USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 47
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The religious work of the association is sane, sound and practical, and is of the wholesome, virile type. The association is something more than a so- cial or athletic club; it is a body of men and boys banded together for their own highest development, mentally, physically and spiritually, and the ren- dering of the helpful service to all other men outside the organization. The main features are: Meeting for men and boys Sunday afternoons; meeting at the noon hour at the different shops; and Bible classes during the week. The foreign work of the association is especially interested in helping to support Mr. Robert E. Lewis, at Shanghai, China.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
The evening school is for men and boys employed during the day who are ambitious for better mental equipment. The subjects taught are, bookkeep- ing, penmanship, electricity, commercial law, mechanical drawing and chem- istry. A debating club is also conducted, and a Searchlight Club for the business men. A lecture and entertainment course given.
A special boy's secretary is employed to work with the boys between the ages of twelve and eighteen.
Physical training in our Young Men's Christian Association is conducted on a thoroughly scientific basis under a director with expert class leaders, and with the most helpful surroundings for all who desire to keep in good health, secure a most perfect physique, develop more endurance and vitality. Physi- cal examinations are given.
There are twenty-one dormitories on the third floor, which are used for young men living in the city away from home.
Another notable feature is the Ladies' Auxiliary, which was organized shortly after the beginning of the work, with Miss Permelia Anthony as president. This organization has been of great assistance to the association; not only in a financial way, but in a social way by furnishing the rooms, mak- ing them homelike and attractive. Mrs. Chas. Aument is now the presiding officer.
As a religious center the Young Men's Christian Association is becoming recognized as a meeting place for nearly all of the denominational bodies, and is cven doing an excellent work among them in bringing the members to- gether, extending acquaintance, and thus unifying the effort of the best ele- ment of the whole community in improving the moral tonc of the twin cities.
J. K. Chester is president of the association, C. E. Bensinger, treasurer, G. H. Fonken, general secretary, R. A. Allen, physical director. Clyde Lis- senden is assistant secretary.
An appreciation from the Sterling Gazette:
"George H. Fonken is the general secretary of the association. Mr. Fon- ken is a hard worker, is always at his post of duty and is never too busy to assist men who need an uplift. He has been of great service in upbuilding the association and backed by the board of directors, he is doing a great work for the young men of the city."
In 1903 there was a building committee appointed by the board of direc- tors as follows: J. K. Chester, John G. Wetzel, A. J. McNeil, W. P. Utley, John Wagner, and through their earnest efforts a three-story building was erected at a less cost than contractors' bids. The building is of Milwaukee pressed brick, plain, but substantial, costing $30,000, and the lots costing $10,- 000, making a total of $40,000. The basement, cement throughout, is fully equipped, the first floor contains the offices and is roomy and open, the second floor can be divided into class rooms; the boys' department rooms are also on this floor. The third floor has 21 sleeping rooms, baths and every con- venience for making it homelike.
It was through the efforts of the Ladies' Auxiliary that Judge Ben Lind- say, of Denver, delivered his lecture, "Misfortunes of Mickey," at the academy, Feb. 27, 1908.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
WHAT THE DOCTORS ARE DOING.
Who shall decide when doctors disagree,
And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me ?- Pope.
The Sterling and Rock Falls Physicians' Club was organized May 15, 1904, and meets the first Wednesday of the month. The officers are J. F. Kccfer, president; C. E. Parker, vice pres .; S. A. Allen, secretary. The roll of membership has the names of Frank Anthony, S. A. Allen, C. G. Beard, W. I. Carolus, W. B. Carolus, J. B. Crandall, E. L. Dow, C. O. Deeming, C. M. Frye, F. W. Gordon, A. H. Harms, M. J. Hill, J. F. Keefer, Jane R. Kcefer, S. S. Kehr, N. L. Lehman, F. J. Scott, J. C. Maxwell, C. E. Parker, A. C. Smith, J. L. Snavely.
