The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


The 1926 Graphic

Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross

STRONGHURST GRAPHIC: January 21, 2022

REGARDING WASSOM ESTATE: “A petition was filed in probate court by John J. Crickett asking that County Judge Gordon appoint W. H. VanArsdale of Raritan and A. Douglas Prescott of Stronghurst as administrators of the estate of the late Stephen D. Wasson, who was found dead on his farm near Stronghurst on Dec. 29th.  The judge granted the prayer of the petitioners and fixed the bond at $125,000 which has been filed and approved as has also their oath and they now have full power to act.  The judge also appointed Robt. M. Gray, Chas. H. Curry and J. Wm. Stine as appraisers.  According to the petition, Mr. Wassom left no widow, father, mother or children and his estates is estimated to be worth $160,000.  Of this amount $60,000 is personal property and $100,000 real estate.

The deceased left no will and testament; hence, his vast estate will be divided among nephews and nieces.  Those surviving him are the following: Douglas Wassom, James Wassom, Clara Wassom, Claude Wasson, Maud Neolte, John Wasson, Asa Wassom, Elise Wassom, Alle Beuman, Donna Henry, John Crickett, Clara Kirkpatrick, Herbert A Voorhees, Pearl Daniels, Fred Lofftus and J.Elmer Wassom.  The great nephews and great nieces are Marion Young, Archie Adamson and Robert Voorhees.” The above was taken from the Henderson County Journal, printed at the county seat.  Mrs. Geo. Daniels says it is not correct and we add this information is also from the Blandinsville Star-Gazette.  (All of these relatives; it could become contentious.)

WEDDING BELLS-GAUGER & BRADY:   Mr. Raymond Gauger, supervising architect of the new school building which is now under construction and whose home is at Charles City, Ia. and Miss Dorothy A. Brady of Chicago, Ill. were united in marriage at Galesburg, Ill on Jan. 18th.  Both Mr. and Mrs.Gauger are graduates of the University of Illinois, being members of the class of 1925. Mr. Gauger has made many friends here since he came last summer to supervise the school building work and he and his bride are receiving hearty congratulations.  They are making their temporary home is the former Widney property into which Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Lovitt recently moved.

OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Mr. John McCartney who was so very unfortunate as to be thrown from a load of fodder and have a hip dislocated is making very satisfactory recovery.  Mr. Irvin Burrell is recovering from recent illness.  His wife of Burlington, Iowa, spent the weekend in the village. Mr. Charles Lyons has suffered much pain and inconvenience from several boils on his neck and shoulders and probably thinks Job had nothing over him.  Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lyons entertained Sabbath day complimentary to Mr. Lyon’s 77th birthday.  The following relatives attended: Charles Lyons and wife of Olena; Mrs. Alice Schroeder; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Schroeder of Media.   Mr. Lyon’s crippled condition does not prevent him from being hale and hearty for one of that age.  Miss Nellie Lant was called to South Bend, Ind. to help care for her sister-in-law, Mrs. Paul Lant who was quite serious ill with pneumonia.  Later word brings good news that she is now convalescing and Miss Nellie is returning as far as by way of Chicago accompanied by her cousin, Mr. H. S. Lant.  He returned there to resume his work in the mail service.  Mrs. Ira Peterson has been quite a sufferer from an infected arm caused by a burn.

DEATH OF FORMER HENDERSON COUNTY PASTOR: Rev. S. W. Lorimor, a former pastor of the South Henderson U.P. Church and who also held pastorates at Red Oak, Middletown and Clearfield, Ia., Mulberry, Mo. and Mt. Hermon and Greenfield, Ohio, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mr. Chester Hall near Kirklin, Indiana last Monday following a stroke of paralysis.  The deceased was born at Richmond, Ohio Feb. 23, 1843, making his age at the time of his death 82 years, 10 months and 25 days.

Rev. Lorimer is survived by his wife, who was Sarah Wallace of Fairview, Ohio, and by three children, namely: Rev. M.W.Lorimer of Denver, Colo.; Rev. Wm. M. Lorimer, recently pastor of the Biggsville U.P. Church and now residing at West Alexander, Pa. and Mrs. Elma Lorimer Hall of Kirklin, Ind. 

The father of the deceased was Rev. Wm. Lorimer, who died at Olena, Ill. in 1873 while serving as pastor of the church there.  The living sisters and brother are Mrs. Margret McClenahan of Monmouth, Ill.; Mrs. Mary Porter of Winterset, Ia.; Mrs. Amanda Brown of Chicago and Rev. W. M. Lorimer of Bluefield, Va.  Funeral services were held at the Kirkwood U.P. Church with interment in Center Grove Cemetery.

