USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 18
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Except an occasional appearance on the platform with such lectures as "How to Live One Hundred Years," "A Sunday Morning with Spurgeon," Mr. Davis' literary activity has been confined to newspaper work. During a tour abroad he wrote a series of letters to the Sterling Standard, and has fur- nished for a year a weekly sketch to the Gazette of "Men and Women I've Met," reminiscences of a lifetime. He is a regular contributor to the New Era, Lancaster, Pa., and the Luthieran Observer, Philadelphia. Many of his articles appear with simply the initials, W. W. D.
Dickens, Thackeray, Emerson, and others, who are best known in prose, occasionally dropped into poetry, and Mr. Davis in an evil hour was tempted to follow their illustrious example:
CHINA ASTERS. .
(On seeing a bouquet at church.)
I often think in early spring, When buds put forth apace, That tulips are the sweetest thing, Of all the floral race.
In leafy June when carth is bright, With every plant that grows, 'Tis then I say with feelings strong, There's nothing like the rose.
.
And so the lovely tribe bloom on, In summer's heat the faster, Until my captive heart exclaims, Give me the China aster!
EVA EMERY DYE.
Perhaps none of our Whiteside authors have written so much or so suc- cessfully as this gifted woman. She was born at Prophetstown, which was her home until her graduation at Oberlin. Her early contributions to the local papers gave promise of that native ability which have given her mature works so flattering a reception. As her later years have been spent on the Pacific coast, the stirring episodes in the history of that romantic region nat- urally appealed to her imagination, and in several tales she has so vividly recalled the olden time that the heroes and their adventures live again before us in all their freshness and charm.
Of one of her first books, McLoughlin and Old Oregon, the New York World said that while the narratives of Bonneville and Irving are classics, it is only justice to Mrs. Dye to remark that her volume is worthy a place beside her illustrious predecessors. This was in 1901. Then followed The True Story and Clark, 1902. In the Western Series of Readers for schools, published by a San Francisco firm, volume seven is by Mrs. Dye, and is entitled Stories of Oregon. She selects such topics as will be of fascinating interest to the child, as The Way to India, John Jacob Astor, The Days of
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Gold, Jo Lane and the Indians, Story of the Missionaries, The Coming of the Railroad.
Her latest book, published in Chicago, is McDonald of Oregon, a Tale of Two Shores, gives numerous incidents in the early settlement of Wash- ington and Oregon by the Americans, the decline of the Hudson's Bay com- pany, and the beginning of those frontier points that have since become empo- riums of commerce. While as entertaining as Robinson Crusoe, it is the reliable narrative of an explorer who paved the way for the present prosperity. Prof. Maxwell pronounces this story with its artistic blending of history and romance, Mrs. Dye's greatest literary triumph.
- But that I am forbid To tell the secrets of my prison house I could a tale unfold.
REV. AMOS H. MILLER.
. In 1892 a bulky work was published in Chicago, entitled "Military His- tory and Reminiscenes of the Thirteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infan- try in the Civil War in the United States, 1861-1865." Prepared by a com- mittee of the Regiment, 1891. Publication committee: H. T. Noble, S. C. Plummer, H. D. Dement, C. E. Bolles. Historians : A. B. Munn, A. H. Miller, W. O. Newton. At the reunion in Dixon, 1889, the plan of the book was approved, and Mr. Miller was asked to write the regimental history, which forms so large a part of the volume of 672 pages.
Mr. Miller was well qualified for his task as he enlisted in Company B, Sterling, and served four years in the war, winning the highest respect for his character as a soldier and a man. He was born at Strasburg, Pa., 1840, and came to Sterling with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miller in 1847. He studied at Mt. Morris, Northwestern University at Evanston, and at the Garrett Biblical Institute. He continued in the Methodist ministry to his death a few years ago at Arlington Heights, Chicago. He was twice pastor of the Rock Falls church, and his funeral was held there, the Grand Army having charge, and Rev. W. W. Diehl conducting the services.
Amos, as he was familiarly called, had a nature like the favorite disciple or the prophet, "a man greatly beloved."
None knew him but to love him, None named him but to praise.
A sound preacher, a faithful pastor, a warm friend. We may speak of him · as some one said of Dr. James Hamilton of London: "I like him as a preacher, better as a writer, and best of all as a man." He was married in 1874 to Miss Margaret Kcene, of Mt. Morris, who survives him. - His aged mother, nearly ninety, is still living in Sterling.