Then there is the Rock River Institute of Homeopathy, which holds occa- sional meetings to discuss their special field of treatment. At the January session in 1908 on the program for papers were Gordon, Kehr and Hill, of Sterling, Scott, of Rock Falls, Sickles and Blackman, of Dixon, Sears, of Amboy, Blunt, of Clinton.
The dentists, too, have their organization. The Lee and Whiteside sec- tion of the Northern Illinois Dental Society had its last meeting in I. O. O. F. hall, Sterling, and elected as officers, Dr. McMillan, Tampico, president; Dr. Shannon, Sterling, vice pres .; Dr. Jennings, Rock Falls, secretary and treasurer. Papers in the afternoon, in the evening a banquet and smoker.
The largest medical gathering ever held in Sterling was the 34th annual convention of the North Central Illinois Medical Association, held in Grace Parish House, Dec. 3 and 4, 1907. About fifteen counties represented. The grand old man of the occasion was Dr. Thomas Croswell, of Streator, ninety- five, sixty-one years in practice, and still retaining open office. It is his am- bition to attend the medical sociables till he is one hundred. After the ban- quet at six in the evening, served by the ladies of Grace church, toasts and responses, and the election. E. S. Murphy, Dixon, was chosen president for the coming year.
There is also a Whiteside County Medical Society, and at the election in December, 1907, C. G. Beard, Sterling was elected pres .; J. F. Keefer, Sterling, vice pres .; Dr. Wahl, Tampico, secretary ; Dr. Proctor, Coleta, treasurer.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
Turn to the press-its teeming sheets survey, Big with the wonders of each passing day .- Sprague.
The present Gazette is an evolution, a survival of the fittest. The Ster- ling Times, Charles Boynton, issued Dec. 12, 1854, was the first in the town, four pages, six columns. Grattan and Norwood purchased it in 1855, and in 1856 sold to L. D. Crandall, William Hyde being editor. In 1856-1857, it passed into the hands of Worthington and Biggert, and was finally discon- tinued. In July, 1856, William Cavert began to publish the Sterling Re- publican, and in the winter of 1857-58, H. C. Grattan started the Sterling Gazette. Both were soon united under the title, Republican and Gazette, with both men as publishers, until Grattan sold his interest to Walter Nimocks,
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
who soon withdrew, leaving Caffrey in sole control. Republican was dropped and Sterling Gazette has continued the proud title for fifty years. In 1861 the management was C. M. Worthington & Company, then C. M. Worthing- ton, until the paper was sold to George Terwilliger, Sept. 3, 1870. Mr. Worth- ington purchased the office again, and in 1873 sold a half interest to W. F. Eastman, so that the firm became C. M. Worthington & Co. In Mareh, 1876, Mr. Eastman became sole proprietor until July, when D. J. Jenne bought a half interest, and the firm was Eastman & Jenne. This firm continued to the spring of 1880, when the Sterling Gazette Company was organized, Chalkly John, of Jordan, and W. R. Cobbe, of North Carolina, buying the stock.
The Gazette has been a rolling stone. The third floor of the casket fac- tory, the upper story of Galt's old hardware store, the basement of the academy of music, the mercantile block, Farwell Hall for seventeen years, its present situation in Wallace Block on West Third, are the various homes of this soaring bird of passage. Frequent changes, too, in ownership. Jan. 1, 1887, Chalkly John purchased the plant after it had been in receiver's hands, for $18,500. With his brother, the business was conducted for several years under the name, C. & H. L. John. This was succeeded in turn by C., H. L., and M. D. John, later by H. L. and M. D. John. When Orville Bassett bought an interest, Sept., 1903, the Sterling Publishing Company was formed, which has recently given way to the former name, Sterling Gazette Company.
