Month: June 2022

Invented in Dayton

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To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, Isom L. Thompson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of LaSalle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wagon-Jacks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This is how Isom Thompson began his application for a patent on his invention, an improved wagon-jack. His application was witnessed by his brother, Foster V. Thompson and by Freeman Wheeler. The improvement came from his experience with farming, but Isom had not always been a farmer.

He was born in November, 1840, in Adams, Jefferson County, New York, one of five children of Isom Thompson and Elzina Foster. He left the farm sometime between 1875 and 1880, and took up the trade of carriage maker.

About 1894 his older brother, Foster, decided to move his family to Illinois. Isom made the journey with them and settled on a farm in Rutland township. After Foster died in 1897, Isom, who never married, continued to make his home with his sister-in-law and her 2 sons, his nephews, Oscar and Lamotte Thompson. Isom died there on Saturday, December 2, 1905, of apoplexy. 

Opal is a Standout

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Jersey cows

Not, unfortunately, a picture of Opal, but a close lookalike.

DAYTON, ILL., COW COMPLETES TEST

Dayton, Ill., July 16. — Opal of Greenacres, 569949, a pure bred Jersey cow in the herd of L. A. Green, at Dayton, Ill., has completed an official production test. Opal was started on this test at the age of 4 years and 11 months and in the following 365 days she yielded 549.86 lbs. of butterfat and 8,109 lbs. of milk. Her milk averaged 6.78 per cent butterfat for the year and for two successive months of this test her production of butterfat was above 63 lbs. per month. With the above record, made on two milkings a day, Opal of Greenacres qualified for the Register of Merit of the American Jersey Cattle Club. Her sire is Master of the Sea 183761, and her dam is Mayfield’s Spotted Maid 351671.1

  1. The [Streator, Illinois] Times, July 16, 1928, p. 2.

84 Years Ago Today in Dayton

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Dayton store

On the left, behind the store, is the Dayton clubhouse

Dayton Woman’s Club Observes Anniversary of Its Founding1

The Dayton Woman’s club today had started the 26th year of its organization, with memories of the fitting observance yesterday of the silver anniversary of its founding.

The present members of the club, who include many of the 13 charter members, received 100 friends from 3 to 5 p. m. yesterday in the Dayton clubhouse, to mark the anniversary.

Silver and white appointments were used on the tea table from which the guests were served. Daises, calla lilies and white delphinium formed a centerpiece. Mesdames Ralph Green and Gilbert Masters poured.

Baskets of flowers were used about the room to create a background for the lovely event.

Piano solos were played by Miss Betty Rensch, a piano duet was played by Mary Louise Varland and Betty Follett, a vocal solo, “June Morning,” was sung by Miss Ida Chamberlain and a violin solo was played by Marjorie Williamson, accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Ernest Williamson.

Painting Given

A painting of Wallace Nutting’s was presented to the club by Mrs. Bert Tuttle in memory of Mrs. Fannie Osbourne. A tribute was given Mrs. Osbourne by Mrs. E. C. Cleary. The presentation was made to Mrs. Arthur Retz, president of the club.

Of interest to the guests was a picture on exhibit of the home of Mrs. Rush Green, now destroyed by fire, in which the club was organized 25 years ago.

Honored yesterday were the following past presidents of the club: Mesdames Gilbert Masters, Dan Hallowell, Ben Chamberlain, Will Fleming and Miss Maud Green. They were given special badges and also were in the receiving line, as was Miss Jennie Fraine.

Charter Members

Among the 13 charter members of the club present were: Mesdames Masters, Hallowell and Misses Jennie and Emma Fraine.

The guests included Mrs. B. O. Benson of Tampa, Fla., a guest of Mrs. John Smith of Wedron; Mrs. Annie Barnes of Boston, a guest of Miss Jennie Barnes and Mrs. Carrie Green; Mrs. Barbara Masters of Chicago, a guest of Miss Maud Green; Mrs. Emily Brown and daughter Ethel of Oak Park; and others from Ottawa, Grand Ridge, Harding, Wedron and Marseilles.

The celebration was in general charge of Mesdames Charles Clifford, Arthur Retz, Ralph Green, Will Ryan and Misses Jennie and Emma Fraine and Maud Green.

The first meeting of the group in its 26th year will take place Wednesday, June 29, in the club house, which the organization constructed in 1923 and 1924.

The club was founded June 13, 1913, to promote sociability, discuss subjects relating to a betterment of the community and provide amusement and recreation.

  1. Ottawa Republican-Times, June 15, 1938, p6

Early June in Dayton

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Rural Happenings

Dayton, June 5. – The late rains have raised the river somewhat. Fishing is some better than it was before the rain. Lots of people come to enjoy piscatorial sports. A few bring tents and camp out for a few days, but as soon as a tent is pitched, we notice the mercury in the thermometer begins to move toward zero, so camping out has been so far a wretched cold business.

Query: “If Park Reed still continues to seine, what has become of the Ottawa Fish Protective Association?”

Mr. Harry Green departed last Tuesday on a wool-buying trip near Mendota.

J. Green’s horse which was supposed to have been stolen from the stable last Saturday night, was taken up as an estray by Mr. Jos. Hall, four miles north-west of town, and returned to Mr. Green last Wednesday. The horse had broken his halter and walked off.

Mr. W. B. Roberts, with A. Reed & Sons, Chicago, was in town Wednesday.

Mr. Wm. George, Miss Ida George, and Miss Helen Tarket, all of Leland, were visiting at D. Green’s a few days last week.

Miss Carrie Stowell of Bloomington, is visiting her sister Mrs. J. Wright.

Mr. Jos. Green returned last Saturday from a wool buying excursion near Washburne. Mr. Burtie Stadden, formerly of this place but now of Wenona, accompanied him for a few days visit with his little Dayton friends.

The musical Union at their meeting last week chose the following officers for the ensuing term: president, Chas. K. Howard; secretary and treasurer, Miss Reed; Leader, Chas. Green; organist, Jennie Dunavan.

Universalist services next Sunday evening by Rev. Mrs. Gibb.

Rev. G. B. Barnes, of Ottawa, preaches at the school house this evening. Mr. B. delivered an excellent sermon at his last appointment, being a forcible argument in favor of Christianity.1

  1. The Ottawa Free Trader, June 7, 1879, p. 8, col. 1

Another Dayton Business

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PLOUGH FACTORY

Jacobs & Co. would inform the Farming Public that they are manufacturing at Dayton several kinds of Ploughs, which have been heretofore approved, to which they invite the attention of those wishing to buy. These ploughshare – made of the best material, and warranted to be perfect in every respect – They are also manufacturing the improved revolving Colter, which is acknowledged to be far superior to the common straight ones. Call and examine for yourselves.

Old ploughs will be repaired to order on reasonable terms.1

The revolving colter was an improvement on the previous form, which was a vertical knife edge to cut through roots and vines. A fixed knife collects roots and vines and tends to plug up. The rolling blade greatly reduces the friction through the ground and does not gather rubbish on its edge. 

Another Dayton company in the forefront of technological advancement!

The Ottawa Republican, April 29, 1854, p4, c4