AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - The Whiteside County Agricultural Society was aorganized at the village of Union Grove on the 26th of February 1856, the following gentlemen being elected its first officers: Robert L. Wilson, President; A.R. Hamilton, Vice-President; Dr. L.S. Pennington, Secretary; Luther Dodge, Treasurer. The annual Fairs of the Society were held at Morrison until the year 1863, when the grounds wer located at Sterling, where the Fairs have since been held. The grounds are situated on Rock River, a little southwest of the city of Sterling, are admirable adapted for the purpose. The officers of the Society for 1876-7 are Samuel J. Baird, President; M.S. Coe, Vice-President; C.M. Worthington, Secretary and J.W. Stewart, Treasurer. The Executive Committee are joseph M. Patterson, Sterling; W.H. Colcord, Genesee; L.E. Rice, Lyndon; G.b. Quigley, Prophetstown; George Davidson, Hopkins; Tyler McWhorter, Montmorency; J.C. Paddock, Hume; E. Underwood, Portland; J.M. Wallace, Sterling. The Fiars held by this Society are unequalled in the amount and variety of the exhibitions and are very largely attended.
(From the History of Whiteside County/ Bent-Wilson 1877)
This Society was organized at Lyndon in August, 1847, and was recognized by and became auxiliary to the American Bible Society in December of the same
year. There had been a local organization at Lyndon, and perhaps elsewhere in
the county, previous to that time, but no central society to combine the efforts of the friends of the cause, and to connect them with the parent society. In the summer of that year Rev. Geo. Stebbins, then pastor of the Presbyterian church at Sterling, was in New York, and chanced to say to Rev. Dr. Prime,
editor of the New York Observer, that there was no Bible Society in Whiteside county, and the latter at once proposed to solicit a donation from the American
Bible Society as a nucleus for an auxiliary. This was done, and a donation
granted. The books were forwarded to Rev. Mr. Stebbins, and the society soon organized with Dr. A. Smith as its first President, Rev. Geo. Stebbins, Secretary
and Deacon John Roy, Treasurer. This was the germ, but it proved a vigorous
one as the subsequent growth has evinced. Few more efficient and prosperous
societies are to be found, considering its resources, and the extent of territory
embraced.
The Lyndon period of this society, embracing some sixteen years, seems to have been in a measure lost track of, so far as records are concerned. In 1864
the headquarters of the society were transferred to Morrison, and on the 23d of March of that year, its first annual meeting at that city, was held. The annual discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Webb, and the following officers elected for
the next year: A. C. Jackson, President; O. Cowles, Vice President; Dr. W.L.
Cole, Treasurer; F. C. Woodruff, Secretary, and W. M. Spears and Dr. A.
Smith, Executive Committee. This meeting is specially noted as being the first
one held after the removal of the society to its present center, and the first one
at which full minutes were kept, and some of the incidents are well remembered by those who were in attendance.
The total remittances of this auxiliary to the parent society up to the
present year, have been $15,337.19, or about $500 a year since its organization.
Of this amount $10,141,57 have been on account of books, and $5,193,62 as donations. Of the books obtained about $1,000 worth are on hand in the county and branch depositories, and about $7,500 worth have been put into circulation in the county, making an average of about $300 worth a year. There are about
twenty branch Bible Societies in the county.
The objects of the society are, to supply thoroughly, and keep supplied, the
entire population of the county with the bible to see that not one family lives
within the boundaries of the county, without the bible that can possibly be
induced to take one; to see that all the youth and children have at least a testament; that all the institutions of correction and charity have the bible; that
all the hotels be supplied with the bible so far as they wish it, and will aid in the work, and that the railroad, steamboat, and depots and waiting rooms be
supplied with the bible. It also aims to do its part in supplying the world with
the word of God.
The present officers of the society are: James Snyder, President; F. B.
Hubbard, Secretary, and Dr. S. S. Hall, Treasurer and Depositary.
