One of the most enjoyable affairs is the reunion of the pioneers of any given locality.  For the purpose of providing for stated meetings, associations of old settlers have been formed in almost every county throughout the length and breadth of the land; especially is this true in all states west of the Allegheny mountains; states that have been settled within the present century.  These associations have done, and are doing much for the preservation of historical events, and as such are surely commendable.  The lessons of the past teach us the duties pertaining to the future.  The fires of patriotism, the love of country or of home, is strengthened by a narration of such important events as tend to stir the blood or quicken to life those divine affections in man.  Many a youth has chosen the life of a soldier from reading the accounts of the great battles and glorious deeds of an Alexander, a Hannibal, a Napoleon, a Wellington, or our own brave and noble Washington[.]  The lists of statesmen have been augmented by the example of a Pitt, a Webster, a Clay or a Calhoun. Patriotism and love of country have been awakened by reading the sublime utterances of Patrick Henry,John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.  The love of home, love of parents and kindred have been strengthened by oft-told tales of aged fathers or mothers, especially of that pioneer father or mother who toiled early and late, hard and long, in order to give their descendants the priceless boon of a home of plenty and of peace, of refinement and love for God and humanity.

The pioneers, in gathering together in these annual re-unions, seem to live over again the early days. Their eyes sparkle and they grow young as the fading reminiscences of other days are recalled.  As well stated by a speaker--himself a pioneer--at a meeting in a neighboring county:

"You come together with varied emotions.  Some of you, almost at the foot of life's hill, look back and upward at the path you have trod, while others, who have just reached life's summit, gaze down into the valley of tears with many a hope and fear.  You, gray-headed fathers, have done your work; you have done it well; and now, as the sunset of life is closing around you, you are given the rare boon of enjoyment, the fruits of your own labor.  You can see the land won by your own right arm, from its wilderness state, and from a savage foe, pass to your children, and your children's children--literally "a land flowing with milk and honey;["] a land over which [hover] the white-robed angels of religion and peace; a land fairer and brighter and more glorious than any other land beneath the blue arch of Heaven.  You have done your work well, and when the time of rest shall come, you will sink to the dreamless repose with the calm consciousness of duty done."

Pursuant to a notice published in the papers, a number of old settlers of McDonough county assembled at Campbell's hall in Macomb on the 15th of July, 1869, for the purpose of renewing acquaintances, talking over old times, and organizing an Old Settler's association for McDonough county.

The meeting was called to order by James M. Campbell, and on his motion Major John M. Walker was called to the chair.  L. A. Simmons was appointed secretary, pro tem.  Mr. Campbell stated the object of the meeting, and offered the following resolution, which was adopted, without debate:

Resolved, that each old settler of McDonough county, now present, give to the secretary his name, place of nativity, age, the date of his settlement in McDonough county, and the place of his present residence.

William S. Bailey offered the following resolution, which was on motion, adopted:

Resolved, That all persons living in McDonough county, who have lived in this state 33 years, may become members of the Old Settlers' society.

The following gentlemen then came forward and presented their names, together with the information desired:

J. M. Walker, J. H. Campbell, W. C. McKamy, Samuel McKamy, Orsemus Harrington, Levi Hamilton, James M. Campbell, James B. Kyle, John Clarke, W. W. Bailey, J. W. Westfall, S. A. Knott, Loven Garrett, Silas Creel, Elisha Ferguson, Willis B. Gordon, R. H. Broaddus, J. W. Brattle, H. T. Gilfrey, W. E. Withrow, James R. Simpson[,] Joshua Simmons, W. W. McCord, B. F. Naylor, William Pennington, Charles Creel, William Cannon, B. F. Martin, C. W. Dunsworth, John Friend, J. H. Atkinson, William S. Bailey, Joseph P. Updegraff, W. H. Hays, M. C. Archer, Joseph E. Wyne, David Clarke, James Clarke, J. A. Creel, James Willis, James Chamberlain, Samuel Dodds, Samuel Wilson, Joseph McCroskey, and Abner E. Barnes.

On motion of James M. Campbell it was

Resolved, That a committee of three from each township in McDonough county be appointed, to report at the next meeting, a list of old set[t]lers of this county, in their respective township, the nativity and age of each; when they settled in the county, and their present residence.  The said lists to contain the names of all person, male and female, who settled in McDonough county prior to July 15, 1836.

In accordance with the foregoing resolution, the chairman appointed the following named gentlemen as the committees:

Eldorado township--Thomas Ausberry, H. Foster and William S. Campbell.

New Salem--Salem Woods, J. E. D. Heminover and Richard Pennington.

Mound--Thomas J. Creel, David Kepple and William Jackson.

Bushnell--Samuel A. Hunt, William Hamilton and J. L. Anderson.

Prairie City--D. R. Hamilton and G. T. Livingston.

Walnut Grove--W. W. Stewart, D. Campbell and John McSperritt.

Macomb city and township--U. S. Hamilton, J. M. Campbell, J. B. Kyle and J. A. Creel.

Scotland--J. M. Walker, J. H. Campbell and James Willis.

Industry--T. J. Pennington, G. A. Taylor and D. M. Creel.

Bethel--Samuel Wilson, James Archer and John Dunsworth.

Chalmers--C. W. Dunsworth, T. B. McCormick and John Friend.

Emmett--H. S. Head, B. T. Naylor and George G. Guy[.]

Sciota--W. B. Clarke, John Logan and John S. Campbell.

Blandinsville--Harrison Hungate, R. Grigsby and Q. C. Ward[.]

Hire--Vandeveer Banks, Charles Martin and C. Hungate.

Tennessee--J. H. Atkinson, J. J. Lawyer and S. Cockerham.

Lamoine--John Weir, Charles Hill and John Twidwell.

A motion was made that the chair appoint a committee of five to draft a constitution for the Old Settlers' association, together with appropriate resolutions, with the request that they report at the next meeting.  This being carried, the chairman appointed James M. Campbell, James B. Kyle, James W. Brattle, William S. Bailey and Joseph Updegraff as members of the committee.

Joseph E. Wyne was elected secretary of the society, a collection was taken up, and the assembly adjourned, to meet, in the same place, August 14, next following, at 1 o'clock P. M.

On the day appointed, many of the pioneers of the county appeared at the county seat, and after taking part in the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new court house, assembled at the hall and were called to order.  The committee appointed at the last meeting for the purpose presented the following draft of a constitution, which was unanimously adopted:

[Not transcribed - the ten articles of the constitution]

After the adoption of the above constitution, balloting for officers took place, resulting in the choice of the following: President, John M. Walker; vice presidents, Daniel Stockton, Frank Hammer, Robert Kepple, Charles Cheesbro, S. A. Hunt, D. M. Creel, J. H. Campbell, James M. Campbell, Daniel Crabb, David Campbell, William Venard, J. Sullivan, William Naylor, W. B. Clarke, Charles Hills, Larkin C. Bacon, Vandever Banks and William Hardesty; Charles Chandler, treasurer; Joseph E. Wyne, secretary.

For many years annual meetings of the association were held, and a great deal of pleasure was the result of these reunions.  Of late years, for some cause or other, these have been entirely suspended and the society has been allowed to slumber.  The increasing years of its founders, the many removals by death of its members have all doubtless contributed to this end, but some hopes are entertained of its revival in the near future.