Dayton Items

Our public schools are again in session, with Miss Cora Childs still in charge as principal and Miss Jennie Crane, of Ottawa, as assistant.

Misses Maud Green, Jessie Trumbo and Carrie Barnes are attending the Ottawa high school. Apparently they did not attend the full four years, as none of them appear in the lists of graduates in 1884-1888.

Mr. Joseph Green is kept busy at his sugar camp across the river. His maple syrup is excellent and in great demand.

H. B. Williams, Esq., and wife, of Ottawa, were in town last Sabbath.

Mr. Isaac Green has had a force of men clearing off the woods, brush, etc., across the river. It will make a fine sheep pasture.

Mr. Geo. W. Makinson came near having his house burned down last week from a defective flue. He talks now of having it insured with Mr. John Green, who is agent for the Phoenix and Aetna at this place.

The tile works got their first kiln of the season ready to burn last week, but were obliged to wait for coal. They are turning out a fine quality of tile, which is meeting with a ready demand.

The fact that caused the election of Mr. Beach as supervisor over Mr. Roades, we understand, was the removal from the town of a number of the latter’s supporters. The contest was close.

And now why can’t we build a thing that is greatly needed in our village, as well as the whole neighborhood, viz: a bridge across the river here. Nearly five thousand dollars have been spent for bridges, etc., in the north part of town during the past year or two, and wouldn’t it be the fair thing for about half the above amount to be invested in a bridge here. Eleven or twelve thousand dollars ought to put up a good, substantial iron bridge, and from twenty-five hundred to three thousand dollars from each town with one-half from the county will make up the above amount. A bridge here would greatly increase the value of property in the village and in consequence raise the assessment. This, of course, would materially lighten the taxes in the other part of the township. In fact, a bridge would be a great advantage in more ways than one, and we think has become a public necessity and should be built at once. The railroad bond case has been settled and most of the money raised to pay the lawyers, and now what sort of an excuse can we find to vote against investing a few hundred dollars in a much-needed bridge?

Occasional¹

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1. Ottawa Republican, April 11, 1884, p. 5

Dayton

Fred Green left this morning for San Francisco, and will be absent about two weeks.

Miss Jennie Barends has entirely recovered from her recent illness.

Wm. Fleming left on Monday morning for De Kalb, where he will stay for a few days.

Mrs. Jas. H. Timmons furnished the supper for the patrons of the Christmas dance held at Woodman hall.

E. McClary and wife dined on Christmas day with Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Barends.

Christmas passed off quietly in our little burg.

Leroy McBraerty, operator at Ladd, spent Christmas with his parents.

The dance given by the Dayton orchestra on Christmas night was well attended, about 100 persons being present. Messrs. Breese, Hoxie, Warner, Breese and McGrogan furnished some very good music, and every one had a royal good time. Supper was served by Mrs. Jas. H. Timmons.

Winn Green and wife, of Joliet, spent Christmas at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barends.

Miss Nellie McGrogan and Leroy Luce were married last week Wednesday at Ottawa by Squire Larkin. May you both live long and prosper.

Ellis Breese has just purchased a number of fine sheep from Jay Shaver, and expects to engage in sheep raising on a large scale, having fenced in 22 acres of fine grazing land on the river bottom.

George Wolf and wife entertained a number of friends at dinner on Christmas day.

George Galloway and wife were visiting in Ottawa on Tuesday.

John Rhoades and family were visitors at Mr. and Mrs. John Benoits.

Miss Drennan is visiting friends in Chicago for a few days.¹

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1. The Ottawa Republican-Times, January 3, 1901, p. 6, col. 4

When William Stadden died in Dayton on November 13, 1848, his widow, Judah Stadden, renounced her right to administer his estate and requested that David Green, her son-in-law be appointed administrator.

Stadden’s estate was large enough that David needed to file a bond for fifteen thousand dollars. In order to do this, his father, John, and brother, Jesse, joined in the bond.

It’s not always easy to find authentic signatures, which makes finding a father and sons combination even more delightful. It’s interesting to note the generational difference in the handwriting styles: the capital J and capital G in John’s signature show an older style of penmanship.

