Lee County, Illinois - Chapter 25, 1920

Chapter 25

From the beginninti these people wei'e lilicral towaids ihr iu'eds of the war anil they set almut their work with a spiiit which made ihcii' iffmls appear very small. Like the toad who makes his leap so easily that the ival .-fh.rl \n- has expended seems as nothing, so it is with these patrintir people in Brooklyn and \iola townshiii" They set about, their w<iik so willingly, they did their work so well, thai the real effort required of them seems small.

In these two townships are found people of all extractions. Yes, even many who were born w'ithin the boundaries of those countries with which we were at way. P>ut this jiroved

Many of them had left the home of their birth because of such grievances as caused this war and they could now see an opportunity to aid those they had left beliind by iielping to win this war. They felt it a duty to aid their former countrymen to throw olf the yoke of a mighty . m|ieroraiid help secure for them a freedom such as is enjoyed in America. These people therefore hai', a two-lold vr-Asnti tor helping to win the war ami contributed in no .small way towards its succi'ss.

When the war broke out Brooklyn and Viola were like the entire county imi)rei)ai-e(l for meeting the demands to lie made upon them, but despite this their people contributed well from the ver>- first. Tlieii- l)o>s were leaving for the training cam|)s along with those of every community and those who remained at home dug deep down into their jwckets to lielp in a financial waj'.

The first subscriptions for lied Cross work and for the Soldiers Comfort fund, also tiie First Liberty loan, were launched before any form of organization was perfected within the two townships but this diil not ])revent them from being successful. There were but fifteen or twenty persons \\\\(\ subscrilied to the First Liberty Loan in WestBrooklyn, whose territory comprises Precinct \o.l of P>rooklyn township and much of Viola township, but yet this small band proved ecuial to the occasion ami subscribed all the quota asked of their townships. A government loan was a new and unheard <if thing for most of the people and with no organization of any kind to boost their cause and explain their purpose, it stands as a great credit to the.se people to find that even the ver>- fir.st loan was a success within their borders.

After these first efforts had been put forth and it was realized that we were in a war which would tax our resources to the very utmost, it was decided to jierfect some sort of organization within the county so as to be better able to handle the various war activities which must come.

This conmiittee was tt'rmed the Finance connnittee of the State Council of Defense and had charge of practicallj' all the war work during the balance of the war. It had as assistants a neighborhood or sub-committee within each school district.

In Viola township T. C. Kelly, Henry L. Gehant, .John .Montavon and Frank G. Knauer, with the first named as chairman, Avere selected as the executive conunittee and the following were the various neighborhood committees:

These sub-committees did a vast amount of good in helping with the education of the pubUc to the needs of the government for the proper conduct of the war and to them belongs practically all the merit for the success of the Second Liberty Loan and the War Savings Stamp campaign. Wlien the volunteer plan for raising the quotas was decided upon before the Third Liberty Loan the work of the sub-committees was mostly done away with but the effects of their earlier canvasses remained and to their credit belongs a great part of the success attained in the work which continued until the end of the war.

Of equal importance to the above is the work done by the Red Cross. The West Brooklyn auxiliary of the Lee County chapter was organized in the spring of 1918 and as a result of some earnest soliciting on the part of a few patriotic women, we find that nearly everyone in the community joined the Red Cross. The women gathered each week to work foi' the soldiers and much knitting and sewing was done.

It was supported finamdally by various donations made by the peojile of the community and by the Business Mens' association of West Brooklyn. On May 23, 1918 the business men held a big benefit bazaar and this undertaking was so well patronized and proved so successful that the association was able to finance all the needs of the auxiliary for the remainder of the war.

The Woman's Conunittee Council of Defense was well represented at W^'st Bi'ooklyn. Mrs. E. C. While was the chairman and had for assistants in handling the work most of the women of the township. On her conmiittees we find the following:

Mrs. Calhei-ini' l'"assi,n was the champion knitter and made many jiairs of socks for tiie soldier lioys. These ladies also did much relief work, sending many liunilh's of clothina; to headquarters for the benefit of those suffering as a result of the war, Tlie.\- also had charge of the weighing of the Imhies during the better babies movemc-nt and were instrumental in piocuiing ten of the women of West Brooklyn to adopt a little French orphan. Th.'u- work r-^ d.-erving of much praise.

When the government sent out a call for the conservation of food and other materials essential for the war, the people of Brooklyn and Viola eagerly did their share to save and help provide these necessities. Practically every farm had more acres jilanted to crop and those who had retired from work for several years, went out agam and did their .share. Food reports were handed ui at the churches ,,n Sunihiys and on<> fannly would hope to out-do another in the numl.er of meatless and wheatless meals served during a week, Oliver L. ( ieliant was the local hio.l a.lnunistralor.

