Crawford County Pioneer Association Meeting, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Cindy McCachern Robinson (IL) Constitution, 27 August 1902 The annual reunion of the Crawford County Pioneer Association was held in the courthouse last Thursday. Hon. K. A. Snively of Springfield, member of the State Board of Pardons had been advertised as the principal speaker, but pressing business at Joliet prevented him from being present. The meeting was called to order at the ___ by the president, G. W. Harper. The invocation was delivered by Rev. J. W. McNeill. Hon. F. Callahan welcomed the old settlers on behalf of the people of Robinson, taking occasion to indulge in a few interesting reminiscences. The response was delivered by Clark Newlin, who reviewed the incidents of early days in Crawford county when a slip constituted the suit of clothing in summer time. Mr. Newlin was followed by addresses from Nim Seaney, Salathiel Lamb, Aaron Young, Jesse Jackson, John A. Handy, Charles York, Josiah Conrad, D. M. Bales, and A. T. Baker, all abounding in reminiscences of early days when every home was of necessity a shoe shop and a factory. Mr. Jackson informed his audience that they might get a glimpse of the past by visiting his home any day and seeing the old-time spinning wheel. Mrs. Jackson yet being an adept at operating it. (Picture of the late John Parker--The well-known pioneer who went a lifetime without a hat.) Mr. Hardy is one of three survivors of the Mexican war in this county and he related his experience in enlisting and told of incidents that followed in active service. Several of the speakers told of the days when letter postage was 50 cents and calico 35 cents per yard, when the prairies of the county were covered with water and malaria existed everywhere. Aunt Polly McDowell, the oldest person in the county, occupied a seat of honor on the platform, her countenance lit up by a gracious smile, her voice clear and musical. She is 92 and rarely misses these annual meetings. The officers of the association were honored with re-election for another year as follows: G. W. Harper, president; Henry Burner, vice president, Judge K. E. Newlin, secretary. The following pioneers responded to roll call, the first column of figures being their ages and the next column the length of time spent in the county. I. D. Mail 71 71 Nim Seaney 75 75 D. M. Bales 77 51 Isaac Anderson 66 10 Samuel Midkiff 78 48 J. M. Highsmith 65 65 D. W. Faught 64 57 Benjamin Shaw 75 25 Joseph Nichols 78 72 R. M. Longenecker 63 63 A. Highsmith 63 63 W. R. Emmons 66 42 J. R. Geeseman 71 63 George Apgar 73 20 David Kellar 61 61 W. A. Engleton 81 75 C. S. Wiggington 64 11 D. W. Kirk 60 51 Alex. Wilson 62 50 W. E. Mitchell 69 50 John Cornwell 66 40 Margaret Walters 70 25 John A. Hardy 78 42 Sarah Hardy 76 42 Benjamin Franklin 68 6 Jesse Jackson 64 27 Selathiel Lamb 76 65 Jas. P. Wilson 69 60 Josiah Conrad 66 62 Jacob Wilkin 668 50 John Walters 81 81 Zach Adams 63 63 H. J. Cobb 69 69 Charles York 77 77 Samuel Wilkin 63 51 Mary J. Barrick 66 63 Jane York 67 51 Caroline Stifal 66 52 Sarah J. Correll 64 45 Elizabeth Riegel 74 46 Sarah A. Conrad 67 67 John M. Brown 66 66 W. W. Hall 69 50 William Brown 76 70 James Conrad 70 70 Mrs. S. M. Gordon 70 53 P. S. Eaton 64 64 Mary Coulter 66 52 John Fox 62 25 E. Callahan 73 53 Alva Burner 75 57 Aaron Young 72 66 W. D. Hand 67 67 Clark Newlin 72 72 H. Barnbrook 70 36 A. T. Baker 75 16 G. W. Harper 64 45 Harry Martin 73 73 E. F. Bull 85 28 H. Henderson 78 48 S. A. Shipman 63 63 J. S. Kirk 63 51 A. J. Haskett 64 64 L. B. Griswold 63 52 Peter Barrick 64 64 Andrew Mitchell 64 50 Sarah Wolfe 85 53 Polly McDowell 92 86 Mrs. Wm. Tilroe 64 14 Lindsay Newlin 63 63 Henry Burner 67 57 W. W. Montgomery 78 78 Mr. I. A. Mann 70 57 Mary Griswold 632 62 Mrs. O. C. Griswold 78 40 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern