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Full text of "The centennial history of Cornell, Illinois 1873-1973"

977.361 
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CORNELL 
CENTENNIAL 




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1873-1973 



iLUNOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY 



The 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY 



of 



Cornell, Illinois 
1873-1973 




THANKS 

No undertaking such as the writing of the Centennial History of Cornell could be accomplish- 
ed single handed. Many, many willing Cornell peoi)le have had a part in writing our book. It 
would be impossible to list them all, but we do thank you for your ready assistance. It may be 
inaccurate in some spots, but the facts are printed as we read them in histories, old newspapers 
and as friends gave them to us. Timo and sjjace will not allow us to tell you more. 



Cover Design: Drawn by Lloyd Miner, Senior Citizen of 
Cornell. Because of importance of the railroad in the 
history of Cornell it was most appropriate the cover de- 
sign be a drawing of the old depot. 



Deaication 



We dedicate this book to our pioneer fathers and mothers who braved the hardships of an 
open prairie and paved the way for an easier life for generations who follow them. 




TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN 
Errors of omission, and in spelling, and oversights will be recognized and acknowledged 
in the Bi-Centennial program to be published in 2073. If you take exception to anything here 
l)rinted or omitted, please make a note of it and contact the committee at that time. 



CORNELL 

Cornell 

A little village in the heart of Illinois 

Not famous for anything 

But 

Struggling on for a hundred years 

Struggling to keep its place in the sun 

And it won 

A hundred years 

Of sunshine and rain 

Cold and heat 

Birth and death 
A little place 

Where people 

Laughed 

And Loved 

And Learned 
There were many hardships in its struggle to survive 

The settlers worked together 

Formed a lasting friendship 

Built the churches, schools and homes 

Prayed together 

Stayed together 

And the village grew 

It sent its sons to many wars in a century 

Some returned 

Some not 

But all were honored. 

Dozing peacefully, like Rip Van Winkle 

Never fully awakened by the giant Progress 

Aware 

And yet not really affected by change 

Though there were many changes in this Hundred 
Years 

Buggies, to cars, to planes 

Candles to electricity 

Radios, television 

And trips to the moon 

Many changes 
But this little \allage in the heart of Illinois 
Still holds its place in the sun. 

Eola Beekwith Mills 



Cornell Today 




CORNELL WATER TOWER 




C-R TELEPHONE CO. AND POSTOFFICE 





CORNELL GRADE SCHOOL 



CORNELL HIGH SCHOOL 



OUR OVEE NINETY CITIZENS 




Mr. John Carlson — 99 





Mrs. Emma Bennett — 90 



Mrs. Minnie Santelman— 91 



OUR OVER NINETY CITIZENS 



John Carlson 
(Our Oldest Citizen) 



IVIr. John Carlson, 99 years young, lives three miles 
south and two miles west of Cornell, on the Amity Town- 
ship line. He is our oldest citizen and lives on his same 
160 acre farm with his daughter and husband, Mr. and 
Mrs. Edward Cox. 

Born in Sweden in 1874, Mr. Carlson left his home- 
land at the age of 19, to come to the USA. He arrived in 
Graymont, 111. in 1893, at the home of his brother, Frank, 
uho \*.ns already settled here. He hired out as a farm 
hand for 50 cents a day and started farming on his own 
in Rooks Creek Township in 1899. 

l\Ir. Carlson became a naturalized citizen in September 



1898 and cast his first vote for President William Mc- 
Kinley. He married Clara Ryerson in 1901 and very 
soon started farming in Amity Township, where he still 
resides. They were parents of Oilman, now of Rochester, 
Indiana; Maurme, with whom he now lives; and Evelyn of 
Highland Park, 111. He has six grandchildren and ten 
great-gi^andchildren. Mrs. Carlson died in 1936. 

Mr. Carlson is a member of the i'lrst Lutheran Church 
of Pontiac and the Livingston County Farm Bureau. He 
retired from active farming in 1943. 

Mr. Carlson's favorite pastimes are reading, and watch- 
ing TV. 



Emma Bennett 
lOur Oldest "Cornell" Citizen) 

NINETY-SIX years have hardly slowed our own jovial 
Mrs. Emma Bennett too much! ! ! Warm weather always 
brought out the fishing pole, bait and Mrs. Bennett, when 
she could so often be seen headed southwest towards the 
river or else puttering in her garden and flowers, which 
she loves so dearly. 

Mrs. Bennett was born January 7, 1877 in Polia, Indi- 
ana, coming to Illinois in 1900. She married Dove Ben- 
nett in 1901, making their home in Dana, where they op- 
erated a restaurant for seven years. They farmed in the 
Dana, Long Point, Blackstone and Cornell areas until 
1931, when they moved into their present home. Dennis 
ideceased), Dessa, Gilbert, Viola, Blanche (deceased), 
Geneva, and Ruby (deceased) were their children. 

Dessa married Francis Jamison and are parents of 
Francis, Jr., Darlene and Nancy, now living in Streator. 
Gilbert married Alice Taylor of Long Point, parents of 
Kenneth and Karen, now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. 
Viola, now of Burbank, California, married Clyde Hahn 
and have James, Don and Helen. Geneva married Paul 
Scrogham of Streator. Ruby married Don Skaggs of 
Streator and they have a daughter, Carolyn. There are 24 
great-grandchildren. Mr. Bennett is deceased. 

Mrs. Bennett stays very active, living alone, does her 
own house work, still has her own garden and flowers in 
summer and sews as her hobby. She knits and has pieced 
14 quilts the past year as gifts for her great granddaugh- 
ters. She goes to Bingo once a week and stays interested 
in visiting with everyone. Last year she received 96 
birthday cards for her 95th year, wliich pleased her so 
much. She attributes her happy long life to her early 
Chi-istian training and her many helpful friends and 
neighbors. She is truly one of the friendliest, "great" 
ladies of "our town". 



Minnie (Beckman) Santelman 

Minnie (Beckman) Santelman was born to Mary and 
John Beckman December 2, 1881, in Germany. She cauic 
to America wilh lier parents at the age of eleven months. 
They first came to Chicago; then they came to Black- 
stone, where her father farmed until moving lo Steen, 
Minnesota. 

She came back to Illinois on a visit, end met Edward 
Santelman, son of Sophia and Henry Santelman. He was 
born in LaSalle County May 21, 1879. They were married 
February 6, 1902, in Steen, Minnesota. Mr. Santelman 
passed away December 20, 1960. 

To this union, one daughter, Lula May, was born. She 
married Reno Barton November 27, 1924. He passed 
away April 24, 1972. 

Lula and Reno Barton had two sons, Kenneth and 
William. Kenneth married Helen Janssen, and they have 
two children, Richard and Judy. Ken is chairman of the 
Division of Technology at Rock Valley College at Rock- 
ford. 

William Barton married Barbara Smith, and they have 
five children, Brian, Beth, Brad, Blair and Brett. Wil- 
lim has purchased the family farm from his grand- 
mother, so the farm is now in the third generation. 

At the age of 91, Mrs. Santelman still keeps busy with 
housework, crocheting, and sewing. She goes to church 
and Sunday School every Sunday. Her philosophy is, 
"That I may live each day with quiet courage and find 
daily joy in serving my master". 



Amity Township History 




Mr. aiul Mrs. liarrisou I'arroll livinfi: in stone Iiou.^l' or "Castle" in 1890. 
])a rents of Carroll Springer now of Cornell. 



They were the grand- 



Amity or Buckley Township is one of the thirty-six 
townships of Livingston County. It means friendship or 
good will and this was well selected trait of the Buckleys 
who settled in Livingston County. 

Amity is township 29 N and Range 4-E in the county. 

This township was perhaps the most generally set- 
tled by the date 1843 of any in the county. It had within 
its limits around 200 persons in about forty families. 
Unlike many neighborhoods, whoever came usually re- 
mained. This society was better than that found in 
most frontier places, and the interest manifested in 
Educational enterprises was praiseworthy. 

The township of Amity was one of the first twenty 
organized in the County in 1858. Electors assembled on 
the sixth day of April in 1858 and proceeded to organize 
by the election of Liberty Louderback as moderator and 
Walter Cornell, Clerk pro tem. Reason McDouglass was 
elected Supervisor; Charles Hallam, Clerk; James Brad- 
ley and Liberty Louderback, Justice of Peace; Walter 
Cornell, Assessor; Moses Allen, James Gourley and E. W. 
Breckenridge, Commissioners of Highways. 

On the question of keeping up stock, the vote stood 
singularly unaminously for allowing stock to run at large. 
Doubtless this can be explained by the fact that Amity, 
being one of the most heavily timbered townships in the 



county and the farms being already fenced by this time, 
the owners preferred the free use of the vacant prairie 
lands for pasture, rather than the trouble of herding their 
stock. 

Amity Township is one of the best watered and was 
one of the best timbered townships in Livingston County. 
To the early settlers there were three special attrac- 
tions in this new County — wood, water, and stone and 
a bountiful supply of game. These were all found in 
the vicinity of Amity Township. 

The Vermillion River passes almost directly through 
the center of the township from the southeast to the 
northwest. Rooks Creek comes in from the south and 
forms a junction with the Vermillion near the center of 
the township. Scattering Point and Short Point Creeks 
flow from the south, and empty into the Vermillion, near 
the northwest corner of the township. Mud Creek flows 
through the northeastern part of the township, and 
empties into the Vermillion in Newtown Township. There 
are several other smaller tributaries which furnish water 
to almost every section of land in the township. 

Each of these creeks was fringed with a belt of timber, 
varying in width from a quarter to one and a half miles 
in width, so that originally, fully one half of the township 
was well timbered. 



Coal, doubtless underlies the entire township. Shafts 
were sunlt north and west of Cornell a good many years 
ago, and a good quality of coal was found. Some open pit 
mining was also done. The results can be seen today by 
the small piles of shale. 

In 1839 Walter Cornell, from Rhode Island, located in 
the county. He was an engineer, treasurer, collector and 
a school commissioner. For eleven years he was town- 
ship supervisor. The town of Cornell was laid out by 
him in 1871, and he was the first Postmaster, and later 
Amos Edwards held that position, and he also taught 
school for fifty cents a day. 

Moses and Hiram Allen settled in the township as early 
as the spring of 1837. They farmed and Moses was 
Supervisor for five terms. 

Philip Nigh set foot on Amity soil in 1840. Nigh Chapel 
and a cemetery are located near the old homestead, and 
are named for him. He was Postmaster at Rooks Creek 
for a number of years. He and his wife were prominent 
Methodists in that community. 

Charles Earp came from England in early childhood to 
this area with his parents, and James Bradley came with 
his family in the mid 1800's. They came from Navoo, 
and he later served as a county court justice. 

John Mitchell was the first Norwegian to settle in the 
township. His neighbors called him the Norwegian King, 
because he owned around 1,000 acres of land, and was 
such a generous man to his neighbors. 

Nathan Springer was also an early settler. Thomas 
Gregory, a minister, and his wife came here in the late 
1850's. 

Three Ohioans, Thomas N. Reynolds, Samuel K. Rey- 
nolds, and Elmer Breckenridge were the first to make 
permanent settlement in Amity Township. The wife of 
one of the Reynolds died and her coffin was made from a 
walnut log cut from the timber. There were other Rey- 
nolds that came from Ohio. One Cornelius W. Reynolds, 
was a physician; Joseph Reynolds, sheriff and tax col- 
lector; John Reynolds, built the first grist mill, and was 
justice of peace. He married the first couple in the town- 
ship, Isaac Painter and Nancy Springer. Thomas Prindle, 
another man from Ohio, was the first blacksmith. 

m the mid 1800's Henry Morris, Thomas Arman and 
William Reynolds arrived from Indiana. Henry Morris 
preached in the cabins of the neighborhood each Sunday. 
Samuel Boyer arrived from Pennsylvania by the way of 
Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to take over when 
Morris died. Then the settlement was increased by the 
arrival of Thomas Louderback and Uriah Springer and 
their families. They located on what is now known as 
Scattering Point and South Point. Levi Louderback, a 
son, resided in the township for 71 years and until his 
death. 

Uriah Springer, Albert Moore, William Popejoy and 
Morris served as county commissioners. They were pre- 
sented a bill from Henry Weed for $4.12Vi cents (who 
was circuit clerk) for paper, sand and ink. They failed 
to mention what the sand was used for. 



Calvin Blue came to Amity Township in 1848. He 
served in the Civil War under General Thomas. John 
Lucus came here in 1856 and located near what Is now 
known as Cornell. Others that located here were Wil- 
liam P. Davis, Morris Foley, James H. Hayes, William 
McVay and Presley Lucus. A little later Reuben Long 
and Eben Perry were among the early settlers of Amity 
Township. 

The first schoolhouse was erected in 1840 on section 16. 
The logs for the building were cut and hewn from the 
timber by the early settlers and the building put to- 
gether on the mutual assistance plan. The first teacher 
in this "Academy" was Miss Elizabeth Miller. 
It was a subscription school of three months and the 
tuition was $1.50 per term. The three R's were taught 
and the teacher's salary was $2.00 per week. She was re- 
quired to make goose quill pens and ink from berries 
for her scholars. 

In 1836 Henry Morris erected the first cabin in the 
township. It was located on a wooded point, located 
four and a half miles southwest of Cornell. Later this 
cabin was torn down and the logs were sawed inio 
shorter lengths and used in building a smaller cabin. 
This was located a few rods to the east of the original 
one. This cabin a years later was replaced by another 
cabin and it may be seen in this location today. 

The census report accounted for one thousand two 
hundred and fifty two people in the township for the 
year of eighteen hundred and ninety. Of this number 
four hundred and thirty were living in Cornell. 

Amity is bordered by Newtown Township on the north, 
Esmen on the east, Rooks Creek on the south and Long 
Point on the west. 

Today most of the township is farmland. Some of the 
implements of agriculture, used m the early time were 
very primitive. At first, it was not supposed that the vast 
prairies to the east and west would ever be cultivated. 
The little bar-share plow, with the wooden mold-board, 
in common use in the Eatsern States, was thought to be 
incapable of turning over the prairie sod that was matted 
with grass roots and was as hard as almost any hickory 
withes. Soon the inventive genius of the Yankee sup- 
plied an article, though somewhat rude and unwieldly, 
with which most of the plains have been brought into 
cultivation. The original "sod-plow" is seen no more, 
as it has long since outlived its usefulness. The 
most modern machinery can be seen in the township to- 
day, and farming is a most profitable occupation. Modern 
fertilizers and scientific farming have resulted in enor- 
mous yield increases the last few years. 

The year of eighteen hundred seventy one was an 
eventful one for this part of the county as it saw the 
completion of a railroad through this section and a trad- 
ing post located in the midst of the township which, with- 
in a few years grew in size and influence beyond the ex- 
pectations of its enthusiastic friends. Of all the nine 
stations located on this railroad, in the township, Cor- 
nell is the only village remaining today. 



In the early thirties an all weather hard road was 
completed, and it crossed the township from west to 
east. Today surveying is being done preparatory to 
widening, resurfacing and some relocations of this route. 
As of today our railroad is used sparingly and will run 
only upon request. 

The friendly Kickapoo Indians roamed the land around 
Cornell and Amity Township and the Chenoa area. 
They came to this territoi-y from the south and east part 
of America. They were typical American Indians, with a 
copper complexion and long black hair. This is evidenced 
by artifacts of various kinds found here today, including 
some pottery and Indian axes and arrow heads. They 
hunted, fished and farmed along the river bottoms. The 
clear sparkling streams abounded with many types of 
fish which they caught for food. The prairie abounded 
with game, including the bison, so the men and boys did 
a lot of hunting. The bison were exterminated with the 
advent of the white man, and firearms. Beans, corn, po- 
tatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes and squash 
were the farm products. 

A dinner with these Indians might consist of venison, 
coon, oppossum, turtle, fish, corn coked on the cob, beans, 
potatoes. These were generally all cooked or boiled to- 
gether. These Indians numbering around 650 souls, 
remained in Amity until around the eighteen forties. 
These Indians were Christianized and established mis- 
sions all along their trails. They were removed by the 
government to lands to the west of St. Louis. They 
finally stopped to camp on government land in Kansas. 

The Kickapoo Indians were friendly with the Pottawot- 
tamies who had their headquarters around LeRoy. Some- 
times they would hunt and fish together. In 1828 head- 
quarters for the Kickapoos was near Indian Grove, in 



Livingston County. 

We must not fail to mention another old land mark 
found in Amity Township and that was an old stone 
house called the "Castle". It stood along the Vermillion 
River in the north edge of section 5. Pictures show that 
this stone house in its original form was made entirely 
of stone. It was called the "Castle" because of its re- 
semblance to ruined castles in foreign countries. Thomas 
Campbell, the builder, came here in 1826 from LaSalle 
County. He spent several years as a squatter enjoying 
living in his hut, fishing and hunting before he built his 
"Castle". This Castle was built of stone quarried along 
the Vermillion River. This cabin stood a little east of 
the old mini Trail. Today it is known as the Kickapoo 
and Pottawottamie trail. This trail later became known as 
the old State Road. It followed along the Vermillion 
River through the county and Amity Township. It join- 
ed Dixon, 111., and Danville, 111. The exact date of the 
erection of this "Castle" is unknown. A nine room two- 
story log cabin also built along side this stone structure 
and served to accommodate travelers. It was built by 
Joseph Reynolds. The Federal Road ran within ten feet 
from the door of these structures. Many early settlers 
used this route coming to this new country and eamped 
along the road in Amity Township. 

Today Amity Township is a modern community of 
many religions and people. There are several modern 
camp grounds along the streams and along the Vermil- 
lion River Valley. It has good productive farm land, 
along with several modern churches, a modern grade 
school and a fine high school. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clifford St. John 



Cornell History 





WALTER CORNELL 



JESSIE CORNELL, HIS DAUGHTER 



Born in Newport, Rhode Island in 1811. Born of Quaker parents. In 1838 he came west by way of the Lakes land- 
ing at Chicago. He was an engineer on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. He worked a year and embarked in an 
agricultural life, having purchased a quarter section of land in section 2, Amity Township, where he lived the remainder 
of his life, devoted to farming and stock raising. He established the first Sunday School in Livingston County. 
Nine children were born of his second marriage. Eight died in infancy. One remaining being Jessie. She died in 1936. 
They made their home on the old homestead, north end of Cornell. The residence was a frame structure containing 
nine rooms, built about 1854. The house was last tenanted by Mrs. Betty Erschen and has since been burned. Mr. Cor- 
nell died May 5. 1889. 



The Village of Cornell is located in Amity township, 
Livingston County, Illinois. The VermUlion River flows 
in a northerly direction about two mUes west of the 
center of the village. At the time Cornell was founded 
and named by Walter B. Cornell on June 15, 1871, there 
was a population of 600. Walter Cornell plotted the 
Village north of the present site, from the southwest 
quarter of Section 11. Walter Cornell laid out the plot 
and named it Cornell. Two days later, on June 17, Wil- 
lard D. Blake laid out from Section 14 the town named 
Amity. 

The supremancy strife was carried on several years ago. 
The first RaUroad was known as the Chicago and Pa- 
ducah, and later known as the Wabash. A branch 
Railroad running from Streator to Forrest is why Cornell 
was moved to the present site. 

There are two lovely parks. One known as the "North 
Park", which was improved several years ago, and was 
the original site of the village. The "South Park" is in 
Blake's addition. The village was incorporated July 18, 



1873. 

The question of licensed saloons was the thing of con- 
tention that is remembered by several older members. 
It was brought up at election tune and if temperance won 
out, the Methodist Chtirch bell would ring loud and long. 

First Mayor of Cornell was Walter Cornell. The first 
board of trustees were Henry Cornell, Joseph Rucker, 
George Bradley, John Withrow, James Bond, and Jason 
Curtiss. In the early days of electricity, the plant was 
operated individauUy by Milford Rhodes, in 1903. There 
were ten arc lights and two-hundred-fifty incandescents. 

There were a few cement and brick sidewalks, and ten 
miles of board and cinder walks. Most homes had 
hitching posts. None of the streets were graveled and 
became very muddy in wet weather. Along the street 
near the hitching posts it was almost impossible to walk 
and keep from being spattered with mud from the horses 
stomping off the fUes. At present most of the streets 
are gravel, blacktop, or cement slabs. 



In the early days of the village there were four church- 
es, all of frame construction. They were the United 
Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, St. Joseph's Catho- 
lic Church and Dunkard. All churches have been re- 
modeled at the present time. 

Several Fraternal organizations existed. The Cornell 
lodge "A.F. and A.M." instituted in December 1877. The 
charter being granted to John P. Guernsey, a druggist; H. 
M. Cornell, H. Bower, Philip Arman, I. P. Santee, H. M. 
Bolt, John Green and J. W. A. Lill}'. The frame building 
razed on the north side of Main Street was known as the 
"Santee" building. 

Beacon Lodge No. 618, Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows was instituted on June 23, 1876. In 1907 the mem- 
bers erected a two story brick building, the upper story 
being used for lodge purposes, such as dances, and the 
lower floor as a store. At the present time the lower 
floor of the building is being used by the Cornell Milling 
Company for storage of their products. 

Other fraternal organizations were The Grand Army 
of the Republic, The John H. Johnson Post No. 769 which 
was organized February 14, 1905. Past post commanders 
were J. B. Cummings, H. M. Cornell, J. W. A. LUly, and 
R. E. Jacobs. 

In the early days of Cornell there were five or six 
grocery stores. The proprietors names were States, E. A. 
Jamison, Kelita (Clyde Allen), J. E. Shackelton, Nels 
Lindquist, Dennis J. Foley, Grant Connett, George and 
Henry Miner, Will Wellman, A. C. Wellman and M. Wein- 
berg. 

Mrs. Don Wayman is presently the only grocer. Several 
grocers carried a line of dry goods and shoes. Among 
the hardware merchants were George Whitham, Lewis 
States, Theodore Miner, Z. F. Carroll, Abel Gourley and 
Frank Spaulding. 

Harness shop merchants were David Heckman, Stephen 
States, William Jamison, Theodore Muffler, Bert Beck- 
with, Ray Husted. Blacksmiths were John Sullivan, B. C. 
Sullivan, Ed Sullivan, Peter Braben, and John DeBoer. 

John E. Shackelton operated a men's clothing store 
with Nels Linquist, a cobbler and shoe maker. They also 
sold groceries. 

Drug stores were operated by J. P. Guernsey, pharma- 
cist; Melton J. Syphers, Fred Blake, George Hunt and H. 
E. Burgess. 

Meat markets were operated by B. F. Brown, Ezra 
Parker, Brown and Clark, W. P. Corbin, Perry Murphy, 
his brother Pat Murphy, Will and Earl Husted and Merlo 
Turner. 

The Cornell Journal and printing press was owned and 
operated by Arthur E. Tiffany and Ed Wendell. A. E. 
Tiffany was succeeded by his son, Ralph Tiffany. Upon 
his death, Margie Tiffany sold the business to Cornell 
Enterprises. 

Early dairymen in Cornell were Frank Lutj-en, Henry 
Schneider, Charlie Wellman, Harry Mason. At one time 
the Mass Brothers lived west of Cornell Community High 
School, where they operated a sorghum mill. A creamery 



was operated in the southeast part of town, south of the 
A. R. Leonard property. The Mass brothers owned and 
operated a sugar cane and sorghum industry where the 
Frank Lutyens lived later. 

Mrs. Dan Mills, the former Amy States, had a lunch 
room and small restaurant, where she sold lunches, home 
made pies, bakery goods, home made ice cream, and 
sandwiches. The lunch room was west of Harold Mon- 
roe's shop. 

Mrs. Milton Syphers had a restaurant in the early 1900s. 
She was assisted by several of her family. 

When the Cornell Post Office was in the Dan Blake 
building, a barber shop, run by Henry H. Ide and Del- 
bert Rucker was in the basement. Clrarles Hastings con- 
ducted a cleaning and tailoring establishment. 

In the early 1900s Bennie Beaman resided at the east 
end of Main Street on the south side of the street. He 
resided with his mother and in the mornings he could be 
seen pulling a small wooden wagon with a small size 
cream can setting in it. Also he had a measuring utensil 
to measure milk for his customers. The customers pro- 
vided pans, pails, and what ever for their own use. In 
tlie evening Mrs. Beaman delivered milk again. 

The Creamery, owned by Theodore Miner was located 
on the south side of the village, along the railroad tracks. 
Mr. Miner drove to Strcator to supply butter and cheese 
to several grocery merchants. 

In 1896 the Cornell Mill, run by W. J. Reeve, advertised 
that they were prepared to do all kinds of grinding. The 
terms were tall on cash. 

C. E. Lishness and Frank Barton had the Undertaker 
and Furniture business in 1896. They also sold wall 
paper and advertised to hang it. 

George Whitman was a prominent business man in 
Cornell in the 1890s. He ran a hardware store where 
Hamilton's Mobil Station is now. Mr. Whitman was 
very successful in his business of hardware, implements, 
and grain. He was assisted by Dan Mills. 

In about 1920 the Shackelton poultry business always 
bought poultry during the winter, usually in early Decem- 
ber, and sent it out by freight to Chicago. Morris Wein- 
berg, his competitor, also purchased poultry to ship. Both 
men would ship their loads by train to Chicago, but later 
they trucked the poultry and produce to Chicago. 

After the railroad was completed, the town was moved 
to its present site. The railroad was first known as the 
Chicago and Paducah. Later it was purchased and 
known as the Wabash, now the Norfolk & Western. 

In the business section from east to west on Main Street, 
the first business was a blacksmith shop. It belonged to 
John Sullivan in the late 1890s. He then sold it to Charley 
Lishness and Ira McVay, and they built a garage there. 
They sold Overland automobiles. 

To the west of this garage was a wagon shop, operated 
by "Shorty" Anderson. In the same building farther 
west, there was the office of J. W. Lilly, who was quite 
prominent in the different civic organizations, such as 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

Maury's Tavern, Cornell, III. 

Ross Hardware and Repair Service, Cornell, III. 

Dick's Custom Cabinets, Cornell, III. 



the Masonic Lodge, and band leader of the Fife and 
Bugle Corps of Civil War Veterans. The next building 
was the printing office. 

Next to the printing office was a doctor's office, built 
by Dr. Veatch and later sold to Dr. Morgan, who moved 
it south of Main Street to where Gary Earp now lives. 

There was a house west of that, later used as a poultry 
house by Hyman Heclit, and later by Morris Weinberg. 
The next building was Dr. Sawyer's office. He came here 
from Manville and practiced here many years. Across 
the street to the west was a two story building used for 
a doctor's office and other businesses such as an eating 
place, and millinery shop. The next building was a 
barber shop run by Henry Ide, F. H. Rucker and Earl 
Barr. Morris Weinberg moved his poultry house and 
creamery to the next building, which had been Fred 
Blakes Book Store and Drug Store. On west of Main 
Street on the north side were a grocery store, John 
Ryan's Saloon, and John Shackeltons grocery and dry 
goods store. There was a shoemakers shop in the back 
of Shackeltons, run by Mr. Nels Linquist, who repaired 
shoes for many years. 

In the vacant lot to the west was where retired people 
pitched horseshoes and had many arguments. Next was 
a building owned by Jessie Cornell and used by a grocery 
store by several people. They were Grant Connett, Al- 
phonso Welhnan, and the Penny Grocery. On the west 
was Murphy Brothers, Perry and Patrick; the Husted 
brothers, and Merle Turner. The next buildings were 
Kelita Allen's Grocery, Barton and Lishness Furniture 
and Miner Brothers Grocery. West, across the alley, 
was the hotel owned by several different families which 



were Jones Blue, the W. P. Corbin family, the Albert 
Mitchells, the Isaac Flemmings, the Marion Lundys, and 
Elmer Stahl was the last one. 

The Wabash depot was across the street and west from 
the hotel. In earlier years there was a tile factory owned 
and operated by C. M. Meyers. It was called Tile Meyers. 
A pit was to the west of the lot. To the east was the 
Roger's Elevator which later burned and was not rebuilt. 
The tile yard was where the tent shows were held. 

At that time there were eighteen businesses along the 
north side of Main Street, now there are only ten or 
eleven. Some have been torn down and others rebuilt. 

John Gates built a restaurant, now known as Little 
Peg's Cafe. The voters of Cornell voted in a tavern and 
it was owned in 1968 by Maurice Grant, now deceased. 
His wife, Annette, now runs it. The Murphy's building, 
is on the corner of Main and 6th Street and is still owned 
by the Murphy family. It was built in the 1920s and is 
now Red's Pizza Parlor. 

Some of the people who helped build this town in the 
1870s and before were Henry Cornell, real estate; Walter 
Cornell, farmer; D. W. Blake, farmer; H. Bolt, store- 
keeper; C. Bolt, clerk; Eben Norton, physician; John 
Guernsey, druggist; and Foley Morris, farmer. The 
churches and school also helped to buUd the community. 
Different organizations helped too. They were: The 
Community Club, The Lions Club, The American Legion 
and Auxiliary, The Village Board and the Cornell Vol- 
unteer Fire Department. 

Written by Claire Leonard and Gertrude Bradley 



CORNELL SCHOOLS 




Cornell Grade School taken in 1889. was taught by Susan Katharine Carroll, great-grandmother of Mrs. Jean God- 
den, in 1884 and 1885. 



Cornell Grade School History 

On April 8, 1872, the board of trustees of the schools 
of township 29 of Livingston county met to form district 
seven. The new school was a one story, three room 
wooden building. In 1900 a new brick school was built, 
with classes being held in the Woodman Hall while be- 
ing completed. This structure had four class rooms and 
a small library and was in continuous use until 1972. 

In 1925, three teachers were employed at salary of $115 
per month, with the principal receiving $125. By 1930, 
the school was down to two teachers, so with the con- 
solidation with the surrounding country schools in the 
early 40s, by 1946 there were four teachers. Bus trans- 
portation was begun around 1947. 

By 1950 it became necessary to add two new rooms to 
the south, with a cafeteria in basement and two years 
later two more rooms were added above these, with eight 
teachers having been hired. 

1955 brought the new gym, three new classrooms, 



restrooms, lockers, office and supply room, with two 
more classrooms to the far north three years later. 

Kindergarten was started In 1961. 

In 1972, the old part was replaced with four new 
classrooms, library learning center, teachers lounge and 
a beautiful new cafeteria. The top floor of the first 
south addition was converted into a large music room. 

The school as it now stands is a beautiful asset to our 
community and with the very capable teachers, has much 
to offer our town and country students. Much new 
equipment, including the most advanced audio, visual 
aids, has been installed, helping to present the best edu- 
cational facilities possible. 

The school year 1972-73 shows 245 students enrolled, 
with 15 teachers, making the total personnel thirty. 
Ralph Haldorson is superintendent, with Karen Propst 
employed as school treasurer and office and board secre- 
tary. Stanley Jones, Robert Gundlock, Charles Russow, 
Jr., Edward Capko, Orville Cagley, Ray Roth and Mar- 
velyn Schleuter now serving on the board of education. 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

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201 East Main St., Streator, III. 



Cornell High School 
1924 



Two year high school classes were held in our grade 
school and for a few years, three year classes were held. 
The last class gi-aduated from the three year class was in 
1898, with members, Ethel Hunt Blake, Madge Gregory 
Rucker, Glenn Mills and Tom Jones. After finishing the 
two years, some pupils went to Pontiac or Streator High 
Schools. 




After a period of years, an election was held in April, 
1921 with a vote of 400 "for" and 159 "against", to estab- 
lish a four year school. On January 28, 1922, District 
70, authorized by election, the purchase of a site, build- 



ing of a school and issuance of $65,000 bonds. Directors 
elected were F. D. Barton, C. H. Patterson, J. I. McVay, 
A. R. Gourley, and Samuel Burton. 

In the fall of 1921, the first four-year high school 
classes were held in the Cornell Methodist Church, with 
nroUment of 58 pupils. 

A group of taxpayers, deciding taxes would be too high, 
roads in poor condition, distances too great for students to 
travel, and many other reasons, brought suit against the 
five directors. After many delays, hearings and court 
hearings, also an appeal from circuit court of Livingston 
County of Illinois Supreme Court, it found no suf- 
ficient showing to declare District 70 void. 

The first graduates of the newly organized school were 
Mildred Gourley, Haze Miner, Earl Cox, Victor Jones 
and Victor Lindquist. From the fall of 1922 until March 
1924, classes were held in the Woodman Hall. The new 
school was occupied in March 1924, and was considered 
one of the best schools in our county. To date 992 students 
have graduated from Cornell High School, including sev- 
eral generations. 

In 1964, an addition was added to the school, science 
room, home economics room, office and supply rooms and 
and music room and many added improvements. 

The class of 1973 has 25 graduates. 

The present superintendent is Mr. Carroll Garrison. 
Present school board members are: Dannie St. John, Ro- 
bert Sherwood, James Schultz, Robert St. John, William 
Schweizer, Eugene Lyons, Kenneth Russow. 



CHURCHES 



St. Joseph Catholic Church 

The first Catholic services in Cornell were held in 1877 
when Father Humphrey Finch of Pontiac began cele- 
brating Mass in private homes and later in Smith's hall. 
As the number of Cornell Catholics increased, plans were 
undertaken for the construction of a church on land do- 
nated by Henry Cornell, son of the man for whom the 
town was named. 

The first wedding held in the church was that of Mr. 
and Mrs. Peter Corrigan on Feb. 21, 1887. Mrs, Corrigan 
(Frances Foley) was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris 
Foley, who lived north of Cornell. 

Father Finch was the first pastor but the parish later 
came under the care of the Franciscan Fathers of St. 
Anthony's Parish in Streator. In 1934 the Cornell parish 
was annexed to St. Bernard's Parish of Budd, near Black- 
stone, with Father Joseph Farley as pastor. 

In 1934 the church underwent extensive redecoration 
and again in 1951, In 1964 a new enclosed entrance was 





ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH 



added to the building. In 1972 the interior was again re- 
modeled with new heating, air-conditioning, panelling, 
and carpeting. 

Father John Menco was appointed pastor in 1966 and 
served until November 1972 when Father John Niemeyer 
became pastor. 

The parish has an active Altar and Rosary Society for 
the women of the parish. Weekly religion classes are held 
lor b th grade and high school students. There are about 
forty families in the parish plus a large summer at- 
tendance of weekend campers. 



William Pleasant 
trustees. 



and Clare Kelly are the parish 



Community Lutheran Church 

A dream in the hearts of a small group of Christian 
laymen and pastors became a reality in June of 1969. 
Their dream was to have a Lutheran congregation in 
Cornell. To many people, it sounded like an imprac- 
table dream; the kind children have. After all, one does 
not attempt to form a mission congregation in a rural 
town of 600, especially when it already supports three 
congregations. Any sociologist can tell you that the 
population is moving from the country to the city. One 
does not attempt to form a Lutheran church in such a 
town when there are already five Lutheran churches 
within a fifteen mile radius of the town. And one does 
not attempt to form a new congregation without a build- 
ing to hold said congregation. One does not attempt such 
a "Mission Impossible". 







Nevertheless, the dream was dreamed; the seed was 
planted; and the impossible mission was begun. Spear- 
headed by Pastor Herman Lehman — then pastor of St. 
Paul's Lutheran Church in Rowe, Illinois — and supported 
by other area pastors, a summer experiment was initiated. 
All interested laymen were assembeld together in early 
June, in the Legion Hall, for a planning session. Partial 
financial assistance for a three month period was re- 
ceived from the Board of American Missions — Depart- 



ment of Special Ministry of the ALC. The new Cornell 
Funeral Home was offered rent-free as a building in 
which to hold Worship Services and Sunday School. 

The very first Sunday they planned to meet, the f\m- 
eral home was not available due to a funeral but the 
brotherly love of the Methodist laymen and minister in- 
vited them to share their church with them. So on June 
8, 1969 the first service was held with 70 present. The 
Rev. Herman A. Lehman of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 
Rowe, was guest speaker. Following services, a meeting 
was held and committees named. Serving on the Sunday 
school staff was Mrs. Clark Husted, Marvelyn Schlueter, 
Mrs. Roger Gourley, Mrs. Ethelyn Klein. Working on 
worship needs which included the altar, lectern hymnals 
and offering plates were: Mrs. Marvelyn Schlueter, Mrs. 
Phillip Corrigan and Mr. and Mrs. Benny Burkett. The 
interim council, designated to take care of janitorial serv- 
ice, a tentative budget, general organization and pro- 
gramming was comprised of Charles Russow, Sr., chair- 
man; Mrs. Harold Monroe, secretary; Charles Russow, Jr.; 
Jesse Leach, Roger Gourley, Mrs. Burdell Crow, Mrs. 
Clifford Cashmer, Jr., Mrs. Dale Kuepker, Albert Seeger 
and Clark Husted. The Luther League Committee was 
Jesse Leach, Jr., Galen Crow, Carol Husted, Laura 
Schlueter, Kathy, Susan and Steven Kuepker, Alan Klein, 
Dale and Cheryl Wells. Public relations committee re- 
sponsible for signs, bulletins and announcements includ- 
ed Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Rus- 
sow and Burdell Crow. Mrs. Jesse Leach was appointed 
organist. The women had met the previous week and 
organized the ALCW with Mrs. Charles Russow, Sr. 
elected president. 

A summer Intern was appUed for to assist the budding 
congregation. In late June, Gary Simpson and wife 
Muriel arrived from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn- 
esota. The seed had begun to sprout. Throughout the 
early suimner an average of seventy faithful people at- 
tended Sunday Worship Services. July passed and the 
same enthusiasm and zeal permeated the lives of this 
nucleus of dreamers. On August 10, 1969 when this new 
family of "tumed-on" Christians made the ultimate de- 
cision as to whether or not to continue their efforts. An 
unanimous vote of YES proved that all systems were 
definitely GO! ! In less than two months the experiment 
had proved successful; the dream had become a reality; 
ihe seed had reached maturity. 

When it was decided to officially organize, it was done 
with the idea that no help would be asked of American 
Missions. That was a true test of how willing they were 
to sacrifice for something they truly believed in. 

When permanent housing for the Intern and his family 
was needed, a mobile home was offered the congregation 
on the stipulation that they were willing to move it from 
a neighboring city and make all needed repairs. Within 
a matter of days tractors and pickup trucks were trans- 
porting the parsonage to Cornell where the ALCW waited 
with brooms, mops, scouring pads, and paint brushes. 



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Wayman's Grocery, Cornell, Illinois 



The home was attacked with the same zeal and en- 
thusiasm that had now become a way of life with those 
people. 

With the parsonage in good shape, thoughts turned to 
the furnishing of the church. It was evident that the 
Funeral Home which was used was quite adequate ex- 
cept for lack of sufficient altar, pulpit, paraments, light- 
ing, etc. "I'm no carpenter," exclaimed Trustee Roger 
Gourley, "but we definitely need an altar and pulpit. I'll 
give it a try". The ALCW then set about to sew para- 
ments to adorn the forthcoming altar and pulpit. Other 
furnishings were made or contributed. 

On November 30, 1969 Dr. Elmer A. Nelson, Pres. of 
lU. Dist. of the ALC presided at the official organization 
of the Community Lutheran Church of Cornell. There 
were 66 chartered baptized members and 40 confirmed 
charter members at this time. Approximately 25 families. 
The members will never forget the preparation for that 
event, as the evening before, Intern Simpson was return- 
ing from Rowe after borrowing a flower stand from 
Rowe Lutheran Church and was involved in a car accident 
and was hospitalized with a broken jaw. He was inoa- 
pacitated for several months but the congregation carried 
on with supply pastors of neighboring congregations and 
lay members participating. 

In April of 1970 it was decided to call a full time Pas- 
tor as Intern Simpson would have to go back to the Semi- 
nary in the faU. 

On May 20th, a call was sent to Rev. Ralph Marquardt 
of Dundee, Iowa. He accepted the call and was installed 
as Pastor on August 2, 1970. After calling a full time 
Pastor, it was decided they had to have a parsonage. 
After much consideration, on May 24, 1970 the congrega- 
tion met and decided to purchase the Phillip Corrigan 
home for the Lutheran parsonage. After making this big 
investment, the church council was quite shocked one 
day in June when they were called together for a special 
meeting with Mr. Elwood Courtney and wife to tell them 
they were going to sell the Funeral Home and the con- 
gregation would have first option to buy it. The congre- 
gation agreed to purchase it with the help of a loan from 
the Illinois District Sunday School Mission Fund. 

The congregation has grown to a total membership of 
148 baptized members on January 1, 1973. Besides the 
ALCW which annually sponsor a Salad Luncheon in the 
spring and a homemade Ice Cream Supper in the fall, 
there is an Adult Choir and a Youth Choir. The Youth 
also have a Youth Group organization. Worship Services 
and Sunday School are held every Sunday at 9:30 and 
10:30 C.S.T. and 9:00 and 10:00 D.S.T. 

Rev. Ralph Marquardt is the present pastor. He and 
his wife Dorothy, have three sons, Michael, age 5 years, 
Scott, age 3 years and Jon, age 8 months. 

The present Council members are: Al Seeger, president; 
Robertha Finkenbinder, secretary; James Brandt, treas- 
urer; Verona Beck, financial secretary; Wilma Corrigan, 



Gene Barton, Bill Gourley, Lois Husted, Sandra Knight, 
Burden Crow, Leroy Janssen, Roger Becker, Charles 
Russow, Jr. 

The present officers of the A.L.C.W. are: Aldine Mon- 
roe, president; Ethelyn Klein, vice president; Lillian 
Ferguson, secretary; Robertha Finkenbinder, treasurer; 
Gail Janssen, secretary of Stewardship; Florence Seeger, 
Secretary of Education. 



Nigh Chapel Church 

Nigh Chapel was one of the earliest, if not the earliest 
church to be organized in Livingston County. As early as 
1840, H. G. Gorbet, a Methodist preacher known as the 
"Prairie Breaker" organized a society of this denomina- 
tion (not Prairie Breaker but Methodist) at the Scattering 
Point Institute. He seemed, however, not to have 
cultivated the soil to any degree of success, as the organi- 
zation went down in a few years. Perhaps his first crop, 
like the first crop of sod corn, was not of sufficient yield 
to warrant harvesting or to encourage subsequent plant- 
ing. So in 1843 the United Brethren occupied the land. 

They organized the society under the leadership of 




Located 4Vt mUes southwest of Cornell 

Isaac Messer, which flourished for six years, when to, for 
want of cultivation or other cause disbanded. In 1849 
another branch of the Methodist church, "the protestant" 
was organized by Jacob Fowler. Under the efficient 
leadership of Fowler and his successors it has flourished 
ever since. 

The first quarterly conference of the Vermillion Cir- 
cuit, now known as the Long Point circuit, was held on 
Nov. 3, 1855 with Rev. T. J. Gregory as pastor. At that 
time the pastor and local preachers supplied a circuit of 
eight appointments. They were namely Marks School, 
Reading, Ancona, Long Point, Rooks Creek, Short Point, 
Scattering Point, and Gorbett School. The plan of ap- 
pointments was to visit two churches each Sunday at 10 
o'clock and 3 o'clock. In 1876 the present building was 
erected at a cost of $1400. The pastor was William 



Fogel. In the same year Hope Church was built on the 
Kyle farm. The Long Point church was erected in 1880, 
and these three togteher with Ancona Church remained 
in the circuit together for several years. People did not 
have preaching every Sabbath or every other Sabbath, the 
pastor came only once in four weeks to each church. 

In the year 1912 the Nigh Chapel Church was re- 
modeled, the basement was dug beneath the church and 
the front and rear rooms were built. The cost of re- 
modeling was $1767. The next summer new seats were 
installed and the first furnace was put in. On July 13, 
1913, the Nigh Chapel Church was rededicated. 

In the early fall of 1929, a new coal furnace was in- 
stalled and the church shingled and painted. In 1948 the 
old parsonage was sold and the home of Maude Vincent 
was bought for the parsonage. In 1953, a new floor and 
wall supports were put in the basement, also the same 
year a new oil furnace was installed and paid for by do- 
nations. In 1956, all new stained glass windows replaced 
the old windows. Also in 1953 the Vincent property was 
sold and the Turner property was purchased. It was 
remodeled and dedicated in Oct. 1953, and is the present 
home of the Nigh Chapel and Long Point minister. In 
March of 1969 the church was redecorated, put in new 
carpet, new drapes and lowered the ceiling. At present 
there is Sunday School every Sunday at 9:30 and church 
service at 10:30. Rev. Icenogle is minister of the charge. 

T. J. Gregory was the first minister to serve. During the 
years there has been 58 ministers. There has always 
been an organization of the church for the ladies. First, 
it was called Mite Society. Later it became Ladies Aid 
and now since the churches have united, it is called Wo- 
men's Society of Christian Service. This has been chang- 
ed to United Methodist Women. 

In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Prot- 
estant churches united being called at present the Nigh 
Chapel Methodist Church. 

There have been many beautiful memories given the 
church from the families in memory of their loved ones 
who have passed away. 

I will close with this little poem. 



A CHAPEL IN MY HEART 

I am serene for I have built 

A chapel in my heart 

A silent, sheltered citadel 

A Separate place apart. 

To which I come in solitude. 

To lift my thoughts in prayer, 

Telling God my troubles, 

And confiding every care. 

Yes, in this chapel of my heart, 

I can renew my soul, 

For solitude will bring me peace. 

And prayer will make me whole. 



Cornell Baptist Church 

Seventy-eight years ago, on August 22, 1895, several 
families, who had moved here from West Virginia, Ohio, 
and Pennsylvania, met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. I. B. 
Fleming to discuss establishing a Baptist church in the 
community. A week later, the group met again with 
council of neighboring Baptist churches and officially 
established "The First Baptist Church of Cornell". The 
six original members were Mr. and Mrs. I. B. Fleming, 
daughter Cora, Mr. E. A. Partridge, Mrs. Rhoda Murphy, 
and Mrs. Emma Rhodes Whitham. Mr. Fleming and 
William Partridge, Sr. were selected to find a suitable 
building spot and in May 1898, the first part of the church 
was dedicated to the work of God, completely free of 
debt. 




Rev. George L. White was the first pastor, with salary 
of $25.00 per month, with board. Pastors came from 
neighboring churches from time to time and students 
came from Chicago for weekends and in summer months. 
The church became officially affiliated with the Bloom- 
ington Association and in 1907, the Esmen church merged 
with the Cornell church and at that time the parsonage 
was purchased. 

After a union revival meeting held in the Woodman 
Hall by Rev. R. S. Kirkland and F. F. Leonard, 274 per- 
sons were converted and it became necessary to add a 
wing to the church, as it stands today, completed in 1912. 

A new constitution was written and adopted in 1958, 
and the Baptist Women's Society reorganized, staying 
very active as a mission group. The church has held 
ordination services for five of their pastors and a 50th 
anniversary for Rev. "Doc" Hershey, who ended his pas- 
torate here, having served here for four years. 

Remodeling of the church has taken place gradually, 
with restrooms having been added, lowering sanctuary 
ceiling in 1964, paneling and adding 3 rooms for church 
school classes, new carpeting and new ceilings in back 
rooms in 1969. The parsonage was remodeled in 1964. 

The small congregation has been on the verge of clos- 



ing at different times, but in 1968, Gary Grammar, 
Sociologist at Illinois State Prison of Pontiac, held us to- 
gether and in July 1970, Graymont and Cornell Baptist 
Churches agreed to share a pastor and Rev. Earl Wickline 
has come to serve the two churches. 

Some of the families of the direct founders of the 
church that still attend are: the Arnel Garretson (Harriett 
Partridge) family, including the Ray Erschens, the 
Charles Partridge family, including the Forrest Burkitt 
family and the Clinton Mills family. 

Trustees now serving the church are Robert Greenman, 
George Kreitner, George Cassidy, Clinton Mills, and Ray 
Roth. Ladies Mission Society officers are: Pat Burkitt, 
president; Jean Godden, vice president; Verona Beck, 
secretary and Hazel Cassidy, treasurer. 

Cornell Methodist Church 

LET US REMEMBER, LET US REJOICE! 

Godliness and courage were the two words best said 
of the first settlers who came to Amity township. The 
effect of Methodism was felt in the early community be- 
fore the village of Cornell was laid out. 

Arriving with the settlers from Indiana in 1837 was H. 
M. D. Morris, who is credited with being the first preach- 
er in Amity township. During the week he worked his 
farm on Short Point and on Sunday he preached at the 
cabins in the neighborhood. Mr. Morris was not an 
itinerant, but a Local Methodist Exhorter. D.M. Prindle, 
who came to the community in the same year, was a 
great singer. Since there were no musical instruments 
or choirs, he pitched the tune and led the singing in those 
early religious services. 




Walter Cornell came to this community in 1838. No 
other person was so vitally and continuously related to 
the formation and development of this church. The his- 
tory of Livingston County credits him with organizing 
the first Sunday School in the county. 

The earliest known date of an organized "society" in 
our history is in 1840 by H. G. Gorbet. He seems, how- 
ever, not to have culitivated the field with any large de- 



cree of succes.'!. Three years later, under the leadership 
of Isaac Messer, a society was formed which flourished 
for six years before disbanding. 

The conference records indicate that the Ottawa charge 
was extended to include Livingston county in 1844. This 
was the first contact of the community with organized 
Methodism. The Rev. Jacob Fowler helped organize the 
.vlelhodisl Protestant society in 1849. This work was 
lasting and led to the erection of the church building 
( 1876) known as Nigh Chapel. 

In November of 1856 the first quarterly conference was 
held at Bethel church. Walter Cornell was recording 
secretary. Other names mentioned in this record are 
Joshua Mcintosh, John Brown, F. A. Whitely, W. E. Head, 
D. Shaw, Ewing Houchins, James Jefferson, H. R. Ham- 
ilton and Amos Lundy. Not all, but most of these names 
appear again and again in the records of the organization 
and development of this church. 

During 1857 services were held in the Cornell school 
house. 

John Hampton had donated a plot of ground at Oak 
Dale, two and one-half miles northeast of the present 
village of Cornell, on what is now the Wm. Partridge es- 
tate. Work began on the first church building and it 
was dedicated on February 19, 1862. It was at this dedi- 
cation that Z. R. Jones was recommended for license to 
preach. At the fourth quarterly conference in July, 
"Brother Z. R. Jones' character was passed and he was 
recommended to the traveling connection". Thus this 
church sent its first representative into the regular 
ministry of the church. 

H. M. Cornell was licensed to preach and recommended 
to the traveling connection in 1858. At about this time 
the name of the Annual Conference was changed from 
"Peoria" to "The Central Illinois" conference. 

The first pastor to hold services in the new church at 
Oak Dale was the Rev. Horace Tiffany. In 1872 he was 
again preacher in charge of the Cornell church. Rev. 
Tiffany not only holds the distinction of twice serving as 
pastor of the church, but he later located in the com- 
munity. 

On March 30, 1862, following the dedication of the new 
church. Rev. H. Fritchie, presiding elder, baptized a num- 
ber of children in the sanctuary. This group included 
Hannah Gamblin, Sarah J. Gamblin, George E. Cornell 
and Julia Cornell. 

In the year 1868 Streator was added to the circuit. The 
charge became officially known as "The New Michigan 
and Streator circuit". The pastor's salary was fixed at 
$1200. Of this amount Oak Dale was apportioned $280. 

As in many other communities the location of the rail- 
road caused the rearrangement of social and religious 
boundaries. After the railroad went through, and after 
the laying out of the village of Cornell, the Methodist 
society decided to move their first church building from 



oak Dale to the site of the present church building. We 
find the following record of "A meeting of the mem- 
bers of the Oak Dale church for the purpose of electing 
trustees for the Methodist Episcopal church at Cornell". 

"On motion, Walter Cornell was elected chairman, and 
James Gourley secretary". The following named per- 
sons were elected trustees: Walter Cornell, James Gour- 
ley, William Gamblin, James H. Hayes, Eben Norton, 
William L. Conner, Alfred Gourley, Joseph Rucker, and 
John Hampton. The document was dated April 22, 1872. 

Extensive repairs were made on the church during the 
summer of 1872, in the form of plastering, painting, and 
the building of chimneys. An interesting note here is, 
for the first time the records give the women of the 
church official recognition, in the following item: "moved 
the refitting of the altar and the pulpit to be referred to 
a committee of ladies". In June of the same year the 
trustees were authorized to build a belfry and purchase a 
bell. The bell purchased at that time is still heard to 
ring out every Sunday morning, one hundred years later. 

In June 1872 the church is referred to as the Cornell 
church, and the charge became known as "Cornell and 
New Town circuit". By the year 1879 Cornell Charge 
included lour preaching points, Cornell, Blackstone, New 
Town and Esmen. 

The first woman whose name appears on the list of 
the official members was "Sister Leonard", (Mrs. Roscoe 
Leonard). The date was July 6, 1878. 

On September 11, 1896 is recorded, "the greatest revival 
experience that has ever come to this church". There were 
319 members and 28 probationers. The Rev. T. C. Moots 
united together these new converts, in what some refer 
to as the high point in the history of the church. 

In March of 1900, subscriptions were taken with intent 
to remodel the old first church building. Interest in the 
project seems to have gathered sucli momentum, that on 
June ^nd of the same year another document was circu- 
lated to get permission of the subscribers to use the money 
in building a new church. 

The old church building, first known as Oak Dale 
Church, was purchased by B. R. Johnson for $175. It 
was moved to the Johnson farm just north of Cornell. 
Sometime after 1936 it was struck by lightning and 
burned. 

The construction of the new building was completed in 
late 1900, at a cost of $6,654.53 A thankful group as- 
sembled on Sunday morning, December 9, 1900, to see 
the sanctuary dedicated to the worship of God and the 
service of the community. The pastor, Rev. W. F. Jame- 
son, was assisted in the service by residents of the com- 
munity. 

It was during the pastorate of Rev. F. J. Giddings that 
a new and modern parsonage was erected at a cost of 
$4,000. The parsonage, located on Johnson street, is 
still used today as a home for our ministers and their 
families. 



At about this time the growth of interest in organized 
Sunday school, and the crowded condition of the church, 
led directly to the enlargement of the building. Rooms 
were added to the east of the building, and equipped to 
care for the educational program of the church. This 
new addition was used for the first time on August 9, 
1909 and marks another step in the advancement of the 
society. 

The next oustanding record day in the history of the 
church is October 23, 1910. On that date Rev. John 
Small baptized 108 souls, and one week later he added 
thirteen to the number. 

It was this same year that The Merry Workers Sunday 
School class was organized and granted a charter. The 
names of twenty-six women are found in the list of 
charter members, but only Mrs. Mabel Springer still re- 
sides in this community. Some of the remembered 
activities included the annual wiener roast held in the 
country, food sales and ice cream suppers, magazine sub- 
scriptions and distributing baskets of fruit to needy fam- 
ilies at Christmas time. 

During the next fifteen years the charge set a high 
standard for the support of the pastor and interest in the 
missionary work of the church was good. This was an 
aiea of prosperity and good feeling. 

Then came the depression of 1929 and the failing of the 
Cornell bank. The church became very disorganized and 
the spirit of its members was very discouraging. It be- 
came the task of the Rev. Homer F. Delap to minister to 
the broken hearted and to restore the foundations of 
faith to his congregation. 

The Kings' Heralds was organized under the direction 
of Mrs. Delap in 1933. The children studied about the 
people in other countries; and the money they received 
was given for the purpose of helping missionaries. 

Rev. and Mrs. Delap were a shining light in the dark- 
ness for the people of Cornell. They did much to re- 
store faith and hope in the future of this community and 
church. 

New life seemed to surge into the church veins during 
the pastorate of Richard Muhleman, and some referred 
to it as the beginning of a revival. The Builders Class 
was organized in 1943 with Clifford St. John as its first 
teacher. The group has remained very active through 
the years, and is best remembered for serving farm sales 
and ice cream suppers. The Builders' meet socially 
once a month in the homes of its members. 

Rev. Guy W. Holmes came to the charge in 1947. He 
and Mrs. Holmes did much to put Cornell back on its 
feet following a period of apathetic feeling toward church 
attendance and financial support. Their work with the 
youth of the church did much to rebuild the strength of 
the young peoples' organizations. 

The economy of the country was surging ahead and 
society was changing fast, following World War II. Cor- 



nell and the surrounding community was no different, 
we were undergoing changes also in 1950. This was the 
year that Rev. Leslie Prueshner came to minister to the 
Cornell-Esmen charge. However, early in 1951, the 
Esmen church voted to close its doors, because of lack of 
attendance and financial support. Many of the members 
transferred to the Cornell church. During the next four 
years there was renewed interest and increased attendance 
in all departments. 

Remember the "Church Messenger"? This booklet 
was printed under the direction of Rev. Prueshner, and 
contains many pictures of the members, church groups 
and organizations that have kept the church spiritually 
active. 

In 1954, Rev. Rardin Vergin and family, from the state 
of Washington, arrived to serve this church, while he 
completed his education in Evanston. Rev. Vergin, a 
pastor from outside the conference and from another 
slate, here for a definite period, was in the unique posi- 
tion to not only serve as a pastor, but also as an out- 
sider to direct the thinking of the members in the proper 
use and development of their talents for the greatest 
possible results. Through his work, interest continued to 
mount in church attendance and financial giving, with 
the result that the remodeling of the church property was 
undertaken. 

These improvements, at a cost of $4,600, included the 
removal of the old belfry and outside steps which led to 
the sanctuary entrance, and a new gas furnace and 
modern rest rooms. It had been many years since the 
church had seen any great change in its building, and 
the members rejoiced! 

In 1958 the Commission on Education reported, that 
because of the increase in attendance of the church school, 
new folding chairs had been purchased. The enrollment 
was 234 with an average attendance of 155 for the year. 
The Rev. T. Wayne Biehl was serving our church. 

The Methodist men voted on November 30, 1957 to 
sponsor the organization of the Boy Scout Troop No. 73. 
The first meeting of the boys took place on April 18, 1958 
in the church basement, with Mr. H. P. Whitcamp as 
Scoutmaster. 

Also in 1958 we reached a "Milestone in Methodism". 
The observance of the hundredth anniversary of the 
founding of the Methodist Society at Cornell was held 
October 19 through October 26. Much enthusiasm was 
generated and a week of many and varied activities was 
held. The Sunday School rooms were used for picture 
and antique displays. A centennial banquet, a homecom- 
ing event was held in the High School gymnasium on Sat- 
urday evening. On Sunday the Centennial sermon was 
brought by Bishop J. Ralph McGee, assisted by District 
Superintendent W. W. Bennett. In the afternoon a 
pageant was presented in the church sanctuary by mem- 
bers of the congregation. 



It was recorded that, "The centennial costumes will be 
in vogue at all events during this week of celebration", 
and "after Sept. 1 there will be a heavy fine for any man 
over 21 who cuts his beard and a shaving permit will cost 
$5". 

In June 1960, Rev. H. C. Zimmerman and family came 

from Pennsylvania to occupy our parsonage and serve 
the church. The records state that 1960-61 was a year of 
decision. The trustees named a building committee to 
consider the possibility of redecorating, remodeling or 
building a new structure to the glory of God. 

The committee reviewed the possibility of a new 
building, but rejected it on the basis of four significant 
reasons: 1. the memorial value of the present building; 
2. the amazing amount of available floor space; 3. the 
building is sound of foundations and structure and 4. the 
tremendous cost of new construction. 

On March 15, 1961 the committee presented to the 
quarterly conference its detailed plan to expand and re- 
model the present building at a cost estimated to be 
$21,484.40. The plans would include the relocation of the 
altar and pulpit, add a balcony for our organ and choir, 
close off the original choir loft and league room, and 
excavate the basement. The motion to proceed passed 
by five votes, with sixty-seven members voting. 

The following summer will long be remembered as a 
busy one, with over 1,200 hours of labor donated by the 
men of our church. However the project moved along 
swiftly because of a desire to complete much before 
winter, and then there was to be a wedding in our re- 
modeled sanctuary in mid-August. During the summer 
months Sunday morning services were held in the High 
School. 

A Consecration Service was held on Sunday morning, 
May 6, 1962. Many memorials were dedicated along with 
our sanctuary, "for the Worship of God and the Service 
of men." 

In February of 1962 the Blackstone church was without 
ministerial services and the Cornell-Blackstone charge 
was formed. 

The Zimmerman family returned to Pennsylvania In 
1965, and the Rev. Charles Fradenburgh and family were 
welcomed to Cornell to serve for two years. 

Our remodeling program was still in effect, the women 
were most happy with the new modern kitchen facilities 
in the church basement. The parsonage was undergoing 
many changes also to make it more convenient. The 
kitchen had been relocated and new cabinets had been 
installed, and a new heating plant was put in. 

Gilbert T. Fletcher came in 1967 to serve the charge. 
Rev. Fletcher brought with him to our community and 
this congregation a spirit of renewal. 1968 saw new 
flooring, altar railing and padded walnut pews added to 
beautify our sanctuary. 



A most happy occasion took place on Sunday, Novem- 
ber 8, 1970 when the Burning of the Mortgage ceremony 
was conducted by Bishop Lance Webb. 

Today in 1973. though the church membership of 197 
is not the largest it has been, the members are showing 
an active concern for the growth of Christian witness in 
our society today. 

From its beginning in 1858 until the present time, 2,108 
names have been recorded on the membership list of this 
church. Over the past century we have seen lean years 
and prosperous years. Our members have been happy to 
share the fellowship of the other religious groups in this 
area. 

Just as the church bell called our ancestors to worship, 
may it continue to peal forth as a reminder to future 
generations of their religious heritage. It is our hope 
and prayer that the Methodist church may continue to 
serve God and this community for many years to come. 



CORNELL MINISTERS 



1880-81 


O. M. Dunlevy 


1882 


H. Brink 


1883-84 


G. I. Bailey 


1885 


E. W. McMillan 


1886-87 


F. R. Lord 


1888 


R. H. McDade 


1889 


J. A. Edmondson 


1890 


H. B. Seymour 


1891-92 


W. C. Knapp 


1893 


D. A. Perrin 


1894-95 


H. A. Ewell 


1896-98 


T. C. Moots 


1899-00 


W. F. Jameson 


1901-06 


F. J. Giddings 


1907-08 


G. P. Snedaker 


1909-10 


John Small 


1911-13 


C. Wesley Ayling 


1914-17 


J. C. Craine 


1918-20 


C. E. Hawkins 


1921-27 


H. M. Blout 


1928 


Silas H. Hoar 


1929-30 


Van B. Sullins 


1931-35 


Homer F. Delap 


1936-39 


C. E. Johnstone 


1939-43 


Franklin Harwood 


1943-47 


Richard Muhleman 


1947-50 


Guy W. Holmes 


1950-54 


Leslie Pruehsner 


1954-57 


Rardin Vergin 


1957-60 


T. Wayne Biehl 


1960-G5 


H. C. Zimmerman 


1965-67 


Charles Fradenburg 


1967-73 


Gilbert T. Fletcher 



Dunkard Church 

The Dunkard Church was located at 201 West Main 
Street. It was erected in 1888. Some of the family names 
connected with the church were Ben and Jennie Beaman, 
Charles Klensman, John Barringer, Dave Heckman, John 
Vanderee, Mr. and Mrs. John Cox, Phobe Zook and a Mast 
family. The church closed about 1900 and was made into 
a residence, which later burned. The house located there 
now was built by Mrs. Dot Blue and now owned by Mrs. 
Sue Rowe. 



Our Country Schools 

Amity township had 8 country schools before consoli- 
dation. 

Columbia — 5Vt miles southwest of Cornell 

Lily — 3V^ south and west of Cornell 

Athens — 2 miles west and 2 miles south of Cornell 

Antioch — 3V^ miles northwest of Cornell 

Sutcliff — 2 miles north and 1 mile west of Cornell 

Green — V2 mile east and 1 mile north of Cornell 

Short Point — 31^ miles northwest of Cornell 

Baker Run — V4 mile east and I'/S miles south of Cornell 

Below are pictures of some of the area schools. 




THE ORIGINAL LILY SCHOOL BUILDING 
BUILT IN 1875 



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Willow School- 1919 

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL — Gertrude Louderback, the 
teacher, posed with her students at Willow School on the 
last day of classes in May, 1919. They were, front row, 
left to right — Arnold Peterson, Ernest Olson, Frances 
Peterson, Jenora Olson, Gordon Jacobson, Paul Peterson, 
Edna Thornell, unidentified girl; second row — Melvin 
Locke, Chester Peterson and Orlin Jacobson; third row — 
Sylvia Thompson, Ruth Peterson, Dorothy Hendershot, 
Gertrude Louderback, teacher; Evelyn Peterson, Helen 
Morrison, Juanita Hobart, and Hazel Hendershot in the 
rear 



older boys would only attend after field work was done 
in the fall and before spring work started. Average wages 
were about sixty dollars a month, with the teacher doing 
all janitor work. After consolidation and before buses, 
cars were hired to transport students to town. The first 
teacher of this school was Oscar Tiffany and the last was 
Dorothy Gmelich in 1944. 




Hilton School 

3 miles north, 2 miles east of Cornell 

Left to right — Oreille Gorman, Charles Russow, Elmer 
Russow, Wilbur Russow, Dorothy Knutson, Marie Knut- 
son, Francis Gorman, Howard Simons, Albert (Bud) 
Knutson. Oilman Carlson, teacher. 




Excelsior School 

The Excelsior school located V^ mile east and 3 mUes 
north of Cornell was built in 1876 by Simon Heckman and 
Joe Aughbright. It was built on land leased from John 
Russow. 

During the time from 1876 to 1945, at which time the 
schools were consolidated, there had been 50 teachers 
and 250 pupils in the school. Some of the teachers only 
taught in the winter months, others would take over in 
the spring. Winter would sometimes bring 30 pupils as 




Green School- 1928 

Top row, left to right — Glen Partridge, Mary Partridge 
Albright, Mildred Knudson Morrison, teacher, Harriet 
Partridge Garretson, Birdie Knudson Drake, Shirley 
Thompson. 

Second row — unknovim, unknown, Geneva Corrigan 
Vauldieck. 

Bottom row — Carl Swanberg, Harold Swanberg, Ivan 
Thompson. 




Columbia School — 1913 

Teacher, Elizabeth Gingrich Sellmeyer 

Back row, left to right — Kathryn Blake, Ursula Blsike, 
Hazel Earp, Ilia Earp, Dewey Munson, Ervan Hansen, 
John Riblet, Roscoe Blake. 

Front row — Orville Tesch, Regnald Blake, Robert Earp, 
Ina Blake, Rose Tesch, Edith Barton, Beulah Mossberger. 




Antioch School in 1898 

3Vt miles southwest of Cornell 

Top row, left to right — Lottie Hardin, Hattie Locke, 
Nellie Patterson, Will Johnson, teacher, Mabel Patterson, 
Cora Perkins, Bessie Blake, Grace Bash. 

2nd row — Maggie Iverson, Hattie Harwood, Edna Lun- 
dy, Cora Ramme, Hersie Manley, Porter Blue, Cora 
Louderback, Verdennia DeGroat, Marie Louden. 

3rd row — Hazel Cassidy, Stella Jamison, Johnnie Foley, 
??? Prusner, Gladys Lamb, Philip Corrigan, Maurice 
Foley, ??? Prusner. 

The school was located Vi mile west of the Cora Ram- 
me home. 



Athens School- 1907 

Teacher, Elizabeth Metzner of Odell. 

Standing, Mae Springer, Robbie Morris, Bill Thomablen. 

Seated, Dannie and Warren Morris (holding slate) Louie 
Thaden. 




Short Point School - District 3 or 64 

Short Point School was one of the country schools that 
Wcis set up by the North West Ordinance of 1849 to give 
instruction in the common branches of work which ex- 
tended from first grade to the eighth grade inclusive. The 
government set aside the 16th section of each township as 
a school district, and they were required to construct a 
school building. A man passing by one of these country 
schools remarked that for a small factory building it was 
a fine example, the best one he had seen. He asked, 
"What do they manufacture there?" The answer came 
back at once, "Brains, that's a schoolhouse". Short Point 
was one of those "Brain Factories". 




SHORT POINT SCHOOL IN ABOUT THE YEAR OF 1893 



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Short Point continued for many years as a one-room 
rural school. It was later found out that when the school 
house burned in 1940-1941 that it would be better and 
cheaper to consolidate with the graded school in the vil- 
lage of Cornell, Illinois, which was only two miles away. 

The records are not completed from the beginning of 
the school, but those from 1890-1941 were found in the 
office of the County Superintendent. The old records were 
destroyed when the school burned. It was very fasci- 
nating to find that the salaries of teachers ranged from 
$25 a month to $125, with an average of $75, and an aver- 
age of 19 pupils per year. The terms ranged from seven 
and a half to nine and a half months a year. At first 
the District was Number 3 and later Number 64. 

Some of the teachers that have taught in Short Point 
in Amity Township are: Cora Corrigan Ranune, Clifford 
St. John, Gertrude Bradley, Dorothy Gmelich, Gladys 
Mayback and Seth St. John. Several other former teachers 
are living in Livingston County and the State of Illinois. 

Some of the early teachers recorded were: Kate Howell, 
Lydia Hill, Leon Graham, Lottie Barton, Lizzie Gingrich, 
Cora Bennet, Priscilla Gingrich, Maybelle Rucker, Ester 
Dunlap, Hilda Girard, F. H. Rucker and U. W. Louder- 
back. Robert Rucker taught the longest number of years 
in the district. That being eight years and he had the 
highest salary of $125. Only three of the former school 
directors that served the school district stUl live in the 
area and those are George Werner, Louis Hatzer and R. B. 
Morris. 

An interesting fact concerning Short Point was that the 
trustees met on May 27, 1861 and plotted the school dis- 
tricts of the western part of Livingston County, in the 
Short Point School. 

The school year was divided into three terms, fall, win- 



ter and spring. Many times three different teachers 
served the district in one school term. The students were 
allowed to remain home during the fall term to help with 
the harvest of the farm crops. 

Short Point is now a part of the Cornell Consolidated 
School, District 426, and the land that was set apart for 
the original school went back to the original owner, the 
McVay Estate. 

Baker Run School 




1st row — seated: Clarence Murphy, David Barton, James 
Brown, Ralph Turner, Howard Garretson, Mary Barton, 
Margaret Barton, Annie Erickson, Zelma Gourley. 

2nd row — Charlie Murphy, Reno Barton, Ruth Barton, 
Mabel Erickson, Glen Garretson, Jean Husted, Glen 
Husted, Paul Barton, Ethel Wibbenhost, Lula Turner. 

3rd row — Irwin Turner, Sarah Garretson, EUa Husted, 
Lela Turner, Verna Wibbenhost, Velma Wibbenhost, Anna 
Zwiefel, teacher. 



CLUBS 



M. E. Aid Society 



A meeting was called on March 7, 1888 by the ladies of 
the M. E. Church for the purpose of organizing themselves 
into a society; "the aim of proposed society to be to aid 
their church in such manner as the society should agree 
upon.". 

Officers of the first organization were: President, Mrs. 
D. Reader; First Vice, Mrs. J. B. Day; Second Vice, Mrs. 
Dr. Jones; Recording Secretary, Lillie Cornell; Corres- 
ponding Secretary, Mrs. Lucy Shackleton; Treasurer, Mrs. 
L. Lord and Chaplain, Mrs. Hardy. 

The membership fee would be 25c semi-annually and 
the group would meet every Thursday afternoon. The 
women devoted their meetings to sewing on projects that 
they would sell. There was a vice-president in charge of 
crochet work, quilt department, carpet rags, plain sewing 
and fancy work department. 

After meeting together for one year, the women voted 



to change the dues to 10c a year and meet every two 
weeks. Officers were elected every six months. There 
were fifty-three names on the roll. The meetings were 
opened by the group saying, "the Lords' Prayer in con- 
cert". The women made sun bonnets, aprons and dust 
caps, sewed carpet rags and made quilts. A Festival was 
held and strawberries, ice cream and cake were served. 
Also there was a variety table where fruits and confec- 
tioners were offered for sale. 

In 1900, when the new church was built, the Society 
pledged $200. It was also noted in the minutes that, 
"$5.00 was given toward paying for Cassie Myers casket". 
The women voted to give $20.00 for the new telephone in 
the parsonage in November 1902. After much dis- 
cussion the women voted to buy chairs for the church 
pulpit at their December 8, 1904 meeting. The cost of the 
furniture to be $56.50. 

In December 1905, a Society member was appointed to 
meet with the trustees in regard to placing electric lights 



in the church. It was agreed that this could be done and 
the women assumed the debt of $68.90. 

During the twenties, the ladies sold tubes of Peerless 
Rust and Stain remover, dusting mitts and mops, silver 
polishing cloths, ironing board fasteners and furniture 
polish. They also continued to sew at each meeting and 
sold popcorn at the baseball games in the summertime. 

Since the church basement was too small to hold af- 
fairs in, the bazaars were held in the "hall", and a pan- 
cake supper at the C. E. Lishness restaurant. Dinners 
were prepared and served to threshers in the area. The 
women served meals in a tent in the Park for the Big Bend 
Reunion. The reunion lasted for four days and the So- 
ciety always reported a "nice profit" from this event. It 
is recorded that these meals were served each year 1925 
through 1932. On July 10, 1929, it was decided to serve 
a chicken dinner the first day of the Big Bend Reunion 
to the Booster Crowd, who were going to dedicate the 
opening of Route 118. 

In October 16, 1929, Mrs. Sullins, the ministers' wife 
asked the Society, "if they might have the privilege of 
putting a hand pump in the kitchen at the parsonage?" 

In the thirties, the women were still busy quilting and 
having bake sales. The Aid members are to sweep and 
dust the church every two weeks. The women liked to 
attend potluck dinners, because sixty members were pre- 
sent for one at the home of Mrs. Ray Husted on June 19, 
1930. The first mention of a "white elephant sale" was 
in 1934. A bake sale was held before Daster, and the 
women used "American Beauty Flour", which was do- 
nated by the company. In 1935, at the annual supper, an 
adult could purchase a ticket for 35c. 

In the mid-thirties, the Aid was divided into four 
groups. Each group was responsible for entertainment 
at the general meetings, and was to earn money for the 
treasury. Some of their projects now included; plays 
presented at the High School; food sales; Father-Son 
banquet; ice cream socials; and Epworth League lunch- 
eons, The annual chicken supper in 1938 was served at 
the High School gymnasium and the price of the meal 
was now 50c for adults and 25c for children. 

Not untU 1940 did the women become interested in 
missionary programs. In September of this year, a new 
organization had been born within the Methodist church 
for women. It was to be known as the Woman's Society 
of Christian Service. Mrs. Lyle Husted served as the 
first president for the Cornell organization. 

The world was now confronted with World War II, and 
so the work of the women of the church took on new 
services. The men in the service received Christmas 
cards, the women worked at the canteen in Streator, and 
we studied about our missionaries, who were caught in the 
battle fronts. Because of the scarcity of food the serving 
of meals for threshers was discontinued. 



There was a group who called themselves the "Sun- 
shine Sisters", who planted three American Elm trees on 
the parsonage lawn. The members also put together the 
"Cornell W.S.C.S. Cookbook", which was sold. 

In 1950, the women celebrated the tenth anniversary of 
the Women's Society and invited guests. In 1955, it was 
voted to organize three circles, so the women could meet 
in the homes of the members for a social time and study. 
They were the Mary-Martha, Mary-Lelitia and Naomi- 
Ruth, the latter an evening circle. We were busy doing 
things like visiting the Baby Fold in Normal, touring a 
candy factory, and the circles also furnished flowers for 
the altar on Sunday. 

We had our first introduction to Study Classes in the 
fall of 1955. Then we took over the Sunday morning 
services and had "Laywoman's Day". It was also about 
this time that we started the carpet fund. We served 
many farm sales, and the Naomi-Ruth circle sold food 
choppers, some of the members cleaned house for the 
older society members in the spring and fall. Many pro- 
jects were undertaken before our new carpet was finally 
purchased. 

Our first executive meeting was held on Monday, May 
21, 1956, and we all learned what ex-official meant! We 
served our first Graduate luncheon on May 7, 1957, when 
the graduates of both the grade and high schools were en- 
tertained. Also in this year we served the Cornell 
Alumni Banquet. What a big undertaking that was. 

1958 was the year of the hula hoop craze and a dem- 
onstration on how to master the "hoop" was given during 
the recreation period of one of our meetings Also during 
this year, it was voted to give the Egermeir Bible Story 
Book as a wedding gift. A new way of serving was in- 
troduced to our people with the Smorgasbord supper, in- 
stead of the annual chicken supper. Many of our older 
members were a little skeptical of our attempt, but all 
worked hard and it was a success. 

The sixties found the women celebrating the Twentieth 
Anniversary of their Society. A special guest day was 
lield and each past president received a pink carnation. 
The Alumni Banquet was again served at the High School, 
and this time we were much better prepared. Everyone 
knew more about Marian Kay and her vanilla, for we 
were using it by the quarts so we could purchase some 
cooking utensils for the church kitchen. The Mary 
Letitia Circle was selling paring knives. 

1961 was a busy summer for we were remodeling our 
church. The men worked many nights untU midnight 
and the women encouraged them with cool drinks and 
delicious cakes and cookies. The Circles lost their 
names and they became known as Circle I, Circle II and 
the Evening Circle. 

In July 1962, we voted to accept the challenge of the 
Methodist men, who had raised $500 to pay towards a 
new furnace. We will pay the $400 needed to make up 



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the balance needed. Also this year we purchased 72 new- 
chairs for the church basement, and the Syracuse China 
of nutmeg pattern was added to the kitchen cupboards. 

Now that our church basement had been enlarged, we 
had a more convenient place to hold our annual supper 
and bazaar. The women have continued their contribu- 
tions to the church budget each year, as well as making 
a Pledge to Missions for the work of our church in other 
areas. There are now just two circles. Hope meets in the 
afternoon and Naomi-Ruth in the evening. 

The planning of the Graduate Luncheon is now shsired 
by the other church women of the community. The lunch- 
eon is still held in May of each year. The senior citizens 
and shut-ins are remembered each Christmas with a fruit 
and cookie plate, that is packed and delivered by the 
members of our Society. 

In 1972, it was voted nationally to change the name of 
our organization to the United Methodist Women. This 
new name came about because of the change in structure 
of our United Methodist Church. The purpose of our or- 
ganization today is; ". . . to know God and to experience 
freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to de- 
velop a creative, supportive fellowship and to expand 
concepts of mission through participation in the global 
ministries of the church." 

The U. M. Women officers for 1973 are: Mrs. Helen 
Ketterer, president; Mrs. Marge Burkett, vice-president; 
Mrs. Wanda Schaer, secretary; Mrs. Faye St. John, treas- 
urer. 



Lions Club 

The first Lions Club received its Charter on April 12, 
1957 with the charter members being: Keith L. Scott, Ben 
Kristal, Marion Mitchell, Louis Hatzer, Wilbur Carlton, 
Elwood Pasters, James Cashmer, Lawrence Brueggeman, 
John E. Jacobson, Claude Cashmer, Glenn Earp, John 
Murphy, Donald Wayman, Ray Kimmey, Arnold Maville, 
Wayne Patterson, John Snyder, John Henry Cave, Ralph 
Voigts, Leonard Beck. This club later disbanded. The 
Lions Club reorganized on May 10, 1972 and held their 
Charter night July 14, 1972. Charter members of the new- 
ly organized club are: Ben Burkett, Clifford Cashmer, Jr., 
Philip Corrigan, James Donze, Billy Gregory, Elmer Ham- 
ilton, Richard Hatzer, John T. Jacobson, Robert Jones, El- 
wood Pasters, Wayne Patterson, William Pleasant, John 
W. Snyder, Francis Vollmer, Willard Van Weelden, Joe 
Moore, Ed Grant, Robert Sherwood, Dick Leonard, Irvin 
Bohm, and Stanley Crews. The club now has twenty- 
five members. Some of its projects have been: sponsored 
share of bingo license to help finance Centennial, bought 
glasses for school girl, septic system for family who lost 
home by fire, gave out fruit baskets to elderly at Christ- 
mas, purchased shares for Centennial and recently sent 
donation for former resident who needs kidney trans- 
plant. 



Officers are: Pres., Ben Burkett; 1st vice pres., Jim 
Donze; 2nd vice pres., Phil Corrigan; 3rd vice pres., Wayne 
Patterson; secretary, J. T. Jacobson; treasurer, Francis 
Vollmer; Lion Tamer, Elwood Pasters; Tail Twister, 
Richard Hatzer; Directors (1 yr.) Robert Jones and Wil- 
liam Pleasant; Directors (2 years) Elmer Hamilton and 
Will Van Weelden. 

The American Lutheran Church Women 

ALCW was organized here in Cornell shortly after the 
church was started in 1969. Our purpose is "To Know 
and to Do the Will of Our Lord, Jesus Christ". Our gen- 
eral theme for 1973 is "Be Alive". 

Officers are: president, Aldine Monroe; Vice president, 
Ethelyn Klein; secretary, Lillian Ferguson; treasurer, Ro- 
bertha Finkenbinder; stewardship secretary, Gail Janssen; 
educational secretary, Florence Seeger. We meet the 
second Wednesday of every month, in which we have our 
business meeting first then our Bible Study. 

We have two big money making projects each year 
which are the Salad Luncheon in April and the Ice Cream 
Supper in September. We are also having a bake sale and 
serving breakfast to FC in February. Last year (1972) 
we made four quilts and sent them to Lutheran World 
Relief. This year Rowe ALCW have joined us on our 
sewing days in making quilts. We are also making scrap 
books cut from cards, sending them to children's homes 
and rest homes. 

Last year the 2-3 Club was organized, which is a fel- 
lowship of Christians in groups, who in joint prayer, pray 
for each others concerns and share the joys of answered 
prayer. There are four groups with four in each of them. 

Retrospect — 
Yearbook of Cornell High School 

The faculty sponsor of the Retrospect is Mrs. Jean God- 
den. Editor, assistant editor and business manager are 
selected by the faculty, with other students signing up if 
they desire serving as members of the staff. The book is 
financed by soliciting advertisements and by purchase of 
each book. 1972-73 officers are: Editor, Linda Leach; Asst. 
Editor, Donna Schlueter; Business Manager, Kaye Kelly; 
Asst. Manager, Leann Soule; Art Work, Carol Moore, 
Debra Schaer; Senior Session, Linda Taylor, Becky Cave; 
Underclassmen, Julie Delheimer, Debbie Gourley, Sandra 
Gaston; Sports, Terry Mullen, Wayne Schaer, Dennis 
Leach; Activities, Becky Wonders, Sally Fitzgerald, Mi- 
chele Burkett. 

Student Council of Cornell High School 

Three from each class and one from each club form 
the membership of the student council, sponsored by the 
Supt. Mr. Carrol Garrison. All members must maintain 
a C average. Purpose are to let students help make de- 
cisions, especially since they are the representatives of the 



entire student body and have the students views in mind. 
Present officers are: president, Terry Mullen; vice, Dennis 
Leach; secretary, Kaye Kelly; treasurer, Cindy Gourley. 
Activities sponsored by them are the magazine drive, 
homecoming and at times, special programs to be pre- 
sented. This year they have been instrumental in in- 
stalling a new student parking lot to the south of the 
school, which is a great improvement for the whole com- 
munity. They have also participated in drives for funds, 
such as St. Judes annual drive. 



The Country Club 



On April 7, 1970, the Country Club was formed, sole 
purpose being fellowship. We're scattered over a six 
mile area west of Cornell and south of Route 23. After 
meeting one another on the street, in the grocery store 
or at school functions, and after "many promises of get- 
ting togteher sometime," five of us met one evening, 
leaving the kids and chores at home with Dad or a baby 
sitter. Mrs. Lester (Marie) Goodrich invited Mrs. Wil- 
liam (Kathi) Schweizer, Mrs. James (Gale) Donze, Mrs. 
Robert (Joan) Krug and Mrs. Stanley (Mary Carol) Jones 
to her home for the first meeting. We chose the third 
Thursday of the month for our time, with hostesses tak- 
ing their turns and deciding their own entertainment. 

At the second meeting in April, Mrs. James (Barbara) 
Orr, Mrs. Gene (Mary Sue) Wonders and Mrs. Alfred 
(Sarah) Nelson joined our group and we drew names for 
secret pals toi be remembered on birthdays and Christmas 
and anniversary cards. In June, Mrs. Leroy (Gail) Jans- 
sen became a member and in September, Mrs. Donald 
(Shirley) Zehr joined, bringing total membership to ten. 

Cards are usually played with Progressive Rummy be- 
ing the favorite game. Many times other games, sharing 
pen pals, recent snapshots or oher things of interest are 
enjoyed, which includes many good times of visiting and 
good food and coffee. Last Christmastime we invited 
our husbands to our special party held at The Lodge in 
Dwight, at this time revealing our "Secret Pals" and 
giving "gag" gifts to our husbands. 

At this time we still have nine members, having lost 
Barbara Orr, since she moved away. We always welcome 
guests and new members. 



The American Legion History 

The first American Legion was formed on June 26, 1922. 

The charter was mailed July 10, 1922 to Melburn Lamb 

and the application was signed by: 

Melburn E. Lamb Deceased 

Don F. Murphy Deceased 

John D. Sims Deceased 

Myron E. Lishness Deceased 

Harlow Iverson Cornell, lU. 

Donald Gregory Deceased 

Morris Weinberg Deceased 



Clarence Beamon Deceased 

William J. Lamb Ohio 

Fred Morris Deceased 

Elmer L. Beaman Deceased 

Lawrence Hilton Pontiac, 111. 

William M. Goddard Streator, lU. 

Clyde Earp Cornell, 111. 

Howard E. Gamblin Cornell, lU. 

Reuben Earp Deceased 

Very little is known about the post except that its name 
was the Walter Cornell Post 752, and they turned their 
charter back March 15, 1935. The records burned when 
Morris Weinberg's poultry station was destroyed by fire. 

In September of 1947, Max C. Husted started the re- 
organization of a Legion Post in Cornell. The first meet- 
ing was held September 30, 1947 when a charter was ap- 
plied for. Temporary officers were: Commander, Max 
C. Husted; Adjutant, John Hardin; and Finance Officer, 
Amer Shay. 

The signers of the petition for a charter were: Duane E. 
Voorheis, William R. Taylor, Wilbur A. Martin, Arthur O. 
Koltveit, Richard D. Cashmer, Roscoe F. Hammell, 
Charles N. Webb, Orville J. Johnson, Paul B. Lang, Sam- 
uel C. Pond, Merle E. Santleman, Amer B. Shay, and two 
other vetaerns were present, Carrol Springer and Walt 
Santleman. 

At this meeting, it was decided to change the name 
from Walter Cornell to Harold N. Shank Post 752. A 
temporary charter was issued on Oct. 8, 1947. 

The other members of the post the first year were: 
Manley Soloman, William Pleasant, Dale Gourley, Hugh 

E. Burton, Joe H. Moore, Delbert Brunton, Maurice Foley, 
Howard E. Mills, Andrew Stortz, John DeCicco, Harold 
Martin, Winfield Wayman, J. D. Sims, John S. Husted, 
Francis Springer, Morris Weinberg, Irvin Turner, Clifford 
Louderback, Howard Wayman, Irvin C. Johnson, Wil- 
liam Voorheis, Ervin E. Burkett, Frank Mills, Donald 
Highland, Frank Olivieri, Richard Rucker, Adam F. Mor- 
rison, Harold F. Munson, Clyde Earp, William Gregory, 
Gerald B. Talbot, John H. Oltman, Donald F. Ely, George 
Delheimer, Howard Gamblin, Vincent Corrigan, Clarence 
Beaman, Roy Sullivan, Floyd Cool, Jr., Doris McKenny, 
James E. Dolan, James L. Dolan, Elmer Lawrence, Frank 
Wayman, Harold Johnson, Max Miner, Fred Morris, Vir- 
gU TuU, Gerald Alien, Elmer Stahl, Clifford Barham, 
Willard F. Wayman, Chris R. Gmelich, Walter Redfern, 
Eugene Corkin, Raymond Akeridge, Doyle Santleman and 
Robert F. Redfern. 

The American Legion met at several place in Cornell 
until they received permission to meet at a lodge on the 

F. N. Smith place north of Cornell. Their first meeting 
was held December 23, 1947. 

In May of 1948, Clarence Beaman approached the 
Legion to place flags on the graves of deceased veterans 
on Memorial Day. The duty was accepted by the Legion 
and a few years later, Ervin Eurkett and George Del- 
heimer made a thorough search of the cemeteries around 



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Cornell with a list supplied by the Veterans Administra- 
tion. 

There were seven or eight graves that were not found 
in the Bayou Cemetery, at this time. Probably there were 
no headstones erected or had been wooden and rotted 
away. 

There were no revolutionary war veterans found, but 
veterans of the Blackhawk War and many Civil War vet- 
erans were found and of all wars since. 

During this time it was decided to move to Cornell, and 

the Henry Ide building on the south side of Main Street 
was purchased. The first meeting was held Sept. 14, 
1949, in this building. 

In 1958, the American Legion was approached by the 
Cornell Lions Club to build a new building for the use of 
the community. They pledged $1000 over a period of 
three yeai-s. With this impetus, the Legion, who had been 
talking of a new building, on Sept. 23, 1959 purchased two 
lots from Mike Murphy, one adjoined the American Legion 
building on Main Street and one across the alley. After 
the purchase of the two lots, Ervin Burkett and George 
Delheimer of the building committee approached Dot Blue 
on purchasing the Main Street lot that adjoined the 
Murphy lot. Dot Blue's lot was occupied by a mobile 
home in which Clarence Blake lived. She agreed to give 
the lot to the American Legion if they would move the 
mobile home to the Murphy lot across the alley. This was 
accomplished on Oct. 25, 1959. The American Legion 
considers this lot on Main Street a very generous gift 
from Dot Blue. 

On June 1, 1960, the contracts for the foundation of the 
new building was given out and by late 1960 or early 1961 
after six months of hard work on the part of the mem- 
bership and the citizens of Cornell, the American Legion 
moved into their new building. 

Durng 1961, the old building was razed, the basement 
filled in, and a parking space was made. 

With the tearing down of the old Legion building, the 
Cornell industries tore down several old buildings on the 
north side of Main Street, and Cornell took on a new 
look with the buildings that has housed prosperous busi- 
ness in the late 1920's and now are gone. 

The American Legion membership rose to a high of 105 
members and with the forming of a post at Long Point, 
fell to 68 and has been a strong post every since with a 
present membership of 78. 



Cornell Jr. Farmers 

The Cornell Jr. Farmers 4-H club has been in existence 
for a number of years. Many changes in the type of 
projects available have occured through the years and 
now there are numerous projects for both boys and girls 
whether they live on the farm or not. Presently there are 
twenty-six boys and ten girls in the club. Since there 



is not an acti\-e Heme Economics Club this year, "some of 
the girls are taking these projects through membership 
in this ag club. Meetings are held regularly and the 
year of work ends with the 4-H Fair, held the first week 
in August. A tour of the 4-H members homes is taken 
prior to the fair by all the members and leaders to view 
each project. The present officers are: president, Terri 
Lyons; vice president, Scott Delheimer; secretary, Mark 




4-H TOUR 1946 

Garretson; treasurer, Stephen Wonders; reporter. Sherry 
Voights; recreation, Dave Russow and Jeff Voights; song 
leader, Paul Jones; and 4-H Federation delegates, Terri 
Lyons and Jeff Voights. Robert Jones is the leader and 
is assisted by: James Garretson, William Barton, Charles 
Russow, Jr., and Mrs. Eugene Wonders. Information about 
the club in the early years is not complete, but it is be- 
lieved to have been formed in the late 1920's. Some of 
the past leaders were Joe Erschen, Sr., Milo Pitcher, Wil- 
son Stamp, Glen Diamond, Claire Potter, George Staggs, 
John Gaspardo, Mr. and Mrs. Reno Barton, Ervin Bur- 
kett, Ralph Voights, Robyn Knox and Ben Burkett. 

The Neighborhood Club 

One afternoon back in April of 1932, this date being the 
nearest we could arrive at after much discussion review- 
ing and talking over various things that had happened, 
that the history of "The Neighborhood Club" was made 
up. 

The following were charter members: Mary Louder- 
back, Daisy Lundy, Mrs. Tom Carter, Mamie Burkett, 
Myrtle Morrison, Luella Cashmere, Ina Cashmere, Mrs. 
Glen Cashmere, Mary Gaspardo, Irma Delheimer, Bessie 
Delheimer, Florence Hyberger, Cora Fraily, Wihna Ham- 
ilton, Eola Mills, Cora Louderback and Jesse Louderback. 



The first meetins w;is )ield in the hdinc of Mary 
(Grandma) Louderback. This was a quilting party and 
everyone brought a sack lunch and Grandma Louderback 
served coffee. 




T(.|i i..\\— kr; to right, Mary Gaspardo, Opal Lawrence, 

Jessie Louderback, Esther Girard, Ina Cashmere, Pearl 

Valentine, Belle McClane. 

2nd row — left to right. Grandma Cashmere, Margaret 

Burkett, Mamie Burkett, Annie Wahl. Enda Eutsey, Julia 

Wolf, Evelyn Cashmere. 

3rd row — left to right, Esta Cashmere, Norma Louden, 

Margaret Beckman, Cora Frailey. 

Bottom row — left to right, Donna Burkett and Daisy 

Lundy, children of Esta Cashmere. 

At one of the following meetings Grandma Cashmere 
was appointed our general chairman. This was the only 
officer that we had from 1932 to 1948, that was 16 years. 

The only activities we had in all of these years was 
sewing and mending for ourselves, if we had it, or for 
our hostess. 

In 1934 the club decided to have a name for the group. 
It was in the home of Irma Delheimer that each member 
submitted a name. After many eliminations the name 
that Cora Fraily put in was chosen. It was 'Lend-A- 
Hand Club". For her fine thoughts, she was given a 
hand painted canister set as a gift which was given by 
Daisy Lundy. 

Later on we started to play Bunco due to the kindness 
of the Cashmeres. They brought the dice, bell and 
punch. 

At the meeting at Maggie Beckmna's on June 10, 1948, 
a set of by-laws were drawn up and a new set of officers 
were elected. They were Mamie Burkett, president; 
Pearl Valentine, secretary-treasurer. They voted that day 
to give the retiring president. Mrs. Cashmere a gift. It 
was a black purse. 

On June 24, 1948 at the home of Lillian Morrison, they 
decided to change the name of the club to "The Neighbor- 
hood Club". The club ran along this line with an oc- 
casional potluck for the families, about one a year. 



As years has passed the following members have been 
added to the club. They were: Belle McClane, Enda 
Eutsey, Esther Girard, Julia Wolf, Anna Wahl, Maggie 
Beckman, Donna Burkett, Margaret Burkett, Mildred 
Morrison, Esta Cashmere, Norma Loudon, Audrey Paton, 
Marge Gamblin, Vorna Burkett, Dorothy Calder, Dorothy 
Delheimer, Kath Hoobler, Evelyn Cashmere, Opal Law- 
rence, Doris Cashmere, Elna Bayles. Mary Lou Gragson, 
Elsie St. John, Eva Dodge, Marge Burkett, Bernadine 
Johnson, Connie Girard, Evelyn Hale, Mazie Lawrence 
Mayme Handly and Lucille Snyder. 

The Neighborhood Club still meets on the first and 
third Thursdays and the officers now serving the Club 
are: Mary Lou Gragson, president and Marge Burkett, 
secretary-treasurer. Each April the Club celebrates the 
clubs anniversary. We have lost many of our members 
during the years, but we have a real good attendance 
and a most enjoyable afternoon, visiting and playing 
Bunco. 

Sportsman Club 

The Cornell Sportsman Club was organized in 1934. 
After the club became inactive, they transferred to the 
Manville Club in 1958. Since most members were from 
the Cornell area, they merged the two clubs in 1964. 
Meetings are held the 2nd Monday nights of the month 
at the homes of members. Officers now serving are: 
president, Charles Russow, Sr.; vice president, Wilbur 
Russow and secretary-treasurer. Lou Barton. 

Afternoon Bridge Club 




Bottom row — left to riglit, Mary Morrison, Mrs. Cham- 
berlain, Ane Gardner, Lottie Weinberg, Carrie Sawyer. 
Kath Hoobler. 

Second row — Mable Springer, Eva Murphy, Mildred Mc- 
Menamin, Jess Louderbach, Aldene Myers. 
Third row — Mae Shafer, Belle Sims, Daisy Limdy 
Top row — Lela Gochanour, Vera Werner. 



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Ill the late 1920s, a group of ladies, 12 in all, formed an 
Afternoon Bridge Club, that played Auction Bridge. They 
played every two weeks on Tuesday, with prizes being 
awarded to high and low at each table and 80 honors. 
Lunch being served at conclusion of games. The original 
twelve were Mayme Myers, Carrie Sawyer, Mae Shafer, 
Ane Gardner, Eva Murphy, Mary Morrison, Effie 
Stephens, Jessie Louderback, Daisy Lundy, Edna 
Shackelton, Mrs. McCully and Mrs. Dr. McLaughlin, all 
of which are now deceased. The club now meets on 
Monday afternoons with dessert luncheon with eight 
members, who are Mildred McMenamin, Aldene Myers, 
Clara Russow, Rosemary Russow, Lulu Barton, Gayle 
Mills, Vera Schuler and Ethel Cool. 



"Suitsus Club" 

The ladies of the community, in an informal gathering 
at the home of Mrs. Mayme Myers, decided to form a 
club and continue meeting at a one o'clock luncheon in 
the home of each of the members. Mrs. James Calder of 
Kansas City, Mo., who was spending the summer with 
her sister-in-law, Mrs. Myers, assisted them in forming 
the club. In organizing, it was decided to have a name 
for the club. So the name of "Suitsus" was unanimous- 
ly decided on. When they organized, ten guests and the 
two hostesses, were present. Later others were invited 
until there were sixteen members. 




This picture was taken of the members when they 
journeyed to Mt. Pulaski and met with Mrs. H. M. Blout, 
wife of a former pastor of Cornell Methodist Church. 
The meeting was held Friday, September 13, 1929. Those 
in the picture, from left to right, bottom row, are: Mrs. 
Mae Shafer, Eva Murphy, Mary Morrison, Emma Dick- 
erson, Julia Johnson; second row: Nellie Johnson, Daisy 
Lundy, Elma Gardner, Effie Stevens, Mayme Myers, 
Edna Gmelich; third row: Florence Beaman, Jessie Lou- 
derbach, Edna Shackelton and Emma Blout. Another 
member unable to attend was Mrs. Carrie Saw^yer, who 
was residing in Champaign. 



During a meeting they composed q song to the tune of, 
"It Ain't Going To Rain No More, No More" and was as 
follows: 

There are 16 ladies in our little town 

Who got together and formed a club 

Which has won great renown 

We have called it 'Suitsus" 

For it suits us fine 

And you should see how we can eat 

When we go out to dine. 

Chorus — 

Oh, the Suitsus, the Suitsus, the Suitsus Club for me 
If I live and die in old Cornell, in the Suitsus Club 
I'll be. 

Mrs. Florence Beaman was married on February 3rd, 
1926, so the group presented her with a silver tray en- 
graved with the clubs name "Suitsus". 

The only living members of the club at this time are 
Mrs. Julia Johnson of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Mrs. 
Florence Beaman of Cornell. 



P. T. A. History 



On August 1, 1950, the Cornell Grade and High School 
P.T.A. Clubs met and voted to disband these two organi- 
zations and join in one group. The name chosen was 
Cornell Community P.T.A. and it was to meet the second 
Thursday of each month. The officers were: president, Mr. 
Clarence Oyer; 1st vice president, Mrs. Janette McCabe; 
2nd vice president, Mrs. Helen Richardson; secretary, 
Mrs. Irma Delheimer; treasurer, Mrs. Vei-a Werner; asst. 
secretary, Mrs. Dorothy McClane. 

They sponsored the cafeteria as their project and it 
was decided on September 13, 1951 that the Grade School 
would take over the responsibility of the cafeteria. 

On May 14, 1959, the club decided to meet every other 
month with the place and dates to be set by the officers. 
It was decided on October 25, 1961 to have a room awai-d, 
a monetary gift would be given to the class having the 
best percentage of parents present at a meeting. 

Cornell left the national P.T.A. organization September 
16, 1965 and they chose to call themselves the Parent- 
Teacher Club. Officers were: president, Mrs. Betty 
Erickson; 1st vice president, Mrs. Inez Gokoo; 2nd vice 
president, Mrs. Marion Gourley; 3rd vice president, Mrs. 
Mary Sue Wonders; secretary, Mrs. Joan Mullen; asst. 
secretary, Mrs. Pru Louderback; treasurer, Mrs. Charles 
Calder. 

The club's purpose is, bring a better understanding be- 
tween parent, student and teacher and to acquaint the 
parent with some of the different techniques being used 
by teacher and student. Present officers are: president, 
Mrs. Phil Corrigan; vice president, Mrs. John Skeens; 
secretary, Mrs. Roger Weber; treasurer, Mrs. John Blair; 
room mother chm., Mrs. James Garretson. 



The Friendly Circle Bunco Club 

The Friendly Circle Bunco Club was organized by 
Mrs. Florence Gochanour in 1928. Early members were 
Mrs. Ada Leonard, Mrs. Effie Leonard, Mrs. Emma Leon- 
ard, Mrs. Emma Jamison, Mrs. Anna Sullivan, Mrs. Dora 
Miner, Mrs. Florence Manly, Mrs. Minnie Santelman, 
Myrtle Gingrich and Florence Girard. Several members 
added to the group were Gertrude Morgan, Claire Leon- 
ard, Lela Gochanour, Lou Barton, Florence Blue, Venis 
Spaniol, Zellah Beaman, Cora Frailey, Mabel Springer, 
Elsie St. John, Lizzie O'Neil, Mary Gaspardo and Zeilia 
Cashmer. 



The Amitytown Society Of Painters 

The Amitytown Society of Painters was organized in 
1940 by a group of local painters who had been painting 
together. They usually got together on Simday and 
Thursday afternoons along the river on the Lyle Husted 
farm south of Cornell. Dr. Thomas Lockie and Thomas 
Googerty were the founders of the society. Dr. Lockie 
was a Pontiac dentist and a member of the Brown Co. 
Indiana Painters group. Mr. Googerty taught forge and 
wrought iron work at the Pontiac State Penitentiary for 
more than thirty years. He bequested his own work to 
the Chicago Art Institute. The Poor Box at St. Mary's 
Catholic Church in Pontiac; the gates of St. Mary's Ceme- 
tery and the South Side Cemetery are examples of his 
work. He was considered one of the countrys finest 
designers and makers of decorative wrought iron. 

Mr. Googerty chose the name "The Amitytown Society 
of Painters" because they met and confined their activ- 
ities around the abandoned house and mill site known as 
"Amity" on the Lyle Husted farm, two miles south of 
Cornell on the Cornell-Graymont state aid road. The ob- 
ject of the society was and is the advancement of all 
those people interested in painting. 

The original active members were: Dr. Thomas Lockie, 
president and director; Mrs. Lyle Husted, vice president; 
Mrs. Virginia Smith Miller, secretary-treasurer; Catherine 
Yost and Thelma Patterson Gehring, lecturers; Maurine 
McCelland and Mary Elizabeth Reynolds of Dwight, 
Moore Foster, Louise Schneider, Minneola BonneU, Tom 
Googerty, Ann Myers, Betty Jane Dimcan, Paul Monser of 
Pontiac and Gertrude Bradley and Mary Husted of Cor- 
nell. Associate members were A. E. Tiffany and Clsurence 
Louderback of Cornell, Mrs. C. M. Dargan, Mr. and Mrs. 
H. H. Smith, Clarence Miller, Dr. John J. Ryan, Richard 
Miller, Warden O. H. Lewis, Mrs. H. I. Shepherd and 
Paul Yost of Pontiac. 

The society has had exhibits every year since 1940 
with exception of 1943, when World War II was going 
on. These were held in various places, including the Wil- 
liams Mill, Masonic Temple, YMCA, Water Company of- 
fice and Pontiac Library. Last year they also exhibited on 



Courthouse Square. 

The group now numbers thirty-two and they hold 
meetings twice a month with some of members getting 
together oftener to paint. Present officers are: president, 
Mrs. Virginia Diaz; v. president, Mrs. Grace Lugar; secre- 
tary, Mrs. Linda Tullos; treasurer, Mrs. Muriel Stephans; 
historian, J. Paul Yost. At the present there are no 
members of the society from Cornell. 

Cornell Community Club 

In October, 1946, Clarence Louderback, Principal of 
Cornell High School met with several interested persons 
desiring the forming of a community club. Sixty-five 
men gathered in November, deciding on the name and 
electing the following officers: Clarence Louderback, 
president; Clark Husted, vice; Robert Beck, secretary- 
treasurer. Projects picked at this time were: securing a 
doctor from the town, securing better fire protection, 
health projects, and aiding the telephone company. By 
May 1947, Clark Husted had petition for fire district ex- 
plained, and in July, John Snyder reported the selling of 
159 shares of telephone company 




Front row— left to right: John Snyder, Lyle Husted, El- 
mer Blue, Clark Husted, Amos Selby. 
Back row — left to right: guest speaker, Gary Harbs, Wil- 
bur Cashmer, Alvin Schuler, William Barton, Gilbert 
Lauritzen, Rev. Gilbert Fletcher, Wayne Patterson, John 
Gaspardo, Lyle Girard, John Cashmer, Larence Ketterer, 
Virgil Ross, Burdel Crow, Floyd Cool, Sr. 

In January 1949, the first committee started on the 
building project for the construction of a doctor's office. 
The first trustees elected for this were: Rev. Holmes, 
John Snyder, John Deciccio, John Gates and Louis Hat- 
zer. It was through the untiring efforts of John Gates 
and the many, many work hours of several men of the 
whole community that the building was completed on 
lots bought from Bob Beck in November 1951. We have 
had three doctors. Dr. Ripley, Dr. Dementrenko and Dr. 
Gokoo, who came in 1958. 



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The club had served the community in many ways, with 
their biggest money-makers being, serving the Selby 
Rodeos and joining the lire department in sponsoring the 
annual community sale held every August. 

Projects of the past years have been, besides the origi- 
nal ones, summer programs for the young people, annual 
Christmas treats for the grade students, a $100 scholar- 
stiip for a boy and girl of the graduating class of the high 
school, financial aid to the American Legion building and 
fire department building. The last project was installing 
street signs and house numbers, with the cooperation of 
the village board. Wilbur Cashmer, the president, was 
very instrumental in getting this accomplished. Other 
officers of the club are vice. Rev. Ralph Marquardt; 
secretary, Elmer Blue; treasurer, Raymond Spaniol. There 
has been an average of 30-35 members throughout the 27 
years and there are still nine charter members of the 
organization. 



