Barbara (Trumbo) Jackson

Mrs. Barbara Jackson, 97 Years Old, is Elected Head of 75 Club

Mrs. Barbara Jackson, 97 years old, of Dayton, today was elected temporary president of the Republican-Times “75 club,” an organization composed of residents of La Salle county who are upwards of 75 years of age.

Under the rules previously announced, the oldest member of the club is declared head of the organization, so Mrs. Jackson will have that honor until someone older than 97 is reported.

Mrs. Jackson was born September 19, 1829, in Licking county, Ohio, but came to La Salle county at the age of one year, and has lived here ever since. Her only living descendant is one child.

Others received into the “75 club” today are:

Mrs. Annie Hayer, 75 years old, R. 60, Seneca, who was born September 26, 1851, in Miller township, and who during her entire lifetime has been a resident of La Salle county. She has 16 living descendants, six children and ten grandchildren.

Mrs. Katherine Hess Brown of Dayton, 89 years old, born July 1, 1837, in Brock’s Gap, Virginia. She has been a resident of La Salle county for 75 years. Her living descendants are five in number, two of them being children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mrs. Belinda Jones, 86 years old, of Millington, claims La Salle county for 75 years. Her living descendants are five in number, two of inside the county line, although part of her yard is in Kendall county. She was born January 1, 1841, in Norway, Europe, and has lived in La Salle county 80 years. She has three children.

Everett Angell, 78 years old, 707 First avenue, Ottawa. He was born January 28, 1848 in Vermillionville, and has been a life-long resident of this county.

A. C. Baldwin of Deer Park township, 78 years  old. Mr. Baldwin was born in that township, and has always resided there. He has five children and 18 grandchildren.

Mrs. Anna J. Flanagan, 76 years old, who resides at 439 Fourth avenue, was born in South Ottawa, April 1, 1850, and this city has always been her home. She has four children, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

For the convenience of other 75ers who have not as yet sent in their names, the membership application blank is herewith republished. Clip it out and mail it to “75 club,” in care of the Republican-Times. Membership is free to all who are eligible.¹

1. The Ottawa Daily Republican Times, October 4, 1926, p. 2.

The funeral services of Cyrus Hoag, which were conducted by Henry Parr, were held at the home of his parents in Serena, at 10 A. M., Thursday, Oct. 17. The sermon being preached by Rev. Hilster, of Sheridan.

Only a few months ago one could have seen a bright young man, just in the bloom of youth, bidding the last farewell to parents, to brothers and sisters, and as he boards the train, he casts one lingering look upon the faces of his friends and companions from whom he is carried far away to try the stern realities of western life. If the veil of futurity could have been lifted, and one could have read the pages of a few coming months, we would have hardly believed that one so vigorous in health, in so short a time, with scarcely a moment’s warning, would be brought back cold in death.

Although the family had been informed of his illness, no serious thoughts were entertained until Monday morning, when a telegram was received, informing them that he was rapidly growing worse. Mrs. Hoag commenced making preparations at once, intending to take the first train. But ere it arrived the second message was received saying that Cyrus was beyond all earthly help.

He had crossed the dark river of death and entered, we trust, the bright haven of rest, where there is one bright summer always and storms do never come. One, and the most consoling thought, is that he was known as one whose character was beyond reproach, and was respected by all who knew him. Our eulogy is too feeble to give due honor to his memory, but those who knew him well say they never knew him to do a wrong act. Notwithstanding the short notice there was a long procession which followed the remains to its last resting place in Dayton cemetery.

Were we to offer an epitaph we might write —-
“Breath soft ye winds, ye waters gently flow,
Shield them ye trees, sweet flowers round them grow;
Ye sons of men in silence pass them by,
For ‘neath this sod our loved asleep doth lie.”

At the time of his death he was 22 years, 6 months and 6 days old.¹

Cyrus Hoag was the son of Charles H. and Mary (Wells) Hoag who married November 5, 1857, in La Salle County. They are also buried in the Dayton Cemetery.

1. Ottawa Republican, 25 Oct 1889, p. 4.