to prepare nutritious foods from inexpensive materials.
The industrial school under the supervision of Mrs. Bailey is one of the most important branches of the work. There are two divisions: the primary depart- ment, and the girls' sewing department. Mrs. Bailey has been ably assisted by a corps of eight excellent workers. The primary department has been in charge of the Misses Katharine and Jeannette Porter, Mrs. Osmer, Mrs. Wickler, Miss Marion Clark, and Miss Riefsnyder. The advanced department has been taught by Mrs. Wm. H. Foll, and Mrs. Henry W. Hamilton.
The employment bureau is an important phase of the work. The bureau finds that the supply of workers does not equal the demand for them. If any one in Freeport is without legitimate employment, it must be because that individual has not sought assistance from the King's Daughters Settlement Home Employment Bureau. An effort is made to provide the employer with reliable help, and to secure for an employee a just employer.
The Sunday school meets every Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. The adults' Bible class has been well attended and has been a great boon to mothers and fathers with little ones, who would otherwise be deprived of the privilege of the study of God's word. The young ladies' class holds its session in the parlors upstairs, and is doing much toward inculcating principles of purity in the hearts of these girls. The intermediate class is by far the largest, numbering sometimes thirty-five or forty, and is doing much good. The primary division is flourishing. The attendance is large, and the lesson hour of the class is the happy hour of the week for the little ones. The truths impressed upon their
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minds and hearts in story and song will fill a large place in the development of their future lives.
The mothers' club continues to be one of the most successful of the clubs at the home. The membership has increased, as well as the attendance at the meetings, which are held the second and fourth Thursday afternoons of each month. Many outside friends of the club contribute to the interest and enjoy- ment of the programs. Instrumental and vocal music, readings, and recitations, besides talks and papers have all helped to make the meetings a success. An ef- fort is being made to induce the. members to subscribe for the "Mothers' Maga- zine," and under the able and enthusiastic direction of the vice president, Mrs. Simmons, the work committee has accomplished much during the year.
The annual budget of the King's Daughters Settlement Home is defrayed by rummage sales, tag day, shower parties, and the subscriptions which must be met through the generosity of the public. Aboard of lady managers is in charge of the work. The officers for the year are: President, Miss Gertrude Converse ; vice president, Mrs. J. A. Clark; secretary, Mrs. P. O. Stiver; treasurer, Miss Myrtelle Hoover; workers, Mrs. Eva M. Bailey; Miss Margaret Niblo.
OAKLAND CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The Oakland Cemetery Association was organized August, 1901, by a com- pany of Freeport gentlemen, nearly all of whom are still connected with the enterprise today. Of the large number of public spirited citizens who united to provide the city of Freeport with more suitable cemetery facilities, the following were elected officers : President, William Trembor ; vice president, C. W. Harden ; secretary, C. F. Hildreth; treasurer, Joseph Emmert; superintendent, Owen T. Smith.
In less than a year, the offices of secretary and superintendent were com- bined, and Mr. Hildreth resigned from his position. The post of secretary- superintendent has since been filled by Mr. Smith.
Oakland Cemetery embraces a large tract of wooded land in Florence Town- ship, on the Pearl City road. One hundred and eight acres in all are owned by the association, thirty acres of which are used for cemetery purposes. The original plans of the cemetery were drawn up by O. C. Simonds, a landscape gardener of Chicago, and provide for the further development of thirty ad- ditional acres as fast as they are needed. Further than that no plans for the development of the land have been made.
The cemetery sells lots in accordance with the long plan, which provides for the perpetual care of the grounds, A board of trustees is appointed to care for the permanent fund set aside from the income from the sale of lots to in- sure the perpetual care of the grounds and lots.
The cemetery itself is most beautiful. A description of the growth will be found elsewhere. The place has been in use since August, 1902, when the first burial, that of Mrs. Homer F. Aspinwall, was made. The old soldiers have a lot decorated with cannons from Fort Delaware which were given them by the government. A large number of burials have been made at Oakland Ceme- tery since the institution was organized, and many lots are at present being moved
ENTRANCE TO OAKLAND CEMETERY
VIEW OF OAKLAND CEMETERY
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from the old city cemetery on Lincoln avenue to the new grounds west of the town. The present officers of the association are : President, Joseph Emmert ; vice · president, C. W. Harden; treasurer, A. S. Held; secretary-superintendent, O. T. Smith.
THE OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Stephenson County Old Settlers' Association has held annual meetings every year beginning in 1870. The meetings are held at Cedarville. The annual meetings have been held in three beautiful groves; first, in Montelius' Grove, then in Addams' Grove, near the schoolhouse, and finally in the present grove north of the village.
