SCRAPBOOK
OF THE
ROSS AND
BRAND FAMILIES
PRIMARILY
THE FAMILY
OF
JOSEPH C.
BRAND
1810 – bef. 1905
AND
LAVINIA
TALBOTT BRAND
From
Original
donated to:
Champaign
(Voice) 937-653-3811
(Fax) 937-653-5679
champref@oplin.org
THE STORM.- The Electrical fluid was on a frolic on Thursday night
last. A violent thunder storm came up
about
Mr. Thomas Everete’s
house, in the
Everything was so very pleasant, and our friends so happy around us at the time, that we hardly noticed a storm was raging. So, may it ever be, when the storms of life are raging all around the, that they, who commenced their new lives in a storm of happiness, may be as we were, forgetful it’s fury, fearless of its results, and happy in their own prosperity.
(Handwritten notes: By W. A. Brand,
For rains must fall and umber skies
Extend beneath the sun,
And wiling winds their plaintive sighs
In minor octaves run.
Miss M. Gosdrich (sp) Urbana- O.
Wendell Phillips at the City Hall Tonight.
It is seldom that cities of this size are favored with the opportunity of hearing so renowned an orator as Mr. Phillips. His lecture, “Lost Arts,” is said to be very fine, and those who wish to listen to a polished speaker, a scholar, and elocutions should not fail to hear Mr. Phillips.
Rev. David Warnock occupied the pulpit at Grace Church Sunday
morning last, and Rev. E. D. Whitlock, of the
The last Sabbath George Talbott, Secretary of Grace M.E. Sabbath school, rendered his report for the past year, which is spoken of as one of the best ever given. The report for which a vote of thanks was offered was substantially as follows: Scholars enrolled, 250; average attendance, 163; teachers enrolled, 23, average attendance 21 1/2; officers 5, average attendance 4 1/2; and an average of 33 visitors each Sabbath, making an average attendance of the school for the year of 221. Collections for the year $314.75; expenses, 286.94; balance on hand $27.81. There is an increase in the attendance of the school of 90, and in the collections of $130.00. We doubt if there is another school in the State than can show a more faithful set of officers and teachers than this school. (Handwritten: Jan 4th 1880)
The 18th Regulars at the
Twenty companies of this splendid regiment participated in the above battle. One year’s hard service had reduced them from two thousand to about eight hundred, in field service, in Rousseau’s brigade, composed of the 16th, 15th, 19th and 18th regulars. These disciplined troops were called upon as a forlorn hope for the stricken and sinking army, when utter defeat stared them in the face as a certainty. The position was imminent. The word was “Forward” On they moved, with the unbroken front and dauntless tread, square into the jaws of death. Victory must be wrested from despair; and like their noble brothers, the 4th regular cavalry, led by Gen Rosecrans in person, they moved to accomplish their mission. Look at their record; In this regiment the 18th along 1 field (?) and 13 officers of the line killed and wounded; of the rand and file 300 killed and wounded—nearly on-half the entire available force engaged. The 18th bore themselves like “veterans of the line,” and sealed, by their noble courage and heroic death, their attachment to their officers and their country. Lieut. Col. Shepherd commanding and Major Townsend were conspicuous for bravery and heroic daring; eagles of the battalion, their swoop was destruction to the rebel vultures attacked.
Victory at length perched upon the banners of our Union, due to the courage, fortitude and perseverance of our able General, supported by such troops as fought and won the blood field of Murfreesboro’, in whose ranks should be honorable mentions and perpetuated the United States Regulars, cavalry and infantry.
Choral Society Concert Next Monday Night
The programme of
the second public concert of the Urbana Choral Society for the present season
is below. It presents important
selection in their order from the great masters of musical composition, Bach,
Gluck, Sullivan and Wagner. These will
be rendered by probably the largest chorus of trained singers that has ever
been heard in
I. Chorale – “A strong castle is our Lord.” Bach.
Martin Luthers Reformation Hymn
II. Tri – “Memory.” Leslie
III. Soprano Solo—“The Lost Chord.” Sullivan
IV. Chorus and Quartette from Alceste. Bluck
V. Soprano Solo—“Non Torns.” Mattei
VI. “Prisoner’s chorus and Quintette,” from Fidelio “Farewell though Warm and Sunny Beams.” Beethoven
VII. Duo—“Una Notte in Venezia” Lucantone
VIII. Piano Solo—Ballade in A Flat. Chopin
Miss Counts
XI Sextette from Lucia Donezetti
X Bridal Chorus “Guided by Thee.”
Male Chorus “Hail King Henry
From the Lohengrin Wagner
Tickets for the remaining two concerts 70 cents; single tickets 50 cents. Tickets for sale at Help’s Newsstand.
J. F. Brand, esq. our Frank of this city, has been elected Great Senior Sagamore of the great council of the Improved Order of Red Men of Ohio.
Miss Ella C. Taylor, of
Friday, March 26, at
THE SOCIAL LAST NIGHT
Leave Taking of a Venerable Building.
Last night the
social and entertainment at the
venerable old house opposite the City Hall was a grand success. It was largely attended. It was something more than a social. About
Then came the reading of a paper concerning the history of the old building in which the present social was being held, prepared for the occasion by Wm. Ross. Below we give a few extracts:
“Urban was laid out
in 1805 by Col. Wm. Ward. He named the place
from the word ‘urbanity.’ The two first
settlers were the Clerk of the Court, Joseph C. Vance (Father of ex-Governor
Vance) and Geo. Fithian, who opened the first tavern in a cabin now forming a
part of the dwelling of Mrs. Thomas, on
“Mr.
Joseph A. Reynolds moved to
“Judge Patrick informs me that Mr. Fithian occupied this building as a tavern for probably eight or nine years, say from 1805 to 1813 or 1814. He then sold it to John Enoch (the father of our present Jno. Enoch). He kept the tavern in it for about a year, and then moved away from town. One Mr. Birdsley next occupied it also as a tavern. He remained in it about two years, (perhaps as much as three,) and with his occupancy the place ceased to be used as a public house. The Judge is unable to say who resided here after Mr. Birdsley’s time until Mr. Thomas bought the property. Doubtless there are those present to night who can fill the vacancy, and they are cordially invited to do so, and to give any reminiscences that may occur to their minds bearing upon any part of the old house’s history.
“Those of us who
have lived in
“This embraces all the items I have been able to gather as to the history of this old tavern, fort, school house, residence, shop, that is tonight entertaining us for perhaps the last time, and I respectfully submit.:”
The evening was highly enjoyed by all present. The refreshments were excellent. Vance’s band furnished the music. (1879)
OUT WITH THE OLD.
In 1854, just a quarter of a century ago, the membership the First M.E. church became so large that it was thought advisable to divide the congregation. Accordingly between one hundred and fifty and two hundred formed a colony which has since been known as the Second church. A building committee consisting of J.W. Hitt, Hon. Ira A. Bean, and Hon Francis M Wright, was appointed and the next year the church, which the congregation now leaves, was completed, and made ready for them to occupy, and was dedicated by Bishop Thompson. The meeting of conference was still some months distant and the interval Rev. John T. Mitchell served the church as a temporary supply. When conference met, Rev. J. F. Chaltant was appointed to the regular charge, since which time the pulpit has been occupied as follows: 1857, J. C. Kingsley; 1859 J.J. Thompson; 1861 J.M Robinson; 1863 W. L. Hypes; 1865 L.F. Vancleve; 1868 J. F.Conrey; 1870 Charles Furgeson; 1873 George H. Dart’ 1876 A. N. Spahr, all of whom are still living.
Last Sunday was the last Sabbath they were to spend in their old tabernacle and special exercises were appointed for the day. The Memorial Services in the evening were deeply interesting not only to all the members, but to the numerous friends who were present. The pastor read a history of the church and among other items in addition to those given above we include the contributions to benevolent objects, $7,875.00 and to pastors $20,500.00. When the new church was formed there were but 467 Methodists in the city, but since then, the number this church alone had doubled, while the same prosperity has doubtless followed the parent church.
Interesting remarks were made by Joshua Saxton, on “The Early History of the church.” Robert Outram, ‘Revivals of the church;” Mrs. Jos. C. Brand, “The women of the church;” C.F. Colwell, “The Choir,” L. B. Happersett and W. W. Wilson, “The Sunday School;” Levi Geiger, “The Pastors and the Dead of the church.” Rev. David Warnock followed with a few comments on the life of the church, “and when they had sung a hymn they went out” with full confidence that the glory of the latter house should be greater than the former and that the Lord of Hosts would give peace. (June 1879)
On Saturday last Col. Candy and Q.M. Sergt. Wm. R. Ross, of the 66th
arrived at home. Col. Candy was severely
injured in the thigh by a fall on
Grace Church Organ Concert
The organ concert at Grace M.E. church, which occurs on the evening of the 10th inst., and which is being looked forward to with anticipations of much pleasure, will fully gratify the same. Dr. Thomas Caulfied, who will be the organist for this occasion, is pronounced on of rate excellence, and the names of our home vocalists that appear on the programme, is a guarantee of fine singing. The names of Miss Eichelberger and Miss Baxter alone, on a programme, are sufficient to draw large numbers of lovers of music, while the added attractions of the organist, Dr. T. N. Caulfied, and the grand chorus promised on this occasions, makes the following an extraordinarily attractive programme:
First Part.
Organ Solo—Fantasie Bert
Showing solo stops and full power of the instruments—Dr. Thomas N. Caulfied.
Full Chorus—Athem “Joehovah’s Praise”—White
Quartette—“Like as a Father Pitieth his Child.’
Trio—“Down by the Living Waters.”
Solo—“nearer my God to Thee.” Miss Baxter
Organ Solo—Prelude and Fugue in G Bach --Dr. Thomas N. Caulfield
Presentation of Organ to the Trustees of Grace M. E. Church
Part Second
Organ Solo Walter Small
Duette
Solo Miss Eichelberger
Organ Solo – “National Airs” Dr. T. N. Caulfield
Full Chorus – ‘Hallelujah” Handel
Admission 25 cents; reserved seats,
50 cents. Doors open
Opening of the Parlors of Grace Church
The elegant basement
of Grace M.E. Church was opened with a social, Thursday evening, which proved
to be the largest church social that has yet been held in
The social was made up of the good people of the various denominations of this city, the First M.E. and Presbyterian congregations especially being largely represented.
Second Public Concert
Of
the
The supposition of one would naturally be, upon picking up a programme and glancing over the classical selections that the Choral Society rendered at their concert Monday evening, that, with the acknowledged refined musical taste of Urbana, its people would turn out in large numbers to do honor to the home talent of which they might justly feel a conscious pride. But such did not prove to the case on Monday evening, and the efforts of our best musical instructors and most apt and talented pupils, were accorded an expression of appreciation only to the extent of not a half house. But the soloists and all the members of the society were apparently unmindful of this lack of merited appreciation, and could not have acquitted themselves with greater credit if the hall had overflowed with the most appreciative auditors.
The choruses were all finely rendered, giving evidence of the thorough training Prof. Sewall has given the members of the Choral;
The Bridal Chorus, “Guided by Us and the male Chorus, “Hail Kink Henry,” for the opera of Lohenrin, by Wagner, were most perfectly rendered and probably aroused the audience to a keener sense of the merit of the concert than any one of the other choruses on the programme.
The trio, “Memory,” was exquisitely rendered by Profs. Sewall and Moses, and Mrs. Smith.
The soprano solo, “The lost Chord,” one of Sullivan’s most entrancing inspirations, was sweetly and in a cultured manner, sang by Mrs. Hubbell, who was warmly applauded.
In the chorus and quartette from
Alceste, by Gluck , the quartette was admirably sustained by Miss Hitt, Mrs.
Cabell, Prof. Moses and Mr. Alex.
Decidedly the most
pleasing feature of the concert was the soprano solo by Miss Eichelberger, “Non
Torno,” by Mattei. This selection could
not have been rendered by any one possessing a less powerful and full voice
than Miss Eichelberger, with such pleasing effect. At its conclusion, the audience were not quieted
until that lady had sang another selection of almost equal merit, and which was
equally as well rendered as the first.
When she retired amid the enthusiastic expression of appreciation that
is elicited by her every appearance before an
“Uno Notte in Venezi,” by Lucantoni, a duo by Mrs. Hattie Read and Mr. Henry Helps, met, as its rendering merited an approbation of the audience by a good round of applause.
Miss Counts being unable to appear, her place on the programme was most acceptably supplied by Miss McLain, who is a pianist of rare accomplishment’s
The concert, as a whole, was a most excellent entertainment, and though the audience was small, it was one upon which the artistic rendering of classical selections from the first authors was not lost.
Hon. J. C. Brand was sworn in
and assumed the duties of mayor today. (
Tornado at
The awful sublimity of the scene can not be impressed upon the mind of any who did not witness it. And in much less time than the above can be read, the hole force of the tornado darted down like forked lightning upon the town, picking up and demolishing a small brick building, on the northeast corner of John A. Mosgrove’s homestead lot, then occupied by a Richard Baker; unroofing the Luce house, now owned and occupied by Ales. McBeth, on the corner of Miami and High street; then with one concentrated swoop dipped into the town branch, in the present foundry yard, clearing out all the water and sediment in its wake; then ascending, whirled J. B. Eaker’s frame house, standing near the front yard of J.M. Gardner, unroofing a log house of old James Hulse that then stood in the rear of the present Lutheran church, destroying all the stables in the vicinity. Then as it imbued with mercy, the cloud leaped over without doing injury to two or three small frames near where Col. Johnson lived a short time since, occupied by Johnathan E. Chaplin and others and then darting down demolished in front a pillared street market house; then taking up a hip roofed and nearly finished, steepled and hip roofed brick Presbyterian church, on the present site of the court house; crumbling it to its foundation, carrying the steeple and other timbers long distances, some of which were hurled through the gables of the J.H. Patrick’s present residence, which ad then lately been built by M. L. Lewis, a former newspaper editor, and other timbers striking the building, now known as the Hamilton house, leaving the foot prints to this day, then with a bound this last named house, and what is known as the Glessner corner, were partially unroofed, and throwing down a part of the brick walls, from which two carpenters were only saved by crouching under their work bench, which saved them from bang crushed with the brick and mortar, unroofing at the same time the house then owned by Joseph Reppart, now owned I believe by A. C. Jennings, immediately north of the Hamilton house.
Then, in its wild freak, the tornado seemed to server itself, and part of it struck and unroofed a log house, then owned and occupied by William Downs, (mason), drawing or rather sucking out the north all form its solid corners of the old brick M. E. Church, (now owned by W. H. Ganson, I believe) evidently caused by a vacuum, produced by the action of the storm, and laid it out in a straight line, without even separating the masonry to any considerable extent.
The other segment of the tornado struck the house of Rolin J Harey, near the residence of Captain Bresman and prostrated it to the ground. Then it whirled into fragments in a new frame house, then occupied by George Bell, (school teacher,) a little east of the present residence of Doctor Houston. Would to god it were only necessary to record the demolition of property, but oh no; the controlling spirit of the storm transformed itself into an angel of death, and singled four innocent, beautiful and interesting children at this point, one a little infant, as victims to the dark domain, and clutched them as additional trophies, in the retinue of the storm King, carrying their lifeless bodies immense distances in mid air; and not content with this sacrifice hurled the mother several rods, maiming her for life, and at the same time greatly injured a little girl who happened to be at the house, and who is now a respectable lady of this city, and who carries the evidences of it to this day. Here the two segments of the storm again coalesced; leaving the residence of Jerry Mthis untouched which stood in the present front yard of Mayer Deuel, and next picked up the brick residence of Charles Mathis on the spot where Mrs. West now lives and crumbled it to the lower floor, leaving Mrs. Mathis sitting with a child in her arms, surrounded with the complete wreck of the house, uninjured and unscathed, as a seeming atonement for the work of death at the last point of attack, and then veered north and demolished the oil mill of Jonn Mathis, demolishing his whole stock of castor beans, etc.
At this point the tornado left our town, pursing its tumbling, pitching swooping course through the Ryan woods taking in the site of the present high school building, hurling, twisting, uprooting the largest trees; on, yet on it speed, ascending and descending, touching the earth here and there, at unequal distances, clearing a track of some 15 rods wide where it came in contact through the State of Ohio, nearly destroying a small town in Richland county, reaching a small town in north eastern Pennsylvania at about 5 o’clock the same afternoon, at the unparalled speed of about 100 miles per hour.
