Using Civil War Pension Records, Part VI, The Case of Ernst C. Reif Final

On our last posting, we revealed the second marriage of Catherine (Foy) REIF, to Samuel NEITZ in 1869.  The pension detectives found the paperwork to prove this marriage, and no paperwork that Catherine had reported the marriage.  That would have suspended her pension support from the government.  She continued to receive support during this second marriage. Catharine's pension support ended June 6, 1875, upon her marriage to Simon Geeting, who passed away in 1905.

page 178-179/220 of the Reif Civil War Pension files

The Declaration for Widow's Pension, Act of September 8, 1916. Notice: this can be executed before a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or a Court of Record, or any officer duly qualified to administer oaths.

This form is typed, with a notation that the official is a Justice of the Peace.  Catherine Geeting is now aged 73, still living in Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois.  Furthermore, it repeats all of the facts regarding Ernst Reif and his service in the U.S. Army, Company H of the 34th Illinois Infantry.  It confirms that she was married to Ernst (the second time, because the first could not be proven from 1861) on October 4, 1863, officiated by Rev. J.K. Bloom. Catherine Geeting has signed her name to this document. Also signing as witnesses to the document: Jacob F. SWANK and High S. STANLEY, both of Forreston, Illinois.  Cyrus BILLIG has signed as the Justice of the Peace, dated October 14, 1916.

Page 180/220 The official record of the second marriage of Catherine

The affidavit from the county clerk of Ogle County, in the town of Oregon:
I, Robert F. Adams, clerk of the county court in and for said county, hereby certify that Samuel L. Neitz and Mrs. Catherine Rife (sp) were joined in Matrimony on the 20th day of May, 1869 by J. N. MOHR, Minister of the Gospel in the said county, as appears on the records in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said county, at Oregon, Illinois this the 24th day of February, 1917. signed Robert F. ADAMS, clerk of the county court, Lillie SHELLEY, Dep. Clerk

Page 181-186/220  The Divorce Decree: Catherine vs Samuel

handwritten document, dated January 31, 1873, State of Illinois, County of Ogle, Circuit Court

Catherine NEITZ appears with her attorney, Thomas J. HEWITT, with summons issued against Samuel L. Neitz.  The county Sheriff has returned the summons to the court, without being able to find Samuel in this county, and inability to locate him elsewhere. Proof of the publication of this summons was shown to the court, and approved. It was considered that Samuel NEITZ has willfully deserted Catherine for over two years without just cause, since the ninth day of September, AD 1869.  Catherine has received no word or support from Samuel during this time. It has been decreed that the bonds of matrimony between both parties are hereby dissolved. Both parties are at liberty to marry again in like manner as if they had never been married.  Catherine was ordered to pay the costs and charges of the court of this suit.  Signed by W. W. HEATON, Judge.

Clerk of the Circuit Court notes that he certified the foregoing decree is a true, full and perfect copy of the decree in the said case as appears in the records of his office, Record E Chancery, page 210
signed H.P. LASON, clerk. The gold seal of the county is affixed to this document

Page 187/220  General Affidavit, Henrietta Swank
Sister of Catherine, Henrietta Swank, age 63, appears in the matter of Catherine Geeting, formerly widow of Ernst C. Reif, deceased veteran. She testifies her statement to the Notary Public, William H. HETRICK, age 69, both being residents of the town of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois. The statement reads that Catharine is will known to the Swanks, and know from personal knowledge that she has never married since the death of her late husband, Simon Geeting, and that they are of such close acquaintance with her, as that they would have known if she had re-married, and that at this date she is still unmarried. Both Henrietta Swank and William H. HETRICK sign the document. Notary Public, Joseph M Myers, certifies this document.

Page 188-191/220   Rejection of the Widow's Request


  Rejection on the grounds of no title under the Act of March 3, 1901, Catherine was not proven to be the wife of the soldier during the period of his military service, even though cohabitation and the birth of a son, soon deceased, occurred prior to his return from service.  Only the marriage decree of 1863 was recognized. signed by the legal examiner, R. L. FORD.  This document goes further to say the claimant, Catherine Geeting, does not write.

Page 192-195/220  Index, Tally sheet for the claim of Catherine Geeting, remarried widow of Ernst Reif

The page mentions 19 records of proof of marriages, co-habitation, soldier's disability, dependency and general assessment of the case using the testimony of the listed persons who have been previously mentioned. Following are copies of claims submitted by Catherine, supposedly signed by Catherine (remember that the rejection notice stated that Catherine did not write)
 So, dated Dec 13, 1905, Edward Haller, Notary Public, swears that Jacob F. PYFER and Minnie H. GEETING, both of Forreston, Illinois, witnessed Catherine Geeting sign her name to the documents, and that they have both known her for thirty years and twenty-five years, respectively.  Signatures of both appear on this witness document. The signatures look eerily like that of the script used for the signature of Catherine Geeting, known to not be able to write.

Pages 196-203/220   Letters from Congress and the Pension Bureau, 1917

Apparently, someone (Mr. Edward HALLER???) had been inquiring about the status of Catherine's widow's claim for support. There are a series of letters written to Mrs. Catherine GEETING, from the Pension Commissioner, G.M. SALTAGABER,regarding her widow's claim.  A February letter asks her to send some proof of her marriage to Knight (meaning NEITZ) and a death of him or divorce decree.  Also, they ask her to send testimonies of persons having knowledge of her and her marriages.  Haven't we been down this road previously?

Also, letters to and from the State Representative, John C. McKENZIE, House of Representatives, stating that this claim of Catherine's has been rejected because of her multiple marriages. They mention the Widow's claim filed in October of 1916, being the last one filed and rejected, along with all documentation attached.....the ones with Catherine's signature......and she could not write.????

There is a letter from acting commissioner, E.C. TIEMAN, to Rep. John McKENZIE, House of Representatives, Wash. DC, stating that the claim of Catherine's is now being considered! What?  This letter is dated July 6, 1917.  They previously said it had been rejected.

Pages 204-215/220    Repeated records of files previously in this claim packet

Pages 216-218/220     Folded forms filed for the support of the minor child of Ernst Reif

Ludwig FOY, father of Catherine, was named the legal guardian the child of Ernst REIF, Mary REIF.   The support payments were given to Ludwig Foy, until the 16th birthday of Mary REIF.

Page 219/220  A letter to Representative Frank O. LOWDEN, June 1, 1907

From the office of the Acting Commissioner of the Pension Bureau, stating that Catherine's pension claim as a remarried, but now widow, dated 1906, filed by herself without representation had been rejected because it could not be proven that she was the lawful wife of Ernst REIF on the day of his enlistment into military service, as required by the provisions of the pension act.  This, indeed was the last claim that Catherine, herself, had filed.

The claims submitted after this were inducted by Edward HALLER, himself, as was his practice until he was finally caught.  He insisted that widows asked him to file for pensions, and if so awarded, they would give him part of the support payments.

