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Rev. H. D. Hudson ------------- Dana, Illinois January 11, 1915 Editor Press: I came to Dana in 1889 from Chauncey, Illinois, worked for my brother until 1910, when he sold out and moved to Lewiston, Idaho. I am doing well, have a shop 22 by 50 with shed 16 by 50. Have12 different machines run by gas engine making most all the house trimmings I use. Am finishing an 11 room house at present. Have brick on ground for basement of a 12 room house for my wife and self. We live on Pekin branch of the Santa Fe which crosses I.C. at Minonk, six miles southwest of here, have passenger each way from Chicago to Pekin, Illinois. The business square of our village was burned last July, the fire originated inthe meat shop, burned two dry goods stores and grocers, hardware and machine shed, Lodge Hall, poolroom, restaurant, Opera Hall, barbershop, doctor’s office and residence, farmer’s elevator and grain with offices and all their machine sheds. Two dry goods stores rebuilt last fall of brick, poolroom and restaurant of concrete, more will rebuild this spring
George I. Hughes ------------- West Salem, Illinois January 15, 1915
Annie Hardacre Irish ------------- Waldo, Kansas January 13, 1915
The old home place where I was born and raised to seven miles southeast of Sumner and Lukin Township, Lawrence County. The old schoolhouse where I spent so many happy days with schoolmates and teacher is known as "Old White Oak," near my old home. My mind often goes back to my school days in the many happy times I had with old playmates, as we played our childhood games. I taught several terms of school and Lawrence Wabash counties. In 1900 I was married to C. W. Ivie, and in the fall of 1905 we started in the ministry. Since that time we have had many happy and refreshing times in the service. We have seen many souls brought into the kingdom. We served charges in Olney and Mt. Carmel districts in southern Illinois conference and in the fall of 1912 we transferred to the northwest Kansas conference where we are still laboring. The Lord has wonderfully blessed us in his service and his crowning our efforts with great success and into him alone we give the glory. He is giving us the desire of our hearts and see many souls saved and Christian people made stronger by his power. My maiden name was Addie Wright and my father's name was Henry Wright and he is still living on the old farm where my mother was raised and she, too, is still living, for which I am very grateful. I am looking forward with great anticipation to the reading of the many different letters from friends that I have not seen for several years, and although we cannot be gathered together in every union face-to-face, we will be in a reunion of thought at least. I often longed to be back in Illinois and visit old friends again. May God's blessing be upon all of you where ever you may be is my prayer.
------------- Flora, Illinois January 21, 1915 Dear Sir: There is little that I can say that would be of interest to your readers of the "Pink Press" except that it is a pleasure for me to state that Sumner is still near and dear to me and will always be thought of as home. I have lived in, and visited many towns since my boyhood days and none of them, in my mind, rank so high as Sumner in moral and social standing and as a trade center one gets full value for every dollar expended. My wife, three sons, aged 18, 17 and 9 respectfully and myself are enjoying good health. I am still in the railroad business. Yours truly, McMerrell B. Judy ------------- Des Moines, Iowa January 13, 1915
Dear Sir: Now here comes Warren Kilgore to the Press reunion, left Sumner in the fall of 91, but returned to Lawrence County and lived in Lawrenceville, where he was married to Miss Bessie Salter of the same town in 98. In the spring of 99 he went to Des Moines Iowa where soon after he became a registered pharmacist. He has owned and conducted a drugstore there for almost 14 years. Two children have been born to him B. Frank, age 15 now a freshman in East High School, a daughter, Louise age 12. The Carnegie medal for bravery has never been awarded him neither has he made a million dollars in high finance. This drugstore is not the largest in the city and is located in a suburb where it is a convenient waiting place for way faring people on wintry days and in summer a place where the populace go to quench their thirst and cool themselves at the soda fountain. He is much the same one that left Sumner. The long hours in the drugstore have not taken from him his enjoyment of a good laugh and he is yet ready to see the ludicrous and most any incident. Old home friends of this should call on him when in Des Moines at 1211 S. East sixth Street picture postal cards answered. Mr. and Mrs. J. Peasley, who taught school in Sumner in 84 and 85 are residents of the Des Moines, where Mr. Peasley is a consulting lawyer. J. Kent Barnesa former Sumner boy, also resides in the Des Moines holding a position with one of the large insurance companies for which Des Moines is noted. J. Jones, former Lawrence County school teacher and L. A. Morgan formerly city marshal of Lawrenceville are also Des Moines Iowa residents.
