from The Ottawa Free Trader, March 30, 1907

Dayton

Mrs. Ostrander spent Tuesday with Mrs. Thompson.

Mr. Basil Green and granddaughter, Gladys, were Ottawa visitors Saturday.

Mrs. McCleary, Mrs. Dallam, Mr. and Mrs. Ostrander and Mrs. Pyatt shopped in Ottawa Saturday.

Mr. F. M. Ostrander did a small job of carpenter work for Oscar Thompson Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mrs. Libbie Hayes went to Marseilles Wednesday to visit her parents, returning Thursday evening.

A new little daughter, weight 9 lbs., has come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. James O’Meara. Born Tuesday, March 19^th.

Mr. Tom Maher and Mr. Fullerton are putting in tile on Dr. Smurr’s farm and expect to go next to the Trumbo farm.

Mr. Rush Green, who has been doing jury duty in Chicago, came down on Thursday evening. Mr. O’Meara came Wednesday.

Mr. Ostrander did carpenter work for Mr. Sam Hippard Thursday, then started Monday morning for Mr. Chas. Knoll’s to do about two hours’ work.

Spring seems here to stay. Folks are making garden and the hustlers also have “spring frys” on the way. Mrs. Tanner leads off with thirty-five new chicks.

---

Spring in Dayton always meant bluebells and violets to me. We put them in May baskets to hang on door knobs the evening of April 30.

The Dayton Home Makers’ Circle held their monthly meeting on Saturday, May 11, at the home of Mrs. Richard Schmidt. In spite of the inclement weather there were twenty seven members and a number of guests present. After the regular business meeting a musical program was given and then a very enjoyable talk from Miss Mabel Carney, of Normal, Illinois, who spoke upon Country Community Life, especially of our own state. Mrs. Schmidt served refreshments and then came the social hour after which the guests departed, all feeling a pleasant and instructive afternoon had been spent.¹

The members of the Dayton Country Club were very pleasantly entertained at the home of Mrs. E. A. Dallam, in that village, Thursday evening. Bridge whist was played and sumptuous refreshments served.²

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1. The Ottawa [IL] Free Trader, 24 May 1912, p8, col-1-2
2. p.8, col 3

Dayton

The pile driver of the C., B. & Q. R. R. has been busy the past few days repairing the Q bridge here.

The water in the feeder is now in a condition to furnish all the power necessary.

James O’Meara has some of the finest potatoes in this section. Jim is a hustler, and knows a good thing when he sees it.

The rain has ruined the oats in many places in this vicinity, and farmers are out of pocket.

E. McClary, our genial store-keeper, is improving his lawn by laying a new tile sidewalk around his house.

Walter Breese and George Timmons leave on Monday morning for Chicago. If they are successful in their new undertaking they will make Chicago their future home.

The river on Monday was the highest this season.

Thomas Nagle has purchased from Mrs. Martha Bagley the house adjoining his own lot, and will move it and convert it to a barn for his own use.

Mrs. Hudson and son, who have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. John Channel, returned to Chicago on Monday.

H. C. Tueley has gone to Indianapolis to spend a few days.

E. Emmons and family intend moving, and will make Marseilles their future home.

It was proven on Saturday last that the hydraulic cider press here can turn out 2,000 gallons per day.

About forty persons from here attended the old settler’s picnic and Pawnee Bill’s aggregation.

Munroe Durkee, of Wedron, was a caller here this week.

The Dayton Republican Club expect a good turn-out at their meeting on Tuesday evening next.

Emory Waller has been on the sick list for the past week/

The war whoop of the juvenile Indians will soon cease to be heard on our streets, as next week school commences and they will then speak their little piece to their new teacher.

Etta Barnes visited Mr. and Mrs. E. McClary on Tuesday.

Commissioner Jas. H. Timmons is having the hill graveled just west of the feeder bridge. That’s right, Jim, keep on with your good work, and may your shadow never grow less.

Only one lone fisherman could be seen along the banks of the muddy Fox the past week. What a change from a few years ago.

Threshing has been going on at a lively rate for the past two days.

One of our enterprising young men is to start a tonsorial parlor in the near future. It will fill a long felt want. We wish him success in his new undertaking.

The rain causes lots of work on the section for the men employed by the Q. road.