The Amity Home Extension 

The Vermillion Household Science Club was organized 
on January 15, 1915 at the home of Mrs. McMillian. We 
had a fine set of by-laws, and a program committee that 
planned our programs with members participating. 

Most of the talks were given about our own experiences 
of raising chickens, sewing, cooking for the threshers 
and many other duties of a homemaker. Our dues were 
25c per member. In the early springtime, we had a 
family night, inviting our husbands. When we disbanded 
to become the Amity Home Bureau, we had a member- 
ship of 75. Miss Swan helped to organize our unit. In 
the early days some of the members were sent to Urbana 
to bring back reports. 

We have happy memories of the plays we gave at the 
High School. One of these plays we presented was also 
presented at the annual meeting in Urbana, receiving an 
A rating. 

We had good local officers, and with the faithful mem- 
bers, we have continued as a very good unit through the 
years. At the present time we have 15 members in our 
unit. The present officers are: Mrs. Cecil Richardson, 
president; Mrs. Orville Gingrich, 1st vice president; Mrs. 
Lester Goodrich, 2nd vice president; Mrs. Eugene Won- 
ders, secretary; and Mrs. Donald Walker, treasurer. 



Legion Auxiliaries 



The first American Legion Auxiliary Unit of Cornell 
was organized under the Walter R. Cornell Post No. 752, 
as a charter was applied for on April 20, 1923, and issued 
on AprU 27, 1923. 

Mrs. Mary Morrison was first President of this Auxil- 
iary. The Unit had 26 members and the following names 
were listed on the application for a Charter: Martha Cor- 
nell Dunbar, Eliza M. Myers, Eva Murphy, Lela Gregory, 
Alta Grounds, Gladys Lamb, Josephine Williams, Zellah 



Bcaman. Almera Allen, Sylvia Lishness, Alto Lindquist, 
Margarette Allen, Alice Hilton, Emily Lindquist and 
Harriet Goodard. The last record of this units operations 
was during April of 1925. Probably disbanded for lack 
of interest. 

The second organization of a Legion Auxiliary came 
after World War II. A Charter was applied for in Feb. 
29, 1943, with the following people being listed on the 
application of the Charter, for organizing the Harold N. 
Shank Legion Auxiliary No. 752. Rosemary Delheimer 
Johnson as president. Betty Hardin, Margaret Barham, 
Fern Husted, Margaret Cashmer, Lottie Hardin, Bessie 
Delheimer, Lottie Weinberg, Irma Delheimer and Helen 
Pleasant. 

This later was dissolved and Charter cancelled on Jan. 
20, 1950. Apparently due to inactivity. 

The third group to organize an active Legion Auxiliary 
came about on October 19, 1955, as a group of ladies met 
with Don Ely, Commander of the Harold N. Shank 
Legion Post, to discuss the duties and purposes of an 
Auxiliary Unit. The meeting was held at the "Old 
Legion Hall" property formerly owned by Henry "Hank" 
Ide. From this meeting the Harold N. Shank Auxiliai'y 
Unit No. 752 was organized. 

Mrs. Edith Judd of Colfax installed the following of- 
ficers on November 28, 1955; Florence Walker, president; 
Josephine Ely, 1st vice president; Betty Taylor, 2nd vice 
president; Elna Bayles, treasurer; Verna Burke tt, histor- 
ian; Betty Hardin, Sgt. at Arms; Mildred Girard, secre- 
tary; Lottie Hardin, Chaplain. 

Membership has grown from 30 to 54 over the years. 
A charter was issued from the Department of Illinois on 
January 12, 1956. 

The following have served as President: 

Florence Walker 
Mildred Girard 
Betty Taylor 
Betty Reynolds 
Betty Hardin 
DoUy Cagley 
Elna Bayles 
Esther Ide 
Helen Greenman 
Janice Hamilton 
MUdred Girard 
Ruth Corrigan 
Dolly Cagley 
Betty Reynolds 
Roberta Roth 
Helen Greenman 

Florence Walker and Dolly Cagley, also served as Presi- 
dent of the Livingston County Council of the American 
Legion Auxiliary. This organization meets the fifth 
Monday of each month at the various towns thi'oughout 
the county. Cornell was host to the group this past 
October. 



The Auxiliary has sponsored ten girls from Cornell to 
attend the lUini Girls State, which is held on the campus 
of MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois for one week 
in June. The following are a list of the girls who have 
attended: Mary Hatzer, 1963; Cynthia Patterson, 1964; 
Donna Redfern, 1965; Carol Ely, 1966; Sandra Husted, 
1967; Ruth Ann Delheimer, 1968; Nancy Shay, 1969; Beth 
Pleasant, 1970; Ann Kelly, 1971; and Linda Leach, 1972. 

Our two Gold Star Mothers are: La Vera Griffitsh, 
mother of Harold N. Shank, for whom the post wa« 
named, and Harriet Garretson, mother of William Gar- 
retson. 

There are six deceased members: Norma Loudon, Lela 
Gochanour, Frances Girard, Viola Husted, Cora Frailey 
and Mamie Burkett. 

Poppy Day is observed by selling Poppies in Cornell 
on Saturday before Memorial Day. 



Family Histories 



Nels N. Lindquist 



Nels was born in Sweden in 1867 and emigrated to this 
country in 1888. He married Emily Peterson and moved 
from Minnesota to Illinois shortly thereafter. He came 
to Cornell about 1895 and started a shoe repair shop in the 
J. E. Shackelton store. He then worked in that store for 
about 30 years. They were parents of eight children, 
Raynold of Denver, Colorado; Gottfrid of Sun City, Ari- 
zona; Florence Blue of Cornell; Edythe Marsh of Downers 
Grove, 111.; Victor of Pontiac, 111.; Hugo of Seminole, 
Florida; Helen Tascher of Morris, 111.; and Berdine Bailey, 
deceased, of Springfield. Mr. Lindquist died at Cornell 
in 1934 and Mrs. Lindquist at Pontiac in 1965. 



John Corrigan 



Among the pioneers of Livingston County were Mr. 
and Mrs. John Corrigan. They were born in County of 
Cavan, Ireland and landed in New York in 1863, after a 
rough stormy voyage of four weeks, from Liverpool. Mr. 
Corrigan accumufeted several hundred acres of land and 
raised thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, blooded horses and 
high grade hogs and sheep. 

The mother of Mr. Corrigan came from Ireland in 1865 
after the death of her husband. She died at her home in 
Cornell and was buried near Aurora. 

Peter, a brother of Mr. Corrigan, came to America in 
1856. He landed in New York and enlisted in a New 
York regiment of the Army. He was taken prisoner and 
confined to Libby prison eight months. In 1864, he was 
exchanged and returned to his regiment, was captured 
again at the battle of Antietam and sent to Andersonville 
prison where he died. The family were of the Catholic 



faith. They were parents of 8 children who are all de- 
ceased. They were: Peter, Eugene, Mary, Hugh, James, 
Alice and Maggie. On child, also named Alice, died at 
the age of ten months. 

Peter Corrigan married Frances Foley in 1887 and were 
the first couple to be married in the newly built Catholic 
Church in Cornell, III. They were the parents of nine 
children. 

Cora, born in 1888, married Otto Remme, the parents of 

4 children — Ernest, Howard, Maurice and Russel. 

Philip, born in 1889, married Rena Imm, the parents of 
C) children — Geneva married Victor Cahldeick, parents of 
1 child, Craig; Vincent married Ruth Long, parents of 2 
children, Douglas, Patrick; Betty married Joseph Erschen, 
parents of 6 children, Stanley, Steve, Cormie, William, 
Mary Jo, Chuck; Ruth married Gene Hoag, parents of 3 
children, David, Diane, Debbie; Phillip, Jr. married Wil- 
ma Russow, the parents of 4 children, Kevin, Kirk Kim- 
berly, Kipp. 

Alice, born 1896, married Harry HohensheU, parents of 
1 child— Phyllis. 

Mabel, born 1900, married Sidney Trainor, parents of 
9 children — Joe, Vincent, Frank, Larry, Phillip, Emmett, 
Kathleen, Richard, BiUie. 

John, born 1902, married Esther Santleman, parents of 
3 children — Gene, Joan, Mary. 

Frank, born 1904, married Marie McDonald, parents of 
Z children — William, Edward. 



Victor, born 1909. 

Two girls died in infancy. 
Victor are now deceased. 



Phillip, Alice, John and 



Among Cornell men in the military service, who served 
in World War II were Brigadier General Ernest L. Ram- 
me, Capt. Howard F. Ramme, Lt. Maurice L. Ramme, all 
in the Air Force. Vincent Corrigan served in World War 
II and Philip Corrigan, Jr. served in the Korean War. 

Capt. Howard Ramme flew 104 round trips over the 
Himalaya Mountains known as the HUMP. All were 
grandsons of Peter Corrigan. 

Much of the land owned by John Corrigan over 100 
years ago is in possession of his grandchildren. 

Russel Ramme farms part of the first land owned by 
Mr. Corrigan. 



Antrim Family 



A Mr. David Corbin settled in the Cornell area about 
1835. A Corbin tombstone is located in Rooks Creek 
township, now in the Oral Olson pasture, where several 
old markers are found. Mr. John Cline Antrim and fam- 
ily settled southwest of Cornell in 1863, in the spring. 



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Leaving Ohio in April of same year, our father, William 
Jordon Antrim, was just 6 weeks old. When the family 
left Ohio, they traveled by covered wagon, taking 3 
weeks to make the trip. The old residence still stands 
where the AntrLms lived for 2 years. During these years, 
Mr. Antrim served in the Union Army and was discharg- 
ed in 1865 from Nashville, Tenn. 

This was before Cornell was established and there were 
only live post offices in Livingston County, one of which 
was located in the home of James IVIcKee. This home 
was located just south of John Snyder's corn crib on east 
side of drive to Bayou Bluff area. George Rice carried 
the mail by horseback, since this was the old stage road 
from Dixon to Danville. In this area was an old grist 
mill where the Bayou creek and Vermillion river join. 
The stone from this mill may be seen in Pontiac at the 
west entrance of the court house. The Bayou Cemetery, 
one of oldest in county, is also located here. 

John Cline Antrim, after the CivU War, bought 240 
acres in Amity township, located just west of the Don 
Zehr farm. This is where William Jordon Antrim grew 
to manhood and attended school just east of the Nigh 
Chapel Church, with the rest of his family. 

In 1883, Susan Carroll came from Iowa, staying with 
her cousin, Milt Carroll and taught school in the Spring- 
er and Cornell schools. She met William Antrim in the 
Nigh Chapel Church and later they were married in her 
home in Iowa. They started farming on his father's farm 
and then moved to their farm in Rooks Creek township, 
where they lived to celebrate their 65th wedding anni- 
versary. To this union were born Glenn L., John "BUly", 
Dorothy Brue, Keturah 'Kit" and Mary Ann Linsey. 

Glenn married Arma Weber, who were the parents of 
Jean Godden, the present homemaking teacher at the 
Cornell High School. They still live on the home place. 
"Kit" was also a teacher in tlie High School of Cornell in 
the 20's, teaching math and science. 



Colder Families 

John Calder was born in Sterling County, Scotland, 
December 24, 1833. He came to Illinois in 1852. On Jan. 
19, 1859, he married Elizabeth Decker, who was born in 
Crawford County, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1839. She had come to 
Illinois with her parents, Martin and Margaret Decker, 
in 1865. Mr. Calder passed away Dec. 3, 1895. Mrs. 
Calder passed away April 10, 1918. Five children were 
born to this union, three boys and two girls. Two chil- 
dren died in infancy, The three living children were: 
Jennie, wife of W. S. Tiffany, Allison E. and William E. 

Allison E. Calder, son of John and Elizabeth Calder, 
was born in Amity Township, July 4, 1862. On Dec. 26, 
1886, he was united in marriage to Catherine Webb of 
Esmen Township. Catherine Webb was born May 11, 
1861, in Bridgeport, West Virginia. AUison E. Calder 
passed away March 7, 1927. His wife, Catherine Calder, 
passed away Feb. 14, 1944. To them were bom two daugh- 



icrs, Jessie Mac, born Jan. 10, 1894 and Florence Cor- 
delia, born Oct. 26, 1899. Jessie was united in marriage 
on Dec. 15, 1915, with Marion (Doc) Louderback and 
Florence was united in marriage on Feb. 3, 1926 to Clar- 
ence (Jake) Beaman. Jessie Louderback died Aug. 11, 
1970 and Florence Beaman still survives. 



History of the Gourley Pioneers 

Abel and Elizabeth Richards Gourley were natives of 
eastern Virginia, Loudin County. It was here they 
were married in the year 1800 and to their union 16 
children were born; namely, James, Joe, Alford, Abel, 
John, Sarah, Liddy, Mary, Elizabeth, and two children 
named William the eldest who died at an early age, and 
Ann. 

In 1854, the older boys, John, Jim, Abel and Alford 
were seized with the pioneer fever and started for Illi- 
nois, settling in Livingston County. Here, John and Jim 
purchased the 80 acres of land where Kenneth Gourley 
did live. Here they farmed as partners for about 4 
years, during which time they encountered many hard- 
ships — the greatest hardship being that of losing all 
their horses with some unknown disease. John returned 
to Virginia on two different occasions returning each time 
with a new string of horses. 




Mr. Alford Gourley 

In 1860, John purchased the 160 acres, where Harlo 
Garretson did live, and the following year he was united 
in marriage to Miss Emily Hampton, to whom 3 children 
were born, John, Julia, and Elmer. 

About the time of his marriage, he formed a partner- 
ship with Walter Cornell and they began buying cattle 
and other livestock. Later on he began feeding cattle and 
followed farming as a general occupation. He became 
quite successful and accumulated considerable wealth 



with which he bought several farms in Esmen and Amity 
Townships; also several hundred acres in Indiana. 

His first wife died at an early age and in 1885 he was 
united in marriage to Mrs. LJzza Blake. They continued 
living on the farm until they retired and moved to Pon- 
tiac, 111., where they died a few months apart in the year 
1918. A grandson, John F. Gourley, lives on one of his 
farms in Amity Township. 

Jim Gourley remained on the original 80 acres the rest 
of his life. He married Cynthia Ann. 

Abel and Alford returned to Virginia in 1858 where 
they were later married and in 1364, Abe returned and 
lived on the place where Irvin Sinclair lived until 1871, 
when he, with his family, joined a group of pioneers and 
set out for Missouri. 

William Gourley came to Illinois in 1864 with a party 
of relatives. He remained here until 1871, later settling 
in Lincoln County, Kansas. 

Ann Gourley was married to John Mills of Parkers- 
burk, Virginia. To this union were born 7 children: 
Charles, Henry, Abel, Edward, William, Mary, May and 
Ella. Abel and Ed came to Amity Township in 1890 and 
WiUiam in 1900. 

Alford Gourley was born in Loudin County, Virginia 
in 1326. His wife, Rebecca Jane Ferris Gourley, was a 
native of what is now Harrison County, West Virginia. 

In 1864, Alford Gourley drove through with his team 
and implements to Amity Township in Illinois, and in 
the following year, brought his household goods. He 
then bought from Bob Ingersoll, 160 acres of land in 
Amity Township to which he added subsequent purchas- 
es of acres. He was an invalid for 14 years, due to the 
amputation of one of his feet. He died in 1898. His 
wife survived until 1900. His children were Sarah, 
James, Josephine, Abel R., Thomas, William, Alice, Mary, 
Ida May, Lewis, Agatha and Minnie. 

James Gourley farmed for many years in the Cornell 
community, later retiring and moving to Cornell. His 
death occurred in 1927. 

Abel R. Gourley farmed until 1896. He moved to town 
and bought an interest in a hardware business with his 
brother-in-law, F. J. Spaulding. Later Mr. Spaulding 
sold his interest to Dan Mills. Later Mr. Gourley became 
the owner and continued so, until he turned the business 
over to his son, Kenneth Gourley in 1918. Kenneth 
continued to own the business until his death in 1939. 

Over the period of years, Fred Lundy, Earl Gourley 
and Charley Gourley worked in the store. 

Thomas Gourley was a farmer and stock buyer. 

William Gourley owned the livery business, later selling 
and moving to the farm, then moving to Corwith, Iowa, 
where he farmed until his death in 1946. 



Charles Gourley farmed many years in the Cornell 
area, later selling out and moving to Pontiac, 111. A few 
years later he bought land near Oswego, 111. and farmed 
until his death in 1953. 

The daughters of the Alford Gourley family married 
and moved to different states, mainly California, except 
Alice Lawson, who stayed in Illinois. 



James P. Gourley Family 

James P. Gourley was a son of Alford Gourley and 
Rebecca Jane Ferris of Harrison County, West Virginia. 
James was born in 1860, coming to Amity Township in 
1865. He was educated in the country schools near his 
home. He assisted his father in the operation of the farm 
until he was nineteen years old, then worked on a cou- 
sin's farm for two years. 

On December 24, 1882, he was united in marriage with 
Ida Buren of Grundy County, 111. They become parents 
of Ray E. (who later moved to Indiana and now is de- 
ceased); Fay (deceased at age of 8); Clarence, married to 
Cleo Turner, residing in Lake Worth, Florida; Earl E., 
married to Mabel Garretson, resides in Ancona, 111.; 
Flavious R., moved to Indiana, now deceased; Florence 
M., married to Ernest Manley, deceased; Edith J., mar- 
ried Peter Smith, resides in Michigan; Ethel J., married 
to William C. Ott, resides in Grand Ridge, lU.; and How- 
ard, who ded at age of 26. 

Mr. Gourley farmed for many years and raised stock. 
Later he retired to Cornell. 



Snyd 



ers 

John W. Snyder, born in 1906 on the farm he now owns, 
qualifies as a native son of Amity Township. 

Tracing the geneology of the present Snyder famUy in- 
volves a somewhat complicated pattern. Chronologically, 
however, it can be established that in 1840, John's great- 
grandfather, James McKee, one of nine residents who 
once lived in the "Bayou" area, used his home, situated at 
that time just south of the present residence, as the Amity 
post office. 

His daughter, Margaret McKee was married to William 
Snyder, whose father, Daniel, was a retired Methodist 
minister. Daniel settled in the Nigh Chapel area in 1860. 
Besides serving as a lay Pastor, he also farmed and oper- 
ated a tile manufacturing business. 

To William and Margare McKee Snyder was bom Ray 
F. Snyder. Ray married Alice Corrigan, daughter of John 
Corrigan, who settled in this area in 1883. Ray F. 
Snyder and his wife, Alice, had three sons, Raymond, 
Eugene and John W. 

John married Bernadine Lyons of Odell. Their chil- 



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dren are Patrick of Columbus, Indiana and Joan Soltis 
of Ottawa. 

In 1945 John's brother, Eugene and his wife were 
killed in an auto-train accident. Their four sons, John, 
Michael, Eugene and James also made their home with 
the John Snyder's after the fatal accident. Michael and 
Eugene are now deceased. John lives in Bloomington, III. 
James, presently living in Cornell, has four children, 
who represent the sixth generation of the Snyder de- 
scendancy in Amity Township. 



The Daniel Iverson Family 

George and Olena Olson Iverson emigrated to this 
country from Dahle near Viga Vag, Rennes Island, Nor- 
way in 1855. Their five children were Helen, Daniel, 
Iver, Ole, and Emma. They settled southwest of Cornell, 
east of the present John Snyder farm. The land is now 
owned by Howard Garretson. 




DANIEL AND IVER IVERSON— 1924 

Helen married Enoch Olson and lived in Iowa. They 
had one daughter, Ena. 

Ole married Louisa Carpenter and lived near the Iver- 
son farm for a time and then moved to Wisconsin. Their 



children were Addie, George, Elma, Leonard, Bertha, 
Albert, Olive May, Grover and Verga. 

Iver married Martha Anderson of Pontiac. They also 
lived near the parental home and then moved to Mar- 
seilles, Illinois. Their children were Josie and Edward. 

Emma died of drowning, in the Illinois River near 
Peoria, at the age of eighteen. 

Daniel married Mary Alverda Chaffin, of near Rowe, 
Illinois in 1879 at Streator, Illinois. They lived at the 
homestead all their married life. Daniel told of wearing 
Q pair of boots belonging to John Wilkes Booth, (the man 
who killed Abe Lincoln) in his younger days. After 
Daniels death in 1934, Mrs. Iverson and daughter Eulalia 
lived on the farm several years and then moved to Cor- 
neU. 

George, Olena, Daniel, Mary Alverda and Eulalia are all 
buried in the Cornell Cemetery South of Cornell. 

Daniel and Mary Alverda's children and descendants 
are listed according to age. 

1. Napoleon, born in 1879, wed Jessie Corbin, daughter 
of Perry Corbins of Cornell. They homesteaded in Mon- 
tana near Roundup. Their children are Florence (died 
at age one month); Ellen (Mrs. Emmett Smith); Nathan 
(died at 3 years of age); Norman, and Selma (Mrs. Joe 
Kuzara). Napoleon died in 1949. Mrs. Jessie Iverson re- 
sides in Roundup, Montana. 

2. A son died soon after birth in 1882. 

3. Mabel, born in 1833, married Wylie Spencer Wayman 
and made their home in Cornell. Mr. Wayman was a 
carpenter. Their children are Stella, Frank (deceased), 
Lottie Belle (Mrs. Jack Haydter, deceased), Clark (de- 
ceased), and Glenn. 

4. Lottie, born in 1886, wed Fred M. Patterson. They 
made their home in Cornell and he engaged in carpentry. 
Their children are Fredrick (deceased), Ruth (Mrs. 
Charles Partridge), Irma (Mrs. Walter Delheimer), Ken- 
neth, and Mary (Mrs. Arnold Peterson). Fred M. Pat- 
terson died in 1922, and Lottie remarried in 1925 to John 
H. Hardin. Two children were born to this union, John, 
Jr., and Larry. 

5. Verdena, born in 1888, married John J. DeGroodt. 
They farmed around Pontiac and Odell and since the 
death of her husband has made her home in Pontiac. 
Their children are Evelyn (Mrs. Henry Gall), a son 
(Stillborn), and Doris (Mrs. Merle Hubbs). 

6. Marguerite, (Maggie) born in 1890, wed Walter 
Eisinger. She died soon after her marriage and is 
buried in Washington, D.C., where she was employed in 
the Treasury Department. 

7. Eulalia, bom in 1893, never married. Died in 1968. 

8. Harlow, born in 1895, married Nona WUliams. They 
farmed several years in Livingston County and then 
settled in Cornell, where he worked at carpentry and 



specialized in cabinet work. He is now retired. Their 
children are Howard, Laverene (deceased), Betty (Mrs. 
Herschel Reynolds), Florence (Mrs. Paul Majesky, de- 
ceased), Kenneth, Marian (Mrs. Norman Rudolph), Donna 
(Mrs. Robert Brackney), Fredrick, Sharon (Mrs. Robert 
Jones), Beverly (Mrs. Robert Modglin), and Gene. 

9. Nina, born in 1898, wed George Sandusky and they 
also farmed in Livingston County. George died in 1962. 
Nina resides in Pontiac, Illinois. Their chldren are Earl, 
Gordon and Mildred (Mrs. Harold Kennedy). 

10. Reno, born in 1900, married Bernadine Nicol. They 
farmed several years and then settled in Long Point, Illi- 
nois where Reno also engaged in carpentry. Bernadine 
died in 1972. Their children are Clifford, Betty Bernice 
(Mrs. Lester Rients), Agnes Marie (deceased), Elsie 
(Mrs. Kenneth Moran), Harold Daniel (deceased), Rena 
Ann (Mrs. Robert Schilling), Rosalie (deceased), George, 
and a girl and a boy who were stillborn. 

11. Alva, born in 1903, married Mary Richardson. They 
farmed north of Flanagan and are now retired and living 
in Flanagan, Illinois. To them were bom Wayne, Rus- 
sell, Ivan, Edward, Roger (deceased), and Paul. 

There are also 106 great-grandchildren of Daniel and 
Alverda; 75 great-great-grandchildren and 2 great-great- 
great-grandchildren. (50 grandchildren named herein). 

Written and submitted by: Mary Patterson Peterson. 



The William P. Davis Family 





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Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Davis, father and mother of Wm. 
P. Davis. Taken in 1818. Vada Ide's great-grandpar- 
ents. 

The William P. Davis family came to Amity Township, 
Livingston County, March 4, 1856. They settled on 80 



acres of land located southeast of Cornell. The land, at 
that time, was valued at $40.00 per acre. Previous to 
1856 they lived at EarlvUle, Illinois, LaSalle County. 

William P. Davis was bom in Ripley, New York on 
April 15, 1834, the son of Nathan and Nancy Whitesley 
Davis. Migrating to LaSalle County in 1844, by way of 
the Erie Canal and the Ohio and Illinois Rivers, they 
landed at Peru, Illinois. After looking the land over they 
decided there wasn't enough timber for a cabin and fences 
so they moved on to Wisconsin. The early part of the 
year 1844 found them back in LaSalle County, where they 
settled at Earlville. 

On October 27, 1852, WLUiam P. Davis was united in 
marriage with Lucetta C. Miner. The marriage was per- 
formed at Serena, Illinois. 

Lucetta C. Miner, daughter of AUan B. and Lucinda 
Burnham Miner, was bom in Bradford County, Pennsyl- 
vania, January 8, 1832. There were nine children in the 
family. They came to Illinois in the early 1840's settling 
at Aurora. Later the Miners moved to a farm east of 
Cornell. 

Two sisters, Sarah Jane Miner and Lydia Miner, as 
well as a brother, David Miner, were long time residents 
of Cornell. 

William P. and Lucetta Davis were the parents of 
eight children, Ezra K., Theodore P., born in LaSalle 
County, Marcia A. (who married a Birch in Kansas), 
Esmarelda J. (wife of Leander Turner), Charles M., 
DanieK who died very young), Gurdon H., and William 
G. 

In the fall of 1880 the farm was sold and the Davis 
family moved to a farm near Burlington, Kansas, later 
moving to another farm near Emporia, Kansas. Ezra 
and Theodore did not go to Kansas because by this time 
they were married. The rest of the family were mar- 
ried in Kansas except WiUiam G.. Marcia A. died when 
her fourth child was very young. In the fall of 1899, 
William P., Lucetta and one son, William G. returned to 
Cornell. The trip was made in a covered wagon. Cornell 
and vicinity was their home for the rest of their lives, 
WUliam P. passing away in 1916 and Lucetta in 1926. 

Esmarelda married Leander Turner. They were the 
parents of two daughters, Ardie Turner Schneider and 
Cleo Turner Gourley (wife of Clarence Gourley), one son 
Merlo Turner, who for many years was the proprietor of 
a grocery store in Cornell. Their family home was the 
large house across (west) of the Methodist Church, where 
they lived until they passed away. There are no living 
descendants of the Turner family in Cornell now. 

The rest of the family moved on to South Dakota and 
other parts of Illinois. There are many descendants of 
the Davis family living in and around this community — 
the Girard's, Shoemaker's, Davis', Ide's, Riordan's, and 
Garretson's, who were descendants of Charles and Minnie 
(Morris) Davis. They were married in Kansas and be- 



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came parents of seven children — Anna (Riordan), Vada 
(Ide), Carrie (Garretson), Ov, Abner, Albert and Everett. 
The Charles Davis family lived in this community, as 
well as PontiQc and Long Point (where Charles lived at 
the time of his death in 1953). The immediate members 
of his family in Cornell are Vada Davis Ide and Merle 
Ide Girard. 

William Grant Davis married Ruby Johnson in Cornell 
on November 4, 1903. They were the parents of four 
children — Glen (who died at 13), Iris (Bowers), Claude 
and Jean (Maubach). They lived on farms in this area 
until 1923 when they moved to Cornell. In 1965 they 
moved into an apartment in Marseilles, 111., where they 
were residing at the time of Grant's death in April of 1966. 
He was 94 years old at the time of his passing. His 
widow, Ruby, still lives in Marseilles. There are no 
descendants of Grant Davis living in Cornell. 



The Oliver Johnson Family 

Oliver Johnson and Hannah R. Sellman were mar- 
ried April 10, 1864 while he was still in the United States 
Cavalry. From December 23, 1863 until September 15, 
1865, he was a member of Company A. 17th Illinois Cav- 
alry, during the Civil War. 

His ancestors came to Charlestown, Mass. prior to 1637. 
His gi-eat-grandfather was with Washington when he 
crossed the Delaware, was injured at the Battle of Tren- 
ton and died at Valley Forge. His great-grandmother, 
along with her children, were survivors of the Wyoming 
Valley Massacre of the Revolution. His grandfather, 
Oliver Johnson came to Sangamon County, Illinois in 
1820. The Johnson family and Abraham Lincoln's fam- 
ily were good friends. His father, John Johnson, helped 
to build the first frame house in Springfield, Illinois. In 
1833, John Johnson came to Rooks Creek Township. He 
was the third settler there and Livingston County 
boasted a population of fifty people. 

John and Mary Bloyd Johnson were the parents of 
ten children — Oliver and Stephen being the only two to 
live in or around Cornell. However, a daughter, 
Elizabeth, married Benjamin Blue and their descendant 
living in Cornell now is Lorene Neifing SuUivan. 

Oliver Johnson passed away In March, 1900 at the 
family home five miles northwest of Cornell. His widow 
and unmarried children then moved to Cornell. Four 
children had died in infancy, the remaining members 
of the family were: Henry (who never married), Rose 
(wife of Arthur Cramer, lived in Kansas), Arvilla (mar- 
ried to Lincoln Decker and Frank Jameson) Sarah (wife 
of John Decker) most of their life was spent in Iowa, 
John (who never married), Jessie (wife of Otto Blue), 
Ruby( wife of William G. Davis) and Guy B. (who died 
as a result of World War 1). 

John and Henry lived in Cornell until their mother, 
Hannah, passed away in 1927. Jessie spent all of her 



life in Ccfrnell, she left this world in 1968. Ruby, lived in 
and around Cornell all of her life until in 1965 she and 
her husband. Grant, moved to Marseilles, Illinois, She 
still lives there, at the age of 89, the only living member 
of the Johnson family. The only descendants remain- 
ing in Coinell are Elmer Blue and Mary Decker MiUs. 



Louderback Families 

SIX GENERATIONS IN CORNELL AREA 

Cornell Grade School 5th grader, Lorena Lynn Loudon, 
represents the 6th continuous generation descendant of 
a Cornell area settler. Liberty and Mary Jane (Corbin) 
Louderback, pioneer residents near Nigh Chapel, Amity 
Township, were the parents of John H. ( b. 3-25-1850); 
George W. (1851-1934); Chester W. (1854-1933); Julia 
(Mrs. Thomas Gregory (1856-1934); Hersie J. (Mrs. Har- 
ry Manuly) ( 1863-1947); and Harriet (Mrs. William 
Graeser, (1865-1915). 




4 generations of M. W. Louderback family at their golden 
wedding anniversary observance: 1st— M. W. and Jessie 
Louderback (seated); back row, left to right— Esther 
Kirk, James Loudon (3rd), Mrs. Lyle (Mae) Chester, 
(2nd), Bemeice Stimpert (3rd); front row— Sharon and 
Lynn Stimpert, Lorena Loudon (4th). 

John H. Louderback was married May 11, 1873 to 
Mary Augusta King (b. 1854) of Long Point. He taught 
school for a number of years and later became a farmer 
and Amity Township landowner. They were the par- 
ents of Marion W. (b. 5-5-1875); Jessie Edwin (1876- 
1898); Cora A. (1878-1951); and Hersie Minerva (1882- 
1902). John H. and Mary King Louderback were priv- 
ileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 
1923. He died in 1928 and his wife in 1936. 

Marion W. Louderback attended business college in 
Peoria and returned to the area to farm. He was first 
married to Cora Bennett and they were the parents of 
two daughters, Lorena Mae (Mrs. Lyle Chester, 1900-) 



and Esther Myrle (Mrs. S. J. Loudon, 1898-1929). In 
1915, Marion W., known as "E>oc" throughout his long 
life, married Jessie May Calder. Both were very active 
in community activities. For many years he was Presi- 
dent of the Cornell Sportsmen Chapter of the Livingston 
County Sportsmen Club. He is remembered for having 
organized many successmful foxhunts, which attracted 
participants from the surrounding communities. Mr. 
Louderback retired from farming in 1952 and subse- 
quently he and Jessie moved into the village of Cornell, 
For a number of years he continued to be active by sell- 
ing seed corn. Mrs. Louderback too was very active, in 
particular with the Cornell Methodist Church and its 
WSCS. Both were avid card players. They too enjoyed 
the opportunity to celebrate their golden wedding anni- 
versary in 1965. Though the couple was childless, they 
shared their love and zest for living with a grandson, 
James Loudon, for whom they made a home when he was 
two years of age. Jessie died on August 11, 1970 and Mr. 
Louderback on September 8, 1971 at the age of 96. He 
was at that time one of Cornell's 3 oldest citizens. 

Esther Myrle was married to Samuel J. Loudon on 
August 16, 1919. At that time, she was a school teacher, 
as had been her grandfather. Mr. Loudon operated the 
Cornell Motor Company. They became the parents of 
Esther (Mrs. 'William Kirk, Streator); Bernice (Mrs. 
Harvey Stimpert, Streator); Sam, Jr.,; James Lee and 
Rosalie. Sam, Jr., died in 1927 at age of 3 of diptheria 
and scarlet fever. Less than 2 years later, in 1929, Mrs. 
Loudon died suddenly with her 2 month old daughter, 
Rosalie, at her side. Following Mrs. Loudon's death, 
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Werner took the infant Rosalie, 
maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Louderback 
took James Lee, and maternal aunt, Mae Chester took the 
girls, Esther and Bernice. Mr. Loudon died in 1961. 

Fifth generation James Lee Loudon was married April 
23, 1960 to Concetta Lamagno of Streator. Their daugh- 
ter, Lorena Lynn was born Jan. 14, 1962 and the family 
still resides north of Cornell. 

Mae Louderback married Lyle Chester in 1920. He op- 
erated Q garage for many years until his death in 1962. 
They had no children but raised her two nieces. 



Our Doctor in 1 865 

Dr. T. W. Jones, a native of Mercer, Maine, arrived in 
Cornell a few years before it was incorporated. He had 
practiced medicine about two years in Maine, after 
graduating from the Bowdoin College Medical School at 
Brunswick, Maine. A good friend. Dr. Harding, had 
settled in Blackstone and persuaded him to locate in 
Cornell. 

The family home was built on the southwest corner of 
6th and Johnson streets and he had his office in his home. 
This is the home of Mrs. Marie Wayman now. 

He rode horseback when calling on patients in the 



country until there was an improvement in the roads, 
when he used a two-wheeled cart. Later he drove a 
buggy part of the time, using a heated foot stone to keep 
his feet warm. He never owned a car. Before the time 
of hot water bottles, bags of oats were heated and used 
also. 




DR. T. W. JONES AND FAMILY 

He was an active member of the Cornell Methodist 
Church, a director in the bank several years, also a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodges. 

According to his record books, the fee for delivering a 
baby was five dollars. 

He practiced medicine in Cornell until 1915, when the 
family moved to Normal, 111., where the daughter, Mabel, 
entered ISNU. After graduation she taught second 
grade in Granville, 111., 1 year. Later she was married to a 
classmate, Noah Braden, who was teaching at the Nor- 
mal High School at Terra Haute, Indiana. The following 
year they moved to the Jones farm east of Cornell, where 
they still reside. 

Dr. Jones had two grandchildren, Robert and Betty 
Braden, both of whom graduated from the University of 
Illinois. Robert has been a farm manager in Indiana 



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since his graduation. His wife was tiie former Mildred 
Davis of Pontiac. They live near Lowell, Indiana. Their 
children are Ruth Ann Pruitt of Smithboro, 111., who 
graduated from Greenville College and is doing social 
work in Greenville; Helen, a junior at Indiana University, 
majoring in art; Oarol Bridgewater, living in Lowell; 
Nancy, a senior in LoweU High School and Thomas, a 
freshman there. 

Betty was a Home Advisor of Henderson County, 111. 
over seven years, but had to resign because of poor 
health. She is living at home with her parents. 



"The Springers' 



Cusick Family 



Frank C. Cusick was born near Cornell, Dec. 5, 1866, 
son of John L. Cusick and Isabelle Leonard Cusick. He 
was the father of Lawrens, born in 1896 in Cornell; Clif- 
ton bom in 1900 in Cornell, and Laverra Griffith, born 
in Siloam Springs, Ark. in 1905. 

He was a barber all his life and was Justice of Peace 
for many, many years. He was grandfather of Harold 
N. Shanks, who he raised, who was killed in action in 
1943 in the service of his country, for whom the Cornell 
American Legion Post was named. He died at the home 
of his daughter in Woodside, New York in 1948 and is 
buried in Cornell. 





This log house is located four and one half miles 
southwest of Cornell, Illinois. Springer log cabin. 

Nathan Springer, Sr., was born June 9, 1845, in Ver- 
million County. He enlisted in the 129th Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry in 1862, and served in Company C until the 
close of the war. He was discharged from the Army 
June 19, 1865 His last service was under the leader- 
ship of Sherman. The last serious conflict in which he 
was engaged was that of Bentonville, North Carolina, 
and after marching from Richmond to Washington, he 
was one of the blue-coated veterans in the Grand Re- 
view. He was wounded three or four times and was 
hospitalized for short periods. 

After his marriage in 1867, he rented a tract of land 
in Long Point Township. He then moved to Allen 
County Kansas, and farmed one year and moved back to 
Illinois in 1884, and rented land for one year. He then 
located on his present homestead in section 19, Amity 
Township. The marriage of Mr. Springer and Mary 
Catherine Carpenter took place on Sept. 12, 1867, Mrs. 
Springer is a native of Ohio and since 1854 has been a 
resident of Illinois. They became the parents of eight 
children: Sarah Elizabeth (died at the age of 4 years), 
Otto C. (was accidentally killed March 22, 1898 at age 19), 
and Robert, Walter, Nathan, Alonzo, Martha, Francis, are 
all deceased. 

Walter married Elizabeth Stehle in 1895. They be- 
came the parents of two daughters, Mae and Marie. Mae 
married Roy Santelman in 1923. He died in 1940. She 
then married Harry Mason in 1948 and he died in 1961. 
Marie married Paul Long in 1921. They were the par- 
ents of Betty Mae, Dorothy, Shirley, Ivan, who died in 
infancy, Charles and Vera Louise. 



Husted Family 



Tech. Sgt. Harold N. Shanks, grandson of Frank C. 
Cusick. 



William Husted, the first of the family to reside in the 
Cornell area, was born in the Bridgeton, New Jersey area, 
in 1814. In early manhood he came down the Ohio 



River and settled in Franklin County, Indiana. There he 
met and married Rachel Miller Whitney. In 1850 he 
brought his wife and young family to Putnam County, 
Illinois. William and Rachel were the parents of Han- 
nah Shepherd, Samuel Husted, Sarah Johnson, Caroline 
Campbell, David Husted, Lydia and Rachel Husted. In 
1862 they came to Livingston County and farmed for 
awhile on the place where Ed Lyons now lives in Esmen 
Township. A few years later they moved to Sunbury 
Township on the Norton farm where Eddie Rinn now 
lives. In 1869 there was a great flood and William told 
of visiting at the river south of Cornell, where he saw 
only the peak of the sawmill roof above the water. Now 
in 1973 the mill race is still visible but it may not last 
many more years. Wm. Husted's sale bill dated 1875 is 
in Lyle Husted's possession. After the sale they moved 
into Cornell into the residence now owned by Mrs. War- 
ren Morris. William died in November 1900. Rachel 
died in 1888. 



Samuel Husted was born in Franklin County, Indiana 
in 1845. He was five years old when he came to Illinois. 
He farmed with his father until he was married in 1866 
to Martha Wilson Holcomb, who was a widow of a Civil 
War veteran. From this marriage the following chil- 
dren were born: Albert, who died at age 10; Charles, Wil- 
liam, Raymond, Earl, Mabel (Klinzman), and Edna 
(Klinzmun. All are deceased. Later, about 1875, Sam- 
uel was in partnership in the grocery business with his 
brother-in-law, Ben Johnson, in Cornell on the south 
side of the Main Street about where the present Legion 
Hall is now located. After he left the grocei-y business, 
Samuel and ben bought the present Husted farm south 
of Cornell. David, Samuel and Ben had a three way 
partnership in the farm. Samuel and David's families 
lived together on the farm in the same house. In 1837 
Samuel's wife, Martha, died. 

Of his family, William was married to Pearl Rucker, 
daughter of WilLam and Amanda Rucker. William and 
Earl operated a grocery store in Cornell from 1906 to 
1920. Their children were Irene (Mrs. William Lamb), 
Cleveland, Ohio; Max C, deceased; Ralph, Akron, Ohio; 
Gladys (Mrs. John Kroeckel) Akron; Edith (Mrs. Gran- 
ger), Akron area; Claude, Robert and Anita, all deceased. 

Raymond married Eva Young. He had a harness shop 
in Cornell from 1912 to 1919, then moved to a farm near 
Pontiac. They had four daughters, three of whom died at 
an early age. Pauline (Mrs. John Ford), Salinas, Cali- 
fornia is the only survivor. 

Earl was married to Lulu Motts. Besides operating a 
grocery store, he was postmaster in Cornell in the early 
40's, retiring in 1945. Their children were Mildred (Mrs. 
Robert Jamison), Cleveland, Ohio; Fred, deceased; 
Esther, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Helen (Mrs. George 
Sims), also of Fort Lauderdale. 



Mabel was married to Dan Klinzman and moved to 
Iowa in 1919 and farmed. Their children are Charles, 
Yale, Iowa; Floyd, Storm Lake, Iowa; Ethel (Mrs. Dale 
Prescott), Lake View, Iowa; and Katharine (Mrs. Earl 
Smith, Jefferson, Iowa. 

Edna was married to Jess Klinzman and moved to Iowa 
in 1918 and farmed. Their children were Ekner, de- 
ceased; Earl, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Russell, Bagley, Iowa; 
William, New Sharon, Iowa; and Lloyd, Des Moines, Iowa. 

In 1891 Samuel married BeUe Mackinson, of Esmen 
Township, who had just finished teaching a year in the 
Baker Run School. Samuel and Belle's children were 
Lyle, living on the Husted home farm; Ella (Mrs. Roy 
Klinzman), Jamaica, Iowa; Glenn, Waterford, Michigan; 
and Jean, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Lyle, a farmer, was married to Viola Long in 1915. 
Their children were Vernon, Armstrong, 111.; Mary, Me- 
tropolis, 111.; William Dean, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 
Harold Clark, on the Husted home farm; and Marcia 
(Mrs. Donald Metzger), WoodhuU, Illinois. 

Ella, a farmers wife and piano teacher, is married to 
Roy Klinzman. They have one son, Derriil, Iowa City, 
Iowa. 

Glenn, a teacher and Principal, is married to Helen 

Flynn. They have one daughter, Sharrie (Mrs. Harold Van 
Gilder), Warren, Penn. 

Jean is now retired from being a proof reader for a 
large publishing company in Philadelphia. 

Of Lyle and Viola's family, Vernon, a school Principal, 
is married to Helen Wilson and they have five children: 
Sharon (Mrs. Edgar Hoveln), Thomasboro; Judith (Mrs. 
Steve Blackford), Janet (Mrs. Eldon Huls), Robert and 
Susan, all of Aimstrong. 

Mary is a Home Extension Advisor in Massiac County, 
111. 

Lt. Col. (Ret.) William Dean now is the postal service, 
is married to Jayne Fox Moser. Their family consists of 
Barbara (Mrs. LeRoy Croissant), Denver, Colo.; Mary 
Lou (Mrs. Jerry Pierce), Palmer Lake, Colo.; Charles 
and Gwen, Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Harold Clark, a farmer, is married to Lois Shay of 
Esmen Township. Their family is Sandra (Mrs. David 
Knight), Pontiac, lU.; Carol (Mrs. Paul Darveau), Nor- 
mal, 111.; and David, Cornell. 

Marcia, a teacher and principal's wife, is married to 
Donald Metzger. They have one daughter, Ruth Ann, 
WoodhuU, Illinois. 

The descendants of William and Rachel are many, and 
we have no doubts that the story will continue. 



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inois 



Joseph lA. Bradley 



Joseph M. Bradley, son of James and Nancy Barthole- 
mew, Bradley resided on the western bank of the Ver- 
million River in Amity Township. 




JOSEPH MILTON BRADLEY, 1840 - 1929 

Joseph M. Bradley was born in Clarksville, Illinois, on 
September 28, 1840. He had very few advantages of an 
education. He was practically a self educated man. In 
1874 he purchased a farm of his own. He owned the 
farm for 26 years, but did not move onto it until 1383. 

In 1878, he married Florence Patterson, daughter of 
Samuel and Julia Patterson, sister of Stephen H. Fatter- 
son. She was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 
and came to Illinois as a child. She was reared in La- 
Salle County and received her elementary and high school 
education In Ottawa, Illinois. 

Their oldest child was Mabel E., a successful teacher in 
in Pontiac, where she received her high school education. 
She then pursued her coUege education in Dixon, Illinois 
College. 

Samuel M. was educated in Pontiac. Later he was in 
the mercantile business, where he sold men's clothing 
and hats. His business establishment was in Sterling, 
Illinois. He died there in 1937. 

Daisy was educated as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in 
Chicago. During World War I she became an Army 
nurse and was stationed at Petersburg, Virginia. Two 
other children, Julia and Ross were at home. 

Mr. Bradley held many public offices, such as Con- 
stable, Highway Commissioner, Township Collector, and 
Justice of the Peace, up to the time of his death in 1929. 

His son, Ross, purchased the home estate in 1950, in 
which he retired from in 1968, due to Ul health, and 
moved into Cornell. 



Mr. Bradley is survived by one daughter, Julia, several 
grandchildren, one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Gertrude Brad- 
ley, wife of Ross Bradley. 

He is also survived by three grandsons, John Naser, 
Roger Nasser, and Bradley Johnson. Also surviving is 
a granddaughter, Virginia Naser, all of Chicago. John 
Naser is a retired Colonel of World War II. Roger Naser 
was also in World War II. 

One daughter of Joseph Bradley survives and lives in 
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her name is Esther. The son, 
Bradley Johnson, lives in Washington, D.C. 

During the time J. M. Bradley owned the Bradley farm, 
which was later owned by J. R. Bradley, his son, many 
interesting events were held there At that time it was 
known as Bradley's Grove. Some of the events were: 
The Old Settler's Picnic; many Sunday School picnics; 
political rallies, such as the Democratic Picinc in August, 
1931. Henry Horner was campaigning for Governor. 
There also was J. Ham Lewis and a Mr. Scott. 

Mr. James Bradley, father of J. M. Bradley, was one 
of the surveyors of Amity Township. He also took care 
of the land mark. The Mile Tree. In the 1920s a service 
was held at the tree and a plaque was placed on the tree 
with a poem by Joyce Kilmer. This was done under the 
direction of Mr. John Mconaha of Pontiac, the head of 
Conservation in Livingston County. Later the tree got 
dutch elm disease and died. 

James Bradley was an early surveyor of Amity Town- 
ship. His surveyor set is still in the family and has been 
placed on exhibit for several years at the Hobby Show 
in Streator. He was a Postman in Cornell after the rail- 
road was finished. 



The Miner Family 



One of the early settlers in Illinois was David K. 
Miner. He came from Bridgebury, Pa., with his parents 
in 1846. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Susan 
Anderson, who had come to this country from Bergen, 
Norway, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel. They 
moved to Livingston County in 1861. 

In 1870, when Cornell was just starting, David Miner 
moved his family in a covered wagon and ox team to 
Kansas where they spent three years. When they re- 
tuined to Cornell, it was incorporated and had three 
saloons. It might be interesting to know that Lloyd 
Miner, Jr., in 1939, took his grandfather, Theodore Miner, 
on an auto trip to Kansas over the same route he had 
traveled with his father. At this time Theo. was 81 and 
very active, often riding horseback. 

David and Susan Miner lived in Cornell till he was 83 
years old and she was 91. They had three sons, who 
were in business for 37 years. George, Theodore and 
Henry operated their first general store, located in the 
two story brick building, on the south side of main. Sev- 
eral years later they moved in the building now occupied 



by John Gaspardo's Laundomat, which was erected for 
them. About this time, they purchased from Wibbenhost 
and McVay, a hardware store, which was a frame build- 
ing located where the Elmer Hamilton gas station is now. 
Still later, they moved the grocery and dry goods store 
to Waymans present location, and hardware was moved 
to Finkenbinders Feed Store. Theodore ran the hard- 
ware and sold buggies and implements for farming, also 
operating two farms and feeding cattle. 

In 1912, George Miner died and Theodore's son, Lloyd, 
took over the general store, with his uncle. At one time, 
Martha Springer and Frank Reeve worked in the store. 
Years later, Irving Miner, the younger son, worked also. 
A sister, Mrs. George (Madolyn) Strode lives in Chicago. 




Wedding picture, 1912 



Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Miner 
on 50th wedding anniver- 
sary, 1962. 



In 1912, Lloyd Miner was united in marriage to Dora 
Sullivan, daughter of Anna and Burt Sullivan. Their 
children were: Rex, Lloyd, Jr., and Pauline Fredericksen 
of California, Dorothy McClane of Cornell and Lyle of 
Colfax. Picture is of 50th wedding anniversary, taken 
by Streator Times Press. Dora passed away three years 
later. Lloyd worked in Miner Bros. Store 25 years, was 
high school custodian 11 years and grade school bus 
driver 11 years. 

Irving has Cornell's only radio and TV Service. 

Theodore Miner married Nancy Burt, daughter of 
Benjamine and Rebecca Campbell Burt, who came here 
from New York and bought farm land. 

Another son of Theodore was Max, who along with his 
father and brother Irving, ran a dairy in Cornell for sev- 
ecal years, delivering milk throughout the village. Theo- 
dore died at age of 91, his wife dying at age of 87. Max 
died in Veterans Hospital, Dwight, at age of 55. Nancy 
and Theodore Miner were kind, good hearted people and 
at different times throughout their married life, opened 
their home to several, making them a part of their home. 



History of William Partridge Family 

William Partridge was born at Barnett, Vermont, May 
1, 1828. He was educated at a Military Academy that 
was founded in 1820 by Capt. Alden Partridge. He mar- 
ried Lucy Abbott in 1869. 

Mr. Partridge came to Illinois in 1869. In 1894 he 
bought a 252 acre farm in Amity Twp. Livingston County, 
then later 282 acres more. He came to Cornell in 1905 
where he lived until death of his wife. 

Then he lived with his son, Edward, and his wife on 
the farm. Edward Partridge was the oldest son. He mar- 
ried Lizzie Smith. They lived on their farm until their 
death. Their children are as follows: William M., Ed- 
ward F., Lucy, Louis Alden, and Charles E. Louis died 
at an early age. 

William Milton married Mae Patterson. Their children 
are Glenn, Floyd, Robert and Ruth Elizabeth. Milton 
lived in Cornell and operated a garage, and later was a 
Standard Oil agent. He moved to Pontiac with his 
family. He and his wife now reside in Normal, 111. 

Edward F. (Frank) married Blanche Eddy. Before this 
he taught at the Cornell High School. Their children are 
Ruth Ellen and Margaret. Frank is an ordained minister 
in the Baptist faith. Most of the Partridge family have 
followed the Baptist faith. He and his wife now live at 
West Chicago, 111. 

Lucy married Grant Dawson. Their children ere 
William, Dorothy, Richard and Anna. They live in Akron, 
Ohio. 

Charles E. married Ada Olson. Their children are Pa- 
tricia A. and Thomas Charles. Charles was engaged in 
business in Cornell for a number of years. This marriage 
was resolved. Charles later married Ruth (Patterson) 
Rhodes. They reside in Streator, 111. 

Patricia A. married Forrest Burkitt. Their children are 
Mark W., David F., Daniel S., Thomas C, and Timothy L. 
Mr. Burkitt operates a garage and service station in Cor- 
nell at the present time Patricia is employed at the Cor- 
nell Grade School Cafeteria. They live in Cornell, 111. 

Thomas married Sallie Sweet. They have four chil- 
dren, Michael, Sherry, Scott and Cindy. They live at 
Bettendorf, Iowa. 

W. F., the second son of Capt. William Partridge, was 
married to Ada Corbin. They lived on their original 
farm until their death. Their children are Char- 
lotte, Harriet, Ruth (now deceased) and Mary. 

Charlotte married Todd Richards and had one child, 
Antionette. Mr. Richards died in 1928. Charlotte later 
married Fred Greil (now deceased). Their two children 
were Barbara and John. She resides in Las Vegas, Nev. 

Harriet married James Arnel Garretson. Their children 
are William A., (who died in the service of his country 
in 1953), Ruth H., Jane A., and Alice M. Mr. and Mrs. 



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Garretson still reside in Cornell He was Amity Town- 
ship Road Commissioner for 12 years. Shie has taught in 
the local area schools for 20 years. 

Ruth married Robert Husum. They had no children. 
They lived in Chicago. She died in 1966, he survives. 

Mary married James Albright. Their children are 
James, Richard and Charlotte Anne. They live in 
Downers Grove, 111. 

The Ide's 

The Ide's originally came from England. 

Sherman E. Ide w^s born in Chautaqua County, New 
York March 20, 1835. He came to Illinois as a young 
man, and settled in Ancona, Illinois. He married Mary 
Leonard in 1861, and she passed away on April 14, 1870, 




Left to right — Heni-j', Charlie and Arnold Ide with Mary 
Ellen, his daughter. 

leaving him with five children, Fred, John, Henry. 
Charlie and Mary, who passed away as a child. Sherman 
was a blacksmith and he also farmed. He married a 
second time to Lucretia Ann Waggoner of Dana, Illinois 
on December 25, 1870. They were the parents of four 
children, William Sherman, Guy, Ida and Edward. His 
second wife passed away in June of 1886 and he passed 
away November 28, 1903. 

Fred Ide married Rebecca Kuntz, and he also was a 
farmer. They had five children, Frank, Archie, Leona 
Alqua and Isable, all are deceased except Isable, who re- 
sides in Ottawa, Illinois. 

John was a butcher and had one son. Dent. John re- 
sided in Manville, Illinois and passed away there. 



Henry Harrison was born in Newton Township on 
March 25, 1862. He married Eliza Jane Robertson on 
January 8, 1889. They were the parents of Charles 
Sherman, James Leo (Lee), Mary Evalena (Eva), Rollo 
Robertson (Jack), Anna, Rollie and Claudia. Anna and 
Rollie passed away in childhood. Henry H. was a farmer 
until 1900 when he moved into Cornell and opened a 
barber shop on Main Street. On January 1, 1907, he 
got a United States patent on a collapsible chicken crate, 
later selling the patent to someone else. Eliza Jane 
passed away November 11, 1906 and he later married 
Ida Ree Shively of Dana. He also had a shoe cobbler 
shop in his barber shop. After he retired from barbering, 
he opened a general store and gas station in a large brick 
building. It stood on the ground the present American 
Legion building is located. He operated this business 
until he passed away February 7, 1944. 

Charlie, son of Sherman E. was taken as a child to 
Kansas and raised by a family by the name of Fowler. 
He also was a barber. He lived all his life in Kansas, 
married and had four daughters. He is deceased. 

William Sherman (Billie) was a barber. He lived and 
barbered in Minonk, Illinois. He passed away young. 

Guy Ide married and lived in West Allis, Wisconsin. 

Ida Ide was married to Ben Taylor of Long Point. They 
were also farmers. They were the parents of Esther 
(Mrs. Fay Girard), Edith (Mrs. Delbert Fulkerson), 
Gertrude of Chicago, Alice (Mrs. Gilbert Bennett) of 
Indiana, Gladys of Florida, Ray and Robert of Long Point, 
Illinois and Clarence of Texas, who passed away a year 
ago. 

Edward Ide married Carrie Brown of Dana, Illinois. 
They also farmed and were the parents of Anna (Mrs. 
Rex Harris) of Indiana, Roy and Guy. 

The Henry H. Ide family lived here in Cornell longer 
than any of the others. 

Lee Ide married the former Lola Grimm and they were 
the parents of Jeannette (Mrs. Ellsworth Collins) and 
Robert. They all moved to California years ago, where 
Lee passed away on May 31, 1954. He was a butcher. 

Eva married Milo Blue of Cornell in 1912. They 
moved to Amboy, Illinois in 1924 where Milo passed away 
a few years ago. They were the parents of Beatrice 
(Bee) Mrs. Guy Sloan of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mary 
Jane (Mrs. Otto Gehant) of Amboy, Illinois. 

Rollo (Jack) born August 28, 1900, married the late 
Mildred Neifing. He was a painter by trade, and lived 
in Davenport, Iowa. They were the parents of Margaret, 
Betty and Marilyn Jane. His second marriage was to 
Evelyn Cook, there children are Rollo Raymond, Kathleen 
and Donna. Rollo passed away a few years ago. 

Claudia Ide, deceased, was taken by her aunt to Kansas 
when she was six weeks old, at the time of her mother's 
death. She grew up there and married Reed Davis. 



They were the parents of Paul and Mary, twins, and 
Esther. Mary died at the age of three. 

Charles Sherman Ide, son of Henry H. Ide, was the last 
family to live in Cornell. He was born in Newton Town- 
ship September 14, 1889. He went to work on the farm 
as a boy. He married Vada Davis. They farmed until 
1920 when he followed his father in the barber business. 
He also did a lot of carpenter work. He was a member 
of the First Baptist Church. His first barber shop was 
on the south side of Main Street, then he moved to the 
north side next to Murphy's Corner. That shop burned 
down, so he built a new one and later added the present 
apartment next to it. He barbered until 1958 when he 
let his son, Arnold Ide, take the shop, but he continued 
to manage his insurance business until his death on June 
15, 1967. 

Arnold Ide, like his father, was a barber. He com- 
pleted his three year apprenticeship before he was out 
of high school in 1930, and received iiis license. He bar- 
bered in Graymont, Illinois for many years and also was 
a painter. 

Arnold married Florence Cassidy and they became the 
parents of Mary Ellen Ide (Mrs. James McDonald) of 
Ottawa, Illinois. 

Later he married Esther Alltop. They had one son 
Gary Lee Ide, of Indiana. There are six grandchildren 
and two great-grandchildren. 

Charles and Vada Ide are also parents of Merle (Mrs. 
Cyril Girard) of Cornell and Helen (Mrs. Joe Burkett) of 
Pontiac, Illinois. 

Charles Ide had four grandchildren, eight great-grand- 
children and two great-great-grandchildren. 

For 73 years there has been a Ide barber shop on the 
Main Street of Cornell, Illinois. It has been operated by 
three generations, Henry H. Ide, Charles S. Ide, and 
Arnold Ide until Arnold passed away October 3, 1969. 
The shop is still owned by Mrs. Charles Ide (Vada) and 
operated by Willard Ratliff from Streator, Illinois. 



The Jacob Gingrich Family 

Jacob Gingrich was born of German ancestors, who 
resided in Alsace, France. He was born in Woodford 
County in Illinois, July 28, 1842 and resided there until 
enlisting in the Union Army in 1861. After returning 
from the call of his country, he remained in Woodford 
County for an additional three years. 

Jacob was the son of Johannes Gingrich, who with his 
wife, Barbara Gerber Gingrich, sailed from LeHarve, 
France, May 8, 1840. After four days of good weather, 
their ship was caught in a four day storm. During the 
storm, a daughter, Barbara, was born, birth place — the 
sea. Forty-eight days after leaving LeHarve, the ship 
landed at New Orleans. They settled near what is now 



Metamora, Illinois and purchased 250 acres of land 
which they cleared and improved. Later they extended 
their estate until it comprised 800 acres. The father de- 
parted this life in 1845, leaving the task of rearing the 
nine children to his widow. All children lived until ma- 
tiurity. 




THE THREE JACOB GINGRICHS 

Left to right — Jacob Gingrich, Metamora, 111., Grandpa 
Gingrich, Cornell and Jacob Gingrich, Cazenovia, lU. 



Jacob aided his mother and brothers in the manage- 
ment of the homestead until the president issued his first 
call to the lovers of the Union. After serving three 
months, being seriously ill, received an honorable dis- 
charge and returned to the old homestead. After suf- 
ficiently recovering, he aided his mother for another three 
years. 

In July 1864, Jacob Gingrich and Susan Farrell, who 
was born in Zanesville, Ohio, were married in Metamora 
by Squire Page. This union was blessed with eleven 
children, namely: Gustavus, who married Minnie Carr 
and engaged in fanning in Iowa and later in Minnesota. 
Their family consisted of a daughter, Susan (Mrs. Cyrus 
Hegstrom) and a son, John, who settled in California; a 
son, Jacob, who married Irene Carlson. They have a son, 
Donald and a daughter Karen; a son, Gustavus married 
Marvel Kempfer. They have three daughters, Lorene, 
Roberta and Claudia. Their second child, John, settled in 
California. David united in marriage with MoUie Fos- 



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click and resided in Flanagan, Illinos. Their son, Orlyn, 
a dentist, and wife, IVIargaret Reimer, lived in Prince- 
ville, Illinois. They have a son, Douglas and a daughter, 
Sandra. David's daughter, Hilda, married Clarence 
Good, Flanagan. They have one daughter, Mary Frances 
(Mrs. Buford King) and husband live in California. Peter, 
a farmer, married Lottie Barton. Their son, Orville and 
wife, the former Ruth Lawrence, live on a farm south- 
west of Cornell. They have a son, Roger, and a daugh- 
ter, Norma (Mrs. Robert Gee) Streator. The Gee's 
have two sons and a daughter. Eunice, wife of Leonard 
Harris of Rooks Creek Township had a daughter, Mil- 
dred of Taylorville and a son, Russell of St. Paul, Minn. 
Both are teachers. Russell married Dorothy Stephen- 
son. They are blessed with a daughter, Kathryn. A 
daughter, Emma, who remains at home. Elizabeth, wife 
of Albert Sellmeyer, who were blessed with two children, 
Eleanor (Mrs. Theodore Leemhuis), and a son. Dean. The 
Leemhuis family members are three sons, Eldon, LeRoy 
and Paul and two daughters, Carol (Mrs. Dennis Vapel) 
and a daughter who died in infancy. Dean and wife, the 
former Harriet Moyer, have two children, a daughter, 
Janice (Mrs. Donald Wills) and a son, David. Priscilla, 
wife of Roy Barton, whose family consists of two chil- 
dren, a son, Weldon, who married Mildred Schobar, and 
a daughter, Edith, wife of Earl Richardson. Edith had 
three daughters, Betty (Mrs. Earl Erschen), Jeannette 
(Mrs. Victor Weichmann), Flanagan; Esther (Mrs. 
Thomas Leheney), Kernan; and two sons, Earl, Jr., Coal 
City and Thomas, Streator. Emanuel, who married Lela 
Gregory, and four and a half years after her death, mar- 
ried Mrs. Helen Cays. A son, Jacob, married Myrtle 
Munson. They have one son, Howard, who married 
Pauline Cook. Their family consists of a daughter, Pa- 
tricia (Mrs. Ronald Novotney) and a son, Leslie. Susan, 
wife of Jesse Gourley lives in Lincoln, Kansas. Their 
family consists of two daughters, Helen (Mrs. Lee Bock- 
man), Salina, Kansas and Violet (Mrs. Robert Daleen), 
Wheaton, Illinois and three sons, Keith, Dee and Vance of 
Lincoln, Kansas. 

During the first years of his married life, Jacob Ging- 
rich and his wife lived on a rented farm near Chenoa, 
Illinois later moving to Waldo Township, where he re- 
sided on two farms for the ensuing fourteen years. He 
and his family moved to Kansas for a brief stay before 
moving to Streator. He then lived on a rented farm be- 
fore purchasing two hundred and ninety acres in Amity 
Township in January of 1888. The land consisted of 
timber, a tract of swamp, twenty-seven acres of cleared 
land and no buildings. He built a small house, cleared 
land, sold posts, lumber, and props for coal mines cut 
from the timber. These in turn furnished the exchange 
for lumber, tile and wire needed for buildings, drainage 
and fences. In a few years with fences, buildings, fruit 
trees, livestock and growing crops, there was little re- 
semblance to the farm purchased a short time before. 

In political maters, Jacob Gingrich was a Democrat. 
Although he had no desire to hold a public office, he be- 
lieved in maintenance of good government and aided ma- 



terially in obtaining improvements in. roads, brjdges and 
proper educational facilities for the young. He enjoyed 
the confidence of all with whom he had any dealings, 
as well as his neighbors and the heritage of an untarnish- 
ed name he left to his children. 

All his daughters were successful school teachers, 
while his sons remained true lovers of the soil. 

There are two surviving children, Susan (Mrs. Jesse 
Gourley), of Lincoln, Kansas, and Emanuel, a retired 
farmer, who makes his home in Pontiac, Illinois. 

After the death of Jacob Gingrich in October of 1925, 
his son, Emanuel, remained at the homestead with his 
mother, who departed this life in February of 1928. The 
following December, Emanuel purchased the homestead 
from the heirs. 

Emanuel served as treasurer of the Cornell High 
School and Grade School and all the country schools of 
Amity Township for twelve years resigning when he re- 
tired and moved to Pontiac in October of 1940. 

The Gingrich homestead is still owned by a son of 
Jacob Gingrich. 

The Wylie S. Wayman Family 

As a youth, Wylie Spencer Wayman, deceased, mi- 
grated from West Virginia to Illinois. He came with 
his parents, Jessie and Mary Jane. He had two sisters, 
Belle (WUliam Wertz) and Sylvia (Charles Lishness), 
one brother, Will (Matilda Gamblin). All are deceased. 
He was a carpenter and lived in Cornell. He was seven- 
ty years of age at his death. 

He married Abbie Lishness. To this union were born 
four boys and four girls, of whom three died in infancy. 
Merritt Spencer married Ruth Barickman, in Cornell. 
To this union, seven boys and two girls were born. He 
was also a carpenter and resided in Cornell. These chil- 
dren were namely, Robert and his wife, Ruth, have two 
sons, Robert and Roger, and one daughter, Linda. They 
reside in Phoenix, Arizona. Robert is an accountant. 
Willard married Genevieve Bannerman from Chicago. 
They have two children, James and Christine, and live 
in DeKalb. He served in Africa in World War II. Don- 
ald, deceased, married Marie Sullivan, of Streator. There 
are two boys, Donald and Mark, two girls, Mary and 
Laura. He served in the Eurogean theater during World 
War II and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the 
Bronze Star. His widow, Marie, continues with the 
Wayman Grocery, in Cornell and his son, Don, opera- 
ted Wayman's Superway in Pontiac. Wayne, deceased, 
married Lucille Kosma, of Streator. His widow lives 
in Roselle. There were no children. Helen married 
Ernest Buchholty, a railroad employe of Chicago. They 
have two sons, Dennis and Lee, and one daughter, Ro- 
berta and reside in North Lake, lU. Russell married 
Dorothy FarreU, of DeKalb. They have three children, 
Candiee, Michael and Thomas. He served in the Euro- 
pean Theatre during World War II. They live in De- 



Kalb. Mary married Donald Hallet from Wisconsin. 
They reside in Minneapolis, Minn., and have no chil- 
dren. Keith married Leone Allen, of Cornell. They 
live in DeKalb with their three daughters, Jamie, Jean 
and Janice, and one son, Wayne. Roger married Mary 
Snyder, from near DeKalb, where they now reside. They 
have five children, Theresa, Susan, Etebra, WUliam and 
Daren. 

All children of Merritt and Ruth Wayman were born 
in Cornell and attended schools there. The boys were 
prominent in basketball at Cornell High School. Four 
brothers, Willard, Russell, Keith and Roger and Wayne, 
deceased, run a hardware store in DeKalb. They still 
consider Cornell as their home. 

Jesse Claudine, deceased, married Dora Brown, de- 
ceased, from Nashville, Tenn. They made their home in 
Miami, Florida. He was a carpenter and a veteran of 
World War I. They had an adopted son. Jack, who lives 
with his family in Virginia, near Washington, D. C. He 
is associated with television. 

Winfield W., deceased, never married and lived in Cor- 
nell. He served in World War I and was a carpenter by 
trade. 

William Stanley, deceased, and his wife, Thelma, de- 
ceased, made their home in Moore Haven, Florida. They 
had two sons, Stanley Jr., and Thomas. Stanley Jr. was 
a photographer for Life magazine until his death. His 
widow, Diane and three children, Seth, Sara and Ka- 
therine Ann reside in Washington, D. C. Tom lives with 
his family in Florida and is in real estate. Stanley Jr. 
later murried Rena Partridge from Kevvanee, 111. He was 
a mail carrier and a dairy worker. His widow resides in 
LaBeile, Florida. 

Eva, deceased, a registered nurse, married Joseph 
Aronstam, deceased, in New York City. He was a phar- 
macist. There were no children. They resided in Mt. 
Marion, N. Y. 

Wylie Wayman later married Mable Iverson, at Cor- 
nell. To this union, three boys and two girls were born, 
Stella, a registered nurse, married Albert Welch, deceased, 
iiiLiL-iiaiu marine, in New York City. There were no chil- 
dren. She resides in Peoria, 111. Frank Russell, deceased, 
married Anna Dutko, deceased, of Streator. They re- 
sided in California where he served with the military po- 
lice in World War II until his death. There were no 
children. Lottie Bell "Bee", deceased, married Jack Hay- 
dter at Cornell. He managed the Smith Lumber Yard in 
Cornell and later one in Streator, where they lived. She 
attended Cornell schools. There were no children. Clark 
Edward, deceased, never married and lived in Cornell 
with his mother. He served in the Pacific Theatre World 
War II in ordinance. He played basketball at Cornell 
High School and worked at Interlake Steel, Pontiac. 

Glenn Wylie married Marie Nicodemus from Tulsa, 
Oklahoma. He is a World War II veteran, having served 



in the European theatres. He works for Jean McCoy 
Construction in Pontiac, where they reside. He attended 
Cornell schools. They have one daughter, Rachel, who 
married Tom Fite in Bophell, Washington. He works 
for General Tire Company and they now live in Everett, 
Washington. There are no children. 

Mabel Wayman, mother of the above five children, 
resides in Cornell. She is eighty-nine years of age. 
Currently she is a resident in a nursing home. 



Barton Family 



Thomas Knox Barton, son of David and Sarah Barton 
was born December 15, 1844 in Juniata County, Pennsyl- 
vania, about 15 miles west of Harrisburg. He grew to 
manhood there and recalled hearing cannon shots during 
the Battle of Gettysburg; also how a rider came through 
the valley every 15 minutes warning the people. A 
brother was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg and is 
buried in the National Cemetery there. As his father 
had died, he helped his grandfather take their valuables 
and hide them in the mountains until the war was over. 

In the spring of 1866 he left Pennsylvania, coming to 
La Salle County, Illinois where he rented a farm. In 
the fall he went back to Pennsylvania and brought his 
mother, brothers and sister back to Illinois to live with 
him. 

On February 16, 1870 he was united in marriage to 
Sarah E. Smith, also a native of Juniata County, Pennsyl- 
vania. In 1875 they moved to a homestead in Long 
Point Township, Livingston County and in 1883 he pur- 
chased 80 acres in Amity Township, west of Nigh Chapel 
Church. There was much improving to do as the house 
was a log cabin and only a small portion of the land was 
broken for farming. 

Five children were born to this union — ^Frank, Laura, 
LeRoy, Carl and Jesse, who died in infancy. 

Mr. Barton died in 1908. Mrs. Barton remained on the 
farm with her sons for a few years and following their 
marriage, she moved to Pontiac. She died in 1942. 




Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bartiin 



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Frank Barton was born Nov. 8, 1872 in Long Point 
Township. He received his education in rural schools 
and graduated from Dixon College. On June 30, 1897 
he married Martha Gamblin. They resided in Cornell 
where he was a partner with M. Lishness in the furniture 
and undertaking business. They later moved to a farm 
south of Cornell from which he retired in 1930. He 
served as supervisor of Amity Township for 14 years. 
He was also a teacher and Sunday School superintendent 
in Cornell Methodist Church for many years. 

They were the parents of a daughter, Mrs. Paul (Ruth) 
Long and 4 sons, Reno, Thomas, Ralph and one son, 
who died in infancy. 

The daughter, Ruth, died Dec. 30, 1920, Mrs. Barton 
on June 14, 1941, Mr. Barton on April 26, 1944 and Reno 
on April 17, 1972. 

Laura B. Barton was born in Long Point Township 
September 23, 1873. She moved with her parents to the 
home in Amity Township where she received her edu- 
cation in the rural schools and later taught school until 
her marriage to Peter Gingrich on October 1, 1902. They 
lived on a farm west of Cornell until retiring in 1928 
and moving to their home in Cornell. She was a Sun- 
day School teacher and very active in church activities 
during her lifetime. 

They were parents of a son, OrviUe. 

Mrs. Gingrich died at her home in Cornell December 
13, 1947 and Mr. Gingrich died May 1, 1957. 

LeRoy Barton was born May 14, 1878 in Long Point 
Township and moved with his parents to the farm in 
Amity Township at 4 years of age. Following the death 
of his father in 1902, he and his brother, Carl, farmed 
the family farm until his marriage to Priscilla Gingrich 
on December 31, 1902. They farmed in the Nigh Chapel 
community until 1941 when they moved to the farm at 
the northeast edge of Cornell. They were both active 
in the church and community activities wherever they 
lived. 

They were parents of two children, Mrs. Earl (Edith) 
Richardson and Weldon. They also raised a foster son, 
John Riblett. 

Mr. Barton died Jan. 24, 1955. Shortly after hisj 
passing, Mrs. Barton moved to Streator, where she re- 
sided until her death December 19, 1969. ■ 

Carl Barton was born April 22, 1886 in Amity Town-' 
ship and received his education in the rural schools 
there. Following the death of his father, he assisted his ■ 
brother, LeRoy, in farming the family place. 

On March 16, 1910 he was married to Frances Rork 
of Graymont. Several years later, they moved from the 
family farm to a farm near Cornell where they con- 
tinued to live until retu'ement, when they moved to their 
home in Cornell. They were both active in community 
and church affairs. 



They are parents of 2 sons, John and George. 
Mrs. Barton died at the family home January 1968, 
and Mr. Barton at their home October 1969. 



James Gates 

James Gates was born in Ohio, February 20, 1821 On 
December 29, 1843 he was united in marriage to Eliza- 
beth Longnecker, of Harris County Kentucky and in 
1845 they came to Illinois and settled on government 
land near Cornell, Illinois. Seven children were born: 
Saul (1846), John (1856), Rufus (1860), Rachel (1843), 
Minerva (1850), Emily (1853), and Lucy (1864). They 
resided in and near Cornell until their deaths, James on 
February 3, 1900 and Elizabeth on April 14, 1901. The 
old Gates home still stands on West Main Street in Cor- 
nell. 

When James Gates moved from the farm into Cornell, 
his son John (1856) and wife, Mary Catherine Louder- 
back (1862), to whom he was married on May 2, 1887, 
lived on the farm where daughters, Harriet and Gladys 
were born. The family later moved to a farm on a bluff 
above the Vermillion River, southwest of Cornell, where 
Cora was born. They later moved to Cornell, residing 
in the old Gates home, where LucUle and Lloyd Mills 
were born. 

Harriet later became a school teacher, then married 
Benjamin Harwood and lived on a farm near Manville 
and later to St. Charles, Missouri, where Harriet passed 
away in 1925. To this union were born four children: 
Catherine Juvonen of Indian Wells, California; Helen 
Lisle of Corona del Mar, California; Ai'thur G. of Fresno, 
California; and Janet E. Stroud of Santa Ana, Oalifornia. 
Gladys was a clerk in the Cornell bank, later married to 
Melbourne Lamb, who passed away In 1963. The Lambs 
moved from St. Charles, Missouri to Santa Ana, Cali- 
fornia in 1929. Cora was an employee of the A.T. and 
S.F. railway in Streator and Pure Milk of Chicago. She 
is married to William Leander and they now live in 
Santa Ana, California. Lucille was employed by the 
Cornell Journal and later a clerk in banks in Streator, 
now lives in Santa Ana, California, married Kenneth 
Barickman, who passed away in 1939. To this union were 
born Harriet, now of Santa Ana, and WUlis, USAF in 
Lancaster, California. Lloyd M. (John L.), a carpenter, 
is married to the former Evelyn Patterson and they live 
in Cornell, Illinois. They have one son, John D., an 
employee of the Rocktord Postal Department, and he 
along with wife, Sylvia, daughter, Lisa, and twin sons, 
Matthew and Mark, live in Rockford, lUinois. 

John H. Gates passed away in 1932 and Mary Catherine 
Gates in 1960 at the age of 98. 

MUls Louderback, born in Brown County, Ohio, Octo- 
ber 13, 1828. When three years old his parents moved to 
Livingston County, lUinois. He was married to Har- 
riet Corbin in 1853 and to his union were born five chil- 
dren: Matthew, "W.E..," Mary Catherine Gates, Sally 



Rounds, Mattie Cohenour. Harriet Corbin Louderback 
passed away on June 2, 1872. In 1882 he married Sarah 
Bradfield of Cornell who passed away in 1907. In 1878 
the family moved to Jefferson County Nebraska, where 
they resided until his death on December 29, 1913. He 
was an enlisted soldier in Company C, 129 Illinois in- 
fantry under Captain Perry in 1862, receiving an hon- 
orable discharge at Washington, D.C. in 1865. 



were Socrates and Anna (Earp) Bacon. 

Mr. and Mrs. Louis R. Beaman were the parents of 
three children — Charles W., bom January 22, 1890; 
Clarence Louis, born November 11, 1891 and Mabel L. 
born November 14, 1894 

Mabel L. Beaman married John B. Ryerson on Janu- 
ary 10, 1917 to whom one son was born April 2, 1919. 



Mr. B. R. Johnson 

Born in Ohio in 1850. In March of 1872 he came to 
Cornell and was in mercantile business with K. Heckman 
for one year and sold out to him. He was in the mer- 
cantile business with S. M. Husted and E. A. Jamison. 
He was also in business handling hogs and cattle with 
John Day and later with S. B. Miner. This continued 
until 1901. Mr. Joluison, then with two sons Fiank and 
William, founded a corporation in 1899. This started the 
Bank of Cornell with B. R. Johnson as president and 
William as cashier. In 1900 B. R. and sons bought the 
lumber yard from D. M. Brown and Frank became 
manager. For six years he was supervisor of Amity 
Township. He also owned 300 acres of land in Living- 
ston County. 

In 1871 Mr. Johnson married Sarah E. Husted. They 
hud the following children: Estella, Franklin, Wil- 
liam R,. Sidney, Marcina, Edward Amer, Lucille and 
Harry. Mr. Johnson was a prominent Methodist. He 
died in Clermont, Florida in 1908 and was buried at 
Cornell. 



Roy R. Holmes 



Mabel Springer's father, Roy Richard Holmes, was 
born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1856. He came to Illinois 
in 1862. Her mother, Alice Bennett was born in Cor- 
nell in 1862. They were married in 1879. 

They had four children, Oscar Holmes, Maude Holmes, 
Mabel Holmes, and Bertha Holmes. Mr. Holmes died 
in 1889. Mrs. Holmes died in 1958. 

Mabel Holmes was born in Amity Township, near 
Cornell in 1885. She married Francis Springer in 
December of 1925. She was a telephone operator for 15 
years. She was also postmaster for 11 years. Mabel 
has lived in her home here in Cornell for over 80 years. 



Calvin Blue 



Henry J. Santelman 



Henry J. Santelman was born in 1862. He was a 
prominent farmer in the Blackstone and Cornell area. 
He later married Sophia Beckman. She was born in 
1885 and died in 1958. Mr. Santelman died in 1926. 
Both he and his wife were active in the community with 
church activities and raised a family of six chldren. 
One daughter, Mrs. Ella (Santelman) Mossberger was 
bom in 1889. She later married Ben Mossberger of Al- 
bion, Illinois. (1888-1968). They were farmers of the 
Nigh Chapel area for 47 years. They were parents of one 
daughter, Mrs. Verna Burkett. Her husband is Ervin 
Burkett. They have one son, Benny, who is married to 
Drucilla (Tesch) Burkett. They also have one son, 
Bradley Kyle Burkett. They are all residents of Cor- 
nell at this time. 



Louis R. Beaman 

Louis Robert Beaman was born September 7, 1863 and 
on February 23, 1888 he married Ester Ann Earp, who 
was born May 23, 1868. She was the daughter of WU- 
liam and Amanda (Bacon) Earp. 

Mrs. Beaman's paternal grandparents were Charles and 
Esther (Morlage) Earp, and her maternal grandparents 



Born in Ohio in 1832. His parents were Isaac and 
Jane Blue. He came to Livingston County in 1848. He 
later married Obedience Corbin in 1850 at Pontiac. She 
died in 1857. They had three children, Sarah Ellen, 
Jones and John. Calvin married again in 1858 to 
Mahala Louderback. They had eight children, Levi, 
Lucian, Charlie C, Mary M., Annette, Isaac C, Liberty 
and Otto. Mr. Blue enlisted in August of 1864 in Amity 
Township in Co. H., 44th Illinois Vols., 4th Corps under 
command of General Thomas. He mustered out on 
June 15, 1865 at Nashville. 

Jones Blue married Kate E. Irwin February 14, 1878 
and they lived their entire lifetime in the Cornell area. 
They had three children, Mattie, Nelle and Marland. 

Mattie married Charles Greenman October 30, 1897. 
Sixteen children were born. Two died in infancy, 
Charles Jones and James Harding. There were Garold, 
Doris, Jean, Catherine May, Mamie, Margie, Jack, Ruth, 
Dottie, Allen, Joe, Virginia, Donald and Helen. Those 
living are Doris Johnson Jack Greenman, Ruth Martin, 
Joe Greenman and Helen Smythe, all of California; Jean 
Lannin of Glen EUyn, Illinois; Mamie Mearns of Mt. 
Morris, 111.; Allen Greenman of Ohio and Virginia Hart 
and Donald Greenman in Nevada. Mattie passed away 
in November 1961. Charles Greenman passed away on 
August 19, 1956. 



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Nelle Blue married Guy Patterson July 27, 1905. They 
were the parents of four children: Aldene, Ralph Mar- 
land (deceased at one year), Evelyn and Wayne. Aldene 
married James Myers and they were parents of two 
children, James and Jacqueline. James married Phylis 
Wolf and they have five children: Denise, Stephan, 
Jeffery, Dawn and James, Jr. 




Jones and Kate Blue. Mattie Blue Greenman, Nelle Blue 
Patterson, John Marland Bine. 



Jacqueline married Fred Kettman and their children 
are Mike, Pamela, Paula, Theresa, Jim and Christopher. 

Evelyn married John Gates and they have a son, John 
D. 

John D. married Sylvia Bieshlr and they have three 
children, Lisa, Mark and Matthew, (twins). 

Wajme married Donna Metz and they have two dau- 
ghters, Cynthia Dembski, and Christine Lamb. Guy Pat- 
terson died March 5, 1960 and NeUe died July 30, 1961. 

John Marland Blue married Dottle May Blake Feb. 
22, 1905. They had no children. John M. passed away 
July 27, 1944. Dot passed away July 30, 1961. 

Otto Blue married Jessie Johnson in 1896. They had 



one son, Elmer. He married Florence Lindquist. They 
have two daughters, Shirley and Joyce. Shirley is mar- 
ried to Willard Stewart. They have two daughters, 
Judy and Joan. Judy Is married to Wade Gilmour and 
Joan is married to Roger Anderson. Joyce is married to 
Tom Coultas. They have a daughter, Nancy Adams and 
a son Tac. 

Elmer and Florence have a great-granddaughter, Ar- 
win, daughter of Nancy Adams. 

Elmer started working with his father at the age of 
13, at the masonry trade. He later was cusitodian of the 
Cornell Grade School for 35 years, and resides with his 
wife, Florence, in the home he was born in. 

Otto Blue died April 20, 1952. Jessie died April 12, 
1968. 



The Earp Family 



In 1840, Charles Earp came from Ohio to Illinois and 
settled near Cornell in Amity Township. He was the 
father of Charles S. Earp, who owned a well improved 
farm near Cornell. He was an extensive farmer and 
livestock raiser. 

Charles S. Earp was married to Anna Louisa Fergus, 
whom he met in Pontiac, on December 26, 1860. She 
died on May 11, 1898 and was buried in the Earp Ceme- 
tery near Cornell. Charles S. Earp died November 9, 
1925 and was also buried in the Earp Cemetery. 

Charles S. Earp and Anna Louisa Earp were the par- 
ents of five children, Elmer, Cora, Earnest, Reuben and 
Clyde. 

Ekner Earp married Bessie Cox and they lived on a 
farm before retiring and moving to Cornell. They 
celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in December, 
1972. They were the parents of four children: Cloyde, 
Glen, Evelyn and Eugene. 

Cloyde Earp was married to Florence Johnson. They 
have three children, Hiyliss, Donna and Richard. 

Glen Earp, a contractor and fur buyer, married Mad- 
eline Morris. They have four children, Norman, Ken- 
neth, Karen and Gary. Norman married Karen O'Leary. 
They have one son, Christopher. Kenneth married Joan 
Mcintosh. They have one daughter, Kelly Jo. Karen 
married Fred Ifts, Jr. They have two children, Brian 
and Marcia Kay. Gary married Pauline Johnson. They 
have three sons, Dennis, Kenneth and Gregory. 

Evelyn Earp married Ehno Bencendorf. They have one 
son, Don. 

Eugene Earp married Roberta Wood. They have a son, 
Robert. 

Cora Earp married Ray Gourley. They are both de- 
ceased and £u:e buried in a cemetery near Hanna, Ind. 



They were the parents of six children, James, Dorothy, 
Ida, Clyde, Roy and Gladys. 

Clyde Earp married Minnie Rhodes in 1917. She 
died March 15, 1918. They had one daughter, Louise. He 
married Mar>- Staggs January 19, 1924. They farmed 
near Cornell until 1960, when they retired and moved 
to Cornell. Louise Earp married Robert Brennan. They 
have six children, Mary, Judy, Patricia, Susan, Patrick 
and Ann. 

Earnest Earp married Beulah Britt. They are de- 
ceased and are buried in a cemetery at Steward, Illinois. 
Reuben Earp is buried in the Earp Cemetery. 



Mr. and Mrs. Guy Patterson 

Guy Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Patterson 
and Miss Nellie M. Blue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones Blue, were married July 27, 1905 at the home of 
the bride's parents. The Rev. L. S. Kidd, pastor of Nigh 
Chapel, officiated. Their attendants were Miss Alpha 
Windle of Chicago and Otis Snyder of Nigh Chapel. 




Mr. and Mrs. Guy Patterson 

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson resided on their farm for 53 
years, when they moved into the front apartment of their 
daughter, Aldene Myers. Their son, Wayne, now owns 
the home farm. 

They were parents of four children, Aldene, Ralph, 
(who died at age of one year), Evelyn, and Wayne. Al- 



dene married James M. Myers, who have two children, 
James L. Myers, married to Phyliss Wolf, now of Kan- 
kakee, parents of Denise, Stephan, Jeff, Dawn and Jim, 
Jr., and a daughter, Jacqueline, married to Fred Kett- 
man, now of Toledo, O., parents of Mike, Pamela, Paula, 
Theresa, Jim and Christopher. Evelyn married John L. 
Gates, who have one son, John D. married to Sylvia 
Bishiar, parents of Lisa and twin sons, Mark and Mat- 
thew, residing in Rockford. Wayne married Donna Metz, 
who have two daughters, Cynthia Dembski of Chicago 
and Christine Lamb of Pontiac. 

Stephen H. Patterson 

Stephen H. Patterson, son of Samuel and grandson of 
William Patterson, was born January 26, 1840 in Wash- 
ington County, Pennsylvania. He came with his parents 
to Illinois in 1852 locating in La Salle County. He early- 
learned the lessons essential to farming from the wise in- 
struction of his father. 

On August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B. 104th Illi- 
nois Infantry. He was actively engaged in the battles 
of Chattanooga, Chickamanga, Missionary Ridge, Look- 
out Mountain and Sherman's March to the Sea. He was 
honorably discharged June 17, 1865. 

On Christmas Day, 1872, Stephen wedded Cynthia 
Hathaway, daughter of Simeon and Eliza (Stillwell) 
Hathaway, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They 
came to Ford County, Illinois, and farmed in La Salle 
County for about ten years, where their three children 
were born: Charlie H. and twins, Guy Dumont and Em- 
ma Geneva. They came to Amity Township locating 
southwest of Cornell. 

After their own children were grown Mr. and Mrs. 
Patterson took Ida Mae Campbell, a motherless baby 
girl, only a few weeks old, into their home and hearts 
and cared for her as their own until her marriage to 
Milton Partridge. They have four children: Glen, Floyd, 
Robert and Ruth. Stephen H. Patterson passed away 
March 6, 1905 and in 1906 Mrs. Patterson and Mae moved 
to Cornell where she lived until her death December 12, 
1926. Both were members of Nigh Chapel Church. 

Charles H. Patterson married Mabel L. Louderback on 
Feb. 12, 1902 and they were parents of three children: 
Doris, Harold and Lois. Doris married Howard Garret- 
son and are parents of Letha, Jarlath, (died at age two) 
and James. Letha married John W. Byrne and they are 
parents of five children: Linda, Denise, Peggy, Mike and 
Jeff. 

James married Rosalie Cashmer and they have two 
children, Mark and Julie. 

Harold Patterson married Clara Lawrence. 

Lois Patterson married Charles Beck and they have 
three children: Sandra (Mrs. Brad Hardy), Steven and 
Todd. Charlie Paterson died August 21, 1960 and Mabel 
L. died January 29, 1968. 



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On January 4, 1905 Emma G. Patterson and Gary A. 
Harper were married and farmed in Amity Township 
until her health failed. They then moved to Colorado 
spending their remaining years in Colorado Springs and 
Canon City. He died Nov. 3, 1944 and she May 11, 1951. 




Stephen Patterson Family 

Seated: Stephen and Cynthia Patterson; standing, Emma 
Patterson Harper, Charlie H. Patterson, Guy Dumont 
Patterson. 



Guy E. Patterson was married to Nellie Blue July 27, 
1905. They became the parents of four children: Aldine, 
Ralph Marland (deceased at one year), Evelyn, and 
WajTie. Aldine married James Myers and they were 
parents of two children: James and Jacqueline. James 
married Phyliss WoLf and they have five children: 
Denise, Stephen, Jeffrey, Dawn and James, Jr. Jacque- 
line married Fred Kettman and their children are: Mike, 
Pamela, Paula, Theresa, Jim and Christopher. 

Evelyn Patterson married John Gates and they have 
a son, John D. John D. married Sylvia Bishear and 
they have three children: Lisa and twins (Mark and Mat- 
thew). 

Wayne Patterson married Donna Metz and they have 
two daughters: Cynthia (Mrs. Paul Dembski) and Chris- 
tine (Mrs. Al Lamb). 

Guy Patterson died March 5, 1960 and Nellie died 
July 30, 1961. 



Archie Dicken Family 

Archie Dicken was born July 24, 1854 in Grant County, 
Indiana. Mr. Dicken passed away Dec. 11, 1933. 

He attended rural school in Indiana and came to Illi- 
nois in 1877, settling in Amity Township, farmed in the 
vicinity all his life. 



^flr» v^^jgg 





He met Mary Jane Cook and was marred December 
15, 1879. They had three daughters, Grace Bash, Cali- 
fornia; Hattie Locke, Marshall, 111.; Hazel Oassidy, Cor- 
nell and one son, Harry, who preceded him in death. 
Surviving are nine grandchildren, eleven great-grand- 
children, twenty-seven great-great-grandchildren, two 
great-great-great-grandchildren. 



William Sutcliff and Charles Cashmer 



History 



In late 1850, William and Laura Sutcliff settled on 80 
acres of land northwest of Cornell in Amity Township. 
They donated an acre of their land on which a school 
house was built and named it Sutcliff School. It was 
agreed the land would be used for the school as long as 
it was so used, then to revert back to the estate if the 
school was ever discontinued. In the year 1890, the 
school was destroyed by a tornado. Luckily only one 
child was injured. Following this damage the building 
was rebuilt and continuel to be used until 1954, when it 
was dismantled and moved away. 

In the 1890's, a daughter and son-in-law of the Sut- 
cliff's, Luella and Charles Cashmer, moved onto the 
homestead. Soon Mr. Cashmer purchased 40 more acres 
of timber land to the south of the original farm. They 
were blessed with a large family of ten children, so in 
1910 they built a new nine room house in which to raise 
the family. The family of six boys and four girls all 
received their education in the school that was named 
after their grandfather. 

About 1916 this family started a sorghum mill. Molasses 
was made from cane raised on their farm and by neigh- 
boring farmers. The molasses was processed for about 



three or four weeks in late September. When this was 
first started a horse powered crusher was used. The cane 
had to be topped and the leaves stripped off before it 
was run through the crusher. After the cane was 
crushed, the sap was caught and strained through two 
filters and put into a large container four feet wide by 
sixteen feet long and boiled. The container had three 
companments so as this product came from the last com- 
partment it was caught into a wooden cooler and as it 
cooled became a golden color molasses. This required 
fifteen hours a day. When the neighbors brought their 
oane in to be processed into molasses, they either had it 
made on fifty-fifty sliares or were charged 35c per gal- 
lon for the making of it. It took several loads of cane to 
make forty or fifty gallons of molasses. The family 
worked 7 days a week during this season until all was 
finished. On Sundays many people came to watch and 
get samples of molasses. 

In the late 1920's, a tractor operated new crusher was 
purchased and also a new copper pan. This improve- 
ment made the process much faster as well as much 
easier as the pan was not so hard to clean. In the 1930's 
Charles and Luella passed on leaving their family to 
carry on the work they had started together. Three of 
the Cashmer boys and their sister continued to make the 
molasses until 1944 when they sold the mill to a man in 
Iowa. One son and a daughter lived on the homestead 
until 1967 when the place was sold to the present owner. 

There are six sons and one daughter living. They ere: 
Elmer, Claude, Wilbur, all in Cornell; Donald, a farmer 
near ManvLlle, 111.; Arthur in Colfax, 111.; Glenn in 
Utah, and Stella in Ottawa, 111. 

By Wilbur Cashmer 



Rucker Family 



Another early family, the Rucker family, came from 
Sunimerfield, Monroe County, Ohio. There were nine 
children. 

William Rucker was married to Amanda Myer. They 
were parents of Pearl Rucker Husted, Maybelle Rucker 
Smith, Delbert Rucker, Claude Rucker, Harry Rucker and 
Robert Husted. All of this family are deceased. 

Another brother of William settled in this area. He 
was Martin Rucker, married to Mary Hampton. They 
had three children. They were: Flora Rucker Reeve, 
Daisy Rucker, and Daiche Lundy. Before the parents 
came to Cornell they resided on a farm east of Cornell. 
Deciding to send their children to Cornell Village School, 
they moved to Cornell. William Rucker continued to 
farm his land and Martin Rucker rented his land and was 
employed in a store owned by the Shackeltons. 

The Charles Lishness Family 

Charles E. Lishness was born in 1862, son of M. S. and 
Keziah Lishness, at Tiskilwa, 111. The family moved to 
Livingston County in 1875 and in 1885, he married Syl- 



via Wayman at Ancona, 111. 

In 1893, Mr. and Mrs. Lishness moved to Cornell, where 
in partnership with F. D. Barton, he opened a furniture 
store along with his undertaking parlor. Later he and 
J. L. McVay operated a garage in Cornell, whUe he still 
kept the undertaking parlor. Still later an ice cream 
parlor and restaurant were added. When his health be- 
gan to fail, Mr. Lishness sold the imdertaking business 
to Raleigh Harris of Pontiac. 

They were the parents of five children, three of whom 
died in infancy. A son, Myron, died in 1960 leaving a 
sister. Mrs. A. G. Lindquist of Sun City, Arizona as the 
only survivor. 

Mrs. Lishness passed away in 1927 after a long ill- 
ness and a year later Mr. Lishness married Mrs. Rosella 
Eisenhower of Iowa, an old friend of the family. Mr. 
Lishness died at the home of his daughter in Chicago in 
1930. 



Early Blake Settlers 



Among early settlers of Amity Township was the fam- 
ily of Joseph and Druscilla (Carpenter) Blake. These 
were grandparents of Blanche Blake (daughter of James 
Blake). Joseph Blake was born in 1811 in Maine. He 
moved with his parents to Ohio in a covered wagon in 
1816. The parents made a home there in the wilder- 
ness, a house made of hewn logs. Shoes for the family 
were made by Joseph's father, Daniel Blake. Their 
clothes were spun, woven, and sewed by the mother. 

In 1852, the Joseph Blake family came to Illinois and 
settled near Ottawa, lU., as farmers. Later they moved 
to Amity Township, buying and settling on a farm about 
two miles east of Nigh Chapel, now farmed by Harold 
Munson. 

Thirteen children were bom: 

Daniel, married to Desaline Earp, farmed in Rooks 
Creek area, had 13 children. Robert and Axon, carpenters, 
lived in Kansas; Mary Jane Earp, lived in Kansas, had 
one child. Margaret McClellan, lived in Kansas, had one 
child. Elizabeth married Samuel Wertz, lived in Amity 
Township, had four children. Winfield married Mary 
Stevens, lived in Pontiac, had eight children. James 
married Anna Eliza Allen, had six children. J. Columbus 
married Nettie Lucus, had six children. The two latter 
families lived on the farm in early life managing it for 
their mother at the death of Joseph (father). Later 
James lived in Cornell having a wagon and repair shop. 
Columbus and wife operated the Blue Front Restaurant. 
Carolyn Reynolds, widowed early In Missouri, had two 
children. Reason H., Joseph W. and Alexander Blake 
were younger members of this family. 



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The Beck Family 



Frank Beck, son of Leonard and Mary Beck of Ohio, 
with his bride, Agnes Delse Murphy of West Virginia, 
moved to Cornell in 1909. To this union were three sons: 
Leonard, Robert and Charles. 

Leonard married Vivian Rhodes, daughter of Harlow 
and Margaret Rhodes and is employed at Owens Glass 
Co., Streator. To this union five sons: David, Paul, Wil- 
liam, Mark John and one daughter, Margaret, were born. 

Robert married Verona Imm, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Adolph Imm of rural Long Point and was employed 
as rural mail carrier in Cornell until his death in 1966. 

Charles married Lois Patterson, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Charles Patterson of Cornell, and now lives in 
Cincinnatti, Ohio. Sandra, Steven and Todd are their 
children. 

Frank Beck was engaged in farming all of his life. He 
served as president of Cornell High School Board 18 
years, was president of Cornell Telephone Co. and deacon 
of Baptist Church. His wife died in 1944. He died four 
years later. 

James Luther Beck, brother of Frank, moved to Cor- 
nell in 1920. He and his wife, Bernice Witham of Ohio, 
were parents of three daughters, Mary Louise, Lois and 
June. 

Mary married Elwood Pasters, son of Will and Nellie 
Pasters of Ohio, who now owns and operates the Colum- 
bus Dental Lab in Streator. They moved to Cornell in 
1944 and were parents of Sheila, Ernest and Coral. Their 
daugther. Sheila, married Ernest Rowe of West Vir- 
ginia, now of Sti-eator, employed by Owens Glass Co., and 
they have six sons: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Timothy 
and Micah. Earnest lives in Chicago and owns a leather 
and candle shop. He is unmarried. Coral married 
George Paton, son of Audrey Morrison Paton and the late 
Ron Paton of Cornell, who is a barber in Elmhurst and 
attends school. They have a daughter, Mary Louise. 

Lois Beck married Sylvester Bauer of Columbus, Ohio 
and they have one son, James. 

June Beck married Paul Bourcier of Cambridge, Mass. 
They are parents of Paul, Suzanne and Chad. 

Luther Beck farmed in Cornell area until he returned 
to Columbus in 1934 where he became Chief of Police on 
the Ohio Slate University campus. His wife died in 1941 
and he died in 1956. 



Dorothy (deceased) married Amer Johnson, now resid- 
ing in Peoria and had one daughter, Virginia. Amer 
married Mary Decker, was a cement finisher, and in later 
years until his death, bought and sold livestock. Kenneth 
("Skinny") married Eola Beckwith, who were parents of 
John, Mary Margaret and Helen, and farmed in Cornell, 
Ancona area to the time of his death. Claude ("Sparky") 
(deceased) married and lived in Minnesota. John mar- 
ried Mary Sue Hartman, a former Cornell High School 
teacher, and lives in Wyanet, 111. Russell, now of Bur- 
lington, Iowa, married and has son Neil and daughter, 
Darlene, is a former teacher. 

Abe was well known in the community and surround- 
ing area as quite a cattle buyer. He enjoyed playing 
cards and continued very active in later years, always 
enjoying sports, as did his sons, some of whom played on 
some of Cornell's best basketball teams. 




Edward and Grace Mills 



Mills Brothers 

Abel and Edward Mills, sons of Ann (Gourley) and 
John Mills of Parkersburg, West Virginia, came to Amity 
Township in 1890, Their brother, William, came to the 
same area in 1900. 

Abe married Rose Campbell and they were parents of 
Dorothy, Amer, Kenneth, Claude, John and Russell. 



Ed married Grace Murphy in 1896. They became par- 
ents of Lottie, Howard, Alice, Mildred, Agnes, Frank 
and Clinton. Lottie, a retired Business Education 
teacher, died in 1972 and just 10 weeks later, her sister, 
Alice, a retired secretary of Swifts and Co. of Chicago, 
died. Howard married Reita Christopher, whose chil- 
dren were Howie "June" and Gloria. After his first 
wife's death he married Florence Mudgett of England. 
He is a retired guard of Pontiac Prison. Mildred mar- 



ried Ingram Norton, lives in Peoria, retired, and parents 
of Jean, Gwen, Harry, Tom and Janet. Agness married 
Howard Grimm (deceased), lives in Flanagan and has 
daughter, Carolyn. Frank married Marilouise Miller of 
Chicago and were parents of Suzanne, Bruce and Joyce, 
now lives in Danville. Clint married Gayle Beaman and 
they ore parents of Keith, Kaye (deceased), Kipton, 
Karen, Billy, Kathy, Kris, Kandi and Kim. There are 
many great-grandchildren, as well as great-great ones, 
scattered throughout the United States. 

Ed always farmed in the Cornell area and had re- 
tired only two years before his death. He was quite 
well-known for his good humor and wit and enjoyed 
baseball very much. Several of his family were well- 
known in baseball, his grandson, "June" having played 
in minor leagues. Many "tall yarns" were spun around 
him and his two very good friends, Bert Sullivan and 
Frank Beck, in their later years, giving many of us very 
pleasant memories. 



Thomas Benton Gourley 

Thomas Benton Gourley was born in Amity Township 
in 1866. He was the son of Alford and Rebecca Gourley. 

Thomas B. Gourley was educated in the district 
schools. In September 1887, he went to Springflied, 111., 
where he was employed as a teamster in the stone 
quarries. 

He married Letitia Mills in 1890. She was the daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Mary Mills. In 1891 he started farm- 
ing and continued to do so for many years. After re- 
tiring from farming he devoted many years to livestock 
buying and selling. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gourley had five children: Samuel, mar- 
ried to Ann Hazel; Josephine, married to Claude Metz; 
Ruth, married to Lawrence Hilton; Madeline, married to 
Colonel H. P. Whitcamp and Lucille married to Cyril 
Miner. 

Mr. Gourley died in 1935 and Mrs. Gourley in 1955. 



ware business. Later they moved to Pontiac, living 
there till their deaths. They were parents of Milton, 
Charles, Mina, Grace and Carrie. 



The Rhodes Family 



Leland M. Rhodes was born in New York in 1816. He 
married Caroline Clark, also a native of New York in 
1849. They came to Illinois and farmed first in La- 
Salle County, coming to the Cornell area in 1875. They 
purchased 320 acres of land four miles east of Cornell in 
Esmen Township. Mr. Rhodes died in 1888 after which 
his wife made her home with her son and wife, Harlow 
and Margaret Rhodes, of Cornell. She died at the home 
of her daughter, Flora Corbin, in Montana, while on a 
visit and her body was brought back for burial in Esmen 
Cemetery by her husbands grave. 

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Rhodes had 11 children, five of 
whom died very young. Emma married George Whitman 
and lived in Cornell several years where he had a hard- 




Mr. and Mrs. Harlow Rhodes 

Milford married Grace Chambers and they were par- 
ents of Grace, Roy and Ray. Mr. Rhodes and his 
brother, Isaac, built and ran Cornell's first electric light 
plant. They later moved to Idaho. Their son, Roy, re- 
mained in Cornell and married Bessie Dickerson, living 
in Cornell and Pontiac several years, then going to Jo- 
liet where Mrs. Rhodes still lives with a daughter, Mari- 
lyn. Another daughter, Annette lives in Washington. 

Isaac Rhodes went to Oklahoma, where he later mar- 
ried. 

Olive Rhodes married William Brunskill, and lived in 
Esmen Township all their lives. There were no chil- 
dren. 

Harlow Rhodes married Margaret Barringer, and 
lived their entire lives in Cornell. Mr. Rhodes was a 
plumber and painter by trade and they built the house 
now occupied by Mrs. Aldene Myers. Tliey had four 
children, Mabel who married Dan Whitmer and lived in 
Indiana, where she still lives. Their children are Mar- 
garet Evelyn, Dan, Jr., and Jack. William, who mar- 
ried Edna Gmelich, also moved to Indiana but resides in 
Florida now. Their children are Dorothy Jean, Clark, 
Richard and Alice. Margaret married Delbert Bennett 
and lived in Pontiac until her death. Their children are 
Margie (Mrs. E. Hamilton) and Delbert, Jr., married and 
also living in Pontiac. Vivian married Leonard Beck 
and lived in Cornell area many years, later moving to 
Streator, where they still live. Their children are 
David, Paul, William, Mark, Margaret and John. 



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Flora Rhodes married William P. Corbin, who was a 
farmer. Later he had a meat market and then they 
lived in the old hotel that stood where our present fire 
house now stands. They moved to Montana then to 
Washington, where they both died. Their children 
were Ora, Jessie, Ada, Pearl, Wllma, Vernon, Lewis and 
Ruth. Jessie married Napoleon Iverson of Cornell and 
they moved to Montana. All the rest of the family ex- 
cept Ada went to Montana to make their homes. Ada 
Corbin married William F. Partridge and they lived on a 
farm northeast of Cornell until they retired to Cornell, 
until their deaths. Their children are Charlotte, Har- 
riet, Ruth and Mary. Charlotte married Todd Richards 
in Cornell. They had one child, Antionette. After the 
death of her husband, Charlotte left here and went to 
Chicago where she married Fred Greil. They had two 
children, Barbara and John. Charlotte Is now living in 
Las Vegas, Nevada. Ruth married Robert Husum in 
Chicago and lived there until her death in 1966, they had 
no children. Mary married James Albright and lives in 
Downers Grove. They have three children: James, Rich- 
ard and Charlotte Ann, all of whom are married. Har- 
riet is still living in Cornell with her husband, J. Arnel 
Garretson. Their children are Billy, who lost his life 
in the Korean conflict aboard the USS Bennington, Ruth 
married Lyle Leach, and is living in Graymont with two 
children, Keri and Kathi, Jane married to Raymond 
Erschen, now living in Pontiac with their girls, Pamela, 
Teri, and Kim. Alice married to Ron Raber, now livng 
in Kewanee with two children, Karen and Keith. 

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Rhodes also raised a niece, Isa- 
belle Rhodes. She married John Wesley Timier and 
they lived in Esmen. Their children were Elmer, John, 
Jr., Zellah, Burtis, Delford and Sylva. 

Zellah married William Beaman. They fanned and at 
the present time are living in Cornell. Their daughter, 
G«yle, married Clinton Mills and they, also with their 
family, now live in Cornell. Their children are: Keith, 
Kaye, Kipton, Karen, Billy, Kathy, Kristine, Kandis and 
Kim. 

The William Gamblins 

William Gamblin, born in England, came to America in 
1854. He lived in New York for two years, then mar- 
ried Sarah Beaman, came to Chicago and to Pontiac. He 
and his wife walked and carried his double barrel 12 
gauge English made "Point and Setter" shot gun, a few 
carpenter tools and theh- clothes to a farm, south of Cor- 
nell, where he went to work as a hired man for Lyle 
Husted's grandfather. Sarah worked in the house. It 
was faU and his first job was husking corn. 

A few years later he purchased the farm where Clar- 
ence Oyer lives. After several years of crop faUurs, he 
went to the banker, Henry Greenebaum, and asked him 
to take the farm back. Mr. Greenebaum asked him to 
try it a few years more. He made a deal with the man 
from Chenoa, who sold him the farm, to break sod. He 
took his three yoke of oxen to Chenoa and plowed sod. 



For each acre he plowed, he earned one acre paid for 
at home. The flies were bad and the oxen would run 
away and go out in the slough water and fight flies. He 
would have to wait till they were ready to be driven back 
to work. He had over 400 acres of land later, but he 
always said the home farm was the hardest to pay for. 

Sarah, Hannah, William Benjamin, Mary, Maria and 
Matilda, twins, and Martha were born and reared on 
the farm. School was for three months after harvest and 
they grew up with the country. 

William B. married Elizabeth Ackley of Minonk and 
five boys were born: William Walter, Charles, Fred, 
Harry and Howard. The three younger boys were in 
World War I. 

William Walter married Mabel Steward of Pontiac and 
three children were born: William Steward, Flo Eliza- 
beth and Fred Ackley. 

William Steward married Marjorie Kramer of Pon- 
tiac. Their three children are William Walter, Betty 
Jeanette (Mrs. Robert Erschen), and Larry. 

William Walter, Jr., married Mary Wayman and their 
first born son is named William Michael VI, the second 
son is Joel Patrick. 

Emanuel Gingrich, a former resident of south of Cor- 
nell has known six generations of William Gamblins. A 
four generation picture of the first four was taken in 
1914 and a picture has been taken of the present four 
generations now living. 

The old shot gun was last shot by William Walter as 
a youth. William B. gave it to WiUiam Steward before 
he passed away. William Walter, a gun fancier, has it 
now. When it was refinished it was found to have one 
barrel loaded. It has been test fired and ready to go. 



Gregory Family 



Rev. and Mrs. Thomas J. Gregory and their two oldest 
children immigrated to America in the spring of 1855 
from Holmes, Lancashire, England, In 1848 he was mar- 
ried to Ellen Holdsworth, a lady preacher, of much talent. 
While at New York on their way west, Brother Gregory 
was sick. A man whom they befriended and assisted to 
get to America, stole from them $1500, leaving them al- 
most destitute of means, strangers in a strange land. 
Fortunately they had bought tickets through to Chicago. 
They first settled near Wilmington, Will County, Illinois, 
on what was then called Garden circuit of the Methodists 
Protestant Church. In the fall of 1855, Brother Gregory 
united with the North Illinois Conference and was ap- 
pointed to the Vermillion Circuit. He served this charge 
at different times for 10 years. He also bought some 
land here, and settled his family upon it, which has been 
the family home ever since. He took a very active pert 
in building the Nigh Chapel Church, besides doing much 
preaching. Ten chUdren were born to the Gregory fam- 
ily, four died in infancy. Rev. Thomas Gregory was born 



in 1827 and died in 1886. 
died in 1900. 



His wife was born in 1820 and 



Elizabeth Gregory, daughter of Thomas and Ellen was 
born in England. She married William Ellis. To this 
union one son was born. 




Grandma and Grandpa Gregory 

Thomas J. Gregory, Jr., was the oldest son of Thomas 
and Ellen. He was married to Julis Louderback, daugh- 
ter of Liberty Louderback. They had three children, 
Charles, who was not married, IVIadge, who married 
Floyd Rucker. They had two boys, Richard of Virginia, 
and Ronald of California. Floyd died in 1960. 

George married May Daisy Plank. They had six 
children. Edward married and had two daughters. He 
was a contractor and carpenter in Kansas City, Mo. 
George, who married and lived at Litchfield; Frances 
who married Byron Willhoite. They have children and 
live in Pontiac, 111. Byron has passed away. Robbin, 
who lives in East Peoria; Henry, who lives at Berry; 
Florence, who married Robert Girard. They have three 
children, Linda, Wesley and Wendy. 

Philip W. Gregory was married to Elizabeth Camp- 
bell. He was a teacher. They had four children, Ella, 
Golda, Grace and Wilbur. 

James A. Gregory married Mardilla Boyer. He was 
a doctor and practiced at Chatsworth, 111. for awhile. 



William Gregory married Geneva Morris. There were 
no children. 

Charles H. Gregory, was born in 1860 in a log cabin in 
Amity Township one half mile west of Nigh Chapel 
Church. In 1887 he married Olive Widdifield at Dana, 
111. They had three children. Wilbur died at the age of 
five. Lela M. was born in 1890 and married Emanuel 
Gingrich in 1930. There were no children. Lela died in 
1960. Donald A. Gregory was born in 1895 and died in 
1931. He married Anna Carstens in 1929. They had one 
child, Shirley, born in 1931. She married Donald L. 
Zehr in 1950. They have 5 children. Carol, who is mar- 
ried to Spencer Skip Jones of Emington, now living near 
Saunemin, Lynn, Gary, Lori and Jan. They are living on 
the Gregory farm which has been in the family for one 
century and one and a half decades. 

James Abraham Garretson 

James Abraham Garretson, a resident of Cornell, Liv- 
ingston Co., was born in Harrison County, West Virginia, 
July 23, 1854. His maternal grandparents, Abel and 
Elizabeth (Richards) Gourley, were both natives of 
Eastern Virginia as were his parents, Wm. H. and Mary 
Elizabeth (Gourley) Garretson, the latter natives of 
Loudoun County, Eastern Virginia. 




Garretson Family Picture 

Top row, left to right — Earl Gourley and Lois, Will 
Ahrens, Charlie Eppel, Alphonso Wellman, James Brown, 
Milo, Harlo, Howard, Glen and Arnel Garretson, and El- 
mer Wellman. 

Second row — Pearl Wellman, Julia Ahrens, Buelah Gar- 
retson, Aimie Garretson, Hannah Brown. 

Third row — Ralph Eppel, Earl Garretson, Harry Brown, 
Cora Brown, Sarah Eppel and Gladys, Hannah Garret- 
son, Robert Garretson on lap, James Garretson, Maxine 
Garretson, Carrie Garretson, Esther Garretson, Mabel 
Gourley and Evelyn. 

Children on ground — Loretta Garretson, Fred Wellman, 
Lena and Mona Brown, Anice Brown, Helen Eppel, Lu- 
cille Garretson, Ivan Brown, La Verne Garretson, Fred 
Eppel, Harold Garretson and Reeva Gourley. 



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By trade the father of James, was a carpenter and 
millwright, a business which he followed with splendid 
success, but which he nevertheless sacrificed to enlist his 
services in behalf of his country's welfare. He became a 
member of Co. H., 112th West Virginia Infantry in 1862 
and during his two years service had ample opportunity 
to witness the horrors and dangers of warfare, nowhere 
more noticeable probably than in the battle of Piedmont, 
one of the most desperate encounters of the entire war. 
He partiicpated in the charge up the heights into the jaws 
of death. It was on this battle field that he was in- 
stantly killed, June 5, 1864. 

In October, 1864, Mrs. Garretson with her six children 
left their home in Virginia and came to Illinois, settling 
in Esmen township on a farm owned by her brother. At 
first, she was assisted by her father, who made his home 
with them. 

This farm remained their home until James A. was 
27 years old when they moved to Grundy County and 
made their home on a rented farm for 6 years. They 
again returned to Amity Township. 

Septembr 23, 1880, Mr. Garretson was united in mar- 
riage with Hannah Gamblin, who was born in Amity 
Township, June 30, 1861, the daughter of William and 
Sarah Jane (Beaman) Gamblin. Mrs. Gamblin de- 
scended from English ancestors and both her parents and 
grandparents (the latter Benjamin and Jane (Lewis) 
Beaman, were born in England. 

Mr. and Mrs. Garretson were parents of ten children: 
Cora, Mabel, Pearl, Julia, Milo, Harlo, Sarah, Glen, How- 
ard and Arnel. 

Cora wed Harry Brown and were parents of six chil- 
dren: James, Hannah, Lena, Ivan, Anice and Mona. 

Mabel wed Earl Gourley and were parents of six chil- 
dren: Reeva, Evelyn, Lois, Mary, William and Leah. 

Pearl wed Alphonso Wellman and were parents of two 
sons, Elmer and Frederick. 

Julia wed William Ahrens. 

Milo wed Carrie Davis and were parents of eleven 
children: Esther, Harold, Earl, Loretta, Maxine, Robert, 
Leora, Theresa, Betty, Charlie, and Mary Sue. 

Harlo wed Annie Highland and were parents of three 
children: Lucille, Le Verne and Raymond. 

Sarah wed Charles Eppel and were parents of four 
children: Fred, Ralph, Helen and Gladys. After the death 
of Charles Eppel, she wed Frank Wilm and to this union 
four children were born: Ernest, Junior, Paul and Doro- 
thy. 

Glen wed Buelah Shoemaker and they became parents 
of five children: Glen (Bud), Anita, Charles, Kenneth 
and Alice. 

Howard married Doris Patterson and are parents of 
three children: Letha, Jarlath and James. 



Arnel married Harriet Partridge and are parents of 
four children: William, Ruth, Jane and Alice. 

Mr. and Mrs. Garretson located southeast of Cornell 
on a farm and in 1904 they moved to their home south of 
Cornell. He was a farmer and raised livestock. Mr. 
Garretson passed away September 30, 1932 and Mrs. 
Garretson, March 21, 1933. 

The Harth, Miller, Johnson Families 
and their Descendants 

Miss Mary Helena Harth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Mathias Harth, R.R. Cornell, 111., married Peter Miller in 
the Minonk Catholic Church, November 25, 1870. To this 
union ten children were born, five boys and five girls. 
All helped farm. The land was later to be their home- 
stead, located five miles west of Cornell. In about 1883, 
a new home was built close by and a new home also in 
Peru, 111. John Harth and son helped his brother, Ma- 
thias and the family build these homes. They lived in 
Streator at that time. 




The family of Mr. and Mrs. Charley and 
Anna (Miller) Johnson 

Standing— Mrs. Earl (Lucille) Snyder, Sylvester, Bern- 
ard, Mrs. Joe (Esther) Neumann. 

Middle row — Charley, Edward, Mrs. Vincent (Mary) 
Hanley, Joseph, Anna. 
Front— Isabella, Charles (Butch). 

The Millers moved to Peru when their oldest daughter, 
Anna, married Charley Johnson here in the St. Joseph's 
Catholic Church, October 4, 1892. This was the second 
marriage in this church. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson moved 
into this home, farming the land and building other 
buildings. To this family five boys and five girls were 
born. Their oldest sons, Joseph and Bernard and a 
daughter, Mary, only saw their great-grandmother Harth. 
Grandfather Harth passed away in 1888 at the age of 83. 
In 1902, great-grandma Harth passed away at the age of 
83, in Peru, where they had moved with the Miller fam- 
ily- 



Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Johnson celebrated their silver 
wedding in 1917. This also was the yaar their son, 
Bernard, had married Matilda Jaegle, in January. These 
children, Joe Bernard, Mary, Esther, Sylvester, LuciUe, 
Edward, Isabella, Charles (Butch), all made this day a 
time to be remembered by relatives and friends who came 
to help the neighbors cook the dinner. One daughter, 
Lauretta, had passed away in 1912 at the age of 5. 

In about 1919, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Johnson, presented 
their parents with a granddaughter, Marcella. She was 
the only grandchild that Grandpa Johnson held and loved 
as he passed away September 9, 1921. 

In about 1926 Anna Johnson married Jay Thurber. 
They farmed for aw'hile. Moved here to Cornell later. 
Edward, son of Mrs. Thurber, passed away in 1930 and a 
daughter passed away in 1931 (Isabella). 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (Lena Valesano) Johnson of 
Streator have three children: Anna Mae (Mrs. Dick Ter- 
rlll) have two son, Eddie Joe and Brian; Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry (Deloris) Enno, have five children: Mary Ann, 
Joseph, Thomas, Henry, Jr., Peter of Springfield, 111. 

Carl Johnson married Mary Dunnigan. They live in 
California and have three children: Michael, Ann Marie 
and Kattiieeo. 

The B. W. Johnson families are: Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd 
(Mfirceila) Sulzberger. They have five children. Mr. 
and Mrs. Roland Gantzert (Sandra); Mr. and Mrs. Daniel 
(Cleone) Wright; Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Monica) Beck- 
er. Two sons, Richard and Michael Johnson. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Johnson have seven children, 
living in Streator: Miles, Jerrilyn, Neil, Marta, Clay, True 
and Darin. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Johnson have five children: Jim, 
Vickie, Janie, John and Patricia, all living in Villa Park, 

m. 

Mary Johnson married Vincent Hanley in 1920. They 
traveled and lived many places before they retired to 
Florida, when Mr. Hanley's health failed. He passed 
away in 1961. Mary then came here to live and be with 
her aged mother, Mrs. Anna Thurber, who was living in 
the home here in Cornell purchased by Earl W. and 
LuclUe (Johnson) Snyder. They were married Sept. 
3, 1927. To this family eight children were born: Edna, 
(Mrs. Dominic Canovi) had one daughter, who passed 
away when she was one week old. They are now liv- 
ing here in Cornell. Earl W., Jr., Alice, Kenneth, living 
at home, Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Viola Schott) Snyder have 
four sons, Carl, Jr., Gordon, Ronald and Dennis, living in 
a farm home near Odell, lU. Mr. and Mrs. Lovell (Helen 
Snyder) Pullisim, have two sons, BUly and Robert, one in- 
fant daughter. Rose Marie, passed away at birth. Annet, 
now Mrs. Richard Foley, living in Bloomington, 111. They 
have two diildren, Theresa and Richard, Jr. Mr. and 
Mrs. Roger (Sue Ellen Snyder) Lehmann. A daughter, 
Linda, from Batavia, lU. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder cele- 



brated their silver wedding in 1952. He enjoyed farming 
till his health faUed and he passed away in August 1963. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (Esther Johnson) Neumann mar- 
ried in February 1922 at St. Anthony's Church in Strea- 
tor. Also in February 1972, celebrated their golden wed- 
ding there. They became the parents of seven children. 
One son passed away in infancy. 

Charles and his wife, EUa, living in Nebrasloa, have 
two sons. Cecelia and Rita Neumann are at home. Robert 
and his wife (Pat Carrol) Neumann have eight children: 
Robert, John, Joe, Mary, Margie, Bridgett, Theresa and 
Edward, residing in Streator. Mr. and Mrs. Leo (Dar- 
lene) Neumann, living in Arizona, have one daughter, 
KeUy Jo, and a son, Kent. 

Sylvester and his wife, Doris Johnson, Belle Glade, 
Florida, have a daughter, Linda, now Mrs. La Fayette. 
She has two sons. 

Charles (Butch), the youngest son of the Johnsons, has 
one daughter, Joyce Ann. She is married and has one 
son. All live in Florida. 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Miller celebrated their golden wed- 
ding in 1920 with their children, grandchildren, great and 
great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Miller died in 1924 and 
Mrs. Miller in 1935. In January 1967, Bernard John- 
son died and his mother, Mrs. Anna Thurber, died Octo- 
ber 1967. She was the oldest (96) member of this fam- 
ily. She lived all her life in Amity Township and retired 
to Cornell, Livingston Co. She traveled very much and 
had a hobby weaving rugs, which she learned with the 
help of Mrs. Mabel Wayman. She later bought it and 
helped her daughters, who are still busy at the art of 
making fine rugs like she did. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson celebrated their golden 
wedding January 1972 with their families and relatives, 
all gathering at morning Mass in St. Anthony Church, 
later dinner and visiting in the church hall 

Two of Mrs. Thurber's sisters are living in and nesir 
Chicago. Mrs. Peter (Margaret) Brost. She has eight 
children (living in and near Chicago), all married with 
families of their own. Mrs. Harry (Kathryn) Bomhofen, 
three sons, all married with families. A brother, WUliam 
Miller and his wife. Ruth, have a daughter, Rita. 

In writing this history for these families, which goes 
into the seventh generation, I hope it gives you and youra 
a great deal of pleasure, as I, Mrs. Earl Snyder, have had 
in writing it for our centermial book. God loves me. Ask 
him, he will love you. 



Morrison Family 



Doug Morrison was one of five brothers bom in Glas- 
gow, Scotland. He and his family came to this country 
when he was five. Shortly thereafter, they settled on a 
farm near Otter Creek, later moving to a farm north 
of Cornell. He lived in the vicinity his entire life. 



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Adam Francis ("Doug") Morrison (May 27, 1858 - 
Dec. 7, 1944) m. Mary Pueblo Welch (Mar. 30, 1865 - 
July, 1938) 

3 sons and 1 daughter 

William Melph (June 27, 1883 - April 1, 1964) 
m. Mary Myrtle Lundy 

1 son Francis Lundy (July 21, 1910 - 
m. Leona Arnold on July 23, 1937 

1 son William Alfred (Mar. 27, 1948 - 
m. Glenda Coffey on Jan. 2, 1971 
1 daughter Mary Jo (May 18, 1949 - 

Lee Noah (Sept. 15, 1885 - 
m. Lillian Walker 

1 son and 1 daughter 

Donald Adam (Feb. 28, 1911 - 
m. Mildred Knudson 
1 son and 1 daughter 
Roger Adam (July 9, 1937 - 
m. Sharon Mullikin 

Shannon (May 29, 1961 - 

Steven Adam (Oct. 12, 1963 - 
Connie Gertrude (Sept. 14, 1943 - 
m. Jerry Drake 

Jordy 

Valerie 

Audrey Lee (July 10, 1913 - 

m. Roland A. Paton on Dec. 2, 1939; he died Aug. 

1972 

1 son and 2 daughters 
Jane (Jan. 3, 1942 - 
m. Roger Weber April 8, 1962 
Jerry Lee ( Jan. 4, 1962 - 
Amy Jo (Dec. 30, 1964 - 
Roger Daniel (Feb. IB, 1970 - 
Roland George, April 16, 1944 - 
m. Coral Pasters July 4, 1965 
Mary Lou (Sept. 22, 1969 - 
SaUy Jo (Sept. 29, 1953 - 

Adam Francis (Dec. 8, 1887 - 
Helen Ely (Nov. 15, 1892 - 
m. Everett Wheeler Bemis on Aug. 18, 1917 
1 daughter 
Mary EUa (May 4, 1929 - 
m. Donald Jenkins 

Jennifer Ely (Feb. 3, 1960 - 
Rebecca Helen (Mar. 12, 1966 - 



Ekke Wibbenhost Family 

Mr. Ekke Albert Wibbenhost was born in Aurich, Ger- 
many on October 12, 1866. He was the son of Albert 
and Mary (Johnson) Wibbenhost. When he was sixteen 
years old he came to America. He made his home with 
his sister, Mrs. Mary Weers at Minonk, 111. He then 
came to a farm southwest of Cornell and worked for 
Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Lishness. On December 15, 1892 he 
married Kizzie Jane Lishness. They were the parents of 



three daughters; Verna Marie, Volma Andria, Ethel May. 
The family moved to Cornell in 1901, where he and Ira 
McVey went into the implement business. In 1906 the 
family moved to ■a farm south of Cornell, of John Gour- 
ley, and then in 1915 they moved to John Gourley's farm 
a mile and a halt east of Cornell. In 1920 the family 
moved to Cornell where he worked as a grocery clerk 
for Grant Connet in the Penny Grocery, and later on he 
was janitor at the high school. 




EKKE WIBBENHOST FAMILY 

Verna was married to Harvey Voorheis; Vlema was 
married to Andrew Rush and Ethel was married to Floyd 
Cool. There were four children born to the Voorheis 
family, one son died in infancy. There were seven 
children born in the Rush family, and five children born 
in the Cool family. 

Mrs. Wibbenhost passed away on August 4, 1925. 

Verna Voorheis passed away on January 4, 1944. 
Mr. Wibbenhost passed away on February 5, 1954., . 



Lundy Family 



Emma L. Lundy (July 6, 1869 - Nov. 19, 1925) 

m. Elvira Smith (Nov. 20, 1843 - Oct. 14, 1927) on Apr. 

15, 1868 

3 daughters and 3 sons 

Emma L. Lundy (July 6, 1889 - Nov. 19, 1925) 
m. Charles Decker (1885 - Jan. 16, 1926) 

1 son Lloyd (Sept. 28, 1893 - Feb. 18, 1966) 
m. Monica Atwood on March 1, 1916 
1 son Lloyd D., Jr. (May 29, 1927 - 
m. Carol Beckendorf (d. Oct. 17, 1968) 



3 sons and 3 daughters 
David Lloyd (Nov. 25, 1957 - 
Donald Scott (Dec. 15, 1961 - 
Douglas Henry (Jan. 10, 1963 - 
Lisa Lee (Aug. 26, 1956 - 
Lynn Kay (Jan. 16, 1959 - 
Laurie Lee (Jan. 12, 1960 - 

Julia M. Lundy (Oct. 8, 1871 - Oct. 5, 1891) 
m. Frank Hoobler 
2 sons 

Claude (Mar. 6, 1890 - Jan. 16, 1965) 
m. Kathleen Fallon 

1 daughter, Julia Phyllis (Oct. 20, 1931 - 

in. Norman Collner on Nov. 7, 1953; he died 

Sept. 22, 1966 

3 sons and 2 daughters 
Matthew Norman (Oct. 20, 1957 - 
Thomas Claude (Mar. 16, 1962 - 
Douglas Joel (Dec. 3, 1964 - 
Michele Marie (Oct. 14, 1954 - 
Stephanie Jo (Mar. 19, 1956 - 
Jennifer Lee (Feb. 13, 1960 - 
m. Daniel Boik on June 17, 1972 
Thurlow 

1 son and 1 daughter 
Frank (deceased) 
Dorothy 




Lundy Family 

Left to right — Frances Morrison, Elvira Lundy, Paris 
Lundy, Emma Decker, Myrtle Morrison, Perry Lundy, 



Paris Lundy (Nov. 12, 1875 - Jan. 29, 1964) 
m. Daisy Rooker on June 15, 1921 
Perry E. Lundy (June 11, 1883 - June 5, 1969) 
m. Edna Grimm (Sept. 20, 1948 d. June 12, 1972) 

Fred P. Lundy (Oct. 23, 1877 - May 10, 1958) 

m. Nell Atwood. She died Feb. 28, 1915 

m. Anna Mclntyre. She died Oct. 31, 1972. b. Oct. 17, 



1889. m. Fred Lundy in 1928 

Mary Myrtle Lundy (Oct. 21, 1881 - Aug. 28, 1972) 
m. William Melph Morrison 

1 son, Francis Lundy (July 21, 1910 - 
m. Leona Arnold on July 23, 1937 
1 son and 1 daughter 

William Alfred (Mar. 27, 1948 - 
m. Glenda Coffey on Jan. 2, 1971 
Mary Jo (May 18, 1949 - 

Edward William Beaman 

Ed Beaman was the son of Benjamin and Sophia 

(Schwachheim) Beaman, who was the son of Benjamin 
and Jane (Lewis) Beaman of Wilshire, England. They 
came to New York and established a tannery for white 
leather, which occupied the present site of Central Park, 
rhe Sr. Ben Beaman family came to Amity Township in 
1856 and 10 years later the Jr. Benjamin Beaman family 
.arrived, purchasing the unsettled prairie east of Cor- 
nell.. This farm is a "CENTENNIAL FARM" as it is 
still owned by Ed's daughter, Mildred (Beaman) Melvin 
and is tenanted by her daughter, Louise Voigts and fam- 
ily. The southeast part of Cornell was originally part of 
the Beaman farm, known as Beamans' addition to Cor- 
neU. 

Edward married Sophia Gmelich, daughter of Christ 
and Johanna (Winkler) Gmelich, and they were parents 
of Elmer (deceased), William married to Zellah Turner 
of Esmen, parents of Gayle Mills and Mildred, married 
to Charles Melvin (deceased), parents of Alan, Lucille 
Cashmer, and Louise Voigts. They celebrated their 50th 
wedding anniversary. 

The 7 th generation of the Beamans now residing in 
Cornell are: the Keith Mills children, Stephanie, Jeff, 
Brian, Eric, Michael and Alicia; the Karen (Mills) 
Propst children, Ricky and Maria Kaye; Christopher 
Gourley, son of Kathy (Raymond) and Donald T, Gour- 
ley. 

The William E. Beamans 

December 30, 1972, marked the 58th wedding anni- 
versary of Zellah (Turner) and William Beaman. They 
have one daughter, Gayle, married to Clinton Mills, son 
of Grace (Murphy) and Edward Mills. They have nine 
grandchildren — Keith, married to Rose Bucalo of Streator, 
parents of Stephanie, Jeff, Brian, Eric, Michael and 
Alicia, is deputy sheriff of Livingston County; Kaye (de- 
ceased), married to Sharon Jackson of Streator; Kipton 
"Butch" married to Nettie Bockman of Cornell, parents 
of Susan, Tina, Scott and Kirby, is commercial airline 
pilot for Roper Stove Co. of Kankakee; Karen Propst, 
mother of Ricky and Maria Kaye, is Cornell Grade School 
secretary; Billy, married to Judy Gregory of Cornell, 
parents of Michelle, is Business Education teacher in the 
Dixon High School; Kathy, married to Jerry Erschen of 



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Cornell, parents of Jenny and Douglas, lives in Kalama- 
zoo, Michigan where he is employed with Woolahan Lum- 
ber Co., and Kristine, Kandi and Kim at home. 




Bill, Gayle, Zellah Beaman 

Zellah "Lalla" and Bill retired from farming several 
years ago and Zellah retired from the post office of Cor- 
nell in 1959. They both are enjoying good health and stay 
reasonably active, living next door to six of their fifteen 
"great" grandchildren. 



Zook Family 



Solomon Marion Zook was born at Farmington, Fulton 
County, 111., May 31, 1855. He was the son of David B. 
and Catherine (Fink) Zook, pioneers of that vicinity. 
His education was received in the Farmington and 
Chenoa, 111. schools, the family having moved to Chenoa 
when Mr. Zook was thirteen years of age. 

Miss Phoebe Anna Dale was born Oct. 4, 1853 in Dark 
County, Union City, Ohio. In 1857 moved near Muncie, 
Ind. In 1884 to Secor, 111. Woodford County, Illinois. 
This was a very memorable event, their mode of trans- 
portation being a covered wagon. Later her famUy lo- 
cated on a farm in Livingston County, near Cornell, 111. 

On Dec. 26, 1880 Miss Phoebe Dale, and Mr. S. M. Zook 
were united in marriage at the bride's home near Cor- 
nell. They took up residence on a farm south of Chenoa, 
Illinois. In 1887 moved to Dighton, Kansas where they 
took up a claim, living in a sod house for a brief period 
of seven months, then moving back to Chenoa, McLean 
County, 111. in 1898. Later they moved to a farm 3V& miles 
south of Cornell. 

Mr. and Mrs. Zook became the parents of one son and 
two daughters. Alva Adelmer Zook, born Sept. 21, 1881; 
Bertha May Zook born Dec. 24, 1882; Winnie Belle Zook 
born Oct. 23, 1885 (died in infancy). 

After residing on the farm for a number of years, they 
moved to a farm one mile south and V4 mile east of Cor- 
nell, then owned by Mrs. Jack (Eliza) Gourley. (This 
farm is the present home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Olson). 



Mr. Zook was assisted in farming by his son, Alva A. 
Zook. 

On Dec. 25, 1912, Alva Zook was united in marriage to 
Miss Ruth May Jacobs, at Rutland, 111., home of the 
bride's parents. 

Ruth (Jacobs) Zook was born at Plymouth, Mass., 
daughter of Rev. Varney Jacobs and Leila (Murch) 
Jacobs. Attending schools in Mass., Conn., New York 
and Wisconsin, moving to Illinois at age 18, making her 
home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Meyers 
until her marriage to Alva Zook. 

They resided on the farm with Mr. Zook's parents 
until the elder Mr. and Mrs. Zook retired in January 
1915 to their residence at 1056 E. Howard St., Pontiac, 
lU. It was at this residence that both Mr. and Mrs. S. 
M. Zook passed away. Mr. Zook on October 31, 1931 
and Mrs. Zook August 1934. 

Mr. and Mrs. Alva Zook remained on the rented farm 
until they purchased the present Zook farm, moving to it 
Feb. 1919. The farm was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles and Elizabeth Gourley, and is located Vz mile 
south of Cornell. 




Solomon M. Zook, Bertha May Zook, Phoebe (Dale) 
Zook, Alva A. Zook 



They became the parents of one daughter, Beulah 
Zook. She graduated from Cornell Grade and High 
School. She was married to Lloyd B. Leonard, Man- 
ville. 111., son of Mr. Almo and Lillie (Berge) Leonard, 
Manville, on Dec. 22, 1938. They lived near Manville 
for one year then moved to the Zook home to assist Mr. 
Zook in farming. 

Mr. and Mrs. Zook purchased a home in Cornell from 
Mrs. Gardner. They retired to this home in Nov. 1943. 
Mr. Zook passed away July 21, 1970. 



' Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Leonard became the parents of 

Donald Lloyd and Richard Keith. 

Donald married Patricia Easton, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Carl Easton, Streator, 111. They are the parents of 
Daniel Todd, age 9, and Melissa Marie, age 8. The fam- 
ily resides at Dodgeville, Wisconsin where Donald is 
pastor of the Dodgeville Bible Church. 

Richard married Donna Baughman, daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Everett Baughman, Flanagan, 111. They re- 
side in Cornell where Richard is owner of "Dick's Custom 
Cabinets". 

Bertha May Zook never married. She was a registered 
nurse receiving her training at Deaconess Hospital, Chi- 
cago and Deaconess Hospital, Helena, Montana. She was 
employed at the Baby Fold, Normal, 111,, the local area, 
also St. James Hospital, Pontiac, 111. She passed away 
an May 2, 1954. 

With no men folk to carry on the family name, seems 
as if the name "Zook" will one day be only a vague 
memory in the Cornell area; but nevertheless we can 
look back and say, "we were there". 

14 Generations of St. Johns 




ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE ST. JOHN FARM 
W. I. St. John and Mrs. W. I. St. John. Back row: Bert 
St. John and William Seth St. John 

All the St. Johns in this country are believed to have 
descended from Mattias St. John, Sr., who, with a large 
family of sons and daughters, settled in the town of 



Norwaik, in Fairfield County Conn., before the year 1654. 
The name is written "Sention" on the town records down 
to the year 1706, when it first appears as "Saintjohn". 
In 1726 it is first written St. John, and it was generally 
accented on the first syllable down to the year 1800. 

Matthias St. John, the first of this name whom we can 
trace in America, was born in England, came to Dor- 
chester, Mass., in 1631 and was made a freeman there on 
3 September 1634. He moved to Windsor, Conn., in 1640, 
and to Norwaik, Conn., in 1654, where he was granted 16 
acres. He died October, 1669, and his estate was 
valued at 300 pounds. His son, Matthias, who was born 
in 1630, was a select man of Norwaik and lived near the 
cove until his death in 1728. Matthias, Jr., (grandson of 
the first Matthais) was born in Norwaik in 1667, and 
owned land at "Flaxhill". He helped build the school 
house, was paid two shillings to burn the woods for the 
town, was Fence Viewer, wrote an article on wolf killing, 
and was paid by the town to "beat ye the drum on 
Sabbath days". His son was Captain Samuel St. John. 

Captain Samuel St. John came from Norwaik with his 
brothers and was an original proprietor of Ridgefield, 
Conn,, in September, 1708, when 24 persons bought the 
land from the Indians. In 1709 they took possession of 
this 20,000 acres and divided them into lots. He was 
Surveyor and Moderator of the town meeting in 1729 and 
was later appointed Captain of the Train Band of 
Ridgefield. He died before 1756. 

Job St. John, the 10th child of Captain Samuel, moved 
to Westchester County, New York, where his son John 
was born in 1750. John, along with four of his brothers, 
fought in the Revoluntionary War. In 1770 he married 
Anna Lockwood, and after the war they moved to Ham- 
ilton County, Ohio, where he died in 1819. His son was 
Seth St. John. 

Seth St. John was born in 1792 and fought in the War 
of 1812. He was mustered in at Lebanon, Ohio, and his 
company joined the Regiment at Dayton, Ohio. Under 
the command of Col. James Findley, the regiment march- 
ed to Detroit, where they were placed under the com- 
mand of General Hull, and was by General Hull, sur- 
rendered to the British in August 1812. They were taken 
to Cleveland, Ohio, where they were paroUed and order- 
ed home. While in the army Seth St. John became a 
friend of William Henry Harrison, and the Indiana 
branch of the family has a cane with Harrison's name 
engraved on it that he gave to Seth, as a token of their 
friendship. After the war, Seth moved to Warren Coun- 
ty, Indiana. Two of his sons, Samuel and John, left 
Indiana and moved with their families, to Livingston 
County, Illinois. 

Samuel St. John, the eldest son of Seth St. John, and 
Harah Holliday St. John, was born in Clarke County, 
Ohio, in 1814. He married Margaret Coldron in War- 
ren County, Indiana, in 1837, and they moved to Illi- 
nois in 1852, settling south of Pontiac. He farmed until 
1866, when he rented his farm and moved to Chenoa and 



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worked at wagon making. He died in 1893. 

William Isaac St. John, son of Samuel, was born in 
Warren County, Indiana on July 20, 1843. He had one 
brother, Seth, who was captured during the battle of 
Drury's Bluff, Virginia, during the Civil War, and was 
sent to prison at Andersonville. Later he was taken to 
the stockade at Florence, South Carolina, where he died 
at the age of twenty-one. William Isaac had three sis- 
ters: Eliza, Ada and Ruth Ann, who married brothers. 
They were the sons of Judge Eli Myer, the first settlers 
to come to Eppards Point Township and to buy land there. 
William Isaac enlisted at Pontiac during the Civil War, 
and was at the Battle of Gettysburg and later on Sher- 
man's march to the sea. He was wounded at Peach Tree 
Creek, near Atlanta, Georga. He later rejoined his regi- 
ment. He was present when Johnston surrendered and 
then they marched to Washington, D.C. and participated 
in the "Grand Review". After returning home, he mar- 
ried Permilia Stone. Permilia's sister, Lydia, married 
James Bricker and their grandson, John Rucker, became 
Governor of Ohio, and he ran unsuccessfully as a Repub- 
lican Vice-President candidate in 1944. 




ST JOHN FAMILY IN 1910 
First row: Lula St. John (Vollmer), W. S. St. John, Seth 
St. John, Minnie St. John, Clifford St. John. Back row: 
Roy St. John, Bert St. John and Mable St. John (Gar- 
retson). 



sister in Pontiac. Roy lives at his residence three miles 
north of Cornell. His wife, Elsie, is deceased. He has 
three children: Dannie and his wife Xenia live north of 
Cornell. They are the parents of three chldren: Ro- 
berta and Randy are at home; Cynthia St. John (Hart) 
and husband live in Streator. Seth G. and wife and 
daughter, Darla, also live in Streator. His daughter, 
Elsie Lou (Jenssen) and husband with their two sons, 
Mike and Eric live at Burlington, Wisconsin. Bert and 
wife live in their mobile home in Long Point. They have 
a daughter, Leah Mae St. John (Nolan) and live in 
Ottawa. Seth T. and wife, Frieda, live three miles south 
of Cornell. Lula St. John (Volhner) lives in Pontiac. 
Her husband, George, is deceased. She has four chil- 
dren Ruth (Seggerman) and husband and son. Tommy 
lives in Pontiac. Francis Vollmer and wife Janet live 
east of Cornell in Amity Township. They have three 
children: Susan, David and Stephen. Merle Vollmer and 
wife with their two children, Sherri and Brian, live in 
Pontiac. Jane Vollmer (Wiertz) is deceased, and she 
leaves five children: Julie, Janet Jeanne, Jill and Jim- 
mie. They live with their father n Tonica. Mabel St. 
John (Garretson) formerly of Long Point lives in Pon- 
tiac. Her husband is deceased. Clifford and wife, Faye, 
live in Cornell, and their son, Robert Lee and wife, Frieda 
(Nafziger) and daughters, Lori and Joni, live on the St. 
John farm two miles west of Cornell. 

This year climaxes a combined one hundred seventeen 
years of school teaching for Seth T., Faye, Clifford and 
Robert St. John. Over sixty years have been in teach- 
ing schools in Amity Township. Seth T. has taught 37 
years in the Cornell Grade system. 

The St. John farm, located two miles west of Cornell 
had been in the hands of the St. John family for more 
than eighty years. It is now owned by Clifford and Faye 
and is operated by their son, Bob, his wife Frieda and 
daughters, Lori and Joni. 

The beautiful Vermillion River with its wooded banks 
forms a horse-shoe bend around the farm. It affords 
many pleasant hours for the family to scout about on a 
sunny afternoon searching for arrowheads or artifacts, 
boating, swimming, picnicing and camping for a week- 
end. 

Frieda Jean St. John, Clifford St Joba 



William Isaac had two sons. Bert, who married Saidee 
Brannon and they owned a grocery store in Pontiac for 
many years. 

William Seth St. John was born in 1867 and died in 
1948. He was a farmer aU his life, having bought the home 
farm west of Cornell from his father. He married Mi- 
nerva Jane Talbot, who was born in a log cabin south of 
Cornell. She died in 1952. The William Seth St. John's 
family have farmed for more than three quarters of a 
century west of Cornell. They were the parents of eight 
Children. They are Mabel, Roy, Bert, Claude and Clif- 
ford (twins), Seth T., Lula and Robert. Claude and Ro- 
bert died in infancy. Mabel Garretson lives with her 



Allen Geneology 



These are reminiscences of the early lives of the Jacob 
Allen family as told by their daughter, Anna Eliza Blake, 
(mother of Blanche Blake) to her children. 

Jacob and Eunice Rucker Allen came west from 
Calias, Ohio, in a covered wagon in the summer of 1865 
with two small children, Kelita, 11, and Eliza, 6. Mrs. 
Allen had $1200 sewed in patches in her underskirt, with 
which they bought their first 40 acres of land at $30 an 
acre. Banks were few in those days and money was 
hard earned. They came west to the vicinity of what is 



now Cornell, where Mrs. Allen had two brothers, Mar- 
tin and William Rucker, already there, and a sister, 
Martha Cornell. 

Eliza remembered a perilous event on the way out. 
They had a runaway. Mr. Allen and Kelita decided to 
relax a bit one day, so were walking along the road a 
little ahead of the wagon, leaving Mrs. Alien and EUza 
to manage the driving. Suddenly another wagon ap- 
peared along side of theirs. Just then the driver 
cracked his whip at his team to speed them up. The Al- 
len horses were frightened and began running so hard 
Mrs. Allen could not control them. She thought fast. 
She lifted the flap at the back and dropped Eliza in the 
corner of a stake and rider fence near by. Then she 
herself jumped. She struck her hip on the hub on the 
Wheel and fainted. By that time the horses had become 
tangled in the harness and one was choking. Both were 
down. Mr. Allen got there in time to cut the throat 
latch of the one. They took Mrs. Allen to the nearest 
barbershop in a town nearby and bled her. In those days, 
they bled people instead of giving them transfusions. 

They finally arrived at the home of Martin Rucker, a 
little east of w'hat is now Cornell. They settled about a 
mile west of (now) Cornell, purchasing the 40 acres on 
the north. As they were able they kept adding land, 
which was 170 acres — on either side of the road, now 
owned by Donald Morrison, Dewey Munson and Lee 
Bartley. 

Eliza tells of the hardships her parents endured to get 
ahead. After about 5 years, triplets were bom, three 
boys, one of which died in early infancy. William and 
James grew up never having been separated for one night 
for 34 years. There were no funds to hire help, so Mrs. 
Allen took the place of a hand. They would go to the 
fields as soon as it was daylight and work until dark. They 
took cornbread and molasses for food. The children were 
cared for by Mrs. Allen's sister, Martha Cornell. 

Eliza tells that her folks were very religious. Family 
worship was a daily habit. For several years the only 
church near was the Oakdale Church, located at the Will 
Partridge farm east and north of Cornell a short way. 
The family traveled by wagon to the church, prepared to 
spend most of the day in worship and fellowship with 
others. 

Cornell Methodist Church was built about 1880. Then 
it was moved to the north of the village and a new one 
built about 1900, the same year Cornell (brick) Grade 
School was built. Rev. F. J. Giddings was the minister. 
While Rev. Giddings was serving, the old parsonage was 
moved and the one now standing was built. The original 
parsonage now stands just across from the Catholic 
Church. 

The Allen farm is a centennial farm since it has 
been in the fanuly more than 100 years. The last part 
was sold in 1969. 



Lawrence Family 



John V. Lawrence, born in 1836 in Oslo, Norway, came 
to the United States at age of 20. He was a salior on 
ship which docked in Chicago, after which he walked to 
Ottawa where he had friends. His knowledge of the 
English language was acquired through his own unaided 
efforts. As a young man he worked on his fathers' farm, 
learning the carpenter trade. After coming to Streator, 
he was hired to build a tipple for a coal shaft southwest 
of Streator. He then moved to Amity Township and 
bought 240 acres of government land for $1.25 an acre, 
later selling 160 and lived on 80, where he raised his 
family. 




GRANDMA AND GRANDPA LAWRENCE 

He married Brunella Richardson and they had nine 
children, five dying as infants. Those living, Knute, 
Saul, Millard and Christena. Mr. Lawrence and his sons 
farmed and built many buildings in Livingston County. 

Knute married Mary Jane Knutson, they being parents 
of Elmer J. of Cornell; Nellie Ogden of Sheridan; Rose 
Barickman of Cornell; Clara Patterson and Ruth Ging- 
rich of rural Pontiac and Mable Moore of Joliet. 

Kenneth Edward died at 6 months. 

Saul married Daisy Tiffany and they were parents of 
Lucille Fuller of Streator; Venus Spaniol of Cornell and 
Reinard of Oglesby. 

Millard married Hannah Hoskins, who died same year 
and several years later married Pearl Ryerson, who were 
parents of Edith Oberg. 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

First Baptist Church, Pastor Earl Wickline, Cornell, 

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pastor Father John NIemeyer, Cornell, Illinois 



inois 



Christena married Charlie Fosseen, moving to Iowa 
snd they were parents of Antonette Bergeson, Mae Hin- 
derocker, Ruth Orrison, Arlene Gehrke, Loyde, Carl 
Bruton, Jay and Glenn. 

Along the years there have been 3 sailors in the 
Lawrence family, John Lawrence, Elmer Lawrence, Ed- 
ward Harold Moore. Knute Richardson, a brother of 
Mrs. Lawrence, was q veteran of the Civil War and at- 
tended Big Bend Reunion for years. 

There are several grandchildren, great-grandchildren 
and great-great-grandchildren surviving Mr. and Mrs. 
John Lawrence. 



Morris Foley 



Morris Foley was born in Ireland in 1827 and came to 
America in 1851. He located first in La Salle County 
and came to Livingston County in 1856. He lived on 
what is now the Clare KeUy farm. 

His wife was the former Bridget Whalen. They were 

the parents of thirteen children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. Among the children who spent most of their 
adult lives in the Cornell area where Patrick, John, Den- 
nis, Fred, and Mrs. Fannie Corrigan, all of who are now 
deceased. 

Mrs. Cora Ramme is a granddaughter of Morris Foley. 
Among other grandchildren who lived in this community 
were the late PhUip Corrigan, husband of Mrs. Rena Cor- 
rigan and the late Maurice Foley, husband of Mrs. Agnes 
Foley. 



John Foley 



John Foley was born in County Wexford. Ireland in 
1833. He came to America in 1852 and settled first in 
La Salle County. He came to Livingston County in 1859. 

His wife was the former Catherine Whalen. They 
were the parents of ten children, one of whom died in 
infancy. They lived on the farm north of Cornell 
Where their granddaughter, Mrs. Florence Hoffman, now 
resides. 

Mrs. Hoffman's father, John J. Foley, was born in 1873, 
the same year that Cornell was founded. He was the 
only one of his family who remained in the Cornell 
Community. He moved to Pontiac just three years be- 
fore his death in 1923. 



Chester F. Morris 

CHESTER F. MORRIS. The extensive and valuable 
farm property of this gentleman is located on section 17, 
Amity Township, and forms one of the most valuable 
and well conducted homesteads in the western part of 
Livingston County. It includes 450 broad acres, 300 of 
which has been brought to a high state of cultivation. 
The remainder is in pasture and timber, the proprietor 



being largely engaged in the raising of fine Stock. Mr,, 
Murri.s is widely and favorably known as one of the most 
enterprising men and skillful farmers of central Illinois; 
and his very example has proved an impetus to his 
neighbors around him, whose farms, have no doubt been 
given better care and cultivation than they woul'd other- 
wise have received. A view of the residence and its 
oeautilul surroundings is given on another page in this 
ALBUM, to which the reader is referred. " " -'' 




Residence of C. F. Morris, Sec. 17, Amity Township 



Mr. Morris came to this county at a time when it 
most needed resolute and enterprising men to cultivate 
the soil and introduce the improvements which are so 
necessary to its progress and enlightment. His early 
years were spent in Tippecanoe County, Ind., where his 
birth took place Dec. 12, 1828, at the modest home of his 
parents, Henry and Mary (Reynolds) Morris. They were 
natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio, whence they 
removed in 1836 to Illinois. The father, however, was 
not long lived, his death occurring at the age of thirty- 
nine years, nine months and nine days, on the 11th of 
September, 1843, when his son, Chester F., was a youth of 
fifteen years. 

Henry Morris was a circuit rider or traveling preacher^' 
The father of our subject was a well-educated and in- 
telligent man, a Whig politically, and a prominent mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church, to which the mother 
also belonged. She remained a widow, surviving her 
husband over thirty years, and passed away at her home 
in Livingston County, at the age of sixty-three years, 
eleven months and twenty-eight days. They were the 
parents of eight children, of whom Chester F., our sub- 
ject, was the eldest. Mary R. died Sept. 28, 1843, at the 
age of thirteen years, seven months and fourteen days; 
Philip died Sept. 29, 1843, age twelve years, seven months 
and twenty-eight days; Andrew enlisted in the Union 
Army at Pontiac, in August 1861, returned from the 
service unharmed, and died at his home in Livingston 
County, Oct. 12. 1872, at the age of thirty-nine years, ten 
months and nineteen days; he had been married and was 
the father of one child, who is now deceased. Nancy 
died in 1843, when about eight years of age. William H. 
gave his life to the service of his counti-y, having enlist- 
ed in Company F. 33rd Illinois Infantry, and died at 
Ironton, Mo., Nov. 27, 1862, aged twenty-two years, nine 
months and four days. Joseph died Sept. 9, 1843, aged' 
ten years, and Ellen, Sept. 19, 1845, age one year and four 
days. 



Our subject came to Illinois in 1836, and was married 
in Amity Townsliip, tliis county, June 11, 1857, to Miss 
Susan Springer, who was born in Ohio, Sept. 17, 1832, 
and died at her home in Amity Township, Feb. 13, 1874. 
Of this union there were born the children whose record 
IS as follows: Henry was born May 8, 1858 and died Sept. 
8, 1858; Perry J. was bom Sept. 21, 1859 and died April 
18, 1879; Scott B. was born Sept. 30, 1860 and died Aug. 
18, 1861; Mary was born Oct. 25, 1861 and died Jan. 10, 
1862; Rose was born April 4, 1864 and died Sept. 17, 
1878; Joseph was born Nov. 26, 1865; William R., May 
20, 1868 and Geneva, Jan. 3, 1870. 

The present wife of our subject was formerly Mrs. 
Sarah (Smith) Goddard, and they were married Jan. 
13, 1878. She is the daughter of David and Mary Smith, 
natives of Ohio, and was born Dec. 8, 1837. Of this 
union there have been born three children, all of whom 
are deceased: Chester was born July 19, 1878 and died 
July 30 following; May was born Aug. 30, 1881 and died 
when one year and sixteen days old. William Henry 
Morris died aged two years and twelve days. Politically, 
Mr. Morris is an uncompromising Democrat. 



■r-:^i^- 




LOG CABIN BUILT IN 1846 

Mr. Chester F. Morris gave the ground which is the 
Morris Cemetery. He and his first wife, Susan, as well 
as five of his children, two grandchildren and one great- 
grandson are buried there. 

Mr. Morris' son, William R. and Ella Blake were mar- 
ried May 27, 1887. A few months after their marriage 
they moved into a log cabin which was on the property. 
No one had lived in it for a number of years. In this 
log cabin their first two children, Frederick L. and Lena 



E. (Mothersbaugh) Morris were born. Within a short 
time, Mr. Chester Morris moved to the village of Cornell 
and W. R. and his family moved down to the home place 
where the other members of the family were born, 
Robbie B., Gertrude (Morgan) Morris, Warren C, Daniel 
B., Mary G. (Bruner) Morris, Emma K. (Morgan) Mor- 
ris, Alonzo J., Mabel (Cashmer) Morris, Albert G. and 
RusseU C. Five of the children are deceased, Albert, 
Mary, Daniel, Frederick and Warren. Later another 
family, Alonzo Springer and his wife, Kitty Carroll, 
moved into the log cabin. Kitty passed away there in 
childbirth. 

Robbie B. and his family also lived in the log house. 

William Robert Morris 

William Robert Morris, a progressive member of the 
agricultural class of Livingston County, is one of the 
most successful young farmers of Amity Township. His 
entire life has been spent in this immediate locality, and 
here, where he is so well known, he bears a reputation 
for uprightness and justice and a conscientious regard 
for the rights of others and his duty as a citizen and 
head of a household. 

William R. Morris, more familiar knwon as Robert 
Morris, comes from an old and honored Virginia family, 
and his grandfather, Henry Morris, possessed that spirit 
which has filled the hearts of all of the sturdy brave 
pioneers who laid the foundations of future civilization 
and prosperity. Henry Morris first moved from the Old 
Dominion to the wilderness of Ohio, subsequently lo- 
cated in Indiana and as early as 1837, when this country 
was new and sparsely settled, came to Livingston County. 
Choosing a tract of land in Amity Township, he spent 
the remainder of his life here, his death occurring in 1841. 
His homestead, which he had partially cleared and pre- 
pared for cultivation, is the identical one now in the 
possession of our subject. 

C. F. Morris, father of William Robert Morris, was 
born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, December 12, 1828, 
and from his tenth year until his death, February 10, 
19(J0, he dwelt in Amity Township, one of her most 
esteemed citizens. His death is felt to be a public loss 
m this community, where so long and faithfully he used 
his influence for its permanent welfare. In early man- 
hood he wedded Susanna, daughter of Joseph Springer, 
who was an early settler in this locality also. The young 
couple commenced keeping house in this township and 
in the coure of time came to live on the old Morris home- 
stead. Under his management, the place was wonder- 
fully improved, and a well built house and barns added 
much to the value and desirability of the farm. Mr. 
Morris was engaged in the actual work of the farm until 
in 1892 he moved to Cornell, where he purchased a 
pleasant residence. His long and useful life closed in 
peacefulness, and, surrounded by his loving relatives and 
numerous sincere friends, he breathed his last and passed 
to his reward. His mortal remains were tenderly laid 



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First Methodist Church, Pastor Gilbert Fletcher, Cornell, Illinois 
First Methodist Church, Pastor Gilbert Fletcher, Blackstone, Illinois 



away in the old Morris cemetery, on the homestead, with 
which the name has been associated for more than 
three-score years. 

His first wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1874, 
and afterward he married again. Joseph C, his eldest 
son is a resident of Kansas City, and Geneva, the only 
daughter, is the wife of William Gregory, a farmer of 
this township. 

The birth of William Robert Morris occurred on the 
old homestead, May 20, 1868, and here his boyhood days 
were passed in the usual quiet pursuits of country lads. 
After completing the curriculum of the common schools, 
he further qualified himself for life's duties by attending 
college at Dixon, Illinois, where he was a student for 
two years. He then returned home and assiduously de- 
voted himself to the cultivation of the farm, deciding to 
make agriculture his chief business in the future. Since 
1890 he has had entire charge of the old farm, and now 
manages about four hundred acres of well cultivated and 
highly desirable land. He is practical and in sympathy 
with the progressive spirit of the age, and it is safe to 
predict for him, wealth and prominence, though these 
things are not his chief aspirations. 

On the 27th of May, 1887, Mr. Morris married Ella G. 
Blake, daughter of Daniel W. Blake of Cornell. Mr. 
Blake was born in Ohio in 1835 and came to Illinois in 
1854. He married Sallie F. Burnham in Amity in 1862. 
She was born in Pennsylvania in 1845. Mr. Blake en- 
listed at Pontiac, August 8, 1862 in the 129th I.V.I., was 
through the Sherman campaign and was mustered out in 
1866. He served as commissioner of highways for four 
years and as village trustee for two years. He owned 
farm ground and also 10 acres in town which became 
Blakes addition. They were the parents of three chil- 
dren, Fred and John (who died as a youngster), and 
Ella Gertrude, born January 9, 1869, who became Mrs. 
Morris. Twelve children blessed the union of this couple, 
namely: Fred, Lena, Robert B., Gertrude, Chester Warren, 
Daniel D., Mary Geneva, Joseph, Emma, Mabel Josephine, 
Albert (who died at birth), and Russell. 

In his political faith Mr. Morris is a Democrat. For 
himself he has never aspired to public office, as he finds 
his time fully occupied in attending to his manifold busi- 
ness affairs. Yielding to duty and the desires of his 
neighbors, he has officiated as district clerk and on the 
board of education, giving his influence to all measures 
calculated to benefit the community permanently in his 
opinion. 



ixnrents of Richard, Beverly (deceased), Dorothy, Gloria, 
Rosalie and Philip. Alonzo J. married Lela Andrews, 
parents of Nancy, then married Billie Sweet, parents of 
Joseph L. Russell never married. 



Liberty Louderback 



Liberty Louderback was born in Brown County, Ohio, 
July 4, 1824, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Springer) 
Louderback, and was given the name Liberty by his 
grandfather, Uriah Springer. He came with his parents 
to Illinois in 1831 and settled in Vermillion County near 
Danville where they lived until 1837. They then moved 
to Amity Township where they entered a tract of land 
from the government. He was the oldest of his family, 
namely: Liberty, Mills, Thomas, Levi, Thirza, William, 
Polly and Mahala. He grew to manhood on a farm in 
Amity Township and though he had little opportunity for 
schooling, he early mastered all the details of farming. 
At the age of twenty-one he began life for himself work- 
ing as a farm hand. 




LIBERTY LOUDERBACK AND MARY JANE 
(CORBIN) LOUDERBACK FAMILY 

Seated, left to right: Liberty Louderback, Julia Louder- 
back Gregory, Mary Jane (Corbin) Louderback, John H. 
Louderback. 

Standing, left to right: Chester Louderback, Harriet Lou- 
derback Graeser, Hersie Louderback Manley, George 
Louderback. 



Fred (deceased) married Florence Andrews, parents of 
Leo (deceased), Daniel, Ella and Carolyn. Lena married 
Calvin Mothersbaugh, no children; Robbie married Verta 
Cashmer, parents of four daughters, Madeline, Claudene, 
Geneva and Betty. Gertrude married Clyde Morgan, par- 
ents of Maxine, Robert, Helen, Jean and Morris. Warren 
married Lela Leonard, parents of Esther, Robert W. and 
John. Emma married Arthur Morgan, parents of Wil- 
liam, Marjory and Joyce. Mabel married Claud Cashmer, 



On April 26, 1849, he married Miss Mary Jane Corbin, 
who was born in Va. Oct. 9, 1827 and came to the county 
with her father, David Corbin and family in 1831. Mr. and 
Mrs. Louderback began their domestic life on his farm in 
a log cabin with furniture of his own manufacture. His 
first land was purchased from Illinois Central Railroad 
Co. He later added more acres to this in section 20 of 
Amity Township. He continued farming until 1877, when 
they retired to a home in Cornell where he passed away 



June 13, 1907. His wife passed away May 11, 1900. Six 
children were bom to them, namely: John H., George W., 
Cbeeter W., Julia, Hersey and Harriet C. 

George W. Louderback and Ellen Gates were married 
Nov. 15, 1876 and were the parents of three children: 
Bert Harold, Mabel and Edna. 

Bert Harold Louderback married Blanche McDonald 
May 8, 1907. They became the parents of a son, Harold 
B. Louderback, who is now married to Velma Metz. 
Blanche died in 1908 and Mr. Louderback married Iva 
May Allen April 14, 1910. They were the parents of two 
sons, Clarence and Clifford and a daughter, Dorothy. 
Clarence married Ruth Bryan. They are the parents of 
five children: Kenneth, Judith, Bruce, Douglas and Mary 
Ann. Clifford (deceased 1968) married Prudence Fort- 
ner. Dorothy married George Delheimer, Jr., and they 
are the parents of John, Steven, Ruth Ann, Patrick and 
Scott. 



The Munson Family 



Bert Louderback died Oct. 5, 1949. 
1940. 



Iva died May 3, 



Mabel Louderback married Charlie H. Patterson Feb. 
12, 1902. Three children, Doris, Harold and Lois were 
born to them. Doris married Howard Garretson and 
they became parents of three children, Letha, Jarlath 
(died at age two) and James. Harold Patterson married 
Clara Lawrence. Lois married Charles Beck and their 
children are Sandra (Mrs. Brad Hardy), Steven and Todd, 

Charlie Patterson died Aug. 21, 1960. Mabel died Jan. 
29, 1968. 

Edna Louderback married Herman Grimm in 1913. 
He died In 1946. She was married to Perry Lundy, who 
preceded her la death. She passed away June 12, 1972. 

Chester WiUiam Louderback, born 1854, died 1933 
married Normanda Young in 1878. She died 1932 
children: Doll, Bertha, Frank LeRoy 

Julia Alice Louderback, born 1856, died 1934 
married Thomas Gregory 1875, he died 1888 
children: Charlie (died 1920); George, Madge 

George died 1918, married May Plank (died 1946) 
children, Edweird, George, Francis, Henry, Robin, 
Florence 
Madge married Floyd Rucker in 1911, he died 1960 
two sons, Ronald and Richard 

Hersle Jane Louderback, born 1863, died 1947 
married Harry L. Manly in 1882, he died 1933 

one daughter, Edna born 1883, married Arthur Har- 
wood, who preceded her in death. She died 1960 

Harriet C. Louderback, bom 1868, died 1915 
married William H. Graeser in 1869 
one daughter, Gertrude 



Chris Munson was born November 15, 1848 in Den- 
mark. He came to the United States when he was in 
his early teens and lived with friends at Tonica. He 
married a Benedict from Kankakee and they had one 
son, Charles. 



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j.\iJ\. /iiNL) ivirio. L-iiixio iviOi.'f^Oi'i 

Charles B. Munson (1882-1954) married Mary Ellen Way 
(1887-1911) 
Virgil 
Nellie married Leslie Nicols 

Frances, Mary Ellen, Alice Marie, Marjorie, Glenn 
Gordon was adopted as an infant by an aunt, Goldie 
Jeters 
. He is married and lives in Missouri 

Mary Ellen Way is buried in Nigh Chapel Cemetery. 
After her death, Charles Munson moved to California, 
where he later married a lady who had two children. 
There were four children born from this marriage, Ben- 
jamin, Edwin, Goldie and Harold. 

After his first wife's death, Chris Munson later mar- 
ried Carrie Anderson, who came to the states from Den- 
mark at the age of 13. They were married September 
4, 1883 and moved to Amity Township around 1392, liv- 
ing west of Nigh Chapel Church (NEVi of Sec. 30). He 
spent his whole life in farming, until retiring and mov- 
ing to Pontiac in 1919. They lived at the corner of 
Water and Elm Streets He died July 5, 1926; she 
died May 28, 1935. They are both buried in Nigh Chapel 
Cemetery. They were the parents of seven children: 
Nellie, John, Bert, Florence, Myrtle, Alfred and Dewey. 

Nellie died at the age of two. 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

Community Lutheran Church, Pastor Ralph Marquardt, Cornell, Illinois 
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pastor Len Carlson, Cornell, Illinois 



John A. (1884-1948) married to Jessie Hakes 
Vernon Leroy, married to Anna Sparrow 
Kenneth, Donald, RandaU 

Bert (1886 - ), married to Carrie Grace Snyder 
EUen Marie, married Paul Rosebnigh 

Mary Anne, Betty Jean, Francis Paul 
Russell Albert (d. 1971) married to Ada Johnston 

Olive Ruth, Russell, Jr., Brian James, Robert 
Dorothy May, married Edward Smith 

Betty Ellen, Jerold Edward, Sandra May, Donna 

Joanne 
Dale Snyder, married Mary Frew 

Gary Dale, Reverdy Leigh 

This family settled in the New York area. 

Florence (1889-1936) married Warren Wertz (1885- 
1969) They are buried in Nigh Chapel Cemetery. 

Myrtle (1981— living in Ransom) married Jake Ging- 
rich (1884-1957) 

Howard married Pauline Cook 

Patricia Ann married Ronald Novatney 

Shawn, Scott 
Leslie 

Alfred (1895-living in Streator) married Mary V. Mc- 
Nutt (1895-1965) 

Edward Dewey married Ellen Bresney 

Dorothy Jean, Coral Jo, Ronald Lee (killed in ser- 
vice), Randall James, Edward Dewey, Jr., Karla 
Kay, Kimberly Ann, Shawn Dwayne 

Kenneth Eugene, died in infancy 

Cletis Albert married Dorothy Kreiser 
Phyllis, Louann, Larry, Lori 

Vera Irene married Carl Call 
Evelyn Marie, Shirley Ilene 

Vehna Ilene married Elmer Laurine 
Debbie 

Oral Dean married Marie Hunter 
Debbie, Larry, Steve, Kathy 
Alfred later married Goldie WUson. She died in 1972. 

Dewey (1897-1969) married Anna Jensen (1896-living 
in Pontiac) 
Harold 
Kenneth married Elinor Harrison 

William Harrison married Janet Rasmus 
Linda Harrison 

Early Burkett Family 

Early Burkett was born in 1880 and grew up near 
Golden C3«te, Illinois. Early came to the Livingston 
County area in his younger days and worked on farms by 
the month. Some of his earliest employers were Bob Orr, 
Marion Louderback, Pete Corrigan, Guy Patterson and 
Will Blue to name a few. Early and Delmar (Dude) 
Blake made several trips to Iowa to dig "tile ditch" for 
Edward Gourley. 

On December 31, 1910, Early Burkett and Mamie 
Mounts of Griffin, Indiana were married. They came to 



Cornell by train, and the first home for the Burkeft's was 
a small house in the block west of the United Methodist 
Church in Cornell. In the spring, they moved to a house 
on the Dennis Foley farm, one and a quarter mile north of 
Cornell. It was on this farm that Early was to spend 
the rest of his life. The farm is now owned by F. N. 
Smith of Pontiac. 

Their next move was a one-half mile north along the 
Wabash tracks This home was formerly a hotel during 
the "hey-days" of North Cornell. 

By this time, Lewis Mounts, Mrs. Burkett's son by a 
previous marriage had joined them and their baby girl, 
Louise. 

It was fortunate that Mr. and Mrs. Burkett moved into 
a nineteen-room, three story house; in as much as seven 
more children were to come along. In fact, all the chil- 
dren grew up at the "hotel". The children are: Lewis 
Mounts, Louise, Foster, Joe, Ervin, Clark, Helen, Muriel 
and Gene. All of the children attended the Sutcliff 
Grade School. Lewis, Louise, Clark, Helen and Muriel 
graduated from the Cornell High School. 

Lewis Mounts, retired school teacher, lives in Odell, 
and is married to Agnes (Gourley) Mounts. They have 
a daughter, Uretta and two grzindsons, Thad and Rhys 
Lovell. 

Louise is a librarian at Northern Illinois University 
and is married to Harry Bronson. They have one son, 
Robert and twa granddaughters, Robbie and Debbie and 
a grandson, Robert J. They make there home in Water- 
man. 

Foster works for the Ford Implement Company in Pon- 
tiac and is married to Donna (Breiholz) Burkett. 

Joe is employed by FS Company in Pontiac and is 
married to Helen (Ide) Burkett. They have one son, 
Tim. 

Ervin is living on the farm where his father started 
farming around 1911. He served with the Engineer 
Corps during World War II, in the European Theatre. He 
is married to Verna (Mossberger) Burkett. They have a 
son, Ben and a grandson, Bradley. 

Clark is employed by FS Company as a truck sales- 
man, and just completed his 25th year of service. He is 
married to Margaret (Chorba) Burkett and resides in 
Cornell. They have two daughters, Barbara and Michele, 
one granddaughter, Tonia Shambo. 

Helen is married to Robert Greenman and resides on a 
farm in Esmen Township. They have a son, John Robert, 

Muriel is married to WUliam Testa of Wilmington, 
Illinois and have a daughter, Maria. 

Gene farms in Newtown Township. He is married to 
Marjorie (Mitchell) Burkett. They have a daughter, 
Susan. A son, Gregg and a daughter, Gayle passed away 
in 1968. 

Anna Odle, mother of Mamie Burkett made her home 
with the Burkett's for several years. She was always on 
hand to care for all of her grandchildren. 

Early passed away May 11, 1963, and Mamie passed 
away September 20, 1971. 




Leslie C.Arends 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
WASHINGTON. D. C. 



February 21, 1973 



Dear Fellow Americans: 

Every once in a while we need to take time to 
consider our heritage, how we started, and how we 
have grown. A centennial celebration is indeed 
such a time. 

America has been built on a foundation stemming 
from the values and the cooperative spirit of rural 
communities. In a busy time of urban problems and 
unrest, of friction and conflict, it is necessary 
for us to concentrate on the real strength of America 
which still lies in those rural commiinities . 

I have watched Cornell grow and change and 
thrive. I have always felt honored that Cornell has 
been a part of my congressional district since I_ 
first came to Congress. I am proud that it remains 
a part of my district today. 

To all the people of Cornell and all those in 
the surrounding countryside who call Cornell their 
home, please let me extend my heartiest 
congratulations on the occasion of your centennial. 

With all good wishes, I am 

Sincerely, 



The Village of Cornell 
Cornell, Illinois 61319 




THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

Community Club, Wilbur Cashmer, President, 
Cornell, Illinois 




Gilbert J. Lauritzen 



Born on August 10, 1912 in Round Grove Township, 
(section 13) and farmed in Round Grove Township (sec- 
tion 18) and in Pontiac Township (section 9). Moved to 
the WVfe of the EV^ of Section 35, Amity Township in 
1954 where along with farming, raised cross bred hogs. 
Quit swine project in 1971. 

Began writing insurance in 1956 as an agent for Pon- 
tiac Mutual County Fire Insurance Company, of which 
company, my father, Charles Laurtizen, was President, 
wind coverage being written in the Rockford District 



Mutual Tornado Insurance Company, which is now the 
Rockford Mutual Insurance Company. 

Since 1956 many agency connections have been ac- 
quired, so that I now can provide Accident & Health, 
Auto, Fire, Crop Hail, Hospitalization, Liability, Life, 
Truck and Workmen's Compensation insurance for any- 
one. 

Am now a Director and President of the Pontiac Mutual 
County Fire Insurance Company. Also President of the 
Church Council of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rowe. 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 



Gilbert J. Lauritzen 

Pontiac Mutual County Fire Insurance Company 

Rockford Mutual Insurance Company 



Cornell - 1973 



Population - 550 



Centennial Kin^ and Two Queens 




MINNIE SANTELMAN, 91 
JOHN CAELSON, 99 
EMMA BENNETT, 96 



Cornell Community Senior Citizens 
80 and over 
March 4, 1973 




1st row, left to right — Mrs. Oscar Swanberg, Emma Eddy, 

Minnie Santelman, John Carlson, Emma Bennett, EUa 

Mossberger, Mable Springer. 

2nd row — Frank Morrison, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Earp, Lee 

Morrison, Hilda Ogden. 

3rd row — Cora Ramme, Lottie Hardin, Minnie Ketterer, 

Mary Johnson, BiU and Zellah Beaman, Vada Ide. 

4th row — Hazel Cassidy, Helen Bemis, Lydia Ely, Mrs. 

Tom Bayles, Claire Leonard, Rena Corrigan. 

5th row — George Cassidy, Edward Isham, Lyle Husted. 

Those not pictured are — Lloyd Miner, Josephine Metz, 

Harold Trainor, R. B. Morris, Golda Crura, Margaret 

Twohey. 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

Chief City Tobacco Co., Inc., 
210 North Oak St., 
Pontiac, Illinois 





WILL GAMBLIN 



MABLE WAYTVIAN 





■^ ^^ s~. 

William Wayman with his sorrel team of mares 
full sisters. 



R. B. MORRIS 



Cornell Businesses 



Bayou Bluffs Campground 

This campground was opened for business in 1965 by 
the John W. Snyder family. It consists of 70 acres and 
is part of a 292 acre farm. Campers from all of the states 
in the United States, Canada and Europe stop here. 

John's grandfather McKee, on the paternal side set- 
tled here in the 1830's. The "Bluffs" area was chosen by 
several other families also because of its wood, water and 
stone. These are the same things that appeal to camp- 
ers today. The Bayous of the Vermillion River lie on 
one side of the campground. Rooks Creek on the other 
side. There is also a stocked man-made lake. These 
ere favorite spots for the fisherman and hiker. 

There are 200 shady campsites with picnic tables, 
electricity, and fire wood. There also are two complete 
shower houses. 

Recreation consists of playground equipment, base- 
ball, basketball, hiking, fishing, wading pool, and hay- 
rack rides. 

The recreation hall has a fireplace, pool table, juke 
box and games. There is also a store stocked with gro- 
peries, .snacks, gifts and camping supplies. 

Cornell Postal Department 

Walter Cornell was the first postmaster in Cornell in 
1873. Dan Blake occupied the post for 17 years with 
Franc Jones and Mabel Holmes Springer as clerks part 
time. The office was then located at the Ide property, 




Picture left to right — Verona Beck, Mary Mills, J. D. 
Sims, ZeUah Beaman. 

where the American Legion now stands. It was moved 
to the north side of main street to the Shackelton build- 
ing just west of the present restaurant some time later. 
Frank Brady was postmaster when Zellah Beaman first 



started working part time along with Mable Springer. 
Harlow Iverson was appointed in 1916 and resigned in 
1917 when Mabel Springer was appointed for 13 years 
with Zellah Beaman as clerk. Earl Husted was appointed 
in 1930-46, during which time the office was moved to 
the old bank building, now occupied by Girard's Antiques. 
In 1943, the office was made 3rd class and the Star route 
was established, with mail coming by truck from Streator 
instead of Wabash Railroad. 

After the retirement of Earl Husted, Robert "Bob" Beck 
was appointed from 1946-52 after which he transferred to 
rural mail carrier, due to the retirement of J. D. Sims, 
who had carried mail for 30 years. Keith Turner was 
acting postmaster for part of two years, after which Al- 
dene Myers was acting until James Jirus was appointed 
from 1954-60. Due to his death, Aldene Meyers was 
again appointed acting until Arnold Ide was acting 1960- 
62, Annette Grant acting 1962-64, when WUliam Pleasant 
was appointed permanently. 

Zellah Beaman continued as clerk until 1959 under Jim 
Jirus, when she was required to retire, having reached 
the the age of 70. With the exception of three years of 
her early married life, Zellah had spent the most part of 
"half a century" with the postal department. Most 
patrons of the Cornell area remember her pleasant ways 
and congenial manner. She is stUl enjoying very good 
health, with the exception of poor eyesight. She recalls 
many incidents and has made many friends. Among her 
memories are the many 10 hour days at $1.00 a day, but 
considered herself "lucky" to have a job. Very little 
money was alloted for expenses and oftentimes the post- 
master would go next door to get warm in the winters. 
None of the offices had furnace heat, water or rest 
rooms — a far cry from the nice office now occupied. 
Even in the early fifties, they would go to the office on 
Christmas morning to distribute the mail. 

Past rural carriers were Charles Sutcliff, Taylor Shin, 
Harry Rucker, Ralph Sawyer, J. D. Sims, Bob Beck and 
the present carrier, Orville Cagley. 

Mrs. Robert (Verona) Beck was appointed clerk to re- 
place Mrs. Beaman and Mrs. Clinton (Gayle) Mills was 
the substitute. The new building, built by Cornell Indus- 
tries, was constructed in 1961, with Arnold Ide moving 
the office, with dedication being held in October. 

Bill Pleasant, formerly of Streator, is married to Helen 
Delheimer, daughter of the late Bessie and George Del- 
heimer. They have one son David, three daughters, Pat, 
Beth and Amy, also a granddaughter, Jenny. Bill operated 
Bill's Body Shop several years in Cornell before becom- 
ing postmaster. Bill creates a most friendly atmosphere 
in the office and he lives up to his name, as some call 
him Pleasant William. 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

F. N. Smith Lumber Yard, 73 1 E. Madison St., Pontiac, III. 

Livingston County Democrat Central Committee, Edward Hornick, Chr. 

McGrath's Frozen Foods, 305 East Bridge St., Streator, Illinois 



Seamstress and Dressmaker 

Tesuko (Terri) Goforth, a native of Japan, has been 
doing alleratiuiis unci dressmaking since coming to the 
United States in 1960. 

Her skills at dressmaking, and also pattern making, 
were learned while employed for three years, with the 
Sanshi Dress Company of Tokyo, Japan. 




In 1960 she married Tom Goforth, who was stationed 
at Camp Drake, Japan with the U.S. Army. 

They have resided in Cornell since 1965. Their chil- 
dren are Debbie, age 12, and Kathy, age 9. 



Girard's Antique Shop 

GLrard's Antique Shop opened in the fall of 1970 in the 
former Cornell Bank Building, owned by Mrs. Marie 




LYLE GIRARD AND SON, JIM 

Wayman. The shop is owned by Lyle, Mildred and Jim 
Girard. Many varied articles have come and gone 



through the doors such as an Indian totem pole, furniture 
of all description, muzzle loading guns and many other 
types of articles. Indian relics from common arrows to 
museum pieces are for sale and displayed at all times. 
Indian relics have been sold to customers from as far 
away as Connecticut and shipped by maU to customers in 
over thirty states. 

Furniture is sold in the rough to many dealers or 
stripped of paint and varnish and then refinished. 
Over the years more people have become antique minded. 
Prices for good material has steadily increased, such as 
brass beds that used to sell for 50 cents on an auction, 
are now selling for $100 and more. Round oak tables, 
that were banned to the basement, are being once again 
refinished and put to use. 

Although the business is sometimes not too profitable, 
it is interesting and offers the chance to meet a lot of 
nice people. 

The Girards extend a welcome for anyone to stop by 
and browse. 



Irving Miner's Radio & TV Service 

My interest in electronics goes back to my grade school 
days when my parents bought me an electrical experi- 
mental set. That started me to read a lot about "wire- 
less" as it was called then. 

A friend and myself started to purchase parts for a 
receiving outfit, but that was taboo with Uncle Sam as 
World War I was still going on, so we had to drop it. 

While I was working at the Western Electric in Chi- 
cago in 1923 and 24, radio was beginning its boom and 
building your own set was almost a necessity. So I buUt 
one — plenty of parts stores. Loosely built, parts were 
scattered all over the table I had. 

Was quite excited when I heard Jack Chapman's or- 
chestra playing "Dream Daddy", the first tune I had ever 
heard on any radio. 

Later I built a much better model and brought it home 
the next year. It lasted for several years and my brother, 
Lloyd and Jody Murphy listened to the World Series be- 
tween the N.Y. Giants and Washington Senators. It 
would operate two or three sets of headphones which 
were most satisfactory then. 

By 1952, television had proved itself, so decided to 
get into the service business seriously. Took a radio-TV 
course from one school and a TV course from another in 
which I built my first TV set. 

Purchased test equipment, most of which has been re- 
placed and added to, so kept up to date. Valuable as the 
schooling was, years of experience has been by best 
teacher. 



Cornell Telephone Company 

In reminiscing over early years, Mrs. Mabel Springer 
recalls a two-story building on the south side of Main 
Street in Cornell. Mr. and Mrs. John Barringer resided 
there. Mr. Barringer built a brick oven in his back yard 
and Mrs. Barringer baked homemade bread in this oven 
and sold it for 5c a loaf. She also sold one pound fruit 
cakes at 10c each. The Barringers also served meals 
and lunches, charging 25c per meal. In 1900 a switch- 
board was installed in the upstairs. It was operated by 
Miss Hattie Layne, the very first telephone operator in 
Cornell. She became ill and resigned. Miss Bessie Bar- 
ringer was hired. She was assisted by Miss Stella Sy- 
phers When Miss Syphers and her family moved to 
California, Miss Mabel Holmes then assisted in the office. 

When Bessie Barringer married Charlie Gill, a barber 
shop owner, they moved to Goshen, Indiana. Mabel 
Springer's sister, Miss Bertha Holmes then took over as 
assistant on the switchboard. They were employed for 
about fifteen years. 

Following the Holmes girls, a lady from Morton, Illi- 
nois was hired as operator. Later she resigned and Mrs. 
Emma Dickerson was hired. Her daughters, Claire, 
Bessie and Gertrude assisted her. Other operators were 
Mabel Beaman, Jessie Calder, Dora Johnson, Cora Gates, 
Verna Voorheis, Ethel Gourley, Eola Mills, Lela Morris 
and Mae Chester. After Mrs. Dickerson, operators were 
Maxine Morgan, Jean Divis, Helen Ide, Claudene Mor- 
ris, Jean Morgan, Rose Myers, Helen Burkett, Betty 
Trainor and Florence Allen. 

Rose Myers was operating the switchboard when the 
Murphy building caught on fire. The switchboard was 
located on the second floor of the building. She stayed ut 
her post until rescued by climbing down the ladder from 
the second story window. 

In 1947 the Cornell Telephone Company was purchased 
by the Cornell Community Telephone Company at a 
sheriff's sale. They organized with Charles Bennett, 
president; Raymond Spaniol, secretary; John Gaspardo, 
treasurer. Serving as directors were: Homer Dodge, El- 
mer Eutsey, Orval Gingrich and Albert Palm. The Com- 
pany was purchased in January 1948, and that evening 
there was a sleet storm and 80 V4 of the lines were down 
on the ground. This was on a Saturday and on Sunday 
three directors, John Gaspardo, Albert Palm and Ray- 
mond Spaniol went to Odell and ordered a car load of 
telephone poles to start building the lines. It took two 
years to get things back to a normal working condition. 
As they rebuilt the lines, they changed from a grounded 
system to a metallic system which was a great improve- 
ment over the grounded system. Shortly after, the com- 
pany purchased the office building formerly occupied by 
the late Dr. Gardner, a dentist here from the early 1900's. 
At that time the company purchased a switchboard of 
100 positions to replace the 50 position board. At this 
time, there was three full-time operators in charge of 
the switchboard. These operators were Claire Leonard, 



Lela Morris and Mae Chester. These operators each re- 
ceived $2,400 a year salary. There was also extra oper- 
ators hired on a part-time basis who were Ruth Corrigan, 
Claudine Johnson and Venus Spaniol. 

In January of 1964 the Cornell Community Telephone 
Company received an offer to purchase from the Farmers 
Mutual Telephone Company of Allen in Ransom, Illinois. 
This was accepted by the stockholders of the Cornell 
Community Telephone Company at their annual meet- 
ing in 1964. The sale was completed July 20, 1964. 

Mr. Floyd G. Porter was manager of the Telephone 
Company. Mr. Raymond Spaniol and Mrs. Madeline 
Earp, who had been long time employees of the Cornell 
Telephone Company, were retained by the Farmers 
Mutual Telephone Company. The Company rented tem- 
porary office space from Mr. Don Wayman (on the cor- 
ner next to Wayman's Grocery Store) for a conmiercial 
office building. Mrs. Earp then started working on a 
full-time basis as billing clerk and receptionist. Mr. 
Raymond Spaniol was in charge of outside plant main- 
tenance and the installation of new telephones. 

Mr. Floyd G. Porter immediately begin to make ar- 
rangements for financing to convert the entire system to 
dial operation. After these fmancing arrangements had 
been made, a new commercial and central office building 
was built and dial equipment was installed. The tele- 
phone company then purchased the necessary material 
and equipment to bury all the outside plant and install 
new telephones in aU the subscribers homes. The ex- 
change was converted to dial operation in August of 1966. 

In 1965 the name was changed to C-R Telephone Com- 
pany initialing the two exchanges it then served. 

After approximately 25 years of service to the com- 
munity for the telephone company, Mr. Spaniol is now 
retired and enjoying his winters in Florida. There was 
a retirement party for Mr. Spaniol held at Valley View 
Restaurant in November of 1972. Among the 40 attend- 
ing this party were the officers and directors of the Cor- 
nell Community Telephone Company at the time it was 
sold in 1964. These were Raymond Spaniol, president; 
John Gaspardo, treasurer, Cecil Richardson, secretary, 
Alvin Schuler, vice president, John Cashmer, Charles 
Kussow, Sr., Albert Pahn, Elmer Blue and Clark Husted. 

The Cornell Exchange had 387 subscribers in 1964 and 
now serves 433 subscribers at the end of December 1972. 
The Company now has five full time employees. These 
employees are Floyd G. Porter, president, Virginia M. 
Porter, secretary-treasurer, Gary L. Porter, Madeline 
Earp and Robert Owrey. 

Cornell's Unique Chicken Business 

In 1906, Lloyd Miner, then a boy of 14 years, was 
working in Miner Bros, general store, which was in the 
same building now occupied by Johnnies Laundromat. 

At this time, Ed Foley operated Cornell's Hotel, which 
stood on the same ground as the new fire department. 



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Schroeder Firestone, Jet. 66 & 116, Pontiac, III. 

Wolf Battery & Electric, Inc., 309 N. Oak St., Pontiac, III. 



Foley kept chickens and they had free range of the hotels 
back yard. With these chickens was a rooster, which 
stood out in attractiveness from the other common fowl. 
He had long beautiful plumage of red, blue, orange and 
lemon coloring and carried his head high as though he 
were proud of himself. 

Each day as Lloyd came to work, he noticed this beauti- 
ful chicken and became fascinated with him. Finally he 
asked Foley if he would sell the chicken. Foley refused 
to sell, but informed Lloyd that he could buy one from 
Nick Vipond in Streator. 




came greater, he advertised more, sent out circulars and 
raised more chickens. What was a hobby became a good 
paying business. They sell readily for from $15.00 to 
$100.00 each. 

Lloyd retired from other work at 68 years, but is still 
self employed at 80, doing the same as he has done for 
many years. His doctor tells him to keep on doing this, 
as it keeps him young. 

The general public has no idea as to how many years 
there are in the game chicken fraternity, but Lloyd has 
shipped his chickens to England, Canada, Mexico, Central 
America, Guam, the Phillippines, Hawaii and every 
other state in the union. He also has had visitors come 
to his place from coast to coast as well as some foreign 
countries. 

. Through the sale nf these chickens, Lloyd has become 
acquainted with many people, some who are now close 
friends and come to visit each year. Lloyd firmly be- 
lieves that every person should have a hobby, something 
to do after they retire. He also likes baseball, football 
and all sports, but baseball is his fa\-oritp. Chicago Cubs. 
nf course. 



Lloyd Miner, his chicken and pens 



The next day Lloyd asked his father for some money to 
buy one of these chickens. His father didn't want him to 
have this breed of chicken and refused to give him the 
money, but Mother Miner did, and Lloyd caught the 
early morning Wabash passenger train to Streator. (At 
this time this train made two round trips a day from 
Forrest to Streator). Lloyd came home on the evening 
train with not only a rooster, but also two hens, at the 
cost of five dollars for the rooster and two dollars each for 
the hens. 

He learned from Vipond that these were pit game 
chickens and that the roosters, when eight months old, 
had to be penned separately or they would fight and kill 
each other. 

For this reason, Lloyd had to have some chicken 
houses and pens built. An uncle (Ransom Miner) and 
John Johnson (Pug) built the first pens. Over the years, 
many more have been built, one hundred in all. When 
first built, all buildings and pens were painted white. 
Now, with many years of wear on them, the paint is gone 
and they show their age. Lloyd said he often wondered 
which would last the longer, he or the pens. 

Vipond told Lloyd there were three magazines published 
which were devoted exclusively to game chickens and that 
an advertisement in any one of them would help sell the 
young fowl he planned to raise. The magazines were 
Feathered Warrior, published in New York; Grit and 
Steel in South Carolina and The Gamecock in Arkansas. 
All are still published, as they have many subscribers in 
every state as well as foreign countries. 

At first raising these chickens was a hobby with Lloyd 
but as the years went along and the demand for them be- 



Earp Fur Company 




BARRY HIGHLAND, GLENN EARP, GARY EARP 

Glenn A, Earp started buying fur in 1948. Animals 
were skinned, stretched and dried in the basement of the 
home. Two years later business was moved to a 12 x 
20 garage. In 1966 a 24 x 32 two story fur house was 
built by Glenn and yoimgest son, Gary. In 1971 this was 
enlarged to 24 x 42, with a 10 x 12 walk in freezer. Glenn 
and Gary formed a partnership in 1966. Fur is bought 



and picked up within an 80 mile radius of Cornell. Glenn 
has a north pick up route and Gary has a south pick up 
route. Pelts are bought from the trapper either skinned 
or unskinned. The trappers get more for the pelts that 
are skinned and stretched. The furs are taken care of 
by Glenn and Gary, Barry Highland, Joe Garretson, Dick 
Garretson, David Burkitt, Greg and Kenneth Johnson, 
David and Gene Highland and other local help. Pelts 
are matched for color and quality and made into garments 
and fur pieces, hats and rugs for customers, the rest are 
sold to New York fur dealers. The lowest price paid 




GLENN A. EARP, GARY \\\ EARP 

to the trapper for muskrat was 40c to 50c most to date 
was $2.65 to $2.75 per pelt, raccoon, 40c to 60c, highest 
$6.00 to $12.00 The largest raccoon weighed 28V4 lbs. 
opposum, no value, now 25c to $1.00, red fox, no value, 
now they are worth $25.00. Beavers are worth $5.00 to 
$20,00, depending on size, the largest beaver bought by 
Earp Fur Company weighed 65 lbs.; mink $3 to $6 now 
$20 for female and $30 for male; skunk, not much value 
but are made into skunk hats. In 1972 Earp Fur Com- 
pany bought a large volume of muskrat, raccoon, mink, 
opposum, fox, beaver, and coyote and weasels. A full line 
of trapping supplies are kept on hand and sold to trappers. 
In 1973 the fur house will be enlarged and a larger walk- 
in freezer added. 



Bohm's Best Bait Buys 

Irvin Bohm, Jr. and Jeffrey Bohm started saving their 
money in 1971 from sales of nightcrawlers that they 
picked out of the yard. With the help of their Dad, Irvin, 
Sr. they purchased the material for the bait shop. 

The Bait Shop opened in 1972, with tackle supplies 
and minnows, crawfish, leaches, red worms and of course 
night crawlers. Irv, Jeff and their Dad seine for the 
minnows and crawfish. They still pick up nightcrawlers 
when they can, but they have to buy them in order to 
keep enough for sales. 




They hope to improve their tanks and storage this year 
and add more tackle supplies. 



Valley View 

Valley View is the reality of a life long dream. For 
many years, it was the ambition of Louie and Helen Hat- 
zer to someday move their family to a farm. During the 
depression years of the 1930's, it seemed like an impos- 
sibility, but always the longing was there. In 1940, an 
opportunity came along, and here was the chance to buy 
a 60 acre piece of land. A farm ? ? ? There was no 
house. There was an old tumbled-down barn, fencing 
badly in need of repair, a forrest of weeds over the en- 
tire 60 acres. It was a ramshackled piece of property, 
but to Louie and Helen, it was the most beautiful farm in 
the country, full of promise, and full of possibilities. 

The arrangements began, they sold their home in 
Streator, much against the wishes of their families, and 
decided to leave the security of living in town. They 
built a one-room cottage to house them and their 3 chil- 
dren, Joan, Pat and Dick. As Helen and Mary each ar- 
rived, a new room was added onto the house. They 
were now living on a farm! Louie continued working at 
Owens-Illinois Glass Co., and tried farming on the side. 
Having never been on a farm before, trying to plant, 
cultivate and harvest corn was quite an experience, 
Their farm animals included horses, cows, sheep, chick- 
ens, and pigs, none of which they'd had any knowledge 
about, nor been around at all and some of their exper- 
iences that happened could fill a book. Thank goodness 



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Norgaard-Beiswanger Agency, Accounting, Dwight, III. 
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for some kind neighbors like Johnny Gayan, Floyd Ruck- 
er, Herman Steppe, Frank Ogden, Buck Graves, and a few 
others to advise these city slickers through many har- 
rowing experiences. 

And so with farming, raising chickens, and animals, 
selling eggs, driving the school bus, and gardening, this 
enthusiastic family managed to get to be at home on the 
farm. 




Top row, left to right— Pat, Joan, Helen and Louie, Mary 
Helen and Dick. 

Fighting the mighty Vermillion has always been a big 
and costly problem as crops were flooded each year. In 
1949 Louie quit his supervisors job at Owens and he saw 
the possibility of people in town needing all the black 
dirt that the VermiUion was depositing in his flooded 
felds, and he began selling dirt. This led to drilling for 
coal, which was a main commodity then. Under the coal 
they found drillings of gravel, and further investigating 
showed a good deposit of gravel, which also had possi- 
bilities. One thing led to another and Louie and Helen 
found themselves excavating gravel. At this time, Joan 
and Pat were still in high school, and Pat was soon to 
leave for the Air Force, and so Valley View Dirt and 
Gravel Co. consisted of a mortgaged farm, a large family, 
a 1936 Osgood crane, 1937 Diamond T truck, a 1934 Farm- 
ell tractor and lots of guts and determination. Louie 
was chief engineer, crane operator, salesman and all- 
round maintenance man. Helen, besides the family 
duties, as chief helper for the whole operation, and Joan 
was the truck driver. All the other children were just 
getting big enough to pitch in and help when they could. 

Charles Sloan, the Long Point road commissioner then, 
and Charles Louden, supervisor, will always be remem- 
bered and placed high on the list at Valley View for they 
were the first to purchase the gravel that started VaUey 
View on the road. Many miles of roads in Long Point 
Township have been built and covered with Valley View 
gravel. They have also serviced many surrounding town- 



ships by building roads and hauling rock and stone. 
Valley View is now expanded in the road construction, 
and excavating shale for the Division of Clow in Whea- 
ton. 111., for the production of vertrified sewer tile. 

In 1958 the Bud Bradley farm was purchased and is 
now called Valley View Acres, and known statewide for 
camping and swimming. Valley View Restaurant was 
built in 1963 and is a beautiful lounge and eating estab- 
lishment and is known for its delightful atmosphere and 
fine food. Another division is the Village of Valley View, 
a moble home park located above the original gravel pit 
that is now a beautiful lake. 

Valley Viev/ is a family organization, with the whole 
family, including the sons, daughters, sons-in-law, dau- 
ghters-in-law and even the grandchildren, all active in 
the business. Louie is still president of the organization, 
and Helen is the bookkeeper. They still are the chief 
spark of ideas and enthusiasm of the organization. 

Now the gravel company employes 16 men from the 
Cornell and Long Point areas, most of them have been 
with them many years, several starting while still in high 
school. 

The Restaurant and Acres employs 25 full and part- 
time employees, many are high school students and all 
are from the Cornell and Long Point area. 

Valley View is proud to have contributed to the growth 
of Cornell to offer the opportunity lor employment and 
service to the Cornell area, and helped put Cornell on the 
map. 




CORNELL GRADE SCHOOL CAFETERIA 
Marl Bammann, Doris Cashmer and Erma Delheimer 
serving lunch at the cafeteria, at noon, at Cornell Grade 
School. Patty Partridge also an employee and Terri Go- 
forth the substitute. They serve an average 250 pupils 
per day. Serving both grade and high school students. 



Jan's Beauty Corner 

Janet Volmer is the owner and operator of Jan's 
Beauty Corner, which is located in the Vollmer home. 
She attended Pontiac schools and the Streator School of 
Beauty Culture. 

In 1962 she married Francis Vollmer. They live just 
east of Cornell where Mr. Vollmer has lived for 29 years, 
their ch.laixn aru Susan, ai-'e 9, Steven, age 6 and David, 
age. 5. 

She is the daughter of Mrs. Thelma Shoop of Pontiac 
and llie latu i luyct Shoop. 

The Pizza Parlor 

In the summer of 1971, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Crews 
and their children, Glenda, Brenda, Stacey and Cubby 
made the village of Cornell their new home. It was 
then that they rented the Murphy Building, previously 
owned and operated by the Murphy family. The "sun- 
dries" store, as it had formally been known, was trans- 
formed into "Red's Pizza Parlor", featuring a variety of 
pizzas in three sizes. 

The opening date of the new business was June 5, 1971, 
with all employees being family members. 

To begin with, the menu offered was small pizza, 
sandwiches, coffee, milk and soda. In November 1971, 
chicken dinners, French fries and soup were added to ac- 
comodate the customers. 




For nearly a year the pizza parlor was open only dur- 
the evening hours, but in May 1972, the hours were ex- 
panded to include breakfast and lunch in the menu. 

The Stanley Crews family would like to express their 
gratitude to the people of Cornell, and their pride in 
serving them and the surrounding communities. 



Kelly's Chicken Business 

In 1969, Clare and Delores (Gaspardo) Kelly and their 
family went into the poultry business. They raise two 
broods of 36,000 chickens a year, from day old chicks to 
five month pullets. The chicks are brought to the Kelly 




THE POULTRY HOUSE 

farm by van where they are housed in a 40 by 608 foot 
building divided into 50 foot pens, which was designed by 
a feed company. The floor is covered with rice hulls and 
temperature regulated with gas heaters. Everything is 
automated. 




THE CHICKEN CATCHING CRE-W, FEB. 1973 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

Kime's Accounting, Earl Kime, Dwight, III. 
Burger's True Value Hardware, Dwight, III. 
Drive-in Pharmacy, Jim Lucas & Leroy Barichelld, Streator, III. 



One of the biggest jobs is unloading the chicks and 
keeping them under observance for the first ten days, 
hand feeding and keeping water troughs full. Disease is 
such a big hazard that no one except the family Itself is 
allowed into the building. 

"Producing a Good Pullet" is their business and their 
farm, located just one mile north of Cornell (the home 
Gaspardo farm), is one of very few in this area, others 
being in Nebraska and Wisconsin. Kellys are under con- 
tract with a large feed company and the operation is part 
of a vast network. 

Twice a year many local farmers and high school boys 
are hired to ready the pullets for shipping to caged lay- 
ing houses. Caring for the chicks consumes several 
hours a day and even tho Mary, John, Pat and Anne are 
away or in college, Kay, Joyce, Tim and Tom are still 
at home to help with the family project. 



Rev. T. H. Leemhuis 

Rev. T. H. Leemhuis was born near Kreis Leer, Ger- 
many in the rural area of Holtermoor. Emden was a 
town about 25 miles from there. The family consisted of 
four boys and two girls. Klaas came to the United States 
in 1923, Rev. Leemhuis in 1925 and a brother, Ahlerich 
was a WW II prisoner in Russia, where he died two days 
after VE Day. His father was an engineer on a ship that 
cruised the canal to keep open the shipping lanes between 
the North Sea and the East Sea. 

Farms in the vicinity were laid out in 5-acre tracts, 
adjacent to each other, and each tract was completely 
surrounded by dikes for irrigation purposes. In the win- 
ter the dikes were opened, flooding the land, and people 
could ice skate for miles and miles. Rye was the main 
crop, barley was also planted. Potatoes thrived in the 
rich soil. iVIany farmers were engaged in cattle raising 
and milking. The big farmers had a threshing machine, 
one that was driven around and around by horses. Oxen 
were put to work pulling carts. 

Other than vacations of two or three weeks in July and 
again in September, school was conducted on a year- 
around basis and rules were very strict. Classes were 
held daily and until noon on Saturday. Latin and many 
other high school subjects were included in the curricu- 
lum. 

Rev. Leemhuis was ten when WW I began and recalls 
that the war was all about them, with the noise of heavy 
cannons and planes flying overhead. Rationing, especial- 
ly food, was quite severe and getting flour almost im- 
possible. After the war, the flu epidemic swept in and 
many were taken. 

He came to the United States at the age of 21. In 
that he knew no English, his Eirrival in New York posed 
serious problems. He would have taken the next ship 
back had he the fare, but necessity propelled him, and he 



managed to join his brother in Mason City, Iowa. The 
cost of his ticket, two hundred dollars, required eight 
months of farm labor to pay back. 

In 1930 he attended God's Bible School in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, working his way through by planting flowers, trees, 
shrubs and similar work. After graduating in 1933 from 
the Theological School, he hitchhiked west, with empty 
pockets, and by accident stopped in Bloomington. Friends 
took him to a Nazarene Assembly where he met a Rev. 
Harry Morrow, who made a great impression upon him. 
Rev. Morrow's persuasion brought him into Cornell and 
he began preaching here in 1933. He kept going to 
school and attended the Cornell High School. In 1935 
he pastored various Nazarene Churches in southern Illi- 
nois. He continued his formal education and also his 
education in the Church of the Nazarene, the latter re- 
quiring four additional years. 

He was married to Eleanore Selmeyer of Cornell in 
1936 while a pastor at Gorham, Illinois. In 1937 he was 
ordained. The move to Cornell from southern Illinois 
came in 1939 and the following year he became a natural- 
ized citizen. He continued in the ministry at the local 
Nazarene Church. 

After moving to their present location, where they built 
a home in 1941, the Leemhuis family began growing nur- 
sery stock and flowering plants, and the Cornell Nursery 
was on its way. Vegetables only were sold at first — flow- 
ers could not withstand the outdoor cold frames. The 
family began to grow iris in 1947 and the project grew in 
later years to a national mail order business. They now 
have approximately 1000 varieties of the finest iris in the 
United States. The 100 iris chosen most popular by the 
American Iris Society have been added to the Cornell 
Iris Garden in the past three years. Requests for the 
prize iris now come from every state in the union and 
from the foreign countries of Australia, Japan, Switzer- 
land, Canada and Columbia, in Central America. In a 
joint family effort the greenhouse became a reality in 
1965 and went into operation immediately selling vege- 
table plants and flowering bedding plants. 

In 1954, believing he should enlarge his ministry to 
reach more people, Rev. Leemhuis began to publish a 
monthly Holiness Journal. His publication, " The Gospel 
Mission Trumpet" an interdenominational tract, reaches 
almost every state and crosses the water into England, 
Nigeria, New Zealand, Scotland, Columbia in Central 
America, Indonesia, India, Israel and Canada. In addition 
to publishing the "Gospel Mission Trumpet" he prints and 
distributes thousands of Gosepl tracts each year. 

In 1956 Rev. Leemhuis began his Radio Ministry with a 
15-minute program on WIZZ at Streator, Illinois. The 
broadcast was widely accepted and a station in southern 
Illinois was added before the year was out. In the years 
following, many radio stations throughout the country 
carried his half-hour program as he proclaimed the 
Gospel. For four years his broadcasts were heard in 



Puerto Rico. His radio messages may be heard at present 
over stations in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin. 




REV. T. H. LEEMHUIS AT THE MICROPHONE 

A "Christmas Wonderland" at the Leemhuis residence 
has attracted many people during the Yule Season. An 
inspiration of son, Leroy, who had missed three home 
Christmases while in service, the dipslay began with just 
the Nativity Scene. Each year saw additional scenes and 
decorations. This past season the count on the decora- 
tions figurines was 40 and on the outdoor bulbs 1300. 
Each evening's display has been accompanied by Christ- 
mas carols over a speaker system from December 10th till 
New Years. The stream of people who drove by or 
stopped to more closely examine the decorations, was 
estimated at well over 40,000 during the 1971 Christmas 
season. People from eighty towns in Illinois, from 
eighteen different states and from Washington, D.C. 
signed the register. 




CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT THE LEEMHUIS HOME 

Rev. and Mrs. Leemhuis are the parents of three sons 
and a daughter. They have four grandchildren. All 
three sons saw duty in the Air Force — one in Spain and 
Pakistan, the other two in the Vietnam War. While a 
student at ISU in Normal, Illinois, Carol was elected 



President of the Kappa Delta Epsilon National Honorary 
Educational Sorority for the 1967-68 school year. She is 
now married and does substitute teaching. Eldon is mar- 
ried, Leroy and Paul are college students. 

For the past eight years on summer Sunday mornings 
Rev. Leemhuis has held services at Valley View Acres, 

west of Cornell. 

Burkett Poultry Farm 

1959 - 1971 

The Burkett Poultry Farm came into existence about 
1959. That was the first year that any birds were shown. 
Benny started showing some birds at the 4-H Fair. The 
next year he showed at the Odell Fair and the Fairbury 
Fair and Illinois State Fair. We just had White Ply- 
mouth Rocks that year. 

In 1960, more varieties were added to the showstring. 
Any person who showed several varieties of chicks was 
called a stringman. There are a few of the old string- 
men left. Over in Indiana, there are several breeders 
and exhibitors still showing chickens. Some of them 
have been showing over 50 years with their fathers hav- 
ing shown before them, so they just keep the old hobby 
going. 

In later years, we added more and more varieties to 
the string. In about 1960 through 1971, we showed 300- 
400 birds annually at the State Fair in Springfield. 

We purchased most of our baby chicks from different 
breeders around the midwest. We did have our own in- 
cubator to hatch some of the breeds we had. 

Besides showing poultry at shows, we have had Bantam 
roosters in contest. They were called rooster crowing 
contests. The Indiana State Fair always has one. We 
were lucky enough to win a championship at one of the 
Indiana contests. We have had several that did real 
well in contest. A person would not believe that a 
rooster would crow from 40-100 times in 30 minutes, 
which has been done many times. The best we ever 
had was a little Leghorn bantam that crowed 74 times in 
30 minutes. 

Some of the other places where we exhibited were the 
Kentucky State Fair at Louisville, the Indiana State Fair 
at Indianapolis, the Kane County Fair at St. Charles, the 
DeKalb County Fair at Sandwich. We received 18 tro- 
phies and some 2500 ribbons of different placings from 
Reserve Champion, Grand Champion, Champion, Firsts, 
Seconds and Thirds. 

Some of the many varieties included the American 
breeds of White Rock, Barred Plymouth Rock, Buff Rock, 
Columbian Rock, Partridge Rock, Silverlaced Wyandotte, 
Goldenlaced Wyandotte, White Wyandotte, Black Wyan- 
dotte, Buff Wyandotte, Partridge Wyandotte, Single 
Comb Rhode Island Red and Rose Comb Rhode Island 
Red. 

In the Asiatic breeds, there were Light Brahmas, Dark 
Brahmas, Buff Cochin, Partridge Cochin, White Cochin, 



THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY 

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Web's Martin 66 Service, 1401 S. Bloomington St., Streator, Illinois 
Livingston County Republican Central Committee, Wayne Patterson, Chr. 



Black Cochin, Black Langshan and White Langshan. The 
Asiatic breeds were all a large breed mostly used for 
meat and eggs. 

The English breeds were Darkings (silver and gray), the 
Cornish, White Dark and Whitelaced Red Cornish. These 
breeds were mostly for meat. They have been used in 
todays modern crossbreeding to give us the broilers which 
we eat today. 

In addition to these breeds, there are also Mediter- 
ranean breeds, such as the Dark Brown Leghorn and 
Light Brown Leghorn. These have single and rosecomb 
both. The White Leghorn, single and rosecomb. The 
single comb was used some years ago as the egg layers. 
In about 1950, the hybrids came into the poultry indus- 
try and have taken over as the egg producers and are 
used m the cage houses today. 

Getting back to some of the breeds and varieties that 
we showed, the bantams were added to the barnyard 
flock in about 1962. We raised about 5,0 varieties for 
showing and in later years, the water fowl were added. 
The Pekin ducks were first shown and the White and 
Gray call ducks. In about 1970, more ducks and geese 
were added to the show string. We had most of the otiier 
varieties of ducks such as Rowen, Blue Swedish, Buff, 
White Crested, Runner ducks, Khaki Campbell, Black 
East India, White and Dark Muscovey. 

The geese were first shown in 1969. We had the large 
type Toulouse, Emden, African, Brown and White Chin- 
ese, Sebastopol, Buff and Pilgrim. 

When about July came around, it was time to start 
getting chickens cooped up to get ready for the fairs. We 
would have about 300-400 birds in separate coops. They 
aU had to be watered and fed separately. A few days be- 
fore showtime was time to give all the white varieties a 
bath or just a good washing. Then they dried out in the 
sunshine. This took lots of time and work which almost 
got the best of a person after about 5 weeks of showing. 
It would take almost a day to load trucks to go to the 
iairs. Then sometimes we would make return trips to 
get all the birds to the fair on time. 

In the last 2 years, the waterfowl classes were discon- 
tinued at the Illinois State Fair and other fairs also. So 
it was about time to get out of the chicken and waterfowl 
business. So 1971 was the last year we showed at any 
fair. 

The poultry industry has gone through some big 
changes in the last 20 years. We now see the large build- 
ings through the midwest which house the laying breeds. 
Some farmers specialize in raising started pullets that go 
into the cage operations. Most of our broilers are raised 
in the southern states by the mUlions. Just in the last 
few years, the homemaker has been able to buy poultry 
meat at a very low price compared to beef and pork. As 
of this writing, we have seen our red meat and poultry 
meats at all time record highs. Yet the poultry meat has 
played a very important role in the diet of the American 
family today. It doesn't take long to increase the poultry 



production to the extent that it gets to be not too profit- 
able. 



Finkenbinder Trucking and Grain 

Finkenbinder trucking and grain is owned and operated 
by Glenn W, Finkenbinder who started driving a truck in 
January 1943. 

In 1947 he acquired his trucking permit and went into 
the trucking business hauling grain and livestock. 

In 1949 he added a corn shelter and continued in the 
trucking and shelling until 1955 at which time he sold his 
shelter. 

In 1957 Mr. Finkenbinder became a Smith-Douglass 
dealer, bought a truck and spreader and started hauling 
and spreading fertilizer and limestone. 

In 1967 he acquired property on the west side of the 




FINKENBINDER TRUCKING & GRAIN 
Owners Glenn & Tootie Finkenbinder 

village of Cornell from H, J. Harwood and built a large 
metal building to house his equipment. 

In 1969 he acquired a grain dealer license and started 
buying grain from farmers and hauling it direct to the 
river terminals. 

In 1972 he purchased an applicator and started to do 
custom applying of anhydrous ammonia. 

At the present time his equipment consists of one 
tractor, a grain trailer, a stock trailer, two lime trucks 
and dumps trucks, plus various other pieces of equipment. 

The office of Finkenbinder Trucking and Grain is in 
his home. The business is conducted with the help of 
his wife, Tootie, who is his secretary and through the use 
of a commercial two-way radio. 

Dick's Custom Cabinets 

Dick's Custom Cabinet firm began operations in the fall 
of 1970. It was the beginning of fulfilling a life-long am- 
bition in creating handsome, as well as efficent wood 
cabinetry. Operations began with the aid of one radial 



arm saw and other hand tools and has expanded rapidly. 
The business is owned and operated by Dick Leonard — 
Q life resident of Cornell. A double garage was convert- 
ed into the wood-working shop and new equipment and 
material have been acquired in the two years As the 
third year progresses, it is necessary to expand operation- 




al facilities to a new and larger shop. The new area will 
allow for cabinets of all designs to be built more efficient- 
ly. At present the cabinet finishes are all hand crafted 
and the same quality workmanship will be emphasized 
in the new area. It is the aim of Dick to provide ex- 
pertise craftmanship in cabinetry to the Cornell and sur- 
rounding area. It is hoped that in the near future Dick's 
Custom Cabinets will be a leading asset of Cornell. 
Quality is not a thing of the past; and at Dick's Cabinet 
Shop, quality and care go into each cabinet 



N. J. Cafe 

Phil Corrigan has run the N.J. Cafe since 1966, it is 
a truck stop on Route 66 between Dwight and Odell and 
is open 24 hours a day. In 1966 the cafe employed 15 
people and now employs 29, some of which are from the 
Cornell area. 



Wayman's Grocery 



It is often said that the home town roots of a person can 
be a strong and influential part of his life. This was 
certainly proven by Donald Gordon Wayman, who was 
born and grew up in Cornell. As a young man, he left 
Cornell, and for a short time was in Chicago, then went 
to live in Streator where he was employed at Owens 
Illinois Glass Plant. It was while living in Streator with 
his wife, the former Marie Sullivan and three children, 
Donald R., Mary and Laura, that he learned of an op- 
portunity he could not and did not want to overlook. 

In the fall of 1951, a simple "over the neighbor's 
fence" conversation brought with it a change of direction 
for Mr. Wayman's life, and that of his family. He learn- 
ed that Fred Kettman desired to sell a corner grocery 



store in Cornell, thus sparking an interest in Mr. Way- 
man to return to his boyhood home. 

In November, 1951, the Wayman family moved to Cor- 
nell, and Wayman's Market was established. 

Remembering what the store was like in the winter of 
1951, Marie Wayman recalls the times she had to hand 
fire the furnace at night, a job normally done by her 
husband, while Mr. Wayman was in Chicago having sur- 
;;ory. The store's refrigeration in the early days of the 
Wayman ownership consisted of only three cases, one for 
meat, one for dairy products and an ice cream dipping 
case for those delicious hand dipped cones. 




Pictured left to right: Velma Calder, Mildred Morrison, 
Marie Wayman, Dorothy Barton and Mark Wayman. 

Many of the townspeople might remember the freight 
elevator located in the back room which was used to 
carry goods to and from the cool basement where they 
were stored. The elevator was taken out by Mr. Wayman 
when it was no longer serviceable, 

Marie Wayman recalls the first years of operating the 
store when customers phoned in their orders which were 
then delivered. The store was not operated in the 'self 
service" manner in which it is today; in fact, Mrs. Way- 
man remembers that there were only two shopping carts 
in the store. These were the very old style which had a 
detachable basket, unlike the modern type used today. 

Although the store has not enlarged any, it has been 
modernized to offer more convenient service to Cornell. 
Interior changes are seen in the addition of more refrig- 
erated cases, indirect lighting, and finally the biggest 
change of all, the conversion of the coqI furnace to gas. 
The remodeling of the front and side entrances was com- 
pleted in 1970, a change which improved the exterior of 
the building. 



In 1964, Mr. Wayman expanded his interests by pur- 
chasing a second grocery store in Pontiac. He operated 
stores until his death in 1965, at which time Marie Way- 
man continued managing the Cornell store with the help 
of her younger son, Mark and Donald R. mananging the 
Pontiac store. 

Wayman's Superway is now a very familiar fixture in 
the village of Cornell. 

History of the Grain Elevator 

In the late 1800's there was an elevator built in Cor- 
nell on the present site of the Jacobson Grain Elevator. 
There was no electricity then to elevate the grain. The 
power source then was horses. The elevating machine 
had some gears and a long beam which Vv'as called a 
sweep. The horses were hitched to the sweep at one end. 
The other end was bolted firmly to the main gear, then the 
horses would be driven around in a circle, turning the 
gears, thus raising the gTain. 




JACOBSONS ELEVATOR 

All of the grain was hauled by horse and wagon. The 
farmers could only haul about 50 bushels of corn on a 
wagon. The horses could only pull the wagon at about 
5 to 7 miles per hour. This was very time consuming for 
the farmers. 

In about 1905 the elevator owner purchased a one 
cylinder gasoline engine to replace the horses. Sometimes 



it would take a half a day just to start the Iron Horse, 
especially in the winter time. 

In 1927 electricity came to Cornell and the gasoline en- 
gine was replaced by electrically powered motors. This 
was a big step forward because electricity was powerful, 
clean and quiet. 

In 1940 the elevator was sold to Mr. Harry Henry. 
There was a fire around 1950 and the south elevator burn- 
ed down. 




J. T. JACOBSON 

In 1954 Jacobson Grain purchased this elevator from 
Mr. Henry. Jacobson Grain Companies date back to 1907. 
John Jacobson and Oliver Ryerson purchased the Aygarn 
Elevator in Rowe in 1907 and operated it as partners for 
a number of years. Mr. Ryerson then decided to devote 
more time to farming, so Mr. Jacobson purchased his in- 
terest. 

This was indeed a modern elevator. It was equipped 
with a 16 horse 1 cylinder gasoline engine, that started 
only when it felt like it. 

The floors at the elevator were cribbed 2 by 4's. The 
sides were made of lined boards and re-enforced with long 
rods. This was one of the three elevators in Rowe. In 
the early 1920's, Mr. Jacobson purchased the W. W. Mor- 
rison Elevator, but after a few years it was torn down. 

In 1926 electricity came to Rowe and Mr. Jacobson built 
a new elevator. It had electricpowered motors and a 
hydraulic hoist with a leg that was supposed to handle 
2,000 bushels of grain per hour. 

In about 1925 the smaU trucks began replacing the 
beautiful teams of horses hitched to wagons and bob 
sleds. Mr. Jacobson recalled a story of BUI Kimber. He 



was shelling corn and bringing it to Rowe. His hired 
hand drove within a mile of Rowe but went straight 
through to the Cornell Elevator, with the corn, got paid 
for it, and never missed his turn at the sheller. (Now 
that's progress). 

Mr. John Jacobson, Jr. became a partner with his 
father in 1940. His mother passed away in 1945 and his 
sister and her husband came to Rowe and became part- 
ners with him. He married Geraldine Metz in 1940, and 
they were blessed with two sons, J. T. and Claude. 

In 1950 the Jacobson Elevator in Rowe burned down 
completely and they purchased the grain elevator in 
Cayuga and Pontiac owned by Mund and Murray. In 
1954 they purchased the Cornell Elevator and built a feed 
mUl there, which is still operating. In 1966, a third gen- 
eration of Jacobsons took over the management of this 
elevator. They manage a modern feed mill, elevators, 
and two large storage bins. In 1968 they installed a new 
modern scale, and also built a new scale house and office. 



Maury's Tavern 



It was in August 1968, that Maury's Tavern came into 
being and opened its doors for business, providing a 
gathering spot and social haven for folks from near and 
far. 




The building in which the establishment is located was 
acquired by Maurice W. Grant in 1968 and was com- 
pletely renovated and remodeled to accommodate a retail 
liquor business, which he operated with the assistance of 
his wife, Annette, until his death in 1970. 

Mrs. Grant assumed management at that time and is 
assisted by her sons, Ed and Tim and her daughter, Lucy 
Ann Durdan. Other employees are Cornellians, Barb 
Delheimer and Gus Fitzsimmons and Frank Johnson of 
Pontiac. 

The most popular items on the weekend dining menu 
are Mrs. Grant's specially prepared deep-fried chicken, 
along with steaks and seafood, and many other tempting 



dishes prepared solely with the customer's satisfaction in 
mind. Maiu-y's also serves a complete line of sandwiches 
and lunch-hour specialties. 

Although the Grants are not natives of this locale, they 
have called Cornell their hometown for a quarter century 
and they are direct descendants of early Amity Township 
settlers. Mr. Grant was born in Pontiac, the son of 
James and Margaret (Corrigan) Grant and a grandson of 
John and Lucille (Dunlap) Corrigan. The Corrigans 
came to this vicinity from Ireland and acquired farm 
holdings in Amity Township in 1883. Annette Grant is 
a native Chicagoan, but is the great-granddaughter of 
pioneer settlers in the Ransom, 111., area, Timothy and 
Ellen (Staunton) Corbett, who acquired a farm near that 
village in 1875. 



Thelma's Beauty Shop 

Thelma's Beauty Shop was opened in Cornell on Feb. 1, 
1959, in the same room that has been used as a barber and 
beauty shop for the past 38 years. As near as I can as- 
certain from records, Irvin Turner opened a barber shop 
here October 25, 1943. 




MRS. THURBXIR, 95 YEARS OLD 



Over the years there have been two employees, Jane 
Patton Weber and John Redfern. 

Thlma Tiffany, eldest daughter of the late Frank and 
Ethel Bennett, was born and reared at Long Point, at- 
tending the grade and high school there and was grad- 
uated from University Beauty School, Bloomington, 111. 
in October 1944. She was united in marriage to Dale 
Tiffany in El Paso, 111. Aug. 12, 1945. 

They are the parents of 3 children: Janet Cook of Long 
Point and Lyle and Lori of Cornell. Two grandchildren, 
Carol Cook of Long Point and Chad Tiffany of Cornell. 



Tesch's Egg Business 

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Tesch reside seven miles south- 
west of Cornell and operate a 280 acre farm. They have 
always had an interest in poultry, having chickens in sev- 
eral locations around the farm. 

In the summer of 1965 they were offered the opportu- 
nity to go on an egg contract with Graymont Co-op As- 
sociation. In August, the construction of a new poultry 
cage house, 240 ft. long and 40 ft. wide, was started and 
completed the first week in November. The house has a 
capacity of 10,500 birds. Each cage holds three birds. 
There is an automatic water system and motorized feed 
cart for feeding. It is a windowless house and is en- 
vironment controlled. 




On Novermber twelvth, their first 20 week old pullets 
were housed. The eggs are gathered by hand and placed 
on carts. After the eggs are gathered they are placed in 
a 12 ft. by 18 ft. cooler and left to cool overnight and 
cased the next morning. The eggs are shipped to an egg 
processing plant once a week. 

The layers are kept in production fourteen months, 
the entire flock is sold. The house is idle approximately 
foior weeks during which time it is completely cleaned 
and ready for new pullets. 



The History of the Cornell Rodeo 

The Diamond Horseshoe Rodeo originated near Tonica, 
111. Owned and produced by Mr, and Mrs. Amos Selby, 

Mr. Selby was bom and raised in Montana, where he 
learned to ride wild horses, by the time he was 18 he was 
competing with the countries best bronc riders. 



In 1925 he produced his first rodeo. In 1939 the rodeo 
was named The Diamond Horseshoe Rodeo, and became 
recognized as the best traveling rodeo east of the Missis- 
sippi. 

In 1950 the Selbys purchased the Bill Murray 300 acre 
ranch, 5 miles northeast of Cornell. It was also known 
as the Cornell Rodeo. 

The rodeo traveled thru the country having shown at 
many state and county fairs, for Police, Shriners, Lions 
Clubs, Legions and Centennial Organizations. It traveled 
through 9 states, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Penn., New York, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. 

In 1947 and 1948 they furnished stock for Roy Rogers 
Rodeo at the Arena in St. Louis and at the Stadium in 
Chicago. They produced the rodeo for the Michigan 
State Fair for 3 years. Featuring stars as: Tex Ritter in 
1949; Cisco Kid and Poncho in 1954. In 1955 Cisco Kid 
and Anne Oakley and the Cass County Boys. They also 
furnished stock for the same fair for 2 years for other 
rodeos. They produced the rodeo at the Ohia State Fair 
in 1955, featuring Hopalong Cassidy and Lassie Dog. At 
the Fairmont Race Track, East St. Louis the star was 
Hobby Oilman of "Trackdown". At Alton, 111., it was 
Dale Roberts of "Wells Fargo" and Clint Walker of 
"Cheyenne". 




BARBARA SELBY— 1957 

Through the years the specialty acts were numerous 
only to mention a few, up until 1950 Chauncey Barnes of 
Henry, 111., with Pony Boy and Sonny Boy were a per- 
manent fill-in. The Ed Purcells and Donna of Chickashs, 
Okla., with their 2 white Indian horses "Chief" and 
"Squaw" followed the circuit. The Armstrongs of Mon- 
tuzuma, Ind,, and the Harris Twins of La MoiUe, lU., 
supplied the comedy with their bucking Ford, Trick 
riders and trick ropers were always featured. The buck- 
ing stock was always supplied with numerous cowboys 
and contestants. All personnel followed the circuit the 
entire season. 



The Selbys also had the pleasure of being the first live 
rodeo on television at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1948. The 
broadcast could only be seen in a 50 mile radius. 

Mr. Selby acquired a good string of bucking horses, 
some were purchased in Lusk, Wyo., and Ekalaka, Mont. 
The Brahma bulls were a big attraction in this part of 
the community, some were shipped from Texas and Fla. 
All the roping calves were brought from Florida. These 
were raised at the ranch and later used as bucking stock. 
All the livestock was wintered at the ranch and at An- 
trims pasture. Glenn Antrim of Graymont took a great 
interest in the rodeo and was the judge at many rodoes. 

The Selbys have a daughter, Barbara. She rode Grand 
Entry on her first pony at the age of four. She also 
had Q high schooled pony, "Duke" that she performed 
with for many years, later she had a Palomino, "Rocky". 

From 1950 to 1967, the Cornell rodeo opened the sea- 
son with a spring show in early June at the ranch. There 
was a large arena and bleachers. The event was attend- 
ed by large crowds and contestants. 

The Communiiy Club of Cornell, of which Mr. Selby is 
a charter member, served the lunch, which was appre- 
ciated by all. It was through this event that the Club 
paid off the mortgage on the Doctor's Office, which the 
Club had built for a Doctor in Cornell. 

Mr. and Mrs. Selby have sold the rodeo and the 
r.inch and are living in Cornell and are retired. 



Cornell Community Federal Credit Union 

The first meeting of the Cornell Community Federal 
Credit Union was held at the Legion Hall on February 21, 
1963 and was called to order by A. P. Liesse field re- 
presentative of the Illinois Credit Union League. The 
following officers were elected: President, Clark Burkett; 
Vice-President, John Snyder; 2nd Vice-President, Clark 
Husted; Treasurer, Don Wayman; Secretary, Richard 
Harder. 

The board appointed Mrs. Aldine Monroe, Gilbert Lau- 
ritzen and Seth St. John to serve on the supervisory com- 
mittee. 21 members joined the credit union and the as- 
sets were $140.00. Anyone within a radius of five miles 
of Cornell is eligible to join the credit union. The of- 
fice is located at 509 Main Street and is open from 9 to 5 
weekdays. 

The Cornell Community Federal Credit Union directors 
and officers meet the second Monday of each month. 
There is an annual meeting each January, at which time 
all members are urged to attend. At that time they 
bring their pass books and receive their interest and 
hear progress reports by the various committees. The 
membership has grown to 65 with total assets of over 
$20,000.00 Loans of 10% of the assets can be made to 
any member providing he has proper securities. The 
interest rate is 1% per month on the unpaid balance. 



A credit union is a savings and lending service open 
only to its members. It pays dividends on savings and 
makes low cost loans. Federal Credit unions such as ours 
are supervised by the National Credit Union Administra- 




Clark Husted, Sec, H. Monroe, Credit Comm., C. Burkett, 
Vice Pres., W. Cashmer, Director, B. Crow, Director, G. 
Lauritzen, Sup. Comm., Pearl Hamilton, Pres., M. Bur- 
kett, Education Com., A. Monroe, Sup. Comm., R. Fin- 
kenbinder, Treas. & manager. 

tion, Washington, D.C. They are run by a board of di- 
rectors elected by its members. This board appoints a 
manager who is usually the treasurer. They also ap- 
point a credit committee, supervisory committee and an 
education committee. All officers elected or appointed 
must be members. To become a member you visit the 
credit union office and fill out an application form, pay 
the membership fee and deposit $5.00 for one share. 

The present officers are as follows: 

Treasurer and manager, Robertha Finkenbinder; Presi- 
dent, Pearl Hamilton; Vice-President, Clark Burkett; 
Secretary, Clark Husted; Credit Committee, Harold Mon- 
roe, Burdell Crow, Lyle Husted; Supervisory Commit- 
tee, Aldine Monroe; Gilbert Lauritzen, Helen Greenman; 
Education Committee, Margaret Burkett. 

Mills Concrete Products 

From "junk pile" to a going business, due to the in- 
terest and influence of Melvin Bockman of Bockman 
Tiling Service, Mills Concrete Products was established 
in 1960 on the Bill Seaman property in south Cornell. 

In a converted barn with two machines installed to 
manufacture 5" - 24" drain tile, Kipton "Butch" Mills, his 
wife, mom and dad, brothers and sisters started making 



I 



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Phone 842-2021, 804 W. Madison St., 
Pontiac, Illinois 



tile from bagged cement, a pile of sand and the water pail 
method, with a big mixer. Gradually, Butch, his father 
and father-in-law (Melvin Bookman) designed and built 
the automated plant. It was operated from one location 
hydraulically, weighng cement and sand from overhead 
bins, with a metered water gauge, elevating the mix into 
both tile machines. This enabled one to do the work of 
three. Originally the tabled tile were cured in the sun 
and hosed several times, but more demand for tile made 
it necessary to build three steam curing kilns. 



Mr. Pasters has been associated with dental lab work 
since 1934, working as a technician and managing a lab 
until he opened the Columbus Dental Laboratory, which 




Top — Kandi and Kris Mills (aunts) of Susie, daughter of 
Klpton 

At times there were thousands of tile handled in one 
week by the tiling service with Bockman Tiling Service 
serving the farming area for many miles around. Many 
hundreds of miles of tiling were done by Mr. Bockman 
until his death, having served the community for seven 
years with Mills Concrete Products. He was considered 
one of the best surveyors in this part of the country. In 
1967, the business was purchased by Ed Grant and one 
year later he also bought the tiling service. 



Columbus Dental Lab 

Elwood "Pat" Pasters was born in Delaware, Ohio. His 
family moved to Columbus and he received his eduaction 
there. 

He came to Cornell to visit relatives in 1944 and while 
here met Dr. Roberts of Streator, who pursuaded him to 
open a dental laboratory in Streator, as they needed one 
very much. In October of 1944, he went there and opened 
the Columbus Dental Laboratory in the Murray building, 
later moving to South Bloomington Street, where it is now 
in operation. 




he owns and operates. He is a Certified Dental Tech- 
nician, a member of National Dental Laboratory Associ- 
ation and the Illinois Dental Laboratory Association. He 
served as treasurer of the Illinois Dental Lab Association 
1948-52 and was the editor of their quarterly magazine for 
two years. 

Standard Oil Fertilizer Plant 

Plant manager. Bill Gregory, age 46 years; wife, Irene, 
age 45 years; daughter, Judith Mills, Dixon, 111., age 25 
years, daughter, Vickie Fitzgerald, Gibson, Louisiana, age 
22 years; daughter, Sherry Moore, RR 2, Pontiac, 111. age 
20 years; son, Gary Gregory, still at home, age 11 years; 
daughter, Robin Gregory, stiU at home, age 8 years. 




The Standard Oil Fertilizer Plant was built in Cornell, 
Illinois in 1962. It started operating in 1963, with Lyle 
Girard as plant manager. He was manager until the fall 
of 1966 when a serious automobile accident forced him to 



quit. 

time. 



Bill Gregory has been plant manager since that 



We sell gasoline, oils, fuel oils, diesel fuel, greases, etc. 
Also, fertilizer liquid and anhydrous ammonia with A.C.A. 
Standard Oil was first with anhydrous ammonia additive, 
going 100% to market with it in the spring of 1973. 

Standard Oil also sells home appliances. We have 24- 
hour burner service trucks on the road constantly, instal- 
ling furnaces, etc. We sell L.P. gas and we are radio 
equipped so we can talk to all other units in our service 
area. Our base station is at Saunemin, Illinois. 



HAPPY CENTENNIAL YEAR TO CORNELL, 
NOIS! ! ! 



ILLI- 



Burkitt's Service 

Forrest Burkitt is the owner and operator of Burkitt's 
Service und Sunoco Station located on the corner of 7th 
and Prairie St. in Cornell, 111. He has been in business 
at that location since September of 1972. 

He features tune-ups, major overhauls, general repair 
work, grease and oil changes, and also pumps Sunoco gas- 
oline. 

Forrest started working as a mechanic and service at- 
tendant at Condon's Service Station, Streator, lU., at the 
uge uf 24. Prior to that, he was in the Motor Pool in the 
U.S. Army tor 2 years. He was then employed by Peter- 
sens Car Clinic, Streator, III., for 5 years as a radiator re- 
pair man and mechanic. He went into business for him- 
self in 1961. He operated a Phillips 66 station in Streator, 
111., and then took over Condon's Station for a few years. 
He operated a ludiator shop in Streator for a short time 
before moving to Cornell, 111., in 1963. He worked at 
Johnson Press in Pontiac, 111., before starting to work for 
Hamilton's Mobil Station as a mechanic and station at- 
tendant. He then took over the Cities Service Station 
located on Main St. in Cornell, 111., for 8 years. During 
that period of lime the station changed from Cities Serv- 
ice to Citgo to Gulf. He left the Gulf Station and went to 
work as a carpenter for a short time. During that time 
he built his own concrete block building at home, which is 
his present place of business. 

Forrest is married to the former Patricia Partridge. 
They are the parents of five sons: Mark, David, Daniel, 
Thomas and Timothy, all at home. 



Hamilton Service Station History 

In the summer of 1927, Dot and John M. Blue purchased 
some lots from Guy Patterson on which Mr. Blue con- 
structed a small brick building. This property was lo- 
cated on the corner of East Main and 6th streets or the 
south side af Main street, now known as state route 23 
going through Cornell. A lease on products to be sold 
was obtained from the Roxanna Oil Co., and a gasoline 
filling station opened for business on June 1st, 1928. Sales 



and business was conducted in the front of the building 
with a living area being in the back. Two years later, the 
merchandise sales contract was changed to Shell Oil Co. 
The Blues kept ownership for about three years, then they 
sold to Leona and B. E. Chattin in 1931. 

Ivan and Hazel Orr purchased this same property and 
stock from the Chattins in October 1946. During Mr. 
Orr's operation of the business, two more lots, which ad- 
joined to the east, were purchased. There was a building 
on one lot and these were added to the brick building 
first built by Mr. Blue, thereby enlarging the station. Mr. 
Orr also enlarged the living area in the back, thus making 
a comfortable apartment. The brand of products was 
changed to Mobil with Mobil gas, oil and accessories be- 
ing sold. After Mr. Orr's death, Mrs. Hazel Orr con- 
tinued to own the property and kept a contract with Mobil 
Oil Corporation but leased the building out. The mer- 
chandise was owned and public served by a renter. Dif- 
ferent operators of the station during this period were 
Keith Mills and Gene Hamilton. 




Elmer Hamilton and wife. Pearl, purchased the stock 
and equipment from Keith Mills then started operation 
of the Hamilton Service Station on September 3, 1959. 
Soon another change took place with Elmer and Pearl ac- 
quiring possession of the property and building on Oct. 
31, 1961. Right after this purchase, remodeling of the 
building was started by the Hamilton's. A complete new 
front was put on the building. The living area was chang- 
ed from an apartment to storage space and used for the 
business. To date the building has been completely re- 
modeled and modernized inside as well as outside. Elmer 
continued to manage the business with the aid of part 
time employees. At present they are Keith Mills and 
Charles Cashmer. His place of business is open seven 
days a week, being closed for only three holidays during a 
year. Some new services added are the selling of news- 
papers, ice and fishing equipment. During his thirteen 
years in business he has continued to seU Mobil products. 
He enjoys meetng and serving the public. 



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Cornell Volunteer Fire Department, Clifford Cashmer, Jr., Pres., Cornell, II 
Smith-Douglass, Division of Borden Chemical, Inc., Streator, Illinois 



Livingston Service Company Highlights 

Livingston Service Company, a farmer-owned and 
farmer-controlled cooperative, was organized in March, 
1930 to service Livingston County farmers with high 
quality petroleum products. 

In 1954, the company added a petroleum bulk plant in 
Cornell to better serve the farmers in the northwest por- 
tion of the county. 1964 saw the addition of an anhydrous 
ammonia and liquid fertilizer installation with our pe- 
troleum facility. In 1968, the Smith Lumber Yard was 
purchased by the farmer-owned company to give our 
patrons storage for steel equipment, a scale and office. 

Clark Burkett has served the Cornell area petroleum 
patrons since January 1, 1947 and has made an outstand- 
ing contribution to farmers in his territory over the years. 
Dave Gilmore is serving the area with FS plant food pro- 
ducts. 




Since our modest beginning in 1930, the company has 
shown tremendous growth. The first year of operation, 
sales totaled $111,900.00 and has grown to the last fiscal 
year's volume of $3,300,000.00. The past 42 years the 
company has returned over $3,500,000.00 in stock divi- 
dends and patronage to its patron owners. 

Cornell Water System 

In 1950 the village board decided to investigate a water 
system in Cornell. The board members at that time were: 
Mayor, W. W. Wayman; clerk, Sam Pond; other members. 
Keith Turner, Virgil Ross, Roy Barton, Arthur Koltveit, 
Glenn Earp. 

They contacted the engineering firm, Caldwells and 
Rhodes, to make a survey and estimate of a water system. 



After several meetings and discussions, they held a bond 
issue election. The issue passed and in 1953 bids were 
let for a water system. This system included a 50,000 
gallon water tower 96 feet high, and a well that could 
produce at least 100 gallons of water per minute. This 
capacity was found 99 feet deep at a site on Bradley St. 
The contractor started to put the water mains in during 
the fall of 1953. They were constructed of cement as- 
bestos pipe with cast iron tees and elbows. The con- 
tractor finished the contract in 1954 with 25 fire hydrants 
and about three and one-half miles of water mains. 
There were 150 water services. Since that time there 
have have been 5 blocks of new mains put in and two 
more hydrants. There are now 217 water services. The 
water was turned on in the mains Sept. 1, 1954. 



Judy Pickworth Beauty Salon 

The Judy Pickworth Beauty Salon in Cornell came into 
being when it became luiown that I had operated a shop 
prior to my marriage, "The Judy Mills Beauty Shop" in 
Ancona. 

Since I received several calls for appointments, I de- 
cided to open a shop, which is now known as the Judy 
Pickworth Beauty Salon. 

I feel greatly honored that my first customer was Mrs. 
Mary Gaspardo, a senior citizen of Cornell, and she still is 
one of my many cherished patrons. 

1 intended on operating the shop two or three days e 
week, but it became fairly steady. Since it was planned 
for one operator, the shop consists of one unit with two 
driers. 

The shop uses all brand name products which are pur- 
chased from reputable dealers. It features facials, mani- 
cures, permanent waves, colorings, stylings of wigs and 
wiglets, as well as all styles of Bouffant Coiffures. 

To each and everyone of my patrons, I express a deep 
appreciation. 

We are greatly honored to be citizens of Cornell, and 
extend our sincere congratulations on attaining their 100th 
anniversary. 

I opened in March 1969. 

Cornell Mobile Milling Service 

W. R. TAYLOR AND GLENN W. FINKENBINDER 

On May 20th, 1958 Mr. and Mrs. WOliam R. Taylor and 
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Finkenbinder drove to Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania and attended school at Daffin Manufactur- 
ing Company. Then Glenn and Bob drove a 1958 Chev- 
rolet truck with a Daffin Mobile Feed MUl mounted on 
the chassis to Cornell and so the partnership began. 

They also became feed dealer for FoxbUt Feeds, which 
was manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa. 



On January 1, 1960 the building located at 509 Main 
Street, which was formerly Lottie Weinberg Grocery store, 
was purchased from Lottie Weinberg. The building is 
used for feed storage and office. The secretary is Mrs. 
Glenn (Tootie) Finkenbinder. 




from Cornell to teach the Centennial school IVi mUes 
west of Manville. In Harry's high school years, Vesta 
Miner, Robert Rucker and Reynold Lindquist were also 
Streator High School students. Harry boarded at the 
Dimmick flag stop, the train on which they travelled daily 
from Cornell. Fellow travelers also were Harry Noel, 
Bertha States and Frank Morrison, who went to Brown's 
Business College. Reynold Lindquist and Harry Har- 
wood graduated together from Streator High School in 
1912. 

Mrs. Kristinger, wife of Dr. W. F. Kristinger, who wa3 
a Cornell village and countryside physician from 1911 to 
1924, was the only sister of O. C. Harwood, who was 
Harry's father. Harry's youngest uncle, Ben Harwood, 
married Harriet Gates of Cornell in 1911. The Kristin- 
gers and Ben Harwood, now in their eighties, have lived 
more than forty years in California. Harry, as a teenage 
school teacher, taught the Excelsior school northeast of 
Cornell 1914-1916. A few of his former pupils stm live 
in this general area. Harry Hohenshell, a longtime music 
instructor in Joliet, was an eighth grade pupil of Harry's. 



Glenn Finkenbinder, "Tootie" Finkenbinder, Bob Taylor 

On January 22, 1963 another Baffin Mobile feed mill 
was purchased. They also have a feed delivery truck. 
The Mobile feed mill operated by Bob Taylor carries 
heated molasses and does on the farm grinding and mix- 
ing. The mill runs a daily route covering about fifteen 
miles each direction from Cornell. The feed store is open 
daily from 9 to 5 and sells Triple "F" Feeds (formerly 
Foxbilt Feeds) Honeggers Feeds, medications and other 
farm supplies. 



The Harwoods, from Illinois and Ohio, met as classmates 
in A,sbury College, Wilmore, Ky., from which they grad- 
uated in 1920. In the same year they were accepted as 
missionary candidates by the Board of Foreign Missions. 
They were married in October 1920 and left New York on 
their first voyage to Burma in January 1921. Rangoon 
was their home city from that year until 1951. Their 
service was principally among Chinese dwellers in Bur- 
ma. They got back to this country three times in the 
thirty year period. They served about two years in 
India in the World War II period when the Japanese 
occupied Burma. 



Our Retired Missionaries 

The Rev. and Mrs. H. J. (Harry and Alma) Harwood 
are not natives of the Cornell community. Mrs. Harwood 
was of Quaker parentage, was bom in Winona, Ohio and 
grew up in Alliance, Ohio. Mr. Harwood was born on a 



^,f^^%' 




REV. AND MRS. H. J. HARWOOD 

farm near ManviUe. His eighth grade teacher was Jesse 
Wayman, who at age nineteen traveled daily by train 



After most of a year on a special assignment with the 
Missions office in New York, Mr. Harwood served three 
pastorates in Illinois, at Kansas, in Edgar county, at Mar- 
seilles and finally in Joliet. On their retirement from 
active service in 1953, the Harwoods occupied their pre- 
sent home, newly built at the corner of Main St. and 
Western Ave. In several years of fairly active retirement 
here, Mrs. Harwood was president for four years of the 
WSCS of the local Methodist Church; Mr. Harwood was 
Cornell village clerk 1965-67. Their retirement activities 
included some 'supply' pastoral posts with churches in 
Joliet, Wenona and Meriden, a part time chaplaincy at 
Evenglow Lodge, Pontiac — all served from Cornell — and 
a two year period in West Bend, Wisconsin as asst. minis- 
ter of the United Methodist Church there. 

The Harwoods have two sons: Oliver P. is an aeronau- 
tical engineer and designer in space rocketry with the 
MacDoimell-Douglas Corp. in California; Robert F. is 
chairman of the Entomology Dept. of Washington State 
University in Pullman, Wash. There are ten grandchil- 
dren and two great-grandchildren in the family. The 
parents of the great-grandchildren live in Brooklyn, N. Y. 



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Ross Hardware and Repair 

On March 15, 1949, Virgil Ross purchased the old 
original Blacksmith Shop and property in Cornell, Illinois, 
which was owned and operated at that time by Max and 
Jack Husted. It had previously been owned and op- 
erated by Bert Sullivan and Bill Jameson. Now it was 
to become known as Ross Hardware and Repair. 



The daughters are married — there are two grandchildren 
— ,Tnd Robert is a student at Eureka College in Eureka, 
Illinois. 




The new business consisted of electric and gas welding 
and all kinds of repair work and still does. On March 15, 
1949, Mr. Ross received a Roof dealership and as to date 
still sells Roof lawn mowers and repairs all kinds of lawn 
equipment. Having a Poulan chain saw dealership, he 
also sells and repairs chain saws. 

On September 2, 1972, the old building, known to be at 
least one hundred years old, was torn down and replaced 
by a new building, which was completed about December 
1st, 1972. 



Ray W. Roth 



Ray W. Roth is manager of the Pontiac Hicksgas, Inc., 
propane plant in Pontiac, Illinois. He has been with the 
company eighteen years, beginning his employment in 
Bloomington as a bottle truck driver. Experience on the 
bulk truck followed and he was a company salesman be- 
fore his promotion to manager. In 1963 his duties in- 
creased when he supervised the building of the Hicks- 
gas Propane Plant at Blackstone, Illinois. Expanding 
further that year, Hicksgas, Inc., purchased Yordy Gas 
Company of Flanagan. The two new plants remained 
under his supervision until they became independent. 

During WW II Ray served forty-four months in the 
Army — with his overseass tour of duty in the European 
Theatre. 

The Roths moved to Cornell in 1962. At present, Ray 
is a member of the Village Board and a member of the 
Grade School Board of Education. He and Roberta are 
the parents of three children Nancy, Barbara and Robert. 



Monroe's Garage 



Monroe's Garage, located at 507 Main Street, was 
started in November of 1955. Harold H. Monroe is own- 
er. He repairs cars, trucks, tractors and school buses. 
Harold started working as a mechanic at the age of 17. 
He worl-ced for Bradley Motor Co. in Pontiac for several 
years. He also worked for the Chevrolet and the Dodge- 
Plymouth Garage in Pontiac and for Marion Mitchell in 
garages both in Pontiac and Cornell. 

Harold started his garage on the north side of Main 
Street in a building now torn down. He then rented the 
building he is now in on the south side of Main Street 
from Lyle Chester. This building was formerly Chester's 
Garage. Mr. Chester passed away and the buildings 
were then purchased by Harold. He does all his own 
repair work, assisted part-time by Clark Husted. His 
bookkeeper is his wife, Aldine. 

Harold and Aldine are the parents of three children: 
Mrs. Larry (Pauline) Gourley of Peru, Illinois; Bill of 
Cincinnati, Ohio and Terry of Peoria, Illinois. They 
also have five grandchildren. 




CLARK HUSTED AND HAROLD MONROE 



Johnnies Easy Wash 

The building of Johnnies Easy Wash Laundromat was 
built about 1880 by George Whiton. Henry George and 
Theodore Miner ran a general store in this building until 
about 1919, then A. R. Gourley moved his hardware store 
in the building. Then about 1920, when A. R. Gourley 



passed away, his son, Kenneth, took over the hardware 
business. About 1938 the building was sold to George 
Schlaughter. He remodeled the building and put in a 
locker plant. They rented out boxes to anyone that 
wanted to store meat or vegetables. The box would hold 
200 lbs. of meat or vegetables for $12.00 per year. In 
those days most all farmers raised their own hogs and 
beef. They would butcher the hog or beef and cut it 
up and wrap it in packages then store it in these boxes. 
Each renter would have a key to the box he had rented. 




JOHNNIES EASY WASH 

This building was again sold in 1942 to John McGrath. 
He took out all of the storage boxes and made this into a 
large storage room and used it to store frozen foods. 
They are still using it for this purpose today. In 1958 
Gone Pasterik rented the front part of this building and 
put in the Cornell Laundry. Then in 1969 John Gaspar- 
do bought the eqiupment and put in some new equipment 
and changed the name to Johnnies Easy Wash. Johnnies 
Easy Wash Laundromat is in this building at the present 
time. 

The Old "Santee" Building 

In the early days of Amity Township when this town- 
ship was becoming one of the most generally settled, the 
officers of the village of Cornell decided on improve- 
ments. One was a brick building which was built on the 
site where Johnnies Laundromat now stands. When it 
was built, it was named for I. P. Santee, an early set- 
tler. The building was to serve as a meeting place for 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows which was in- 
stituted in 1876. Then the Cornell Lodge A F and A M 
was instituted in Dec. 1877 and held their meetings there, 
following their organization. Another order meeting 
there was the Good Templar Lodge, both men and wo- 



men belonged to this order. So the Santee building be- 
came a place for meetings, also dancing and other amuse- 
ments. The early settlers enjoyed speakers from ad- 
jacent towns and a good crowd was bound to turn out 
for the various forms of amusement. Later the building 
burned. 




H. A. Rhodes Building 

The above building, 18 rooms, built by H. A. Rhodes in 
1904 was purchased from the Rhodes Estate in 1942 by 
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Myers. Mrs. Myers operated a 
restaurant in the front for 3V& years. It was then made 
into an apartment. The following have occupied the 
apartment: Mr. and Mrs. Amer Mills, Mrs. Grace Mills, 
Mrs. Priscalla Barton, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Patterson and 
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Delheimer. It is now occupied by 
Mrs. Mary Mills. 

Some of the "old timers" who have roomed there since 
the Myers ownership were John Hohenshell, Frank Cu- 
sick, Jim Brown, Roscoe Hammell, William Tiffany, Jim 
Cashmer, Clifford Louderback and Acil Miner. Virgil 
Ross, who still resides there, moved there in 1946 and 
Russell Morris. Mrs. Ruth (Graves) Johnston, now of 
Odell, operated a beauty shop from 1940 to 1948 in the 
room to the north of the front of the building. 



Past Cornell Mayors 

H. M. Cornell, B. R. Johnson, S. M. Myers, Liberty 
Louderback, S. B. Miner, D. W. Blake, Dr. Morgan, F. H. 
Rucker, C. F. Lishness, J. E. Shackelton, Will Gmelich, 
Edward Santelman, Winnie Wayman, Virgil Ross, Col. 
Henry P. Whitcamp, John H. Cave. 



Amity's Only Murder 

Mr. Gus Richter owned the farm where Mr. and Mrs. 
John Snyder now reside. In the faU of 1903, three young 
men, Jim Thompson, Sam England and Jim Nicholson 
were gathering butternuts in the pasture when Mr. 
Richter found them, after being forbidden to be there. 
Mr. Richter shot at them. Jim Thompson was killed and 
49 shots were removed from the body of Sam England 
and Nicholson got away without injury. On November 
16, 1903, Mr. Richter was indicted for murder and was 
sentenced to Joliet Penitentiary for life. 



The Cornell Journal 

The Cornell Journal was started by Arthur E. Tiffany. 
Later Mr. Tiffany purchased the Long Point Advocate 
and was assisted by his son, Ralph Tiffany, who joined 
his father in the business in 1910. Ralph attended the 
Academy of Wesleyan University, residing with his 
grandmother and two aunts in Normal. 




Above: Cornell Journal composing room. One of the 
Tiffany boys is shown using the Unitype typesetting ma- 
chine. Individual letters were stored in the 90 channels 
of the machine, and as the operator fingered the Iteys, the 
type was assembled. Word spacing had to be added later, 
manually, and the lines of type justified. 

He was married to Marie Smith in Streator, December 
16, 1915. They were the parents of one daughter, Miss 
Margie Tiffany, who is now a teacher of commerce in 
Genoa High School, where she has been for several years. 
In 1941, Mr. Tiffany purchased both newspapers from 
his father's estate. From 1910 until 1946 he was respon- 
sible for the publications of the Cornell Journal. His 
wife preceded him in death in 1958. He died in 1960. 
His enterprise of the Cornell Journal will always be re- 
membered in this village. Mr. Tiffany was always a 
partaker to be depended on in every undertaking both in 
the church, schools and the village. H was also famous 
for his good humor and "jokes". 



Weinberg Creamery and Produce 

In 1919, Morris Weinberg came to Cornell from Long 
Point and operated a creamery in a building on the north 
side of Main Street until the buUding burned down in the 
1930's Mr. Weinberg then moved his creamery to the 
back of Weinberg's Grocery Store. After the building 
was sold, he moved his creamery to a small building 
next to the Village Hall which was formerly the office of 
the town physician. Dr. Sawyer. Later this building was 
sold to Gus Koch, who lived there until the buUding was 
destroyed by fire. The building has previously belonged 
to D. Blake and was used for a drug store, a post office 
and then the creamery. 



Cornell Stockyards 

In the early 1920's Cornell had a good business going 
for the farmers. Everyone was raising stock and this 
made a good business for the stock buyers, and had our 
stock yard located north of the depot, west side of the 
tracks. 

There were several stock buyers located near the 
vicinity of Cornell, Brede Miner, Tom Gourley, Thee 
Miner, Abe Mills, Bert Louderback, Guy Patterson, 
George Cassidy, Merlo Turner, Amer Mills, Clifford 
Louderback and Gerald Gourley. 

Many times the remark was stated Cornell shipped 
more stock to Chicago than any neighboring commimity. 

At one time Mr. Miner, Mr. Gourley and George Cas- 
sidy shipped twelve oar loads of cattle and hogs to Chi- 
cago. 




The stock was at first taken to our stock yards, in Cor- 
nell, driven by men on horse back, driving as many as 
200 hogs at one time. 

As time marches on the trucks started serving the 
farmer loading them at the farm, shipping them to Chi- 
cago via stock cars. 

Some of our depot agents at that time were, George 
Myers, George Gregory, Mose Moore, Herschel Grable 
and Bob Marshall. 

After the stock yards at Cornell closed, the buyers took 
their business to Pontiac. George Cassidy helped organ- 
ize the stock yards at Pontiac. 



Pontiac District Basketball Winners 
1924 

The following teams were entrants in the District 
Tournament: El Paso, Chenoa, Eureka, Pontiac, Dwight, 
Fairbury, Chatsworth, Gridley, Saunemin, Minonk, Piper 
City, Lexington, Flanagan. Forrest and Cornell. 

Cornell defeated Fairbury in the finals with score Cor- 
nell 19, Fairbury 10. Cornell was district winner in 1923, 
1924, 1926. On March 8, 1924, the Wabash Railroad ran a 
special train to Cornell so all who wished to go to tourna- 
ment could go. No roads were passable for a car. Over 
500 people from Cornell and vicinity were aboard the 
train and saw the final game. 



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Top r ,■ , left to right: Coach F. O. Grounds, Merideth 
Johnson, Archie Locke, Don Golden, Al Garretson, Ralph 
Barton, Elmer Wellman and Asst. Coach Frank Partridge. 
Second row: Kenneth Mills, Lewis Mounts, Howard 
Grimm, Hugo Lindquist, Fred Husted and Richard John- 
son. 



Back In "The Good Old Days" 

In 1900, Cornell had three wells, with hand pumps, on 
its main street and a sixty foot flag pole which held our 
flag on high for proper occasions. On Halloween, a 
lantern, or almost anything, could be found hanging at the 
top of this same flag pole. The roads were of dirt, the 
side walks were all made of wood. Hitching racks, to 
tie horses to, were on the uptown streets. 

Each summer the Jessie Colton tent show would spend 
a week with us and perform to a full tent each night. 

A two story town hall stood at the east end of Main 
Street. Round and square dances were held here, with 
midnight lunch being served at Bill Butler's restaurant, 
located in the same building now occupied by Harold 
Monroe's garage. 

Traveling shows often rented this hall for a night or a 
weekly stand. Here Steve Dunbar ran a roller skating 



rink and Ralph Tiffany had a movie show. 

Boys and girls basketball was played here, both up- 
stairs and down. Some of the boys on the team were: 
Charlie Meyers, Vic Lindquist, Dutch Henry, Sam Sul- 
livan, Jodie Murphy, Pup Lishness and others. 




Miss Crawford, a grade school teacher, started girls 
basketball in Cornell in this old hall. She organized a 
blue learn and a red team. Their uniforms were a blouse 
and bloomers. They played down stairs and to a full 





ilaiii Struct CunicU in lUll ...liuwiiiii llic old hotel at 
left on north side and the town hall and the flag pole in 
the distance on the south side. 

house each time. Some of the girls who were on these 
teams were: Edna Shackelton, Gladys Gates, Rena 
Springer, Ann Hasel, Dora Sullivan, Lill Walker, Ruth 
Springer and the Cain sisters. 

In the old days Cornell had one of the best baseball 
teams in this area. They played one afternoon each week 
and all places of business closed during the games. They 
met all the surrounding towns' teams, including four or 
five teams from Streator. Special games were played 
against traveling teams, such as Japanese, Indian and 
Negro teams. 

The ball park was in Ed Beamans pasture first and 
later in Andy Leonards lot. Both were just east of the 
present Andy Leonard home. When the ball parks were 
being used. Will Wellman lived in the house. 



Some of those who played on the Cornell team during 
this period were Dr. Gardner, Sherm Johnson, Jack Mc- 
Cain, Ralph "Dad" Sawyer, Carl Tiffany, Gene "Kelly" 
Shackelton, Clarence Tiffany, Tom Richards, Marvin 
Fonger (pitcher from Odell), Grant Davis, Henry Sch- 
neider and a pitcher from Dwight by the name of Mickel- 
son. 

Both Carl and Clarence Tiffany and a younger brother, 
Wid, later played in the Minor Leagues. Carl was 
awarded for being the best second baseman in the League. 

Every fall Cornell had a "Gala Day" celebration. Cash 
prizes were given for foot races, bicycle races, sack races, 
wheelbarrow races and horse races. All races, except 
the horse races were run on Main Street. The horse 
races were run from one mile south of Cornell to the out- 
skirts of the city limits where Pete Donze now lives. 

CorneU had two good running horses at this time, "Old 
Blaze", once owned by Abel Gourley and later by Les 
Phillips. She ran the half mile distance. The other was 
"Telegram" owned by Abel Mills, and was best at one 
quarter mile. Abel bought "Telegram" from the gypsies, 
who came through Cornell each summer and camped 
around the "Old Mile Tree" west of town. They traveled 
in covered wagons, traded and raced horses and stole 
anything they could get away with. 

Will Wayman had a pony called "Nubbins" and he was 
never beaten in the pony races. Roy Mitchell and Pat 
Murphy rode the horses. 

Another event which took place each year in Cornell's 
north park was the Chautauqua. Four afternoons and 
evenings of entertainment. Hawaiian music was very 
popular at this time and Chatauqua had a good group. 

Then there was the "Old Settlers Picnic" held at 
Bradley's Grove in September. All you could eat suid 
usually Cornell and Short Point played baseball. Some of 
the players at this time, which was much later than Cor- 
nell's first town team, were Howard MUls, Jodie Mur- 
phy, Hugo Lindquist, Claude Hoobler, Myron Lishness, 
Vic Lindquist and others. Short Point had Nate Springer, 
Herman Stepp, Jess Locke, Bud Bradley, Francis Spring- 
er and Ott and Frank Grimm. 

Along about 1930, softbaU became popular. CorneU 
organized a league of local area teams and played three 
games a week. Money was raised to have electric lights 
installed on the Ernest Manly lot just west of the north 
park. AU games were played at night on this diamond. 
Baseball was played here during the old soldiers "Big 
Bend Reunion", which was held fifteen or more years 
earlier. 



Weinberg's Grocery 

One of the buildings located on Main Street in Cor- 
nell is presently familiar to most of the town's residents 
as the office for Cornell Mobile Milling. However, the 
structure has served in many capacities since it's con- 
struction. 

The early history of the store is known only vaguely. 
It was built by the CorneU Chapter of the Odd FeUows in 
1907. It was leased to a Mr. Blumenshine, who operated 
a bakery. Then, around 1927 or 1928, Jacob Solma 
leased the building and continued with the bakery. In 
1929, Mr. Solma turned the building over to his son-in- 
law and daughter, Arthur and Lottie Breiholz, who then 
opened a grocerj' store. After Arthur died in 1931, his 
widow continued to operate the business. In 1933, Lottie 
married Morris Weinberg and in 1935 they purchased 
the building from the Odd Fellows. 




Mr. and Mrs. Weinberg and daughter. Donna Burkett 



The store was open from 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. Monday 
through Saturday and a half day Sunday. During the 
threshing season, it was not uncommon to see the Wein- 
berg's and other store employees delivering groceries at 
5 A.M. to insure the threshers of a good meal. 

In 1947 Mr. and Mrs. Weinberg ceased operation of their 
store and sold the building to Carl Scurlock in 1948. Mr. 
Seurlock in turn sold the building to a Mr. Quigby in 
1951. Morris Weinberg repurchased the store in 1954, 
operated a store for one year, then leased it to Bob Lee. 
In 1956 Morris died, and in 1960 his widow sold the 
buUding to its present owners, her son-in-law, Wm. Ro- 
bert Taylor and Glen Finkenbinder, who, under the name 
of Cornell Mobile Milling are now operating a feed store. 



From aU of this, young people of today, will know that 
Cornell had plenty of entertainment in the "GOOD OLD 
DAYS". 

Lloyd Miner 



Cornell's "Big Bend" Reunion 

One of the big events in the Uves of young and old alike 
was the Big Bend Reunion held each summer for four 
days in August at the North Park. 



According to the Aug. 29, 1913 Cornell Journal, the 
first Big Bend Reunion held in Cornell was the week of 
Aug. 18, 1913. We gather from the publication that the 
Big Bend had been held in some other towns before Cor- 
nell. 

The first morning of the Big Bend saw Civil War vet- 
erans arriving from far and near to spend the four dajs 
meeting old friends and reminiscing of by-gone days. 




Cornell Civil War Veterans attending the Cornell Big 
Bend Reunion in 1914 are from left to right, bottom row — 
Mr. Lucas, Mr. Saxon, ? ?, Mr. Gingrich, Mr. Setzer, Mr. 
Erickson. Center row — Mr. Ammonds, ? ?, Rev. Janes, 
Mr. Springer, ?, Mr. Partridge. Back row — Mr. Myers, 
Mr. Bennington, Mr. Cornell, Mr. Lundy, ? ?, Mr. Carrol, 
Mr. Lilly, Mr. Gregory. At top — Mr. Cummings, Mr. 
Fleming ? ? Distant right— Mr. Calder, Mr. Husted, Mr. 
Reeve. 

The North Park, where the event was held was describ- 
ed by the Cornell Journal, as being "transformed into an 
ideal camp ground and with its orderly arrangements of 
tents and the different amusements and concessions de- 
corated with bunting and hundreds of flags presented a 
very beautiful appearance by day and by night. Its 
hundreds of electric lights added to the effect and caused 
it to look like fairyland". The article continues in say- 
ing that "even our citizens who have known this pretty 
park for years, could hardly believe the transformation 
was real". Prior to the opening day, tents had been set 
up, wood gathered for cooking facilities and water sup- 
plies made ready for the campers. 

Mornings were spent mostly in visiting and then at 
1:30 p.m. a well known speaker would take to the grand- 
stand and share the spotlight with a local clergyman, the 
mayor and other dignitaries. The Cornell Concert Band 
comprised of Myron Lishness, Elmer Blue, Grant Con- 
nett, Ralph Tiffany, Horace Johnson, A. G. (Goff) Lind- 
quist, Sharon Johnson and Earl Husted would preform. 
Sometimes it would be the Drum and Bugle Corps, who 
would favor with numbers. This group of talent con- 
sisted of Ralph Tiffany, Z. F. Carroll, Charles Lishness 
and Myron Lishness. Groups of school children would 



often preform as well as other local talent. Miss Jessie 
Calder (Mrs. Marion Louderback) was well known for 
her readings and Miss Florence Calder (Mrs. Clsurence 
Beaman) favored with numerous vocal selections. A 
different program was presented each day and was well 
received. 

Official programs were printed for each day's pro- 
grams We were able to obtain a program for Friday, 
Aug .27, 1920 through the courtesy of Mrs. Howard Gar- 
retson of Cornell, (Doris Patterson). 

10:30 A.M. — Music Martial Band Entertainment fur- 
nished by Old Soldiers 
12:00 DINNER 

1:30 P.M.— Band Concert, Long Point Band 
Reading — Miss Bessie Klotzache 
Solo — Miss Florence Calder 

2:30 P.M. — Address, Hon. Frank Gillespie of Bloomington 
Music — Martial Band 
Solo — J. R. Shackelton 

4:00 P.M. — Baseball — Winners of Wednesday and Thurs- 
days games — Graymont Greys and Cornell Colts 
Aerial Exhibition 

7:30 P.M. — Band Concert, Long Point Band 
8:30 P.M.— Music, Streator Male Quartette 
Reading — Miss Bessie Klotzache 
Solo — Miss Gladys Husted 

Motion Pictures — Lina Cavaliere in "The Two Brides" 
Official Pianist— Todd V. Richards 

One could purchase a season ticket or a single ticket 
daily. Season tickets in 1922 were $1.35 with an ad- 
ditional 15c war tax making a total of $1.50. 

Baseball games were scheduled for each afternoon. 
Band concerts and motion pictures each evening as well 
as dances. The baUgames were played in Manly's pas- 
ture. Other attractions included a Ferris Wheel and 
Merry-Go-Round. 

The CORNELL JOURNAL mentions that on one par- 
ticular day, "every veteran and his wife and members of 
the W.R.C. were taken as guests of the local committee on 
a 20 mUe auto ride in cars that were kindly donated by 
their owners of Cornell and vicinity. The auto parade re- 
turned to the park at 2 p.m. happy over the treat". 

One afternoon, "Company F. entertained with snappy 
military drill and maneuvers for an hour". 

Several weeks before the Big Bend, a caravan of cars 
containing Cornell people would start out early in the 
morning and visit surrounding towns to advertise the 
coming event. The men would get out of their cars, play 
several instrumental numbers, hand out posters and 
place some in store windows and then move on to an- 
other town and repeat the same performance. 

Food concessions were plentiful and operated by the 
Cornell Methodist Ladies Aid Society. They also served 
meals to threshing "runs" in addition to serving Big Bend 



patrons. Others who operated food concessions included 
Mrs. Lottie Weinberg, Charlie Lishness, Murphy Bros., 
American Legion. 

Members of the Big Bend Association Board of di- 
rectors were: Wyley Wayman, president A. R. Gourley, 
T. B. Gourley, Charles Lishness, Will Blue, Dick Blue, 
Dr. F. L. Gardner, R. R. Tiffany and Emanuel Gingrich. 
Emanuel Gingrich worked at the gate each day selling 
tickets and reported an average of $600 to $800 a day 
was taken in. Abel Gourley worked with Gingrich at the 
gates. 

The exact date of the discontinuance of the Big Bend 
has not been determined but it is thought to have been 
in the early 1930's. 

Beckwith Harness Shop 

It was in the spring of 1919 my father, A. M. Beckwith, 
bought Husted Brothers Harness Shop on Main Street in 
Cornell. He had traveled a great distance to wind up in 
the little village of Cornell. He started, a young man, 
as a riverboat captain on the Hudson River and the Erie 
Canal in New York State, where he was born. He moved 
with his family to Illinois, going into the harness shop 
and livery stable business in Streator. After he was 
married and had one son, he moved to Grand Rapids, 



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Mich., working for a wholesale harness company. He 
was injured at work there causing him to seek employ- 
ment elsewhere. He and my mother ran a restaurant 
in Belding, Michigan for sometime. After a disastrous 
fire they decided to move back to Streator. He held a 
number of jobs, then decided to go into business for him- 
self, buying the harness shop. He moved his family, 
consisting of wife, daughter and youngest son to Cornell, 
his oldest son already married and living in Michigan. 

While waiting to rent a house, he boarded at Mrs. 
Blake's boarding house, commuting weekends by Wabash 
Railroad. Business was good, as everyone traveled with 



horses and farmers were especially busy in spring and 
fall. He made many new sets of harness, being very 
proud of his hand-stitched heavy leather. He decorated 
with fancy rivets of all kinds. As cars became more 
common, he and his bachelor brother, Charles, made side 
curtains, and still oiled and cleaned harness. 

In 1925, he started to branch out into the hardware 
business. He had one of the first artificial Christmas 
trees with electric lights in his window. He remained in 
business until 1944, when he lost his sight. He died in 
1946. 

Cornell was good to him. He raised and educated two 
children, Harold of Jackson, Michigan, who has two chil- 
dren and myself, Eola, married to Kenneth Mills, parents 
of John, married to Betty Miller, parents of four chil- 
dren, residing in West Chicago; Mary Margaret, married 
to Robert Busey, parents of four children, of North 
Canton, Ohio, and Helen, married to Bruce Gloss, parents 
of two daughters of Streator. 



Remember 

When Cornell had three elevators, three ice houses and 
three saloons. 

There was an old elevator standing where the Jacob- 
son Elevator is now located. The grain was elevated by 
horse power, one horse doing all the work. 

To the north was an elevator owned by the Rogers 
Grain Co. and operated by Frank Evers. The office and 
scales of this elevator was directly across the railroad 
tracks from the depot. Years later, Charles Lishness 
and Merritt Wayman operated this elevator for the Farm- 
ers Grain Co., a picture of which is shown. This elevator 
was later torn down, as was the old one on the south; the 
best part of the lumber from these was used to build the 
present Jacobson building. 




The two men pictured 
right, Merritt Wayman. 



above are left, Chas. Lishness, 



Col. Sands operated this new elevator for the Farmers 
Grain Co. for several years, until it was sold to Homer 
Crum. George Duder purchased it from Crum and Har- 
ry Henry from Duder, who sold it to Jacobson, the pre- 
sent owner. 

The third elevator was to the south of Jacobsons and 
was owned by James Shaughnessy. Jim Henninger work- 
ed for Shaughnessy who sold out to Al DeBoer. The final 
owner was the Farmers Co-op with Frank Leonard as 
manager. 

This elevator burned down with considerable grain in 
it and never was rebuilt. 

Cornell had three ice houses in the old days. One was 
located across the alley from where Harold Monroe's 
garage is at the present time, another one on the north 
side of Main Street where Nettie Murphy's trailer stands. 
These two were owned by Perry Murphy, who ran a 
butcher shop and grocery at this time and needed the 
ice to keep the meat. He usually cut his ice from the 
Vermillion River or Rooks Creek. Perry delivered meat 
and groceries to north Cornell when the coal mine was in 
operation there. 

It might be of interest to know that the old vUlage jail 
stood just east of this ice house. 

The third ice house, owned by D. J. Foley, was much 
larger than the other two. It stood just north of the 
north tile pit, which is just west of the Otto Blue home in 
the north part of Cornell. Foley and Trainor ran a 
butcher shop and grocery at this time and also needed 
the ice for their meat. They cut their ice from the tUe 
pit. Foley, in later years, put up ice and sold it around 
town. Remember how the pan under your ice box, put 
there to catch the water, often was forgotten and water 
ran over the floor? 

The three saloons I remember, were Jack Ryan on the 
north side of Main Street in the old John Shackelton 
buUding (Grant Davis tended bar for him). Billy Grimes 
on the south side of Main Street in an old brick building, 
on same location as Harold Monroe's garage, and Tom 
Kelly on the corner where Elmer Hamilton' service sta- 
tion is at present. This building later was used for hard- 
ware stores. Tom Kelly was later Chief of Police in 
Streator. 



The Cornell Bank Robbery 

The Farmers State Savings Bank of Cornell started in 
1899. B. R. Johnson was president and a son, Wm. R. 
Johnson was cashier. The bank was in a frame building 
located on the south side of Main Street where the Gireu'd 
Antique Shop is at the present. 

The bank had ordered a Corliss safe with a hoUow re- 
volving globe within a heavy outer rounded shell. It was 
supposed to be burglar proof. The Corliss Company 
loaned the bank a square door safe while the burglar- 



proof one was being manufactured. 




On the night of Dec. 5th, 1899, four men from Chicago 
came to Cornell. They broke into the bank building and 
while one man worked at blowing open the safe, the 
others were stationed at different locations on the street 
outside. Earl States, who had been calling on one of 
Henry Cornell's daughters in the northern part of town, 
was returning to his home in the southern part of town, 
which made it necessary for him to cross Main Street. As 
he approached the bank on the north, he was taken by one 
of the robbers to the back room of the bank, where he 
was gagged and bound. There was just an ordinary 
frame partition between him and the safe which was 
blown open. 

After the explosion, Dennis Foley, who had a room in 
the Harlo Rhodes hotel just south of the bank, fired a 
gun out of his window, apparently to frighten whoever 
was causing the trouble. 

The sheriff was notified of the robbery and the next 
day the four were captured as they were trying to leave 
Pontiac on a north bound freight train. They had stolen 
the Wabash hand car in Cornell to get to Pontiac. Only a 
few thousand dollars was taken from the bank and most 
of it was recovered. One amusing item is that they 
carried away a bag of pennies and left most of the gold 
coins scattered on the bank floor. The leader of the 
group was said to be tubercular and died later in prison. 

When the new safe arrived, it required a concrete 
foundation to be built under it, due to the extreme 
weight. This was done and safe installed on it in the old 
building. In 1901, Johnson Bros, had a new brick 
building erected to house the bank and also a store. 

The safe was left on its original foundation and the 
building built around it. It is still in the building and 
can be seen n Girard's Antique Shop. 



The bank closed during 
1929-30. 



the national depression of 



The Village Blacksmith 

In the late 1800's and for sometime after the turn of 

the century, when man depended upon the horse for his 
transportation, his hauling and his farming, the village 
blacksmith was a much needed man. 




Horses traveling many miles on the road needed shoe- 
ing regularly. Farm horses especially needed to be 
sharp shod in the winter when roads were slippery and 
they were used in hauling grain to the elevators. 

Tires had to be set on buggies and wagons and plows 
had to be sharpened. Machines had to be repaired, etc. 
With all this to do, the blacksmith was a busy, hard 
working man. 

Cornell had many over the years, who worked at this 
trade, but the one who was here for the longest time, and 
the best known, was B. C. Sullivan. He is shown in the 
picture in his shop with Jim Blake and Ed Sullivan (a 
brother) who were hired to help. 

B. C. Sullivan had his blacksmith shop in the building 
recently torn down by Virgil Ross, from 1890 until he 
sold out to Max Husted and son. Jack, in 1947. Max be- 
came ill and Virgil Ross bought him out in 1949. 

During the 57 years Sullivan ran the shop, many work- 
ed for him. To name a few — Shorty Anderson, a Mr. 
Lehew, John Hardin, Ed Sullivan and Jim Blake. Mil- 
burn Lamb, a nephew, worked for him and later bought a 
half interest, which he kept until he moved away from 
Cornell. Will Jamison then bought a half interest. In 
the early years a Mr. Baxendale had an interest in the 
shop. 

At an early date a Peter Barber and John DeBoer ran 
a shop in Cornell and in later years a Mr. Wilson and 
Jay Anthony had a shop here. 

B. C. Sullivan's father, John Sullivan, ran a shop here 
for 35 years, until he died. 

I wonder how many remember how the blacksmith 
helped start off the 4th of July celebration early on the 
morning of the 4th. They would place an anvU on the 
road out in front of the shop, on this they would put 
some powder with a sheet of paper over it, then place an- 



ther anvil upside down on the powder making the an- 
vils face to face. Next, they would heat an iron rod red 
hot on one end, the rod being about 20 feet long. This 
they would take out of the shop and touch to the powder. 
The result was a tremendous explosion, sounding like a 
cannon and blowing the top anvil a foot in the uir. This 
was repeated for an hour or more. They really cele- 
brated in those days, giant firecrackers, and torpedoes. 
How many remember? ? ? 



Cornell Football Team-1901 

Who remembers the Cornell football team of 1901? Who 
organized it or where they played is beyond my know- 
ledge. 

All I know is that my father, Grant Davis, would hold 
out his bent and gnarled hands and say to my football 
playing son, "See those hands, that's from football". 

The members of the team (as nearly as my mother 
could recall were — 




Back row — 2nd and 3rd from left, Tom and Jeff Rich- 
ards, 4th, Chas. Whitam. Middle row — 1st and 2nd from 
left. Perry Lundy, Carl Tiffany. Front row — left to 
right, Grant Davis, Pat Murphy, Art Mitchell. Maybe 
someone will recognize the others or recall more of the 
details. 



Past Supervisors of Amity Township 

Reason M. Douglas, Moses Allen, Walter Cornell, Lib- 
erty Louderback, W. D. Blake, D. H. Snyder, Eben Norton, 
John Shackelton, Frank Barton, Charles Patterson, Floyd 
Rucker, Harlo Iverson, Aldene Myers, John Gourley, 
Wayne Patterson. 





LAST TELEPHONE OPERATORS 
Following the changing to dial, the operators were 
entertained at a dinner, hosted by Mrs. Loren Redfern, 
in her home. The hostess was assisted by her daughter, 
Mrs. Berge. After the dinner, the group were busy 
reminiscing and playing games. Guests were Mrs. Ruth 
Corrigan, Mrs. Madeline Earp, Mrs. Mae Chester, Mrs. 
Lela Morris, Mrs. Claire Leonard, Mrs. Venus Spaniol. 
Another guest was Mrs. William Redfern, 





CORNELL'S FIRST BEAUTY SHOP 
The above picture was the place of the first beauty 
shop located in Cornell. It was operated by Florence 
Gregory, now Mrs. Robert Girard. She graduated from 
Liberty Beauty School in Peoria and started her shop in 
fall of 1938 in the home of her mother, Mrs. Mae Gregory. 
Florence operated her shop until 1948. 




The last horse-drawn mail carriage on Cornell Rural 
Route — 1916. Harry Rucker, mail carrier and his son, 
Lloyd, 




A race on Gala Day, 1923. Sct-iie in ii 
Zook residence. 



I he Alva 



KLINZMAN GARAGE— 1915 
Unknown, Jess Klinzman, Bill Beaman. Don Klinzman, 
(by pump) 




The High School Faculty of the first 4-year High School 
in Cornell held in the League rooms of Cornell Metho- 
dist Church in 1921. Left to right— Principal-coach F. O. 
Grounds; Science — Lester Shay; Math— Lillian Arends; 
English — Amanda Johnson. 




Shown above i Wiixi.-h passenger train and depot with 
dray team, waiting for express to be delivered. The train 
made two round trips a day in the early 1900's, hauling 
large loads of express and mail, as well as many passen- 
gers. There was also a freight train making one round 
trip a day, which hauled many car loads of cattle and 
hogs as well as groceries and other freight for the stores. 
George Myers was depot agent at this time. 




THREE GENERATIONS OF LAWRENCE'S— 1918 
Left to right- John, Elmer and Knute Lawrence. Elmer 
served in U.S. Navy, 1917-20. 




BIG BEND REUNION P.MiADE 1913— Main St., Cornell 
Prizes were given for best decorated horse-drawn ve- 
hicle and best decorated car. Todd Richards and Irving 
Miner in first pony-drawn cart. 




MAHN STREET IN CORNELL, HORSE SHOW— 1910 
Third from left, Harry Dicken; 4th, Archie Dicken; 
5th, Phillip Corrigan; 6th, Billie Wayman 



H. H. Ide at his gas pump, 
1935. Great-granddaugh- 
ter, Mary Ellen Ide Mc- 
Donald. 





MISS LIVINGSTON COUNTY WINNER— 1961 

Miss Linda Girard was named Miss Livingston County 
of 1961 in ceremonies held at Fairbury on June 3, 1961. 
Also State Talent winner at Aurora, 111. Linda's talent 
was a gymnastic act, done on a single rope. She was a 
junior at Illinois State University, Normal. She is the 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Girard of Cornell, now 
married to Robert Steppe. She has a son, Robert, and 
girl. Barbara, and now living in Okinawa. Linda has a 
brother, Wesley of Payson, Arizona and a sister, Wendy 
Cooper, of Cornell. 





The Planning Committee For Cornell Methodist 
Centennial 1958 
Front row, left to right — Jessie Louderback, Ralph Tif- 
fany, Rev Biehl, Lula Barton. Back row — Freida St. John, 
Rodney Tiffany, Beulah Shay. 

Nigh Chapel Mite Society 




CORNELL CORNET BAND— 1890 



Top row, left to right — Francis Girard, Mabel Patterson, 

Lottie Gingrich, ? ?, Minnie St. John, ? ?, Ethel Wibben- 

host Cool, Dot Blake Blue, Parthina Willis, Joe Bradley, 

Viola Husted. 

2nd row — (seated) Mrs. T. K. Barton, Eliza Long, Mrs. 

William Wertz, Grandma Snyder, Cynthia Patterson, Mrs. 

Chris Munson, Mrs. Will Snyder, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. WiU 

Blue. 

3rd row — (seated) Mrs. William Antrim, Mrs. WiUiam 

Antrim, Iva Louderback, Ollie Winters, Fern Snyder, 

Cora Louderback, Will Snyder, John H. Louderback. 

4th row — (seated) ? ?, MoUie Dicken, Mrs. Hans Hansen, 

Mrs. Eick (Kit) Wibbenhost, Mrs. Dick (Kate) Blue, Mrs. 

John (Mary) Louderback, Mrs. Lucius Blue, Mrs. Charlie 

Lishness, Mrs. John Gates. 

5th row — (seated on side walk) ? ?, Mrs. W. Kowalsky, 

Kowalsky's daughter, Nellie Patterson, Priscilla Barton, 

Dick Blue, Francis Barton, Florence (Munson) Wertz. 

Dorothy Delheimer, Vic Lucas, Robert Girard. 

Rev. Kowalsky was pastor at the Nigh Chapel from 
1922 to 1924. 



The group was the "old" and "new" members of 
the Nigh Chapel Mite Society. They had meetings once a 
month in the afternoons at members homes. They kept 
very busy piecing and quilting quilts and making gar- 
ments for chUdren and aprons, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Jones 
Blue invited the group to their home in April 1924 for q 
potluck dinner and a social afternoon. The group was 
from various towns around. The home is the one now 
owned by Paul Griffith on west Main Street. 

Then and Now 

THEN— 1924 




Left to right— Hannah Bruwii Flavel, AUIl-uo Patterson 
Myers, Agnes Mills Grimm, Stella Wayman, Fleda Marko 
Stephey. 

Girl's Physical Ed started in 1923-24 at Cornell High 
School, taught by Kitt Antrim, now of Pontiac. The 
girls played basketball using the boy's rules. They had 
the Reds and the Blacks teams. They wore white middys 
and black bloomers with red or black ties. In 1924-25 
the classes played against one another. In April in the 
tournament, the Sophomores defeated the Seniors in a 
3 minute overtime. An all star team was chosen: Helen 
Lindquist, center; Fleda Marko Stephey, forward; Gladys 
Santelman, forward; Aldene Patterson Myers, guard; Iris 
Davis Bowers, guard. 

NOW— 1»73 





Print Shop Opens In Cornell 

Following nearly ten years without a printing estab- 
lishment, Cornell has been selected as the site for a new 
printing business. A former Cornell resident has lo- 
cated a printing firm here at 506 Short Street, directly 
north of the CorneU High School. Dean Hamilton of 
Pontiac, owner of Village Printers, reports his newly re- 
modeled facilities contain offset equipment as well as 
letterpress to assure quick service and to offer printing 
of any quantities. He also offers a complete line of wed- 
ding invitations and accessories. 

According to Mr. Hamilton the shop will be open eve- 
nings and all day Fridays and Saturdays and may be 
reached by phone at 815-358-2959. 

Mr. Hamilton says he is looking forward to again serv- 
ing the CorneU and surrounding area. 



THE SPONSORS AND PATRONS LISTED IN THIS 
BOOK HELPED MAKE THIS PUBLICATION POS- 
SIBLE. YOUR PATRONAGE OF THEIR PRODUCTS 
AND SERVICES IS APPRECIATED 



_,-_ i.. L i.Jucation taught by Anita Hulsal. 

Left to right— Kaye Kelly, Linda Leach, Donna Schlueter, 
Sally Fitzgerald, Mary Peters. 



Voigts Manufacturing Company 

Once again necessity proved to be the mother of inven- 
tion. When as a young man Ralph Voigts worked for a 
truck tire dealer repairing flats and installing new tires. 
The only way to do the job was by hand. The changing 
of truck tires had not been mechanized. As he labored, 
he thought there must be a better way. 




In 1952 he entered the U.S. Army and in Korea was a 
Battalion Motor Officer with 80 vehicles under his com- 
mand. Again, as he watched his men struggle with the 
hard task of fixing truck tires he thought there should 
be a way to do the hard work with machinery. 

When returning from service he started farming and 
feeding cattle in the Cornell area. Again he was plagued 
with the problem of fixing truck tires. Being mechan- 
ically inclined he began to develop a tool to help him. 
After exploring many methods that were not satisfactory, 
he made a machine that really was a help. Many visitors 
came to the Beaman Farm feedlots, and noticed the ma- 
chine et work would ask where they could buy one. 

When the cattle feeding business was phased out of the 
operation, Mr. Voigts began to think about a wintertime 
job and again he thought of the tire machine. He de- 
veloped and perfected the machine and applied for a 
patent in 1966. 

Having worked for different manufacturers, and being 
familiar with sales techniques, Ralph started VOIGTS 
MAJTOFACTURING CO. He manufactured the equip- 
ment in his farm shop and sold machines in the midwest 
Eirea. As the machine's reputation spread, the sales area 
increased. In 1971 a full-time salesman was employed 
and the product was nationally advertised in trade mag- 
azines and at national trade shows. A patent was issued 
in 1971. 

In 1972 the business had developed to a point where 
Ralph could no longer just manufacture in the winter- 



time and during slack periods. He decided to discontinue 
farming and to devote fulltime to sales and manufactur- 
ing. 

Sales are now being made in every state but Alaska. 
The product is now being exported to Canada, Central 
America, South America and the West Indies. Plans are 
now being made to export to Europe and Asia. In 1972 
the VOIGTS BEAD BREAKER was the top selling truck 
tire tool in the U.S. 

There are now eight full and part-time employees and 
three full-time salesmen and factory representatives cov- 
ering the United States. 



March 12, 1973 

Cornell Centennial Committee, 
Cornell, Illinois 

Dear Friends: 

It was suggested that I write a few lines about the 
early history of Cornell as I heard it as a boy about 1912. 

As we were plowing in the field east of the Old corn 
crib, we struck what seemed to be a large stone. On dig- 
gmg it out of the ground, it proved to be a grave stone. 
Both my father, Edward Partridge, and grandfather, 
William Partridge, told us boys that a grave yard had 
once existed there. Most of the grave stones and caskets 
that could be moved had been transferrd to the present 
grave yard south of Cornell. 

We were also told that a post office and store had also 
been located there on the bank of Mud Creek. A small 
building with a partition was said to be the old post of- 
fice. The name of the small settlement was said to be 
Oak Dale, and my father called our farm by that name. 
It was further stated that when the Wabash railroad 
came through the area, it missed Oak Dale by about two 
miles. This caused the community to leave Oak Dale 
and start a new town which was called Cornell after the 
name of a family who owned a large tract of land in the 
new area. A railroad station, general store, hotel, and 
oLher buildings, including a grain elevator, were buUtand 
Cornell was on its way. 

Perhaps there are some old settlers still living in the 
area who have also heard about Oak Dale. 

Sincerely yours, 

E. F. PARTRIDGE 



Cornell During World War II 





WORLD WAR II PLAQUE 

This plaque, located just east of the village hall was 
dedicated in 1942, with Father Farley being guest speak- 
er. Pictured are Mrs. Cora Rarame, who was the presi- 
dent of Mothers Service Club and Mrs. Mable Wayman, 
with most sons in the service of our country. They were 
Frank, Clark and Glen. Each boys name was placed on 
the plaque as he entered service. 



GENERAL E. L. RAMME 

Air Force Brigadier General Ernest L. Ramme, son of 
Mr. and Mrs. Otto Ramme, Cornell, Illinois spent 30 
years in military service. He was around the world 11 
times, was on 6 continents, in 42 countries and at the 
North Pole. He is now retired and is Corporate Group 
Vice-President of Management Services of Dart Indus- 
tries, Inc., in Los Angeles, California. 

General and Mrs. Ramme have four daughters. 



PARENTS SERVICE CLUB5lFREECANTEENSTREAT0R.IU. 



Ml? .-VTlON-.. ;5^ Tt-iS^O''-fR'"TieS 




PARENTS SERVICE CLUB 

Parents Service Club mothers are pictured at the 
Santa Fe Depot, Streator, where they served lunch to our 
service men when they stopped, going through Streator. 
The group served free sandwiches, cookies, doughnuts 
and coffee twice a month from 4 A.M. to 9 P.M. during 
World War II. 

Left to right — Ruth Stassel Baker, Pat Svenson, Lottie 
Weinberg, Bernadine Zimmerman, Mazie Lawrence, Em- 
ma Bennett, Vada Ide, Donna Burkett, Lola Turner, 
Mable Patterson, Cora Frailey, Mamie Burkett, Frances 
Barton, Mable Wayman, unknown. 




In Memoriam 




The Memorial Stone pictured above was erected in 1947 
by the people of this community in remembrance of the 
men of this area who served their country in time of 
war, especially those who gave their lives. 

Much credit must be given to Max Husted, a Cornell 
veteran of World War I, who started the memorial pro- 
ject, to the Cornell Ladies Service Club and to the Cor- 
nell High School students, all of whom collected a total 
of almost $600.00 in donations from the good people of 
this commimity to make this display of gratitude pos- 
sible. 

Let us not forget the Village of Cornell who donated 
the ground to make this Memorial Park, located a few 
yards west of the Fire Dept. Building. The monument 
and park were dedicated on Memorial Day, 1947, with 
the help of the Streator American Legion of which Er- 
vin Burkett was a member at that time. 

Each year a Memorial Day program is held at this 
park under the direction of the Cornell American Legion 
with the help of the Cornell High School band and others 
in the community. 




Left to right — -Pfc. Arthur Spires 
and James Louden. 



a M. Shanks 



Arthur Spires, born April 27, 1925 was killed in action 
in Germany, January 21, 1945. He was a son of Arthur 
and Ora Spires and a graduate of Cornell High School. 
Burial was in Pontiac South Side Cemetery. 

Tech Sgt. Harold M. Shanks, born Nov. 18, 1922, son 
of Mrs. La Vera Griffiths, of Streator, was kUled in ac- 
tion May 19, 1943. He made his home with his grand- 
father, F. C. Cusick, of Cornell. He was a graduate of 
Cornell High School. He was buried in Ardennes 
American Military Cemetery, NeuviUe En Condors, Bel- 
gium. 

James Loudon, born July 24, 1927, son of Sam and 
Merle Loudon, enlisted January 20, 1952, discharged 
1954, served in the Korean conflict in Territory of Alaska. 




FN William A. Garretson— July 26, 1931 - April 23, 
1953. Served in the U. S. Navy 1950-53. KiUed while 
serving aboard the USS Bennington, stationed off the 
coast of Cuba, by an explosion in the engine room where 
he was on duty. 




VICTOR EUGENE RUSH 

Born: January 4, 1923. KUled in action in Italy on April 
20, 1945. 

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew (Velma Wibbenhost) Rush 

Brothers: Albert, Charles and Robert. 

Sisters: Mrs. Daniel (Charlene) Oilman; Mrs. Clayton 
(Alberta) Parcher. 

Pfc. Rush, an infantryman was attached to the 10th Div. 

This poem was written by 
Mrs. Etta Nelson Beckwith 

Somewhere in Italy is a soldier's grave, 
Where our Victor rests among the brave, 
He never shunned his country's call, 
But gladly g-ave his life, his all. 
He was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Streator, III. 




CPL. LY1.E F. raOHLAND 

Cpl. Lyle F. Highland, son of the late George Highland 
and Mrs. Agnes Wolf, of Odell, was born February 1, 
1925. Died in service March 3, 1945. He was buried 
in Henride Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium. 



COLONEL H. PAUL WHITCAMP 

Colonel Henry Paul Whitcamp was born in 1901 at 
Nilwood, son of Charles and Lena Whitcamp. He was 
married to Mary Madalene Gourley, St. Louis, Missouri, 
May 1, 1926. He died in March, 1971. He was a re- 
tired Air Force Colonel, having served in the European 
and Pacific Theaters during World War II. He retired 
in 1955. He served as Mayor of Cornell from 1959- 
1963. 




SERGEANT WILBUR JOHN DeROSSETT 

Sergeant Wilbur John DeRossett was born October 7, 
1920. He entered the armed services in 1940 and was 
killed in action on the Island of Leyete, February 27, 
1945. He was the son of James Wesley DeRossett and 
Helen Barbara Yentz. Brothers, Cecil and Vernon are 
both deceased. Sisters are Mrs. Mabel Boshart, Silvis, 
Illinois and Mrs. Hazel Freeman, address unknown. 



From the Pen of Our Country Doctor 




DR. H. L. SHAFER 



careers seemed equally important to me, one was that of 
a locomotive engineer, the other was that of a physician. 
The first had been fostered in my constant environment, 
and the second was being inspired by a life-long friend 
and neighbor, Dr. Edward F. Daw, now our family physi- 
cian. Dr. Law had been one of our home boys who had 
made good and returned to his boyhood community to take 
up practice as a country doctor. Too, he had been my 
third grade teacher in our rural schools. To me he was 
an ideal. In considering these two ambitions of mine, I 
found that each had its requirements as well as its satis- 
factions. To be an engineer, one had to have above- 
average stature; and to study medicine one had to have 
money. Since I was short in both stature and cash, I 
settled for embalming school. 



I was born on a farm in Livingston County, Illinois, on 
May 28, 1887. 

Among my early impressions is a faint recollection of a 
6 horsepower Nichols and Shephard engine and a six-hole 
Sandwich spring corn sheller. This outfit was owned by 
my Dad, who did custom shelling for the neighbors along 
with farming. 

In 1893, Dad and two of his brothers purchased a new 
10 horsepower Nichols and Shephard engine and sep- 
arator. This new separator was equipped with a self 
feeder, the first one in our community. They also pur- 
chased a new Ottawa corn sheller. This particular type 
broke the cobs into smaller pieces than the previous ones. 
Since long cobs were better for kindling household stove 
fires, many farmers preferred the old sheller. One of 
these farmers is still living today on the same farm on 
which he was living back in the 90's. He is nearing his 
four score and ten years. 

About 1895, Dad became the sole owner of the engine 
separator sheller outfit when his brothers disposed of 
their interests. 

I recall my earliest ambition was to pull the whistle on 
the engine. This persistence got me into frequent 
troubles and brought me a few well deserved paddlings. 
Too, I loved the tangy aroma of the smoke and grease. 

As time brought improvements in all the machinery, 
more power was needed. The blower, which was a new 
addition to the separator, especially required a bigger and 
more powerful engine. Since news broadcasts, our needs 
soon reached the agents of different companies. One of 
the outstanding salesman was Harry Cook of Falrbury, 
111. He called on us quite frequently to give his high 
pressure selling points of the Huber. 



ENGINEER OR PHYSICIAN 

Nearing the close of my high school days, I began to 
think seriously of choice of a vocation. Two different 



My first pay as an embalmer was $40 per month, the 
weeks being of six and one half days, on call both day 
and night. After a year I changed to a position which 
paid $60 a month. However, within several months I 
found myself out of work, and with the old problem — 
what next. 

At this time the streets in front of this last employment 
was being resurfaced. I noticed that one of the rollers 
was standing idle. Having previously made a speaking 
acquaintance with several of the paving crew, I called to 
the foreman, "Why is that roller not working?" He an- 
swered, "No engineer." "How about letting me have the 
job?" I asked. "Got a license?" he inquired. I said with 
great confidence, "No, but I can get one, and I've had lots 
of experience with an engine". "All right," he said, "Get 
one and be back here at one o'clock today. Oh, yes, bring 
•a pair of overalls with you." 

With amazing speed I contacted a city hall friend, and 
by noon I was back with license and overalls ready for 
the job. 

All I had to do was sit on the seat under the shade of 
a big umbrella, run the paving roller up and down the 
block of new pavement, and collect my $20 per week of 
six days. The work was really nil. Of course, I had to 
reverse the engine at the end of the block. A colored 
boy was there to do the firing, so that I could put all my 
efforts to keeping the roller rolling. At the end of the 
outfits contract job, I terminated both my connection 
with the crew and any plans for an engineering career. 
Within a short time I again secured employment as an 
embalmer. 

About this time I met a pretty stenographer, Miss Mae 
Woods, formerly of Wisconsin, and now with an enter- 
prising Chicago business firm. In fifteen months we 
were married on May 3, 1911. Now I had a life-time boss! 
With her good business management, I found myself en- 
rolled in medical school, thus on my way to my desired 
career. In 1915 I graduated as an M.D. After passing 
required state board examination, I obtained my Illinois 
State license to practice medicine. 



In that eventful week of graduation from medical 
school and of taking the state board exams, occurred the 
terrible Eastland catastrophe, the sinking of that excur- 
sion boat with its holiday crowd took the lives of over 800 
people. Since I was with the Chicago Health Depart- 
ment, I was soon on the scene helping to save any lives 
possible. There with all available medical help, I worked 
for two days and nights. 

PART II— COUNTRY DOCTOR 

After two years of private practice, my wife and I de- 
cided to move to my boyhood community, where I would 
become a country doctor. 

Again my admiration for our family friend, Dr. Edward 
F. Law seemed to guide me, for I was to take over his 
office. Dr. Law had decided to retire. He and his wife 
and their son and daughter moved to their farm in a 
nearby community. His son, Dr. Otis H. Law, has fol- 
lowed his father's profession, and now is one of the out- 
standing physicians and surgeons of Pontiac, 111. He too, 
is my personal physician, intimate friend, and real pal. 

My six years of peddling piUs as a country doctor in the 
Weston, 111., community were begun in those influenza 
times. I began to realize that I had been born "30 years 
too soon" for there was still too much horse and buggy 
practice. There were no improved roads, and certainly 
no pavements — just plenty of mud. During the winter 
months practically all trips were by horse and buggy or 
sleigh. In that winter 1917-1918, three feet of snow cov- 
ered the ground. Many days temperatures fell to 15 or 
20 degrees below zero. Often we drove over hedges and 
fences covered with high drifts of snow. 

Here was my re-introduction to my boyhood winters. 

INTLXIENZA EPIDEMIC 

In the fall of 1918 the influenza really struck the coun- 
try. World War I had taken so many physicians into 
service that communities often were nearly, or absolutely 
without medical service. 

This epidemic taxed the few available physicians be- 
yond safe endurance. It was not uncommon to drive ten 
to twelve miles to take a call, then be asked to stop at a 
nearby home — and then the next — and on and on until 
a doctor often extended his trip to include as many as 
15 or 20 caUs and his few hours to a whole day or more. 
Being young and wiry, I could endure the "25 hour a 
day" schedule. This meant irregular meals and only 
short snatches of sleep. The community soon learned of 
my love for black coffee and every household kept a 
ready supply for me. Likewise my wife kept a warm 
meal awaiting me any hour I could be home. 

This severe weather was followed by the real January 
thaws and rains which left the roads bottomless. Again 
I spent my days and nights on calls. This added to my 
wife's duties, too. She became office nurse, stenographer, 
and general manager. These duties included supervi- 



sion of stable help to care for my six driving horses need- 
ed on those frequent long trips. Too, there were office 
and house furnaces to keep going. 

In a radius of 20 miles and over a period of three 
month's time, I served a total of 500 flu patients alone. 
The regular patients, the new babies, broken bones, in- 
grown toe nails, etc., became secondary to flu demands. 
Many of the flu patients developed pneumonia. Several 
became complicated with empyema. This usually de- 
manded surgery. One particular night, Dr. J. Glen 
Young, a Pontiac, 111. physician — my bosom friend and 
colleague — and I operated on three such cases. This 
meant removing a section of rib so as to drain out the 
offending pus. These operations were each performed in 
the patients home, kitchen-table surgery style. 

At the height of this flu epidemic aU public gatherings 
were stopped. Schools and churches were closed and 
even the United States Post Office often lacked enough 
personnel to keep open the usual hours. Nursing care was 
at a premium and hospitals were filled beyond capacity. 

By March the epidemic had spent itself, leaving the 
patients low in vitality and slow in recovery. 

Physicians, too, fell victims to the "germs", so that we 
often were reciprocal in our services. 

A LUCKY CRISIS 

In helping out a nearby colleague, I had occasion to 
take over the care of a seriously ill baby, a child of for- 
eign parents, who still clung to their old country reme- 
dies. Their sure cure for pneumonia was greasing the 
chest. That "grease on the chest" was one of my pet 
"nots". I had had all the grease on my hands that I 
wanted back in my embryo engineer days. That meant 
no grease to act as a sealing coat. When I explained the 
fallacy of chest-greasing, the mother remarked, "But 
I have to do something". 

Noticing that she was preparing some bacon (pork side 
meat) for supper, I answered, "All right, put some of 
that fat bacon on the soles of the baby's feet. Bind them 
up well and keep it on all night". 

Luckily the crisis of the illness came at midnight. With 
the consequent drop in body temperature, the baby was 
on its way to recovery. 

Imagine my relief and satisfaction! The parents were 
deeply grateful. They told the neighbors of my prescrib- 
ed "cure" and I became the "fat on the feet" hero-physi- 
cian of that foreign community. Consider, too, the raz- 
zing I got from my good friend and coUeague when he 
again took over the family's care. Furthermore, he car- 
ried his good joke to the Medical Meetings and gave 
the physicians a hearty laugh at my expense. Such is the 
life of a country doctor. 

The flu germ gradually lost its virulency, and after two 
years of uneventful practice, my wife and I began hoping 
for a more normal living schedule. 



1923— WE MOVE TO CORNELL 

The opportunity for better living came, we thought, 
when I entered partnership with a physician, Dr. Kis- 
tinger, in Cornell, a small town amid a good surround- 
ing practice. This arrangement is one of which every 
physician dreams, as it affords some time off — call, yet 
leaves his patients in the care of a known partner. 

However this arrangement was short-lived. At the end 
of two years, the partner-physician moved to California 
to escape the severe Illinois winters. This once again 
left me on 24-hour call in practically the same driving 
conditions as I had experienced during the flu epidemic of 
the 1918-1919 years. The Cornell roads were really bot- 
tomless, and the mud more clogging to the wheels of my 
Model T Ford. However, with the coming of the hard 
roads and some gravel surfacing of side roads, transpor- 
tation troubles did lessen by the late 20's. 

SERIOUS CASES 

Several high points in Medical experiences during the 
next few years stand out in my recollection. A polio 
epidemic broke out and within one square mile I had 
seven cases, all of whom responded postively to the new 
diathermy treatment. 

One winter I had five cases of pneumonia in one house- 
hold. While I made at least two visits daUy there for 
several weeks, I felt that they recovered in spite of me. 
According to the rules on pneumonia, none warranted 
hopes of recovery. 

Another real issue I met was a severe case of Vincent's 
Angina (trench mouth) in a 7-year-old boy. His badly 
diseased throat fairly sloughed its whole Lining. The of- 
fensive odor could be detected more than sixty feet from 
the house. This was such an extraordinary case that a 
number of physicians from surrounding towns came to 
see the patient. Again, even against the odds, the patient 
recovered. 

Kitchen table surgery popped up several times again. 
One case in particular was that of a 75-year-old woman, 
who became seriously ill with a gall bladder attack. With 
the aid of nearby doctors, the operation was performed 
successfully — kitchen table surgery style. Illinois mud 
roads being bottomless at that time, it was impossible to 
move the patient to the hospital 12 miles away. The at- 
tending physicians came via hand car on the towns one 
railroad. 

A bi gpart of every country doctors practice is that of 
obstetric cases. Thinking back over the years, I recall 
that I delivered 2200 babies. It is satisfying to know 
that I never lost a mother and better yet — I never lost a 
father! About 99 7o of those babies were delivered in the 
home. 

PART III— CIVIC CONTRACTS 

Rural communities provide many opportunities for a 
good life along with the many hardships. Among these are 



the associations found in different church, political, fra- 
ternal and professional groups. 

As to church affiliation, I am a Methodist, because my 
mother was. 

Politically, I am a member of the party that elected 
Lincoln, freed the slaves, put down rebellion, re-united 
the States, and established our nation's financial credit 
above that of any other country in the world. 

Fraternally, I am a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows; the Modern Woodman; The Ancient Free 
und Accepted Masons; the Knights Templar; the Mystic 
Shrine; The Order of the Eastern Star; and The White 
Shrine of Jerusalem. 

The Star and the White Shrine include both men and 
women in their membership. This gave my wife and me 
opportunity to share in our associations with its members. 
We served in various offices, she as Worthy Matron of 
the Eastern Star, and as Worthy High Priestess in the 
Shrine; and as Watchman of the Shepherds. 

Professionally, I am a member of the American Medical 
Association and of Emeritus Membership of the Illinois 
State Medical Society and the Livingston County Medical 
Society. 

COUNTY CORONER 

The years 1936-1940, I served as Coroner of Livingston 
County. This office brought me into contact with various 
local, state and federal government leaders, all of whom 
I thoroughly enjoyed. 

However, with these added duties to my regular prac- 
tice, I began to slow down Ln strength, and to find my- 
self confined more to office calls than to the active prac- 
tice I had formerly preferred. 

HEART ATTACK 

On November 13, 1940, I suffered a severe heart attack 
of coronary emboli. After six months as a bed patient, 1 
began a slow partial recovery. The attack marked my 
last day of office practice. During the next ten years I 
also underwent operations for the removal of a cataract 
from each eye. Arthritis, too, has joined the series of 
physicial difficulties. 

FAMILY 

More than three score years of my life-time have 
passed. It was my good fortune to have been reared in 
a good American home. My parents, my one brother, 
my three sisters, and I enjoyed the privileges, and ac- 
cepted the responsibilities found in rural mid-western 
communities. Of our family, only my two sisters and I 
remain. They and their families have retired from active 
farm life and now live in Pontiac, 111. 

My brother and my oldest sister and our parents have 
passed on. Mother and Dad both spent their last days of 
their lingering illness in my home. 



Along with the changes over the years, I have had a 
number of permanent relationships — that pretty steno- 
grapher, whom I first met over forty years ago is still 
my secretary, though her hair is more silver than bru- 
nette, and she added a few pounds, she can still sit on my 
lap and take dictation. My wife never reprimands me 
for this breach of etiquette. She still has her first hus- 
band — that country doctor. 

Since our home is located in a small town within easy 
driving distance to several large cities, we can enjoy the 
comforts and advantages of both country and city life. 

Likewise we have always had the companionship of 
our respective families, located so that we can observe 
holidays in traditional American family fellowship. 

Our mutual affection for animals has given us the con- 
stant interest and pleasure afforded by "Mans Best 
Friend" a faithful dog. 

Recalling the days of the steam traction engine and 
the progress and changes made through the years, helps 
one to appreciate the many advantages of our Democracy. 
While "embryo engineer to country doctor" was my par- 
tjculcu: path, others can find just as satisfying goals. 

If progress brings changes in our way of life, then — 
(paraphrasing General McArthur) "the place of the 
steam engine and of the country doctor just fades away." 

"So Mate It Be". 

By the pen of H. L. Shafer, M.D, Cornell, 111. 

Memories of 45 years of Teaching 
Ending in 1961 

My career as a teacher started in the year of 1915 at 
the Jones School, seven miles east of Pontiac, an the 
"Saunemin Road". The school itself, which is now used 
as a tool shed on the Paul Tronce farm, half a mile south 
of its original site, was in very good shape; but the fur- 
niture was somewhat antique. It consisted of a row of 




BLANCHE BLAKE 

double seats on each side of the room, a tall unjacketed 
coal stove, a recitation bench, a teacher's desk, a swivel 
chair and an organ. 

I had high hopes of hiring out at $50 per month, but 



the school board wanted me to accept $45— we eventually 
settled for $47.50. I had a total of nine pupUs and six 
grades at the beginning of the year. There was no first 
Krade until March, when a little lad came to me from a 
parochial school. His ability to read a little was a life- 
saver to me, for I hadn't the faintest idea what to do with 
a first grader. I remember, too, that the little fellow 
called me "Sister". 

While teaching at the Jones School I boarded with the 
Lutheran Minister and his family about a half-mile west 
of the school. In order to get home to Cornell for the 
weekend, I walked a mile and a half from the school to 
the station at Rugby, where I took the 9 P.M. I.C. train 
to Pontiac. I returned on the train Monday morning 
early enough to get to the school a little before 9 A.M. 
In bad weather, the minister drove me to the station in 
his horse and buggy, but otherwise, I walked. Some of 
the nights were very dark during my walk to the station. 
In those days we had no flashlights; and while some of 
the people had kerosene lanterns, I was not one of the 
fortunate ones. I think that sometimes I literally felt 
my way along in the dark, but it was Friday night, and 
that meant being home for the whole weekend — how I 
suffered from homesickness! 

I recall that a few times during that year at the Jones 
School, I wanted to get to Pontiac earlier than the train 
would take me; so I started walking west, hoping that 
I might get a ride, and after two or three miles my hopes 
were rewarded. In undertaking the seven mile walk to 
Pontiac, I think I drew my courage from Miss Aima Mur- 
phy, who taught two miles west of me. Miss Murphy, 
who was then middle-aged, walked out on Mondays and 
back on Fridays; and said she could walk a mile in 
seventeen minutes. If she could do it, I could! However, 
though my age was less than hers, my speed was con- 
siderably slower. 

In the spring we took a half day and all of us pitched 
in to clean the school. Then in the fell we had "corn- 
husking vacation" when the County Superintendent re- 
leased the larger boys to assist with this important work. 

A note of interest here is that Mrs. William FoUmer of 
Forrest, who was recently chosen "Illinois Mother of 
1961" is married to a member of the FoUmer family who 
lived in my first school district, and Mr. FoUmer's sister 
was my second grade pupil. 

From the Jones School I went closer to home — out to 
Champion School four and one-half miles northwest of 
Cornell. Monday morning found me walking out to 
school, taking the railroad track for all but part of a mile. 
However, in bad weather, Mr. Will Wayman drove me 
out. On Friday afternoon school was dismissed at 3:30 
and I walked a mile and a half to ManviUe to take the 
train home again. Once, when I was late, I was almost to 
Manville, when I saw the train coming. Downheartedly, 
I stepped off the track and started walking homeward. 
To my joy, the train stopped when it reached me, and the 



Manville Station Agent, Mr. George Gregory (father of 
Mrs. Robert Girard) said to me, "Why did you turn back? 
Never do it again. You should know we wouldn't pass you 
up!" 

During one two year period of my rural teaching, I 
rode three different ponies. The first was a brown and 
white one belonging to Kenneth and Mildred Gourley 
(now Mrs. Mildred McMenamin, my co-teacher of the 
first grade in Cornell). This pony's favorite trick was to 
come to a sudden stop, squat, and then attempt to roll, 
complete with saddle and rider. As I was the rider, this 
idea didn't appeal to me, so I engaged Amer Mill's pony, 
which was a good one except for one fault — he was weak 
in the knees. He would stumble and be up again as soon 
as he was down, but I felt this to be dangerous. I then 
rode Howard Wayman's pony "Star". Star and I got along 
magnificently with only one mishap — he collided with 
Myrtle Gingrich's car on the Vermillion River Bridge 
(between what is now Selmer Highland's and Clark 
Husted's) when w-e were returning home to Cornell from 
Lily School. The car grazed Star and he turned and 
kicked at it. Star got the worst of the deal, for he was 
limping so badly the we barely made it home That hap- 
pened on Friday, and on Monday he was as good as new; 

While teaching at Sutcliff School, two and one-half 
miles west, I walked — once again cutting off part of the 
distance by going down the track. High snow banks, 
floods, and deep mud were always challenging to say 
the least, but somehow 1 always made it. 

In those early years, we taught History in Illinois, 
Civics, and Domestic Science in the upper grades. At Sut- 
cliff School, we had hot lunches, with everyone, boys and 
girls alike, pitching in to do the dishes and the general 
"after lunch clean-up". I think I might mention here, 
that naturally enough, the boys did not in the least ap- 
preciate this valuable domestic training. 

In 1925, when I came to the Cornell Grade School, 
there were three teachers — Miss Irma Hewitt (who left 
in 1930 to go to Dwight, where she is at this time), Mr. 
Charles Koerner and myself. 1930 found but two teach- 
ers; 1935, again three; 1946, four teachers; and in 1950, 
six. In 1950, two rooms were added to the south with a 
new lunch room beneath. In 1952, we had eight teachers 
and added two more rooms above the first addition. 1955 
found us with eleven teachers and the addition of three 
more new rooms: a gj'm, restrooms, lockers, an office, and 
a supply room. 1956 brought a principal, who was not a 
full-time teacher; and 1958 showed a roster of thirteen 
teachers and brought the addition of two more rooms to 
the north, a secretary, and two music teachers. This pre- 
sent school year (1961) brought us the services of a kin- 
dergarten teacher and a speech teacher. 



grade and high school. From 1925-1928, Mr. Frank 
Lutyen was the school custodian Elmer Blue came to us 
in 1928; and he and his wife, Florence, are stUl serving us. 
My first school directors in the Cornell system were: 
Dr. F. L. Gardner, Nels Lindquist, and Sidney Johnson. 
The district at that time was less than two miles square. 
Around 1942, we consolidated and added much more ter- 
ritory; and we are now known as District 426, Cornell 
Community Consolidated. 

On my present board of directors are three of my for- 
mer pupils: Don Cashmer and Irvin Burkett from the Sut- 
cUff School, and Carl Swanberg from lily School. At 
one time, it was my privilege to serve under a principal 
who was a former pupil in the primary grades, Mr. L.yle 
Miner, now of CooksvUle. 

During my very first year of teaching, I purchased a 

Brownie camera, with which I took nearly all of my 
snapshots; and this camera is still in use. 

In the 36 years that I have spent in the service of the 
Cornell Grade School, 34 of those years were spent teach- 
ing in the same room, and I moved from that room to my 
present one only two years ago, in 1959. 

I have always felt that school should be a happy place 
with a balance of work and play; and the work itself 
should be fun in joyous activity, especially in the case of 
small children. Some of the activities through the years, 
which in themselves are a very real part of the educa- 
tional program and which are happy remembrances, 
are — school parties and programs at Halloween, Christ- 
mas, February parties, our Rhythm Band, Maypole 
dances, spring festivals, drills, activity songs, a trip to the 
woods in the fall and spring combining nature study and 
pleasure, and of course, the picnic lunch; perhaps a few 
walks around town observing changes in the seasons, and 
now and then a movie or film strip having some connec- 
tion with our lessons. 

The preceding words have been happy and nostalgic 
remembrances of the past 45 years. How our schools 
have grown and changed! In these years of teaching I 
have had over 1,000 children, each of them dear to me 
for his or her own individuality. In closing, let me say 
that an essential to good teaching is to love one's work 
and to love the children with whom one works. 

I would give a tribute to all sincere teachers every- 
where, in whom it is said rests the hope of Democracy 
and the security of world peace. "The glory of the 
teacher lies in his or her power to mold and shape young 
lives for worthy and useful citizenship. What greater 
calling? What greater challenge? Dare we fail?" 

Miss Blake is now a resident of Evenglow Lodge of 
Pontiac, 111. 



In all my years of teaching, I have always had a first 
grade, and since 1952, 1 have taught first grade only. 

I would like to mention at this point, that Mr. O. W. 
Smith was the first Superintendent in charge of both the 



Tnank You 

We wish to thank those who have made this book 
possible by the loan of their historical pictures, 
those who have given their time and talent in 
preparing the written material, and to all those 
who have assisted in any way in the preparation 
of this book. 

Sorry, but space did not permit all the contributed 
material to be used in this booklet. 

THE CENTENNIAL BOOK COMMITTEE 



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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 

077 IfilPfiISC COOl 

The CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CORNELL, ILLIN 




3 0112 025394682