From Former Sons and Daughters of

(continued)

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Francis Marion Lathrop was born in November 1854 to Levi and Louisa (nee Draper) Lathrop. In 1880 he was united in marriage to Mary Prather, born February 17, 1859. The census lists the following children: Nora F. (b. Mar. 1884); Cora B. (b. Jan. 1887); Evalina L. (b. Mar. 1893); Thomas Henry (b. abt. 1896); Ivey E. (b. abt. 1900); Francis died on October 9, 1926.

Francis Marion and Mary Prather Lathrop

I sell everything a farmer uses. $500,000 automobiles, two years ago, $400 on time. I never sell, trade or put up a note as collateral. I keep the notes until paid. Had sale days every Wednesday and Friday for 30 years. Keep 100 to 200 horses, make all harnesses and a lot of other things in shops; land nearly three by four miles, worth $200-$300 per acre, tax over $20 per day; two dollars per hour, ouch! Have notes and mortgages more than 12 feet high (six suitcases full). Never take a note. I do not give the payer a chance to pay; one month or 20 years. I have been on every railroad in North America except in Alaska-to be my next trip, and never have been away 30 days. My diversion is thinking and traveling. I write some for fun. Will send printed matter to anyone who wants it free for asking. This is not an advertisement. I can write an ad in 10 minutes, without further personal attention, that will bring 8000 people to my office door wanting to see me. Only wrote one in 1917.

I do not want business; I have it, yes, too much. I want to go on living, working, loving and learning. I have decided to work myself to death as the slowest way to quit the mortal act. Yet working and more in love with life than ever before, for here and for-the beyond.

JNO F. Judy

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Gentry, Arkansas

January 16, 1918

Editor Press:

It is with great pleasure that I once more respond to my countries call for a letter to the Pink Press. If you should see northwest Arkansas just now, you would surely think we were having Illinois weather here. We have a 15 inch snow on the level, the deepest snow that has fallen since my first winter here some 35 years ago.

We are living on a fruit farm at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. We have six children, four girls and two boys. One girl, Mrs. Etta Deatherage lives in Wellston, Oklahoma; Mrs. Nora Perkins, in Decatur, Arkansas, four miles north of us. Our oldest boy, Thomas Henry, has been with the colors since August 12, 1917. He is now in Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. Battery the, 142nd Field artillery, preparatory to going to France one a few hours notice. We have two girls and one boy at home with mother and I.

I was born and raised on the old Levi Lathrop farm, Lawrence County, Sumner Illinois. I have one brother (George Lathrop), living in Sumner. He has furnished me the Press for some years. It would be useless to say how very glad I am to get it each week.

I am hoping this letter will escape the wastebasket, so my Illinois friends may know I am still alive.

Yours very truly,

Francis Marion Lathrop.

January 26, 1918

Editor Press:

We send greetings to all good friends,

Far and near

We Illinois people are well and happy up here.

And anxiously wait from you to hear.

You editors of our home paper cannot understand.

How wanderers appreciate the press,

When in a faraway land.

Especially the good letters from the homecoming band.

How glad the dear soldier boys,

At home and over the sea,

That are sacrificing their lives, that we may be free.

A copy of the Sumner Pink Press,

With letters from home to see.

We non-residents are from Petty Township, Illinois

And exchange County letters with our two boys.

In that way we get all the news,

From our old home, Illinois

Many fond remembrances of old friends we have,

In and near Sumner, and our old home, Chauncey

That we hope sometime soon

To go back and see.

But many have passed away

in the last four years.

Which makes our hearts sad and brings a tear;

For we love our old friends,

They were near and dear.

What a homecoming and reunion that will be.

If all our old friends and loved ones we could see;

And I can imagine what our heaven will be.

We wish each one a happy and prosperous new year.

And hope the dark war clouds will soon disappear.

And a soldier boys be reunited

With their loved ones so dear.

Mrs. Maggie (Castle) Lytle

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Sarah Margaret Castle was born in April of 1851 in Ohio. Her Mother's name was Barbara and was later married a Bristow. Maggie married William Lytle, born on June 2, 1848 son of William and Elenor (nee Saunter) Lytle on March 16, 1871 in Crawford County. William's Parents were both born in Ireland. To this union census indicates the following children were born: George (b. Sep. 1881); Roy (b. Feb. 1885); Carl (b. May 1887); William (b. Aug. 1889), George was born in Illinois, Roy, Carl and William were born in Kansas. William and Sarah were both living in McCone, Montana in 1920. William died October 24, 1940 in Petty Township in Lawrence County and is buried in the Waggoner cemetery north of Chauncey.

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Joseph A. Miller was the son of John and Lamira (nee Johnson) Miller. John Miller was born in Germany. Joseph was united in marriage to Sarah J. Bower in Richland county on September 30, 1880. Joseph died January 5, 1920.

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((Frank F. Mushrush)

Biographical Note:

Editor’s Note:

Frank Mushrush wrote a lengthy letter from the same address on January 30, 1917:

He states “My work is still with the public schools where I am director of Drawing and Writing, a position I have held continuously since entering the school system.” He goes on to describe Cleveland and its achievements.

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January 14, 1918

L. M. Wood and Sons:

It is with pleasure that I once more try to write for the Pink Press.

I was born in Lawrence County, Christy Township, March 9, 1855, 2 1/2 mile south of Sumner. Lived on the same farm till the fall of 1883, then moved to Olney, worked at whatever I could get to do till the spring of 1886, then entered the service of the O. & M. Railroad (now the B. & O.) and am still with them. Have worked long enough to get an annual pass over all lines.

I am serving my fifth term as coroner of my County and as I look over my old school days I see only two of my teachers left-T.M. Stevens, of Sumner, and James Eaton, of Bridgeport.

Great changes have come to pass in the short years from the old blue dye pot on the hearth and the spinning wheel in the corner in the old loom in the shed has come the automobile and the flying machine and the good Lord knows what next.

Joseph A. Miller

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15015 Detroit Avenue

Cleveland Ohio

Mr. Editor

Your request for a report of my activities since leaving old Lawrence County was duly received.

Will open by stating that my birthplaces in the northwest part of Petty Township, near Chauncey.

At the age of six years, I entered the Chauncey school and at this moment recall vividly the name of my first teacher, the late deceased, Mrs. L. A. Stout, as she came down the aisle, to enroll my name.

From there I entered the State Normal at Carbondale, spending two years, and graduating from Dixon College in 1896. In the autumn of that year I engaged in teaching at Harpers Business School, in Saginaw Michigan, later going to the Highland Park College, in Des Moines, Iowa, to take charge of the Commercial Department. In October 1899, I received a request report at school headquarters in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland to supervise the teaching of penmanship and drawing at a marked increase in salary.

About 10 years before, in company with another Petty Township boy, George Brehm, now deceased, I went to see the famous Niagara and on our return trip stopped off for a day in Cleveland. I was charmed with the Forest City and remarked to George, if I could ever abide in a city, I hope it might be Cleveland. 10 years later fate favored me and I am here, where I found a most estimable lady who has shared my life's pleasure during the past 13 years as a helpmate. We have one son, who is to be educated to become a greater and better man than his father, so his father hopes.

The Masonic fraternity has permitted me to become one of its great brotherhood and I have been the secretary of Cunningham chapter number 187, R.A.M., since it's Constitution. Lakewood Lodge number 729 Knights of Pythias, permitted me to sit as its delegate for 10 successive years in the grand Lodge conclaves. I have seen Lakewood grow from 3000 to 30,000 inhabitants and Cleveland advance from 180,000 to 700,000 in population.

We live about one half mile back from the shore of old Lake Erie and if you miles east from the spot that Commodore Perry made famous.

Since a natural gas boom has struck our town. I have even been elected a director in an oil and gas corporation. The Wells range from 3 to 10,000,000 cubic feet of flow and more than $3 million have already been sunk in holes, about 90 percent being productive.

You requested that my letter should relate to me and my dealings and I sincerely trust I had not overstepped the bounds of decency in trying to comply.

Sincerely,

Frank F. Mushrush

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Chauncey Public School 1895

(continued)

Harry Howard Peters was born July 9, 1871 in Lawrence county to Robert Henry and Loretta (nee Sapp) Peters. On November 5, 1892 he was united in marriage to Minnie Evaline Rigg, daughter of John McCleary and Mary Jane (nee Ballard) Rigg. Minnie being born December 5, 1873 in Wabash county. The following children were born: Mary Loretta (b. Jun. 1894); Ruth Jane (b. Aug. 1896). Howard died on May 5, 1934 and Minnie died in November 1966. They are interred at Park Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum

A Huckster wagon is used by peddlers to carry their goods to sell door to door.

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Bloomington, Illinois

February 4, 1918

L.M. Wood:

I understand you are preparing for a special edition of the Sumner Press for February 14. As a former citizen of Lawrence County, I would like to take the opportunity of speaking to some of my boyhood friends and acquaintances.

My father's people have always lived in Lukin Township, Lawrence County. I lived there until I was 10 years of age. The Hopewell Methodist Church was where I attended Sunday school and other religious services. There was a time when almost the entire Township of Lukin was related, either by ties of flesh or marriage. I presume many changes have come in recent years and yet from reports that reach me from relatives, many of the old families are still represented by their children and grandchildren.

The tendency for me in this letter is to make it long. I can think of so many things of interest to me that I might tell you about, then I am reminded that it would be of interest to very few of your readers and so I must abstain from this pleasure.

My father used to run a huckster for Marion May’s store in Sumner. I have accompanied him on many occasions as he brought his produce and took back a load of goods. On one occasion my father told Mr. May to let me eat all the sugar I wanted and he would pay the bill. I ate until it began to taste sour and then I quit. I don't know how large the bill was, but if it was in proportion to the amount I ate, it knocked a large hole in father’s purse. I don't think I have never had as much fun in my whole life as I used to have riding across the country on the huckster wagon. In the busiest days of my life I long for the scenes of those days.

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The best wishes for all the good people of Lawrence County and with warm personal regards for you and your family, I am,

Very sincerely H. H. Peters

State Secretary,

Illinois Christian Missionary Society

H. H. Peters

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Harry’s parents, Robert and Loretta (Sapp) Peters lived in Lukin Township, Lawrence County for several years before moving to Evansville, Indiana. Robert peters drove the Huckster Wagon for Marion May.

Parents of H. H. Peters

Robert Peters

Loretta (Sapp) Peters

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Emma wrote a letter in 1915 and her Biography is located in that section.

January 15, 1918

Editor Press:

Again I send a greeting to my friends in Sumner, Lawrence County and Richland County, editor of Press, and to all. Also those who are wanderers, like myself, and hope to see letters from all of you in this year's Pink Press.

My last year's letter, written in Salida, Colorado, but am back again in our home town for the winter. Dewey, Mildred and myself came over here from Pueblo, Colorado, on seventh of November. Lloyd is working on his cousin, John Rawlings, cattle ranch, 35 miles northeast of Salida, in what is known as South Park, but he is looking for a call to the colors soon. Dewey is a member of the Colorado National Guard, of which we have in our city between 200 and 300 men and boys too young or too old for the Army, and it looks here now like the boys will see some service soon on the border and also with the Indians (they have to "breakout" every so often).

We spent last summer in Pueblo and country around Pueblo. I could not help comparing Pueblo now and what it was in 1879, when I came to Colorado. Coming across the plains we could see the Indians chasing the Buffalo from the railroad tracks, while deer were grazing near. Some would run, other stand and look at the train. No such sites now on the plains.

My eldest daughter, Bertha, and I were called to Lake City on November 12 two I attend the funeral of Mrs. George Rawlings. (She was formerly Sophia Easterday of Calhoun.)