Page 220/220 the ending cover of this lengthy soap opera.

Edward HALLER did not have a good future.  In 1919, he was accused of having a cache of alcohol in the attic of his drug store in Forreston, Illinois.  His store was raided and he was arrested.  Federal officers took the 1200 whisky bottles stash.  Apparently, Mr. HALLER had the alcohol shipped into the county under the label, "Malted Milk".  The federal agents followed the purchase of the booze in Chicago, which had been shipped in barrels to Harper, Illinois. It was then transported by team and wagon to Forreston, Illinois under cover of night. The final delivery was made at midnight at Haller's Drugstore.  He was prosecuted under the Illinois search and seizure act, and under the Federal war-time prohibition act. He claimed that he had no intention of breaking the laws, and had the right to store the wet goods for legitimate purposes.

Using Civil War Pension Files, Part IV : the Case of Ernst C. Reif

Author's own photo, Fullersburg Cemetery salute, 2016

We begin with the Widow's Brief No. 2, claim #228.542  The soldier : Ernest Reif  The examiner : Geo. W. Taylor
Sub. for final review June 12, 1879

Rejected - Widow with Children
228.542 cert. no. for original and increase. Brief app'd Nov 22 1878
Title : Catherine Reif now Geeting, widow of Ernest Reif who was a private and pensionable rank of private in Company H 34th Regiment Illinois Infantry
Residence of the claimant, Forreston in the county of Ogle, state of Illinois Post office : same location
Attorney : JP Jones, of Rockford, Winnebago County Illinois having been filed Feb 19, 1877

Incidental Matters : Soldier had invalid claim, which was paid up to Sept. 4, 1867.
This widow is rejected on the grounds that she has no title.  She did not apply within 5 years after the death of this soldier, and she had remarried.
Minors claim this day briefed for admission
The Summary of Material Facts :
Widow remarried June 6, 1875 to Simon Geeting.
The particulars of the injury suffered by Ernest Reif are repeated, having been wounded at the Battle of Stone River, non functioning leg and use of a crutch until his death.

Skip to Page 113/220
A Declaration for Original Pension of a Widow, Child or Children under Sixteen years of age surviving.
This page further describes the relationship of Catharine Geeting, formerly Catherine Reif, widow of Ernst,  his wound listed at Murfreesboro, Tenn. on the 31st of December 1862. His death recorded October of 1867
After his death, the widow married Simon Geeting on the 6th day of June, 1875
A child was born unto Ernest and Catharine , a female, on August 2, 1867
Records show that Ernest had never been married before he and Catherine were wed.

Page 115/220 Statements from the Attending Physician of Ernest C. Reif
A statement in the state of Illinois in the County of Carroll, John W. Frazy, MD, of Lanark,Carroll County, Illinois.
He certifies his statement that he was well aquainted with Ernest Reif before he enlisted into the army, and was described as sound.  The Dr. was the physician of Ernst Reif after his return from the Army and treated him up to the date of his death, on the 19th of October 1867, and his death was the result of the gunshot wound received by Ernest while in the army.
Officially sealed, State of Illinois Notary Public, Alvaro Shumway, dated 10th of Oct 1876
Title page mentions the name of Ludwig Foy, father of Catherine Foy Reif Geeting. as he is the legal guardian of Mary, minor child.

Page 117-118/220
An additional statement from Dr. Frazy, now living in Woodbury County, Iowa,  and this statement continues to repeat as in the aforementioned document that Ernst was sound when entering the army, and left an invalid upon his return.  He was a constant infirm from that leg wound which rendered him unfit for business labor for the rest of his life. dated January 22, 1877

Page 119-120/220
Another statement from Dr. Frazy, of Woodbury County, Iowa, now living in Sioux City.
This statement a bit shorter about the death of Ernest on Oct 19, 1867 of the extended infection from the same wound, problems commencing in the hands and extending to the body, the result of long continued suffering and low vitality, from the time he returned from the army until his death, entirely incapacitated for manual labor and a continual sufferer. This dated May 13, 1878, officially sealed by State of Iowa, Notary Public, Madison B. Davis

Page 122/220
A handwritten letter, dated Dec 17, 1877, Sioux City, Iowa
To J. Jones, Rockford, ILL
Dr. Frazy states that he was not issued a copy of his former statements so he is trying to make this statement to the best of his memory, which is of no help because his memory is not refreshed from the records or conversations, and that he cannot recall with certainty any statement, now, from him that might in some points be a contradiciton....signed JW Frazer.  clearly this man is elderly.

Page 123/220 The Birth of Child, Mary Reif
A statement from Dr. Frazy that clearly states that he was the attending physician at the birth of Mary Reif, at 8 oclock a.m. August second 1867, and that he was the attending physician with the said Catherine Reif at the birth of said child.  Clearly signed by John W Frazey, MD. officially sealed
State of Illinois, Carroll County, dated the 10th of October 1876. signed notary Alvero Shumway

Page 125/220 The Marriage of Ernst and Catherine Reif
An official certificate of Record of Marriage, State of Illinois County of Ogle, filled out by Albert Woodcock clerk of the county , certifies that Ernest Reif was married to Catharine Foy on the 4th day of October 1863 officiated by Rev J. K. Bloom, Minister of the Gospel.  This office was located in Oregon, Illinois and dated 17 Oct 1876

Page 127/220 Yet Another Written Statement from Dr. Frazy 
The letter dated Oct 22, 1878, Sioux City, Iowa.
Basically it states that in his opinion the the infection that killed Ernst was caused by the wound in his leg and hip, and which his suffering had been great that the pain in the hip and leg caused the loss of sleep, loss of appetite, general debility, nervous demeanor, bad blood and a condition of low vitality.  He treated him during this sickness until the time of his death, signed JW Frazey MD

Page 130/220  Another Rejected Claim
Claim 184488 claimant Catherine Geeting, date of filing May 18, 1908, declaration
Catherine tried to apply for pension help again, giving the same information as before, and asking for $12/month
It was REJECTED..July 3, 1908, rejection on the grounds of no title under the Act of April 19, 1908, claimant having remarried (ceased to be a widow) prior to the date of filing for claim. This now gives the date of death of her husband, Simon Geeting, March 7, 1905.
An addition document once again repeats the information about Ernst, only this one typed, not handwritten, in red ink.  certified by State of  Illinois Notary Public, Edward Haller...REMEMBER THAT NAME

Pages 132-146/220  Letters of Guardianship and Childs Pension Approval
pages contain all proofs of letters of guardianship by Ludwig Foy for the care of his grandchild, Mary Reif, until her 16th birthday in 1883. Two men, George Balsbaugh and Philip Smith sworn statements that Mary Reif was the legal child of deceased Ernst Reif, and that they personally knew this family very well.

