The Centennial History of Litchfield, Illinois
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The CENTENNIAL HISTOEY of yTBJMIU:, HUMUS „ lit HMMSB fSBBS a a a THE Centennial History of Litchfield is presented proudly as a record of people founding a community and finding that in their dependence upon one another for their livelihood and happiness, the spirit of a small mid-American city came into be- ing and grew with the years. In the first century of the Christian era, Tacitus (perhaps the greatest of Roman historians) wrote that the object of history is to "rescue virtuous acts from the oblivion to which the want of records would consign them." So it has become one of the prime objects of observing Litch- field's Centennial, to recall in words and in pictures some of the things that have transpired within the span of one hundred years, that have made Litchfield what it is today . the sum- mer of 1953. This Centennial Book is not, nor could it be made, the com- plete story of Litchfield. But it is representative, and its com- pilers sincerely hope that the devoted efforts that have gone into its preparation, by many individuals and organizations of Litchfield, have succeeded in reviving many "nostalgic days of Yesterday." We, ourselves in this year of 1953, are Tomorrow's past. As those who have lived before us, we would not be forgotten. We might even wish to be remembered as more heroic and better than we are. We join memory with hope that the new century into which Litchfield is entering may fulfill the aspirations of the founding pioneers and all who have followed in their train during our community's first one hundred years. May this Centennial Book of Litchfield prove worthy of its purpose! — 3&4.1HJ - L7/ <l HARRY SATTERLEE GARTH HENRICHS Co-Chairman Co-Chairman Board of Directors Board of Directors Litchfield Centennial, Inc. Litchfield Centennial, Inc. MRS. CHARLES M. DAVIS Satterlee Brothers Executive Secretary The House of Sunshine Litchfield Centennial, Inc. Assistants Delores Kruse, Stenographer Mary Ellen Heise. Bookkeeper The Litchfield Centennial Board of Directors SEVERAL years prior to 1953—the Centennial Year of Litchfield, Illinois there were informal discussions of plans that would be made for the observ- ance of Litchfield's One Hundredth Anniversary. More than a year before Janu- ary, 1953, group conferences were initiated by the Litchfield Chamber of Com- merce, which led to the selection of twelve citizens in whose hands was placed the responsibility of preparing for the celebration of Litchfield's Centennial. The Centennial Board of Directors was granted a charter by the State of Illinois as a nonprofit corporation, and immediately inaugurated plans for the observance of the Centennial during the spring and summer, to climax with a three-day celebration, August 6, 7, and 8. The Board formed ten divisions, with Litchfield owes one of its members as the head of each division. To these men special appreciation for the time and effort they gave unstintingly to the Centen- nial preparations. And to each of the persons who accepted committee responsibilities and shared enthusiastically in making the Centennial an unprecedented success, this portion of the book is dedicated. The Board was pleased to recognize, as the first noteworthy portrayal of the development of Litchfield through the century, a panoramic program, "One Hundred Candles for Litchfield," presented by the Litchfield Woman's Club in early March. In early May the annual high school May Fete was presented in a beautiful Centennial setting and Centennial costumes before a packed house in the new community high school gymnasium. The Board of Directors of Litchfield Centennial, Inc., express their deep appreciation to every person in Litchfield who helped in any way to make the Centennial an extraordinary achievement. It has been a truly wonderful demonstration of the spirit of neighborly goodwill and cooperation which is characteristic of Litchfield. >c^<^<^^^«^^«^|^<>||^^j^^|^^)^^ FINANCE DIVISION COMMITTEES UNDERWRITING NOVELTIES Harold W. Fleming, Chairman Jack Workinger, Chairman Douglas McPherson Arnold Birkenkamp George Westhoff William Cassidy Wilbert Ross Martin Mix Roy Prange Bryan Curry Chris Stamer Jack Kopitke Ned Granger Steve Szczepanski Homer Saegesser Tom Fox Dr. Roy Guyan Charles Aikman Mary Broeg Arthur Large Daisy Demkey Virginia Winkleback Isabelle Prather Harry W. Butler ADVANCE TICKET SALES Member, Board of Directors Chris Zuber, Chairman BUMPER SIGNS Chairman, Finance Division Murray Shrader Ross, Chairman Ed Buske Edwin Litchfield Bank and Trust Co. Homer Haycraft Lewis McPherson Arthur Heath, Chairman GATES AND USHERS Gladys Dey Edith Koval Maynard Moore, Chairman Margaret Roberts Willis Cox PUBLICITY DIVISION COMMITTEES PHOTOGRAPHY HISTORICAL WINDOWS Herman Hageidorn, Chairman Erma V. Nelson, Chairman Robert Hermsmeyer Regina Davis Leo Hough Marie Heise Leonard Mazenko Mabel Beeman George Todt Gus Kleinbeck Millard Gordon Martha Worley PROMOTIONAL DECORATIONS Clark Whitman, Chairman Harold Simpson, Chairman Lee Carroll Harold Goodpasture Glen D. Riley Ben Kellenberger George D. Worley Bismarck Fite Verne Mahlandt Orin Coddington Member, Board of Directors PRESS Chairman, Publicity Division SPEAKERS Jack Hanafin, Chairman Worley Wear, Inc. William Blaeuer, Chairman Kathryn Bishop RADIO Willard V. Adams Jack Funk, Chairman <^?