Dr. E. L\ White, the post -master at West Brooklyn, had charge of the sale of War Savings Stamps during the war and the fact that approximatel\ si'0, 000.00 of these stamps were sold during the year of 1918 proves how well he handled thi' campaign. In his work he was aided by th(> H. F. (iehant Banking Co., Inc, and th<' government awarded both Dr. White and the bank, a handsome certificate showing their appreciation for the work done in selling the war stamps.

The bank also received a ct'rtihcate of distinguished financial service for its work in aiding the Fourth Liberty Loan by purchasing 100 per cent of its ([Uota of the certificates of indebtedness put out l)y the Treasury de])artment in anticipation of that loan and the previous issues.

West Brooklyn and \'iola liiwnship's hnan<-ial contribution to the war is represented by the billowing Hgures which are >ecured from the re.'ords of the bank and are as near accurate as it is ]iossible to get

§160,400.00 It can be seen by the above that the people of these two parts of townshiiis did well and certainly must have worked together in a harmonious manner. But yet their work is not to b(> compared to that of the boys who left for the training camps and for the army or navy. These are the ones who have made the sacrifice and it is to these that we wish to dedicate this bit of history touching upon the work of the people of that community during the war. The soldier had the help, but it was left to him to save for us that freedom for which otir forefathers fought and bled. We owe him a debt of gratitude which money can never rejiay.

Honor Roll

Harry Eugene Lahman - eldest son of Edgar E. and Geneva Lahman was born at Delavan, 111., Nov. 11, 1893 and in early life moved to Lee County. He was inducted into service at Dixon. He was a meniher of Co. D, :M.G. Bat. 88. He was transferred to Mott, N. D. and fi'oin there to Camp Dodge, la. He remained there liut a short time when he was sent to Camp Upton, X. Y. From there he sailed for England and from there went to Fr:incc, ai-riving thcic al.dur Sept. 1, 1918. He soon went into action and during a hea\-y honilmrdmcnt near Hagen- 12, 191S was killed. He was huried at the Hajienhack eemeterv.

was the son of Edgar and Agnes French 1S94 in .lefferson County, Illinois. Enry on .lune 24, 1918 and was sent to Mt. it to Camp Taylor, Ky.; thence to Camp

Bueiguard, La. Then he went to Camp Mills, N. Y. In September 1918 he went overseas as a member of the 400th casuals, A. E. F. While in France he was taken ill with pneumonia and died Oct. 8, 1918.

re Piivates James E. Kelly, Raj'mond Ciwenip, and Jesse Aughen- their wounds while fighting on the front lines with General western front in France.

Wlien war was declared against Germany by the United States only a few people realized what the far reaching effects of this action meant. A great many did not realize that the resjionsibility of carrying it on successfully should be equally divided. Educational work was needed. Public speakers and the newspapers began to enlighten the people and to arouse the spirit of true Americanism. Every citizen was urged to assume his ftdl obligation. Some of the best young men of the land stepped forward to make the supnnie sacrifice, if necessary. Men and women soon began to see the necessity of individual coopei-ation and war work committees and organizations were immediately fornuxl and init in oiiei'ation.

The first registration board consisted of John W. Banks, Ciiailcs Uradshaw and John S. Archer. The first registration was held June 21, 1917 antl the sccdud, Sept. 12, 1918. The work of this board was conducted in a fair and impartial niannrr.

The work that fell upon this cdniniittee was very heavy ami was handled in a veiy commendable manner. Tlirsr men whenever necessary- left tlicii- business and gave their tuue and talent to wai- work. Many tiinrs tlicy could be found at work during the greater part of the night. Tiic work handled by this conniuttcc will be suniiiiarized later.

A local organization, known as the "Business Mens' association" was also formed for the ]nu-pose of aiding in wai- work. Tlu' officers were;

The principal work of this organization was the raising of money for Reil Cross and other purposes. Charles Bradshaw was appointed as chairman of a committee to hold a fair. He organized teams and under his direction every one in the connnunity was solicited. A large amount of eggs, liutter, ]30ultry, sheep, hogs, cattle and other artick's was donated for this sale.

Through the efforts of Mr. Bradshaw the 342nd Infantry band, of ('amp ( d'ant, was secured for that day. This was a great treat for a town the size of ( '<iiiipton. This band was highly appreciated and went away feeling they were treated royally. Dinner was served by the ladies of the ( ). Iv S. foi- the band and also the committee. The auctioneers who donated their services were W. .\. Webber, Howard Blair and James Larabee. The receipts of this fair amouiUed to tlie neat sum of $2263.72.

J. S. Richardson, W. A. Webber, John Eggers, Fred P. Gilmore, Clifford Ogilvie, J. W. Burd. Delos Butler and Roy INIiller. The amount raised by this organization was $274.7.5.

