The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, June 30, 1921
***OBITUARY***JOHN N. SALTER: John Nelson Salter, son of Paul D. and Sarah E. Salter, was born Oct. 12, 1865 near Kirkwood, Ill. The father was a native of New Jersey who emigrated westward in 1858 and settled in Henderson County. His wife was Miss Sarah E. Edwards and they were the parents of eight children of whom the subject of this sketch was the third son and the fourth members of the family to pass to the "Great Beyond." Those who preceded him in death were David P., who was a Henderson County farmer; Ernest W., who was a practicing physician in Stronghurst; and one brother who died in infancy. The surviving brothers and sisters are W. E. Salter and C.N. Salter of this place; Mrs. Abbie Gridley of Smithshire, Ill. and Mrs. Frank Ackerman of El Paso, Texas.
John N. Salter lived with his parents on the home farm until his marriage to Margaret F. Norwood which occurred March 19, 1891. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm near Kirkwood until Jan. 1897 when they came to Stronghurst. Two children were born to them, Sarah Elizabeth, born May 8, 1894 and departing this life Jan. 23, 1905 and Ray Norwood, born June 8, 1906 and who with the wife and mother survive the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Salter have also acted as foster parents to five other children: John Norwood, Hobart and Eva Morris and Kenneth and Alfred Norwood.
Previous to coming to Stronghurst Mr. Salter became a member of the M. E. church in Kirkwood and in the year 1900 he transferred his membership to the Stronghurst M.E. church remaining a faithful member up to the time of his death.
The last 18 year of Mr. Salter's life were spent as rural mail carrier on Route No.1 out of Stronghurst, a position which he filled with faithfulness and devotion that won him the high regard and warm friendship of the patrons on his route and the esteem of his fellow employees and post office officials.
Several weeks ago Mr. Salter became the victim of an attack of nephritis(kidney disease) and despite all which loving care and medical treatment could do continued to decline until the end came on June 22nd. Funeral services were held at the Stronghurst M. E. Church with interment in the local cemetery.
SHE WAS HONORED: Miss Esther Marshall entertained a company of young ladies at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Marshall southeast of town in honor of Miss Marie Rankin who is soon to leave this country to engage in work as a teacher in the United Presbyterian mission field in Egypt. Those present in addition to Miss Rankin were Mrs. Mabel Sanderson and the Misses Sarah McElhinney, Thelma Steffey, Ethel Brokaw, Ruth Brokaw, Susie Voorhees, Mabel Rankin, Dorothy Rankin and Gail Brook. Each of the guests presented Miss Rankin with a sealed letter to be opened and read after she has started on her ocean journey.
A very pleasant afternoon was spent by the young ladies, who are all former school-mates in the Stronghurst High School. Dainty refreshments served by the hostess added to the pleasure of the occasion.
***OBITUARY***JESSIE L. FORT: Jesse Loftin Fort was born on the old homestead one mile west of Olena on Feb. 2, 1847. He died at the home of his niece, Mrs. J. W. Hicks in Stronghurst, June 25, 1921, aged 74 years, 4 months and 23 days. He united in marriage with Romaine E. Hulet Oct. 24, 1868. To them one child, Ora was born. She died Nov. 10, 1890. About three years ago Mr. Fort lost his wife after she had been an invalid for several years. After her death he sold his farm and closed out his business. Since that time he has been living with relatives.
There live to mourn his loss, his brother, George W. Fort, a foster son, Charles Fort and twenty-five nieces and nephews. He had been a member of the M.E church for 35 years and to the last a loyal supporter of it. For several months he had been at the home of his niece, Mrs. J.W. Hicks, where he received constant and tender care. Funeral services were held in the Olena Church; the large congregation present told of the high esteem in which this man was held.
***OBITUARY***MRS. J. R. JOHNSON: Christina Marie Swanson was born in Odensvi, Kalmar, Sweden, Aug. 6, 1850. She came to America June 22, 1871 and was married at St. Charles, Illinois, Jan. 11, 1873 to John Reynolds Johnson, who came to this country from Sweden at the same time, having crossed the Atlantic on the same ship. Had she been spared one and one half years more, they would have completed a half century of happy married life. Five children were born to them, all of whom are living: Mrs. Nellie Davenport of Omaha; Albin F. of Burlington and Carl E, Mrs. Esther Foster and Mrs. Mabel Cochran of Biggsville. Seven grandchildren also added to the joy of her life. Six of them are now living, one having passed away in early childhood.
\At the age of 15 before coming to America, she was confirmed in the Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church and continued her affiliation with that church until in middle life when she transferred her membership to the South Henderson United Presbyterian Church and later, on moving to Biggsville, transferred her membership to the Biggsville United Presbyterian church. She passed away June 24, 1921 at the age of 70 years, 10 months and 18 days. A woman usually kind and loving by nature, the keynote of her life was "service to others." Funeral services were held on June 26th at the Biggsville church with interment being made in the beautiful Biggsville Cemetery. Pall bearers were Miles Hutchinson, Frank Graham, Oscar Gordon, Frank Whiteman, William Cochran and D. A. Gibb.