Miles Masters is still very sick and will be unable to leave his bed for some time.¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, August 30, 1900, p. 4, col. 5

 

Dayton, Oct. 3d, 1884. – Politics are quiet at present, but our town will show up on the 4^th of November with a good Cleveland majority.

The Chicago and Dayton Brick Co. have three large kilns built and are laying foundations for three more kilns. They have just set up a large Eureka Dry Press Brick machine, weighing 18 tons, and will be ready to run as soon as they can get in their new water wheels.

Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Allen and family, of Des Moines, Iowa, were visiting in Dayton the fore part of the week. They took in the sights of Chicago for a few days.

Mrs. Wm. McMillan, of Clinton, Iowa, is home on a visit.

Miss Myrtle Stadden, of Chicago, who has been visiting in Dayton for a few weeks, returned home Friday morning.

Mrs. J. W. Channel and daughter will leave next Monday for the great fair and exposition at St. Louis.

O. W. Trumbo “takes the cake” on small grain. He threshed out 26 ½ bushels of wheat, machine measure, to the acre, and 180 bushels of pure buckwheat to ten acres. Who can beat that? The buckwheat is at Green’s mill where it will be ground and sold out to be made into the most delicious cakes. For good pure buckwheat you must call at the mill.

The Dayton tile are taking the load and the works are overrun with orders.

Quite a number of our young folks are attending the Ottawa High School this fall.

Occasional¹

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1. The Ottawa (Illinois) Free Trader, October 4, 1884, p. 8, cols. 1-2

Image by Inn from Pixabay

Dayton Briefs

Edward Raspillar of Plano, Ill., spent from Saturday until Sunday at the Fraine home.

L. A. Green and sisters, Miss Maude and Mrs. A. P. Masters of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Green motored to Mendota Sunday to spend the day at the N. Van Etten home.

John Gracia made a business trip to Aurora Tuesday.

Mrs. Rush Green, Mrs. Gladys Lattimore, Mrs. Addie Thompson, Misses Emma and Jennie Fraine spent Sunday evening at the home of Mrs. E. J. Dallam’s in Ottawa.

Miss Cora Tanner of Aurora spent Sunday with her mother, Mrs. A. L. Tanner.

Mrs. Keenan and Miss Edith Reynolds went to Aurora Tuesday to spend the day.

Mrs. John Reynolds was confined at her home last week. Her daughter, Mrs. A. L. Prager of Marseilles took care of her.

Mrs. Paul Schmitt has returned to her home here, after being ill with the flu at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Canfield in Rutland.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Fleming and son, Marshall of Aurora spent the weekend with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fleming.

Mrs. Addie Thompson attended the wedding of Emmett Burke and Agnes Telpher at St. Columba’s church last Monday.

Mrs. Wm. Ryan and two daughters spent Saturday in Ottawa.

John Garcia, who has been laid up the past three months with a smashed hand, is now employed with the C. B. & Q. railway in Ottawa.

Harry Loomis made a business trip to Champaign, Ill. Saturday.

Mrs. Harold Schilling of Ottawa spent Wednesday in Dayton.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Draper and family spent Sunday at their new home in Wallace.

Mr. and Mrs. M. Keenan motored to Spring Valley Thursday evening to call on Mrs. Sam Nash.

Louise, Mildred and Clarence Thorsen went to Streator Friday to spend a few days with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Thorsen.

Mr. and Mrs. Danny Rieuf and Mrs. Bill Roth and son of Ottawa called at the M. Keenan home Friday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. John Reynolds and daughters, Miss Edith and Mrs. Trayer spent Sunday at the Vincent Smith home, near Ottawa.

A few from here attended the opening dance at Illini Beach Sunday evening.

L. A. Green, Miss Maude Green and Mrs. A. P. Masters called Thursday evening at the Ralph Green home in Ottawa.

Mrs. Edward Miller of west of Dayton spent Wednesday evening at the Fraine home.

Mrs. Mae Fleming and daughter, Shirley Jean of Rutland spent Sunday with Mrs. W. B. Fleming.

Miss Edith Reynolds spent Sunday evening in Ottawa with relatives, returning home Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tracy of Streator were callers in Dayton Sunday of last week.

Mr. and Mrs. M. Keenan spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Danny Rieuf of Ottawa.

