Old Settlers
The Old Settlers’ Association met at the Court House on last Saturday afternoon to elect officers, set a day for the Annual Reunion, and general business. Not a very large number were present.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. Jno. Miller, of Freedom, and the minutes of previous meetings were read and approved.
Mr. Munson moved that the old officers be re-elected, which was carried; and Messrs. Elmer Baldwin, Philip Watts and Jesse Green were added as vice-presidents. Following is the list of officers: John Miller, President; Ransom Pulmer, W. Bushnell, John Hoxie, E. S. Leland, I. H Fredenburg, D. F. Hitt, E. Baldwin, P. Watts, Jesse Green, Vice Presidents; A. M Ebersol, Secretary and Treasurer, J. H. Pickens, General Superintendent.
On motion it was decided to hold the Annual Pic-Nic in Hoes’ grove on the 21st of August next.
Messrs. J. Bachellor, J. Pembrook and S. H. Miller were appointed a committee to secure the grove and make arrangements for freeing the Illinois River bridge on that day.
Messrs. E. Baldwin, R. Palmer, and Jno. Miller were appointed a committee on speakers.
The committee appointed at the last meeting on History reported no action.
A resolution was presented and adopted as follows:
Resolved, That the Hon. Elmer Baldwin be elected to procure from the most reliable sources the statistics of the earliest settlers of the several towns of La Salle county, including all matters of general interest, with a view of the publication of a history of the early settlement of the county, this society to have the first claim to the copyright by paying a reasonable amount for the same.
Jesse Green, Cyrus Shaver, O. O. Wakefield, S. R. Lewis and Wm. Munson were appointed as committee on Finance.
After considerable discussion it was decided instead of increasing the number of committees, to appoint one committee of J. H. Pickens, J. Bachellor, and J. R. Shaver with full power to act on questions of privileges, seats, stands, refreshments, etc.
J. Miller was appointed a committee of one on policy and A. M. Ebersol on concert, programme, etc.
Adjourned to meet at call of Secretary.1
It’s interesting to note that some good plans do, indeed, come to fruition. Elmer Baldwin’s book, History of La Salle County, Illinois, was published in 1877 and has long been the source of information on the early days of the county. It appears, however, that Baldwin retained the copyright to his work.
- The Ottawa [IL] Free Trader, June 10, 1876, p8, col 2
Dayton and the Greens 