Page 148/220  Certification of Remarriage of Catherine Reif to Simon Geeting
Simon and Catherine married on 6th June, 1875, by H D Healey, Minister of the Gospel, Certified by the county court record in Oregon, Ilinois on 18 Feb, 1913

U.S. Flag of 1861, images.google.com

NOW TO THE MATERIAL IN QUESTION BY THE PENSION AUTHORITIES

pages 149-176/220 A typed file entitled : Affidavit of Edward E. Haller in Regard to a Pension for Catharine Geeting the Widow of Simon Geeting.
These pages contain records of duly sworn statements of witnesses by Edward Haller, Notary Public
of Ogle County, Illinois. In various areas of this file Mr. Haller states that he is filing this case under the direction and request of Catharine Geeting.  Various persons who knew the families of both Ernst Reif and Catharine Foy made statements, under the thought that this was for the well being and support of the widow Geeting, after all, she had been a widow for the past 15 years, and probably needed some support. In various cases, a "signature" of Catherine is recorded, and in some cases, her name printed with her "mark", an X, indicating that she could not write.

PAGE ONE : Haller gives his own bio briefly, and then tells the story of how he knew the Foy family very well, having lived in the same town, Forreston.  Haller's parents knew the parents of Catherine Foy (Ludwig and Magdalina).  They all belonged to the same church. Furthermore, at this date, his parents and the Foys were deceased.  Haller knew the siblings of Catherine, and mentions their names, Lewis, Edward, Louisa, Henry and Maggie Foy. Henry Foy was the Sunday School teacher for Haller.  Catherine Foy worked for Haller's parents as a domestic, and witnessed the birth of Haller. Haller remembers visiting Catherine at her home and playing with her little child.  He affirmed that he knew Catherine and Ernst Reif were legally married.  Upon returned from the War, Catherine's parents found out that the Marriage License was never place on record in the County of Ogle,  They were wanting Catherine to leave Ernst and not live with him anymore.  Their strong German Lutheran beliefs did not support the idea of unmarried men and women living together. Catharine remarried Ernst in the laws of the Lutheran church, Rev. JK Bloom, officiated the ceremony,  Haller said he knew the minister very well.   Regarding Ernst Reif, he stated that he was the janitor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston, up until the date of his death, and lived a few doors from the Church.  Haller stated that all the old folks cried over the disasters of the War.  Haller said he knew of Catherine and Ernst being married in 1861. He knew Catherine to be a good woman.

PAGE TWO:  Edward Haller, notary, said that he had a hard time explaining the importance of all the questions being asked to Catherine.  It was only by chance that Haller discovered someone who had been at her first marriage in 1861, before Ernst enlisted in the Army.  Henrietta Swank (nee Foy), sister of Catherine, and Jacob Swank, her husband and President of the Trustees of Schools, previously the Supervisor of Forreston Township and Deputy Factory Inspector, and Treasurer of the Trustees of Schools, would never say or do anything to discredit her husband.  Haller also mentions Hugh S. Stanley of Forreston, the Round House Foreman. Haller states in the last paragraph that his has no interest in being paid  for this writing filing, and believes that Catherine should receive the pension that she applied on 15 Dec 1905 .
Witnesses Signatures : Riley M Garman and C A Walters
Notary Signature and stamp by Martin H. Earle
seals stamped March 8, 1913 by Law Division and Pension Office.  Civil War Division stamp Mar 20 1913.

PAGE THREE: title page

PAGE FOUR:  Jacob F. Swank, swore under oath that he is over 54, and has lived in the area for over 40 years.  He states that he knows Catherine Geeting, formerly Foy and Reif, and knew her as the widow of Ernst Reif and Simon Geeting. He states that he know Catherine has never married since the death of Mr. Geeting, and trusts that Haller would have found evidence of such.  He signs his name as Jacob F. Swank on May 9, 1908.  This document seals and stamps : May 18 1908 by both the Pension Office and the Congressional US Bureau of Pensions. May 19 for the Law Division. Edward Haller, signed and sealed as Notary.

PAGE FIVE AND SIX:  William Sloggett, swore under oasth the his is over 62, and he has lived in this area since 1855, except for the time in the war.  He enlisted as a soldier during the War on February 24, 1964 in the 34th Infantry company H of the Illinois Infantry.  He was discharged on July 12 if 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.  He states that he knew Ernst Reif very well, as he saw him enlist into the Army in 1861, and he returned with an honorable discharge and a wound of his left leg.  He knew that Ernst passed away as a direct cause of his wound. His father ran a hotel, now owned by FJ Acker, and Ernst lived on the same block as the hotel.  He knew  that Ernst had married Catherine upon his return from the War, remembered attending the party at their home, which was across the street from the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  He knew that Ernst was a cabinet maker before the War, but upon his return, he could no longer work at his carpentry bench.  He had become janitor of the Church.  William Sloggett states that he was the Librarian there, and that Ernst was a teacher of the sunday school.  Rev. N W Lilly was the pastor, who had officiated at the funeral of Ernst Reif.  Sloggett said he had visited Ernst during his sickness and was shown his wound, which was very repulsive and sore to the touch.  William Sloggett said he followed the remains after the funeral along with the family members to the White Oak Cemetery, and remembered the gallant boys of the 34th, who must go  from this life, one by one. He further states that he knew Catherine has not remarried since the death of her late husband, Simon Geeting, and that if she had, he would have heard about it because things like that are not kept quiet. signed by William Sloggett, sealed and signed by Pension office and Congressional US Pension Office on May 18, 1908, likewise signed by Edward E Haller, notary.

PAGE SEVEN: Robert F. Adams, Ogle County Clerk, states that he has custody and control of the tax rolls.  Simon Geeting was assessed with real estate value at $300, located at the N1/2 Lot 14 and 15 Block 3 of Neals Add. Mrs, Geeting was assessed with personal property amounting to $50.  These amounts represent 1/3 of the true value of the same. He signs on 18 Feb 1913, Robert F. Adams. Stamped and dated Mar 8 1913 at the Pension Office and Law Division, Mar 20 1913 at the Civil War Division.