In the fall of 1869 the idea of holding annual Old Settlers' Reunions began to take form. December 16, 1879, a public meeting was held in the courthouse at Freeport, to take steps toward an organization. Mr. D. A. Knowlton, Sr., was elected chairman and L. W. Guiteau, secretary. The following commit- tee was appointed to report the following Saturday : James Turnbull and Samuel Gunsaul, Winslow; Levi Robey and Samuel K. Fisher, Waddams; Luman Montague and Thomas French, West Point; Williard P. Naramore and Jacob Gable, Kent; Andrew Hinds and Bissell P. Belknap, Oneco; John H. Addams and James M. Smith, Buckeye; Robert Bell and William B. Mitchell, Lan- caster ; Calvin Preston and Samuel Chambers, Rock Grove; S. E. M. Carnefix and Stephen Seeley, Rock Run; John Brown and Harrison Diemer, Dakota; A. J. Niles and D. W. C. Mallory, Ridott; Charles H. Rosenstiel and Fred Baker, Silver Creek; Conrad Van Brocklin and Anson A. Babcock, Florence; Ralph Sabin and John Lamb, Loran; Samuel Hayes, Jefferson; Pascal L. Wright and Perez A. Tisdel, Harlem; Thomas Kaufman and Alanson Bacon, Erin; E. Ord- way, William Smith, W. G. Waddell, Thomas C. Gatliff, Benjamin Goddard, O. W. Brewster, Jere Pattison, George Purinton and Isaac C. Stoneman, Free- port.
At the meeting on Saturday the following committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, to provide a permanent organization and to arrange for future meetings : Geo. Purinton, L. W. Guiteau, M. Hettinger, D. A. Knowl- ton and W. S. Gray. The next meeting was held January 1, 1870, and the follow- ing were elected officers: President, Levi Robey; secretaries, George Purinton and D. H. Sutherland; treasurer, L. W. Guiteau; vice presidents, W. H. Eels, B. P. Belknap, Charles T. Kleckner, John Brown, William B. Mitchell, A. W. Lucas, H. P. Waters, F. Baker, Benjamin Goddard, Pascal Wright, C. Van Brocklin, Luman Montague, Hubbard Graves, Jacob Gable, Samuel Hayes and Alanson Bacon.
The first meeting was held in Cedarville, September 6, 1870. President Levi Robey was in the chair. The secretary being absent, on motion, Jackson Richert was elected secretary. On motion of John H. Addams, article three of the constitution was amended to read as follows: "Any person may become a mem- ber of this society who is a citizen of Stephenson County, by signing the con- stitution and paying the sum of twenty-five cents."
A call was made for all old settlers from 1834 to 1840 to stand. Quite a number of ladies and gentlemen stood up. Short speeches and responses were
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made by President Levi Robey, Luman Montague, Henry Eels, I. W. Guiteau, Levi Lucas, Rev. B. H. Cartright and others. It was voted to hold the next meet- ing August 30, 1871, at Cedarville.
The second meeting held August 30, 1871, in Montelius' Grove. Cedarville was well attended, Levi Robey, president, and Jackson Richart, secretary. Music well, Oneco; J. Radebaugh, Winslow; Luman Montague, West Point; Hubbard was furnished by the Cedarville Glee Club. The vice presidents were: L. Cald- Graves, Waddams; F. Bolender, Buckeye; John Brown, Dakota; W. C. Lunks, Rock Run; R. Farburn, Ridott; R. Bell, Lancaster ; T. L. Wright, Harlem; B. Goddard, Freeport; E. Bacon, Erin; J. B. Timms, Kent; S. Hayes, Loran; Conrad Van Brocklin, Florence ; F. Baker, Silver Creek; Dr. W. P. Narramore, Lena.
Levi Robey and wife stood up at the call for 1834; L. Montague, S. Cham- bers, Mr. Berry and J. B. Timms for 1835; L. Goodrich, 1836; T. Wilcoxen, J. Richert, G. H. Barber, Josiah Clingman, 1837; B. Belknapp, C. Caldwell, M. Bolender, J. Murdock and S. Rotrough, 1838. Speeches were made by Levi Robey, Luman Montague, S. Chambers, J. B. Timms, T. Wilcoxen, Mr. Belk- napp, Mr. Rotrough and Rev. B. H. Cartwright. The main theme of the speeches was the conditions of the early days, with special reference to the friendship and sociability of the people.