 

From Dayton

Dayton, Ill., July 7, 1886. – Our village with the rest of this section of county, we suppose, is sweltering at present in the heat of the nineties, and our people are vainly sighing for a cool Manitoba wave. A fine breeze however is blowing today and we hope the “hot” spell is over for the present.

Most of our citizens spent the glorious Fourth (or 5^th) in Ottawa and “took in” all the sports and fireworks.

There is a slight difference of opinion as to the success of the celebration, but nearly every one thinks it might be improved upon in a great many particulars.

Messrs. Burt W. Stadden, P. W. Lilly, and William Pettis, of Chicago, came down Sunday evening and spent Sunday among friends and acquaintances in Dayton, and “took in” the celebration at Ottawa on Monday.

Misses Cora and Winnie Childs of Morris, spent last Sunday in Dayton.

Mr. Charles Park of Shabbona, Ill., is visiting at Mr. Charles Green’s.

Mrs. Wm. McMullen of Clinton, Iowa, is spending the summer at her mother’s Mrs. David Green.

Mr. Jessie Makinson celebrated with his best girl in Indiana, on the 4^th and 5^th.

Mr. James Ryan ate his Fourth of July spring chicken in Chicago.

A few of our citizens held a pleasant picnic near Barnes’ fish pond last Sunday.

Our public schools closed last Friday, and the teachers, Messrs. [sic] Crane and Miller, are spending their vacations at their homes in Ottawa.

Miss Jennie Dunavan left town on the 7:40 train Friday morning for a brief visit among relations in Michigan. During her absence, her position as organist in the S. S. will be taken by Miss Cora Moore.

The Brick Co. are loading a boat with brick for King & Hamilton of Ottawa; we understand they have bought 150,000 brick. The Brick Co. has just put in a Penfield Brick and Tile machine, and will make fire brick, sidewalk brick, &c.

The Paper Co. are turning out about six tons of straw wrapping paper per 24 hours.

Prof. Jenkins of Mendota tried his luck at fishing here, a few days last week.

There are few camping and fishing parties along the river here at present.

H. B. Williams, Esq. has been painting and repairing his tenant houses in Dayton this spring, and greatly improved their appearances. The paper mill also received a coat of paint which makes it look quite respectable.

Mr. Henry Hewit who was called to his home in Wisconsin by telegraph, a short time ago stating that his mother was quite ill, has not returned yet.

Occasional¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, July 10, 1886, p. 8, col. 4

 

Cora was the oldest daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Rhoads) Green, born September 21, 1862, in Dayton.

From Dayton
Matrimonial

Cards have been out during the past week for a grand matrimonial event, in which all of our citizens and socially interested, for the wedding on the 22d inst. deprives us of two of our best members of the social circle, whose place it will be difficult to fill, and whose absence will be deeply regretted. The spacious parlors of the bride’s parents’ were elegantly decorated and festooned with evergreens and roses, and a fine floral arch and horseshoe were tastefully arranged over the entrance. At one o’clock, about sixty guests having assembled, the bridal party entered the parlors and in the presence of the friends and relatives, Miss Cora Green was united in wedlock to Hosea B. Williams, both of this city. The ceremony was beautifully and impressively performed by the Rev. E. C. Arnold, of Ottawa. The bride and groom received the congratulations of the whole company who with your reporter wishes them a long and prosperous voyage through life. After partaking of an elegant repast, the bridal party departed in the midst of a floral shower on the 4:10 train for Niagara Falls and the East. They will be gone about three weeks, and on their return will reside in Mr. Williams’ fine new residence in East Ottawa.

The bride was elegantly attired in a plain blue and brocaded silk, Spanish lace, natural orange blossoms, white kids, &c. The presents were many and elegant, evincing in a slight degree the high respect and love in which the bride and groom are held by their numerous friends.