The Gazette was run as a weekly only, seven columns, eight pages, until 1881, when the Daily Gazette was permanently established under the John- Cobb management. About five years ago the weekly became a semi-weekly, and on March 1st, 1907, the semi-weekly edition was abandoned and the daily edition has since been issued. The demand for weekly and semi-weekly kept growing less and less all the time, and the daily growing more popular. About four-fifths of the former semi-weekly subseribers have re-subscribed for the daily.
During the past twenty years the Gazette has had but two business man- agers. P. N. Edwards for five years and M. D. John for the past fifteen years. There have been several different editors, among them being W. R. Cobb, Charles M. Worthington, Joe R. Adams, M. D. John, Scott Williams, Orville P. Bassett (now editor of the Springfield News) and Edward S. Hoover, the present editor.
The Gazette has eighteen regular employes, often one or more extra, twenty-five or more newspaper carriers, and a pay roll of over $250 per week for the regular employes, not eounting earriers.
The first edition of the Evening Gazette, which was printed on March 31, 1878, was a four page paper, four columns to the page, and each column twelve inches in length.
During the past few years the Gazette has made enormous strides. The plant and equipment have been made up to date and as complete as possible.
The circulation reached an average of 4,124 for the year 1907, which is by far the largest in this congressional district.
On occasions of special importance, editions of extra size are issued. Its industrial edition of 44 pages on March 5, 1908, and the profusely illustrated
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
edition of the Fourth Street M. E. Church, March 30, would have done credit to the metropolitan journals of Chicago or New York.
Ayer's Newspaper Annual, one of the leading authorities on newspaper circulation in the United States, credits the Gazette with having by far the largest circulation of any daily paper in the Thirteenth congressional district. The cities in the district having daily papers, with their 1900 census figures are as follows: Freeport, 15,100; Dixon, 7,917; Sterling, 6,309; Galena, 5,005; Savanna, 3,325; Mt. Carroll, 1,965.
The circulation reports for the district are as follows :
Gazette, Sterling
4,169
Star, Dixon
2,607
Standard, Sterling
2,483
Bulletin, Freeport
2,298
Telegraph, Dixon
2,232
Journal, Freeport
1,950
Standard, Freeport
1,827
Sun, Dixon
1,190
Gazette, Galena
820
Journal, Savanna
720
Democrat, Mt. Carroll
600
Times, Savanna
500
Mirror, Mt. Carroll
400
THE STERLING DAILY STANDARD.
One of the indications of the growth and advancement of a community is the appearance of the daily paper published in it, and today the Daily Standard stands forth as an example of the wonderful advancement of the ·. city of Sterling.
In the year of 1868 Theodore H. and Charles Mack established and com- menced the publication of the Whiteside Chronicle in the city of Sterling. For some time these gentlemen edited and managed the publication, the latter finally taking charge of the paper, which he continued to edit until the year of 1870 when the name was changed to the Sterling Standard, and Mr. Theodore Mack took over the interest held by his brother. 1
In 1883 Mr. Mack sold a half interest in the paper to James W. New- comer, these gentlemen continuing the publication until the year of 1887 when Mr. Mack retired, his interest being assumed by Alfred Bayliss.
In 1889 Mr. Newcomer retired from the firm his interest being absorbed by Thomas Diller, who later on secured the interest of Mr. Bayliss and took into partnership Eugene B. Fletcher.
These gentlemen continued to publish the Standard as a weekly until 1892, when modern machinery was installed and the publication was changed to that of a daily.
From the time of its establishment as a daily, the paper has advanced rapidly until today it stands without an equal in Northern Illinois in circula- tion and advertising value.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
In the fall of 1906 active management of the paper passed into the hands of A. L. Richmond, who purchased the paper and now publishes and con- trols its editorial policies.
The Standard is strictly Republican in politics, yet its columns are always open to the espousal of all that is right and just, and especially for the advancement of Sterling and Whiteside county.
One of the largest of printing presses is used to run off the Standard's large edition of 4,800 copies. It is an eight, ten and twelve page seven- column paper, published in the afternoon.
Besides the newspaper plant, which includes an up-to-date Mergenthaler linotype machine, the Standard company also owns one of the largest and most up-to-date job printing plants in Northern Illinois.
The personnel of the Standard's staff is as follows:
A. L. Richmond, president, treasurer, and editor-in-chief ; Mrs. A. L. Rich- mond, vice president and secretary ; Miss Winnifred Rourke, assistant book- keeper; R. B. McNiel, circulation manager; and D. P. Munn, city editor.
STERLING BEOBACHTER.
Thou on the Lord rely
So, safe, shalt thou go on .- German hymn of Gerhardt.
This is the only German paper in the county. No others nearer than Freeport or Davenport. In English it means Observer. It was started by Carl Strack in 1877, who continued in charge till 1881, when Henry Mathey assumed control. In February, 1883, Louis Oltmanns purchased the outfit, and has been editor and publisher ever since. The average edition is about 1,200, and it has a wide circulation not only among the German patrons in the county, but all over the United States, wherever people have gone who once lived in this section. Some copies find their way to Europe. The price is two dollars here, $2.50 for Deutschland. Friday is the day of publication, and the office is on the second floor of the Anthony block, Fourth street, over the Standard.
Louis Oltmanns, the editor, is a genuine Teuton, born in Oldenburg, Germany, 1836, and coming to Sterling in 1865 where he has lived to this day. His first business was in the dry goods store of the late R. B. Witmer, where he remained seventeen years. He then decided to use the editorial quill instead of the mercantile yardstick, and began to educate his brethren from the Vaterland through the columns of the Beobachter. It is an eight page journal, with seven wide columns to the page, and has an excellent advertis- ing patronage.
THE RECORD.
Few persons know that a small magazine was published for a short time in Sterling. It was conducted by Calvin Martin, and issued weekly. Before us is the number for March 29, 1879, with several original and selected articles like "Unseen Battles of Youth," by Rev. N. H. G. Fife; "Wives and Pud- dings," by W. W. Davis; editorials, local items, general news, business cards. Walter Nimocks and four other candidates for tax collector. Kier was hatter,
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
R. L. Mangan had a green house, Stambaugh had paper and paints. About thirty pages.
Several sheets have risen, flourished and fallen. The Sterling Clear Grit, edited by Ralph W. Norwood, appeared Oct. 13, 1877, but was soon discontin- ued. The Blade, a little seven by nine daily, published by the Booths, ten cents a week, was issued awhile about the early eighties. It was the pioneer of the present Gazette, the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Then was the Sterling Herald, weekly, politieal and agricultural, which also soon ran its mournful earecr.
ORDERS AND LODGES.
Society, friendship and love Divinely bestowed upon man, Oh, had I the wings of a dove, How soon would I taste you again .- Cowper.
Sterling Lodge No. 174, I. O. O. F. was instituted May 31st, 1855.
The charter members were Miles S. Henry, Edward N. Kirk, Lorenzo Hapgood, Geo. H. Wells, Amos Fassett, Henry Bush, Geo. O. Blakeslee and Andrew McMoore, all of whom are now deceased, Henry Bush, the last sur- vivor, dying November 20th, 1906, at the ripe old age of 84. For many years the lodge held their meetings in the Capt. J. W. R. Stambaugh building on First avenue. February 26th, 1896, the lodge, with appropriate services, dedi- cated their new hall, a handsome three-story and basement, brick building located at No. 11 East Fourth street.
