Friday, May 25, 2012

Seaman

Fulton Journal
May 20, 1890

The death of Preston King Seaman occurred at his residence in Clinton Sunday night.  He is said to have been the first white child born in the town of Clinton, and the date of his birth is August 11, 1856.  He was married to Miss Margaret Inslee, June 18, 1885.  The funeral will be held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon and will be under the auspices of La Fayette Lodge, No. 44, Knights of Pythias.

Harm Akker

Fulton Journal
May 20, 1890

   Saturday Hiram Akker and Ellen Akker celebrated their golden wedding.  They were married in Holland, May 16, 1840.  On account of the funeral that was held Friday the golden wedding was held on Saturday.  They are the parents of eight children, three are living, two being present at the wedding and presented Mr. Akker with a gold headed cane, and Mrs. Akker with a gold thimble.  There were several other nice presents.  Rev. Te Winkle was present and several of their old country friends.  Mr. and Mrs. H. Akker have lived in this country twenty-four years.  They lived on a farm fourteen years, then moved to Fulton where they have resided for the past ten years.

Roach

Fulton Journal: March 14, 1890

   Mrs. Euphema Roach desires to inform the multitude that there will be a children's concert in the Roach tabernacle on the Hill at 2 o'clock p.m., Saturday, March 15, 1890, Anno domini.

Fulton Journal: March 18, 1890

NOTICE.
To whom may concern: At 2 o'clock P.M. Thursday March 20, 1890, Anno Domini, deo volente, I am to be married to Josiah Brown, Esq.  If you have aught to say relieve yourself or forever hold your peace.
                Fraternally yours,
                         Mrs. Nancy Roach.
                                 Her Mark  +

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Fulton Journal
July 30, 1912

Headquarters for Choice Cigars
Among our popular brands of Five Cent Cigars you will always find
Brown Beauties, Bradley, Cineo, Cuban Seal, Phil Sheridan, Cremo, Doctor, Davenport, Havana Sticks, Palmer House, Henry George, Hand Made, Harvester, John Ruskin, Sin Par
Besides a score of other unexcelled brands.  We have a supply of smoker's articles of all kinds.
E.F. Johnson, Fulton, Ill.
Fulton Journal
July 30, 1912

FORD and HALLIDAY AUTOMOBILES!

If you are looking for the best and most serviceable car on the market, let me demonstrate the workings of the Ford or the Halliday.  They are easily handled and have no superior.
I handle all kinds of lubricating oils and greases such as Polarine Engine Oil, Granite Harvester Oil, Arco Automobile Oil, Arco Transmission Grease, Eureka Belt Dressing and Arco Spotz Off Polish for brass, copper and nickel.
                 ROY SIKKEMA
Cor. Fourth St. & Thirteenth Ave., Fulton, Illinois

Anthony and Nancy Roach

Fulton Journal:  February 21, 1979
Bastian:  There are numerous pieces of Mr. Booth's writings that are quotable.  Perhaps one of the finest was in the Fulton Journal dated Sep.17, 1868.  Anthony Roach had been a slave. Tried to enlist in the United States Army but was rejected because of his age.  He stayed with the army and did odd jobs.  He came to Fulton finally and the lonesome years pressed heavily.  The editor of the Journal ran a kindly notice to help the old man:  "INFORMATION WANTED--ANTHONY WAYNE ROACH, A COLORED MAN ONCE A SLAVE IN DECATUR COUNTY, TENN. AND NOW LIVING IN FULTON, WHITESIDE, COUNTY, ILL. BEING VERY ANXIOUS TO LEARN THE WHEREABOUTS OF HIS TWO SONS, ONE DAUGHTER AND A STEP-DAUGHTER, WHO WERE ALL SOLD AT AUCTION ON THE BLOCK AT DECATURVILLE, TENN. IN 1854, AS FOLLOWS:...THUS BEING WIDELY SEPARATED FOR FOURTEEN YEARS, WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF EITHER OR ALL OF THEM.  HE SAYS, "I AM NOW OLD AND HAVE NOT A CHILD NEAR TO GIVE ME A DRINK OF WATER.  PUBLISHERS IN THE SOUTH AND WEST WILL CONFERE A SPECIAL FAVOR BY GIVING THIS NOTICE A PLACE IN THEIR COLUMNS."