Servant of God, well done! Thy glorious warfare's past ; The battle's fought, the race is won, And thou art crowned at last.
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JAMES D. ANDREWS.
None of our lawyers has risen so rapidly. His father, Robert C. An- drews, came from Lancaster county, Pa., in 1838, settled on a farm near Sterling, and James, the youngest of seven children, celebrated Washington's birthday by appearing Feb. 22, 1856. After teaching awhile in Montmor- ency, he attended law school in the east, returned to Sterling, and was for a short time in partnership with his brother, the late Frank E. Andrews. Believing New York city would afford a wider field for achievement, he removed to the metropolis, and is now at the head of a special legal enterprise.
He is president and manager of Codex Publishing Company, organized for publishing law books covering all points of American law. It will be issued in twenty volumes. Various book companies in the United States will assist, and the first edition is to consist of 20,000 copies. It will involve an expenditure of $250,000, the largest amount ever invested in a similar work. He has already issued Andrews' Version of American Law, in four volumes. Mr. Andrews is considered among the best authorities on American law. Only fifty-one, and in his prime. He, doubtless, lives according to Coke:
Six hours in sleep, in law's grave study, six, Four spend in prayer, the rest on nature fix.
His mother, Mrs. Andrews, will be gratefully remembered by our older citi- zens for her earnest efforts in sending supplies to the soldiers during the war.
JEROME H. RAYMOND.
For several years University Extension lectures were popular in Sterling, and regularly every winter a course of six or twelve lectures were given in one of the churches. The speakers were from the University of Chicago, and among them were Moulton, Judson and Sparks. In 1902 the course was on "European Capitals and their Social Significance," and given by Jerome H. Raymond, Ph. D., associate professor of sociology. They were illustrated by charming stereopticon views of the great cities, and very instructive. As Jerome played in our streets in his childhood, people were naturally glad to greet the traveler on a university rostrum.
WALTER STAGER, ESQ.
In 1878 a bulky pamphlet appeared from the press of Callaghan and Company, Chicago, entitled "The Road and Bridge Law of Illinois," by Wal- ter Stager, member of the Sterling bar. It presented in a concise form the various rules and decisions on this subject, scattered through a series of legal reports. From time to time he presents in the local press dissertations on judicial questions not generally understood. His latest effort was a carefully prepared paper before the Searchlight Club on the evening of Jan. 13, 1908, on "Evasion of Assessment of Moneys and Credits other than those of Banks and Bankers-the Cause and Remedy."
Mr. Stager is now one of the veterans of the Whiteside bar, having begun practice forty years ago, when a mere youth. He was born in Pennsylvania,
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emigrating to Illinois in 1855. He is a graduate of the law department of Michigan University, after a four years' course of study at that famous insti- tution. For twenty-four years, 1880 to 1904, he discharged the responsible duties of state's attorney with eminent ability, two of the most exciting trag- edies in the history of the county, the Kauffman murder and the Swartout murder, engaging his skillful prosecution and examination. The firm is now Stager and Stager, his son John being associated in the business of the office.
REV. MARTIN POST.
In 1897 appeared "The Riverton Minister," written by Rev. Martin Post, of Atlanta, Georgia. In his preface, the author says, This book contains a narrative drawn from life. Clothed somewhat in the garb of fiction, it is, so far as relates to the character and life work of the Riverton minister, a fact. There are 354 pages, and the sprightly yet earnest narrative presents a picture of a consecrated life among the lowly and suffering. On a memorial window of the church in which he preached is the inscription :
Rev. John Goldwin, D. D. He walked with God, and he was not; for God took him.
But Mr. Post's active career belongs to Whiteside. He preached in the Congregational church, Sterling, first from 1866 to 1872, then after an absence in California, from 1884 to 1894. He was faithful and devoted in all the requirements of his sacred office, a comforting pastor at the bedside of the sick and suffering, and a thorough student of the Scriptures. His ser- mons were carefully prepared and impressively delivered. Always a hopeful demeanor, although for years oppressed by domestic sorrow. He is now in charge of Joy Prairie Congregational church, west of Jacksonville, Illinois, he and his estimable wife, formerly Miss Carrie Corey, enjoying the regard of a generous people.
MISS ALICE DINSMOOR.
A graduate of Vassar, and a teacher for several years in a private academy in Brooklyn, Miss Dinsmoor from a child displayed unusual aptness in thought and composition. Her early essays at the village school in Emerson were far beyond those of the average scholar. Her tastes incline to science and art, and articles on her specialties have appeared in magazines of the best class. She has frequently contributed to the Scientific American, occa- sionally to the Craftsman. Her last sketch, "Where Bulwer spun his Ro- mances," the result of a garden party visit to Knebworth Hall, the historic home of the novelist and dramatist, was an elegantly illustrated feature of November "Town and Country," New York, in 1907.
Miss Dinsmoor is a daughter of the late James Dinsmoor, esq., of Ster- ling, a pioneer lawyer of Whiteside, and for forty years a member of the Sterling bar. His son, Jarvis, continues the practice of the profession. Both graduates of Dartmouth, the college of Webster and Choate. Miss Dinsmoor, for a congenial change of occupation, has left the professor's chair, and under
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the open sky of New Jersey is cultivating the acquaintance of fruits and flow- ers. Perhaps in time the world may be delighted with another "Our Village," after the manner of Miss Mitford, or Charles Dudley Warner's "My Summer in a Garden," or "Ten Acres Enough," which really inspired this horticultural diversion of the young lady.
REV. W. C. SEIDEL, D. D.
His father, Gottlieb Seidel, came from Germany, and had a numerous family of sons and daughters. All grew up to positions of usefulness. Wil- liam was one of the older children, and deciding to secure an education for the ministry, he worked his way through academy, college and seminary, graduating at Gettysburg, Pa. He has served the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church in various missions and regular organizations in Kansas, Illinois, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The church and edifice at Minneapolis, Kansas, is a monument of his perseverance. He preached at Carlisle, Pa. He is now in Nashville, Tennessee, devoting his cnergies to the establishment of the infant St. Paul's.
Dr. Seidel is fond of research, and an earnest student of the doctrines and cardinal principles of his denomination. His sermons display deep thought and earnest preparation. Many years ago he conceived the idea of extending his ministry by the circulation of tracts, either by letter or personal distribution. To express his views on certain topics and texts, he has written various tracts on his favorite themes of Christian practice. The following is a partial list: "The Blessed Hope;" "Christ, the Bread of Life;" "The Hidden Life of the Believer;" "The Divinity of Christ;" "Christ, the Refuge of Burdened Souls;" "Christ, our Passover ;" "God's Remedy for Sin;" "The Believer's Separation unto God." Dr. Seidel has also written numerous arti- cles for the journals of his denomination, and has several lectures on Scriptural and other subjects, which he has delivered on various occasions.
ALFRED BAYLISS.
For twenty years, 1874 to 1894, he was a resident of Sterling. For two years, editor of the Sterling Standard, the rest of the time principal of the Second Ward School. He was corporal in the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry from 1863 to 1865, a graduate of Hillsdale College, Michigan, in 1870, and in 1898 elected superintendent of public instruction in Illinois, a position he held for two terms, or eight years. Mr. Bayliss was untiring in the dis- charge of the responsible duties of his office. The consolidation of country schools was a favorite scheme he agitated from the start, and which he urged with all his influence. A prominent educator said: "Bayliss is the first since Bateman who had a policy, and knew what he was trying to do."
Besides the regular official reports of his position, Mr. Bayliss was prompt to issue carefully prepared circulars on Arbor Day and Memorial Day, with programs and literary selections for the proper observance of these anniver- saries, and the education of the children in all the duties of good citizenship. He never failed to respond to calls for lectures in connection with his work, and was in frequent attendance upon institutes in various parts of the state.
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Before us now is a pamplılet of 35 pages, "The Library in Relation to the School," an address delivered at the Northern Illinois Teachers' Association, Dixon, April 28, 1899, by Alfred Bayliss.
CLARA KERN BAYLISS.
Mrs. Bayliss has always been a student. Graduating at Hillsdale in 1871, and afterwards taking a correspondence course at the University of Chicago. She has constantly aimed by travel and application to keep her mind fresh and scholarly. An industrious author. Her first science book, "Brook and Bayou," has been followed by two on the romantic people in the southwest, "Lolami, the Little Cliff Dweller" and "Lolami in Tusayan." Articles from her pen have appeared in the Chicago, New York and Los Angeles papers, in various magazines, and in school journals. She makes occasional addresses, and in the winter of 1907 appeared before the Woman's Club of Sterling.