(From the History of Whiteside County/ Bent-Wilson 1877)
CALEDONIAN CLUB - Many of the sons of Auld Scotia made their homes in Whiteside County
some years ago, being attracted hither by its beauty, and the exceeding richness
and fertility of its soil. Naturally they sought to become acquainted, and to
revive in their new location the more important andinteresing of the anniversaries customs and games of their native land. The first meeting looking toward
the formation of a society to carry out these purposes, was held at the Boynton
House in Sterling, on the 24th of January, 1873, that being the one hundred and
fourteenth anniversary of the birth of the plowman bard, Robert Burns. After
duly celebrating the event so dear to the heart of every true Scotchman, a vote
was taken to ascertain whether the Scotchmen settled in Whiteside county were ready and willing to organize a Caledonian Club. The sentiment was found to
be unanimously in favor of such an organization, whereupon a constitution was adopted, and twenty-two attached their signatures to the document.
The meeting for the election of the first officers of the Club was held in Morrison, on the 8th of March, 1873, and was organized by choosing John L.
Brown, of Clyde, chairman, and James Laing, of Fenton, secretary. Upon a ballot being taken the following gentlemen were elected officers: Chieftain, Robert McNeil, of Coloma; Second Chieftain, James Lister, of Morrison; Third
Chieftain, James Melville, of Ustick; Fourth Chieftain, James Laing, of Fenton; Finance Committee, Alexander Matthew, James Borland, and John Jones; Committee on Games, John Smith and John L. Brown. The two first meetings to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns were held in Sterling, and
the last three in Morrison, and at each the attendance was gratifying, the bonnie
lasses being largely represented, and the proceedings conducted in that spirit
and enthusiasm so peculiar to the Scottish nature. At the second meeting at
Sterlmg, Chief McNeil in an address stated the objects of the Club to be: First, the preservation of the ancient literature and customs of Scotland, and the
enouragement and practice of her ancient games; Second, the establishment of
a library and a gymnasium, and the employment of lecturers for the association;
and Third, to foster charity which in its amount, character and mode of distribution, will be dependent upon the will of the majority of the association. These
purposes have been faithfully carried into effect. Commencing with the year 1873
a:: ub has held an annual basket picnic immediately after harvest, at which,
among other pleasing features, the ancient outdoor games of Scotland are practiced.
These now rank among the most pleasant occasions of the year, and are
largely attended by people of all nationalities.
The present officers of the Club are: Chieftain, Robert McNeil; Second
Chieftain, Alexander Ritchie; Third Chieftain, James Melville; Fourth Chieftain,
James Lister; Secretary, Benj. Matthew; Treasurer, Peter Durward; Librarian,
Johnn Calderwood. The library consists of over one hundred volumes,
many of which are choice Scottish works. It is kept at the store of John Calderwood in
Morrison, and is open free of charge to the members of the Club and
their families. Those not belonging to the Club who desire the use of books
are charged a moderate price for the privilege. (From the History of Whiteside County/ Bent-Wilson 1877)
CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - This Society was organized on the 28th of May, 1872 at Morrison, the objects being to promote all the industrail pursuits of the county, and especially the agricultura, horticultural, floricultural and mechanical interests, and also the fine arts and domestic manufactures. The first officers elected were James M. Pratt, President; A.M. Teller, Vice-President; Frank Clendenin, Secretary; E.G. Topping, Treasurer. The executive committee consisted of LEvi Fuller, James Wilson, H.F. Kellum, Geo. W. Mackenzie, John F. Demmon, Delos J. Parker, M.M. Potter, James H. Marshall and Lucius H. Pratt. The first Fair was held at Morrison on the 24-27 of September 1872, and was a success. The grounds are admirably located, being well shaded, and upon the bank of Rock creek so that living water can be always at hand. THe present officers are James M. Pratt, President; Robert E. Logan, Vice-President; Edwin J. Congar, Secretary; Chas. Bent, Treasurer. M.M. Potter of Fenton, Lafayette Crandall of Erie, Moses Lathe of Lyndon, J.F. Demmon of Clyde, D.J. Parker of Garden Plain, Cephas Hurless of Genesee, A.M. Teller of Union Grove, D.F. Cole of Portland and P.B. Reynolds of Prophetstown are the executive committee. The Society is entirely out of debt and their last Fair held on the 4-7 of September of this years was very successful.