The Women's Committee Council of Defense con.sisted of Daisy D. Paine, chairman; Emma Fox, Secretary and Treasurer, Mae Bradshaw, chairman of registration committee. The registrars were Mesdames Alexander Beemer, Elizabeth Banks, Daisy D. Paine, Marie Miller. Amy Dishong, Ruth Carnahan. Edna Cole, Misses Glailys Carnahan, Roma Krebbs, and Nellie Oderkirk. Two hundred ninety-three women registered for wai' work. On Christmas. 1917. the school children, under the supervision of the Woman's Council of Defense, sold $23.75 worth of Christmas seals. This amount was sent to the Illinois Tubercular Fund. Under the babies welfare department, thirty-five babies were weighed and measured. This work was under the supervision of Dr. C. G. Pool, and the women doing this work were Mesdames Florence Pool. Edna Cole, Ruth Carnalian and Daisy Paine.

A general survey of all the war work will show that the people of this precinct did their full duty and more. Every loan drive, every Red Cross drive and ever.y other demand for money was fully met and more. They gave their quota in money, they gave their time anil talent and their bovs offered their lives. Could thev have done more?

The First Liljerty loan was handled mainly by the First National bank. There were only a few subscribers to this loan, and most of the bonds were taken by the bank. The Second loan was handled in a similiar manner, with a larger number of outside subscribers, but the bank assumed a larger ])art of the quota.

The third loan was JKindlcd by the local Council of Defense, J. W. Banks acting as chairman. This loan was taken by the people. Everyone in the precinct was asked to take his proportionate share of bonds. This made the work very heavy on ]\Ir. Banks and his committee. The quota of this loan was fully subscribed.

The Fourth loan was also handled by the Local Council of Defense, with Charles Bradshaw acting as chairman. Tins loan was fully subscribed, Brooklyn township being third in the county to report.

The Mctory loan was handled in a similiar manner except that the subscrii)tions were voluntary. .Joseph Richai-dsnn acted as chairman of this loan and the loan was oversubscribed.

The above named committee handled the sale of W. S. S. in a similiar manner to that of the sale of bonds. Tlu' amounts rai.sed wen- First Liberty loan . . . S 6,000. Business Mens' Ass'n. . §2,263.72

The first public meeting was held September 19, 1917 at the time the boys' of the first draft were called. This meeting was held on the street and was well attended. The sjieakers were Harry Warner and John H. Byers of Dixon, Clarence White of West Brooklyn and ,1. W. Banks of Compton.

The next meeting of much importance was held in the opevii house at the time of the Third Liberty loan. Henry S. Dixon and John E. Erwin of Dixon were the speakers.

The fourth loan was started oE with a meeting, Charles Bradshaw presiding. The speakers were John H. Byers and Harry C. Warner of Dixon, and Herbert Chapman, a Canadian soldier, who had seen overseas service. The house was crowded, many lieing turned away. LTnusual interest and good will toward wai' activities was show-n.

The total number of members up to the time of division was 683. The total amount collected was $1455.42. Work done: several sweaters, 51 wristlets, 87 scarfs, 89 helmets, 52 pair of socks, 4812 pieces of muslin, and 8589 pieces of gauze.

two precincts. The cfficcrs of the ^^ccoiul precinct were W. A. \\'elil;cr, rn'si(l<'nt: ^Irs. J. W. Banks, Secretary, and Charles Bradshaw, Treasurer. Mae Bradsliaw was appointed chairman of the work coniniitt('(>. This meant a heavy rcsjionsihility and \ci\- nnidi work. She gave nearly all her time to this work as loi:,ii; as it was nccilcd. She also saw that every soldier was supplied with a cc nipldr knhted outht when he left I'oi- service. The amount of work done was: 2(55 sweaters, 97 scarfs, 60 j^air wiistlels. l.'ll pair socks, SO lielniets, 15 pair stump socks, thousands of surgical dressiniis ami muslins foi- haiidaiivs. consistint!; of many sizes of compresses, wipes slings, head hanihitics and a mmiher of iclief iianiients. The aiiKiUiit of work done shows that this ih^ijartment was wrll manaiivd and was also well supported l.y tlic la. lies of the pncinct.

Yiohd township, heing witlioiu a town within its limits, was handicapped somewhat in organizing for war work. Miii'ii of the land is owni'd hy non-icsidcnt owners. These conditions made the burden of thr war work fall more hea\il>- upon them than other precincts. But there was no lagging in I hr spiiit of true patriotism. Peoi)lr ivadily stepjieil forward to assume their e(iual share of the l.urden. The townslnp was divided near the center, and the east half of the township united with C'ompton and worked with them in the Red Cross work. They are entitled to their full share of credit in the work that was accomplished at ( 'onipton. The First and Second loans were handled by the township as a whole working together. V. Grant Dysart and T. C. Kelly did most of the soliciting for this loan. These nieii also solicited for the Red Cross.

The third and fourth loan in the east half of the town.ship was handled b>- T. C. Kelly with the following school directors as committeemen: