The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1915
Stronghurst Graphic, Sept. 30, 1915
PAUL D.GIBB ANSWERS SUMMONS: Paul D. Gibb first saw the light of day in County Antrim, Ireland in 1832 and passed away at this home 5 miles north of Stronghurst on Sept. 13th after an illness of several months occasioned by the infirmities of old age. He was the son of John and Agnes (McMaster) Gibb. His father died when Paul was an infant and the son developed early in life the traits of self reliance, industry and thrift which were instrumental in making his life successful.
The education he obtained was such as he was able to acquire in the intervals of hard work. In 1850 he came to America and found employment in the grist mill owned by Mr. Biggs of Biggsville. Two years later his mother, Mrs. Gibb, made the journey to join her son in America. After working for four years with Mr. Biggs, Mr. Gibb purchased 160 acres of prairie land which he improved and on which he made his home until 1887 when he bought another quarter section in Sec.30, Biggsville Township. Later he bought what was known as the "Dr. McMillan farm in Sec.31 of the same township and this beautiful country seat continued to be his residence up to the time of his death.
On Dec. 27, 1863 Mr. Gibb married Mary Stevenson, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Stevenson, who came from the same county in Ireland in which Mr. Gibb was born and who settled in the Biggsville neighborhood soon after the latter arrived there. To this union were born nine children, seven of whom survive, namely: Mrs. Agnes Adair of Raritan Township; Mrs. Lizzie Wilson of Biggsville; Mrs. Mamie Marsden of Carman; Mrs. Rose Vaughn of Lomax, Will Gibb of Biggsville; Mrs. Nellie Mathers of Media and Chester P. Gibb of Biggsville. Two children died in infancy. The seven surviving children with their mother were all at the bedside of Mr. Gibb when he passed away.
On Dec.27, 1913 Mr. and Mrs. Gibb celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. This occasion was participated in by ll the children mentioned besides 21 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren as well as a host of friends and neighbors.
Mr. Gibb was a man of strict integrity, honest and upright in all his dealing and possessed a most genial disposition. He was a successful stock raiser, successful farmer, a director in the First National Bank of Biggsville and also served in various township offices. He united with the United Presbyterian Church as a young man and remained a faithful member up to the day of his death.
Funeral services were conducted at the home with interment in the Biggsville Cemetery. He is survived by one brother, Alexander Gibb, 95 years who lives at Temple Patrick, County Antrim, Ireland. (This is a shortened version of the obit which includes a photo of the deceased.
RUCKUS NEAR RARITAN: Albert Kimmitt who lives on the farm occupied by Geo. Wilkins, southwest of Raritan, was the victim of a shooting and cutting affair last Saturday evening. Kimmit and his wife keep house for Wilkins and the encounter seems to have taken place in the home. A physician was summoned from Raritan and found Kimmitt suffering from a number of wounds, the most serious of which was a long scalp wound evidently made with a knife and a bullet wound in the right arm. The latter injury is quite serious: the bullet, which was a 38 caliber, entered the arm near the elbow and ploughed its way through the forearm coming out near the hand. As none of the parties seemed to be disposed to talk about the matter, the facts as to how Albert came by his wounds remain a mystery. (No mention is made of summoning the sheriff or arresting anyone.)
DOWELL FAMILY REUNION: A happy reunion was held at Gladstone Sept.19th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Fryer, Mrs. Fryer being the youngest of the eleven children of John Dowell, deceased. 78 guests were present and enjoyed a feast provided from the well-filled baskets containing substantial food as well as dainties. One long table was set on the lawn and the sight was a most tempting one.
Mrs. John Hudson, wife of the deceased John Dowell, was the eldest guest present being 78 years of age. Two others, 77 years of age were Silas Dowell and Mr. John Hudson while the youngest was Sarah Catheren Dowell of Carman, 7 weeks. (A long list of those present and a long poem about the family was published in the article and should be of interest to family historians.)
OAK GROVE FRUIT AVAILABLE: This year the largest crop and best quality of apples are available. As many of our customers have their own apples, we do not expect the home trade to be as large as usual and have sold for shipment the greater part of the common varieties but have reserved for home trade all the fine kinds. We spent $1,000 on spraying our orchards and it paid us and will pay our customers too but unsprayed apples can be bought cheaper.
Prices at orchard for No.1 grade Grimes Golden and Jonathan, $1.00 per bushel; all other varieties 75 cents per bushel, 10 per bushel added for delivery to town. No.2 grade sell for 25 cents per bushel at the orchard only.
We have a small crop of pears at $1.00 per bushel at orchard and $1.25 delivered. Early Ohio potatoes, 50 cents per bushel; late varieties 45 cents per bushel. W.T.Weir ($1,000 was a great deal of money; in the preceding issue of the paper, an oak library table sold for $8, an oak rocker, $6.75; an oak dresser, $21.50 and gate-leg tables went for $14-23.50-thus an entire room of furniture could be purchased for $50.25.)
OLENA U.P. CHURCH TO DECIDE: Rev. Clyde Matson of Kirkwood will preach at the Olena United Presbyterian church next Sabbath afternoon. Following the sermon action will be taken to decide the question of continuing the church organization. It is earnestly desired that all members be present.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Now is the time to buy empty barrels to store potatoes and apples; Jones has 150 to sell. The McCabe Minstrel Co., who are to give a performance next Saturday evening, travel in their own special car. Dr. Harter reports the arrival of a young daughter at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.C.Lukens of Media.
NOTICE: The dog tax levied by the Stronghurst village board last spring is past due and all owners of dogs who have not done so are notified and requested to pay their tax to Foster Lazear, the village clerk at once.
R.W. Upton was exhibiting some of the products of the sand land near Hopper which Lester Miller of Monmouth has under cultivation. He showed a quantity of sweet potatoes weighing 7 lbs. and 6 oz. which he stated were dug from one hill. They were fine large smooth specimens of "sweets" as are produced anywhere. Also included were a number of alfalfa plants grown from a last June's planting, which were unusually fine and upon the roots of which the nitrogen bearing nodules were plentiful and conspicuous. Mr. Smith of Monmouth has taken charge of the local telephone office as lineman and will move his family here soon. Mrs. Adaline Pippin and Viola Nahlbaum of Burlington are visitors at the Wm. Hartquist home.
Squire Morgan is the owner of a new Overland touring car. Thelma Smith of Stronghurst are among the 205 students registering at Knox College. An auto being driven by Will Gould of the east neighborhood ran off the end of a culvert in the road near Decorra Tuesday evening. The four young people who were occupants were considerably shaken up. Mr. Clyde Brouse of Biggsville is working down in the river bottoms plowing and expects to put in a big crop of wheat this fall.
GLADSTONE: Mrs. Rose Stevenson went up to Chicago on the fast train; her son, Harry Fox, was not expected to live. He was the unlucky fireman on the engine in the wreck near Chicago not long ago. Mr.A.L.Statt moved to the Lon Ward place near the railroad tracks. Mr. and Mrs. Z.A.Poindexter and children from Burlington came out to the country hickory nutting. Mr. G.Ellsten, west of town, will have a big sale Tuesday as he is moving to Denver Color. where he has bought a farm with a crop on it. Miss Burrell of Olena begins a term of school in the Marshall district and Harvey Lant in the Hopper district. A young son is reported at the Oscar Schroeder's in Hopper. John Raab of Dallas City is decorating the walls of the Christian Church in Lomax. Mr. Walter Burnett is the owner of a new Ford car.