Elmer Thorsen of Streator called Sunday evening at the Lormis home.¹

---

1. The (Ottawa, IL) Republican-Times, May 8, 1928, p. 3, cols. 2-3

From Dayton

            Dayton, Ill., Aug. 29. – Mr. John Channel, who went West to southeastern Kansas and Missouri a short time ago on a land-buying excursion, brings back unfavorable reports of that section of the country for farming purposes, but gives it as his opinion that the manufacturing of lime might be engaged in profitably.

Mrs. George W. Green, who has been visiting relatives and friends at Braidwood during the past week, returned home last Saturday.

Mr. George W. Gibson and Miss Alta start this week for Nebraska on a short visit.

Miss Jessie Trumbo returned last week from a week’s visit among relatives in Chicago.

Grandma Green, who is 90 years old, shook hands with her old friends at the Old Settlers’ picnic last week. Her health is quite good, and we hope she may have many pleasant returns of the day.

The new school building is rapidly nearing completion and will be one of the prettiest buildings in the country. It is a two-story frame structure, 36 feet square, and a belfry.

There has been a vacancy in our board of directors ever since last spring, and notwithstanding the fact that the law says it must be filled without delay, no election had been called until the people took the matter into their own hands as provided by law and petitioned the township treasurer to call such election. The two directors, however, learned of the petition, and after studying their law books concluded to call an election before they were brought to their senses by the township treasurer. The election took place at the school house last Saturday afternoon and resulted in a complete victory for the taxpayers and destruction to the one-man power. The vote stood 26 for Isaac Green and 18 for J. Wright. A petition was also extensively signed, authorizing the sale of the old school building.

Mr. James Timmons, proprietor of the Dayton Hotel, has repainted and refurnished it and put it in good shape for the convenience and accommodation of the traveling public, fishing parties, &c.¹

---

1. The Ottawa Free Trader, August 30, 1882, p. 4, col. 3

From the Ottawa Republican-Times, August 30, 1900, p. 4, col. 5

Dayton

The pile driver of the C., B. & Q. R. R. has been busy the past few days repairing the Q bridge here.

The water in the feeder is now in a condition to furnish all the power necessary.

James O’Meara has some of the finest potatoes in this section. Jim is a hustler, and knows a good thing when he sees it.

The rain has ruined the oats in many places in this vicinity, and farmers are out of pocket.

E. McClary, our genial store-keeper, is improving his lawn by laying a new tile sidewalk around his house.

Walter Breese and George Timmons leave on Monday morning for Chicago. If they are successful in their new undertaking they will make Chicago their future home.

The river on Monday was the highest this season.

Thomas Nagle has purchased from Mrs. Martha Bagley the house adjoining his own lot, and will move it and convert it to a barn for his own use.

Mrs. Hudson and son, who have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. John Channel, returned to Chicago on Monday

H. C. Tueley has gone to Indianapolis to spend a few days.

E. Emmons and family intend moving, and will make Marseilles their future home.

It was proven on Saturday last that the hydraulic cider press here can turn out 2,000 gallons per day.

About forty persons from here attended the old settler’s picnic and Pawnee Bill’s aggregation.

Munroe Durkee, of Wedron, was a caller here this week.

The Dayton Republican Club expect a good turn-out at their meeting on Tuesday evening next.

Emory Waller has been on the sick list for the past week/

The war whoop of the juvenile Indians will soon cease to be heard on our streets, as next week school commences and they will then speak their little piece to their new teacher.

Etta Barnes visited Mr. and Mrs. E. McClary on Tuesday.

Commissioner Jas. H. Timmons is having the hill graveled just west of the feeder bridge. That’s right, Jim, keep on with your good work, and may your shadow never grow less.

Only one lone fisherman could be seen along the banks of the muddy Fox the past week. What a change from a few years ago.

Threshing has been going on at a lively rate for the past two days.

One of our enterprising young men is to start a tonsorial parlor in the near future. It will fill a long felt want. We wish him success in his new undertaking.

The rain causes lots of work on the section for the men employed by the Q. road.