PAGE EIGHT - TEN: Henrietta Swank (nee Foy), testifies that she is over 60, and has lived in this county all her life.  Her sister is Catherine Geeting (nee Foy), and was married in 1861 to Ernst C. Reif before Rev. N W Lilly, a minister, now deceased, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Forreston in Ogle County.  She said that the marriage license was never returned to the county seat on account of the Civil War.  Ernst was a soldier in that war and was married before he enlisted as a soldier.  There was one child born to them while he was in the war. Catherine kept house and maintained their child, and that child passed at about the age of 10 months,  The child was buried in White Oak Cemetery.  Catherine kept up the house until the return of her husband, Ernst. Ernst had been wounded in the leg and hip.  It was thought best by her parents that since the marriage license was lost and never recorded, they should remarry.  Her parents were very strict Lutheran. Rev. JK Bloom, minister of the Lutheran Church of Forreston married them. After that Catherine and Ernst were blessed with another child.  Ernst died from the gun shot wound and was buried beside his little daughter. She said she was present when Catherine married Ernst in 1861, and can fully remember that it was before the War.  She knew that Ernst came from Germany before the war and boarded and worked for Catherine's father on their farm.  Catherine was courted by him and married before Rev Lilly, and they took up a little home and lived there until the war broke out and Ernst enlisted.  Catherine lived in their home until he returned. When Ernst come home being wounded, it was found that the marriage license was never recorded in Oregon, the county seat.  Ludwig and Magdelena Foy wish no fault with Catherine and wanted to cause no trouble and annoyance to her since she now had a wounded husband.  They suggested another marriage before Rev. J K Bloom, which was recorded.  Henrietta Swank testified that her husband, Jacob F. Swank was from Forreston Township and was past the age of 60.  He is gone from home all the time, that he is the Supervisor of  the Forreston Township for the past 25 years, and was the township School President.  She said she would never make any statement that would reflect on her husband's good name. Her sister, Catherine,is now 75 years and she is dependant on her daily for support.  signed and dated 19 Feb 1913 Henrietta Swank.  witnesses : Anna Haller, Virginia Haller, signed Edward E Haller, Notary, 21 Oct 1913 expiration of notary, stamped and sealed Mar 8 1913 Pension Office and Law Division, Mar 20 1913 Civil War Division

PAGE ELEVEN-THIRTEEN  Robert F. Adams, County Clerk, has filed transcriptions of the records of marriage between Ernst C. Reif and Catherine Foy, 1963, and Simon Geeting and Catherine Reif, 1875, All received in the Law Division and Pension Office, 8 Mar 1913.

Next Up...sworn statements of Hugh S. Stanley and Robert F. Adams, and Edward Haller files two papers, forging Catherine's signature to each.

The SAGA Continues.....

The Last Will and Testament of Gottfried Hechtner : Does Eliza Get Snubbed?

Last year I was researching a line in my husband's family tree, The Hechtner Family.  With today's technology, I was able to make a digital copy of the last will of Gottfried Hechtner.  He is the 3rd great grandfather of my husband.

Gottfried was born about the year 1800 in Prussia.  He came to America in the springtime of 1854, with his wife, Mary, and 6 children.  He made his home in Bureau County, Illinois.

Elizabeth Hechtner, fifth child of Gottfried and Mary, married Gottlieb Hessler in Bureau County on May 31, 1860.  Mr. Hessler was a boot and shoe cobbler by trade.  Elizabeth (Eliza on many documents) and Gottlieb became my husband's 2nd great grandparents.  They lived comfortable enough to be listed on several Illinois County Tax Enumeration Lists (1870 and 1880).

Eliza had siblings : Frederick, Mary, Henrietta, Sophia and John.  Their mother, Mary (Kittendorf) Hechtner, passed away in 1862.  Gottfried moved into the home of his son, John Hechtner, in 1861, and lived there until his death.

At the age of 72, Gottfried filed his Last Will and Testament in Bureau County, Illinois. It was dated and filed on May 20. 1872.  He died in June of 1873.

Here is a digital copy of the hand-written will :

State of Illinois, County of Bureau, Illinois State Archives, accessed 2012 5 May.

As I reviewed the document, there appears to be somewhat of a mystery.  Every child, except Eliza Hessler, was to receive one hundred dollars.  Eliza was to receive five dollars.  Why?

Son, John Hechtner, was also to receive whatever worldly goods and belongings were left, due to his kindness in furnishing his father a home in his later years.  

So let's look at what the lives of Eliza and her siblings were like about 1870.  Eliza and her husband, Gottlieb Hessler were living in Sterling, Whiteside County, in Illinois.  As stated before, this couple had an income where they were listed on tax lists, instituted to help pay for the Civil War, which was very costly to the nation.  They had 2 daughters in 1870, Eliza and Emma.

Frederick, oldest of the Hechtner siblings, was living in Muscatine County, Iowa in 1870. He and his wife, Sophia, had 5 children.  He was a farmer and two farm hands were living with the family. According to the US Census data, his land was worth $800 and personal property total estimate was $2000.  He was a Civil War veteran.

Mary, oldest daughter of Godfried, was living in Bureau County, Illinois, with her husband, August Schultz, and their two chilcren, John and Henrietta.  August was a farmer, and his personal property estimate was about $450.  Not doing as well as her brother, Frederick, Mary was still closeby her father's residence.

John, second son of Godfried, was living in Bureau County, Illinois, with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 4 children :  Mary, Emily, John and Eliza.  John was a farmer, and his land was valued at $9,600, with a personal property estimate of $2500.  He seems to be doing quite well for a man of his age. His farm was located 5 miles Northwest of Princeton, IL.

Daughter, Henrietta, was living with her husband, Francis Frank in Bureau County, IL with their three children, according to the 1865 Illinois State Census.  No value of land or personal property was listed on this census.  Francis was a boot and shoe cobbler who worked alongside his brother-in-law, Gottlieb Hessler in Whiteside County, IL in 1860.  His real estate was estimated at $1500 and personal property valued at $500. Gottleib's personal property was worth only $25 in 1860.

Something happens to dissolve the marriage of Henrietta and Francis, as she remarries in 1872 in Rock Island County, Illinois, to Frederick Worth. In 1873, they were living in Iowa for the birth of their son. The Iowa census does make note that Frederick had been out of work for 4 months, due to a physical ailment.  

Sophia, youngest daughter, was married to Frederick Deadrick in 1861 in Bureau County, Illinois.  By 1870, they were living in Iowa. Frederick became a farmer in Poweshiek County, Iowa, with a land value of $2000, and personal property value of $500. They had four children at that time.  

So, with these financial comparisons between the Hechtner siblings, I guess that Eliza and her husband, Gottlieb Hessler were doing a bit better than the others.  Although her brother, John, cared for his father in the latter years of his life, he did have a greater value of property than the rest of the siblings. Eliza and Gottlieb had moved to Otoe, Nebraska before the turn of the century.  Their daughter, Eliza Hessler had married Henry Reif in 1885, son of Georg and Fredricka Reif of Stephenson County, Illinois.  Henry became a baker, and by 1890 they were living in Nebraska.  Eliza and Gottlieb Hessler probably moved that same year with their daughter, son in law and new granddaughter, Hazel Reif.  They lived out the last years of their lives there in Nebraska, Eliza passing away in 1908 and Gottlieb passing away in 1907.  

My guesses as to why Eliza inherited 5 dollars in contrast to the 100 dollars to each of her siblings :

Godfried Hechtner maybe felt that Eliza was well taken care of with Gottlieb's Shoe and Boot business, OR

God forbid....there was a falling out between Eliza/Gottleib and her father for some reason.  Remember that the first husband of Henrietta Hecktner, Francis Frank, was in business with Gottlieb in Sterling, Illinois, in the cobbler trade.  And then there was another marriage for Henrietta, without a reasonable explanation of what happened to Mr. Frank.  Henrietta had those children to take care of.  There could have been something that put a wedge between father and daughter that left hard feelings.  Who knows?  

