(Alvin French Petty)
Biographic Note:
Alvin French Petty was born January 13, 1887 in Lawrence County to William W. and Henrietta (nee French) Petty. On August 29, 1914 he was united in marriage to Harriet Jane Holsen, daughter of William Harmon and Della (nee Payne) Holsen. Harriet was born in Lawrence County on July 1893. Census records indicate to this union the following children were born: Marjorie (b. abt. 1921); Betty J. (b. abt. 1924). Alvin died in November 1982.
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(Moses Petty)
Biographical Note:
Moses E. Petty was born April 8, 1839 in Lawrence County to Joseph and Elizabeth (nee Clover) Petty. On June 17, 1862 he was united in marriage to Anna Jane Wagner, daughter of George and Catherine (nee Ritz) Wagner. Anna was born in Ohio on July 31, 1842. Census records indicate the following children were born to this union: Elizabeth Florence (b. Nov. 1863); Everett (b. Sep. 1864); Mary C. (b. abt. 1867); Matilda O. (b. abt. 1869); Howard Harley (b. Feb. 1873). Moses died January 23, 1931 and Anna Jane died February 27, 1927; they were laid to rest at Pomona Cemetery & Mausoleum, Pomona, Los Angeles, California.
Editor’s Note:
On April 20, 1861, Moses enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company I, Eighth Illinois Infantry, under General Prentiss and Colonel "Dick" Oglesby, and served in the Sixteenth Western Division. After three months' service he was discharged for disability and returned to Illinois to engage in farming in his native county. In 1887 Mr. Petty came to Pomona, California and where he was Street and Park Superintendent and served two years on the city council.
Moses Petty
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Urbana, Illinois
January 29, 1917
L. M. Woods & Sons:
I find it a most difficult task to attempt an autobiography at such an early period in life, but since your request has some such meaning, I shall, at least, give the place of my birth.
I am the eldest son of W. W. Petty, and was born in Christy Township.
I taught in Lawrence County schools six years but since that time I have lived in Champaign and McLean Counties. While in McLean County, I was principal of Carlock school one year, but upon completing my four year course at Illinois State Normal University, I came to Urbana, where I am now serving my third term as principal of Webber school.
My wife (formerly Miss Harriet J. Holsen, of Lukin) and I like Urbana very much. This is a very desirable place to live. In fact there is no better for a teacher to locate than here. The open doors of our great State University afford untold opportunities for professional, educational and cultural growth. Mrs. Petty and myself spend many evenings attending lectures and various courses, and programs at the University.
We shall look forward with pleasure, for the Pink Press issue shall bring us glad tidings from many friends.
Very truly yours,
Alvin French Petty and Wife
Pomona, California
January 15, 1917
Editor Press:
With pleasure I write to the Press as one of the stragglers from the old home of Lawrence County Illinois. I left there in September 1886. Stopped one year in Missouri, then came to Pomona, California. Have been here ever since.
I was born in Petty Township, Lawrence County Illinois. Lived there 49 years. Saw the country grow from a very thinly settled country to a thickly settled country.
I was 11 years old when the first school house was built in that section. I went to school the long-term of three months each year. My parents paid for our schooling at that time there was no free school system then.
When I came to Los Angeles County, California, there were about 100,000 people in the County, now there are something like 2 million here, and it has become a great County, especially to elect presidents. We are all well here and doing well and glad we are living to enjoy this beautiful climate.
I want to say that I enjoy reading the letters from the folks I knew years ago in the old state of Illinois.
Yours truly,
Moses Petty
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Spokane, Washington
3317 West Liberty
Editor Press:
During the pilgrimage of the Shriners to Seattle, some time ago, hundreds of the faithful stopped in Spokane, for a few hours.
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Hotel Davenport was headquarters for the red caps and their friends. On Sunday afternoon a large patrol band from Akron Ohio, was giving a concert in the hotel lobby, to the delight of a great number of people. A new delegation arrived, worked their way through the ground to the fountain and began singing "Illinois". The big band stopped, women shouted, handkerchiefs and flags waved, men whooped. I was amazed and delighted at the demonstration. Not all of those who applauded were from Illinois, but a great many were and you could tell the loyal son from the “pep” he put into the expression. There is something in the very system of the native son of Illinois that really makes him rise up or widen out, or both, when he hears the old state mentioned.
And, do you know, to the wanderer, who has left friends and relatives and "gone into a far-off country”, there are frequent days of reminiscence. In this my mind goes back to old Bridgeport. Not the present modern, progressive little city, but to the time when one schoolhouse, one teacher, one water bucket and one old rusty tin cup were sufficient for the 35 or 40 boys and girls; to a time when two small churches held the worshipers from far and near, a time when the village council was chief regulator of all municipal and many private matters, when the post office had 36 boxes and Lancaster, Friendsville and Mt. Carmel were served by Star Route carried from Bridgeport. When you could get four tintype photos for $.50, butter $.10 per pound, and eggs three dozen for a quarter. Those were days of pleasantness and our paths were peace. No worry about gasoline or punctured tires or whether every particle of food was strictly sanitary. When the cow and horse where the household friends and the dog and the shotgun man's chief means of sport, and all this in Illinois, Illinois.
We are now located in Spokane Washington. Since last letter the family has increased one, a grandson born to Frazer and wife. Helen came over from Helena, Montana for the holidays and we had one old-fashioned time, having been remembered by postal, letter and otherwise from many friends in the old home state. We certainly enjoyed the Christmas season.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark M. Piper
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Bellflower, Illinois
January 22, 1917
Dear Friends:
Although I have not long been a “wanderer from Lawrence County" someone from somewhere might be wondering “whither I had wandered." I lived in Lukin Township, Lawrence County, until four years ago when I came to McLean County to work on a farm. After spending some time here I decided that this was the place for me. A little more than a year ago I married one of our northern girls, Miss Lulu Innis, on a farm where we are now living the free life that only the farm affords.
On January 19, 1917, a little girl weighing nine pounds came to enjoy life with us and also to increase our joy. Though not so far from former friends we miss you and very heartily invite you to our happy home. Bring with you a breath of the “hills," a breeze softer than that which often sweeps our "prairie" and the latest news from "home".
Sincerely,
Ira Provines
Bellflower, Illinois
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(Moses Petty)
Biographical Note:
(continued)
Moses Petty wrote a letter in 1916,but he doesn’t really say anything other than he was 15 when he saw his first train..
(C. M. Piper)
Biographical Note:
Editor’s Note:
The Pipers also wrote letters in 1916 and 1919 and theses letters as well as the Biographic notes are in the 1919 section. His 1918 letter to the Press talks about his pride in watching his grandson grow. Frazer, the child’s father has been promoted to 2nd highest paid teller in the Old Nat’l Bank of Spokane. C M was then employed by the Spokane and Inland Empire RR. (Electric Line) “The grandson, son, two fine daughters (Frazer’s wife),and Helen,(the latter employed at Helena, Mont.) makes life worth living and most pleasant. However, mother and I are going some to keep up with the modern day pace, but we do it.”
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