The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1917
Stronghurst Graphic Feb 1, 1917
***OBITUARY***MRS. MARY MARTIN: Mrs. Mary Martin, a long time Biggsville resident passed away at her home after being ill for some weeks with heart trouble. The former Mary Matilda Russell was born on a farm west of Biggsville on Mary 25, 1839. Here she lived until just 9 years ago when she and her husband moved into the village. They were united in marriage on Feb.25, 1857 and two children were born to this union, the one son Mr. Alva W. Martin of Biggsville remains with his father to mourn the loss of their loved one.
Mrs. Martin was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Biggsville where she was an earnest worker. Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church with interment in the Biggsville Cemetery.
***OBITUARY***CYRUS HEDGES: Mr. Hedges was the last surviving member of his family as his brother Leonard preceded him by less than a week. Mr. Hedges was born at Piqua, Ohio, on Feb.21, 1839 and when a boy came with his parents to Des Moines County, Iowa, making the trip across the country and crossing the river at Oquawka. The family settled in Huron Township and lived there until after the war (the Civil War) when they again crossed the river and settled in Henderson County which has been the family home ever since.
When the rebellion threatened to rend the country asunder, Mr. Hedges enlisted as a soldier and participated in some of the greatest battles of the war before being wounded at Vicksburg in 1863.
A week ago Mr. Hedges was taken to the Burlington Hospital suffering from this old wound which seemed to improve under medical care and it was thought he would be able to return home. But Providence had ordered otherwise and on Monday evening Mr. Hedges suffered a stroke of apoplexy and peacefully passed away.
Mr. Hedges has spent most of his life engaged in farming and the livery business. Ten years ago he united with the United Presbyterian Church of Gladstone and was later elected to the office of ruling elder. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Sara J. Hedges to whom he was married on Feb.2, 1886 and their two sons, William and Arthur of Gladstone. Funeral services were held at the church with interment in the Olena Cemetery.
HUGE CROWD IN TOWN: The crowd of people in Stronghurst last Saturday afternoon gave the town a decidedly animated appearance and the volume of business transacted by the merchants was unusually large. The special sales which were being conducted by several mercantile firms and which had been extensively advertised was the magnet which attracted many.
A crowd of six or seven hundred people gathered in the store and about the entrance of the M.E.Beardsley establishment at 4 o'clock to witness the drawing of the number which was to win the $25 suit of clothes given away by that firm. The drawing was conducted from a raised platform in the street, Miss Hazel Peterson doing the drawing, and the holder of the lucky number #72 proved to be T.J.Hunter. (The undertaker)
BIG HEREFORD SALE ON FEB 3RD: Next Saturday's Hereford Sale promises to be a note worthy day in the history of Stronghurst. Perhaps, but few people outside of the members of the cattle association, which is giving the sale, realize just what it will mean in putting the town on the map, at least so far as the cattle industry is concerned.
The breeders who will contribute offerings to the big sale have had most of their animals here for the past week, stalls having been provided for them within the big Knutstrom garage where the sale is to take place.
The building has also been provided with bleacher seats capable of seating seven or eight hundred people and there will be standing room in addition for several hundred more... The reputation which the members of the association have for breeding Herefords of the finest type has extended over many states and buyers are expected from several sections of the United States.
As the cattle which are to be sold are already on the ground, it will pay anyone who is interest to visit the big garage previous to the sale and look over the lot. Many will be surprised to see what Henderson County breeders are doing in the Hereford cattle line...(Does anyone have a sale catalog? Such a document would be a valuable addition to the local and family history room at the Henderson County Public Library.)
BUSINESS CHANGES: After several weeks of negotiations a trade whereby Mrs. Mahnesmith and son Earl exchanged their grocery and meat business for the restaurant business owned by and operated by Mrs. L.B.Allen took place.
Mrs. Allen is a practical business woman, who for several years successfully conducted the village store in Olena. Since coming to Stronghurst she has conducted the restaurant business which she purchased from Mrs. Robb. She gives up this business to enter one more in accord with her tastes and training. With her years of experience as a successful business woman in Olena. Mrs. Allen may be expected to give the people of the community a store of service and quality in the meat and grocery line.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Marie Rankin, Ethel Schierbaum, Glenn McElhinney, and Chester Brooks, students at Monmouth College, were home on the weekend. Guy Sanderson, who has been attending college at Ames, Ia., came home for a few days. Joe Peasley, L. Rhykerd and Dale Davis started for Detroit where they left Peasley's car to be painted and overhauled. Earl Beaver, who is connected with the well known firm of "Capper and Capper" of Detroit, Michigan, spent a few days with his father, A.L.Beaver.
Earl expects to take a vacation trip of two weeks to Palm Beach, Fla. in company with his father-in-law from Chicago before returning to Detroit. Miss Anna Swanson is a victim of LaGrippe. Mr. R.S. Begley is now employed by the Regan Furniture Co. J.W.Stine and G.S.Bailey are attending the auto show in Chicago. John Nordstrom has been lying critically ill. at his home for several days past as the result of a paralytic stroke. Rae Nordstorm and family, who have been living on a farm near Mendon, Ill., returned to Stronghurst to take care of his father who is some better.
OLENA: Mrs. Mattie Hult is suffering with pneumonia and is being cared for by a nurse from Burlington, Ia. Mrs. George Fort is convalescing, but her brother, Mr. Holcomb, remains quite ill. Mr. John Dowell has purchased from Charles Watson the farm he recently bought, known as the Ralph Marshall farm. Mr. Dowell and family will make their home there in the near future.
The two children of Mr. and Mrs. James Brewer have been quite sick. Many farmers are hustling to get their summer wood in readiness for use and their general butchering work done. Some of the Olenaites attended a dance at the James Pendry home near Carman. Mr. Leonard Hedges of Gladstone died at the Burlington Hospital. Mrs. William Moore died at her home in Peoria; she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.M.Kelly and grew to womanhood in the Gladstone community.