You need not tell me gentle reader, that my effort is a failure; I know it. I feel it, but console myself with the reflection, that no uninspired pen, however ably wielded, can do justice to such a subject. I have failed to catalogue all the destruction in the town; some thirty buildings, including stables, etc., were either partially or totally demolished in the wake of the storm, besides many chimneys and other fixtures in other parts of the town. I might here extend many diversified incidents some very sad, some mirthful, some indeed laughingly ludicrous but will forbear, and will close by saying that immediately after the catastrophe, the citizens of the town and many from the country, met with the council of which the author had the honor of being of the members, and immediately inaugurated measures of relief to the sufferers, and early next morning, marshaled under chosen leaders, commenced the reconstruction of the buildings that the havoc of the storm had demolished. Merchants, blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers, hatters, tinners, saddlers, wheel wrights, tanners, pump makers, potters, gunsmiths, cabinetmakers, brick masons, and indeed, all classes were metamorphosed into carpenters, plasterers, brick masons, and those who could not labor, furnished means necessary, such a lumber, shingles, nails, glass, cash etc. In addition to contributions from our own citizens, the people of Dayton and some other places contributed and placed in the hands of the town council handsome sums of money for distribution; all the unfortunate families were again provided with new homes and many indeed in less than a month were in better condition than before the storm; thus order and comfort were restored by united effort.
Now Mr. Editor, if I should be charged with a plagiarism by the readers of Antrems’s history of Champaign and Logan counties, you may say to them that I acknowledge the fact that his article is largely drawn from that book, but I have corrected or tried to correct some of its errors; but the better defense I have, is , although I have drawn largely, I claim that is a principle in law, that a man cannot commit a theft upon his own pocketbook, if he is honestly the owner of its contents; and as I claim to be the author of the article ten years ago in that work, I have a right to use if I can better it, and not be chargeable with a literary theft. I will here close by saying that the anniversary of the storm came on this same day of the week that it occurred, and if any of your young readers will ask me what day of the week will be its centennial anniversary, I will answer by saying it will be on Monday, and if they will call on me I can give them a short rule that never fails in making such a calculation.
William Patrick
W. C. Happersett resigned his position Saturday evening as leader of the choir of Grace M. E. Church, and Mr. W. A. Ross was elected to supply the vacancy occasioned by his resignation.
William A. Brand Post G. A. R.
The William A. Brand
Post No. 98 of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in
John Ross is one of the most elegant scribes in the south ward school.
Milo G. Williams, formerly President of the
Prominent Physician Dead
Dr. Francis Carter,
dean of the faculty of
Apropos of the State Fair, Mayor Brand took the first premium on
apples at the first State Fair, held in
Death at the Reputed Age of 125
Special Dispatch to the
Urbana, O. March
25—One of the most remarkable men that we have ever heard of is James Gales, an
old colored man, who died at the home of his daughter, southeast of this city,
today. Various ages are put upon his
life, but the most reliable is that of the Census Supervisor, who claims to
have come across papers while taking the census that bring his age reliably at
125 years. He has been in this county
for more than 50 years, and at the time of his arrival here had children that
were old men and women. He has been
married three times and the last time he was married in the public highway by
Esquire Vance. Until within the last two
or three years he has never been forced to use a cane. It is claimed by some that he could read
without the use of glasses, but this is a mistake, as he never could read. It is claimed that he was the oldest man in
The Ward brothers have been among us for several weeks and I wish it were possible that they could both spend the greater part of their time among their old and best friends. J. Quincy Ward is one of the leading sculptors of the world, and I have read with increasing interest all the accounts of his various triumphs which the Citizen has faithfully described. His fame is world wide and enviable. His brother Ed is scarcely behind him as a painter, but genius, and fame and greatness have spoiled neither. True greatness itself, and it is here illustrated at home. Both are the same genial, plain, jovial, unassuming men of years ago who affect old friends so pleasantly, and of whom new acquaintances say “I shall always know you.”
Col. James’ Old Horse
The following appeared in
the
DEATH OF A REMARKABLE HORSE
A very old and
remarkable horse, the property of Colonel John H. James, of
Old Bonny, like most intelligent people, had decided ideas of his own. One amusing instance of this was a dislike to being hitched, and when this feeling was disregarded, he would deliberately break his halter and then stand half a day by the hitching post. He was never subjected to that accident producing barbarism of blinds, but used his eyes freely to see what was going on behind as well as around and before him. He would stand quietly and look back at the buggy until whoever was getting in was seated, and then would start. He had a different gait for nearly every person that drove him. With those in the habit of going fast he would start of briskly without being urged. With children (for everyone was allowed to drive old Bonny who could sit on the seat and hold the lines) his deliberate and careful movements showed that he considered himself responsible for their safety. When they attempted to urge him with the whip I have seen him look round at them a hundred times with a look that said as plain as words, “Children, I understand this business better than you do,” and if they still persisted he
would give a kind of impatient kick, though scarcely raising his foot from the ground, but go faster he would not.
With the colonel he had a kind of dog trot, and it took a vigorous application of the whip to make him change it. When the colonel was in his office old Bonny, though never hitched, stood at his hitching post in front, unless the sun or flies became troublesome, when he would go round the corner and through a narrow lane into the back lot, but could be found in one place or the other, except on a few occasions, becoming impatient at the unusual delay he went home alone. At noon he would go up to the steps and when the buggy was unloaded and all the packages taken out he would go to his box under a tree and wait for his dinner, while at night he would go with equal regularity and alone to the stable. Bonny could turn a buggy wherever is could be turned, and his skill and deliberation in turning in a narrow place or in extricating himself from the entanglement of other vehicles, has often been watched and wondered at by the bystanders. He would turn one way until the wheels were too much cramped or he was in danger of hitting something, and then turn the other way and back or start up, as might be necessary, always watching the movements of his own buggy and of anything that might be in the way. If his master got out he would wait for him, and if he walked Bonny would follow him all about town, stopping when he stopped and starting when he started.
Bonny undoubtedly came to distinguish Sunday from other days. Whether this was from the ringing of the church bells or from the later hour he was wanted, or from the direct influx of that wisdom that teaches the sparrow to fly, on Sunday, without the raising of a line, he would turn to the right and go to church, while on work days he would turn to the left and go down town. One of his last exploits was one of his most remarkable. He had lost two shoes and his feet had become a little sore. Pat, the stable boy, who had long believed that Bonny knew more than many men, took two shoes, tied them together with a string, shook them before his face, and hung them across his neck and then started him off alone, and he went four blocks, turning two corners to Ed Hill’s blacksmith shop, where he had been shod for twenty years and after the shoes were put on went home alone. I am assured of the truth of this, boty the stable boy and by Mr. Hill, who had for twenty years watched and wondered at his wonderful sagacity. Since his last exploit, I have no doubt Mr. Hill would freely and conscientiously make oath that old Bonny knew more that half of his human customers. Now the Urbana Union informs us that old Bonny’s feet have, for the last time, been iron shod to fit them for the rough ways of this rough world.
If, as we sometimes hope, and half believe, it is a part of the plan of that wisdom which watches the falling sparrow, that animal life, with its wonderful instincts, and sometimes with its wonderful intelligence, shall reappear on the other side of the curtain that separates this world of matter and shadows and death from the world of substance and spirit and life, there can be no doubt on which side of the great gulf which separates the habitually well disposed and useful from the habitually evil disposed and useless, old Bonny will appear.
Henry T. Niles
A.P.
Ross and John R. Ross, are visiting the family of W. J. Davies in
John
Brand was married to Miss Hattie Wright, of Bellefontaine, last night. (Aug.)
HISTORY OF MOUNT PISGAH NEIGHBORHOOD.
I.
The word neighbor is a good old Anglo-Saxon word. Noah Webster says it is formed from neh, nigh, and gebwe, a farmer. Joseph Emerson Worcester says is from neah, near , and bwe, a dwelling. A neighborhood is a company of neighbors—the inhabitants of a country who live near each other. Nations are formed from neighborhoods. This nation may be compared to a vast tree, to an evergreen—a live oak, for example. The several states that are the great stems which shoot forth from the giant trunk; the branches fastened to those stems may be likened to counties; the twigs attached to these branches represent the subdivisions styled townships; and the countless number of leaves represent neighborhoods. The leaves are the important organs which elaborate or assimilate the crude sap of the tree—neighborhoods are the life of the Nation.
Neighborhoods are so interlocked or interfaced that it is impossible to decide where one ends and another begins. Their boundaries are therefore indefinable. The mill, the schoolhouse and the church, are the fundamental points around which neighborhoods cluster. They may be regarded as the foundation stones of all well regulated neighborhoods. Man has three fold nature. He should be educated physically and intellectually and religiously. He needs food for his body, his intellect, and his soul. Hence the enterprising, intelligent, and Christian pioneers of every country, as soon as they have secured shelter for their families and their stock, build the mill, the schoolhouse and the church. The progressive development of the citizens of a neighborhood from the rough forest life of the past to the condition of the present, exhibits a picture as instructive as it is interesting. I will endeavor, Deo volente, in a few letters , to give, with the permission of the editor of this Gazette, history of that part of Union township which has been known for forty nine years as the “Mount Pisgah Neighborhood.” I will commence with the first years of the present century, when a few families residing in the mountainous regions of Virginia having heard of the beautiful and fertile district styled the “Miami Country” determined to leave the land of their childhood—its rocks and rills—to make themselves homes in the uncultivated wilderness. The history of every life worth chronicling is a history of persistent toil and long enduring patience. These men an women, with a sturdy energy and an indomitable perseverance peculiarly their own, pressed forward not knowing exactly where or when their journey would terminate; but they sent up their fervent prayers to the Being who shapes the fortunes of mankind, that His hand might guide and his blessings attend them.
“There was woman’s fresh eye
Lit by her deep love’s truth
There was manhood’s brow serenely high
And the fiery heart of youth”
In a few weeks they found themselves in the noble and marvelously fertile valley watered by Buckcreek and its minute branches. This valley and the hills bordering thereon were singularly attractive to these pioneers of civilization. So their journey westward ended. Amid the grand solitude of the primitive forests they sang “their hymns of lofty cheer.” In this valley and on these gently sloping hills which presented few obstacles to cultivation , they built their log cabins. Here they dwelt in happiness. The soil was prepared to furnish all the productions needed for their sustenance. They would became known as industrious, honest, and intelligent community. The storms of war severed but to strengthen them, and by the long sunshine of peace they were nurtured. The recognized the fact that if there were no wars, mankind would not properly appreciate the blessings of peace; that without poverty, wealth would lose much of its value; and without darkens, light would become a monotonous superfluity. When they were surrounded by circumstances the most disheartening, the deep faith in their souls heard the should of coming deliverance. Those first settlers have all passed away; but they have left behind them the memory of their simple virtues.
R.
HISTORY OF
II.
Although its boundaries cannot be determined with precision, yet we will assume they are as follows: It is bounded north by the Mechanicsburg pike, east by a line drawn southward from Mutual, south by a line drawn eastward from Powhattan, and west to the township line. Its northeast corner nestles in the arms of Mutual, and the southwest corner is protected by the friendly tribes of Powhattan. First in the annals of this neighborhood appear the surnames Runyan, McLain, Lafferty, Minturn, Jones, Clark, Robinson, Reid, Ward, Baker, Hedges, and Garber.
The first settlement
was made in 1802 by John Runyan and Joseph McLain. They were born in
John Lafferty was
born
Jacob Minturn and
Jones were born in
Jacob Minturn,
assisted by his robust boys, built a comfortable log house a few rods directly
east of what is now the residence of Mrs. Mary Jones. Here they planted an apple orchard, and some
of the trees are standing to this day. I
venture to assert there are a few trees in the State of
Barton Minturn, with
the help of his father and brothers, built a log cabin a few rods southeast of
the brick house which he built about 20 years afterward. His wife, Hannah, died
Abram Jones and his
wife Nancy, first settled on the land now owned by “Aunt” Ary Paul. Their son John was born there
Justus Jones settled on the farm lately owned by his son-in-law, Rezin C. Wilson, deceased. He built a log cabin which stands to this day in the edge of the orchard, a few rods south of the brick mansion built by Rezin C. Wilson in 1840. For many years Justus Jones held the office of Justice of the Peace and before the church was build his house was a place of worship for the Methodists. The Methodists of the neighborhood were formed into two bands or classes. John Lafferty was the leader of the northern band, and Justus Jones the leader of the southern band. John Lafferty died in 1822, as before stated, and William Hendin became his successor as class leader. Justus Jones and his wife died nearly fifty years ago in that old log house which stands by the old apple trees on the hill—a relic of a past age “to sentinel enchanted ground.” The winds of winter which pass through its gaping sides sigh a requiem for the departed ones who “long years ago in the good old times” assembled to pay divine honors to the Supreme Being.
Daniel Jones settled on the farm now owned by Edward Minturn. He and his wife died there and were buried in that family burying ground herein before mentioned.
John Clark settled
on land immediately south of Jacob Minturn.
The old house is yet standing and is about a quarter of a mile south of
the brick residence of Mrs. Mary Jones.
John Clark’s son Stephen was born there about 1806. Stephen married Hannah, the daughter of Jacob
Minturn; and about 1830 he purchased the farm now owned by Samuel Barnett, and
resided there nearly thirty years. His wife, Hannah, died
Allen Minturn and
his wife, Rebecca lived for several years on the land which lies northwest of
Bunnell Minturn
married the widow of Abram Jones. He
purchased his father’s farm and there he resided until the day of his
death. His wife died
“Seventy winters and six had shed
Their snowy glories on his head.”
He is now with his brothers on “the sunny banks of eternal deliverance”; and we will breath a prayer that these “poor little hearts of ours” may be so controlled by the Being who rules over the destinies of Individuals that we shall be prepared to meet the innumerable company that John saw, including the old pioneers of Mt. Pisgah neighborhood.
George Minturn
successively resided on the Pretty Prairie, in Mechanicsburg, in
The longer we live, the more we are impressed with the fact that human lives are in an inextricable tangle, and their influence, each on the other, is inexorable.
HISTORY OF
III.
Daniel Baker, a
native of
He was the father of Lucien Taylor, for many years our county surveyor. I seldom feel inclined to panegyrize, but right here I desire to say of William S. Taylor, that he was one whose modest deportment and strict integrity of character, endeared him to all who knew him. During the many years passed in this neighborhood he had so endeared himself to us by the integrity of character, the urbanity of his manner, the friendly sympathy and active kindness of his nature, and his uniform deportment as a true and modest Christian, that we felt, one and all, when he entered the eternity of rest, that in losing him we had lost not only a most estimable companion, but a friend and brother who loved his fellow man.
Next in the list of
the names of those men faithful and true, silent and few,--those brawny armed
men who cut the white oak forests and hewed away for those to come
after—appears the name of William Paul.
He was born in
About the year 1808 Abijah Ward settled on the land afterwards owned by William Vance and now owned by John Kirby. He reared a large family of children and build the house, near the mouth of Dugan, which was for a long period the residence of William Vance.
Richard Ward and his
brother John settled on the northwest quarter of section 32. John build his cabin near the south line of
the quarter on the west bank of the pond known by the obstreperous schoolboys
of the past generation as the Fulton pond.—About the year 1813 John sold his
part (60 acres) to Richard, and his cabin was revised and transformed into a
school house, where for a short period the children of that vicinity were
taught. Of this school I will write
hereafter. Richard Ward, in 1828, sold
the farm to Thomas Hatton, a native of
I am to give a
chronological order, a concise and unadorned narrative of events and I discover
at the outset the disadvantage of not having a memory like a sponge---able to
retain everything. James Reid was born
near Martinsburg,
“It is well to look back with pride and
boast,
It is well to look ahead;
The past is all in a dream at most,
The future is life instead;
And standing unmoved at your duty’s post
Is truthfully praising the dead”
I will now give a
history of the first gristmill. It was
build about one third of a mile n.n.w of the
James Robinson died
and his son Joseph came into possession of all his land. The farm now owned by Mrs. Emily Conkly he
sold in 1834 to John Hedges. Hedges sold
to Samuel Canada, and in 1839
new one about fifteen rods father
south. About 1857 he sold the farm to
John McCreary, the mills to John Hamilton, and removed to
R.
HISTORY OF
IV.