Fulton Journal
April 13, 1877
Mrs. Roach, a colored woman who formerly lived near the stone quarry in the upper part of town, but removed to Clinton some time ago, has returned and announces herself in readiness to perform laundry work for persons wishing to engage her services either at her old residence or at the houses of her patrons.

Fulton Journal
April 5, 1898
  Aunt Nancy Roach is dead.  The dissolution occurred Saturday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Williams, in Clinton.  Mrs. Roach was born in slavery in the state of Georgia many years ago, close on to 100, it is thought.  She was sold to a planter in Tennessee and resided there at the close of the war, when she removed with her husband to Sterling and then to this city.  She was a familiar character in this city until about three years ago, when she went to live with daughter in Clinton.  The funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Jackson Martin Family
Fulton Journal: September 7, 1977

Southwest corner of 10th Avenue and 5th St.
Fulton, Illinois

An Old Home
Sale of the Andrews property to Fulton State Bank brings memories of the Martin House.  On June 12, 1862, Constantine Langenberg transferred title of the real estate to Jackson F. Martin.  The consideration was $800, so there must have been a house on it.  For about the next 75 years, the place was occupied by Martins.
The house was a homey cottage of Victorian styling in early days. It was remodeled, perhaps after the death of Charles V. Martin, into two small apartments.  Two closed-in porches were built at the rear.  A large front porch was added, then or perhaps earlier.
Jackson F. Martin (usually called Jack) was an interesting person.  He was born in 1834, came to Fulton in 1857 and died in 1893.  It could be written truthfully that his great love was for horses.  He exhibited some of his stable at the Morrison Fair in 1861.  He received a prize of eight dollars for the best matched team and three dollars for the second-best single carriage horse.  He had race-horses.  He ran them frequently and won on occasion.  One animal, Dunlap, was a local favorite.  In 1877, he put on the market Jack Martin's Horse Powders.  They were manufactured by the druggist, Leslie Williams. 
Mr Martin operated a livery-stable for a few years and then dealt in livestock.  He was a public-spirited man and did things for the good of the community.  People were dependent on sleighs for transportation in the winter.  There was an obstacle to free-going sometimes.  Uses of the vehicles could travel along swifly until they reached the Cattail Bridge.  Too often, the snow had been blown from it.  He solved the problem by hauling snow into the crude wooden structure.  In 1887, when much of the business center of Fulton was threatened by fire, he rode throughout the city sounding the alarm.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin had five sons, three of whom lived to maturity.  They were Harry, Luther and Charles V.  The last named inherited his father's love for horses.  He drove them in numerous races and ran a livery-stable until the horseless carriages caused its closing.
Mrs. Charles Martin (Tina Johnson) had a great love for flowers.  Her neighbor to the west, Mrs. A.W. Bastian, was equally enthusiastic.   The bought rare lilacs, roses, irises, and spring-flowering bulbs.  The area behind the two homes and Journal office was a beautiful flower-garden during the growing season.  That was long ago but there are still a few lilacs and rose bushes left of the greatly admired planting.
Roy Wythe Obit (see 2007 for Wythe family)
Fulton Journal: January 25, 1978

A memorial service for LeRoy A. Wythe, aged 88, formerly of Fulton will be conducted Thursday, Jan 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bosma Funeral Home.  Members of Fulton City Lodge No. 189 A.F. & A.M. will conduct the service.
Mr. Wythe died November 25, 1977 in Pacific Beach, Calif., where cremation took place.  Burial will take place at the Fulton Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
He was born in Clinton, on June 2, 1889, the son of Frank and Nellie Wythe.  He lived in the Fulton and Clinton area for many years while working in the U.S. Postal Service, before moving to Los Angeles, Calif. He retired in 1955.  He was a 50 year member of Fulton City Lodge No. 189 and a member of the Al Malaikah Shrine of Los Angeles, Calif.
Survirors include a daughter, Mrs. Fyrne Patterson, a grandson, Jeffery of South Gate, Calif. and a sister, Miss Helen Wythe of Fulton.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Fulton Clay Pipe Factory

Fulton Journal
July 5, 1935
By Peter Stark as told to J.E. Mitchell

One of Fulton's most interesting industries is that of one which most of our residents have given very little thought to, an industry which ranks with some of the oldest business firms here. In 1867, Nick, Peter, and Henry Gerten came to this country from Roehl, Germany, and settled in Fulton. They were clay pipe makers by trade, and while in Germany worked in a shop that was owned and operated by Peter Starck, Sr., the father of the owner and operator of Fulton's present clay pipe factory. Shortly after these boys came to Fulton, Nick returned to Germany, taking with him a sample of Whiteside county clay along with clay from some other parts of the United States. This clay was tested and tried in pipes and found to be excellent for the manufacture of this article.
Therefore in 1869, Nick returned to the United States, bringing with him his nine brothers and sisters and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Methias Gerten. They settled immediately in Fulton in a house that was directly east of where the Water Works now are, and started manufacturing clay pipes. Charles Starck, a brother of Peter Starck, Jr., came with the Gertens and after working a short time in the Gerten shop started in business for himself.
In 1879, Peter Starck, Jr., came to this country from Speicher, Germany, and settled in Muscatine, Iowa, where he, too, entered the trade of his father by starting a factory of his own. He stayed in Muscatine for about five years and then moved to Fulton, and has been here ever since working in his own shop, which he started in 1896. In the meantime, Charlie had moved to Muscatine, and so in 1897 there were four clay pipe shops, here in Fulton owned and operated by Peter Starck, Met Starck, Henry Gerten, and Nick Gerten. Subsequently, all but Peter went out of business or moved away, and since the early 1900's there has been but one shop here.
This plant is the only one of its kind west of Chicago, and the only other one known to be in existence was located in Pontiac, Mich. It is not known whether that one is still in business or not.
In the hey-day of this business about 73,000 pipes were shipped out of Fulton a month, most of which went to Dubuque, Iowa, and other river towns, most of them being shipped by boat.
Mr. Starck has in his possession and smokes it occasionally, a pipe that was made in Germany in 1869 out of Ustick clay.

Excerpts from Fulton Journal article March 24, 1965.
From John Gerten of Spokane, Washington to newspaper in Hollister, Missouri.

Nick Gerten made the last clay pipes in Fulton in 1896 and took up a homestead in Taney County near Cedar Creek here again about a year later, he built a pipe shop of logs. The shingles for the roof were split with a froe so the only expense was a couple of windows.
A kiln to burn the pipes in was also made, the outside made of stone. The brick for the inside and the arches to hold up the floor were also the problem, there was plenty of red clay for them. This same red clay must also now be used for the pipes. There was no white clay near.
The method of getting them to market was also different.
Instead of being packed in boxes by the gross and shipped by boat or rail to wholesale houses, he would after having made a wagon load hire a man with a team to make a trip with him through the surrounding country until the load was sold. He retailed them to the stores at fifty cents a hundred taking groceries when he could not get cash. The driver received a dollar a day and expenses for him and team.
These trips would take perhaps a couple of weeks and after paying the driver, there would sometimes not be very much cash left, but there would be groceries.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Hoving

October 29, 1920
Fulton Journal

First Holland Child Born in Fulton Died Thursday--Funeral Monday Afternoon.

