Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.
Stronghurst Graphic, Dec 26, 1912
Dec. 26, 1912 ROAD COMMISSIONERS AND CLERKS ORGANIZE: Highway commissioners and town clerks representing seven out of the eleven townships in Henderson County met in the Lyric Theater room in Stronghurst and organized the Henderson County Association of Highway Commissioners and Town Clerks. C.R.A. Marshall of Stronghurst Township was elected as president and C.S. Gitting of Terre Haute was named secretary-treasurer. An executive committee was also selected: C.W. Walker, G.A. Wilson, Chas. Holmes, Fred Ross, and Ed Anderson.
Mr. C.F. Heerman of Peoria County was present to assist the township officials in organizing and to give them the benefit of experience gained as a road official. In forming such an organization, the road officials of Henderson County have shown that they are alert and anxious to direct the road and bridge affairs of the various townships in the best interests not only of the traveling public but also of the taxpayers as well. To others, "good roads" mean the ordinary dirt road, properly graded, drained and dragged, but this group is looking for the betterment of the county in general....
GRANDMA HURD IS DEAD: Mrs. C.J. Hurd, who has been making her home with Roy Shook and family and who has been in failing health for several weeks, passed away Christmas day at 12 o'clock. She was 82 years old. After funeral services at the Stronghurst M.E. Church, interment was in the Hopper Cemetery.
GIVEN A GIFT: Among the things which go to establish pleasant relations between merchants and their customers is prompt, efficient and satisfactory service in the delivery of goods. The three grocery firms of Wax & Penny, A.E. Jones, and H.D. Lovitt consider themselves especially fortunate in being able to furnish that kind of service to their town trade. For a period of several years, they have had in their mutual employ in the person of Geo. W. VanDorn, or "Brother," as he is familiarly called, a deliveryman upon whom they have learned to place absolute dependence. It makes little difference whether the mercury stands at 20 below or 100 above, whether sunshine prevails or a storm is raging, they know that unless it is a physical impossibility, "Brother" will be on hand for the "east trip" or "west trip" at the exact scheduled timeÑin short, that he is always ready to "deliver the goods."
In appreciation of this faithful service and also in taken of their esteem, the three firms mentioned presented the Van Dorns with a beautiful hand painting done in oil representing a farm house and landscape scene. The canvas is about 20 x 40 inches and is enclosed in a massive gilt frame.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Walter Fernell is employed at a machine shop at Canton. Francis, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Russler, has been ill with typhoid fever for over a week. Fred Siegworth, who has been attending school at Mt. Hermon, will enter Hedding College at Abingdon after the holiday season. Mrs. A.M. Schroeder has moved from Hopper into town, occupying one of the Trimmer properties in the west part of the village. Howard Wray has a position with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Granville. Mrs. Viola Harvey of Atchison, Kansas, is visiting at the home of her brother A.C. Allison. She expects to later accompany her brother, H.M. Allison, and wife to Alabama where they will spend the winter.
The Lutheran League will serve dinner in the dining room of the church on New Year's Eve from 5 to 7. Roast chicken with various Swedish Christmas dishes will be served all for the usual price of 35¢. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Crenshaw left for Rochester, Minn., where both will take hospital treatment at the institution presided over by the famous Mayo family of surgeons. Miss Hattie Bowen has a good job as a stenographer in the office of the Northwestern Railroad Co. at Cheyenne, Wyo.
OBITUARY Mrs. Andrew Carlson Johanna Christina Pierson, third child of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Frederick Pierson, was born in Linkoping, Sweden, on Oct. 25, 1843. She departed this life Dec. 12, 1912, at her home, aged 69 yr., 1 mo., 17 da.
She came to this country with her parents in 1868 and located near Kingston, Ia. She united in marriage with Andrew Carlson of Carman, March 21, 1877, where she has since made her home. To this union were born four children: Amelia, who died in infancy, Mrs. James Edwards, Mrs. Joe McIntire and Miss Tillie. She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Anna Laper of Mediapolis, Ia., and three brothers: namely John and Charles Pierson and Peter Pierson of Albert City, Ia. Also seven grandchildren mourn her departure. Funeral services were held at the Carman church with interment in the Carman Cemetery.