W. G. Kilgore 1211 South East Sixth Street ------------- Noble, Illinois February 8, 1915 Mr. Editor: I will write to the Pink Press. I used to live in Lawrence County. I came to Lawrence with my parents in the year of 1900, at the age of five and remained there eight years. Moved to Wayne County and at the age of 17 was married to B. H. Kincaid, of Mt. Erie at Lawrenceville. We are farmers and owned a small farm of 50 acres southeast of noble 11 miles in Wayne County on Forest Ridge. We have two children both girls. My maiden name was Laura Wells, my parents were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wells, living northwest of Bridgeport. Wishing the Pink Press a success. I'll close, Mrs. Laura Kinkade ------------- Urbana, Illinois January 18, 1915
Last fall we sold out in Westfield and moved to Urbana. I am doing work in the College of Liberal Arts and Science of the state University expect to make geology my major. If all goes well I shall finish my course here in 1917. The University is certainly a great institution and is destined to become much greater within the next 10 years if all plans of the present are carried out. Two new buildings are now in process of construction, one of which, an addition to the present chemistry building will make, so it is said, the best chemistry building in the world. This one department requires a faculty fifty-four. We see a count in the Press of several Lawrence County people who live in Urbana or Champagne but had never met them here, not having been equated with them at home. There are several here in school among whom are Ross Petty, of Sumner the star football player, Mac Leach, of Bridgeport, Ralph Spencer, of Lawrenceville and Levitt Kimmell, of Chauncey. Wife takes music lessons, looks after the boy, and keeps a home going while I go to school. We like the place very well and enjoy the work and life in general. Although all this is true we are all glad when Christmas time comes and we can speak back to shake hands with friends in old Lawrence once more to stick our feet under fathers table. William, Nora and George Edward Lathrop 305 South Grove Street ------------- Lamanda Park, California January 19, 1915 To the Editor of the Press: I was born in Crawford County Illinois, August 26, 1900, and remained there until 11 years of age when I moved to Lamanda Park, California where we have lived the last three years. Lamanda Park is three miles east of Pasadena. Streetcars and jitney buses run within 100 yards of our house, which conveyances we could step into any time to go to Pasadena for five cents. My mother and two sisters work in the packing house packing oranges and lemons, and my papa is a Teamster. I go to school. California is a beautiful place, roses bloom the year round. But for all that, I like Illinois and the good old farm life, where I enjoyed milking the cows, feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs, in the summer time, and in the winter setting rabbit traps, throwing snowballs and skating on the ice. I enjoyed those things much better than living in a yard, where there are six houses besides our own, scarcely room to turn around. As this is my first attempt and if the wastebasket does not catch this, I may try again sometime. Nellie Legg ------------- Metropolis, Illinois January 10, 1915 Gentlemen: I have noticed you expected to turn out an edition of the Press composed, as nearly as possible, of letters from former residents of Sumner I do not know of anything to tell our many friends and relatives of interest only I am still running a flour mill, but as we have been here 17 years, must begin to think about getting superannuated6. Our only living son, Euerdge, is married and living at Centralia Illinois, is traveling for the Huttigs Sash and Door Works, of St. Louis. He is “making good.” Our daughter's Zazel, is completing her fourth year at Eureka College from which she will graduate next June. I have been a subscriber to the Sumner Press since its first issue by W. E. Mock about the year 1876. It has been sent me at Bridgeport and Lawrenceville Illinois, Vincennes, Petersburg, Dillsborough, Indianapolis and Franklin, Indiana, then for something over four years got it through the post office at Sumner. For the last 16 or 17 years I have received the paper here. We still own property in Sumner and expect if I do not die in harness to fix it up or build on the lot and come "home" to Sumner to finish out the time I have to stay. Yours respectfully, L. W. Lent ------------- West Salem, Illinois January 21, 1915
I was a resident of Sumner for 43 years. My father, Caleb Hoopes, moved to Sumner when I was seven years old. There has been many changes. When we went there it was a very small place, no church there, we had church in the school house and big and small scholars were all in one room together and one teacher to instruct them. All the old people who would be 80 years and more, if living, are all sleeping with the sleep that knows no awakening in the cemetery on the Hill. Mr. Clark, whose body was brought back for burial, was living there when we moved there. My home is now West Salem Illinois, a very nice town. Have been a resident here for nine years. I visit my old home once or twice a year. While I missed many old friends who have passed away, yet I meet other friends who's familiar faces I am always glad to see. Very respectfully, Mrs. Molly Hoopes Mallison ------------- Chicago, Illinois January 11, 1915