My next step : browse newspapers, business papers, other records to see what may have occurred in the Frank family that caused a split.  Let's hope there is not a dark side to this story.

All data listed in this article was retrieved from www.ancestry.com  ,  www.familysearch.org , http://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/home.html  , www.mocavo.com

Phillip Becker : Last Surviving Musician of the Lincoln Funeral Ceremony in Springfield

With the upcoming Veterans Day, I thought I'd  focus on someone who served his country in a way that very few did.  Philip Becker, the last surviving member of the band that played at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in 1865, died on May 7 in 1926.  He was 92 years old. He was laid to rest in Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville.  An obituary has been written for him in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. XIX  April-July 1926 Nos. 1-2.

 Mr. Becker had lived in the same house in Jacksonville, Illinois for the last 60 years of his life. Being born in Germany in 1834, Phillip arrived in Jacksonville in 1855. He was a cabinet maker by trade.  He and his wife, Elizabeth, raised their son, Phillip, and daughter, Kate, in Jacksonville.  His silver cornet band assembled in Springfield for the slain president's funeral.  He had formed the first band of Jacksonville with sixteen musicians, all of German descent. Philip would have been about 31 years of age at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln.

My thoughts began to focus on the funeral of President Lincoln, and what it must have been like for Phillip Becker and his fellow musicians to play their instruments. It must have been hard to control their emotions during that sorrowful event.  Yet, what an honor to be allowed to perform for the public during that time when the entire nation was in mourning.

http://thelincolncollection .org

The 150th anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Funeral will be celebrated in Springfield in 2015.
The informative website, http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/, tells of the large scope of events planned for April-May 2015.

2015 Lincoln Coalition Logo

A Chicago area man is building a precise replica of the steam engine that pulled the funeral car of Abraham Lincoln.  You can watch a short film about this at http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2014/10/16/rebuilding-history . This site also contains a slide show of the construction of the funeral car, and a map of the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train Route.

There appears to be so much planned for the commemoration of this historic event.  I am sure that there will  be many visitors to the Springfield area, and people standing along the railroad tracks to catch a glimpse of the reenactment.

But what of Phillip Becker?  The last surviving musician of the band that played at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln was survived by one son, Phillip Becker, Jr. of Jacksonville, and one daughter, Mrs. Kate Werghwein of Henry, Illinois.  His funeral was held on May 9, 1926, in Jacksonville.
I know that his spirit will be there at the anniversary celebration of the President's funeral.  Mr. Becker will be standing tall, instrument in hand, alongside the other musicians who  played at the funeral 150 years ago.

Well done, Mr. Becker.  Your nation is grateful for your service at one of the most poignant events in this country's history.

The Piasa Bird : Fact or Fiction?

When I was a little girl, my Dad would take me on boat rides on the waters of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, in the area just north of St. Louis, Missouri.  One day, Dad pointed out an interesting primitive painting on the side of a bluff, which jutted high above the waterways.  He said, "look up there at that picture on the side of the bluff...they say it was painted by the Indians a long time ago".  When I gazed at the image, I saw what appeared to be a bird-like image, with sharp talons, large teeth and a set of wings.  As I recall, it may have had a set of horns, too.  It was a bit scary looking to me.  It's been a while since I've taken a look at it.  One day, I'll have to drive by that part of the area near Alton, Illinois, and take another look at what may be left of the image.

Department of Natural Resources, State of Illinois

What I was shown was the image of the Piasa Bird, There are many articles written about it.  I was surprised to find that even in this age of technology and historical research, there are so many different theories about the Piasa Bird.  According to many website writings, Father Jacques Marquette wrote about seeing the painting in his hand written records of his famous exploration with Louis Joliet.  Father Marquette wrote that it had horns like a deer, a beard, red eyes, a body covered in scales and a long tail, although not quite in those words.

Some say that the bird was given it's name by the Illini Indians, Piasa, which translates to a bird that feeds on man.  It sounds like it was thought of as a monster, with a taste for human flesh.  In other words, they had visions of a blood-thirsty creature that they evidently feared as much as some of us fear all the ghouls and goblins at this time of year.  Some say that this creature is responsible for the deaths of many Indians of the area. However, there are contradictions to this school of thought. I read somewhere that certain authors thought that the original image was not painted at all, but merely etched into the side of the bluff, and nature had made the colors of the rocks into various hues.

Piasa Bird and Cave Tourist Spot, near Alton, Illinois, www.bing.com/images

It has also been said that the name, Piasa, came from the Miami-Illinois tribe, which meant "little peoples", and had a relation to the thought of little dwarfs that attack travelers in the area of the bluffs along the river ways.  So, where does the flying monster come into this story? Another story version states that Piasa, the name of the monster, means "the Destroyer".  Who is correct?  I don't know.

There are also stories about the bird-monster living in a cave in the bluffs.  It would hide there, and swoop down on unsuspecting area intruders.  The Indian legend, which may have been embellished by non-Indians, tells that the creature was killed by a chief who stood out on a ledge by the bluffs to entice the creature out of his cave.  When the monster made a move to attack the chief, his warriors shot their poison arrows at it, and killed the creature. The story goes on to say that the villagers painted the picture on the bluff to commemorate the killing of the creature, and in honor of their brave Indian chief.  Is it true, or not?

Workers touching up the paint on the Piasa bird, Illinois Tourism Department

An early account of the painting was told by John Russell, who was said to be an imaginative professor from a college in the area.  His version, which he supposedly published in a newspaper article, said that the creature was given the name of a nearby stream, the Piasa. His story was similar to the one above about the Indians who killed the creature, but, he admitted to others that he embellished his story.

Lastly, there was a article written in the Illinois State Historical Society Journal, Vol. XVIII, No. 3 by Dr. H. W. Long, regarding his take on the Piasa bird.  He was in France during WWI, and was able to visit a museum while there.  He observed a display of "Le Grande Geule", a bird of prey.  After studying it carefully, he realized that he had seen the likeness somewhere before then.  He was given permission to photograph the display of the creature.  After his service, he began to review the photo and compare it to the photos that he had seen of the Piasa bird in Alton.  In his article, he write about the similarities and differences in the two creatures.  He notes that there is a possibility that in the description that Father Marquette gives about the image that he saw, he also was familiar with the French "Le Grande Geule", which had an effect on his memories as he wrote his description of the painting on the bluffs along the Mississippi.  His theory is that early French explorers of the region placed that painting on the bluffs, and not the Indians of the region. He further explains that he feels the early explorers would have knowledge of building rigging for holding the painters, and also knowledge about longer lasting pigment paints to use on the painting on the bluffs.