>«^»<J|fa»C^<^><^><^ «c^^<^^«^^<^^<^^<r^^<^^><^^<^^«r^>^ SPECIAL EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEES HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNIONS FREE ACTS Michael Godfrey, Chairman Claude Anderson, Chairman Evelyn Russell Leonard Berleman Russell Roberts Fred Bissett Greta Caspers Russell Heyen Mabel Striegel AIRPORT DEDICATION FREE GIFTS Lester Luehrs Sylvester Holmer, Chairman \ Co-Chairmen Ralph Prange Albert Sallee \ Frank Swank Omer Thomsen Myrle Stinnett Aaron Ridenhower Wayne Barringer Ray Hittmeier William Hoolihan Ned Granger Clifford Quarton J. Marvin Larkin Olind McPherson William Foehrkalb Member, Board of Directors CHURCHES Robert E. Schwabe Chairman, Special Events Rev. D. J. Brigham, and Entertainment Sidney Cohen CIRCUS Faye Travis Litchfield "News-Herald" hard He e Co-Chairmen Rev. E. P. Baker , p lh ! ^Gilbert Prat her \ Lorraine Wiegreffe Ross Billiter Leo Heise Maynard Lovely Rachel Thorp Leland Rea STREET PAVING DEDICATION Dorothea Perry Wilmer Bultman Max Ash, Chairman Harold Repp Willard Peterson Audrey Nobbe Maurice Macy Rev. John Miller John Moss Don Mix Lewis Yaeger Elizabeth McBrain Dwight Kinder OLD TIMERS DIVISION COMMITTEES BEARD HOSPITALITY Rex Culberson, Chairman Marian Shrader, Chairman Earl Symmes Sally McClurg Clarence Burkhart Ethel Schoen Otto Bierbaum Mildred Ryan Duaine Sackett John Fizzell Dr. Vernon Becker Joe Walker SHAVING PERMIT REGISTRATION Al Russell, Chairman Henry Henske Greta Fleming, Chairman James Driskell Arthur Prange Ray Bramel Carl Johnston Charles Fleming Mabel Wilhite Logan Fearn Harvey Lehnen Rocele Shero Francis T. Fellers Miller Member, Board of Directors Herman Henry Evans Velma Fudoli Chairman, Old Timers Division LADIES' DRESS Superintendent, City Schools HOMECOMING Christine Wilson, Chairman Ida Allen Helen Paden, Chairman Gladys Carter Mittie Markos Virginia Green Grace Boyd Mildred Kuene Selma White Henrietta Mahlandt Mabel Hull Mabel Sihler Marie Loew Ellen Wey Eula Munn Doris Zuber Jody Brubaker OFFICIAL HAT Gladys Archer Ileen Atteberry Russell Hogue, Chairman <fc>»*rllf^p>>«r$^^ uc^«r^«^^^^^^^<^<^«r^<<r^^ PAGEANT DIVISION COMMITTEES STAGE MANAGERS STAGE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTIES Jess Putnam, Chairman Vernon Green, Chairman Harold Rolf, Stage 1 Elbert Eyman Oliver Schneider Leo Hough, Stage 2 Patricia Allen Marie Miller Melbourne Odem Harold Ellis Chalmer Pierce, Stage 3 John Bowles COSTUMES Gerald Trimble Sidney Cohen Co . Chairmen Hobart Weatherfoid j Ann Richards ) Maynard Lovely Nigal Dittus Alice Saunders Betty Curry Kathryn Patton Mildred Keune Harry W. Ruecking STAGE SCENERY Harriet Phillips, Chairman Member, Board of Directors Clarence Tschannen, Chairman Ruth Holderread, Stage 1 William Ray Chairman, Pageant Division Clarence Hardt Irene Blatter Byron Kirby Tallman Whitler Satterlee Brothers Mary Granger Lester Hicks Curtis Davidson Helen Satterlee, Stage 2 Victor Paden Clarence Gilpin Nadine Walker Director, Jack Funk USHERS, GATES, SEATING Jean McCance Assistants, Dale Traylor, Wayne Batty, Chairman Leighton Brawley, Stage 3 Virginia Funk Robert Parrish Learner Corn Vernon Easterly William Wolfe William Gerl Clarence Tilley Harold Lehnert Henry Strothman Scenario, Dorothy Lee Arthur Handegan John Majeski Pantomimists, Betty Kayser, Lewis Bandy Harfleld Cory Helene Ruecking James Millburg W. Mose Burdell Henry Vasel Lester Batty Bernice Heath, Chairman Lynn Batty Carl Johnston Hesterberg Fleming Gladys Choreography, Ruth Mayme Carter Clyde L. Osborne Paul Kniery Evelyn Bridges Kathryn Carleton Towling Robert Fraser Music, B. J. Ellis Lyman Charles Richards Fern Richards Louis Fouts Allen Lounsbury Sound, William Cassens Fern Clarkson Deris Scheffel Earl Johnson David Flack Lighting, Clifford Prosser Rose Marie Johnson Harold Riemenschneider PARADE DIVISION COMMITTEES SPECTACLE PARADE OLD AND NEW PARADE Victor Hauser, Chairman Orval Hittmeier, Chairman Walter Anderson Clifford Green Leland Boyd Roy Prange Dr. Phillip McNamara William Pearce Tom Clark James Shinn Ralph Green BANDS COMMITTEE KIDDIES PARADE Harry Reinhold, Chairman Edna Ebeling Charles Grigg, Chairman Neil Browning John Ritchie Bertie Yates John E. Schoen, Jr. PRIZE JUDGES Harold Repp Member, Board of Directors William McCance, Chairman Juanita Penman Chairman,