Mrs. Jacob Buikema, who had been in poor health for a long time, died Thursday forenoon at her home on Fourteenth avenue.
Mrs. Buikema, whose maiden name was Kate Hoving, was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoving, and was born in this city July 22,1859, and was the first person of Holland parents born in Fulton. February 10, 1881, she was married to Jacob Buikema. After her marriage with her husband she resided in Ustick and later moved to a farm in Fenton, near Denrock. Thirteen years ago Mr. and Mrs. Buikema retired and moved to Fulton, and erected a home on Fourteenth avenue.
Mrs. Buikema was a good woman, clearly attached to her home and esteemed by her friends as a generous and kind-hearted person.
She leaves her husband, two daughters, Mary, the wife of Albert Dost and resides in Deer Creek, Minn, and Alice who married William Kamphuis and lives in Fulton, and two sons, William of Gardenplain and John at home.
The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at one o'clock at the house and at 1:30 at the First Reformed church conducted by Rev. H. Frieling. The burial will be in the Fulton cemetery.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

"Pot Ewrten"

Fulton Journal
July 25, 1919

OUTING AND SOCIAL SUPPER
Several Families have a Jolly time in "Pot Ewrten" Grove

A social supper was served last Tuesday night at "Pot Ewrten" grove. The bill of fair proved to be very appetizing; no tonic needed. After supper the night was passed very pleasantly with boat riding, fishing, and listening to fish stories. Fishing was pretty good, and John Flikkema had the first bite and succeeded in pulling in a good sized bullhead. Later we saw a fish which would take two men to carry off. Nine autos were lined up at once to take the visitors and families home. The following attended this supper and sure had a jolly time: J.E. Temple, George Kolk, Jake J. Sikkema, Ren Boot, M. Dykema, D. VanZuiden, Joe Sikkema, Albert Wiersema, John Flikkema, Henry Flikkema, Rev. Garrett Flikkema, Roy Sikkema, John H. Dykema, P. Dykhuis and the owner of the grove, George Dykema, with their families.

From Uithuizen

Fulton Journal
April 8, 1910

Mr. and Mrs. John Pluis, who left Fulton a year ago and returned to their native country, Holland, arrived in this city, Thursday morning to again make their home in this county. They were accompanied by four young men, John Meyer, Henry Klastra, Rube Bethius and John Tillema who came to this country to make their future home. The party left Uithuizen, Holland, Saturday, March 26, and were nine days crossing the Atlantic.

Mob Threatens Doctor

Fulton Journal
July 8, 1919

MOB THREATENS A CITIZEN
About Forty Men from Northwestern Yards March to Town Yesterday.


The peace and quietude of Fulton was threatened Monday afternoon at about four o'clock when a crowd of about forty laborers from the railroad yards south of town came trooping up Lincoln Way with the intention, it is stated of running Dr. Harrison out of town. Their coming was known and a number of citizens met them near Sikkema's machine shop and after a consultation with the leaders, persuaded the men to disperse and go to their homes, as the charges against Dr. Harrison are to be brought before the circuit court for a hearing.
The men were mostly Hollanders who are employhed in the C. & N.W. terminal yards, and they came into town in an orderly manner and made no demonstrations calculated to disturb the peace. After Claus DeWeerdt and J.J. Sikkema and one or two others talked with the leaders the crowd dispersed and so quietly had it all taken place that but a small number of people knew about the affair. This talk of running citizens out of town or in any way threatening them is unlawful, and persons putting off that kind of propaganda are liable to arrest and punishment if a complaint should be filed against them.

Ben Damhoff

Fulton Journal
June 2, 1916

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Damhoff, old and respected residents of Fulton, came to this country from Holland and landed in Fulton just fifty years ago the 29th of May and have prospered. They have six children all residing in Fulton and vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Damhoff are among the oldest continuous residents of Fulton and have seen many changes and noted many inventions. When they located here there were no electric lights or electric cars, no telephones or phonographs, no motor cars or motor boats, no air ships or aeroplanes, no moving pictures or wireless telegraphy.

Golden Wedding: Akker

Fulton Journal
May 20, 1890

Saturday Hiram Akker and Ellen Akker celebrated their golden wedding. They were married in Holland, May 16, 1840. On account of the funeral that was held Friday the golden wedding was held on Saturday. They are the parents of eight children, three are living, two being present at the wedding and presented Mr. Akker with a gold headed cane, and Mrs. Akker with a gold thimble. There were several other nice presents. Rev. TeWinkle was present and several of their old country friends. Mr. and Mrs. H. Akker have lived in this country twenty-four years. They lived on a farm fourteen years, then moved to Fulton, where they have resided for the past ten years.

Suicide Mrs. Roy Buis

Fulton Journal
February 18, 1921

YOUNG WIFE ENDS HER LIFE
Upbraided by Her Husband for Unfaithfulness, Mrs. Roy Buis of Chicago Committed Suicide
The Chicago papers of Wednesday contained an article giving a detailed account of the suicide Tuesday evening of Mrs. Roy Buis, who was twenty-three years old and with her husband and four small children resided at 32 South Albany avenue, Chicago, where the deed was committed.
The husband is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius D. Buis, former residents of Fulton. Six years ago Roy Buis entered the employ of the C. B. & Q as freight handler in Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Buis had not been living together happily. Tuesday evening he and his wife's brother, Gordon Speechly, returned from work about five o'clock. Roy upbraided Mrs. Buis, accusing her of keeping company with another man. When Mr. Buis and Mr. Speechly went into the kitchen to remove their work clothes, she went into the bedroom and with an automatic revolver shot herself through the heart and died a few minutes later.
Her husband and brother were held for the inquest, which took place Wednesday. The coroner's jury, after hearing the evidence, rendered a verdict of suicide.

May Peabody Drowned

Fulton Journal
July 18, 1879

May, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. J.B. Peabody, of Chicago, was drowned Saturday morning between the hours of 6 and 7 o'clock, in the cistern of her grandfather, Mr. Orrin Cowles. The circumstances connected with the sad and terrible affair are as follows: Little May and her brother came to the city two days before with their aunt, Miss Anna A. Cowles with a view of spending the summer with their mother's family in Fulton. On the morning of her death, May, soon after getting up went out to play, and was not missed by the family until breakfast was ready, when her absence began to excite apprehension and search was made for her. The cistern stands in a darkened shed near the house, and its top had been left open for ventilation. It is supposed the child had entered the shed to play with some kittens that had their bed there, and, not seeing the cistern fell into it. It is not known how long the body remained in the water, but when taken out life was extinct. Drs. Griswold, Seeley and McCoy were hastily summoned, and exhausted their skill in effort to resuscitate but in vain. Mr. and Mrs. Peabody were telegraphed for at once, and reached Fulton, Saturday afternoon. On Monday morning religious services were held at the house, Rev. Mr. Wells, officiating, immediately after which, the parents returned to Chicago with the remains of their child. Little May was nearly eight years old and a child of striking beauty and sweetest disposition.

Hoboes

Fulton Journal
July 24, 1908

THEY GATHER AT THE RIVER
Hoboes Camp Close to Town and Keep "Open House" for "Wandering Willies."

On the river bank just north of the foot of Genesee street, is a clump of ash trees whose foliage is so dense that it offers a splendid shade and provides an inviting rendevous for the "Weary Willies." A visit to this place at any time, one may find from one to a dozen of these migratory individuals resting beneath the trees.
The top of an old gasoline stove placed upon a few rocks so arranged that a fire may be built under it, serves as a stove on which they do their cooking which is usually done in tin cans. Their food consists chiefly of potatoes a little meat, onions, and other vegetables, bread and coffee.
You will always find the boys reading newspapers which they beg from printing offices and thereby keep posted on nearly all topics of interest as well as the views of the different political parties.
The place is what is known in the vernacular as "Hobo Camp." Among the bunch which form the occupants of the place, a few have money which they contribute to buy provisions, otherwise they sally out about the breakfast hour on a foraging expedition and make a house to house canvas for something to eat. At night, the hoboes break camp and seek shelter in some box car or unused building. The boys take advantage of the opportunities offered by the river and wash a few of their garments and are said at times even to take a bath.