Miles Masters is still very sick and will be unable to leave his bed for some time

SANE 4^TH POPULAR WITH LOCAL PEOPLE
Small Gatherings the Popular Idea with Mercury Climbing Skyward and Heat Suffocating

  The Dayton Home Makers

            Although the surrounding country a number of family picnics were held, and some of them were very largely attended. None of these was more successful than that given by the Dayton Home Makers’ Circle. It was held at the home of Henry Schmidt, north of the city. The attendance was large, a splendid dinner was served, and a program and sports rounded out a very enjoyable day.¹

---

The Ottawa Free Trader, 12 Jul 1912, p5, col 3

TRUMBO FAMILY REUNION
Over One Hundred Members Present at the Picnic of Thursday

The members of the Trumbo family have been prominent in La Salle county for the past half century, and more especially in Rutland and Dayton townships, by reason of their industry, good citizenship and last but not least, their numbers. Thursday, at the pleasant home of Frank Trumbo, in Dayton township, they gathered to the number of over one hundred; and, with their relatives of the families of Green, Shaver, Grove and Gibson and their guests, over two hundred. Photographer W. E. Bowman was on the ground and took several pictures of the assembly at noon. At one o’clock the dinner was served and all did full justice to the viands before them. The baseball enthusiasts organized two nines and played a game, the score being about 28 to 19.

Mrs. Grace Parr gave a recitation and W. F. Heath and others rendered solos.

President Elias Trumbo called the family to order for the sixth annual meeting and told the younger members of some of the difficulties and privations which ensued when their ancestors turned the prairie into a garden. Secretary McKinlay then gave a resume of what had been done in further tracing of family history and the collection of data since the last meeting, stating that the descendants of the Trumbos in America now numbered at least 2,500, all descendants of the three brothers who came to Virginia about the middle of the last century, and a facsimile of the oldest document of the family was shown. The original, dated June 23, 1752, is owned by O. W. Trumbo of Dayton, and the land acquired by it is still in the Trumbo family, at Brock’s Gap, Va. The services of the family in the revolution, war of 1812, the Black Hawk war and the civil was were alluded to.

The election of officers was then held and resulted as follows:

President                     Elias Trumbo
Treasurer                     M. P. Trumbo
Secretary                     W. E. MacKinlay
Executive Committee Mesdames Lavina Mattock, Clara T. Hess, Barbara Jackson, Eliza Gibson, Anna Robison and Elizabeth Strawn and Mr. Elias Trumbo.

After a hearty supper the gathering dispersed, after the most largely attended and successful reunion ever held by the “Trumbo Family Association.” Those present were:
C. B. Hess and family, J. N. Strawn and family, Joe Gay and family, Mrs. Susan G. Trenary, Fred and Ralph Trenary, H. B. Robison and wife, Al. F. Schoch and family, W. C. Riale and family, W. E. W. MacKinlay, Wm. Pafiot, Misses Marie Briggs, Roberta Hammond, Katie Gleim; Grant Conard, Jesse, James and Joe Green, L. N. Hess and family, H. B. Williams and family, O. N. Butterfield and wife, H. G. Cotton and daughter, W. D. Strawn and family, C. W. Irion and family, Art. Scott, Jackson Shaver and family, Mrs. Wm. Bradford, Katie Bradford, Maude Sanderson, D. L. Dunavan, S. E. Parr and wife, Mrs. W. H. Hull, jr., Prene Shaver, Ottawa; Mrs. Lavinia Matlock, John Matlock and family, Joseph Harris and family, Mrs. John Crum, Jessie Crum, Eugene Matlock and family, John Harris and family, Yorkville; Joseph Jackson and wife, E. W. Jackson and wife, F. Mizener, Millington; H. D. Barber and family, Sheridan; H. K. Parr and wife, Serena; W. M. Brown and family, M. P. Trumbo and family, Mrs. H. Ruger, Bernice Ruger, Samuel Dunavan and family, O. W. Trumbo and wife, J. Green and family, H. Hall, Mr. Angevine, James Angevine, Dayton; Lee Robison and Matthew Robison and family, Elias Trumbo and family, Donald MacKinley, Maud Shaver, Charles Shaver and family, G. D. Shaver and family, Rou Shaver, V. Canfield and wife, S. Milliken and wife, Mrs. John Parr and family, Mrs. Emma Parrott, Miss Sadie Parrott, George W. Gibson and wife, Rutland; Mrs. Dorothy Hess, Cleveland, Kas.; Mrs. Ed. Bradford, Chicago; Mrs. A. B/ Henderson, Siler, N. C.; Mrs. Harry Green, Chicago; and many others.¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, June 28, 1895, p. 3, col. 4

DAILY EVENTS

Thursday, May 29

Judge C. B. Smith, of the Appellate Court, Judge F. P. Snyder, Wright Adams and Duncan McDougall were in Dayton this afternoon on a fishing excursion. It is safe to say that they came home heavily loaded – with fish.

Friday, May 30

The Dayton tile factory is closed for the present and will remain closed until the present difficulty has been settled. It has been rumored that Manager Williams is on his return home from the eastern trip.¹

La Salle Co. Pomona Grange No. 61

Will hold its next quarterly session on Thursday and Friday, June 12^th and 13^th, with Dayton Grange in Wm. A. Greenlees’ Grove.

First day will be an open meeting with picnic dinner. All are cordially invited. Let everybody and their families turn out for a day’s rest and profitable recreation.

Thursday evening Grange will be held in West Serena church, with closed doors. All fourth degree members in good standing are cordially invited. Friday open meeting in the church.

PROGRAMME
10 a. m. first day – Call to order by W. M., G. A. Wilmarth
Song by Dayton Grange choir
Prayer by Rev. Frederick
Welcome address of Dayton Grange by Miss Zelora Beach
Response of County Grange by Miss V. S. Ashley
Song by Dayton Grange choir

11 a. m., Discussion on the following subject:
Resolved, That it is more profitable to feed beef cattle in summer than in winter. Leaders – E. Howland, C. Mudge, M. Trumbo, L. N. Hess, Wm. Chapman and L. G. Douglass.
Duet by Mrs. Howland and Crumpton.

12 m., Take a recess for dinner

1:30 p. m., Call to order
Song by Freedom Grange choir
Address by the W. M. of Ill. State Grange, Maj. J. M. Thompson, of Joliet. Subject – The Patrons of Husbandry, past, present and future.

2:45 p. m., Recitation by Miss Nellie Howard
Song by Pomona Grange choir

3 p. m., Resolved, That a Protective Tariff is a question of locality, non-partisan, and detrimental to the north western states. Leaders – B. Hess, W. A. Greenlees, T. E. MacKinlay, Geo. DeBolt, J. L. Barber, Douglass, Donevan, J. R. Shaver, C. N. Rolph.
Song by Freedom Grange choir
“What I Know about Farming,” by Dr. Frederick
Song by Dayton Grange
Prayer by the Chaplain
Essay by Mrs. E. Howland
Instrumental music by Miss Cora Brunk

10 a. m., Question – Is it possible and practicable to restrict from farm products, and by controlling the supply regulate the price. If so, how? Leaders – E. Howland, Frank Whitmore, J. S. Armstrong, F. Wheeler, Wm. Poole, D. Snelling
Song by Pomona Grange choir

11 a. m., Essay by Mrs. E. Chapman.
On Women’s Work in the Grange. Speakers – Mrs. J. R. Shaver, Mrs. L. G. Douglass, Mrs. Sarah Hall and Mrs. C. Ida Bowman
Recitation by Miss Aggie Jacobs
Essay by Mrs. George Debolt.
On the Ideal Farmer’s Home, for convenience, beauty and comfort. Leaders – Mrs. E. Howland, Mrs. Beach, Mrs. J. R. Shaver, Mrs. M. Olmstead, Mrs. W. A. Bosworth.
Song by Freedom Grange choir.²

SEVERAL NEW CASES
Work for the Next Term of Court – Summary of a Week’s Doings

About fifteen employees of the Fox River brick Company at Dayton quit work Wednesday and came to Ottawa, consulted an attorney and had the plant attached. The company is in arrears to the men from $75 to $350 each. Two suits were started in the County Court by James Timmons and E. P. Luce for $500 and $348 respectively. Thirteen other suits were begun in Esquire Weeks’ court for sums amounting to $1,500.

A bill to foreclose a mortgage on the plant was filed on Monday, and the workmen, becoming alarmed, concluded to take immediate steps to procure their wages.³

SOME FORECLOSURE SUITS
General Grist of the Courts and Court House Offices

Henry Huitt, Jr., has commenced a suit to foreclose a mortgage on land in Dayton township. The defendants are Betsey B. Soule, Chas. Soule, Chicago & Dayton Brick company, H. B. Williams, C. B. Hess, Jesse Green and Ira W. Davis. Some years ago Soule gave the plaintiff four promissory notes – two for $641.71, each payable in six and eight months; one for $3,302.69, in five years; and one for $12.75, in five years. To secure the payment of these sums mortgages were given on the plant of Green’s woolen factory, the 90-horse water power, the ten acres near Green’s mill and part of the section of land between the feeder and the Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley railroad. The other defendants claim some interest in the mortgaged property. D. B. Snow represents complainant.⁴

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1. The Ottawa [IL] Free Trader, 31 May 1890, p1, col 2
2.      31 May 1890, p1, col 4
3.      31 May 1890, p4, col 6
4.      31 May 1890, p7, col 3

Dayton, May 15, 1879. – The rain of yesterday was a blessing to the land. The earth had become very dry, vegetation was beginning to wither, and all nature called for rain. The river is as low as it usually is in July and August, scarcely any water running over the dam. Nearly all the game fish that were up have been caught or seined out, so that fishing as a success is over with this season unless perhaps we have a good heavy rain.