History is almost inseparably connected with chronology and geography. Chronology is the skeleton of history, and geography is the base on which it stands. History without chronology is confused and obscure, and insipid. I have given the names of the first permanent settlers, and have stated when they came and where they settled. But there were others who came here between the years 1802 and 1812 with no determination to remain long. Their habits of life were migratory, and they lived principally by hunting. They built themselves huts somewhat similar to those built by the Indians. They were called squatters, and they sold their few improvements to those who afterward acquired title to the lands and became the first owners of the soil. The first settlers selected the ridges where grew the forests of oak and history, under the impression that the soil which produced the large trees must necessarily be more fertile than that which had brought forth hazel bushes or trees of inferior growth. But in this they were mistaken, and subsequent experience convinced that the barrens, so called were more fertile than the ridges
The line drawn by
Israel Ludlow from the source of the Little Miami, nearly N.N.W., to what was
then the southern boundary of the Indian lands, passes diagonally through the
eastern half of this neighborhood. East
of this line was the
A small part of
Dugan Prairie is within the bounds of this neighborhood. This prairie took its name from Pierre Dugan,
a Frenchman, who was the first white settler upon its boarder. He lived a few miles north of here on this
prairie. When the country began to fill
up with settlers and game became scarce, he took his Indian wife and traps and
removed northward to a point near the source of the
The first settlers had much to contend with. By peril and privation, by toil and trail, by the ordeal of suffering, they came into possession of these lands. They came and the noise of their axes resounded through the forest aisles of the wilderness. Handsome trees were felled. From these trees logs of the proper length were cut and hauled to the spot selected for the cabin. The four walls were formed, and the spaces between the logs were completely closed with pieces of wood and tempered clay—The floor was made of puncheons or planks formed by splitting logs and hewing them with a broad axe. The roof and ceiling was formed of clapboards. The apertures for the door, windows and fireplace were sawn out. The door was constructed of the same materials as the floor and was ornamented with a wooden latch and a latch string. A log cabin without a latchstring is a failure. The apertures intended for windows were finished with a sort of latticework, and paper, rendered translucent by being greased or smeared with lard or bear’s oil, was pasted thereon. This paper thus prepared resisted the rain tolerably well and was considered a very good substitute for glass. The chimney, with its generous fireplace, was formed of sticks and clay, or of stone. The shelves were clapboards supported by wood pegs, and the furniture in simplicity and rudeness of construction, corresponded to the cabin. They pounded corn in a hominy block and used the fine portions for bread or mush, and coarse for hominy. They kindled their fires by means of flint, steel, powder, and tow, and ate their mush and milk with a pewter spoon and from a tin cup. Hominy, Johnny cakes, corn pone and venison must also be included in the bill of fare; and in autumn these plain, blunt and whole souled backwoods farmers ate with a keen relish the delicious wild turkey. Most of the articles of dress were of domestic manufacture. Their homespun garments were made from flax or from the skins of deer. They wore coarse hunting shirts and buckskin pantaloons The latter, when dried after being wet, were uncomfortably had and inflexible. Such was their everyday and holiday garb. The boys went barefooted seven months of the year. Only five or six yards of calico were required for a dress pattern and it cost five or six dollars.
homes and kept watch against the treacherous foe. In 1810 it became evident to Gen. Harrison that the Northwest would soon be subjected to all the calamities of an Indian war
unless decided steps were taken. In 1811 Tecumseh journeyed.
“Through interminable forests,
With is moccasins of magic,
Over meadow, over mountain,
Over river, hill and hollow”
To the land of his ancestors; and by
his eloquence stirred up the Indian warriors of
At an election held in Union township, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1811, Joseph McLain and Jacob Minturn were two of the three judges; and of 68 persons who voted that day, I name the following : Jacob Minturn, John Lafferty, Joseph McLain, Barton Minturn, James McLain, Stephen Runyan, Allen Minturn, Daniel Jones, Richard Runyan, Justus Jones, John Clark, Abijah Ward, John Runyan, and Daniel Baker.
In 1812 there were “wars, rumors of
war, and earthquakes in diverse places.:
Tecumseh joined the British at
There
are a few errors in letter No. II. John
Clark was the husband of Phoebe, the daughter of Jacob and Abigail Minturn. The wife of Stephen, the son of John and
Phebe Clark, was Hannah, the daughter of Abram and Nancy Jones. Allen Minturn’s first wife was Sarah Clark. These town were married
R.
HISTORY OF MT. PISGAH NEIGHBORHOOD
V.
“The great flight is first for bread;
Then butter on the bread;
Then sugar on the butter”
In this saying there is more truth than poetry; more force than elegance. It is the statement of a principle which spans human life in all ages and countries. Necessity, convenience, luxury. Indigence, the golden mean, opulence. Poverty, comfort, wealth. The farmers of this settlement, with bright skies above them, pure air around them, and a kind soil beneath their feet, swung the plow and hoe in spring, the scythe and sickle in summer, the corn knife and husking peg in autumn, and the axe and flail in winter. And for their labor they were rewarded. Corn produced about fifty bushels to an acre, wheat twenty-five, and oats thirty; and although pork was sometimes sold for one dollar and fifty cents per hundred, wheat twenty-five cents per bushel, and corn for a fip penny-bit, yet the prices were usually fair. Corn and oats usually sold for twenty-five cents per bushel, wheat fifty cents, port two dollars and fifty cents per hundred, and beef three dollars. The spring and summer of 1816 were very unfavorable for raising wheat, corn, and grass; consequently the prices of produce for a year afterward were as follows: Corn thirty-three cents, wheat seventy-five cents, oats, thirty three cents, buckwheat thirty-seven and one-half cents, butter twelve and one half cents per pound, honey fifty cents per gallon, flour 6.50 per barrel, pork $4.00 per hundred, beef $3.50. In 1816 a good milk cow cost $15, and a good horse $40. Sheep were $3.50 per head. The principal news papers published in the Miami country in 1817, which occasionally found their way to this settlement, were as follows: The Sprit of Liberty, published in Urbana, the Ohio Vehicle in Xenia, the Ohio Republican in Dayton, the Political Censor and the Western American in Williamsburgh, the Western Spy in Lebanon, the Miami Intelligencer in Hamilton and the Cincinnati Gazette and Liberty Hall in Cincinnati. At that time improved farms were rated from five to 15 dollars per acre.
Not withstanding hardships, the settlers were generally blessed
with health. Ague and fever occasionally
visited their cabins, and infrequently the found it necessary to wrestle with
an epidemic. Between the years 1804 and
1806, James Walker, whose wife was John Clark’s sister, settled on the land now
commonly styled the “
All the able bodied men between the ages of eighteen and
forty-five years were enrolled in the militia, and were required to provide
themselves with fire-arms. The militia
of the State was arranged into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and
companies. The convenient each company consisted
of 64 privates. In 1815, James Reid was
duly elected and commissioned captain of the sixth company, in the first
battalion, second regiment, first brigade, and fifth division of the
militia. The commission was dated at
A compendious history of the first schools will be given
in the number following this. The facts
therein contained were imparted by Edward Minturn, Mrs. Mary Jones, daughter of
John Lafferty, and Robert S. Reid, all born in this neighborhood. The first named was born
R.
HISTORY OF
VI.
“He taught his pupils the rule of three,
Spelling, and reading, and writing, too,
Taking the little ones on his knee,
For a kind old heart in his breast had he,
And the wants of the smallest child he knew.
‘Learn while you’re young, he often said,
There is much to enjoy down here below;
Life for the living and rest for the dead’
Said the jolly old pedagogue long ago”
Seventy years ago, on the farm
purchased in 1831, and still owned by Edward Minturn, there stood a log house
in which was kept and operated a distaff, a spinning wheel, and one of those
frames or machines in which a weaver forms cloth out of thread. This modest building was called a loom house;
and therein during the years 1811 and 1812 was taught—with all the patience of
a successful weaver—a private school by George Minturn. (The dates given in this letter are
approximately correct.) In 1813, the
school was taught by John Owens. The
neighbors then built a log house for the use of schools a few rods northwest of
the spot now occupied by the residence of Edward Minturn. The traveler who passes over the road near by
will observe a culvert. Southeast of the
culvert, on the bank where the oaks spread their branches wide is the place
where that school house stood. Its chief
adornment was a capacious fireplace and an old-fashioned wooden chimney. The floor and the benches were made of
puncheons. The fireplace monopolized one
end of the building. From the other end
and from each of the two sides a log was cut and upright sticks were place, in
the space thus formed, so as to be about eight inches apart. Over these sticks were pasted sheets of
greased paper. In this quaint
long-windowed cabin the pupils of the ridges continued the good work, with the
help of a faithful teacher, of solving the intricacies of Noah Webster’s
“American Spelling Book,’ and Stephen Pike’s “System of Practical Arithmetic.” Nicholas Delong taught during the years 1814,
1815, and 1816. Among his pupils were
John and Hannah Jones, Jacob, Edward and Smith Minturn, Stephen Clark, and
others. A log house with a broad
fireplace and a chimney formed of wood and clay has never been considered
fireproof—The banks of the ravine were only for a brief period made attractive
by the presence of this building. It was
destroyed by fire in 1816, and during the following year the children were
instructed by Hildreth in a cabin on a farm about one mile farther north, now
known as the “Woods Farm.” In 1818 a large
house of hewed logs was build on the hill west of Dugan Prairie; and in that
house the children living on the ridges, as sell as those on the barrens, were
instructed in the rudiments of literature.
Lindley Murray’s “English Reader” was added to the list of text
books. Joseph Knox was the first
teacher, Richard Baldwin the second, and Thomas Calloway the third. The last named taught about three years. His labors as a teacher at that place
terminated about 1822. The beginnings of
a few branches of knowledge were indelibly imprinted upon the minds of the
children of that day. They were not
“tutored in the rudiments of many desperate studies.” They were taught orthography, reading,
writing, the simple rules of arithmetic, pure morals, and the elements of a
just and manly character. The few books
they studied were the best then published.
Webster’s spelling book was the first book of the kind published in the
Between the years 1811 and 1813, a private school was taught by Sallie Docum at the residence of John and Sarah Lafferty. The children taught at that place were Jane, Thomas, William and Mary Lafferty, William, John and Hansen Neal, and few others. The next school was held in a tenement house on John Lafferty’s farm. The house stood near the spot now occupied by Isaac Lafferty’s residence. It was a rough log house daubed with mud. Two logs were cut from its sides, and in the interstices thus formed, greased paper admitted light and excluded cold. John McLain, the eldest son of Joseph McLain, presided over and diligently taught this school several terms One night during the winter of 1816-17 the house took fire and burned down. The term school which was being held at that time was concluded in the cabin which John Lafferty built in 1803 for a residence. In 1817 another house for school purposes was built on the spot where the first burned down, and John McLain was again employed as instructor. The fireplace occupied nearly the whole of one end of the building; and the teacher, the pupils, and the door occupied the other end and the sides. During the period embraced between the years 1817 and 1826, the following named children, in addition to those last named, were instructed here: James, William, Sallie, Richard, and Jane McLain; Runyans: Beattys; Huestons; Thorntons: Neals; Lemuel, John and William Barrett; Joseph, John, Rebecca, Ephraim, Mary, Samuel, Sallie, Martha, and Martin Sayres; John, David, Wesley, Catharine, Sarah and Hester Ann Lafferty, and others. The school days of a few named above ended in 1817, and the school days of others began in 1826. I have now given a succinct history of the first schools in the northern part of the neighborhood and would be less dissatisfied with the performance if the dates given were absolutely and critically correct.
The first school house in the southern
half of the neighbor was build on the farm then owned by Daniel Baker and now
owned by Frederick Michael. It stood a
few rods from what is now the residence of the latter, and very near the spot
occupied by the barn. Its sides were
composed of large rough logs, and its principal features were windows of
greased paper and a huge fireplace. This
was known as “Baker’s School” From 1818
to 1822 the following named children were taught here: Aaron, John, Polly, and Justus Baker,
Stephen, Ira, Anna, Charlotte and D.K. Jones; William, Betsey, James and Rachel
Robinson, William Catharine and Robert S. Reid; William, Joseph, Betsey, Peggy
and Isaac Evans; Nancy, Samuel, Abijah, Larry and James Ward; John, Ary and
Robert Paul; George, Ben, Hannah, Sallie, and Oliver Flemming; William, Doctor,
Hannah, and Betty McMillan; Abram, Seymour, Jacob, John, Catharine, Lucinda,
Maria and Eliza Vanmeter; Clark, Dan, David, Henry, Hannah, Vashti, and Obadiah
Cregg (or Craig). About two-thirds of
the pupils above named were between the ages of fourteen and twenty years at
the time Thomas Moore taught. Between
the dates above given the first teacher was
In the first paragraph of number three, for
“1827” read “1857”; in the second paragraph, for “1802” read “1805;” in the
fourth paragraph, for “1813” read “1823;” in the fifth paragraph for “May 28”
read “May 23,” and for “June 30” read “June 20.”
R.
HISTORY OF
VII.
In 1825 paper windows and mud chimneys began to fade away and take their places with the other crudities of the dim past. The first brick dwelling house of this neighborhood was built for Barton Minturn in 1826. This house, with the additions which have been made thereto, is still used for a residence. The old part has two stories and a garret, or attic. There are three rooms on the first floor and two on the second. The brick was molded, dried in the sun, and burned in a kiln, at the foot of the hill about ten rods east of the site of the house. Barton Minturn resided here until 1852, when he sold his farm to James D. Hedges.
In the 1826 the Presbyterians
residing in this bicinity built a brick church on the summit of the hill near
the southeast corner of the
On
“The walls were brick, the ceiling low.
The windows high and small;
And a great fireplace, deep and wide,
Was build into the wall.”
John Ward furnished the brick. The brick kiln was on the land then owned by Samuel Harper, about one third of a mile northeast of the site of the school house—The door of the school house was on the south side and the chimney on the east end. There was a window on each side of the door, two on the west end of the house, and three on the north side. The desks ==ten or twelve in number—were large and clumsy, being about four feet in length and as many feet in length on side farthest from the pupil. Beneath the sloping top of each desk was shelf broad enough to receive and retain a small library. Long, hard benches, two feet high were place close to the walls of the school room, and those pupils who could write and cipher sat on these benches and used the desks in front of them. In the process of time the surface of the desks became ornamental, or rather defaced, with all the embellishments of school boy fancy or ingenuity. The boy who had the pleasure and honor of sitting behind on of these desks after it and its wooden companions had been in use for nearly three decades, did not fail to notice with care that it had been disfigured by one or more of his mischievous knife possessing predecessor. He saw oceans, seas gulfs, straits, lakes, rivers, creeks, continents, peninsulas, islands, capes—in fact a tolerable fair system of outline maps, or the world in nature, where in the natural divisions of water were represented by good blue and black ink, and the corresponding divisions of land by the original desk. The right proportions too, seem to have been maintained; for the board then before him was about three fourths ink and one fourth desk. In addition to this, there were initials and rude representations of objects animate and inanimate. Those desks are probably no longer in existence; but, if they are, then the hieroglyphics of the past which they contain will afford a history not quite so interesting, perhaps, but almost as difficult to decipher as the cuneiform inscriptions placed on Assyrians tablets when the post diluvian world, metaphorically speaking, was an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.
The first teacher in this school
house was Abram Ward, who taught during the winter of 1828-1829. The names of others who here endeavored to
smooth in some degree the entrance to the temple of literature are Richard
McLain, Samuel Robinson and William Lafferty.
The last named taught two winters.
At this time schools were supported by taxation, and small rate bills,
which were abated where there was inability to pay. William P. Thomas taught from
On
The record of the 1829 contains the following additional names of householders: Stephen Jones, Hiram Reel, Aaron Loomas and James McLaughlin; and the record of 1834 the following: Nancy Griffith, Newton Elsey, William Vance, Abner Merryfield, Samuel Kennedy, John Hibbets, John Jones, Robert Cundiff, Thornton Cundiff, Philip Heaton, Jacob Ward and Howell Campbell.
In 1836 there were 52 children in
the district between the ages of four and twenty one years. In 1838, the school laws of the State were
revised and a common school fund of two hundred thousand dollars was
established to be distributed a month the several counties according to the
number of youth therein. The number of
this school district was changed from six to three. During the year ending
R.
HISTORY OF
VIII.
On
I will now make mention of an unusual occurrence or
accidental event which came near being a disaster. On a certain Sunday in the spring of 1841 a
quarterly meeting was held at
On De 6, 1841, Joseph C. Brand was
appointed trustee to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of William
Hendrix. The circuit was then styled the
The following are the names of the Methodist itinerants who preached in this neighborhood between the years 1830 and 1860: William H. Raper, Richard Brandriff, Joshua Boucher, Ebenezer Chase, Wesley Roe, Joseph J. Hill, Granville Moody, Young, Michael Marlay, Sutherland, Gonzales, Levi P. Miller, James L Grover, Zachariah Connell, Sullivan, David Warnock, John W. Keeley, David H. Sargent, Charles B. Warrington, Stephen Ford Conrey, Samuel D. Clayton, Edward Estell, Joseph Newsom, John F. Marlay, John T. Mitchell, James Kendall, Henry Stokes, Sharp, Selman, Roe, David Kempter, James T. Bail, John Vance, John G. Black, William B. Jackson, William N. Williams and others. Some of those named above deserve special mention.—Their sermons were fine in rhetoric and satisfactory in substance; and probably no attentive listener ever heard them preach without carrying away in his memory some valuable thoughts. The wisdom of Solomon, the
prudence of Sergius Paulus, the tenacity and vitality of Paul, the boldness and firmness of Shadrach and his companions, the patience of Job, the kindness of Nahash, the meekness of Moses, the industry of young Jeroboam, the learning of Gamaliel, and the faith of Timothy’s maternal ancestry, were exemplified by these itinerants.
R.
HISTORY OF
IX.