I was born on what is known as the Malone farm, 3 1/2 miles southeast of Sumner and which at that time belonged to my father, William Malone. I am now married and living in Chicago for the past seven years. Have been in the employ of Sears and Roebuck and Company. My reminiscences are mostly of boyish pranks. In those days they raised fine watermelons in Lawrence County. I remember one time I had been to Vincennes with a load of hay. Having had no supper, on my way home I felt pretty hungry. I passed a fine patch of melons and boy-like decided to satisfy my hunger, never worrying about the right or wrong of helping myself to other people’s melons. I had just picked out a couple of fine melons and with one under each arm was proceeding to the hay rack when I heard a gun click and heard the farmer say "I've got you this time". I said "I guess you have." He then proceeded to lecture me and said, “Suppose young man, as you went along to town I had taken a bale of your hay, what you would have said, and how much would you like that?” To which I replied, "If you had been as hungry as I and wanted a bale of hay to eat, I'd have said take it and welcome." The farmer, a big, broad minded man, saw the point laughed and pick me out the finest biggest melon he could find, sending me on my way rejoicing, but with this sage advice, “Young man, when you are hungry and want a melon, go and ask for it and do not help yourself." I wonder if he will see the story and remember. My heart always has a warm spot for Lawrence County and friends and companions there. Wishing the Sumner Press continued success, I am Clement E. Malone 128 South Hamilton Avenue ------------- Sullivan, Indiana January 15, 1915
It is a great recreation for a person's mind to wander back to old home and friends. One October 24, 1914, we bade farewell to Sumner and left for our home here. On arriving we found our friends and acquaintances from (here) greet(ed) us with hearty welcome. Our nearest neighbors, Mr. Nesbitt's, are nice and accommodating people. He often comes to your town to buy horses. The people here are all nice and clever people always ready to assist you, at any time. The good ladies and sisters of this community had our house scrubbed and ready to enter. The men were ready with their wagons and teams to help unload the car. Among one of the faithful ones was Chalmer Moore. He assisted in every way he could. He met the train in his machine and took Mrs. Mathias and little Joseph Richard to his home until things could be put in order at home. Perhaps someone would enjoy reading something about Joseph Richard, my grandson. He is in good health, growing nicely and has two teeth. He still waves bye-bye and whistles. We like our new home fine and wish all who live near and around our old stomping ground all the success that can be had. For fear I might worry someone with my words, I will stop my pen.
J. A. Marley and family ------------- McLeansboro, Illinois R. F. D. No. 8 January 20, 1915 Mr. Wood: At your request I will write you a few lines. My parents moved from Ohio to Illinois. There were eight children of us, five of whom are living yet. I was 11 years old when we moved in the year of 1853. We crossed the river at Russellville on a ferry boat, came to Lawrenceville. It was not much of a town then. Came through Bridgeport. There was but one business house in the town then. Mr. Thorne had a store there. The O. & M. was graded and but the trains did not run until 1854. We settled five miles south, one half mile west of Sumner, in Lukin Township. About that time Sumner started up. In 1854 was a very dry year. That year was the first I ever heard of Cinch bugs. There were plenty of them that year. School and meeting houses were few and far between those days. Our circuit preacher lived in Lawrenceville. He would get around once a month in Sumner. He would preach one weekday in winter at night. We had three months school in the winter. I could not go but part of the time. Mr. Edmondson (unreadable). Buckhorn schoolhouse was built in 1855, the year Buchanan was elected president. I often wonder how many of the scholars are still living that started to school that year. The last I noticed to go was Mr. B. L. Cunningham. My first vote for president was for General George B. McClellan in the year of 1864. I, with my wife and my brother, Jackson and family, left Lawrence County in the year of 1881, another settled in dry year. Settled in Hamilton County where we have lived ever since. Well, I expect I have made my letter too long already. Pick out what you want, though the rest in the waste basket.
------------- Olney, Richland County, Illinois January 13, 1915 To the Sumner Press: I was born in Lawrence County, in Christy Township, March 9, 1855, 2 1/2 mile south of Sumner and lived on the same farm until September, 1880. Moved to Richland County and stayed until the fall of 1881, we moved back to old Lawrence and stayed until the fall of 1883, then back to Richland County. My neighbors in my boyhood days were grandfather, G. W. Johnson, Henry Bopp, Ned Heath, Mr. Collings, Thomas Turner, Briant Sumner, James French, Chancy French, Mr. A. Bailey, all of whom have since died. The first corn plow that we own father bought at Mr. T. L. Jones. The store was where George Morgan’s Hotel now stands or nearby. For the last 28 years I have been in the employee of the railroad company in Olney Joseph A. Miller 725 South Morgan Street ------------- Fruita, Colorado January 11, 1915
I must say that I regard the move as a wise one. I do not know that there is a person in the wide world outside of my own kin that is especially concerned about myself and wife for this constitutes the whole of our family, but I am looking forward to this issue as being peculiar interest to me. Your instructions are to write about personal matters, one self, family, etc. This is a difficult thing for me to do but I shall endeavor to stay with the text. Mrs. McKelfresh and I were married March 17, 1897 several years later March 1904, for health reasons, we very much against their own personal feelings, tore loose from loved ones and friends and took a journey of 1500 miles landing in Grand Junction, the county seat of Mesa County, Colorado. And let me say that we regard Colorado as being in many ways one of the greatest states in the union. Having lived in this time on a farm we knew but little of city life but we very soon found out that the folks here were very similar to the ones we had left and we soon had friends by the score and really the people are much more sociable in the west and in the east. As a boy and man on the farm I knew full well what hard work was so the first work that I secured after locating was sawing wood with a box saw and say that was real labor at least I found it so. This is my first experience at this particular kind of work. This job prove to be a short one and having some little knowledge of the Carpenter trade I soon found employment of this kind. In December of the same year we moved 12 miles farther west, to Fruita Colorado, our present home. Here we engage in the grocery business for a little over year, but sold our interest in the business and with one summer in the mountains thinking that the high altitude would be more beautiful as it proved to be. I spent this vacation cutting logs and doing labor at a sawmill. I was not the foreman. When I returned from the mountains, a two-story building was under construction in the town and when completed a portion of the ground floor was occupied by the First Bank of this city. I had no trouble in securing employment on the job, stayed untill it was completed, or nearly so. At this time the company offered me a job as general roustabout, flunky, I think they call it out here, and I was to spend what time I could in the bank doing what I could and learning more if I could. After a few months I was relieved as flunky and place in the bank as bookkeeper. About six years ago some resignations took place with the office force and I was made assistant cashier, which place I still hold. We are delighted with the western country and the people. I would love to tell you something of our delightful at climate, but that has been forbidden by our good editor. Fruita is a small town hardly so large as Sumner, has plenty of churches, splendid schools, waterworks, electric lights, sewers. We have many other desirable some quite a number that are not desirable. There has never been a saloon in town, and I would have you remember that the entire state went dry last November. As I said in the beginning we left Illinois came to Colorado with the hope that the change would benefit Mrs. McKelfresh health, and it has done so, even beyond what we expected. While it would be the joy of our lives to live with our kindred and old-time friends, but had no thought of returning soon. It is ever so much better to meet conditions as they are and not murmur. In the book we are told that "Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain."We are here contented and happy, trying if possible to make it so worlds are still tiny bit better. Now dear editor if you have any use for this in your special, use it, but if not just drop it in the wastebasket and let it be forgotten. With best wishes for the Sumner Press and all this readers for a pleasant and prosperous 1915, I close, Respectfully, H. G. McKelfresh ------------- Topeka, Kansas January 24, 1915
Directory: ~illchgs -> letters -> old files old files -> From Former Sons and Daughters of old files -> L. M. Wood and Sons: In response to the general invitation extended to former residents of Lawrence County, I proceed to write briefly, if possible concerning the few "wanderers," in this section Download 1.59 Mb. Share with your friends:
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