History and Reminiscences, from The
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- I I (yjL\vx HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES Old Settlers' Union of Princeville and Vicinity p^BCORDS OF 1916 1917 1918 1919 VOLUME in 1920 1921 1922 %V>*^*^ «Aa.^.\« • ' • VA&K.* fm'si^-Mm^^m LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 977.352 V.3 Illinois Historical Survey ;^(li^ A t £Lji-^^^ *?? UNIVERSITy Of ILLINOIS URBANA Recording Secretary, 1906-1922 Old Settlers' Union of Princevllle and Vicinity VOL. Ill HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES FROM THE RECORDS OF OLD SETTLERS' UNION OF PRINGEVILLE AND VICINITY Material comprised in Reports of Committees on History and Reminiscences for years 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922 Published under the auspices of Old Settlers' Union of Princeville and Vicinity August. 1922 ODILLON B. SLANE MRS. ETTA EDWARDS PETER AUTEN STEWART CAMPBELL Publishing Committee : : THE OLD SETTLERS' UNION OF PRINCEVILLE AND VICINITY. Organized August 22, 1906, and first picnic held September 19 of same year. Object, "To perpetuate the memories of pioneer days, foster a reverence for our forefathers, and en- courage the spirit of fellowship and hospitality." Annual picnic and reunion last Thursday in August, unless changed by Executive Committee. Eligible to membership : Any person 21 years of age, having resided within the State of Illinois one year; dues $1.00 per year. Townships included : Princeville, Akron, Mill- brook, Jubilee, Hallock and Radnor in Peoria County; Essex, Valley and West Jersey in Stark County; Truro in Knox County; and LaPrairie in Marshall County. Committees on History and Reminiscences 1916: Peter Auten, A. A. Dart, G. I. McGinnis. 1917: Peter Auten, A. A. Dart, O. B. Slane. 1918: Peter Auten, A. A. Dart, O. B. Slane. 1919: Mrs. Etta Edwards. 1920: O. B. Slane, Mrs. Etta Edwards. 1921 O. B. Slane, Mrs. Etta Edwards. 1922: O. B. Slane, Mrs. Etta Edwards, Peter Auten, Stewart Campbell. INTRODUCTION TO VOL. III. This book, a companion to Vol. I issued in 1912, and Vol. II issued in 1915, is a reproduction with a few corrections and additions of the various sketches as transmitted by the respective committees to the Union in years 1916 to 1922, inclusive, and the year of on writing is indicated on each sketch. Articles general subjects are given first, then family histories in alphabetical order, then lists of the World's War service men from the different townships, and finally lists of the burials in Princeville's two cemeteries. Lists of burials in other cemeteries within the terri- tory of the O. S. U. P. V. are suggested for the next Volume. Special attention is called to the lists of service men by townships. The committee felt that these lists should be compiled and preserved while available. Each of the Reminiscence Committees has realized that the families named in its sketches are but a few taken from among the many worthy the pen of a historian. The Publishing Committee therefore hopes that this volume will be an incentive to the writing of additional family sketches, and also of additional sketches on memorable events or subjects of a general nature, which may in due time be published in another volume similiar to this one. The families whose history is herein printed are urged to preserve enough copies of this volume for each of their children. Several have indicated their intention of purchasing Vols. I and II, also, in order to have a complete set of the books from the start; and some are planning to have all three volumes per- manently bound together. Price of this Volume, postpaid : 60 cents. A limited number of copies of Vols. I and II may be had while they last at the same price as Vol. III. Send orders for either volume to Miss Mary Smith, Princeviile, 111. ; ; —; MOTHER OF PIONEERS. By Odillon B. Slane, 1921. Mother of the pioneers, Queen of the cabin home, Out where the dark forest clears. And where wild Indians roam Where the back-log's blazing tongues Warm up the hearth of stone; And where the scout devours his meal Of venison and pone. Mother of the pioneers, Where frosted prairies wild, Reach to the far off frontiers; Where the sun of morning smiled On ranch and hut of western peers, (As these are often styled) Like as a mother's smile that cheers The heart-throbs of her child. Mother of the pioneers. Next to Nature's own, Memories of the years aglow Are with us in the gloam; Only in the yester year. When shades of evening shone, Lingering here—a presence near We are not all alone. Mother of those pioneers. Who turned the virgin loam, Where harvests of the after years Now gladden the modern home. The halo of a sunset nears, Where truest love is known Mother of the pioneers. We worship at thy throne. Mother