The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
60th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Allison celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary April 9, 1927 with a long to be remembered family reunion at their comfortable home in the east part of the village. Members of the immediate family and four of the six grandchildren were present to honor their aged ancestors. Owing to Mr. and Mrs. Allison’s unusually poor health on this day, it was deemed unwise to invite their many friends as it had been previously hoped. However, a pleasant time was had by those present and many greetings and beautiful flowers received from friends served to remind the aged couple of the high esteem in which they are held in this community. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allison were pioneer residents of Henderson County and are associated with many important events in the progress of Stronghurst and the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Allison are the parents of four children, three of them who are now living, are married and have children. Their son Edwin H. and family make their home with their parents. William F. Allison, another son, now resides on the old homestead one and one-half miles east of Stronghurst. Maude, the only daughter, is the wife of Mr. A. C. Yaley and resides on a farm east of town. Harry C. Allison, the other son, died in 1891 when he was but sixteen years of age.
In 1851 Mr. Allison plowed and sowed the land on which Stronghurst now stands in wheat. He graduated from the district schools and a commercial college at Burlington. In August 1862 he enlisted in the 83rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was promoted in the rank of Corporal. Five years later he married Miss Jennie Taylor of Burlington. In 1893 Mr. Allison helped organize the State Bank of Stronghurst and was its first president. The bank was reorganized as the First National and Mr. Allison resigned the presidency in 1902. In 1900 Mr. Allison and his son Edwin opened a private bank in Connellsville, Mo. but sold out the next year. In 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Allison moved to Monmouth, Ill. Thirteen years later they came to Stronghurst and have lived in this community ever since.
Mrs. Jennie E. Taylor Allison was a daughter of Allen and Margaret Taylor and was born in Huntington, Ohio in November 1844. She was a teacher in Des Moines County, Iowa and Henderson County, Illinois. She received her education in district schools, Burlington Institute and private schools.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Allison were staunch supporters of the Walnut Grove Church and later with the making of their home in the village became active members of the Stronghurst United Presbyterian Church and workers in the Sabbath School. Mrs. Allison has been active in community circles and is a member of the community Club, D.A.R. and W.T.C.U. and the several church organizations. Mrs. Allison still has her beautiful wedding gown of blue silk taffeta which has been kept in good preservation and is almost as beautiful as when purchased 60 years ago.
45th BURRELL ANNIVERSARY Mr. and Mrs. Herman Burrell who live near Olena were pleasantly surprised last Sunday when their daughters, Mrs. Joe Marsden who lives a mile west of them, Mrs. John Gibb of Biggsville and Mrs. Elbert Hartman who lives near Decorra came with well filled baskets to spend the day and help them celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Joel Marsden and family, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Moon of Raritan and Mr. and Mrs. John Gibb and family and Mrs. E. G. Hartman and Miss Pauline Marsden of Galesburg.
A bounteous dinner was served at the noon hour and the afternoon was spent in social reunion of the grandparents, daughters, sons-in-laws and eleven grandchildren. Miss Audrey Marsden presented her grandparents with a beautiful basket of cut flowers, snapdragons, roses, tulips and ferns as a token of remembrances. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell are held in high esteem and have many friends in the surrounding neighborhood who extend congratulations and best wishes for many more happy years of married life.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: The Tri-State Lodge held its regular meeting Tuesday night. Mr. A. B. Smith is planning to move into the Tannus property up on the hill. Mr. Ernest Staley is working in Galesburg. Mrs. Ed Hurd of Stronghurst is working at the S. F. Tannus home. The gospel team held an interesting meeting at the Christian Church Sunday evening. The speakers were Mrs. Dewey Cox, Mrs. Ruth Shanks and Faye Willey. Practices are being held at the Nazarene Church for the Easter program. Mr. Chas. Smiddy passed away at his home Monday night; his death was caused from heart trouble which he had been a sufferer for some time. A round-trip ticket to California is $50 ($902 in today’s value).
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: The Sewing Circle of the U.P. Church met in Ellison’s store Thursday afternoon. The afternoon was spent sewing rug rags. Miss Phyillis Pence is attending Burlington High School. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Pence returned home from visiting their son Fred and family in Wever, Iowa. The school election was held at the school house with Frank Shaw re-elected and C. E. Cisna chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. George Sandy was re-elected school trustee. Kyle Colley of Lakeland, Florida is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Colley. Mr. Glenn W. Zerber will move his family to Alexis. Mrs. Jas. Sandy and sons Frankie and Dale went to Libertyville to visit at the Dr. Stephens home; Frankie will remain there for treatment. Harold Allen is at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Mr. Carmene of Burlington is installing two oil tanks near the stockyards here. Mrs. Bailey returned to her Burlington home after staying a week here caring for her daughter, Mrs. G. Zerber. Miss Vivian Galbraith entertained her Sunday School Class, the Happy Hustlers, at her home south of town Tuesday evening. The following officers were elected: President-Ruth Forward; Vice-President-Veda James; Treasurer-Catherine Randall; and Secretary- Edith Fryer.