To Become Citizens

Fulton Journal
October 3, 1916

TO BECOME CITIZENS
Numerous Applicants for Naturalization Papers Examined.

Fifteen applicants for their final papers of naturalization are to be examined in the circuit court this term. They are as follows:
William Gerhard Camps, Sterling, German
Jacob Muir, Prophetstown, Holland
Herman John Housenga, Prophetstown, Holland
Mathias Swanson, Morrison, Swedish
John Marshall, Fulton, English
Hugo Dykstra, Morrison, Holland
Peter Voss, Morrison, Holland
Claus Decker, Morrison, Holland
John Claveringa, Fulton, Holland,
John Faber, Fulton, Holland
Korelies Smit, Fulton, Holland
John Teisman, Fulton, Holland
Berndt Albert Watson, Morrison, Swedish
John Van Wieren, Morrison, Holland
Alfred Olyson, Tampico, Sweden

Mrs. Rider

Fulton Journal
Jan. 15, 1865

Shameful. Mrs. Rider an intemperate old lady residing in town, is very frequently seen reeling under the influence of liquor, and many times within the past few weeks has tumbled down upon the sidewalk or in the middle of the street, being unable to walk or help herself. The question is often asked where does she get her liquor? but it is never answered. All knowing the certain consequences, it is strange that any dealer in Fulton should let her have it, and more strange that the good people of our city do not remonstrate in a way that the man or woman who does let her have liquor, should realiaze the shamefulness of the act--even to the drying up of their fountain.

Cider Mill

Fulton Journal
September 22, 1876

Mr. Daniel George has really one of the best cider mills in the country, at his farm on Albany and Morrison road, in Garden Plain township. It has a capacity of 15 barrels a day, and does its work in an excellent manner. Farmers and others taking their apples there will find no delay save what is actually necessary. The mill will grind just as fast as a person can shovel the apples from the wagon. Such a mill is decidely handy to have in a neighborhood. Mr. George also has barrels constantly on hand for sale for the accommodation of his customers.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Eureka Windmill

Fulton Journal May 3, 1878

Cushman & Co., Thomson, are as busy as they can be in the maufacture of their justly styled "Eureka Windmill." This probably is one of most simple and best mills made. If any of our farmer friends contemplate purchasing a windmill we would suggest that they examine the Eureka, material, principal, and price before you purchase.

Cows

Fulton Journal June 23, 1885

Nine cows were impounded last night. This morning their angry owners paid a fine of $3.00 for each cow. Two men said they did not know that cows should be shut up nights; two couldn't find theirs; one said his cow was driven from the yard; the others said their cows never did any harm, etc., etc. Keep your cows in the yard from 9 o'clock p.m. until 5 o'clock a.m.

E.D. Chapman in Chicago

Fulton Journal March 7 1879
E.D. Chapman of this city has recently secured a position as clerk in the Exchange Restaurant connected with the Transit House at the Union Stock Yard, Chicago. His uncle. C. H. Dodge, formerly of this city has been employed at the Transit House for some time. The boys have an opportunity to meet the farmers and stock buyers from this vicinity, whenever they take car loads of stock to the Chicago market.

Horse Trouble

Fulton Journal April 18,1879

Mr. A.D. Mitchell's delivery team got frightened Wednesday morning at a wheelbarrow full of bushes and ran off, throwing out Mr. Collins Ross, his clerk, and Mr. Mitchells little son, injuring them, however, but slightly. Rushing along the street when they neared the College they ran over old Mrs. Rider, a pea-nut peddler, throwing her to the ground. The team was soon stopped. Very little damage to anything or anybody.