The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1916
Stronghurst Graphic, May 11, 1916
UNEXPECTED SUMMONS: The community was shocked when it learned that G.L.Mahnesmith had succumbed to an attack of cerebral hemorrhage at the old Hughes Hotel which is operated by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Peterson. For the past two weeks or more Mr. Mahnesmith had busily engaged in fitting up his new butcher shop, grocery and feed store in the old Nichols Hardware rooms and prospects seemed good for his conducting a prosperous business there.
Grover Lucius Mahnesmith, the oldest son of John and Jane Mahnesmith, was born at Victoria, Ill., July 25, 1869, and died May 5, 1916 aged 46 years, 9 months and 11 days. He united in marriage to Miss Lillie
Peterson of Victoria, Ill., April 26, 1890. To this union one son, Earl Leroy, was born; he recently was associated with his father in grocery, meat, and feed business. Mr. Mahnesmith is also survived by his wife; his father; a step mother; one sister ,Mrs. Mary Moore of Lytton, Ia.; two brothers: William of Floyd, Ia., and Melvin of Salt Lake City, Utah; two half sisters, Mrs. Nellie Bowman of Galesburg and Mrs. J.L.Laird of Rock Island; one half brother, John Mahnesmith of Victoria, Ill.; two half sisters, Mrs. Anna Alderman of Charles City, Ia. and Mrs. Emma Stemmitt of Victoria, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Mahnesmith came to Stronghurst about 15 years ago, the former being employed by Mr. E.G.LeValley in his butcher shop. Later Mr. Mahnesmith engaged in the restaurant business on his own account and succeeded in building up a good business. He had also learned the mason trade and supplemented his income by engaging in work connect with that trade. He was a man of usually strong physique which enabled him to accomplish tasks in which frailer men were found lacking. Funeral services were held Stronghurst Christian Church with interment in the village cemetery.
STRAND ESTATE: In Henderson County Court Guy Huston of Blandinsville was appointed administrator of the estate of the late David Strand. C. T .Nelson, John Simonson and Emmet Giddings were appointed to appraise the personal property, an appraisement considerably below what it would probably sell for, the personal property figured up to $47,000. Life insurance policies totaled $12,000.
Some 1600 acres of land were owned and leased by Mr. Strand at the time of his death and will have to be looked after by the administrator; of this, about 800 acres will probably be put in corn.
1891 GRAPHIC: The death of Dr. David McDill, an old Henderson County practitioner, was recorded as having occurred on May 6th in Burlington. T.C.Allen of Oquawka and Miss Mollie Macklin of Keithsburg were married in the latter place on April30th. Misses Fannie and Ella McQuown were preparing to erect a new residence in the west part of town.
VILLAGE BOARD MEETS: The Stronghurst village board met in regular session on May 5th. Committees for the year were appointed by President Ivins. After a vote by the board Jas. Rezner was appointed marshal at a salary of $60 per month with the duties and hours of service being the same as last year. A water commissioner was not appointed. A.E.Jones was re-elected village treasurer at a salary of $25 per year. A committee of ladies from the Stronghurst Women's Community Club petitioned the board to take action on the matter of a "Clean up and Paint up" campaign for the village. The President appointed a committee to further the plans for this event. The board decided to hire five extra policemen for the appointed day of May 19th and post notices throughout the village of the clean up day. The board voted the poll tax for the ensuing year be $1.50. A dog tax was passed as well as funding for the village band....
***OBITUARY***WARREN KEMP -An aged and life long resident of this county was called to his reward last Friday when Warren Kemp passed away at his home near Carman. Mr. Kemp was the son of John and Nancy (Fort) Kemp who emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in 1832 and who settled near Gladstone in 1834. Mrs. Nancy Kemp was a sister of "uncle" Johnny B. Fort, deceased. The son Warren was born on the farm near Gladstone in 1836 and spent his whole active and useful life in this county.
Mr. Kemp, a highly respected citizen, passed away on May 5th near Lomax at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 27 days. His wife died March 23, 1916. He leaves to mourn nine children who were all present at the funeral: George, John, Jesse, Briggs, Peter, Mrs. Mattie Dowell, Mrs. Minnie Peasley, Mrs. Joe Lynch, and Mrs. Lillus Royce. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Nancy Graham. The funeral was held at the home by the Rev. W.T. King of Lomax and the Lomax choir rendered the music. Afterward the remains were brought to Carman for burial.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Freeman Doak was called to West Virginia by the serious illness of his mother. Manager Beardsley of the Lyric Theatre was in Burlington and while there met Grace Cunard and Francis Ford, two of the highest salaried stars in the Universal Film Co. These artists have leading roles in "Lucille Love," "The Black Box""" and the "Broken Coin" which serials the Lyric patrons have enjoyed. The two stars were the guests of the management of the Palace Theater and saw the opening number of the "Peg in the Ring" serial in which they are featured. The two stopped in Burlington only a few hours on their way from New York to Los Angeles. (Local man meets Hollywood.)
Fred Fritz of Decorra neighborhood has been a sufferer from appendicitis and went to Galesburg hospital accompanied by Dr. Harter. (Another victim of the dreaded appendicitisöso many operations for this that one would believe it to be an epidemic or else doctors had just learned to do the procedure.)
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Mrs. George Fort and Mrs. Smiley Jacobs are on the sick list. A new library table was presented to the Sabbath School by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Fryrear of Oquawka, former members of this church (Methodist). Mrs. Allen has purchased a cream tester and is now buying cream.(She ran the general merchandise store in town.) Some of the farmers have planted corn and other are hustling to get ready to do so. Mr. George Fort is improving the looks of his home by a generous use of paint on the dwelling and all out buildings. The work is being done by Mr. Waterman and son of Hopper.
***OBITUARY*** OLIVE L. REED: Olive Reed was born in Olena, Dec.24, 1885 and departed this life May 2, 1916, aged 31 years, 4 months and 3 days. She united in marriage in Macomb on July 6, 1906 with Mr. Harry Vail and two children were born to them: Charles Austin and Agnes Effie. The deceased is also survived by her mother, Mrs. J.R.Long; five sisters, Mrs. Pearl Wetterling, Mrs. Maud Burrell, Mrs. May Watson, Mrs. Effie Scott, and Mrs. Julia Long; two brothers-John Long and Mr. Roy Reed of Galesburg. She connected with the M.E.Church eight years ago. Although a patient sufferer, she clung to life with tenacity of youth. Funeral services were conducted at the Olena M.E.Church with burial in the North Cemetery (Olena Cemetery).
OQUAWKA OCCURRENCES: Mrs. Hall Milligan of Norfolk, Neb. visited with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Braun were out for a Sunday drive when George Knox came up behind them and ran into them with his car. Mr. Braun is none the worse for his fall, but Mrs. Braun was injured in the back. John Morehead fell on the street from a heart spell. The graduating class for the Oquawka High School included Harry Stripe, Roy Delabar, Edythe Essex, Golda Gordon, Ruth Wiegand, Lena Davenport, Lena Mills. The graduation will be May 26th at the High School.
Quite a number of cars were in town to view the river at its present stage. The home of Frank Morehead and Charles Duvall and families burned to the ground when a hard wind blew the chimney over. The fire department was called but could do nothing. A bed and a few small articles of furniture were saved, but everything of value was burned. A collection of about $100 was made up for them as they are good citizens and worthy people.