MRS. ELLEN KELLEY: Mary Ellen McNeal was born near Wellsville, Columbia County, Ohio, June 18 1860 and departed this life at the Burlington Hospital in Burlington, Iowa, May 27th, death being caused by fracture of the hip and exhaustion. When a young lady, she married John Kesner whose death occurred several years later. She was married again in Burlington, Ia. in 1894 to Peter J. Kelley, who passed away in 1915 at his home in Galesburg. Funeral services were held in Galesburg and she was laid to rest in the family lot at Knoxville, Ill. She leaves one daughter and four grandchildren to mourn her loss, Mrs. Daley McLaughlin and children of Moline, Ill.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Wm. Simpson and wife of Minneapolis, Minn. who are touring the country by auto, have been guests at the W. J. McElhinney home; she is a sister of Mr. McElhinney. After giving city life a trial for a year, Mr. and Mrs. George Barnett have decided its attractions and advantages are not to be compared with life on the farm and have moved from Burlington, Iowa to the old home north of Stronghurst. Dr. John Highfield and wife accompanied a large bunch of Stronghurst friends on a ride on the big excursion, the Washington; about 120 went from Dallas City and town within a radius of 35 miles. Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Cooper arrived in Stronghurst from Kansas City enroute to Raritan where they It is not often that oats harvesting begins in June in this section of the country, but binders have been running in several fields in this neighborhood and looks as if harvest will be in full swing next week. An ad: When you want your well or cistern cleaned or if you desire any photography work done, call No. 113 Stronghurst; all work guaranteed. (Guess it is good to diversify.) Mrs. McIntyre, who has been staying for some time at the home of her daughter, Mrs. N. E. Curry, went to Gladstone for a visit with her son Clifton. R. N. Clarke of Media Township has been placed in charge of the organization work of the U. S. Grain Growers Association of Illinois and will conduct his work from the association office at 58 E. Madison St., Chicago.
Mrs. George Chant is at the Galesburg Hospital recovering from the effect of an operation involving the removal of several of the lower vertebrae of the spinal column, the operation being made necessary because of an injury which she received some time ago when she fell from a porch swing. While the operation was of a quite serious nature, she is convalescing satisfactorily. Orville Boyd with a force of helpers is remodeling the Wm. Whiteman home north of town. Irwin Milliken suffered from an attack of ptomaine poisoning from which he is now recovering. Dallas City's big Chautauqua attraction this year will be William Jennings Bryan, who is billed to speak on July 18th. A daughter was born June 22nd at the Burlington Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Evans, Jr. of Fairview Farm near Decorra.
Mrs. Earl Hook of Colfax, Wash. is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Stewart near Carman. While enroute she visited her brother Lee Stewart and wife at Iron Mountain, Mich. The members of the Kirkwood Masonic and Eastern Star lodges dedicated their new lodge building last Thursday evening. The building, which is said to be one of the best of its kind in the state, was erected at a cost of $22,000. Mrs. J. H. Voorhees, who suffered a severe attack of pleurisy about two weeks ago, is now quite ill from toxic poisoning. Dr. Wyman of Burlington assisted Dr. Marshall in an operation for the removal of fluid from the patient's lungs. Much relief was afforded and the speedy recovery of the lady is hoped for.
Oquawka's Chautauqua tent was wrecked and completely ruined last Tuesday afternoon by the severe storm of wind and rain which prevailed. The big iron center pole of the tent went down carrying the canvass with it shortly after a crowd of several hundred people had left the tent. The company estimates their loss at $500. The remaining sessions of the assembly will be held in an airdome enclosed by the side walls of the tent.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mrs. W. Davenport of Omaha was called here by the serious illness of her mother, Mrs. J. R. Johnson who suffered a paralytic stroke. Miss Madeline White, who won first place in the Bible reading contest held at the U.P. Church and was awarded first place at Media, will read in the final contest to be held at the young people's convention at Alexis in August. Albert Menchoff, who was operated on at the Burlington Hospital for hernia, is getting along as well as could be expected. Miss Helen Magee of Missouri and Miss Velma Wallace of Rocky Ford, Colo. left for Altona for a visit at the home of their uncle, Dr. and Mrs. Keener. Joe Fagan, one of the Biggsville boys a few years back but now of Galesburg, passed through here on No.22 with a revolver buckled to his hip; this means he has been promoted to express messenger. Mrs. Hazel Hook of Colfax. Wash. is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Stewart. Miss Jessie Claybaugh is now doing day work at the telephone office and Miss Minnie McKee the night work (they were the operators routing calls), the Misses Adair having resigned.