The regular lodge meetings are held Monday evenings at 7:30. January 1st, 1908, the membership was 148, and is rapidly increasing. The present · lodge officers are Albert L. Street, G. R .; John G. Loos, D. G .. M .; Albert Bere, P. G .; Isaac N. Hoover, N. G .; Henry Grebner, V. G .; W. W. Haskell, Rec. Sec'y .; F. A. Caughey, Per. Sec'y .; R. A. Kidder, Treas .; Jos. T. Britt, war- den; J. G. G. Loos, conductor; John Lingham,O. G .; Fred Grebners, I. G .; Isaac G. Brimmer, R. S. N. G .; Dr. W. I. Carolus, L. S. N. G .; Harry J. Wil- kin, R. S. V. G .; Will C. Loos, L. S. V. G .; Rev. E. Lee Fleck, chaplain ; Cyrus Miller, organist.
The Rebekahs are the ladies' auxiliary of the Odd Fellows and have 75 members. Mrs. Elizabeth Brimmer is first noble grand, and Miss Emma Snavely, secretary.
MYSTIC WORKERS OF THE WORLD.
Sterling Lodge, No. 2, was organized, Dec. 11, 1895, with 28 members, I. N. Martin presiding officer, W. E. Rose, secretary. It has steadily grown from this humble beginning to a membership of 590. The present officers are : Prefect, T. J. MeDonnell; monitor, C. J. O'Brien; Sec., W. E. Rose; banker, A. L. Heckman ; marshal, F. W. Eller; warder, B. M. Rutt; sentinel, Harry Roark. The supervisors are E. V. Ford, M. R. Rutt, P. J. Peters. The meet- ings are held in their own hall, over the Standard office, on Fourth street, for- merly the hall of the G. A. R.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
This is the largest order in the county, and steadily increasing. Rock Falls has 340 Mystic Workers, Prophetstown 200, Lyndon 125, Erie 100, Tam- pico 75, Fulton 675, Morrison 250. In round numbers about 2,500 in Whiteside. Being both social and beneficial, the order has much to attract the average man who is desirous of being associated with an organization that is at once strong and entertaining.
MASONIC. By Capt. J. W. Niles.
The Masonic fraternity of Sterling is one of the most prosperous organ- izations in the city. It has erected and owns the magnificent building known as Masonic Temple, which building would be a credit to a city of much larger pretensions
Sterling Lodge No. 202 A. F. & A. M. was organized in 1856 with E. N. Kirk, W. M., but lost its charter in 1868. Rock River Lodge No. 612 A. F. & A. M. was chartered in 1869, with M. S. Bowman (now of California) as W. M. Its total enrollment to date is 476. Present membership, 254. H. S. Street and M. S. Bowman are the only living charter members. C. H. Tuttle, W. M .; John W. Niles, Sec.
Sterling Chapter No. 57 Royal Arch Masons was chartered in Oct., 1859, with H. G. Reynolds as H. P. and Geo. L. Kline, K. Total enrollment, 300. Present membership, 152. W. A. Stoeckle, H. P .; John W. Niles, Sec.
Sterling Commandery No. 57 Knights Templar was chartered in Oct, 1884, with C. C. Johnson as E. C. Enrollment, 284. Present membership, 178. O. E. Maxson, E. C .; John W. Niles, recorder.
Sterling Chapter No. 354 Order of the Eastern Star was organized in July, 1896, with Mrs. Wm. A. McCune as Worthy Matron. Enrollment, 200. Present membership, 156. Mrs. Ella Cooper, Sec.
G. A. R.
Will Robinson Post No. 274 Grand Army of the Republic, was organized June 14, 1883. Has had an enrollment of 246. Present membership, 98. Capt. J. W Niles has been commander six years. Present commander, P. T. Van Horne. F. A. Caughey, Adjutant.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Forgive this foolish tear,- But let that old oak stand!
On the second floor of the old Farwell building on Locust street where the Gazette office used to be, is the spacious and splendid hall where the 390 members of this flourishing association gather in their regular deliberations. A. Richtmyer is clerk, and J. J. McKee, of Rock Falls Man. Company is consul. The camp was organized here July 1, 1883, as Camp 12, with 13 original charter members. The order celebrated its 25th anniversary Jan. 5, 1908, with big class initiations all over the country. The head office was stationed in Fulton for fourteen years until they were removed to Rock Island
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
in 1897 after a desperate contest. The first local camp of the Woodmen, Pioneer camp, No. 1, was organized at Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, the even- ing of Jan. 5, 1883, with twenty-one charter members, by J. C. Root, the founder.
The head camp is the governing body of the society. It meets triennially and is composed of delegates chosen by the state camps, one delegate for each 1,500 members or fraction of that number.
It is a beneficiary order, the insurance varying from $500 to $3,000, ac- cording to dues received. With its membership of 900,000, it claims to lead all similar organizations. The social feature is always prominent. At an initiation in March, 1908, of ten new members, a special train brought to Sterling between 300 and 400 enthusiastic Woodmen from Tampico, Lyndon, Prophetstown, and Erie, packing the elegant hall to witness the floor work of the Tampico Foresters, and to hear the addresses of Dr. Rutledge of Elgin, C. A. Davis and J. J. Ludens of Sterling, and George Isherwood of Tampico.
All well regulated societies nowadays have the ladies in association, and the Woodmen call their feminine adjunct Royal Neighbors of America. In December, 1888, a little club of sixteen women was formed, which was known as the "Ladies' Auxiliary" to Camp No. 171, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was merely a social organization, its main purpose being to aid the Modern Wood- men of America in that city. Steady improvement and branching out to do greater good resulted in the forming of a woman's fraternal beneficial society, known as the Royal Neighbors of America, chartered under the laws of the state of Illinois, March 21, 1895. It is not exclusive. Any white woman of good character, whether related to a Woodman or not, is eligible to member- ship. This auxiliary in Sterling is No. 30, and has 120 members. It was started about 1900. Applicants must be between 17 and 45 years, and certifi- cates for insurance are written for $250 up to $2,000. The total membership of the auxiliary is now 150,000. Mrs. Louisa Rieger is supreme oracle in Sterling. At all important functions of the order, the Royal Neighbors per- form a very essential service in cheering the performance with their presence as well as managing the banquet and other material accessories of the festival.
KNIGHTS OF THE GLOBE.
One of our newest societies, which has grown rapidly. The parent society dates back only to Aug. 28, 1889, when Dr. W. W. Krape organized the su- preme council in Freeport. Now there are over 100 garrisons with 10,000 members scattered through Illinois, Wisconsin, and other states. The pur- poses of the order are the cultivation of fraternity, patriotism, and character. No one can advance through money, friends, or favoritism. The Sterling garrison is No. 83, and is composed of an energetic and intelligent body of men and women, for there is an auxiliary, called Eminent Ladies. Their annual banquet is the occasion of a feast of reason and a flow of soul. Music and intellectual display. At their last function toasts were responded to by C. E. Sheldon, C. A. Davis, G. D. John, Dr. J. Gregg. Sometimes a debate. A late question was, Resolved, That it was right for Uncle Sam to send the navy around the Horn. A lemon social by the ladies afforded much diversion
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
in its various forms of attraction. Then there is a juvenile garrison for the youngsters. There are 330 members, with Warren Powers president, and Warren Hall secretary. Their hall is on the third floor of the Academy of Music, and the meeting is on Monday night.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Corinthian Lodge, No. 63, was organized Nov. 23, 1875, with 21 charter members. E. G. Allen, Chancellor Commander; Hugh R. Edwards, Keeper of Records and Seals; John S. Miller, Master of the Exehequer; W. A. Mc- Cune, Master at Arms; J. W. R. Stambaugh, Inner Guard. Other members were C. C. Johnson, Jacob Sides, L. Stoeckle. Some of these early men are dead. Over 400 candidates have been initiated. The membership today about one hundred. The Commander is E. M. Mckerg, and Keeper, L. A. Little. The meetings are held every Tuesday night on the third floor of Lawrenee block, Third street. There are sixty Pythian Sisters, the social auxiliary.
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