Illinois State Historical Society

Who knows what the truth is?  There are only stories told ages ago, photographs of the bluffs before and after the painting was retouched by modern techniques, and, of course, the diary of Father Marquette.  But, it is fun to think that such an evil creature with four taloned feet, wings and a long tail lept through the air to scare anyone who dared to impose on  this monster's territory.

The Mysterious Death of Lake Ransom : Murder or Suicide?

Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, 13 Feb 1882

The Chicago Evening Journal reported the Hinsdale tragedy...Mr. Lake Ransom, resident of 428 South Lincoln Street, was found dead by the side of the street on the morning of February 11, 1882 at the intersection of First and Lincoln Street.  Did he commit suicide, or was he the victim of a brutal murder?  The case has never been solved.  Let's look at the facts and review the investigation.

Lake Ransom was born on 5 June 1844 in Windsor City, Vermont, to Daniel and Lucy Edson (Lake) Ransom.  He was the descendant of Richard Ransom who served as Captain of the Connecticut Militia under Lt. Col. E. Storrs during the Revolutionary War.  Lake Ransom was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Daniel and Lucy Ransom had moved their family to Jo Davies County, Illinois by 1860.

Lake Ransom had served his country in the Union Army during the Civil War, in the 12th Vermont Company B unit.  He was discharged in 1863.

www.Fold3.com, Ramsom, Lake; 12 Regt. Vermont Infantry

He and Lucy Jane Bacon were married in Boston, Massachusetts on 25 December 1866.

www.familysearch.org, Massachusetts Marriages; Lake Ransom, Boston, 25 Dec. 1866

  

Lake was a General Sales Agent for a reaper company, the D. M. Osborne Company, which had a branch sales office and warehouse in Chicago after the Civil War.  According to the Western Massachusetts History , Volume 4, 1636-1925,  Lake Ransom was born in South Woodstock, Vermont, and he moved West.  He was a manager of the western division of the Osborne Harvester Company, in which he spent the majority of his career.

www.Mocavo.com, Chicago City Directory, 1867; Lake Ransom, D. M. Osborne & Co.

Mr. and Mrs. Ransom had moved their familly to Hinsdale, Illinois, and took up residence at a fine home located at 428 South Lincoln Street.  The family appears in the 1870 and 1880 US Federal Census, at this address.

www.ancestry.com, Ransom, Lake, Hinsdale, Illinois, 1870

The Ransom family grew, and by 1880, consisted of five children : Albert, Charles, Clara, William and Louis.

FRIDAY EVENING, 10 February 1882

 Two shots were heard in the evening by a resident of Hinsdale, Mrs. J. W. Webster, who was waiting for her children to arrive home after spending the evening with neighbors.  She estimates it was about the time that the 10:30 p.m. train from Chicago had arrived at the Hinsdale depot. Charles Hinds said the he also heard a shot coming from the area in the evening as he was standing in front of the residence of Mr. Clark, who lived on First Street.

 Mr. Ransom was in the habit of riding the train to and from Chicago. He had been employed as bookkeeper for the Osborne Company for eighteen years until a month before the incident.   He usually rode the late train daily, and his family expected him home shortly after that time.  According to the Chicago Inter Ocean, the train conductor did not recollect him, nor did the other riders remember him leaving the train at the depot.  He could have rode in the smoking car, and departed the train at Lincoln Street, where the head of the train stops, to be nearer his home and he  could reach it sooner.   His wife waited for him until midnight, never to see him walk through the door of their home.

FINDING THE BODY

The body of Lake Ransom was found just before 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, at the corner of First and Lincoln Streets, just two blocks from his residence, and one block from the train depot.   Mr. Shannon, Mr.  A. M. Weir and Mr. J. W. Russell  take the morning train to Chicago. On their walk to the depot, they had observed the body, cold and rigid, laying on the back, next to a tree and the boarded sidewalk.  A hat was laying on the sidewalk, near the feet of the victim.  A revolver was found laying on the sidewalk, with two of the chambers empty. There was also a bag of shot found on the street near the body. The head was laying in a pool of blood, with a bullet hole to back of the skull.  Blood was trickling from the ears and nose. Part of the clothing near the arm and chest was smoldering.  As a crowd of residents surrounded the corpse, a neighbor hustled to the home of the victim and had broken the news  to Mrs. Ransom, who rushed to the scene and she was horrified at the state of her husband.  The body was removed by the police magistrate and officers to the Town Hall. Cornoner Cotton, of Turner Junction, was summoned by telegraph.


THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS

 A large hole was found in the left arm of the garments, which still smoldered as if burned.  The flesh underneath the layers of clothing was blackened and blistered, as if burned. Perhaps that was a point of contact with a gunshot, however, no bullet or wound had been found.  The neck tie was still around the neck, but the collar had been pulled from the shirt.  The vest had been unbuttoned, and the familiar gold watch on a chain was missing from the body.  The watch had been presented to the victim by the employees of D. M. Osborne, and he never seemed to be without it, until now.  The pants pockets had been turned inside out, and the wallet of the victim was not on the body.

A bullet hole to the head, just behind the left ear, appears to have been the fatal shot that ended the life of Lake Ransom.  A large amount of blood and brain matter had come from the wound.

 The Hinsdale police officers searched the general perimeter of the incident and found cards and letters from the deceased strewn across the railroad track area.  The wallet of the victim was found nearby on the railroad track about a block away, completely empty.  Other cards belonging Mr. Ransom were found near the train depot.

Was the bag of shot used to knock Mr. Ransom senseless?  Or thrown to distract him while he was attacked and murdered?  Did he shoot himself once, unsuccessfully in the torso, and then again, successfully in the back of the head?  Would he have emptied his own pockets and tossed his personal papers and empty wallet?

Detectives Wiley and Elliott were hard at work trying to solve the tragic event.  Several tramps were found in the vicinity of the train depot, and they were arrested for questioning, but to no avail.

THE THEORY OF MURDER

During the investigation, many people were interviewed :

Charles Cook, while visiting Western Springs on Friday afternoon, noticed vagrants shuffling along the railroad tracks headed for Hinsdale.

There were rumors, but no concrete evidence, that the tramps were actually at, or near,  the train depot in Hinsdale at the time of the arrival of the 10:30 p.m. train.

It was thought by the Coroner, that Mr. Ransom most certainly would have had some money on him on his way home from Chicago that Friday evening.  However, when the body was found on Saturday morning, there was no money or valuables on him. And, his watch and chain were missing. The Coroner also raised the thought that Mr. Ransom could have killed himself, and the tramps could have taken his valuables when they found his body in the late evening.

Dr. Fitch, brother-in-law of the Mr. Ransom, said he refused to believe that it was a case of suicide.  He believes that there was no reason for his relative to end his life, stating that he had been an honorable character in the community. His family relations were perfect. Though he severed his employment with D. M. Osborne company the month prior, he had ample resources, and he spoke of starting a business for himself in short order. Dr. Fitch also stated that finding the body in the way that it was, without valuables, most certainly points to foul murder.

