Month: December 2025

Happy New Year!!

Candace W 2 Comments

On the last day of 2025, it may be good to look back on 11 years of Dayton posts on this site.

The first was on February 27, 2015. In my enthusiasm I thought I could post something once a week. There have been times when I regretted this schedule, but by and large I’ve kept to it. There have been 575 posts through 2025.

These are the 15 largest numbers of posts by category.
193  biography
158  social
59  history
41  school
36  Fox river
21  farming
17 businesses
13 woolen mill
12  grist mills
12  cemetery
12  medical
11  news
10  travel
10 weather
9  humor

When I started this site, I thought of it purely as a personal way to collect my Dayton information. I didn’t expect it to be of interest to anyone else, except possibly to family members. I told a few people about it but didn’t make any effort to promote it. However, thanks to Google, occasionally someone would land here, read a little more, and stick around. It may not sound like much, compared to influencers who have hundreds of thousands of followers, but I’m delighted to see that I have 48 subscribers and an unknown number of people who just drop in occasionally. The La Salle County Genealogy Guild has publicized it, for which I am very grateful. I’ve actually made contact with people who are researching someone that I have posted about, which is always a thrill.

There’s more to this web site beyond the weekly posts. As a matter of fact , they were sort of an afterthought. I was lucky to inherit a good deal of family information. As the historian of the Dayton Cemetery Association, I did a lot of research into the persons buried there and collected it all here. Plus which, most of the people of early Dayton were Greens or Green in-laws. They are all family and I’ve researched many of those who married in.

I want to thank everyone who has stopped by, especially those who have left comments. They are the best part of my day.

It’s That Time of Year!

Candace W Leave a comment

Rural Happenings
From Dayton

Dayton, Dec. 28, 1881. – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all your readers!

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Brown, of Chicago, spent Christmas in Ottawa, and on Monday visited relatives in Dayton.

Mr. McGrew closed his school last week. Mr. N. Clawson took charge yesterday.

Mr. James Green is “teaching young ideas how to shoot” at the McMichael school, east of Wedron, this winter.

Every one is going around these days with a sore arm, the result of vaccination. “Ouch, don’t you touch my arm.”

Mr. and Mrs. John Gibson, of Rutland, attended the Christmas exercises and spent Christmas in Dayton.

Mr. Will Davis’s Santa Claus costume was the finest ever in Dayton. It was from Mrs. Hentrich, Ottawa’s popular costumer. It made Will appear like the old Nick in the story books.

Mr. O. W. Trumbo and Miss Jessie are visiting friends in Iowa.

A private Christmas tree was held at Mr. Chas. Burch’s Saturday evening.

Rev. E. C. Arnold, of Ottawa, delivered a sermon at the school house last Tuesday evening.

Mr. T. R. Brunk, of Ransom, will deliver a lecture in Dayton next Saturday evening. All are invited to attend.

Mr. David Dunavan, of Newark, and the Misses Dunavan, of Rutland, were visiting in town this week.

Miss Jennie Dunavan, of the Ottawa High School, is spending her vacation at home.

The Union Christmas tree and entertainment at the school house last Saturday evening were a complete success. The house was filled with children and people of all ages, every one of whom was kindly remembered by the good old Saint Nick. The exercises were opened by the beautiful anthem “The Prince of Peace” by the choir, after which Mr. Basil Green made a very appropriate prayer. “While shepherds watched their flocks by night,” a pretty carol was sung in good time and taste by the children; Mr. Clarence Griggs, of Ottawa, then followed with an appropriate address which was listened to attentively by the audience. Mr. Griggs is a bright and promising young attorney, and has formed many acquaintances here who think he is destined to make his mark in the world. “From our Merry Swiss home,” a duet, was sung in a delightful manner by Misses Myrtle Stadden and Mary Barnes, and was applauded by the audience; “The Legend of St. Fredo,” a recitation by Carrie Green, and “Gathering Sheaves,” by Lizzie Bogard, were spoken with good effect; “Christmas day,” a semi-duet and chorus, was sung with considerable taste by Misses Myrtle Stadden, Carrie Green, Gertie Grow, and Lona Root; “Old Christmas,” a recitation, by Miss Maude Green, and “The Fortune-teller,” by Miss Mary Barnes, assisted by little Grace and Kent Green, were rendered very tastefully; Santa Claus (Mr. Will S. Davis) was then introduced to the children in a neat little speech by Eddie Hess, and was enthusiastically received. Then the distribution of presents began. How the little hearts throbbed with delight as the good Santa called their names and delivered to each a pretty present. Nearly an hour passed before old Nick fulfilled his mission. Then every heart having been made joyous at this celebration of our Saviour’s birth, the exercises drew to a close. Before dispersing the audience gave a vote of thanks to Mr. Griggs for his kindness in delivering the address. The occasion will long be remembered as one of the most pleasant entertainments our little town has ever enjoyed.1