A three year old colt was stolen last Monday night from Mrs. Furr, a widow lady living a mile west of Dayton. A reward of forty dollars is offered for the return of the horse and the capture of the thief.

We are glad to see D. L. Grove up and around again.

Mr. James Green has gone into the bee business quite extensively this summer. He has over fifty swarms.

Mr. L. Jackson and friend of Millington were down fishing last week.

A new organ was purchased last week for the school house.

Last Sunday a number of parties amused themselves at the river by fishing – a little, drinking beer – a good deal, and having a big time generally. Then more beer. Good people of Dayton, here is a chance for home missionary work.

A good joke is going the rounds this week. A certain married man in town, whose wife wished to go to Ottawa to procure some household necessities, gave her what he supposed was a check for fifty dollars. Having arrived in Ottawa, she thought she would take a look at the paper and see what bank to go to. Taking it from her pocket, she found her husband, by mistake, of course, had given her a meat bill! Rumor says she borrowed fifteen cents to pay her car fare home, and then gave her man a ——- talking to.

On account of the sickness of Mrs. Gibb, Rev. S. F. Gibb filled the appointment at this place last Sunday evening.

Occasional¹

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1. The Ottawa (Illinois) Free Trader, May 17, 1879, p. 8, col. 1

 

from The Ottawa Free Trader, April 12, 1879, P. 8, col. 1

Dayton, April 10. – The concert given by Prof. Newberry and class last Wednesday evening, was quite well attended notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. Solos, duets, quartets and choruses were given in most acceptable manner. The “Hunter’s Chorus” and the “Bugle Horn” choruses by the class were quite good. In fact in all the choruses there was plain evidence of careful and efficient drill although only a few days were employed in preparation. Mrs. Newberry, who has been holding a convention at Serena, came down and took part in the concert. Her alto is very fine. The class may well be proud of their first concert.

The Musical Union will hold regular meetings every Wednesday evening. In our report last week of the officers of the Union, we omitted to give the name of Miss Jennie Dunavan, organist.

Mr. O. Black of Ottawa visited our Sunday School last Sabbath.

Last Saturday we were shown a large swan shot by Mr. Jos. Green near Sulphur Spring. It measured 6 ½ feet from tip to tip of the wings; 4 feet from head to tail; 2 ¼ feet length of neck. Joe will have the bird stuffed and mounted and placed on exhibition as the “luck” of his latest hunting expedition.

At the school election held at the school house last Saturday, T. A. Metcalf was chosen director for the short term, and Jesse Green for the long term.

Last Monday evening a school exhibition was held at the Buck Creek school house by Miss Eva Angevine. Miss A. had spent considerable time in making arrangements and deserved a complete success, which we have no doubt she had.

A few game fish are being caught, but not enough to call it “good” fishing yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Ada Green married William McMillen in Dayton on March 10, 1881, the Free Trader’s account of the ceremony included something that was common for that day, but unusual today. In addition to a description of the ceremony, the remarks made by the pastor, and the wedding dinner, the next paragraph gave a list of the wedding gifts and their donors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some examples of the types of wedding gifts of the time:

a sugar spoon

 

 

 

a cake basket

 

 

 

 

 

engravings

 

 

 

 

 

a salt and pepper castor

 

 

 

 

napkin rings

 

 

 

 

a pickle castor

 

 

 

 

a spoon holder

 

 

 

 

glassware

 

 

 

 

This was very definitely a family wedding – of all the donors listed only a half-dozen are not members of the Green family.

 

Rural Happenings

            Dayton, March 13. – We derive considerable enjoyment here from reading the correspondence from neighboring towns, and have always thought it an interesting part of the county newspaper; and such items as may in our humble judgment be of interest to your readers, we will try to send from here from time to time.