During the period embraced between the dates Sept. 21, 1838 and April 8, 1861, the following named men served as school directors the number of years set opposite their names: James Paul, one year; Elou Wilson two, Jacob Minturn one, Wm. McGarry one, Edward Minturn seven, Rezin C. Wilson six, Joseph C. brand seven, John Jones nine, Ronald Donaldson five, Robert S. Reid eight, James D. Hedge three, Jacob Conklyn three, John McCreary three, James W. Fulton three, Amos M. Wilson two, and George W. Strayer one.
The following are the names of the children who attend school here between the years 1843 and 1863: Rosetta J. Wilson, Justus S. Wilson, Sarah A. Wilson, Mary Wilson, Martha Jane Wilson, James Porter, Newton Porter, Sarah Todd, Newel Todd, Sallie Ann Minturn, Rebecca Jane Minturn, John Donaldson, Elizabeth Donaldson, Thomas T. Brand, William A. Brand, Zenas B. Jones, James L. Crain, Martha Todd, Ellen Brand, James Barton Minturn, Charlotte Jane Minturn, William Wilson, John W. Minturn, David Donaldson, John Wesley Jones, Aquila J. Reid, Charlotte Creamer, Smith C. Minturn, Rebecca Reigart, Kate Reigart, Ronald B. Donaldson, Thomas O. Jones, Joseph C. Brand, Jr., Mary Brand, Belle Brand, Matilda J. Reid, Mary Donaldson, Emily J Reid, Levi M. Jones, Sarah Rebecca Conklyn, Mary E. Conklyn, Mary Ellen Creamer, Annie Donaldson, John W. Reid, Thomas Jackson Reigart, Harriet McConnell, Eliza McConnell, Thomas McConnell, Aminda McConnell, John W. McConnell, Mary Hannah Minturn, Rufus C. Minturn, Leander Dunlap, Alexander Dunlap, Alexander Dunlap, James P. Sloan, Joseph J. Reid, Leander Hamilton, William Hopper, Hiram Spellman, Martha Shugh, Jennie Shugh, John Shofstall, Sarah Shofstall, Silas Shofstall, Elnora Baldwin, Rezin B. Wilson, William N. Hedges, Edward S. Hedges, David McConnell, Levi Taylor, James Taylor, Ellen Taylor, Sara C. Jones, Maggie E. Williams, Sarah C. Reid, Kate Fulton, Charlotte E. Reid, Kate Donaldson, William Donaldson, Mary Jane Glenn, Thomas Glenn, Alice Glenn, James C. Reid, Sarh V. McCreary, Mary Jane McCreary, Eugenia L. McCreary, William G. McCreary, Samuel Goheen, Henry McConnell, Smith McConnell, John Wesley Strayer, Charles Conrey Jones, Lavina Wilson, Druzilla R. Conklyn, William E. Reid, Edward Estell Jones, Sarah Lafferty, William Conklyn, John Kennedy, Nathaniel Kinney, Joshua Kinney, Amanda Mahan, William Mahan, Joseph Mahan, Henry Heller, Robert Duden, Frank Morrison, Ann White, Virginia White, Daniel Webster White, George McKendree Strayer, Mary Lucinda Strayer, Anna E. Reid, Fannie Fulton, Mary Fulton, Eliz Ellen Conklyn, Marth M. Reid, William Reid, Rolla Reid, Mary White, Edmund R. Glenn, Martha Glenn, George Overs, Joseph Overs, Winfield Cunningham, George Wilman, Merrill Mouser, Jennie Mouser, Richard Stokes, Jane Stokes, James Bain, Charles Bain, Mary J. Bain, Eliza Bain, Anna McCracken, Laura Minturn, Mattie Wilson, Miranda E. (F.) Conklyn, Eudora C. Reid, Wilson S. Strayer, Mary Hannegan, Elizabeth Farnhart (Earnhart?), Sylvester Earnhart, and others.
The school teachers from 1842 to
1863, were: David Todd, Nancy Todd,
Caroline Funk, Townley, John B. Reigart, David Fulton, Joseph Requa, John
McGaffey, Sarah Todd, George Stuckmeyer, Stewart, Mary Armstrong, John Morgan,
Aquila J. Reid, William A. Humes, John W. Pearce, Mary Hedges, James C. Reid,
Fletcher Lafferty, Emily L. Reid, Clara Baldwin, Emory Pearce, and others. David Todd commenced teaching in the fall of
1842 and taught six months; for which he received $20 per month. Miss Nancy Todd taught four months during the
spring and summer of 1843. The average
daily attendance was twenty. David
Fulton taught during the winter of 1848-9.
Twenty four boys and eleven girls attended his school. Joseph Reque commenced his first quarter
About one-fourth of a mile
N>N>E> of the schoolhouse, is one of those depressions of the earth’s
surface, or basin, which abound in this vicinity. Nearly fifty years ago, in a cabin on the
banks of this pond, there lived a family surnamed Hunter; and since that time
this small body of water has been styled “Hunter’s Pond” or the “the Hunter
Pond.” During the cold winters of twenty
five and more years ago, this pond presented a surface so smooth and glassy as
to induce the “four and twenty happy boys,” who a thigh
“On sounding skates a thousand different
ways,
In circling poise, swift as the winds,
along.
The then gay land was maddened all to joy.”
R.
HISTORY OF
X.
The
In
the eight paragraph of No IV, for “the only son” read “the son” and for
“daughter” read “sister.”
I cannot close this series of letters without again referring to one of the principal men who lived and toiled amid the scenes here enacted.
“Some angel guide my pencil, while I draw,
What nothing else than angel can exceed,
A man on earth devoted to the skies.
All the black cares, and tumults of this
life.
Like harmless thunders, breaking at his
feet,
Excite his piety, not impair his peace.”
John Jones was born in this
neighborhood
R.
After a protracted revival of great length and interest, the workers at Grace Church are resting, having reaped a harvest of over one hundred converts. (handwritten: 1882)
Last
night a son made its appearance at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John P.
Brand. It is the grandson of Mr. and
Mrs. J.C. Brand, Jr., of Bellefontaine, and the great grandson of Mr. and Mrs.
J.C. Brand, Sr., of
Mrs. Caroline Hall of Cincinnati, is visiting her brother P. B. Ross.
Frank Brand was presented with a gold watch and chain at the close of his graduating address on Thursday night. The watch and chain was the gift of Mrs. W. A. Brand, and was the fine one carried by the late W. A. Brand, An appropriate token to his excellently prepared, well delivered oration.
Centennial of Methodism
Yesterday was set apart by the pastor
of Grace M. E. Church as a day for the celebration of Methodism in this
county. The exercises were of an
interesting character, and participated in by several members of the
congregation. The first services were
held at
Bellefontaine Examiner: While Miss Lena Brand and Miss Matie Bunker were out horseback riding last Saturday morning, Miss Brand grew suddenly sick and fell fainting from her horse. She was taken into Miss Jennie Jordan’s on Court street, in an unconscious state, but she soon recovered, however, sufficiently to be taken to her home. The only injury she sustained was slight bruises about the body and head, but it was almost a miracle that the result was not more serious.
Charley Ross smiles serenely this morning over the advent of an eight pound boy.
Last Monday being the seventieth anniversary of the birth day of Hon. J. C. Brand, the members of his family planned a surprise for the evening of said day. While thus surrounded by children and grand children, his eldest son. Major T. T. Brand addressed him, and a few words, presented him with an elegant silver plated coffee urn. Major Brand, Senior, responded appropriately, and Mrs. Brand followed with some motherly counsel which were gems of affectionate wisdom to her children. (Handwritten: Thursday, Jan 8, 1880)
Last
night the children and grand children of Mrs. Jos. C. Brand, assembled at
the family residence, on
At
the
FROM GAY TO GRAVE.
The Hon. S. S. Cox’s Early Religious
Experiences, Related by Himself
From the Independent.
The Culbertson’s, Hoges, Zane’s, McIntyre’s, Young’s et alii, who before this country began blazed their way over the hiss of Ohio while with rifle and compass they made their roads through the State—By Federal grants of land and propagandist energy—were not merely Presbyterian and Methodist household words, but household companions of my grandparents and parents.
Father David Young, who married the
widow of John McIntire, one of the founders of
It was there that I used to hear Joseph Trimble, when he brought his first fruits of oratory to the alter. It was there in that old southwest corner—where the “Amen’s” were much pronounced—that I realized, in my childish fashion, that I was unregenerate and sinful. It was from thence that I went to my home convicted, and entered the closet to cast of my little burden of sins and woes with an infantile orison; alas! Only to be discovered by a too vigilant mother—who had all too frequently missed her plum preserves and jumb sugar—to be sent to bed with all my imperfections on my head annealed, sore, and not a little revengeful.
But this old frame haunt of Methodist piety had its time to fall. Along with it went the old coal scuttle bonnets of the elderly Quarterly women and many plain and beautiful customs of the early Church.
A brick “meeting house” of larger dimensions and more pretentious was to be erected. My grandfather was on the building committee and in the absence of a better workman, it was my awkward hand which marked out upon the stone the awkward glypyics which designates the sect and dates the time of the erection.
Happy Arcadian days! Eheu! How they have glided into the abyss and rearward of time! I only recur to them to show the pious readers of the Independent how a Democrat “experienced” religion and what a fall, in their opinion, he has had, by reason of his unregenerate politics.
These early memories were cut in durable stone. Tarnished by worldliness, dusted with the activities of life, they have pursued me through the various vicissitudes of studious professional, literary, and political life. They became the nucleus of studies in college; they were coats of mail in the struggles against selfishness and skepticism; in the fine, they prefigured and preordained my choice of spiritual belief, as against the delusive sophistries of new philosophies and mere material science. They have enabled me in following and studying the physical advancement of the past quarter of a century, to perceive in all the atoms, forms, and forces of nature and the phenomena of mind the truth and benignity of the great scheme of human redemption, which is founded on the veracity of Christ, and becomes, with relapsing years, ore beautiful with the white radiance of an ennobling spirituality.
In this intellectual stability—upon the rock of truth—is there not some compensation for the shortcomings of our daily conduct? Is this denied by the purist? Will he abide no deflection from the fixed right line of known duty” Ah It is much to know the line, even if one can not always walk to it lineally and uprightly.
Grace M. E. Sabbath school library was opened yesterday afternoon for the first time, and before the inroads were made was a pretty affair. Over three hundred volumes at a cost of about one hundred and seventy-five dollars, were purchased, and under the supervision of Will Ross, the library will doubtless preserve its fine appearance for a long time. (handwritten: 1879)
Well Done.
The congregation met at
The work accomplished by the congregation in the past seven years shows what a united and energetic congregation can accomplish. The church was begun in 1878 and completed in June, 1879. The entire cost of the building and furniture and the parsonage reached about $30,000. Add to this the current expenses of church and the benevolent contributions in the seven years, and it aggregates about $50,000. The congregation has raised the entire amount among its members with the exception of less that $1000 that was contributed by persons of other churches. This is an average of $7000. per year. When it is taken into consideration that the congregation is of moderate means, and the extent of the
work accomplished by them alone, it demonstrates what sacrifice and love for the Christian church will do. The congregation now has one of the most handsome church properties in the state, and what is better still, it belongs to them. The ladies’ society of the church raised $6113.30 of the amount. (Handwritten: Aug 6, 1885)
H.
P. Espy has resigned his position as cashier of the Champaign National
Bank, of
Mrs. John S. Leedom and daughter, Miss Louie, gave a tea to a number lady friends Thursday afternoon. During the reception, the ladies greatly enjoyed the privilege of some of Miss Leedom’s exquisite paintings in which she has some very elegant studies. (Handwritten: March 12, 1887)
Wm.
R. Ross and wife to Mrs. Matilda Dye, lot in the city of
THE REPUBLIC. (Newspaper name)
Saturday Evening, March 6
For special reasons we depart from
our usual custom, and reprint a long obituary.
Its subject, Miss IVVA BRAND, of
Memoir
Ivva Brand died at her home,
Saturday evening,
Her experiences of the world were much beyond her years, and the finished education of her life was much brightened and made more effective to her purposes by contact with varied peoples and changing climes. An innate love of the Beautiful instructed her eyes and vision to the great works of art and the grand scenes of landscape and mountain and valley of Europe and America, expanded her mental powers to a high degree of cultivation. Modest and reserved in all things, her strength of character and mind was known only to her family and more intimate friends, though every acquaintance saw in her acts the thoughts of a most lovely child.
No subject of the world’s interest was ever brought to her notice upon which she did not form and express an opinion, and so clear, concise and rapid were her conclusions and decisions, that she seldom erred in these judgments. Always at an opportune moment were heard those opinions, which would frequently startle the minds of her friends, and always carried weight with them without the force of argument. Her mind was a true model of that perfection which may be attained by a strict discipline, self-imposed; for no restraint has ever been inflicted upon this, the youngest, loveliest, truest, and best.
Two great attributes attached themselves to her heart and made her magnet of love to all with whom he came in contact. These were: Affection for her family and love for her Heavenly Father. Never for a moment did she forget to pour out the quiet love of a heart brimming over with joy and gratitude and none could but feel it. Not demonstrative, but out of the eye and in the words carried the tell-tale story of her love and affection.
Under the light of a good mother’s example she grew into womanhood, and into conscious enjoyment of a Christian experience. She had no experiments, but walked the path of righteousness for her Master’s sake, and with a hope that fears not , faulters not; and needs no mercy. She suffered, and enjoyed the parallel between her sufferings and those that ended on the cross; and the soft, bright sunshine that fell upon her heart was always a clear token that God had proven her.
She had been an invalid nearly a twelvemonth, and exhibited throughout the time an unequaled degree of fortitude and patience. Never had she uttered a complaint, or murmured against the providence of God, in visiting pain upon her. She rejoiced in the promise here told:
“In the furnace God may prove thee,
Thence to bring thee forth more bright,
But can never cease to love thee;
Thou are precious in His sight:
God is with the—
God, thine everlasting light!”
Death placed his icy finger upon her brow two days before the final dissolution, and while she knew he had claimed her for his own, in those slow and tiresome moments, her spirit was lead on, and on, to the supreme eminence of earthly glory—a triumphant victory over the shadows, and sorrows, and tears, of a death bed. Two days of sleeplessness, strength wasted with flesh, she grew weary, and wearied into exhaustion but uttered no murmur of complaint. Tired she wanted rest; but there was no sleep for her save in that sleep of death. There was constantly with her a greater presence than suffering, and her mind held and fed upon a greater philosophy than science can herald. Pain had forsaken her, and her only suffering was that terrible weariness. Out of this most horrible feeling she looked with clam and dignified composure, and sweetly said, “Christ suffered!”
Years ago she formed an idea that she had a mission to fulfill on earth, and it was consoling to her to believe it to be the care of her aged parents. During her protracted illness she had a strong faith in recovery, that her mission might be fulfilled. When she saw the approach of death, and felt the early hope of her mission fade away, she looked for other work that must have been appointed to her to accomplish in the end of her mission. Almost as the star in the east, her work rose up before her, and became as distinct upon the clear sky as was that star to the wise men, and she followed it.
Three weeks before, she had confided to her mother a message for one of her brothers—one who was out of the pale of church discipline and not devoted to active Christian duties of life. Friday evening, twenty-two hours before her death, she called for that brother and requested the message to be delivered. The brave , heart-wrung mother could not tell it there, and it was communicated in a distant room. This was the message: “How fondly she had loved the delaying brother; how her affection for him was stronger, more intense that for the others, because of solicitude; how an abiding faith in Christ had sustained her and comforted her throughout her affliction and made her lover her family and be good to them. And she asked him to seek and find and depend upon in every hour, that Christ who had given her such peace and such happy days.”
The brother came to her side with a heavy heart, for he loved her as his own soul, saying: “My darling Ivva, the message is delivered.”—“The promise!”—On the promise!—she cried. And fondly kissing her questioning face he gave her the promise. The face beamed with the glory of her joy—she looked angelic, as she gasped and gurgled out the words: “Thank you! Oh, tank God! Bless you, my dearest brother!” That joy was so awfully great to her that she trembled in every nerve, her eyes almost glittered with satisfaction ,and a halo of magnificent beauty seemed to wreath her head as she called to her eldest brother, “Oh, Pray! Pray!” And the eldest knelt in the large circle around her bed and offered a beautiful prayer for her glory and for their trust. The she said, “Oh, you have made me so happy---you—and you—all—Oh, I feel like I could almost get well again.”
Steadily, through the long weary
hours of night she approached the hour of departure. Each hour found her weaker, but the
concentration of the great glory of her life grew more intense. At
Who of us is so brave, or who has the philosophy of science so true, as to receive that announcement without a tremor of fear? That child of Faith feared not, but smiling as one who ascends a throne to reign and govern, she raised her eyes to his and replied: “Thank you! Thank you! Bless the lord for rest!”
She had reached the summit of her greatness and she made her appointments composedly as one who sets her house in order. Nothing was forgotten in the hurry to death. Calling her physician she thanked him for his care and attention. Kind friends who during her sickness and in her last hours were with her ministering to her, were given her warm thanks and God’s blessing. One by one the family approached, and from each was exacted a promise to meet her in heaven. As she kissed her father, dearer to her than life itself, she said “don’t cry!” We’ll meet above!” Through is tears he answered, “Yes, daughter, you’re almost there.” One brother approached, and she made the wonderfully significant remark: “There is the One!” The youngest brother –in-law stooped and received a last word from her, kissed her fondly, bade her good-bye—and then she said, “My work is finished!” and looking up into her brave mother’s eyes, with a slight wave of her hand, sweeping the entire family gathered there, she continued—“My Mission! An unbroken family in Heaven!”
Her mission was accomplished un unutterable glory, and from the topmost height of spiritual greatness, she reached out her hands and was welcomed into Heaven. Christ had led her on.
“There have the souls of our beautiful ones
gone,
Over the shadows of death’s river;
We shall behold them and call them our own,
Sharing their glories forever.
Many of our readers were acquainted with Miss Ivva Brand, (daughter of the Hon. Joseph C. Brand, of Urbana ,) a very excellent and amiable young lady, who recently died , and they will read, with great interest a most touch memoir, written by her brother, (one of the of the Urbana Citizen and Gazette,) which we reprint in to-day’s paper. No one whether a friend or an utter stranger –can read the article without being greatly moved. The family of the deceased my feel assured of the affectionate and sympathizing remembrance of many friends here and elsewhere.
Death’s Doings
Miss Ivva Brand, youngest daughter
of Hon. Joseph and Lavinia Brand, died at her home in
Ivva was the youngest of nine children, and perhaps, the most patient of them all, for she had been in poor health for several years. It is said that experiences of the world add much to the refinement of education and the teachings are such that it leaves an impressive stamp upon the mind, and brightens up the intellect; so with little Ivva.
She had been an attentive observer of all the notable things, both animate and inanimate—of this world, and her life study was to learn, not so much for her own good as the good of others, so that she could, at a glance, give an opinion worthy of the brightest consideration for the benefit of all with whom she become intimate.
She was a kind-hearted, gentle being; always ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and unfortunate; and giving advice with such earnesty of purpose and knowledge, that was remarkable for one so young. She was a great lover of her father, mother, brothers, and sisters, and her Heavenly Father.
She always, through life, though she had a special mission to perform; and , until within a few hours of her death, supposed it was to live to teach all to love and cherish, as she had learned to do; but her mission was to meet her own dear family around her death-bed and bid each one good-by, and ask them to meet her in Heaven.
Several years ago she, with her
mother and an elders sister, embarked for
Little Ivva! She is gone,
From earth her soul has risen—
To take her place with other friends,
Who dwell above in heaven.
Gentle and kindhearted,
With sympathy for all
“Don’t weep, I’m happy.
It is my Maker’s call.”
Her memory will be cherished
By friends here and abroad;
She’s gone away with angels to dwell,
Called by the voice of God.
Rest sweet angel one,
Free from sorrow and care;
Let us follow her example
And happily meet her there.
Mr. Wm. A. Brand, died yesterday evening at the residence of his father-in-law, Mr. J. Saxton, after a lingering illness, which he bore with great patience. For a week or ten day’s past his condition had greatly improved, and hopes were entertained of his recovery; but under a relapse a few days ago, with a new feature of disease, he has gradually sank, and expired as above stated, in the 42d year of his age.
For twelve or fourteen years, Mr.
Brand was connected with the Citizen office,
and did good service in the Republican cause being a pungent writer, until a
few years ago, being disabled by disease, he was compelled to forego the active
duties of office life. Mr. B. has a good
war record, which we have not time to write up now, but will be given
hereafter. He was one of the noble men
of earth, generous to a fault, and was held in high esteem by all who knew
him. At the time of his death he held
the position of Postmaster of this city.
Funeral at
IN MEMORIAM.
W.A. Brand, who as was announced in
last week’s issue of the Citizen died
on
At an early age he removed with is father’s
family to
He studied law with col. John H.
James, graduating at the
He continued to practice law till
September, 1861, when he enlisted in the 66th O.V. I. In January, 1862, he went with his regiment
to the field and served in every campaign with his regiment as an enlisted man
till 1864 when he accepted a commission as First Lieutenant and Regimental
Quartermaster, having frequently declined promotion when previously
tendered. He served during the war,
resigning his commission only after the declaration of peace whilst his
regiment lay at
In July, 1865, her purchased a half interest in the Citizen & Gazette and his connection therewith continued till February last, when he disposed of his interest to C. T. Jamieson, the present junior editor.
In January 1878, he was appointed
Postmaster at
He was a member if the I.O.O.F., of the I.O.R.M., of the K. of P., and of the O.U.A.M., whilst a lodge of that order existed here. In the Odd Fellows he took high rank , passing through all the offices of the Sub Lodge and Encampment and was Representative to the rand Lodge. In the Red Men he was Great Sachem, the highest office in the State organization, and for several years past was Representative to the U. S. Great Council. His genial disposition and admitted ability won him many friends in these orders, as was amply attested by the many telegrams and letters of condolence received from various points after his death.
Such are some of the leading incidents in the life of one who filled a large space in the esteem of this community. In giving an estimate of his character, it is difficult for one who knew him as well and intimately as the writer, to give him just mead of praise without seeming to indulge in fulsome panegyric.
In his domestic relations, which after all best reveal the real man, he was conspicuously a model. His affection for the various members of his father’s family, more especially for his mother, was proverbial. His lover for his wife was in the highest degree tender and chivalrous and their union was one of such rare felicity and happiness as to attract attention and remark from all.
As a friend he was true and generous to a fault, always to be relied upon in storm as well as in sunshine. A man of most positive characteristics, he extended to all, the privileges he claimed for himself. A warm, decided and active Republican, he never allowed political differences to engender ill feeling, or to interfere In the slightest with his personal or social relations. Said, since his death, one of the most decided, active Democratic leaders, “In the midst of the most excited and bitter contests, when almost every one seemed ready to cut my throat he was my true friend.” A Republican from conviction, and feeling that he was thus laboring to save that for which our armies had fought, whilst giving stalwart blows in legitimate contest, he never degenerated into abuse or personalities. Nor would he allow others to use the Citizen as an organ of personal spite. Relentlessly would he weed out any exhibition of personal malice from the articles of correspondents. And he did this too when influential party leaders wrathfully insisted upon an opposite course and when it required no small degree of stamina to refuse. No slight praise this, at a time when so many publishers yield to the temptation to render their papers spicy ad piquant by dragging into their columns private affairs, no matter whom or how deeply it wounds. He introduced steam presses and made the job department of the Citizen superior to any in the west, outside of the great cities, attracting a large amount of work from abroad, much of it of the highest style of the art.
For those who went forth to battle
for their country he entertained a warmth of regard an esteem amounting almost
to affection, and his seem to increase rather than diminish with the passing
years. No effort or sacrifice in their
behalf was to great. With great perseverance
and labor he compiled a record of those from this county, who fell in war for
their country, and his strenuous efforts by extensive correspondence and travel
to gather materials for the completion of a long cherished purpose to write a
history of the campaigns in which he participated; in order to correct some
false history already written,, had much to do in hastening his death. But one of the contemplated series, an
account of the campaign in
His generosity was unbounded, never refusing an application for charity, not even making an inquiry as to whether its object was worthy, his theory being to give always, lest, perchance, the most worthy might at times be refuse. To one of our grocers he has, within the course of a few years past, paid hundreds of dollars for provisions which he ordered sent to the needy of all creeds, colors, and nationalities. Thus did he fulfill the injunction, “Let no thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.”
He was always the advocate of wise and enlarged plans for the improvement of our city, and no worthy public enterprise lacked his aid and approval. In his death we have lost one of our most public-spirited an valuable citizens whose place will be hard to fill.
For several years past he has suffered greatly from disease, which he bore not merely uncomplainingly, but with a resolute determination and continuance at duty amount to heroism. He died in full trust in the atonement of his Savior.
Of the esteem in which he’s was held , the large concourse at his burial gave conclusive proof, and hundreds felt as they followed his remains to our beautiful resting place for the dead, that they had lost a personal friend and society a benefactor. Thus has passed away in the prime and vigor of manhood one who, had his life been spared, would have adorned a still high sphere in our state and national councils, for which his character and ripening abilities so well fitted him.
In concluding this slight tribute we can not refrain from expressing the hope that the sincere sympathy of our whole community, freely extended to him in this sad affliction, may serve to soften the grieve of the bereaved wife and family.
D.
BRAND.
Last Saturday morning friend and
relatives gathered at the residence of Mr. Joshua Saxton to bid a last farewell
to him whose death was felt by all as a bereavement, and to accompany the
remains to their last resting place. The
funeral services began at
Launcelot Lodge, Knights of Pythias;
Urbana Guards, Co. B, 7th Reg’t. O.N.G.;
Sixty-sixth O.V.V.I. Association;
Deceased was Past Worth Grand;
Champaign Encampment No. 29;
Minneola Tribe, I.O.R.M.;
Great Council, I.O.R.M.;
Hearse,
With the following pall-bearers attendant; Great Council, I.O.R.M, Past Grand Sachems Samuel Ross, of Columbus, J.H. Hart, Cincinnati; Minneola Tribe, I.O.R.M., S.L.P. Stone, D.W. Happersett; Urbana Lodge, I.O.O.F. Griffith Ellis and E. A. Hill; Champaign Encampment, W.K. Patrick, O.H. Barber; Launcelot Lodge, K.P., Hon. T.A. Cowgill, G.M. Eichelberger; Sixty-six O.V.I. General Eugene Powell and Col Jno. T. Mitchell, Besides these, the several Orders of the city were accompanied by a large number of visitors from the various lodges of this vicinity, and the display was perhaps the finest ever witnessed in this city since the war, if it was even equaled then. The record of the deceased as a brave soldier, a sagacious politician, a brilliant writer, a public-spirited man, an active and valuable member of every order which he adorned by his presence, his great heart and silent but never ceasing, never failing, charity, brought forth funeral honors seldom witnessed or more deserved.
Among the prominent members of the
Red Men present we noticed Great Sachem A.G. Berhard, of
It was nearly
At the grave Past Sachem P. Sheeder and Geo. T. Seibert, Sachem of Minneola Tribe, read the solemn services of the Order of Red Men, an ode was sung by the members of the I.O.O.F., the sprig of evergreen was dropped upon the casket, the benediction was pronounced , and there we left him, amid the birds, and the sunshine, and rejoicing nature, to awake in immortality and in the perfect image of his Creator. And as the large throng turned away, the chords of every heart were touched deeply with sympathy for the widow so unutterably bereaved; but that sympathy was beautifully tinged with solemn, holy joy, for she mourned not without hope, but one whose
“Live was gentle and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this was a man.”
BAR MEETING
Action in Regard to the Death of William A.
Brand
At a meeting of the members of the Bar of Champaign county, held on Tuesday evening, May 15th, to take action in regard to the death of Wm. A. Brand, General John H. Young was appointed Chairman, and D. McDonald Secretary.
Appropriate and eloquent remarks, expressing appreciation of the character of Mr. Brand, as a student, a lawyer, a soldier, a patriot, an editor, a neighbor and a citizen were made by Gen. J.H. Young, Col. W. R. Warnock, H. T. Niles, T. D. Crow, John S. Leedom, Levi Geiger, Hon. J. F. Gowey, Frank V. Sowles, G. M. Eichelberger and James Taylor; after which the following resolutions reported by a committee previously appointed by the meeting were adopted:
The members of the Bar of Champaign county having met to express our regard for Wm. A. Brand, hereby tender to his wife and relatives our sympathy, and express our high appreciation of his character as an honorable member of the bar, an earnest supporter of his country, and as a man of unswerving fidelity in his friendships.
Mr. Brand’s early career at the bar was an earnest of success should he have chosen to devote his life to our profession ,and his history, and success since arrant us in recalling with pleasure that he was at one time a member of and educated in our profession.
As further testimonial of our regard it is resolved that a copy of these resolutions and proceedings be entered upon the records of the court, and furnished to the city papers for publication.
John S. Leedom, Com.
G.M. Eichelberger, Com.
After which the meeting adjourned.
John H. Young, Chairman
D. McDonald, Secretary
We mourned the loss of our deceased brother W. A. Brand when he retired from the office of the CITIZEN AND GAZETTE, but now that he has been taken from us so that we shall not see his bright countenance no more here upon earth, nor receive from him that warm greeting with which he always greeted his friends, we mourn him with feelings that can only be counseled with the assurance that we will meet him beyond the river, where partings and sorrows never enter.
H.
66th
The reunion of the Sixty-sixth O.N.G. at Mechanicsburg, on Tuesday, was one of the best of late years. Every one present enjoyed himself, and many comrades met for the first time since the war closed.
The regular proceedings we give below as the most satisfactory account that could be rendered.
In the evening Hon. Charles Foster addressed a large crowd in front of the Darby House, the speech being only moderately political in view of the circumstances. After Mr. Foster’s speech the Town Hall was soon filled with auditors eager to hear General Kennedy’s oration. Of this able effort everyone spoke in the highest terms, and we are pleased to announce that it will appear in full in the CITIZEN AND GAZETTE next week. The singing by the glee club was timely and well received, and added to the exercises.
SECRETARY’S RECORD
The Sixty-sixth regiment I>V>I> met in the armory of Company H, Seventh regiment, O>N>G>, in Mechanicsburg, August 2, and under the escort of that company marched to the Central Ohio Fair Grounds. On arriving at the grounds, John T. Mitchell, President of the Association, called the audience to order, and Chaplain W. R. Parsons offered up a prayer. Minutes of last reunion read and approved. The chair then appointed committees on nominations and resolutions and also a committee to report resolutions expressive our loss occasioned by the death of comrade William A. Brand. Dinner being announced, the association adjourned to the tables, loaded with such a repast as the ladies of Goshen only can give. After a short time spent in hand shaking among the veterans, the association again assembled at the stand, when letters of regret from general E. B. Tyler, Colonel Candy, James Williams, Captain C. W. Kellogg, Captain M.L. Shaw and others were read. The committee on resolutions reported the following which were adopted.
Resolved,
that we hereby tender our heartiest thanks to the ladies of Mechanicsburg
and of
Resolved, That were hereby return thanks to the corporate authorities of Mechanicsburg for the use of the City Hall, and also tender our hearty acknowledgments to the members of Bates’ Silver Cornet Band, or their music, and to the officers and members of Company H, Seventh Regiment Ohio National Guards, for their escort and attentions. By their soldierly bearing we recognize their readiness to meet the call of duty promptly.
Respectfully submitted,
W. A. Sampson
W. McAdams
Wm. Hamilton
The committee on nominations respectfully report the following officers for the ensuing year, which was adopted:
President- Thomas McConnell.
Vice President – William McAdams
Secretary – T. G. Kellar (Keller)
Treasuer – W.
Executive Committee – John T. Mitchell
C. W. Guy
Chaplain, for life – W. R. Parsons
We would also offer the following resolutions:
That the thanks of the association are due and are hereby tendered the retiring officers.
L. W. Smith, Chairman
The committee on the death of W. A. Brand submitted the following report, which was adopted:
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, the Commander-in-Chief of the nations and people of the earth, to call from time to eternity our beloved comrade, W. A. Brand, and
WHEREAS, Very much of the success of the meetings of this association is due to the labors of our beloved comrade in preparing a list of names with the place of residence of each, thereby making it possible to communicate with each one officially; and further, that he has collected and arranged material in preparation of the history of our rights, therefore, be
Resolved, First—That we will remember with grateful emotion the past services of our comrade during the war and his devotion to the welfare and comfort of the memberships of the regiment while serving in his official capacity as Quartermaster, ceasing not with the time that we ceased to be soldiers, but continued while he lived, as shown by his labors.
Second—that we offer to his bereaved family the deepest sympathy which a soldier’s heart can feel, giving them our testimony that his soldierly bearing, gentlemanly conduct and brotherly solicitude were ever the characteristics of Comrade Brand.
Third—That we will cherish his memory, and endeavor to so order our lives that when the Death Sergeant shall call our names we may answer “Here!” ever ready and good soldiers to assume any duty assigned us, hoping that at the final muster of the “quick and the dead” we shall be found with our knapsacks packed with the robes of righteousness, our haversacks filled with the bread of life, our canteens filled with water from that “stream whose gentle flow supplies the city of our God.” We shall meet, not only Comrade Brand, but all others who have gone before, and pitching our tents upon the eternal camping ground, to be disturbed no more by calls to arms, but in the presence of our Grand Commander shall enjoy a grand soldiers’ reunion forever.
Fourth—That a copy of these resolutions be furnished the papers of the county for publication ,and a copy signed by the Secretary and President of this association be presented to Mrs. W. A. Brand, and one to the family of our comrade, Joseph C. Brand.
Respectfully submitted,
John R. Clayton
C. W. Guy
Robert Crocket
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Of the
At
The committee on resolutions reported the following, which were adopted:
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, Since our meeting of a year
ago
Resolve 1st, That, in the
death of Wm. A. Brand the press of the west loses one of his ablest editors,
society one of its brightest ornaments and our association one of its first and
most valued members
Resolved, That we recognize in his life, deeds and character the footprints of true greatness, and we shall ever cherish his memory and strive to imitate his virtues.
Resolved, That in Joshua Saxton, late senior editor of the CITIZEN AND GAZETTE, we recognize a pioneer in the art that preserves arts, and in his retirement to private life we wish him a good and cloudless evening and endorse the public verdict of “well done.”
On motion the meeting adjourned to meet again on the fourth Saturday of January, 1881.
Meeting closed with prayer by Rev. E. A. Stone
E. A. Stew, ART, Sec.
Brand Whitlock is visiting J. R. Ross. (handwritten: Dec. 29(?) ’89)
Last Monday Morning little Anna, infant daughter of J.F. Brand, after an illness of about ten days, passed from a world of pain to him who said “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” The parents have the deep sympathy of their many friends who yet feel solemn joy that she is not lost, but transplanted to a fairer garden.
Howells is one of our most refined and elegant dramatic writers and “The Elevator” is one the best things he ever produced. Get your tickets early before they are all sold.
FOR THE CITIZEN AND GAZETTE.
Mr. EDITOR:--Will you permit an old patron to say in your issued that the CITIZEN found it’s way to our humble dwelling nearly from its birth, and was always received gratefully? To the retiring editor such complimentary notice of the able management of said paper is no doubt gratifying.
But though well done, yet there is
something painfully pleasing in the necessity to retire, life’s labor being
over because of want of ability to perform.
The closing of a great enterprise is interesting. When
Dekalb, the noble Frenchman,
accepted a captaincy under Arnold, the traitor, and he cautioned his (
Although brought to this country among the Indians and denied the advantages of an education, yet my contributions to the CITIZEN were so corrected as to become readable, I believe. I wish to say of William and Frank Brand, one dead, the other living—how many times I have been delighted by their genial faces as I met them in their offices as editors. I feel a regard for Frank next to my own family, and feel a deep interest in his future.
What will be the character of our admirable CITIZEN in the future? Will the same sagacity and moral tone characterize its future? May we feel prompted by the poor boys of the army that inspired the courage expressed in the song, “We’ll rally round the flag, boys?” May success be heralded along the lines of the future of the old CITIZEN!
Though older than my friend Saxton, I am compelled to lay off life’s heavy toil. We bed each other adieu in our passed relation. Let us bear our individual conditions as cheerfully as we c an, hoping to greet each other many times this side of the river.
Farewell my old friend! W.H.
The
incident that happened at the depot, on Mr. Blain’s visit to
W.R.
Ross has returned from a short visit with his sister at
From the Kenton Republican we learn that Rev. Dr. Whitlock has been regularly installed in the M.E. church of that city, and his first sermon preached Sunday, October 16th, being listened to by a large audience all of whom were greatly pleased with his eloquence. He has moved his family to that city and they are now at home in the Kenton parsonage---[Logan County Index.
Rev. Whitlock is well known in this
city, he being a son-in-law of Mr. Joseph C. Brand, Sr. and a brother-in-law of
Editor Brand, of the Index.
W.
A. Brand, Postmaster of this city, died last evening after several months’
illness. He will be missed much in the
community, having been a man of great public spirit and generosity. He was during the war, a soldier, holding the
position of Lieutenant in the 66th
Mr.
W. A. Talbott, of Barnesville,
Ed
J. Davies, of
John
R. Ross left Wednesday morning for
A
telegram was received this morning from
The
remains of Miss Carrie Davies arrived from
WITH BISHOP POTTER.
The Death angel is busy now in
Cast of Characters
The following is the cast of characters in the entertainment at Lyceum Hall tonight in “The Elevator:”
Mrs. Roberts, The hostess…Miss Nellie Mitchell
Mrs. Miller, “A victim of the Green-eyed Monster”…Miss White
Mrs. Crawshaw, Aunt Mary…Rebecca Hunter
Mrs. Curwen, “A woman of the period.”…Miss Gertrude James
Miss Lawton, a Guileless Maiden…Miss McFarland
Mr. Bemis,
‘When I was in
Dr. Lawton, a general Practitioner…Mr. Nye
Mr. Roberts, “Only the Husband of the Hostess”…Mr. Allison
Lieutenant Miller, the leader of the Expedition…Mr. James
Mr. Curwen, “Who also has a foible”…Mr. Bob Kirby
Mr. Campbell “My Wife’s brother”…Mr. Patrick
Young Mr. Bemis, with a predilection for Miss Lawton…Mr. Ross
Elevator Boy…Mr. Cramer
Ladies!—If you want the Best Style, Hand Welt or Turn, French kid Button boot, go to Roberts.” Sept25tf
(Handwritten: Friday, Dec. 3, 1886)
SOCIETY
Social Events of
ENOCH
Society is on the tiptoe of expectation in regard to an entertainment to be given in K.P. Hall on next Wednesday afternoon. The invitation is for a melodrama, which is
something new
for
The
ladies of Grace Church are invited to a special meeting Friday afternoon at
APRIL TEA
The social event of the past
week was the reception given, Tuesday afternoon by Mrs. C.A. Ross at her home
on
Immediately following the reception, the members of the large family connection were entertained at dinner by Mr. and Mrs. Ross, in their mother, Mrs. Brand’s honor. It was a home gathering of children, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren and those present will never forget that virtuous woman’s face, as , one by one , her children arose up and called her blessed. (Handwritten: 1903)
LEFT
In His Young Manhood
Returns in Old Age for His Entombment
There will arrive here Tuesday
morning from La Grange, Ills., a suburb of
He died at
He was married in 1866 to Ann Jane,
daughter of the late Philander B. Ross, of this city. His wife and two sons survive him. He removed with his young family in 1871 to
The funeral services and burial will
be at
SILVER ANNIVERSARY
Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Ross are
celebrating their wedding anniversary today by entertaining a family party at
their home on
A “PARTY”
A party for our very tiny society men was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Patrick, Friday afternoon when Master Harold Patrick was host to a dozen of his friends. Harold was celebrating his fifth birthday, and shared the good times and the good things to eat, which the anniversary brought, with “the boys.” The children who went to the party were: Richard Brand, Reynolds Ross, Donald hunter, Harold Nichols, Warren Sullivan, Lee Dimond, Helen Patrick, Robert Patrick, John Mosgrove, Robert Hearn and the little brother of Master Harold’s Edward Patrick. Pretty birthday gifts were brought, and every one had a merry afternoon at the birthday party.
Fully
three hundred shouting exultant people were at the
As the train neared the crowd at the
The President was attired in black cutaway coat and wore gray trousers. He assumed that attitude, left hand in his trousers pocket, which is characteristic of him. Wit his right had he waved to the crowd until the train rounded the curve west of the depot. One great, broad smile covered his face and it never left while he was in sight. He was evidently pleased with the outpouring of citizens.
The train was in charge of Conductor
Johnson and Engineer Frost while Road master of Engines John Pontius of the
Those in the party with the President were Mrs. Roosevelt, Miss Alice Roosevelt, Mr. and Mrs. Douglass Robins, Secretary, and Mrs. Loeb, Surgeon General Rixey, of the Navy, M.O. Latta, of the executive office and several representatives of the press associations.
Mrs.
So gay and giddy are the older
ladies of our community becoming, that one of their festive occasions is
reported each week. They seem to have a
better time at their parties than the younger people do, at least they have
more to tell us, and are more pleased at the prospect, and more interested in
the retrospect than their own grandchildren would be. It may be that they have lived long enough to
know that social giving and taking may be made of one of the best things in
life if entered into with the right spirit.
And so, we are not surprised to hear of the very pleasant afternoon, which Mrs. John R. Ross
arranged for some of her mother’s friends to enjoy, last Tuesday. It was called a widow’s party, and almost
everyone of the thirty women present was a widow. Mrs.
Mr.
and Mrs. John R. Ross and Master Reynolds Ross left
CAMP IN THE MOUNTIANS
WILL MR. AND MRS. JOHN R. ROSS MAKE IN
Mr. and Mrs. John Ro Ross left this
afternoon for
‘AND HE SAID
SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME”
Appropriate Celebration of Children’s Day
on Sunday by Urbana Churches.
Children’s Day services were held
yesterday in many of
At Grace Church
At the Grace Methodist
church the following members of the Sunday school took part in the service
either with song or recitation: Edna
Williams, Reynolds Ross, Anna Belle Powell, Ola and Dora Turner, Bonita Huston,
Cecil Shook, Harold Patrick, Gladys Weirman, Florence O’Rourke, Robert Patrick,
Gladys Amerine, Edith Dunning, Phillis
Mrs. O’Brine “At Home”
The hospitality of the O’Brine home was extended to a company numbering about forty guests Thursday afternoon when Mrs. David O’Brine and Miss Weaver were at home to their friends. Flinch proved an agreeable pastime and the several tables had a merry time at the progressive form of the game. Master Reynolds Ross was the man of the occasion, and he proved himself a gallant courtier., attending upon the ladies’ wishes and keeping the tally score. A two course hot supper was served and proved very gratifying on that cold winter afternoon.
In
1825 the legislature passed an act authorizing Judge John Reynolds of
He once purchased a bag of cornmeal from John Taylor, at his mill on King’s Creek, and as he had no horse of his own, Mr. Taylor kindly offered him the use of one to carry his meal home. The horse was a small one named Gopher. Pere thankfully accepted the offer, and after taking an earnest look, first at gopher, then at the bag of meal, then at himself, he concluded that it would be impossible for the horse to carry both him and the bag of meal, and being impressed with the belief that “a merciful man will be merciful to his beast,” he took the gag of meal upon his own shoulder and deliberated leading Gopher back to a stump, he mounted his bare back, saying as he did so that “he could carry the bag of mean and the horse could carry him.” And in this way he rode home.
THE PATRIOTIC REYNOLDS
And in this
connection one other individual deserves to be noticed, for the valuable
services he bestowed during all the war, in aiding the government by
advancements of money and means when her treasury was greatly depleted and
waited to the return for such advancement until she was able to refund: he was actuated in his course entirely
through patriotism as a private individual, not as a public functionary: many poor destitute soldiers would have had
to have gone into winter service destitute of blankets and other indispensable
articles promotive of comfort, had it not been for the kind interposition of
his patriotic soul. John Reynolds was
the man whose acts I have attempted to describe. Mr. Reynolds well deserves this tribute, and
aside from those acts.
Christmas
Exercises Are Given in Which the Children Have a Principal Part.
The various Sunday schools of the city held Christmas exercises Sunday, and many excellent programs were rendered.
At
the
At the Presbyterian church the anthems rendered were one of the features of the program. The work of the Boys’ Brigade was also wee received.
At the other churches of the city interesting programs of song and recitations were given by the children and older members of the Sunday schools. (Handwritten – 1905)
At the High School—Longfellow’s Birthday.
We have grown accustomed to expect from the pupils of our High school faultless execution of whatever they undertake. The management of the school is so excellent, and the work done there so efficient, and yet we were impressed yesterday with what we must term the “culture” of the entertainment. While all their publics are superior, certainly the character of this last poet’s hour marks it even higher than any before given.
The tone and bearing of the school was very impressive. The perfect deportment of the pupils—no restlessness—a deportment their elders may well emulate—their respectful and interested attention—the appreciation of the high sentiments of our poet manifested in their attentive faces—their evident sympathetic enjoyment of the success of their friends on duty—in short, the spirit of the school was so in accord with the spirit of the hour, that is clearly demonstrated to all present that our young people are securing from their school many things not put down in books—advantages that only the best instructors and most cultured scholarship and associations can impart.
The room was tastefully decorated with pictures and flowers. The blackboards displayed choice quotations from Longfellow, and the program of the afternoon. Part of the decorations of the boards was the handiwork of Miss Maggie Stone and Messrs Ross and Heiserman. Over a portrait of Longfellow two palm leaves were crossed and tied with the National colors, and beneath it, on a pedestal was a beautiful vase filled with calla lilies and ferns.
A pleasant feature of the entertainment was the return of the alumni to add their tribute to the “Sweetest of all Singers.” Mrs. Max Ross sang “The Day is Done.” In excellent voice and with great feeling. Miss Louise Stone carried her audience with her in her tender rendition of “Sandalphon.” Love for Alma Mater must have inspired these ladies of the alumni, and we are sure no school better deserves the love of all its pupils, past and present.
It is impossible to speak of individual effort where all was perfect of its kind. Such prompt, flawless execution of the program, with no signal or interference of any kind by the teachers, we never saw but once before, and that was in the same room two years ago, at the Shakespeare hour.
We would like to go over the program piece by piece and tell the honestly deserved praises and merits of each one, but had we time they must have been heard to form an adequated idea of their excellence. The distinct enunciation, correct pronunciation and easy gesticulation, were evidences of unusually careful training, the work of Miss Friend, who has charge of the department of elocution.
We congratulate the school on its success, and assure them that we came away impressed, as by the poet’s very presence, with the sweetness and beauty of the hour.
PROGRAM
Essay – Biographical Sketch, Etta Blackwood.
Recitation-Paul Reveres Ride, Patrick Frank
Reading-Selection form Evangeline, Minnie Spahr
Recitation-The Sifting of Peter, Minnie Lewis
Recitation- Hiawatha’s Wooing, Carrie Chance
Recitation-The Famine, Nellie Mitchell
Recitation-Das Scholsz Meere, Edgar Heiserman
Music The Day is Done, Mrs. Max Ross
Essay-Longfellow’s Works, Zora Ankerman
Recitation-Sandalphon, Miss Louise Stone
Recitation-The Building of the Ship, Joe Smith
Recitation-The Wreck of the Hesperus, Josie Woodcock
Recitation-The Builders, Grace Russell, May Busser, Jennie Fell, May McReynolds, Minnie Miller
(Handwritten: Feb 27, 1885)
Honoring Mrs. Coolidge
Mrs. Timothy Coolidge, of
Wednesday evening, the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Ross was a meeting place for the relatives, who were given what this home always offers—a delicious supper and charming entertainment.
Organizing into a trolley party,
Friday, the Ross family spent the day with Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Arnold, in Bellefontaine: they expect to repeat this plan, one day next
week, and visit the new home of the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Ross in
Mrs. And Mrs. John R. Ross
entertained with a supper party on Wednesday evening for Mrs. Davies of
This evening Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Ross entertain
the Ross family with a
GIVEN
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Ross, living on
There were about twenty of the Ross
connection present and although the affair was
rather informal, it was nevertheless very enjoyable. The dinner was an excellent one and heartily
enjoyed by all those present. (Note:
other article spell her name as Coolidge)
In
a letter to a relative in this city, Mrs. John R. Ross, who with her
husband and son, is traveling to
Mr. and Mrs. Ross have reached their destination, and friends in the north will soon hear what the new home is like. Mr. Ross’s health is much improved, the warm climate having already had that effect. (Handwritten: 1907)
KINDERGARTNERS IN FESTAL ARRAY
A Merger Birthday Banquet at The Den
Yesterday Afternoon
The must scrumptious banquet that
ever happened in
Such a fine lot of birthdays could not be properly celebrated in any ordinary way. There is no finer place to celebrate anybody’s birthday than at the Den and as that is the home of little Georjeane Barnes that palatial resort was elected as the festal scene for the children. The long handsomely furnished hall was set for the banquet so there was no interference with the plans of the hungry grown folks who dropped in as usual at the dinner hour. The banquet table was laid for the following guests, a few interested parents being present to “wait table’ and superintend ceremonies:
William Kinnon, Louise Kinnon, William Christy, Alice Christy, Jane Christy, Rosalind Williamson, Virginia Kerr, Laura Kerr, Beryl Kelly, Mildred Hayes, Catherine Hart, Dean Wattawa, Garner Wilson, Grace Tharaldson, Edwin Schupp, Burt Friedman, Georjeane Barnes, Harold Kyle, John Irvine, Luella Campbell, Floy Watson, Catherine Easterling, Ruth Ambrose, Mary Hulett, Marcella Johnson, Reynolds Ross, Marche Johnson, Marsh Smith; Paul Willis, Mildred Doris, Kitty Craig, Alice Zimmerman, Harriett Tritle, Marion Bennett, Isabel Irvine, Lewis Irvine, John Irvine, Mrs. Hansel, Miss Thomas and Miss Ellis.
The table itself was novel and presented a fairy scene. One end of it, where the great big children sat, was about half as high as an ordinary table and from there it tapered down to the height of about 18 inches, where the three year olds were placed. It was decorated with colored candelabra, roses, sweet peas, daisies, poppies, marigolds, and other flowers from the garden of the kindergartners. The electric lights were shaded with peeper boughs and the table was burdened with sandwiches, cakes, ice cream, and all the sweet meats the youngsters like and gallons of pure sweet milk were furnished in lieu of the things the big folks drink at their banquets. There was also a birthday cake for each youngster who could crowd his birthday anniversary into April or May, and one more. That was for Miss Ellis, the teacher. The children insisted that she have a birthday too, and they all voted that she was sweet sixteen, so they put sixteen candles on her cake, each of the others being illuminated in a similar way, in accordance with the number of years they had torn of the calendar. Instead of toasts each of the nine honorary guests were honored with hand clapping as their names were called, each being given as many ovations as he or she had years to his or her credit, and one to grow on.
Fond parents began arriving about the time the celebration was over, and after their pictures had be taken in a group, to take their children home, and the children departed in a more gleeful frame of mind that their elders usually do after more expensive and spectacular but less impressive ceremonials.
ALL DAY PICNIC AT REV. BROWN’S HOME
Is Planned by the Members of the Church of
the Epiphany for Mr. and Mrs. Ross
At the home of Rev. and Mrs. Richard
M. Brown, the members of the Church of the Epiphany will hold and all day
picnic Tuesday. The day of pleasure is
planned for the Godspeed of Mr. and Mrs. John
R. Ross, members of the congregation who depart for
It is planned to carry picnic baskets to the home of the rector and his wife and the entire church membership, both old and young, will be present to enjoy this day with their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ross. (Handwritten, Sep 24th 1907)
Mr. and Mrs.
John R. Ross and son Reynolds will leave Wednesday of the coming week for their
new home in
THE
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ross, little
son, and Mrs. Ella Spain left Wednesday for their future home in
PLANT THEM NOW
Mrs. John R. Ross sends the following
clipping from the advertising columns of the
A
CAR
LOAD
OF
SEED
POTATOES
AMERICAN
WONDER
AND
EARLY ROSE.
PLANT
THEM
NOW
HILL’S SEED HOUSE NURSERY CO..
This would be a trifle “premachoor”
for good old Champaign at least we judge the Messrs. Newell would think so, up
to date as they are. (handwritten:
THEATER LOOKS LARGER
The plot of ground between the Grace M.E. church and the Clifford theater vacated by the removal of the old parsonage has been filled with earth and graded, and the result of the removal of the old residence is a great improvement in the appearance of both church and theater.
A much better view is obtained of
the handsome church and theater building looks about twice as large and imposing
as formerly. (handwritten:
SUFFERINGS O’RE REST COMES
A VICTIM OF TUBERCULOSIS
BORN AND REARED HERE
HE LIVED IN
UNTIL POOR HEALTH SENT HIM SOUTH
Was Formerly a Warden in the Church of the Epiphany and was a Scottish Rite Mason—His Death Brings Sorrow to His Many Friends.
W. R. Ross, cashier of the Champaign
National Bank, received a telegram this morning announcing the death of his
son, John R. Ross, at
The news of Mr. Ross’s death, while
not unexpected, will come a great shock to his many friends in this city who
have inquired constantly for work from
An
John R. Ross was born and reared in this
city, and lived here all of his life with the exception of a short period spent
in
Following his course of training in
the
The decedent was one of the city’s
best know young men and previous to his health
failing he was prominent in church and musicale circles. He was at one time a warden it the Church of
the Epiphany and his excellent bass voice had much to do with creating the
excellent standard of music heard there.
He also belonged to Harmony Lodge No. 8, F. and A.M. and other higher
bodies, being a Scottish Rite Mason. He
was married in September 1893 to Miss Lydia Spain, who has been faithful and constant
in her ministrations to him. Mrs.
The news of Mr. Ross’s death while not unexpected will bring sorrow to many people in this city as he was strong in his friendships and possessed a personality and a good fellowship that won and held him many friends. His wife and little son and his father will have the sympathy of all of these in the hour of their deep affliction.
REMAINS OF JOHN R. ROSS
Laid to Rest This Afternoon in
The funeral of the late, John R.
Ross was conducted from the Spain home in East Church street, Wednesday
afternoon at 2:30 o’clock , the services being in charge of Rev. R. M. Brown,
rector of the Church of the Epiphany, who read the Episcopalian burial
service. Rev. E. E. Whitlock of
AMONG THE SICK
Reynolds Ross, the young son of Mr.
and Mrs. John Ross, of
FULL OF YEARS AND SURROUND BY KIN
MRS. LAVINIA BRAND PASSES GENTLE TO THE
GREAT BEYOND
Something of the Remarkable Life of One of
Our Mothers Which Has Just Closed.
Another mother of a city and a home passed gently to her rest Thursday afternoon when Mrs. Lavinia Brand gave an indomitable spirit into her Maker’s hands. She was surrounded by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren during the last hours of her life and her daughters’ loving care for her was only equaled by her though for them, her word of thanks for each service rendered.
Mrs. Brand has suffered from asthma
during fifty hears of her life, and a severe attach of this disease several
days ago was followed by a dread weakness, showing to the members of her family
that she would not linger, with them much longer. Those whose homes are not in
Mrs. Brand’s home for the eight
years since her husband’s death has been with the family of her daughter, Mrs.
C.A. Ross, and devoted care made the last years of her life peaceful and
happy—the more so that they were spent in the old homestead where her own
children grew to maturity. For seventy-five
years Mrs. Lavinia Brand has been connected with
Industry her Motto.
Mrs. Rand was also active in the Crusade movement here in 1874, and has always believed in total abstinence form the use of intoxicants and abetted any movement towards temperance reform.
She was devoted to her church home, Grace Methodist Episcopal and almost her last words were: “The Lord has led me for eighty-one years, and has been so good to me.”
Just as far as human strength would allow she obeyed the injunction to “Be ye perfect even as I am perfect.”
But although connected with every good work of city and church and enjoying the best of the social life it was in the home that Mrs. Brand ruled a realm. She was the mother of nine children, she worked for them with hands and head and heart. In the latter days of her life she delighted to tell how she had “made the carpet for the front room ins spare moments and had enough left for the dining room.” Her boys tell how she made their shoes and caps, knitted stockings and mittens, made their trousers and shirts. Her hands were never idle, and even when age made the slight fingers tremble, they still held the needle she worked for grand children and great grandchildren to the end, and no one could make such button holes as grandmother. That is a picture which will always be her grandchildren’s recollection of her—a frail little woman, always busy and cheerful, with a glad welcome for each of her own as they visited her.
Lavinia Talbott was born
The funeral services will be
conducted from the family home in
HOST OF FRIENDS PAID LAST TRIBUTE OF LOVE
To the memory of Mrs. Lavinia Brand, Whose
Funeral Was Held Sunday
The funeral of the late Mrs. Lavinia Brand was held from the home of Mrs. C. A. Ross, daughter of the decedent, on Sunday afternoon and notwithstanding the fact that the weather was disagreeable the large house was filled with friends and neighbors who had known and loved this stung woman who had passed away. The beautiful words of Rev. E. D. Whitlock’s tribute and the tribute of Rev. C. W. Sullivan, her pastor, found an echo in the heart of every one present.
The casket containing the remains rested in the east parlor and was surrounded by the members of the family. On the casket and about the room were laid flowers of sweetest fragrance whose breath was like unto the life that had just gone out.
The services were conducted by the Rev. C. W. Sullivan, pastor of the Grace M.E. Church, to which the deceased belonged. He was assisted by the Rev. Dr. E. E. Whitlock, a son-in-law of the deceased, who paid a beautiful tribute to her character and her memory. The services were simple, there being simply the reading of the Scriptures, the prayer by Rev. Mr. Sullivan, the reading of the favorite hymn of the deceased “Some Time We’ll Understand.” Then the tribute of Dr. Whitlock and this was followed by the talk of Mr. Sullivan and the benediction.
Following the services at the house, the body was taken to Oak Dale cemetery and laid to rest by the side of the husband who died several years ago. The pall bearers were Brand Whitlock of Toledo, Dr. Frank and Dr. Thomas Brand, Charles Brand, John R. Ross, Carl Ross, Coleman Ross, all grandsons of Mrs. Brand and Garnett Brand an great grandson.
Rev. and Mrs. Whitlock, of Bellefontaine: Brand Whitlock of Toledo and other relatives were here from a distance.
NEW OFFICIALS ARE ELECTED BY THE DIRECTORS
OF THE CHAMPAIGN BANK
W. R. Ross’s Resignation as Cashier is Accepted and John C. Powers is Elected to Take His Place—Mr. Ross Will Remain as Active Worker in the Bank—Long Service
A meeting of the directors of the Champaign National bank was held at the bank Tuesday afternoon. At that time the resignation of W. R. Ross as cashier was received and accepted and John C. Powers was elected cashier to succeed him. Mr. Ross will not retire from the bank but he will remain as a vice president and will be just as active in the conduct of the bank’s affairs in the future as he has been in the past.
Mr. Ross has been a banker longer
than any other man in
JOHN C. POWERS SELECTED CASHIER
DIRECTORS OF THE CHAMPAIGN NAT. BANK SELECT
NEW CASHIER.
Mr. Ross Will become a Vice President of
the Bank.
(From Tuesday’s Daily)
John C. Powers present teller of the
National bank of
Mr. Ross who has held the position of cashier in the bank for many years, lays down the heavy duties of cashier owning to the demands of health. He will become a vice president and retains his connection with the bank however.
Mr. Posers will probably assume his
new position some time next month. The
Champaign National Bank and Mr. Powers are both being congratulated, one for
the honor which has come to him and the other for securing a mans of such rare
ability. (Handwritten:
TUESDAY MORNING,
COMPANY D HAS A NEW OFFICER
COLEMAN ROSS IS NOW SECOND LIEUTENANT IN
Urbana relatives were advised Monday that Coleman B. Ross, who recently enlisted as a private in Company D, Third regiment, had been appointed second Lieutenant to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Laylin Rock to the first lieutenancy, the latter position having been vacant ever since the resignation of Lieutenant Mason Arrowsmith several weeks ago.
It has been know for several months that Mr. Ross was slated for a commission as an officer in Company D and the announcement of the appointment does not come as a surprise. He resigned his position recently as teller at the Champaign National bank and enlisted as a private in Company D.
Mr. Ross left a good position in the
Champaign National bank and a young wife, to join the colors and with a
knowledge of military tactics gained in the
W. R. Ross who has been seriously ill for several weeks, suffering from rheumatism was feeling better yesterday. Mr. Ross has been confined to his bed for some time, the rheumatism having attacked his entire body. Many friends are hoping that his health will soon be better.
RECEPTION HELD AT GRACE CHURCH
Over Three Hundred Present—Musical Program
and refreshments
That the reception at
A stream of new and old members kept the large reception committee busy for a solid hour, until over three hundred persons had gathered.
After a time of social greeting in the lecture room the company was asked into the auditorium (the two rooms being one great space for the evening) to hear sweet music by the Harmonic Glee club and piano solos by Miss Ruth Sloane and Miss Lucille Ross. Very young Mr. Pool gave the sols, and the audience came in with the chorus “I am included” and stood at the request of the chorister, Mr. Carl Ross, and sang with hear and voice, “Blest be the tie that binds.”
Then back to the Sunday school room where the ladies of the church served refreshments while the impromptu chorus of something less than fifty young men surround the piano in the north class room and sang the tabernacle and other songs with an enthusiasm that became contagious and infected the whole three hundred.
It was an evening of delight of
inspiration, of fellowship and of promise and the people after a prolonged
social season were loth to depart.
SOCIAL NOTES:
Entertains Friends
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Ross entertained
a few friends at dinner last evening for Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ross of
MEN’S CLASS HOLDS A PLEASANT RECTPTION
Grace M.E. Church the Setting for an
Evening of Delightful Sociality
The teacher of the men’s class of Grace M. E. Church, J. F. Brand, and Brother LeSourd, the pastor of the church, were kept busy Thursday evening from seven to eight o’clock in receiving the members of the class, who came in singles, doubles and platoons, until the figure of over eighty was reached out of an enrollment of ninety-eight, now however, one hundred and four.
Among them were several new citizens
of our town from
The men’s class is assuming large proportions; a part of the new spiritual life and swelling numbers this church as acquired in common with her sister churches as a result of the recent grand awakening; the results of which are seen in weekly accessions and continued interest. And they say, as Brother Hitt used to sing, “Let the meeting go on.” (Handwritten: Daily Citizen 4/15/1910 {WRR) Note WRR is William R. Ross)
Will Go To
Mr. Reynolds Ross of
CAPTAIN ROSS COMES HOME
MADE CAPTAIN ON FIELD OF ACTOIN—WAS IN FIVE
DIFFERENT DRIVES
The flags were flying once more
Wednesday morning, on West Reynolds street as the residents of that street
prepared to welcome home Captain Coleman Ross.
Captain Ross, the son of Mrs. Ella Ross, has been in the states a short
time and came home directly from
Captain Ross sailed for
He left
There were originally 250 men in Co. C., but through the fatalities of war only 28 men came home with their Captain.
All honor to those who paid the supreme sacrifice and those returning a glorious welcome.
LOCAL MAN HONORED
Coleman Ross, late captain of
Company “C” of the 148th regiment was called from his home at
Wyandot,
Captain Ross, formerly of this city was in command of the company, being made a captain on the field for bravery.
The Kind of Belgium personally pinned the cross on Captain Ross at the Sinton hotel, Wednesday morning in the presence of his suite and Ambassador Brand Whitlock. (Handwritten: Oct. 1919)
TWILIGHT UNTIL AFTER 9 OCLOCK
YEAR’S LONGEST DAY HERE, SEEMS LONGER THAN
USUAL BECAUSE OF DAYLIGHT SAVING.
Friday, June 21, is the year’s
longest day and for the first time in
The sun, rather lazy, got up Friday
morning at
SURVIVORS OF THE GALLANT 66TH
HOLD
Urbana entertained the veterans of the Sixty-sixth Regiment in their annual reunion today, which was one of the most enjoyable the comrades have ever had the pleasure of holding.
About sixty survivors of the regiment were registered and these together with their wives, relatives and friends made it company of more than 100 who spent the day together.
The weather was ideal for the reunion. With the coming out of the sun this morning an ideal autumn day shore forth which was in marked contrast with the weather conditions which have prevailed on other days in the past when the comrades of this organization have gathered together in reunion.
The veterans of the 66th
from distant places began arriving in
The morning program did not open
until about
Comrade Ruhl then introduced City
Solicitor H. W. Houston who in a very feeling manner welcomed the surviving
members of this distinguished regiment to
ROSTER OF VERTERANS
The veterans who registered together with the companies in which they served and their post office address were as follows:
W.R. Ross, A. Urbana
S.D. Laird, F, Marysville
George R. Ward, B. Bradford
J.
G. Engle, D.
Thomas
R. Morris I,
Joseph
Coffee, I,
Henry M. White I, Cable
D.
D. Davidson, I
J.
S. Ruhl, H,
Samuel Engle, H. Ada;
P. T. Courter, E. Deleware
J.
L. Davis, B.,
E. W. Pickering, C. Bradford
Frances Williams, B. Wapakoneta
W.W.
Wilson, G,
G.
W. Randolf, G,
S.H.
Hedges, A.,
Daniel
Steward, B(?)
G.
F. Ganson, B,
Ross Barger, G, St. Paris
Henry Huffman, G., St. Paris
Daniel
Beightler, B,
John
E. Murphy B (?),
William
Overs, C,
D. Sergeant, I, Richwood
E.J.
Hanna, G,
Ora Fairchild, H. Woodstock
Joseph
Wooley, A,
William
Stokes A,
L.
J.W.
Nicely, I,
W.A. Shuler, F, Columbus
Bird
C. Shyrigh, Band,
James H. Corbin, K, Columbus
M. H. Williams, H, Columbus
Elijah
G. Weaver, B,
John A. Shafer, B, St. Paris
John
Powell, B,
Noah Minnich, G, Magrew
Samuel
Instine, G,
Henry Thatcher, G, DeGraff
William
McCormick, D.
J.
Thatcher, A,
Benjamin
Long, D,
G.M. Hover, D., Bellefontaine
T.B. Davis, I Mechanicsburg
Capt.
G. M. Smith, A,
William Thompson, A. Cable
James
A. Kiser, G,
John M. Williams, D. Mechanicsburg
Jacob Chidister(?), I, Mechanicsburg
Ruben Poling, H, Marysville
Thomas Thompson, A., Mechanicsburg
C. W. Guy, oroC.Guy.W.Cskm.ETA AO TIAOIN, D, Mechanicsburg (as printed in
article)
John
Diltz, A,
George
Gilbert, H,
Ernest
Nagel, A.,
TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF C. A. ROSS
MANY FRIENDS GATHER FOR FUNERAL SERVICES
MEMOIR WRITTEN BY W. R. ROSS
Read by Rev. C. C. Kennedy Following
Episcopal Church Ritual---Interment Made at Oak Dale
The burial service of the Episcopal Church was used at the funeral of C.A. Ross, this afternoon, when many friends gathered at the home to pay their tribute of love and respect to the memory of Mr. Ross. Rev. C.C. Kennedy was in charge of the service and in addition to the words of the ritual, read a memoir of the deceased, and the words of “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” and led in prayer .