At the meeting of 1872, August 28, at Montelius' Grove, President Robey presided and Rev. Donmeyer offered prayer. On motion of J. H. Addams, a committee was appointed to draft a new constitution, the old one having been lost. The chairman appointed the following : J. H. Addams, Judge Hines, Hon. James Taggart, Fred Bolender and Michael Gift. The meeting in 1873 was held in Montelius' Grove, Levi Robey president. Rev. John Lynn offered prayer. Music was furnished by the Dakota Brass Band. L. W. Guiteau, Fred Bolender and William Wright were appointed to secure some one to make an historical address in 1874. A committee of one from each township was appointed to secure statistics of the early settlements.
The annual meeting of 1874 was held in Addams' Grove near the Union school, Cedarville. At this meeting William Wright read à sketch of Harlem Township's early settlers.
At the 1875 meeting, Addams' Grove, August 25, speeches were made by Hon. H. C. Burchard, J. H. Addams, Rev. B. H. Cartwright, L. W. Guiteau, S. D. Atkins and Jared Sheetz. Dr. W. P. Narramore was elected president; Jackson Richert, secretary, and William Wright, treasurer.
In 1876 Levi Robey was elected president. U. D. Meacham addressed the meeting on the early settlers and progress of the county.
Hon. Andrew Hinds addressed the meeting of 1877, August 29, Mr. Robey being president.
In 1878, August 28, J. H. Addams, chairman of the obituary committee, reported the deaths of Conrad Van Brocklin, E. Ordway, James Brown, Johnathan Reitzell, John B. Johnson, Martin Brubaker, Samuel Lapp. Solomon Rutheroff, Charles Smallwood, W. Pundlett, Mrs. Gross, P. T. Ellis and Mrs. E. S. Caldwell.
THOMAS COCKRELL
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In 1879 the officials were : President, Levi Robey ; secretary, Jackson Richert ; treasurer, William Wright.
August 25, 1880, was a rainy day but the attendance was fair. Vice presi- dent, John H. Addams, presided. The following deaths were reported: George Reitzell, L. W. Guiteau, John Wilson, James Hart, Samuel Bechtold, George Lamb, Mrs. Aaron Chamberlain, Mrs. Isaac Stoneman, Mrs. Andrew St. John, Reuben Laver, John Gregory, John Seidler, Henry Smith, Joseph Baumgartner and Adam Hutmacher.
In 1881, General Smith D. Atkins addressed the meeting, August 31. Rev. James Schofield and D. A. Knowlton, Dr. Fred Byers, of Monroe, Rev. Kroh, Hon. R. R. Hitt, Hon. H. C. Burchard and D. S. Brewster also spoke. Bissell P. Belknapp was elected president.
In 1882 addresses were made by General S. D. Atkins, Levi Robey, Judge Coates and L. L. Munn. Belknapp was president again in 1883.
In 1884 Dr. W. P. Narramore was president; John Wright, secretary; and Henry Richert, treasurer. Speeches were made by Major N. C. Warner of Rock- ford, by Thomas French, S. D. Atkins, O. B. Munn, Hiram Clingman and Dr. Narramore.
August 26, 1885, Hon. Isaac Rice of Ogle County made the address of the day. At the 1886, General Atkins, Giles Turneaure and W. P. Narramore were made obituary committee. Hon. J. S. Cochran, Hon. E. L. Taylor, Judge Din- widdie, Isaac Kleckner and Levi Robey spoke.
In 1887 Dr. Fred Byers, General Smith D. Atkins and Hon. Michael Stoskopf addressed the meeting. In 1888 Rev. John Lynn, Professor C. C. Snyder, Hon. R. H. Wiles, James McNamara, Levi Robey and General Smith D. Atkins were the speakers.
In 1889, August 28, the music was by the Henney Band. The speakers were Rev. H. A. Ott, Freeport, H. M. Timms, R. R. Hitt, Levi Robey and H. C. Burchard.
In 1890 the officials were Dr. W. P. Narramore, president ; J. W. Adams, sec- retary ; and Henry Richert, treasurer. The speaker of the day was Governor J. W. Fifer. John K. Brewster and S. J. Dodds also addressed the meeting.
In 1908, Dr. Narramore resigned the office of president. He had served twenty-five years, with the exception of one year when David Brewster was president. In 1908 General Smith D. Atkins was elected president, a posi- tion he still holds. Frank W. Clingman has been secretary since 1897.
In 1909 about one thousand eight hundred people attended the Old Settlers' Annual Meeting. Hon. Charles B. Selby was the orator of the day. Speeches were also made by Hon. Stephen Rigney and Hon. Martin Dillon.
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