MADE A GOOD PROFIT: The balance sheet of the Stronghurst Grain and Merchandise Co., the local marketing cooperative organization, issued Jan.1, 1926 shows that that the business which is being carefully managed by Mr. Glenn Marshall, returned a nice profit last year.  The statement shows assets as follows: Cash on hand and in banks-$2,258.07; Accounts and notes receivable, $4,159.81; Inventory of grain and merchandise-$10,974.17; Investment Farmers’  Co-op Supply Co.-$50; Plant and equipment, furniture and fixtures less reserve for depreciation-$11,690; Unexpired insurance-$100 =total assets-$29,232.05.  The liabilities are given as follows: Accounts payable-$1,498.88; Capital stock-$20,000; surplus-$7,742.17; =total liabilities-$29,232.05.

While the comparative analysis sheet show that less oats, corn and wheat were handled than in 1924 and that the same was true in regard to coal, there was an increase in the amount of tankage, salt and feeds of various kinds handled and binder twine and fencing were added to the list of commodities dealt in.  Thus, it was possible to show a gain in net profit of $520.40 over 1924.  The average price paid for oats this year was 39.3 cents as against 44.8 cents in 1924; Corn, 88.6 cents vs 88.8 cents in 1924; Wheat, $1.428 vs $1.082 in 1924.  The number of cars loaded of grain out of Stronghurst during the year was 72 as against 118 in 1924.  The figures for Decorra were 24 for 1925 against 20 in 1924.  The net profit for the company fir 1925 is given as $1,952.64.

CHILD WELFARE COMES TO WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Illinois Children’s Home and Aid Society has opened an office in the People’s Trust and Saving Bank Building in Galesburg.  This is the fourth district office to be maintained by the society to better enable them to carry on their work for the dependent children in the state. The society cooperates with county officials and local agencies and is always ready to assist with child welfare problems.  It maintains three small institutions-two receiving homes, one at Evanston, one  at Du Quoin and a vocational training school at Potomac.  This is a home finding society and has placed a large number of children in carefully selected foster home.  The society at present has 1,680 children under its supervision.  These children are from every county in the state…

RARITAN REPORTS: Mr. and Mrs. Orville Keys and son James Howard of Little York spent Sunday in the Will Lauver home. Forrest Burkett moved his family and household goods to Paul VanArsdale’s tenant house and will work for Paul this season. Orville Torrance was taken to the Macomb Hospital Sunday morning where he underwent an operation for mastoid infection from which he has been suffering for a week past; his condition is serious. Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Voorhees and Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Lauver were Sunday dinner guests at the Mrs. Lettie Mesecher home. 

LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mrs. John Ewing is assisting in the care of Mrs. Wm. Worthington at the home south of town.  Mrs. Edgar Hartquist and daughter Helen entertained Saturday with a radio program and luncheon.  The wives and children of the neighborhood were the guests. (Not everyone had a radio so to be invited to listen was special.) Earl D.Taylor has been taking the place of Dave Lair as foreman of the Decorra Santa Fe section for the past few weeks while the latter has been ill in the hospital in Fort Madison.  The best radiator insurance in denatured alcohol.  Now is the time to fill up and be safe-Foster Lazear, druggist. (This was a timely warning as the temperature dips toward zero.)  Ernie Spiker returned home from the Burlington Hospital where he recently underwent an operation for hernia.  Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Sanderson left for Milwaukee, Wis. where they will visit their daughter, Mrs. Vava Harms.  Mrs. Arthur Roach of the south neighborhood to whom a little daughter was born on Jan. 5th is reported as having been seriously ill the past week. (Mother and infant mortality was ordinary at this time period.)

Fred Reynolds went to the Burlington Hospital to submit to an operation for the straightening of his nose which had been fractured at one time.  F. M. Davis and family of Kendall, Kans. returned to their home after a two week visit in the home of his brother, R. H. Davis.  The “Maggie and Jiggs” supper served by the ladies of the Christian Church at the Community Club was well patronized and was both a social and financial success. (Corn beef and cabbage was the main feature-taken from cartoon characters.)  Mr. and Mrs. M. C. McIntyre of Laramie, Wyo. have been guests the past week at the Ellis Roberts home south of town.  Mrs. McIntyre is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Cook, formerly of the Old Bedford neighborhood and now living at Winfield, Kansas.  Mrs. Hurff Flanegin and Miss Lucille Jones entertained at a 500 party at the A.E. Jones home in the village.  There were three tables of players and first prize was won by Miss Helen Thompson.  A delicious lunch was served in the evening.  C. E. Peasley who went to Urbana with the Farm Bureau bunch from this county was contemplating going on to Florida after the close of the State Agricultural meeting to visit his son George and get some first-hand knowledge concerning investment opportunities in the most widely advertised state in the union.  Mrs. H. D. Lovitt entertained the bridge club at her home.  There were three tables of players with first prize going to Mrs. A. F .Kaiser and second to Mrs. F. M. Henderson.  Mrs. C. R. Kaiser was awarded the consolation prize.  The favors were pink carnations.  A delicious two course luncheon was served by the hostess.