of the pioneers, A future blessing see; Thine throughout the coming years A hallowed name shall be A power—a glory shall be thine, A kingdom that is free. And offspring from the parent vine Shall rise to honor thee. : HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES PRINCEVILLE'S FIRST BAND. By S. S. Slane 1922. The organization of Princeville's first band was planned in 1849. The money to purchase the instru- ments was raised by subscription. The instruments when purchased were shipped to Princeton, 111., and B. F. Slane and William Clark drove to Princeton with a team after them. Members of this band, together with their instruments were Graham Klinck, Leader, post horn, Dr. Robert F. Henry, tenor trombone, Benj. F. Slane, bass drum. John Z. Slane, ophicleide, George W. Hitchcock, bass trombone, Albert Rowley, clarinet, Thomas Clarke, cornopean, Mr. Bowers, cornopean. The first director of this band was a Mr. Mills from Galesburg, 111. On July 4th, 1850, the band played for a celebration at Brimfield, 111. There were but few houses between Princeville and Brimfield at that time, and in passing by each house the band would play a tune. On arriving at Brimfield they met their former director, Mr. Mills, who was surprised and delighted to note the progress made since he had last played with them. On July 4, 1851, this band played for a celebration at Chillicothe, 111., whither they went riding on a hay- rack. Some of the pieces played were : ''Washington Crossing the Delaware", "Star Spangled Banner", "Hail Columbia", "Old Virginia", and "Washington's Grand March". PRINCEVILLE CORNET BAND PRINCEVILLE CORNET BAND. (Otherwise known as Klinck's Cornet Band) 1873—1889. By F. M. Klinck 1922. The Princeville Cornet Band was organized in the fall of 1873 by William F. Bettis who served as leader and instructor for six months. Business calling him away at this time, at his suggestion F. M. Klinck, more commonly known as Marion, was chosen leader and instructor, which position he held with the band for fifteen years, or until the spring of 1889 when the Klinck brothers removed to Nebraska. During this period the band was never disorganized but was al- possible ways ready to fill engagments at the shortest notice, having many special calls to Peoria. In politics the band was neutral and many of our citizens will re- member the good old times when the band headed delegations, Republicans and Democrats alike in presi- dental campaigns to Peoria, Elmwood, Galesburg, Galva and many other towns in this part of central Illinois. PERSONELLE OF THE BAND. F. M. Klinck, Director, Eb Cornet, Melvin Klinck, Cornet Soloist, Douglas Klinck, Solo Bb Cornet. H. C.Petitt, 1st Bb Cornet, Charles Rowclifife, 1st Bb Cornet, Charles Blanchard, Solo Eb Alto, Augustus Sloan, 1st Eb Alto, Wallace Sloan, 2nd Eb Alto, William McDowell, 1st Bb Tenor, Neal Russell, 2nd Bb Tenor, Newton Pratt, Bb Baritone, Leonard Klinck, 1st Bb Bass, O. S. Pratt, 2nd Bb Bass, Elgin Klinck, Eb Bass, Jonah Pratt, Bass Drum and cymbals, Aquilla Metzel, Tenor Drum. 8 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES Since the band was disorganized in 1889 the follow- ing members have died: Charles Blanchard, Jonah Pratt, O. S. Pratt, Newton Pratt, William McDowell, H. C. Petitt, Leonard Klinck. SINGING ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINCEVILLE. By Mrs. Etta Edwards, 1922. In conversing with our pioneers whose memories go back to our earliest days, we find the stories of the old-fashioned singing school among the most interest- ing. During the long winter evenings the young people of the neighborhood would gather in the old school- house, church, or some home, reaching there by way of the lumber wagon, sled, on horseback, or on foot, and spend many happy hours in song, led by a teacher with the aid of nothing more than a tuning fork. Among the early teachers were George Houston, F. B. Blanchard, John Seery, and Ellis M. Burgess. Much melody, rare good times, and ability in singing by note was the result, and incidently not a few matches were made, there being keen rivalry in the selection of "pard- ners". On one occasion a young man who had out- witted his rival in securing the company of his girl in- formed his rival scathingly, "You can go 'long with the cows." At parties the evening was finished by a circle of happy young people singing a farewell song and night was made melodious as they made their way homeward. Children in school were taught geography and the multiplication table by song, and song was a part of family worship in many homes. One lady said "Why, when I was a little girl I could read music by note before I could read words." Arnong the names of Princeville people whose love of music has made them of great benefit to our commun- ity, life, that of Ellis M.