Occasional

  1. The Ottawa Free Trader, December 31, 1881, p. 8, col. 1.

Three Dayton Groups Join for Red Cross Work

Candace W Leave a comment

Women of Dayton and vicinity met in Dayton clubhouse yesterday and formed a unit to work for the Red Cross under auspices of Dayton Woman’s club.

Mesdames Guy Kerr, E. O. Schneider, G. W. Kirby and J. J. Digman, who are in charge of Red Cross work for the Ottawa area, attended the organization meeting.

Mrs. Ralph Green was appointed general chairman of the new unit. Mrs. William Luce and Mrs. Harvey Wohlfert were placed in charge of sewing, and Miss Maud Green of knitting.

Mrs. Gilbert Masters, president of the Dayton Woman’s club, was assisted in calling yesterday’s meeting by Mrs. Homer Mathews, president of Dayton Parent-Teacher association, and Mrs. Wohlfert, president of the Dayton Homemakers club.

Mrs. Green and Miss Green served refreshments at a table covered with nasturtiums. Mrs. Masters and Mrs. Wohlfert poured.

The newly organized unit is to meet again in two weeks for actual work.1

  1. Ottawa Daily Republican-Times, October 3, 1940, p. 12, col. 8.

A New Watchman for the Feeder

Candace W Leave a comment

Left center: Feeder watchman’s house. Old dam in the background.

CORRESPONDENCE
DAYTON

The Rox [sic] river at this point is frozen over.

Len Hubbell is spending this week in Chicago.

A. W. Ladd made a business trip to Aurora last week.

Charles Sheppler has been laid up for a few days with a lame back.

John Marshall of Serena made a business call here on Saturday.

George Galloway enjoyed his duck at his own fireside on Thanksgiving day.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore spent a couple of days last week with friends at Earlville.

The Mutual Protective League meets on Wednesday night at Woodman hall.

Miss Mary Coleman and Miss Mary Cloat spent Wednesday and Thursday at Streator.

John Hippard has joined the T., P., & C. W. brigade and is now one of their teamsters.

Miss Mary Dunn of Ottawa spent Sunday with the Misses Mary and Maggie Coleman.

Mrs. Edwards and daughter, Mamie, of Ottawa spent Monday at Mr. and Mrs. James Timmons.

Mr. Isaac Green and family were guests of Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Trumbo on Thanksgiving day.

Mrs. John Lannel [Channel] and A. W. Ladd were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Beik’s at Ottawa on the 28th.

Corn husking is nearly over in the corn fields, but has just commenced at the fireside in the store.

Miss Jennie Barnes starts for Joliet in a few days to spend the winter with her sister, Mrs. Winn Green.

Mrs. Marguerite Mills and Mrs. Brown of South Ottawa spent Friday with Mrs. George Galloway.

One hundred and fifty bushels of corn were sold here on Monday for sixty cents per bushel, cash.

John Green and son, Percival, former residents here for many years, spent Sunday with friends here.

Mrs. John Gibson and son, Fred, left for Chicago on Tuesday, where they will make their home for the present.

Roy McBrearty, operator for the Q. at Denrock, spent Thanksgiving with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. McBrearty.

Mr. and Mrs. George La Pere dined with Mrs. La Pere’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Lohr, on Thanksgiving day.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed McClary spent Thanksgiving with Mr. E. H. Pederson and wife, deputy U. S. marshal at Yorkville.