Charles Schrader and family are doing well. Glenn, the eldest son, is a soldier at Camp Funston, and those boys will be among the first to go to France. President Lincoln once said during the Civil War, "we should all be on the Lord's side." And now at the beginning of a new year and of this war with our country, if we can have the faith of our Lincoln, believe the Lord is on our side, and with our boys, they will surely win and come home to us again.

My grandfather Ruark (with others) came to Illinois in early days, but there was nothing that Indians and wild animals. Settled on Calhoun Prairie (or in Bonpas Township). He was a great hunter, trapper and Indian trader. He used to tell us youngster tales of those pioneer days in Illinois, and tell them so weird and playing we could see those days before us (I can speak for myself only), but I sure did enjoy listening to the dear old man stories, but my hair would almost raise on my head at some of them, and many a night I've gone to bed scared so badly that I would imagine every sound I heard was an Indian or a panther after me. He used to sing the old Scotch songs to perfection, to (as grandmother came from Scotland). I just have one uncle left of my many brothers and sisters of my father, Uncle Rec Ruark, of Olney, Illinois. He can tell you some good pioneer stories to. He always had one for me. My father was born on the old Homestead, graduating in Louisville, Kentucky, as physician and surgeon, met and married my mother there, then came to Illinois to practice medicine.I was born in Charleston, Illinois. Later my parents moved over into Indiana, where my father enlisted in the Civil War at the beginning of it. Participated in the battle of Shiloh, Cornith and others, as surgeon. I have an account of the battle of Shiloh and Cornith in his own words, which I always cries very highly. He took sick and came home on a furlough when he was able. Enlisted again in the 80th Indiana Regiment was wounded in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. The Captain of the company was killed in the first days battle. Father was second Lieutenant, so was promoted to Captain. On second day while urging his men forward, a bullet from the enemy struck him in the mouth, lodging in the roof of his mouth, from the effects of which he died 15 days later.

We moved down to Calhoun, to be near grandpa and other dear relatives, as those were dark days for my mother with three small children, of which I was the oldest. I well remember those days of misery, low and hardships we all had to contend with. God grant no poor wife or mother will have to go through those days of hardships in this, our war with Germany.

I have told of my girlhood life in old Sumner. The fun and pleasures we all had in those times. "Old Girls" we are now, but do you not feel "going again" when you think of them? In the little village of Fairview we had our spelling schools, literary society Apple and peach cutting and such. We often went over to Albert Moors for taffy pulls (as he had a sorghum mill). You old boys and girls of Calhoun (or Old Fairview) can recall those old times, no doubt if you only put on your thinking cap. There's a few of us left yet of that "gang," and we can still keep a "warm corner" in our hearts for those that are gone to the great beyond. Becky Sumner (Sanders then, of Calhoun) you were there then, when Calhoun was full of fun and pleasure. We used to make "rage" on you, too, and were royally entertained by you, your sister Ellen, and your good husband.

Our young people know nothing now like the pleasure we all had then in those days in Illinois 35 and 40 years ago. And what was the "old state 100 years ago?" I have been told so much by grandpa and others that I can imagine.

In a city in Colorado, and a certain office is a gate, made into a hat rack. On the gate is printed "May the hinges of friendship never grow rusty." The gate was given to him by another friend years ago, and their friendship has never "grown rusty" between those two men I often think, since I have heard of that gate, how many is there of us who still cling to old friends and old times as those two have. Some of us, I know, and count a few friends in our lives for whom the "gate" will always swing in the right way, and the "hinges of friendship never grow rusty," and those are the people that really make life worthwhile for us all, so in the language of, Tom Moore, "Let Fate do her worst, those are relies of joy, bright dreams of the past she cannot destroy; which come in the night time of sorrow and care, and bring back the features that joy used to wear. Long, long be my heart, with those memories filled, like the vase in which roses have once been this field. But the scent of the roses will hang around it still."

Bye, bye, till next year, when I hope to visit you again through the columns of the Pink Press. Mother and sister and "all" good health and prosperity.

Mrs. Emma Ruark Rawlings

Daughter of Mrs. M. E. Klingler

Sumner Illinois