The ice has moved out of the river. Boating will soon be all the “rage.” The river is slowly falling and will soon be fordable. This beautiful spring weather seems such a relief from the cold, cold winter. Roads are getting quite dry.

The Literary is in good running order and having good success. The exercises show care in their preparation and talent in their delivery. The library of the society, containing over a hundred volumes of choice reading, is a great benefit to the town. Much interest is taken in it and beneficial results we have no doubt will proceed from its use.

Harry, Jos., and James Green arrived home on the 1^st from Aurora, where they have been attending school during the winter. The boys look fine. “Hash” seems to agree with them.

Rev. Sophie Gibb preaches in this place every two weeks. Her next appointment is Sunday evening, March 16.

Rev. G. Barnes, Congregational minister at Ottawa, delivered a discourse here last Thursday evening. He has a regular appointment once in four weeks.

Our school ma’am, Miss Frank Mott, will give an exhibition Saturday evening, March 22. Miss M. we understand, closes her labors here with the winter term. She has taught our school quite successfully during her sojourn here of about three years, and now feels she needs a rest from her labors. Mr. Chas. K. Howard will teach the summer school.

A number of our young folks visited your city Tuesday evening to witness the performance of “Fanchon.” They all seemed well pleased, and especially spoke highly of Miss Kate Smith’s acting.

The social party at the hall week before last was quite an enjoyable affair. The young folks seem to have gone with the intention of having a good time, and we think they were not disappointed. Another in the near future is talked of. Prof. Sweet, who furnishes the music, says he is the happiest man in Plano. (N. B. It’s a boy.)

The Literary at their last meeting appointed a committee to make arrangements for an entertainment the proceeds of which will be devoted to the purchase of an organ. The temperance and moral drama “Three Glasses a Day, or The Broken Home,” is in rehearsal.

Mr. Basil Green has the contract of filling in the deep ravine south of town.

By the great firing of guns and general confusion taking place at the time of writing, we should judge a battle was taking place at Wedron. A “chivaree,” we suppose.

“Fishing” days are not far off.                                                Oc.¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, March 15, 1879, p. 8, col. 2

 

Dayton

An average of 15 loads of tile have been hauled from the tile mill every day for the past ten days for Wallace and Rutland.

Effie and Willie Timmons, who have been down with the grippe, are now able to be about again.

Otis Hager and John Bogerd, have finished shelling their corn.

Mrs. E. Luce and Mrs. Leroy Luce, have recovered from their attack of the grippe.

John Carpenter, Jr., has been home the past few days, laid up with a severe sore throat.

Some of the State Fish Commissioners have made several trips here of late, and it is surmised that the holes in the ice used for spearing fish will soon be allowed to freeze up again.

Roy Luce was on the street Monday morning, doubled up like a jack knife. Cause, the grippe.

The tile mill is busy shipping fire clay this week.

Thomas McGrogan has been very poorly of late, and has not as yet recovered from his recent illness.

On Monday last Emory Waller moved his furniture to Rutland, where he and his family intend making their future home.

The graveling on the plank road is finished for the present.

Lucile Maud, only child of Mr. and Mrs. John Bogerd, aged 1 year and 4 days, died on Monday morning, at 5 o’clock, of pneumonia. Funeral will be held at 1 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon. Interment in Ottawa avenue cemetery.

It was the intention of Mr. Sanderson to commence filling his ice house here on Wednesday morning. The outlook for doing so is not very favorable at present.

A. W. Ladd has been summoned as a grand juryman, and will commence his duties as such on next Monday, Jan. 14^th.

Owing to the unfavorable weather for the past few days, every one you meet seems to be ailing from a cold or some other trouble, and “how are you feeling today” is about all you hear at greeting one another.

Dockey Tanner, the last one in our burg whom you would suppose could get sick, is suffering with a severe cold.

A. W. Shaw has trouble enough of his own just at present. A lame back.

Miss Mary Campbell, of Dayton, and Dr. F. Gustlow, of Prophetstown, Ill., were married on Wednesday afternoon at the residence of the bride’s brother, P. M. Campbell, Rev. David Gustlow, father of the groom, officiating.

The ice in the Fox river, at this point, will soon travel south if the weather continues as it has for the past few days.

Lyle A. Green is spending to-day (Wednesday) at Aurora.¹

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1. The Ottawa Republican-Times, January 10, 1901, p. 4, col. 4