MRS. ADDIE C. STRONG ENGLE                                                                                                                                                                      

ENGLE, Mrs. Addie C. Strong, author, born in the town of Manchester, Conn., 11th August, 1845. She traces her ancestry back to 1630, when John Strong, of some historic fame, came to this country from Taunton, England. Her girlhood years were spent in the picturesque town of South Manchester, and her later life, until 1882 in Meriden, Conn. As a child she found her pen a recreation. Her talent for literary composition was inherited from her mother, who was Mary B. Keeney, whose ancestors were among the earlier settlers of South Manchester. When a girl of sixteen, she sent an article upon one of the terrible war years then just ended to "Zion's Herald," of Boston, in which it was printed as a leader, and she was engaged by its publisher to write a series of sketches for children. She spent several years in teaching in South Manchester. In 1866 she became the wife of J. H. Bario, of Meriden. Two daughters of that marriage survive and share her home. For years she gave her best labors to the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she was honored by being called three years to fill the highest office in her native State. In the discharge of the duties pertaining to that position her executive ability and knowledge of jurisprudence won commendation as being "wonderful for a woman," a compliment she rather resented, as her pride and faith in the abilities of her sex are large. Her stories and poems have appeared for years in children's papers, the "Voice of Masonry," the "Churchman" and other periodicals. She has published many stories and poems. The odes used in the secret work of the Order of the Eastern Star and its beautiful memorial service were her contributions. In 1882 she became the wife of Rev. Willis D. Engle, of Indianapolis, an Episcopal clergyman, and removed to the Hoosier State. There she at once became identified, outside of church work, with local organizations of the Eastern Star, the Woman's Relief Corps, the McAll Mission and the King's Daughters, all of which received the hearty labors of her brain and pen. With her husband she commenced in 1889 the publication of a monthly illustrated magazine, the "Compass, Star and Vidette," in the interest of the Masonic, Eastern Star and Relief Corps Orders. The entire charge of the literary and children's departments fell upon her. In December, 1890, she ceased active participation in the work of the various societies to which she belonged, and joined the sadly increasing order of "Shut Ins." A fall the winter before had produced serious results. Nobly battling against heavy odds for nearly a year, nature finally succumbed, and congestion of the spine resulted. Still she keeps up her brain efforts, though in a lesser degree, and the incidents which came to her as she made in a hammock a short lake trip in the summer of 1891 were woven into a romance in the form of a serial, which was published. The injury to her eyes has impaired their appearance as well as their vision, and she wears glasses. Her Puritan ancestry shows plainly in some of her opinions, yet she is very liberal in her views and absorbed heart and soul in every great step toward progress and reform. She is a rapid talker, and when able to speak from the rostrum was an eloquent one.

(American Women, Frances Elizabeth Willard, Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Volume 1 Copyright 1897.  Transcribed by Marla Snow.)

DR. ASA PALMER

Dr. Asa Palmer was a native of Connecticut, who was born at Coventry in 1786. He became a resident of Vermont in his boyhood days, and later lived in the Black River country of New York. Subsequently he became a resident of Moscow, where both his parents died. While living in New York state, Dr. Palmer studied medicine and practiced a little. He was married while living in New York state. He made a trip to the west in search of a location, and came here to live in 1824. His first trip was made on horseback, but when he came to locate, the journey was made by boat, going first to Pittsburg and then down the Ohio river and up the Wabash River. His destination was the Vermilion river country but at that time there was no Danville (Illinois) to attract him, not even so small a settlement at this place. Dr. Palmer began his practice in this section and for many miles around the settlements from the Little Vermilion to those north and west of the mouth of the North Fork of the Vermilion River, he rode in his practice. After Danville became the county seat, his home was there and his practice was over a broad territory from that point. Eventually he gave up the practice of medicine and lived retired. In connection with his son he established the first drug store in Danville. He was a leading and influential citizen of this section from the time he came in 1824 to his death in 1861. Dr. Palmer was married three times, his third wife being Adelia Hawkins and one of the honored pioneers of Vermilion County. Dr. Palmer was one of the original members of the Presbyterian church in Danville. He was the father of thirteen children by his first wife and two by his second wife.

JARED SPARKS, clergyman, educator, author, was born May 10, 1789, inWillington, Conn. He was a Unitarian clergyman, pastor at Baltimore in 1819-23. Professor of history at Harvard University in 1839-49, and president of Harvard University in 1849-53. He is best known by the American Biography which he edited, and of which he was in part the author. It includes sixty these, of which he wrote those of Ethan Allen: Benedict Arnold; Marquette; La Salle; Pulaski; Ribault: Charles Lee; Ledyard. He was also author of a Life of Governor Morris. He published editions of the works of Franklin and Washington, with notes and life of each; and also Correspondence of the American Revolution. He died March 14. 1866, in Cambridge, Mass.