(From the History of Whiteside County/ Bent-Wilson 1877)
SPRING CREEK UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY -
This Society was organized in the summer of 1875, at Albany, the object being the
same as the two other Agricultural Associations of the county. Unlike
the others, however, it is a local society taking in the towns of Albany, Garden
Plain and Newton, in Whiteside county, and some of the upper towns in Rock
Island County. Under the constitution as adopted in 1875, the officers are a
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee of
eight members, of which the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
are ex officio members. The officers of the Society are Daniel Nicewonger
President; P. J. Kennedy, Vice President; J. F. Happel, Secretary, and
Warren Olds, Treasurer. The Executive Committee is composed of Chas.
Parker, James H. Booth, E. H. Nevitt, Charles George, D. J. Parker,
Rowland, E. R. Beckwith, and I. B. Williams. The Fairs are held at Booth's
Grove, one mile south of Albany. As a local organization it has been eminently
successful. (From the History of Whiteside County/ Bent-Wilson 1877)
. The first meeting to organize a Sunday School Association for the county
of Whiteside, was held at Morrison on the 1st of December, 1864. Rev. G.
Crissman was called to the chair, and a committee consisting of Revs. J. T.
Mason, J. W. Cass, J. W. White and Mr. W. F. Peters, appointed to recommend officers
for permanent organization, and order of the meeting. The committee afterward reported, recommending the following gentlemen for officers: President, W.D. Webb; Vice Presidents, Rev. W. A. Lipe, and Rev. J. W. Davidson;
secretary J. R. Ashley; Treasurer, Dr. H. P. Roberts. The report was adopted.
Reports were made by the schools represented at the meeting, when it was
resolved to hold the meetings semi-annually, and a committee consisting of Revs.
Mason J. W. Cass, W, D. Webb, and Messrs. Thomas A, Galt and J. R. Ashley was appointed a committee of arrangements for the same. In addition
the Sunday School friends of the county, there were present at the meeting
D. L. Moody, whose fame as a revivalist has since become world wide, and Mr.
Harwood of Chicago, and W. F. Peters, Sunday School Agent. The presence
of these gentlemen added much interest to the occasion.
The County Association is auxiliary to the District Association, and the
latter to the State Association, the object being to establish a complete and
harmonious system of effort on behalf of the Sunday Schools throughout the State. The reports made by the representatives of the different schools in the
county, at each of the meetings since the organization of this Association, show
that a gratifying progress has been made in Sunday School work, and that to a
considerable degree this progress is owing to the effect of systematic labor inaugurated by the system of Sunday School Associations.
The last annual meeting of the Association was held at Sterling on the 7th and 8th of May, 1877. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year: President, D. J. Jenne, of Sterling; Recording Secretary, Payson Trask, of Fulton; County Secretary, Dr. H. C. Donaldson, of Morrison; Township Secretaries, David Parkhill, Ustick, Thomas Gulliland, Clyde, S. H. Kingery, Sterling, James Snyder, Mt. Pleasant, G. F. Goodell, Union Grove, J. M. Fay, Fulton, P. J. Kennedy, Garden Plain, E. Olds, Albany, Wm. Mitchell, Newton, M. O. Hurless, Fenton, Chas. N. Westervelt, Lyndon, L. E. Matthews, Erie, L. E. Tuttle, Coloma, Rev. H. M. Corbett, Portland, Geo. B. Quigley, Prophetstown, E. A. Hovey, Tampico, Chas. Toby, Hopkins, A. S. Ferguson, Genesee.
(From the History of Whiteside County/ Bent-Wilson 1877)