Mrs. Bayliss takes a hearty interest in all movements of public importance. She is a member of the National Folk Lore Society, of the Committee of One Hundred on National Health, Daughters of American Revolution, Illi- nois Mothers' Congress, and other educational associations. She has improved every opportunity of travel, visiting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, exploring the seat of the cliff dwellers in New Mexico, attended the dedication of the Illinois monument at Vicksburg, and was one of the only two ladies present when Lincoln's casket was finally transferred to its cement bed in the monu- ment. Mrs. Bayliss is still busily engaged in literary and scientific research. Her latest book, "Two Little Algonkin Lads," is a fascinating story of prim- itive Indian life.
MRS. EMILY J. C. HENRY.
Although residing latterly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the years of her active womanhood were passed in Sterling, her home most of her life. She is, irot a professional poet. It is only when inspired by some grand occasion or moved by some powerful emotion, that Mrs. Henry bursts into song. A year after the death of her husband, Major Bushnell, in battle, 1863, a touch- ing anniversary poem, a simple In Memoriam, appeared in the Chicago Trib- une. We extract some stanzas from seven in the entire piece:
Oh, pale white flowers, one year ago today Upon a coffined form in fragrant bloom ye lay. I cannot bear the faint perfume ye shed, Sinco soft it floated o'er my precious dead.
Oh, manly form that bore an angel's grace, And crowned its glory with an angel's face, I see thee lying there with bated breath, Thy grand life yielded to the conqueror, Death !
*
Pcace, murmuring heart, thy Father knoweth best ! His hand alone can lead to perfect rest. Beyond the valley dark and shadow deep, Hc giveth my beloved, peaceful slecp.
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In 1903 a granite boulder was dedicated in Sterling on the spot where Lincoln spoke in the summer of 1856. Hitt delivered the address, and by request, Mrs. Henry wrote a spirited poem of which we present some stanzas:
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Once again our feet are standing On the spot where Lincoln trod; Hallowed is the ground beneath us, Sanctified, this sacred sod.
On this spot, we saw him, heard him, Saw his strong, pathetic face; Watched his tall; gaunt figure swaying, Without symmetry or grace.
Listened to his noble utterance ; . And our hearts were strangely stirred As he seemed to grow transfigured With each lofty thought or word. * * * * *
Where he stood, we place this boulder; Steadfast, rugged-such was he; Carve these names in type immortal- Lincoln, Union, Liberty !
*
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Mrs. Emily J. C. Henry was born in Randolph, Vermont. Her father was Capt. John Edson, an officer in the War of 1812. Her mother, Emily Clement, was born in Norwich, Conn. Mrs. Edson's father was for many years a professor of Yale College, and a close friend of President Dwight, for whom he named his eldest son. While a child the subject of this sketch, with the parents, removed to Andover, New Hampshire, where, under the shadow of Kearsarge mountains, she was reared.
She attended school at Randolph (Vt.) Academy, and also at Concord, N. H., where she finished her education. Later, she, with the family moved to Burlington, Vt. Emily Edson was married in 1849 to Douglas R. Bush- nell and came to Sterling, Ill., in 1854. Mr. Bushnell was by profession a civil engineer. He surveyed the route now called the Northwestern R. R. from Chicago to Clinton, Iowa, and was prominently connected with the construction of other roads in Illinois and Iowa. He enlisted in the army in 1861 and was at once elected Captain of Co. B, 13th Ill. Infantry. Among Capt. Bushnell's first duties in the army was the construction of a fort at Rolla, Mo., and during the while time of his service his engineering abilities were required. After participating in many hard fought battles and enduring the siege of Vicksburg (where he was promoted to the rank of Major) and passed through the fierce contests of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, on the day following, which (Nov. 27, 1863) while in pursuit of the enemy at Ringgold, Ga., he was shot through the temple and killed instantly. Mrs. Bushnell was appointed postmistress of Sterling in 1865 by President Lincoln,
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and at the end of her first term was reappointed by President Grant. She claims the distinction of being the first woman made P. M. by presidential appointment, in the United States. Near the close of Mrs. Bushnell's second term, she resigned her office to become the wife of Major Miles S. Henry, a leading lawyer of Sterling. Mrs. Henry is now a resident of Minneapolis, Minn.
CHARLES FARWELL EDSON.