THE THEORY OF SUICIDE

Many facts were brought to light as the investigation moves to Mr. Ransom's business life:

Mr. Ransom quit his job at the D. M. Osborne Company early in January.

It was rumored that he gambled a bit, and lost heavily.  On the Tuesday before his death, his wife testified that she had given $1,500 to her husband, which he had gambled away in an attempt to win back his previous losses. He may have planned to kill himself so as not to disgrace his family.
His losses on the Board of Trade were estimated to be about $50,000 to $60,000.

It was revealed that he may have embezzled money from the D. M. Osborne Company, as he held a top position in the financial department.  He was being investigated by the detectives of the Osborne's insurance company in December of the previous year 1881, when the main warehouse in Chicago was destroyed by fire.   Fire investigators found that the supposed story of the incident being caused by burglars was not viable...the vault was broken out of, and not into.  The financial books were destroyed, and the company owner came to Chicago to investigate. Mr. Ransom had been suspected of being behind the incident, but they had no proof as of yet.

Police detectives think that Mr. Ransom overdid the job.  The bag of shot would have been useless as it would only have been used as a weapon by someone else against him, and hard to use on himself as a weapon.  The revolver was laying where it would have fallen if he used it on himself.  It was a very newly purchased gun, without rust or scratches. Mr. Ransom could have been responsible for emptying his own pockets, throwing his wallet and papers into the wind himself and disposing of his watch. They suspect that he was financially ruined and embarrassed, causing him to become despondent and planned his own demise.

INTERVIEW WITH PREVIOUS EMPLOYER

When asked about the speculation of Mr. Ransom having embezzled money from the company, Mr. Osborne stated that the company had completed an investigation of the matter but found no evidence that Mr. Ransom had been dishonest.  He was employed Mr. Ransom for over seventeen years, and felt confident of his abilities.  Mr. Ransom had been the general manager of the Chicago location up to 1 January 1882, and handled over a million dollars each of the nine years in that position.  Mr. Ransom had been investing in produce, and had been losing money on such ventures.  Mr. Osborne felt that it was not to his liking, and asked Mr. Ransom to cease his speculating, or give up his position with the company.  He had showed a desire to stop, and assured the company that he would never engage in another deal on the board.  After a while, it was found that he continued his dealing with the board, and he was asked to submit his resignation.  He did submit his resignation to take affect on 1 January 1882.  It was estimated by the company that Mr. Ransom has lost some $10,000 to $12,000 of his own.  It was felt that he never squandered money belonging to the firm, and was believed to be honest by nature.  He had admitted  that he became infatuated with speculating.

When asked if it was thought that Mr. Ransom was responsible for the fire which destroyed the company  warehouse, Mr. Osborne stated that there was no cause for any such supposition.

Further questioning revealed that Mr. Osborne felt that Ransom had committed suicide, He felt that his demon was the gambling on the Produce Exchange, which produced much remorse.  He reported that his former employee's salary was about $5,000 annually, and then increased to $6,500 when promoted to management.  He felt that Mr. Ransom never used any company funds in his speculating.  He was a very economical man, and he seemed to spend frugally with his personal living expenses.  It could hardly be possible that Mr. Ransom could have taken thousands of dollars from the company without our knowing about it.

THE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION


The examination was performed by Dr. Skear of Chicago, and under the direction of Dr. J. C. Merrick, of Hinsdale, who was the foreman of the Coroner's Jury. The results were as follows :

The external examination showed that there was burning through the overcoat, undercoat, vest, shirt and undershirt and to the skin on the left side to the skin on the left arm, cooking the flesh in a area of seven by nine inches.  The top of the pants and underpants were slightly burned on  the left side.

Blood was oozing from the left nostril and both ears, more from the left ear.  Skin was burned and charred over the left side of the body, but not blistered.  Rigor mortis was well advanced.  The body looked well nourished.

The bullet wound to the head was one inch above the left ear, large enough to admit the little finger.  On the edges of the scalp near the wound the  bone was driven inward.  The hair was not burned.  There was a bruise on the upper lid of the left eye and lower lid of the right eye.  There were also slight bruises on parts of the body.  When the scalp was removed there was found additional bleeding.  The skull fractures extended from the wound to the area of the eyes.  The bullet was found crushed from end to end.  There was considerable bleeding into the ventricles of the brain, which otherwise looked healthy.

In opening up the chest, the flesh was cooked to the ribs, affecting the lower portion of  the left lung and a portion of the spleen.  All other organs were perfectly healthy.

THE REWARD FOR INFORMATION 

In the Illinois State Daily Register on 3 March 1882, a reward is posted

MORE INFORMATION THICKENS THE PLOT

The following article was printed in the Daily Inter Ocean, 22 February 1882.  The persons mentioned as Mr. and Mrs. Scott were the sister and brother in law of Lake Ransom : 

NEWS SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE NATION

News articles appeared through out the nation regarding the mysterious death of Lake Ransom :

Trenton Gazette, 16 Feb 1882

Denver Rocky Mountain News, 14 Feb. 1882

Rockford Daily Register, 13 Feb 1882

More articles were posted in Kentucky, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and many other city newspapers.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

I have found two Chicago Evening Journal funeral notices for Lake Ransom, as follows:

WIDOW'S PENSION 

Mrs. Lucy Ransom did not apply for the Civil War Widow's Pension until 1908.  Notice that she filed for the pension when living in Massachusetts, not Illinois.  The life insurance policy that her husband had for $27,000 probably supported her until this time....

www.Fold3.com, Ransom, Lake, widow's pension file card

MURDER OR SUICIDE?

What do you think?  Who was the person to have met with Lake Ransom at the Sherman House?  What happened to the $1,500 that Mr. Ransom was to have withdrawn from the bank....remember his wife said that she gave him the money.  What happened to his gold watch?  Was he really innocent of being involved with the warehouse fire?  

My question : Was Lake Ransom left or right handed?  If he was right handed, it would have been hard for him to shoot himself behind the left ear.  But, it would have been easier for him to shoot himself in the left side.  

The case is still unsolved.....over one hundred years later.

County Namesakes : Knox, Mercer and Schuyler Counties of Illinois

Have you ever wondered how counties are named?  Apparently it takes a local, state or national hero's story or a legacy to be broadcast over the area to make way for the nomination.  Political figures and other legislators discuss amongst themselves probable names for counties and their townships.  Agreements and handshakes were exchanged in the distance past, and a new county was born.

Knox County in Illinois was named after General Henry Knox, an adviser to General George Washington.  He was also the first United States Secretary of War. Actually, a great number of towns, cities, townships and counties across the nation are named for General Knox.