Miss Blanche McGrath and Miss Kate Hogan of Streator were guests of the Misses Colman on Thanksgiving day.

The ticket winning the watch at the raffle on Saturday night was No. 31, and was held by Joseph Futterer of Ottawa.

William and Walter Breese and Lowell Hoxie and wife of Aurora spent Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. John Breese.

John Campbell, feeder watchman at Dayton, has tendered his resignation, the same going into effect December 1st, 1901.

The Woodman Lodge will elect their officers on Tuesday night, December 10th, at 7:30, at their hall. A large attendance is expected.

On account of the scarcity of water in the feeder the electric plant was compelled to shut down on several occasions the last few days.

Bert Edwards, who has been employed as teamster for George Green, has gone to Streator, which city he expects to make his future home.

William Collamore, Jr., of Ottawa and Miss Olson of near Morris, gave Thanksgiving at the home of William Collamore, Sr., and wife, on the 28th.

Mrs. Ed Vernon and two children left for Somonauk on Saturday morning, where she will be the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Colb for a few days.

John Cisco of Ottawa is now acting as feeder watchman until the successor of John Campbell, resigned, is appointed.

W.  Wheeler and R. Doran left here for Chicago on Wednesday morning where they will visit the fat stock show and will remain until Saturday.

Wilmot Van Etten, agent for the Q. at Batavia, with his wife and three sons, Clare, Walcott and Frank, dined with Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Trumbo on Thanksgiving day, returning on the afternoon train for Batavia.

The commissioners of the Illinois and Michigan canal met at Lockport on Tuesday to appoint a feeder watchman to take the place of John Campbell, resigned. Mr. George Galloway of our little burg was also present in the interest of one of our citizens, who has resided in our midst for the past nine years. Mr. G. with his credentials made an interesting effort in behalf of Mr. William Collamore and returned home on Tuesday night with the pleasing news that Mr. Collamore had been appointed. Mr. Collamore, the new appointee, is well deserving the place he is about to fill. He has always been a staunch Republican, served three and one-half years in the war of the rebellion in the Fifty-eighth regiment, Company G., Illinois Volunteers. Mr. Collamore and his family will shortly move into his new quarters on the banks of the feeder. Well, William, that your journey along the tow path, from Dayton to Ottawa, for the next four years may be one of pleasure and no thorns to mar your path is the wish of your many friends of Dayton.1

  1. The Ottawa Free Trader, December 6, 1901, p. 12, cols. 1-2

Death of Eliza Green Dunavan

Candace W Leave a comment

Eliza Green Dunavan

GRANDMA DUNAVAN’S DEATH
She Had Resided at Denton, Texas, for Sixteen Years

Mrs. Eliza G. Dunavan died last Wednesday night at the residence of her son, N. H. Dunavan, on West Oak street. Funeral services were held at the family residence yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The interment was at the Odd Fellows cemetery. Mrs. Dunavan was eighty-two years of age.

“Grandma Dunavan had lived here sixteen years and was well known and universally loved.

“You could not say too much of her sweet disposition and kindly nature,” said a friend to us, “She was one of the sunshiniest and most lovable of women I ever knew.” Elder J. B. Cole conducted the funeral services.1

Eliza Green Dunavan was born in Licking county, Ohio, September 26, 1814, the oldest child of John and Barbara (Grove) Green. She married William Lair Dunavan November 6, 1831, in Rutland township, La Salle county. He was born November 9, 1808, in Licking county. They farmed in Rutland for many years, but in 1880 they moved to Denton, Texas, where William died May 3, 1889. Eliza died October 28, 1896.

They had nine children:
Albert F. (1832-1913
Emma L. (1834-1905) married Benjamin Hite
John (1836-    )
Elizabeth (1838-1916) married Cyrus Debolt
James William (1840-1906)
Rachel (1845-1856)
Celestia (1847-1847)
Jesse C. (1854-1880)
Noah H. (1856-1922)

  1. Denton (Tex.) Chronicle, November 6, 1896, p. 2, col. 6