Following is the memoir read which was written by W. R. Ross:
“The fondness of our friend in his earlier and even later years for the services of the Episcopal Church and its sublime ritual, together with his unfondness for any public mention of himself would render the impersonal service of the Church for the dead, peculiarly grateful to him and any extended memoir at this time very ungrateful to him. Although a jovial and hearty disposition was pronouncedly a man of deeds rather than words.
Charles Alanson Ross lived his life
in
“Mr. Ross’s predication for an
occupation in life was early developed for bookkeeping, and his beautiful penmanship,
with his business acumen, made him valuable and sought after in the store and
office and bank. In the later years of
his life he was the successful head of the veteran Western Mutual Fire
Insurance Company of our city, doing business all over the state of
The son of Philander B. and Julia Slater Ross, he could hardly be other than religious. Although religion is not transmitted, the examples of such lives of devotion to God, and reverence for and attendance upon his Church, and their generous support of the same could not be influence and bind him. He was for the greater part of his life a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church and for years and at the time of his death an office bearer.
“In the community he was public spirited and instead of spending his life exclusively in laying penny upon penny, he always assumed his share of the public burdens. This was early developed in him when as a boy of fourteen, the call of the larger community, our country in peril, made him the drummer boy of the army, and we may add that at 64, the martial spirit was still strong and he marched with the drum corps on occasions of the reunion of his regiment, the 134th Ohio, and at other patriotic gatherings.
In his family, Mr. Ross as the loving husband and devoted father, and even to his grandchildren they are disconsolate at this death. What more can we say of any man than that he has so grandly filled his human life; rounded out his earthly career and now has been promoted we may well imagine into an existence which earthly eye has never seen and whose glories our minds can never conceive until released from the flesh; and while we mourn he rejoices in the joy of his lord.”
Interment was made at Oak Dale Cemetery, six nephews of Mr. Ross acting as pall-bearers, they being: Calvin B. Ross, of Cleveland, Albert W. Ross, of Indianapolis, Frank Talbott of Springfield; Dr. F. W. Brand, Charles Brand, and William G. Whitlock, of Lakewood.
Relatives here to attend the funeral
today are: Mrs. Nelson Caldwell and Miss
Jennie Hall, of
THRUSDAY,
ESTEEM CITIZEN
PASSES AWAY IN THE DEATH OF WILLIAM ROSS
OF HIGH TYPE OF MANHOOD
Distinguished For Christian Character,
Financial Integrity, Broad Charity And Local Civic Interest
When William R. Ross passed away at
Mr. Ross was born in
In September, 1861, with fervent
patriotic zeal, he enlisted as a member of Company A, 66th regiment
O.V. I, and in January 1862 went to the front with his regiment sharing in the
honorable and strenuous history of that organization until 1864, when he was
discharged on account of disability. He
served as Quarter Master Sergeant of his regiment during the greater part of
his army life and failed of higher military rank through his modest estimate of
his own fitness. He was tendered the
position of Adjutant and declined because he feared his inability to measure up
in military tactics. After his discharge
from the army he served for a few months as chief clerk in the office of Major
T. T. Brand, mustering and disbursing officer at
In 1866 he was united in marriage
with Miss Belle Brand and they erected a home that was characterized by genial
hospitality for twenty seven years, when Mrs. Ross died in September 1893. They had one son, John R. Ross, who was well
known in the community as teller of the
In his boyhood he united with the
Second M.E. church, later known as
Funeral services will be held from
his late residence on
SIMPLICITY MARKS FUNERAL SREVICES
Friends Gather at the Home of the Late
William R. Ross
The funeral of the late William R.
Ross was held this morning at
Mr. Ross was a director and vice president of the Champaign National bank and out of respect to his memory the bank was closed during the funeral. The office of the Western Mutual Fire Insurance company was also closed during the funeral, Mr. Ross being president of that company.
The active pall bearers were all nephews of the deceased. They were W. B. Davies, Calvin B. Ross, J.E. Brand, Carl A. Ross, Coleman Ross and Albert Ross. The honorary pall bearers were C. H. Marvin, Harrison Craig, E. E. Cheney, J. F. Brand, Isaac T. Johnson, and John C. Powers. Burial was made at Oak Dale cemetery.
Those from a distance in attendance
at the funeral were Mrs. Anna Davies and sons Edward and W. B., of
DEATH MAKES SECOND VACANCY ON BOARD OF BANK
DIRECTORS
The death of W. R. Ross caused a
second vacancy to occur within a few weeks on the board of directors of the
Champaign National Bank. The late John
W. Rock was a director of this
Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Ross, on Tuesday afternoon and evening entertained the
members of the Ross families, in honor of Mrs. Will Davies of
Mrs.
Lydia Ross entertained a few friends at luncheon on Wednesday at her home
on
The
members of the Ross and Brand family will go to Bellefontaine on Monday,
when a picnic party will be given by Mrs. Fred Arnold in honor of Mrs. Will
Davies of
On
Thursday afternoon Miss Elizabeth Brand was hostess to a few relatives in
honor of Mrs. Will Davies of
On Friday evening Mrs. C. A. Ross entertained in the honor of Mrs. Will Davies of Chicago, and Mrs. P. B. Talbott. The rooms of the attractive home were made additionally pretty with decorations of roses and greenery. Those who made up the happy gathering, with the honored guests were: Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Ross, Miss Lucile Ross, Mrs. Lydia Ross and son, Reynolds, Mrs. Emma (crossed out and handwritten: Ella R.), Mrs. C. F. Colwell, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ross, Dr. and Mrs. C.C. Craig, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Arnold and son, Charles, of Bellefontaine, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Ross, Miss Elizabeth Brand and Mr. Joe Brand. (handwritten June 2)
TAKE “SEEING
In the honor of Mrs. William B.
Davies of
PLEASANT FAMILY GATHERINGS
A most delightful series of family
affairs are in progress this week including the Ross and Brand cousins. These affairs are being held in honor of Mrs.
William b. Davies, of
On Wednesday, Mrs. Lydia Ross gave a
pleasant luncheon to the Ross Cousins,
at her home on
These same guests were charmingly
entertained with picnic party at the home of Mrs. F. S. Ross on
On Thursday evening Miss Elizabeth Brand gave a delightful evening affair, including the Ross and Brand cousins as her guests.
Mrs. W. R. Ross, of
On Friday evening Mrs. C.A. Ross will entertain quite a company of relatives.
Mrs. Fred Arnold will entertain the Cousins on Monday next at her home in Bellefontaine. (Handwritten: Week Ending June 5, 1911)
Mrs.
Will Davies of Chicago was complimented guest at an informal luncheon given
on Friday by Mrs. W. R. Ross at her home on
Today is an important one socially, there being a large afternoon reception given by Mrs. W. R. Ross and Mrs. Lydia Ross at the latter’s home.
Miss
Anna Allison Jones, contralto, of
Miss Jones is a former
FRIDAY MORNING, DEMEMBER 29, 1911
Mrs. W. R. Ross and Mrs. Lydia Ross
entertained a company of their friends Thursday afternoon with one of the most
enjoyable receptions ever given in
The Mesdames Ross after greeting
their guests invited them to the music room, where they met Miss Anna Allison
Jones, of
Surely
The program was varied, beginning with a German Song, “Das Krau Vergessenhelt” (Hildach), which was a good introduction for the singer’s lovely contralto voice. Miss Jones’ voice is one in a thousand, very low pitched, but rich and rare. She does not attempt to take the high notes, but as great volume and tones that are bell-like, clear and strong. She sang a “Splendid Rose” song for her second number, “A Memory” (Edna Rosalind Park), and her singing of it will be a “memory.” The “Boat Song,” by Harriet Ware, (words by Montrose J. Moses), was bright, vivacious, summery. “From the Land of the Sky Blue Water” (Charles Wakefield Cadman), with words by Nelle Richmond Eberhart, was exquisitely beautiful, and “A Disappointment,” by Helen Hood was another.
The child’s song, “If I Were a Little Child Again,” (Clayton Thomas) was “just dear,” and Miss Jones’ expression added to her singing of this number even more than the others, although her personality had much to do with her success. “I Hid My Love” (Guy D’Hardelot), and “No Candle Was There, and No Fire” (Breton fold song), by Liza Lehmann, were two numbers heard by the first company and omitted in the second program.
Mrs. Joe N. Hitt was at the piano, and her skillful accompaniment was a great assistance to the singer.
Following the musicale a dozen of the good friends and relatives of the hostesses served a salad course to the guests, as they enjoyed an informal mingling and conversation. (Handwritten: Bess Brand)
Little Miss Julia Talbott is celebrating a seventh birthday today, and ten children have been invited to share a birthday party with her. Mrs. Frank Talbott is entertaining the small members of society, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. C.C. Craig.
Mrs.
William C. Bonebrake leaves today for
Miss
Anna Allison Jones, who came from
ELABORATE SOCIAL EVENT
Miss Jones Noted
One of the most beautiful social
events of this year was a reception given by Mrs. W. R. Ross and Mrs. Lydia
Ross at the home of Mrs. Lydia Ross on
Her program was varied and the selections were beautiful. “Das Kraut Vergssenheit,” by Hildach, opened the program. “A Splendid Rose,” “A Memory,” “The Boat Song,” “Summer’s in the World,” “From the Land of Sky Blue Water,” “A disappointment,” “If I were a Little Child,” “I Hid My Love,” and “No Candle was There and No Fire.” Each of these beautiful selections brought out new qualities in Miss Jones’ voice and gave her opportunities of expressing a charming personality. Mrs. Joe Hitt skillfully assisted at the piano. A salad course was served the guests before departure.
The home was beautifully decorated in Christmas greens, candles giving light through the house. The weatherman also smiled on these hostesses, and offered a day clear, cold, and beautiful. (Handwritten: “DEMOCRAT”)
THE ENQUIRER,
Mrs. W. R. Ross and Mrs. Lydia Ross
entertained with a musicale Thursday afternoon at the home of the latter. Miss Anna Allison Jones, contralto, of
WHEN KAISER BILL OPENS THE EGG
Billy Ireland Pictures the Pleasure(?) of
Bill When He Sees Our Red Cross Egg
“Billy” Ireland, that cleverest of cartoonists on the Columbus Dispatch, will have to make one more cartoon allusion to the Champaign county Red Cross egg before “closing the incident.” Sunday a week ago on his “Passing Show” page he had a drawing exploiting the egg, the hen and the underlying principal together with a financial statement regarding the egg’s drawing powers. By the time that was before the readers new additions were made to the totals and “Billy” came back Sunday with another drawing in which he pictured the “pleasure” of the Kaiser opening this same Red Cross egg and finding an American eagle which says to “Bill”: You’re a goner!” just like that.
Accompanying the illustration of the
following comment is made: “We’ve just
received the latest word from that famous Champaign county Red Cross egg. It cleaned up $6000 last week, bringing the
total price to $17,700. Some nice
morning the leper of
As the egg added over $8,000 to its
receipts at the
DIRECTORS EFFECT AN ORGANIZAITON
C. H. Marvin Elected President and W. R.
Ross is Elected Vice President
The newly elected directors of the
Champaign National Bank met in the directors room of the bank yesterday
afternoon and organized by re-electing C. H. Marvin as President and W. R. Ross
as Vice President. J. C. Powers was
re-elected cashier, and F. W. Ambrose was re-elected assistant cashier. Core
Capt. C. B. Ross Speaks Sunday
WILL ADDRESS GRACE M.E. CONGRETATOIN AT
EVENING SERVICE
TELLS EXPERIENCE
Captain Ross will speak Sunday night
at the Grace M.E. church. H will speak
in general of the work of the 37th.
Also relate personal experiences with the division in
Captain Ross has a message that will
be of great interest to all who are interested in the work of the 37th. He will speak in particular of the part
played by the 37th. The
division spent three months in
This meeting is open to the public and all who have opportunity are urged to attend.
C. A. Ross Goes to
WILL HAVE CHARE OF OFFICES OF M’CORD MFG.
CO—BROTHER WITH SAME COMPANY
C. A. Ross who resigned this week
from the secretaryship of the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company, will go in
a few days to
Mr. Ross has tendered the position
he now accepts early in December and went to
It is likely that the family will
leave soon, this depending upon the school situation. Mr. Ross already has a house reserved for him
in
The leaving of Mr. Ross and his
estimable family will be a distinct loss to
The McCord company manufactures automobile engine “gaskets” and is about to double its capacity and output.
J. F. BRAND PASSES AWAY
PROMINENT CITIZEN AND BUSINESS MAN GONE
IDENTIFIES WITH BIG BUSINESS
Church and Fraternal Circles Claimed
Him—Funeral Wednesday Afternoon
A most beautiful and estimable life
can to a close Monday evening around
7:30 o’clock, when J. F. Brand passed quietly away at his home on
John Francis Brand, better know as
“Frank or “J. F. Brand,” died at his home on
J. F. Brand was born
In 1905 he turned over his active duties in that company to his sons, in succession, and became general agent of the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company, becoming afterward treasurer and president of that Company. At the same time he became actively identified with other of our representative institutions, being at the time of his death, President and Treasurer of the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company, President of the McCoy Canning Co., Vice President of the Champaign National Bank and director of the W. H. Marvin Co. and in the Urbana Telephone Company.
During his active business life he
did not neglect his religious and social development. He was a life long member of the official
board for 35 years. In Masonry he was a
member of the Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Scottish Rite, and has
been Master of Harmony Lodge and Em Commander of Raper Commandery. He served efficiently on the Committee which
secured plans and erected the
Thus are sketched some of the nonsaliant facts of the life of this good man and exemplary citizen; but they come far short of portraying the grace of his presence, the courtesy of his demeanor, the friendliness of his spirit, his devotion to truth and honor and many other excellent traits of character which will ennoble his memory to those who knew him best.
His was a well balance development
of all his faculties and powers. His
culture was broad and enlightened. His
ideals were high and noble. His optimism
superb and engaing. He was a very companionable
man and had friends among men of all ages.
Indeed he was a lover of men, for their own sake, with a great charity
of though for all their short comings.
In short he was a Christian gentleman, a fine flower of our Western
civilization. Funeral services will be
held from the late home, Wednesday afternoon at
MERCY PLANE PASSES OVER
AIRPLANE HEARD OVER UBANA SATURDAY THOUGHT
TO CARRY SERUM
About two-twenty o’clock Saturday afternoon
an airplane flying a great height and traveling rapidly passed over
The plane is said to have left
PLANE IN RACE WITH DEATH
GRACE CHURCH HAS 21 MEN IN SERIVCE
SERVICE FLAG PRESENTED BY BROTHERHOOD
UNFURLED AT SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
Honoring the 21 members of the church who have given their services in the world war for democracy a service flag presented by the Brotherhood was unfurled at Grace M. E. church Sunday morning.
TWENTY-0NE IN SERICE
The twenty-one thus honored by this flag will occupy a prominent place in the church auditorium are Walter Buck, U.S. Navy; Herbert Baker, Engineer’s Department; Lewis Baker 134th Unit, base hospital; Herbert Cooper, U.S. Navy; Kenneth Cook, U.S. Navy; Clarence Evilsizor, 334th Field Artillery; Russell Delong, U.S. Infantry; Elmer Huston, Electrical Dept. U>S>N>; W. J. Hagerman, in France; Donald Happersett, Motor Mechanical Depot; Weldon McRoberts 46th Co. Aviation Corps; Robert H. pence, Co D., 148th U.S. Infantry; Willis Poole, Hospital School, U.S.N.; Chlor Pickering, 423rd Supply Company; Miss Helen Pratt, Red Cross Nurse; Lieutenant Coleman B. Ross, Co. D. 148th U.S.I.; Freeman Randall, U.S. Navy; Noah Shook, U.S. Cavalry; Dr. M. L. Smith, Medial Reserve Corps; Ansel Woodburn Medical Reserve Corps; and Fred Luking, U.S. Infantry. (Handwritten: Feb 3, 1918)
TUEDAY,
20TH CENTURY BABY.
FIRST ONE IN THIS CITY BORN TO MR. AND MRS. THOS. POWERS
Every city in the
There’s not heading Urbana. We have a lady also who has lived in three centuries.
It is a matter of general congratulation that the hen strike is over.
ANNUAL SOCIAL
The Woman’s Literary Club held their
annual social meeting last evening at the home of Mrs. W. A. Patrick in
WOMAN’S LITERARY CLUB
THE CROWING SUCCESS OF THE OLD YEAR
The annual social gathering of the Woman’s literary club was the crowing success of the old year and a pretty tribute to the passing century.<