General Henry Knox, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Knox

General Knox was born in Boston in 1750.  He attended school until, at the age of 12, his father passed away.  Henry left school and took a job in a book store to help his mother with expenses.  In 1771 he went into business for himself, and had much success.  His future wife, Lucy, was a frequent shopper in his bookstore.  Henry joined the fight for freedom from English rule with his fellow Bostonians.  He rose through the ranks from colonel to brigadier general in 1776.  After George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States, Knox became the Secretary of War, and held that office until the end of 1794.  He passed away in 1806 in Maine. Rumor has it he swallowed a chicken bone and suffered an infection that caused his death.

Mercer County in Illinois was named for General Hugh Mercer, He gained favoritism of George Washington from his participation in the Revolutionary War, and earlier in the French and Indian War.  Many counties and towns across the nation are named for this military hero.

General Hugh W. Mercer, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Mercer

General Mercer was born in 1726 in Scotland.  There, he had trained as a physician and began his career in America in Pennsylvania, until the beginning of the French and Indian War.  He volunteered for the unfortunate expedition of General Braddock to Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh).  He was wounded in 1755 and unable to keep up with the other soldiers.  He wandered alone through forests until he reached Fort Cumberland.  After being presented with a medal for bravery and endurance, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and later lieutenant colonel.  After the war, he resumed his profession as a physician in Virginia, marrying Isabella Gordon in Fredericksburg. In 1775 he began to drill the minute men of Viriginia.  He was placed in command of the patriots called the Flying Camp.  General Mercer was badly wounded in the Battle of Princeton, and died from his wounds in January of 1777.

Schuyler County, of Illinois, is named for General Philip Schuyler.  Schuyler County in New York is also named for him.  General Schuyler is noted for his leadership in the French and Indian War, as well as the Revolutionary War.  

General Philip Schuyler, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Schuyler

General Schuyler was born in Albany, New York in 1733, His father, owner of several thousand acres in New York, died in 1741, leaving Philip all of his estate.  Philip divided the estate among his siblings, as he later inherited an estate from his uncle in Saratoga County.  When the French and Indian County was underway, he organized a group of his neighbors and joined the fight, gaining some military experience.  Later, he became an assistant to George Washington in the Revolutionary War.  Philip married Catherine Van Rensselaer in 1775.  He aided in the organization of the Sons of Liberty.  He was elected to become a member of Congress in 1779, as a senator for the State of New York, and held that post for several years.  General Schuyler died in 1804.    

Who's name provided the inspiration for your county name?  You might be surprised when you uncover the answer.  And, you'll get a refresher course on American history at the same time.

Lucy Page Gaston 1860-1924 : Her Anti-Tobacco Campaign

How many of you readers smoke cigars and cigarettes? I am sure that you have been made aware of the health risks of such habits.  There is substantial medical evidence of such.   You might think that during the years before the building of the Panama Canal through the years following World War I there were not many persons who knew of such health risks regarding the use of these products.  Maybe you haven't heard of Lucy Page Gaston.

www.jewishworldreview.com

Lucy Gaston was born in Ohio in 1860.  She grew up to become a teacher after attending Illinois State University. It was reported in several publications that she participated in smashing several saloons in the early 1880s.  She joined the Christian Woman's Temperance Union, along with her mother, Henrietta Page Gaston.   During the 1890s, she held the position of managing editor of the newspaper, The Harvey Citizen.  This allowed her to proclaim her beliefs for all to read.  She even had a paper called The Boy, where she published articles about behavior that was brought on by tobacco use.

She spent more that twenty-five years campaigning against the use of tobacco, in addition to prohibition and woman suffrage.  Lucy organized the National Anti-Cigarette League.  She lobbied before state legislatures and even the Chicago city council.  She also appeared before the National Congress in Washington, D.C., trying to convince legislators that it was their job to outlaw the use of tobacco.  She even wrote a letter to President Warren G. Harding.  He was an avid smoker, and she felt that he was setting a bad example by his habit of tobacco use.

Lucy did become successful in pushing through a law in Illinois that prohibited minors from being able to obtain and smoke cigarettes.  Chief of Police McWeeney deputized Lucy, which enabled her to enforce this law.  She personally arrested a handful of 16 year old boys when she saw them smoking.  Lucy termed the cigarette as a "Coffin Nail".  In 1907, Lucy was instrumental with the law put forth by the Chicago City Council where it was deemed illegal to make, sell or give away cigarettes in the State of Illinois. The law was challenged and defeated on a technicality, otherwise those choosing to disregard the rule would have been fined $100 and jailed for up to 30 days.

Lucy and her family lived in Marshall County, Illinois during her formative years.  She attended and graduated from Lacon High School, and was the valedictorian at her commencement exercises.

Add caption

Lacon School 1877 Commencement brochure, paperchase-LucyPageGaston

Lucy taught at a few schools in the Richland Township area of Marshall County, Illinois, after receiving her teaching certificate, the first schools being the Strawn School and the Monahan School.  She and her family were well respected local figures and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Henry, Illinois.

map of the location of the first schools where Miss Gaston taught from 1876-1879, paperchase-LucyPageGaston

Miss Gaston met with her largest opposition when sending boxes of cigarettes to soldiers during World War I became a well received gesture of troop support.  Nevertheless, she continued her anti tobacco campaigns through personal appearances and literature.

page 1 Lucy Page Gaston obit August 28, 1924 Lacon Home Journal, paperchase-LucyPageGaston

Miss Gaston was buried in the Lacon Cemetery. Lucy died of cancer of the throat, in addition to injuries sustained in a street car accident months before, while being cared for in the Hinsdale sanitarium, in Hinsdale, Illinois on August 20, 1924.  Her obituary is written in the Illinois State Historical Society Journal, Vol. XVII, No. 3 editorials October 1924.

In Your Backyard

by david dellinger

Lacon,, IL January 2011

Lucy Page Gaston campaigned as a candidate for the presidency of the United States in 1920.  Obviously her campaign was not successful, as she was not elected.  However, she had a good platform : "Clean morals, clean food and fearless law enforcement."  She filed in the primary of South Dakota, but dropped out of the race before the election.  She could not support Warren G. Harding because he was an avid smoker, even stating that he had a smoker's face which was unbecoming to her.  She attended the convention of the Prohibition Party, and supported the candidate William Jennings Bryan.

Further information about Lucy P. Gaston can be found in the following publications, as taken from www.sites.google.com/site/LucyPageGaston/Genisis-of-Research

Cigarette Wars, The Triumph of the “Little White Slaver” by Cassandra Tate

For Your own Good by Jacob Sullum

Thank You For Not Smoking by Gordon Dillow

The Little White Slaver in Kansas by R. Alton Lee

The Smoking Gun by Robert Loerzel

Lost Cause by Frances Warfield

Women Building Chicago 1790-1990 by Schultz & Hast

Readin’ and Ritin’ and Rithmetic Through The Years; Education in Marshall County, Illinois

by B.K. Doxhelmer