Bride’s father and mother, two pairs of woolen blankets; groom, gold watch and chain; groom’s father and mother, elegant ice pitcher and goblets; Mr. and Mrs. S. W Williams of Streator, silver and decorated berry dish; Harry Green, silver card receiver; James Green, set of solid silver teaspoons; Joseph Green, set of silver nut picks and crackers; Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Hess of Ottawa, silver ice pitcher; Mrs. G. W. Gibson and Mrs. Isaac Green, elegant silver castor; Mrs. O. W. Trumbo, antique lace sofa lambrequin; John and Ella Green, double silver and cut glass pickle castor; Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Green, silver and cut glass celery holder; Mrs. Wm. Reddick of Ottawa, silver gold lined cake basket; Frank Dunnavan, elegant globe butter dish; Silas Dunnavan, celuloid toilet case; Cora, Chas and Belle Dunnavan, plush and satin glove box. Hattie Edwards of Mendota, elegant large-sized portrait; Mattie Brown of Newark, oil painting; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Peddicord of Rutland, silver and gold lined goblet; Estelle and Mira Bagley, pair of ornamental deer heads; Zetta and Nellie Strawn, pearl card case; Katie Rhodes, pair of vases; Eddie Hess, statuary; Dessie Root, silver pickle castor.

Occasional¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, June 24, 1882, p. 8, col. 1.

CORRESPONDENCE
DAYTON

Basil Green spent Monday and Tuesday in Chicago.

The Q. bridge carpenters have been repairing the bridge here.

Jesse Green has been visiting old acquaintances here for the past few days.

Archie Fleming, now of DeKalb, is visiting his brother, Wm. Fleming, for a few days.

Mike Helffrich of Ottawa, dispenser of fresh meats, is now doing our town every Friday.

Ed McClary has just purchased some of the finest potatoes, shipped direct from New York.

Nothing billed on the boards here this week except the raffle of a watch on Saturday night.

Monday was a very agreeable day for the teamsters hauling props, ties and cord wood, it being pay day.

Deputy Sheriff Ole Benson was here on Saturday summoning witnesses in the Channel v. Merrifield suit.

Arthur Ladd who has been acting as operator for the Q. R. R. at Leonore is visiting his family for a few days.

Jennie Barends who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Winn Green, at Joliet for the past three weeks, returned home on Sunday.

Dr. Shaw of Ottawa was called by ‘phone on Sunday morning to attend Ed Emmons, who has been on the sick list for a few days past.

One of Uncle Sam’s Government Inspectors called on our postmaster and found everything in first class shape, after having edited all the accounts.

The weather here on Sunday was like a raffle, very uncertain. Rain in the morning, sunshine at noon, and a good old-fashioned snow storm in the afternoon.

Clarence Barnard, general relief agent for the Q road, came from Oswego on Monday, to fill the place made vacant by Mr. McBrearty being called to Ottawa on court business. Mr. McB. is now back attending to his duties again.

The good people of our little hamlet know a good paper when they read it. Another new subscriber handed in her name for the daily Free Trader and more to follow. Keep up the good work and you will be sure to get all the news in La Salle Co.

The Merrifield v. Channel controversy, which was called for trial in the circuit court on Monday afternoon, Nov. 25, was of short duration, the jury being out only twenty minutes. Verdict: No cause for action.

John Gibson, son-in-law of Basil Green, now a resident of Chicago, was stricken down on Monday with a paralytic stroke, and immediately taken to the hospital, where the doctors have no hope of his recovery.

Miss Maud and Ralph Green and G. G. Galloway, were initiated into the Mary E. Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, at the Masonic Temple, Ottawa, on Tuesday night, Nov. 26^th. Mrs. G. G. Galloway, who has been a member for sometime, witnessed the ceremony.

Charles Burch, while handing down 12-inch tile from the top of one of the kilns at the tile mill, accidentally let one drop, striking George Wolf squarely on the foot, causing a painful though not serious injury. George was compelled to lay off for a couple of days and is limping around, but expects to be all right in a few days.

Will wonders never cease, and right in the midst of our little burg! A new five column “medical monthly paper,” known as “The Dayton Banner,” and published expressly for Ed McClary. It contains sure-cures for every ill known to the medical profession and has a two-column ad of Ed’s on the last page. That’s right, Ed, nothing like advertising your stock in trade.¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, November 29, 1901, p. 12, col. 1

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