Over thirty years ago a lively lad played on the streets of Sterling, who was a general favorite on account of his bright face and sunny disposition. His father, E. W. Edson, was a merchant, his mother, a sister of John V. Farwell, of Chicago. They moved to California, where Mr. Edson died, and the movements of the family since were known only to the relatives. Meantime Charlie grew up, cultivated his native gifts, and is now a promi- nent factor in the musical and artistic circles of the Pacific coast. He has reduced the study of music to a rational basis, believing that to sing well one must have health, and just as a healthy mind depends on a healthy body, so a first-rate voice must have a right physical foundation. He has made a specialty of refined entertainment, and so versatile that every taste and every audience can be gratified. If desired, he presents an evening pro- gram of Shakespearean songs, or one of American songs, or ballads, German Lieder, operatic numbers, interspersing all with so much witty interpretation that it becomes an occasion of inspiring recreation. He has in addition a fine stage presence, poetic feeling, and dramatic power. The press wherever he has appeared unite in praise of the high character of his entertainments.
His home is in Los Angeles. The Graphic of that city speaks of his studio on Twentieth strcet as rich in attractive souvenirs of the chase, of things and people musical, and also as a voice work-shop. It is a delightful rendezvous for lovers of the artistic. There is a well stocked musical library, a few hundred of the best books, a piano, and every evidence of the genial lover of harmony. Mr. Edson received his preliminary education at Lake Forest academy, where he was leader of the college glee club. Later he studied singing at the Chicago Musical college, under eminent teachers, and piano under Seeboeck.
WILL H. PAYNE.
One of the most deserving of our Whiteside authors. Born in Newton township, 1865, with only a common school education, he has managed to attain by his own determination, a very creditable position in the world of letters. Besides much miscellaneous writing for dailies and weeklies, he has issued several stories, which have given him more than a local reputation. They form quite a list: Jerry, the Dreamer; Money Captain; Story of Eva; When Love Speaks; On Fortune's Road. A while in Chicago, now in Michi- gan. Mr. Payne is a sort of Bohemian, pursuing no settled course of literary endeavor, but engaging in whatever appeals most directly at the time. Since 1897, financial editor of the Economist.
E. W. PAYNE.
As county clerk, his term expiring in 1894, Mr. Payne's face was famil-
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iar to many of those who had business in Morrison, or who met him in his trips to the townships. He emigrated at an early age from New Hampshire to Illinois, enlisted in the 34th Illinois regiment, and at Goldsboro, N. C., had the misfortune to lose an arm. In 1902, with the assistance of some of his brother soldiers, Sergeant Enderton, Col. Peter Ege, and others, he issued his "History of the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Sept. 7, 1861-July 12, 1865, by Edwin W. Payne, Sergeant Company A." Its various sketches, letters, and tables, make the book an invaluable record of four years of gallant servicc.
MRS. FANNIE M'CARTNEY WORTHINGTON.
Few of our literary people have the double accomplishment of writing and speaking. Addison, Irving, Hawthorne, were at home with the pen, but never attempted the platform. Sheridan, Burke, Alex. Hamilton, Wen- dell Phillips, were ready to write an essay or `deliver an address. There are plenty of writers in America, and plenty of speakers, especially in politics, but few who have both qualifications. Mrs. Worthington belongs to the elect. Her mind moved rapidly, spontaneously, and pen and voice seem equally at her control.
Mrs. Worthington is the daughter of the late David McCartney, for many years state's attorney of Whiteside county. Her mother was Elizabeth Agge, born in Salem, Mass. Fannie inherited from her father much of that originality of thought and aptness of illustration which appear in her public speech. In her girlhood she became a student with her father of law and politics, and made so good use of her opportunities that in 1888 she was invited by the State Central Republican committee to enter the campaign as a regular speaker. Ever since she has been conspicuous on the platform of the party in the various campaigns. She has had the confidence and counsel of such leaders as Govs. Fifer and Tanner, Senators Cullom, Farwell, and Hop- kins. She has enjoyed the regard of statesmen of other states. Mark Hanna, in the exciting money campaign of 1900, pronounced her one of the best in- formed persons he knew on the tariff, and especially on finance. In that struggle, she made 40 speeches in 60 days, often outdoors.
In another sphere, Mrs. Worthington has been postmaster of the Illinois Senate, bill clerk and librarian of the same, as well as serving as private secretary to state and U. S. senators. She was the only woman ever a member of a State Republican convention in Illinois, holding that position from Whiteside in 1898.
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